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“Interesting,” she murmured.

There was no great rush of wind, or any other dramatic device to note her departure. She simply disappeared.

Slowly, I became aware of the carriage still trudging up the hill and Adem moaning at my feet. The door was closed and I began to wonder if I had imagined the entire event. Yet, I could still feel her mouth on mine and my lip ached from the healing wound.

I was completely and utterly afraid.

Chapter 17

The Journal of Countess Dracula

September 4, 1820

The Dosza Palace

Astir, that foul fallen angel, has refused to answer my letters other than to send me a single message written upon a slip of paper.

It reads: “Continue to follow my advice. ”

Wh

at sort of ridiculous assistance is that? I have been following his edict, but I still fear I am in danger.

Every night since I saw the other vampire I have been terrified that she will come to me again. I am only now feeling recovered from my meeting with her. Vlad is powerful, but the presence of this new vampire is utterly overwhelming. For the first time in months, instead of dreaming of Vlad attempting to seduce me into releasing him, I dream of her.

The dream is always the same.

I enter the blue parlor of my family manor in England to find her taking tea with my parents. The vampire greets me warmly, as though we are long lost friends. Despite my misgivings in my dreams, I always sit and chat with her. We laugh and sip tea while my parents discuss my future nuptials and possible suitors. The vampire sits and listens with great interest then always asks my parents how they know of Vlad Dracula. At this point in the dream, I become very afraid and urge my family to leave the room. She always laughs as they depart, leaving us alone. The dream always ends in the same way: she grips my hand, leans toward me, and whispers, “What is your secret, little one?”

I always awaken in absolute terror.

Does she know? Can she know?

Did she taste Vlad Dracula’s power in my blood when she kissed me?

I am frightfully afraid and I wish that damned fallen angel would answer my queries.

“It always saddens me when the trees began to turn color,” Laura said, her fingers gently plucking at a bit of thread.

Much to Csilla’s disgust, we sat in a parlor working on our embroidery. As a mortal, I hated learning the skill. I had considered it torture until Laura began to visit and it became a grand excuse to avoid the baroness and her wild parties. The beautiful woman’s constant ploys to endear herself aggravated me. Also, I have grown weary of her intruding on Laura’s visits. It was Laura’s idea to work on our embroidery together. As soon as Csilla announced she despised the craft, I embraced the task wholeheartedly. As a vampire I do find I am much better with the needle and thread. I am not certain why, but I find the task calms my nerves.

“I prefer the spring, but the fall does bring cooler weather. ” I leaned over my embroidery hoop, stitching away just as my dear mother used to do.

The doors to the patio were cast open and a cool breeze freshened the room. Laura sighed with contentment. “This is true, but I love the richness of the green trees. Now the trees will go to sleep and be desolate until the spring. ”

“Fall is pretty. It’s as if the world is aflame. ” I adjusted the hoop attached to a stand. Laura had brought it as a gift for me when she realized I didn’t have one.

“Father says the farmers are warning of a bad winter. ”

“I suppose farmers are adept at reading the signs of nature in that regard. ” I lifted my head to see her staring out at the garden with sadness in her eyes. “What is it, Laura?”

“I just feel rather morose about the advent of fall. Every year when the cold comes it feels like it nests in my chest and I always have such terrible coughing fits. Also, it reminds me of when my brother died. ”

“My sister May also had a delicate constitution. I always feared for her when she was sick during the winter months. I am so sorry about your brother, Laura. I know how terrible it is to lose a sibling. ”

Laura was silent for a moment, then said, “Sebastyén was always sickly as well. Ever since he was a small child he suffered from breathing difficulties. The doctor said he would grow stronger as he grew older, but he never truly did. Yet, I never dreamed he would die. I still miss him terribly. Sometimes, I believe I catch a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye as I walk through my home. But I turn to look and he’s not there. ” Gazing up at me through her lashes, she pursed her lips nervously. “Do you believe in ghosts?”

I remembered the apparition of May appearing just before I had died and joined the ranks of the undead. She had been angelic and beautiful. “I believe so. I once saw May after she had died. She was at peace. ”