Page 9

“These are no mere horses!” I gasped.

“They are not. But what they are is not truly your concern. Just know that they are strong, fast, and loyal to their riders. ” Adem took hold of my arm just above the elbow and guided me to the horse nearest us. The great beast regarded me with keen interest when I reached out to it. Its nose nestled into the palm of my hand, and I felt a strange kinship with the beast.

“What is your name?” I whispered to it.

“They have no names. At least, not names they share with us. ” Adem easily slid onto the back of his horse.

One of Adem’s men moved to help me mount the horse, but I easily swung myself up. My legs slung to one side of the large, beautiful beast, I fussed with my dress and petticoats. I often craved to ride like a man, straddling a horse, but dresses did not allow for such a thing. I considered wearing trousers like a man, but my adoration of fashion has prevented me from such a thing.

Adem expertly tugged on the reins and his horse trotted to my side. He bent over slightly and regarded me with curiosity.

“Where shall we go to find the Countess Dolingen?”

“A graveyard. It was near a ruined village somewhere between the castle and here. I realize that we only have a few hours to search, but I am desperate. ”

“These horses are faster than their mundane counterparts. We shall make good time. ”

“It was off the main road, down a very old, unused path as I remember. ”

“And what shall we do when we reach your destination and hopefully find her?” Adem raised his eyebrows. “What are your plans?” He seemed bemused by my impromptu rescue mission.

“Do you know who she is?” I tilted my head, regarding him with curiosity. He did seem to know far more than I had originally surmised.

“Countess Dolingen, vampire sister to Count Dracula. She abandoned her mistress to be with him and simply disappeared into these mountains, never to return to Vienna, the haven, or her mistress. ”

“Erzsébet abandoned her Mistress?”

“When Vlad’s Mistress exiled him to his lands, Erzsébet went with him. She loved him desperately and willingly left behind her estate and riches to live with him in the Carpathian Mountains along with his Bride, Cneajna. ” Adem shrugged slightly. “The madness of love spoke and she doomed herself. ”

“You know so much!” I was surprised, yet enthralled.

With a laugh, Adem spurred his horse, guiding it onto the street. “Yes. Far too much. ”

I quickly snapped my reins and followed. “How do you know these things?”

“I am in servitude to Lord Astir,” he reminded me.

The darkened buildings rose up around us, silent as their inhabitants slept. Dogs prowled as cats yowled, the night taken over by nocturnal beasts. Adem deftly avoided the churches in the town, sparing me the discomfort that came with being close to holy places and relics.

“I have lived a very long time and have seen much. I am Lord Astir’s captain of the guard, and therefore privy to much of the information he acquires. ”

“Are you human?”

Adem raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then nodded. “Yes. I am. ”

“You say you are very old, yet I see a young man before me. I do not understand. ”

“When one is dealing with Lord Astir, you must be aware that he is capable of many wondrous things. He is able to grant you the very desire of your heart, but the cost can be high. I am just a man. I eat food, drink, sleep, dream, love, hate…all the things that mere mortals do. But I am alive because I cannot die. ”

“Why not?”

A cloud of dark emotion passed over his features and he shook his head. “For reasons I do not wish to speak of or the night will turn dreary and our ride will be one of misery. ”

“I see. ”

And I could. There was something terrible that lurked in the depths of his dark eyes. I did not want to press him if such pain lingered in his heart. I understood all too well the agony of a haunted past.

We rode out of the town, heading down the long winding road that traveled through the countryside. The towering mountains were all about us, dark and imposing in the night. The pace of the horses was that of a trot, yet we seemed to be traveling at a much faster pace. Once more, I wondered at the true nature of the horses, but dared not ask any more questions. I was grateful for the companionship and curious about my new friend.