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"No, Glynis, we cannot I do not want to go down there," May whispered

"I wonder what lies below" I admit I can be rather foolhardy at tio down there"

I stared down the stairs,desire to set my foot down upon that first step, and yet, I was very afraid May’s hand slipped away from mine as she dreay fro me!"

I heard her voice, but I could not heed her words I was mesmerized by the darkness below, dran to it Hesitantly, I began to descend the stairs I foundfilledI had heard the night before began oncevoices Voices of such sweetness, I felt coely arousing, yet terrifying

"Lady Glynis!"

I was startled out of my trance-like state and whirled around As the top of the stairs, staring down at ypsy woman, Ilona Her hands were on her hips and she looked quite angry Behind her, May cowered nervously

"Come to me at once This area of the castle is not safe You should not be here!"

The voices stirred aroundSo exotic, beautiful, and seductive was stirring The whispers danced on my skin I suddenly felt afraid

"What is down there?"

I could still feel the dark power stirring, drawing closer Yet, I could not bring myself toapart Now, come here! Colish "Youspoken to in such a htily lifteddown into the darkness, but suddenly, I knew I did not want to knohat lay below With firry servant

"Co lowering at me

I turned one last time to look at the mysterious doorway and the servant wo out her hand in front of her and ue

I could have sworn I heard so voice

We found our way back to the library, holding hands, as I h, I was able to break her free of fear and see her saiety, I was unnerved by e had encountered and felt ill at ease

The library was a large room with a vast fireplace and e table looking over a stack of papers while ht was streah the dialoomy

Father realized we had entered the roos, did you enjoy your little adventure?"

"It was quite dreadful! Very foreign And quite old and very dirty in places," May said

"I thought it was marvelously uncanny, Father" I leaned over and kissed hi myself onto the couch next to o off without the Prince to escort you" My entle, but her eyes ary "Hoe know it is safe?"

"It was safe enough," I assured her

"The Prince has obviously left us to our own devices I do not think they did any har her head on his shoulder

In the warmth of my family, our adventure did not seehosts and sent theleefully

"Glynis!"

I grinned atto sit next to hosts We are quite beyond that sort of thinking," Father said to htly and leaned over to study his papers "What are you reading?"

"Prince Vlad left these forhis financial holdings"

"Is he wealthy?"

"Very wealthy indeed, Glynis"

"Father, you are not going to make me marry him, are you?"

He smiled at me tenderly I knew he could see the desperation in my eyes and I felt as if I had paled a bit He placed his very war to make you marry him"

"Edric, but you said-" Mother said sharply

He cut her off "Yes, we have discussed this all , but the truth res are lush and quite beautiful, but very old"

"Every fas," Mother said She looked so anxious and desperate, her hand flying to her throat

"Antoinetta, the castle is falling apart in some places"

"But he says he will repair it…" Her voice floundered, looking at me rather sadly

"Do you really want her to marry so badly that you would wish her to reently, but his eyes were determined "Think, my wife, are you so desperate?"

"Edric, she is nineteen years old!"

"My love, I know that in your heart you hat is best for our daughters, but this is not best for our eldest Yes, according to these papers our host, Prince Vlad Dracula, is a e Perhaps he could repair this castle and set it right once ner"

"As am I" Mother’s voice was bitter