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Deeper I plunged, darting through broken archways, down stone steps, and around collapsed walls. Fear began to unfurl within me as I remembered the horror that Vlad had inflicted when he had held me down and forced himself into my virgin body. I could not bear for Laura to be assaulted in the same manner. If what Csilla said was true, Dietrich was a person of low moral character. I would not allow him to hurt Laura.

I burst through a thicket of trees and nearly tumbled down a stairway that led to a wide expanse of grass and broken walls. I released myself to the wind and let it catch me. Instead of falling, I floated to the bottom of the steps and landed with ease. Sweeping my gaze over my surroundings, I caught sight of a figure in white being drawn behind the remains of a tower.

“Please, no,” Laura’s faint cry carried on the wind.

I dashed across the ruins, clutching my shawl tightly around my shoulders. Darting around the wall, I found Dietrich pressing Laura against the grubby stones.

“Just a kiss,” he whispered in a voice that was deep with the desire for more than just a kiss. His hand was about her throat, pressing hard enough that she could not speak.

“Let her be,” I ordered.

He swiveled about and I saw that he was a handsome lad with a shock of brown hair and vivid blue eyes. “Who are you?”

Laura’s gaze darted toward me as Dietrich slightly released the pressure on her throat. I was as surprised as Dietrich when Laura pushed against him with both hands. Startled, he stumbled back a few steps. Again, she shoved him, sending him sprawling.

“I said no,” she shouted, breathing heavily, her face flushed with anger.

“Laura, let us depart. ” I held out my hand and she hurried over.

“We were supposed to be playing hide and seek,” she gasped, her hand moving to her bruised throat.

“Your friends abandoned the game. That is why I followed. ” I slipped my arm about her waist and considered smashing the boy into the wall.

“I thank you! I did not realize his intentions until he would not release my hand. Otherwise, I never would have come,” Laura said, her anger heating her words.

“You lie. ” Dietrich rose to his feet and brushed off his clothing. “You came here of your own will to be with me. Everyone at the party saw us together and will know what happened here. ”

Disgusted by his words, I scoffed at him. “You are the liar! I saw what happened. She rebuffed you and pushed you off your very feet. ” I glared at him, but kept my powers in check. I was relieved he had not the time to force himself upon her, but I was also proud that Laura had fought him.

“And who are you?” He scoffed at me. “Why would anyone listen to you? You’re just a girl. ”

“I am Countess Dracula. ”

Dietrich visibly paled and he stumbled back as if in fear.

“And Laura is my friend,” I continued, uncertain as to why he was so afraid.

“I didn’t hurt her! I just wanted a kiss. I want to marry her! Do right by her!”

“I don’t want to marry you!” Laura’s words were snapped off in an angry, bitter tone.

“You have to marry someone! Allow me to win your heart. ” Dietrich’s appeal was desperate and I almost felt a pang of sorrow for him.

“I have no desire to marry any man. ” Laura gathered up her skirts and rushed away.

I followed, my hand reaching out to steady her, for my vision at night was far superior. Now that we were away from her attacker, her tears began to flow.

“How could my friends betray me?”

My heart felt for her. “Perhaps they thought you had feelings for him and that they were performing some sort of favor?”

“I have told both numerous times that I had no interest in him or any other man and that I have no intention of ever getting married,” Laura replied. “I do not understand why they would disregard my desires. ”

“Perhaps they believed you were playing a game with him. Many girls do enjoy a man’s pursuit of their affections. ” In England many of the young ladies played elaborate games with the men they eventually married. I found the whole process tedious to a great degree.

“But I am not one of those women. I do not want to marry. Ever. I do not want a man to rule over me and tell me how to live my life. Father says I will end up a bitter spinster. So be it! I would much rather live alone in my twilight years than have Dietrich as a husband!”

Her tirade brought a smile to my lips, certain I had uttered similar words many times. “I cannot agree more. I never desired to marry either. ”