Page 55

I bristled at Astir’s mocking tone and regarded her coldly.

She laughed at my petulance and took another long sip of champagne. “Oh, dear. Do you have your eye set on our dear Adem?”

“Heavens no!” I said, aghast. “My heart belongs to Ignatius!”

Her sea green eyes sparkled with merriment as she slipped her hands free of her gloves. “How divine! You truly do love our dear Father Ignatius, do you not?”

“Of course!” I scowled at her, my sluggish heart beating in my chest with anger and desire. How I wanted to hold Ignatius in my arms and speak to him. I craved him as I did blood, with every aspect of my essence.

“So that is why you summoned me?” Astir tucked her gloves away and set her very pale, slim fingers upon mine. “Is that it, dear one?”

I supposed she expected me to shirk away from her touch, but instead I gripped those too-long, dry fingers with my own. “Yes. I have considered your warning about Ignatius learning about Vlad’s fate, and I do not believe he would betray me to his Mistress. He loves me. He will protect me. ”

“Are you so certain?” Astir lifted one slim brow.

“I am certain. Though your warning has some merit, I do not believe he would ever betray me. There are conversations you were not privy to, and, upon reflection, I believe he will stand at my side. ”

With a slight roll of her shoulders, Astir turned her attention toward Adem. “Love can destroy, you know. Even when it does not intend to. ”

“I do not give your words merit where they have none,” I retorted as I clutched her hand fiercely. “I implore you. Now, tell me. Where is he? What do you know?”

Astir’s eyes flicked down to our clutched hand

s, and she slightly quirked the corner of her thin mouth. “Well, aren’t we a tad desperate?”

“I love him. You know this. You even helped keep our affair a secret from Vlad. Now tell me. . . ”

Astir withdrew her hand and lightly patted mine before drawing herself up and sitting primly in her chair. She cast her gaze toward the open windows and appeared to contemplate her response. “Vienna. With his Mistress. At least, that is what his last correspondence indicated. ”

I slightly inclined my head. “Thank you. I wish to send him a letter. Can you arrange this?”

“I would advise against it,” Astir answered, all traces of gaiety gone from her demeanor.

“I told you! He will not betray me. Why do you thwart me?”

Shifting about in her chair, Astir looked slightly uncomfortable. “There is much afoot in the city of Buda that you are not privy to at this time. ”

“Then tell me!”

“Oh, I dare not, for I cannot intercede were you to act foolishly. It is best you do not know and keep to your promise to behave yourself. ” Astir sipped her champagne and once more appeared to be weighing her words before speaking.

“Then tell me so I will not act foolishly! Does this have to do with my husband?”

The wickedness returned to her expression as she said slyly, “Ah, you call him your husband so easily now. ”

Leaning forward, my hands clutched into tight fists, I answered, “Of course. It is best that I carry his title and his name. ”

Astir tilted her head, her delicate diamond earrings catching the light. “I see. Well, your dear husband has caused much of the complications occurring at this time, but the situation is now far removed from his power and influence. It has run its own course and I suggest that you be a dear, quiet little vampire and behave yourself. The powers that be are not gazing in your direction at this time though they are aware of your presence. There is a power struggle occurring and your dear husband was wise enough to remove himself, and you, from the fray. It is best if Ignatius does not come into this city and that you do not correspond with him. In fact, it is best for both of us if you do nothing more than entertain your human friends, do not kill for blood, and behave in the manner of a mortal countess. ”

I was riled at her words, infuriated that she dare tell me how to behave, yet I was surprised to see concern in her eyes. “I came here to find Ignatius and have my revenge. ”

Astir finished her champagne and gestured for the waiter. “Yes, I know. But you are not a goddess, my little one. You are a vampire with a title and the illusion of a mortal life. You must use these assets to your advantage and keep yourself from harm. You cannot hurtle through this new life of yours doing as you will. ”

I chafed under her words. “What use is this new life if I cannot do as I will? I refused to live a conventional life as a mortal and I certainly do not intend to do so as a vampire. ”

“Is that why you have ensconced yourself in Hungarian society as Countess Dracula? Please, my dear one. You have returned to the familiar trappings of your mortal life. ”

My laughter was mocking. “If you bore witness to the Baroness Dosza’s little nightly parties, you would have to admit that the life I live now is far removed from the genteel country life my parents desired for me. I am a vampire. I am Countess Dracula, and I will do as I desire. ”