Page 97

“I am grateful for your assistance. I would not have asked for you to leave the comfort of the palace if not for my great concern for my friend. ”

“I understand, Countess Dracula. Unlike some rich folk, you actually care for others. ” He gave me small nod of his head and drew the sleigh up to the front doors.

Adem was lifting me down when the door flew open. Maria stumbled out into the cold, clutching her shawl about her shoulders.

“Oh, thank goodness you are here! Hurry! Hurry!”

Hastening into the foyer of the house, I clutched the pot of tea to my bosom. Though I did not know if it could truly help my beloved friend, I was determined to deliver it safely. Maria rushed me deeper into the house, away from the coldness of the foyer. I thought she would take me to Laura’s room, but instead she ushered me into the same parlor where I had met the fortuneteller. Laura was nowhere to be seen, but Sir Stephan was waiting anxiously next to a blazing fireplace.

“At last!” He surged toward me and gripped my shoulders. “You must help her!”

“I brought her tea,” I said, offering the pot. “It’s medicinal. ”

Appearing confused, Maria took it from me, her brow furrowed.

“Tea?” Sir Stephan gasped. “Tea? You offer tea?”

Frowning at them, I began to unbutton my coat as Adem lingered at my side and Enre stood in the doorway. “I am here to see Laura. Where is she? How is she?”

“Very sick!” Maria exclaimed. “It came upon her the night of the first snow. She began to cough and then by morning she had a fever. It has worsened and the doctor is quite concerned. Laura suffered a terrible illness a few years ago and it has weakened her constitution. ”

“You must help her. ” Sir Stephan’s voice was terse.

“I am not a doctor. How can I help her?” I was confused by their words and frantic appearance.

Sir Stephan glanced warily at Adem and Enre. “Perhaps we should speak privately. ”

“They want you to make her a vampire,” Adem said. “That is what they want. They’re afraid she will die. ”

“What? She’s dying?” I gaped at Laura’s parents in shock.

“No, not yet, but she may. ” Sir Stephan released me and sat down heavily in a chair.

“It’s my fault. I should have never taken her out that night. It was the snow that caused it. I know it!” Maria covered her face in despair.

“What does the doctor say?” I could not believe that Laura could be so ill. I had just seen her a few short days before and she had seemed fine.

“He says that there is fluid in her lungs. He believes it’s pneumonia. ” Sir Stephan rubbed his highbrow with his ruddy fingers. “Our son died from pneumonia and Laura nearly died as well that same winter. We beg you to not let her die. ”

I felt ill as I considered their words and the implication of the deed they wanted me to perform. I sought out Adem’s gaze and he only sighed in response. Enre stepped forward to claim my coat, hat and gloves as I stood in silence feeling the heavy gaze of Laura’s parents upon me. How could her parents wish for me to inflict upon her my condition? Did they not understand the terrible complications my new nature had wrought upon me? Not only did I have to feed on the living for sustenance, there was all manner of folk, supernatural and human, that would see me dead. I lived my life in a state of constant anxiety. How could I wish that upon Laura? Yet, how could I let her die? Furthermore, I did not even know how to make one of my own kind. That secret was not one Vlad had imparted to me.

“I wish to see her, please,” I said at last.

Maria wiped away her tears, nodding as she moved to the hall. She reached out her hand toward me, gesturing for me to follow. Glancing back at Sir Stephan, I was surprised to see such despair in his plain features.

The hallways were quite cold and the sound of the wind outside made me shiver. The cold does not affect me as it once did, but I find no comfort in it. We reached Laura’s room and when the door opened, a warm gush of air flowed out. It had a slightly medicinal tinge that somewhat covered the scent of illness.

It broke my heart to see Laura propped upon a pile of pillows, breathing shallowly as the air whistled in and out of her lungs. Her skin was covered in a thin layer of moisture and her hair was damp. Flushed with a fever, her heightened color frightened me.

A maid was in the room stoking the flames in the fireplace. She glanced at us briefly before returning to Laura’s side to tuck the blankets up around her throat.

“Countess Dracula brought Laura a medicinal tea. Please have it warmed. ” Maria held out the pot, clearly dismissing the maid. The woman bobbed her head, took the tea, and departed. Adem calmly shut the door behind her.

Hurrying to Laura’s side, I felt angry and helpless. Clutching her very warm hand to my bosom, I leaned over her. “Laura. Laura, darling. Please wake up. ”

Eyelashes fluttering, her eyes struggled to open as she rasped out my name. “Glynis!”

“I’m here!” I forced a smile, fighting the urge to weep.