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We were trapped in a hideous nightmare

"Father, we must leave," I whispered "Please, Father, we need to leave"

"I know, Glynis I know Da!"

Ovidiu’s dark face appeared at the , his eyes ith fear "The fire, Lord Edric, it is the devil’s fire The horses will not go near it!"

Even though his face rehtened he truly was "Then we leave on foot!"

"Oh, Edric!"

"It is the only way, Antoinetta Girls, gather only what you can carry and an to step down as we hurriedly grabbed up our things and prepared to flee

The great door to the castle swung open Dark gypsy h They quickly encircled the carriage, their eyesThe torches crackled and popped as they threwshadows across the face of the castle

"Edric," Mother whispered, her hand grasping his ar black coat flaring out about hi onauburn hair fell down his back in thick curls and his er, the ends pointed doard at the corners of his cruel reen eyes flickered with light as cat’s eyes do He s teeth

"Father!" I gripped his arhtly

"I see," my father whispered

"Welco out his arht of us cowering in the carriage behindus here?" Mother was tree and fear "We are Christian people!"

"We are citizens of the British Empire," Father said in a low voice "To treat us in this manner is barbaric You are a monster, sir, a monster"

Prince Vlad seemed amused by my parents’ outbursts "I have been called a ht, dear Countess I find it to be a compliment to my power I do not care if you are Christian people I, too, once served the Church I was once a defender of the faith" As he spoke, his voice beca past I do have every right to do with you as I please This is my country My land" Vlad’s eyes flashed a deep red as they narrowed, his posture becoarded uests in my house I offered you my hospitality, yet you denied me what I desire"

Prince Vlad’s eyes flicked to aze

"You cannot coerce hter’s hand!"

Prince Vlad chuckled, stroking hisme We are in my country I rule here I have the power of life and death in this land" Vlad’sout "And I will have what I desire Co with fear, I looked upon hian to weep His voice had resounded withinto rise

"No!" Myme to her "You cannot have her! Never!"

Father pressed e doorway

I felt as ifto fight him I covered my face with my hands as I felt his power continue to pull on me I was doomed and knew it

"I asked you before with proper respect for your rank for your daughter’s hand in raciously refused me and denounced my position as lowly But now you will see ht you here with my will It was my power that drew you And now, Edric, you have damned your family, and you shall never leave alive"

My father was stunned for a moment, then he shouted, "You cannot do this!"

We cowered behind hi each other tightly I e the sickening pull I felt ripping at o to the Prince

It was then that the driver and Ovidiu dashed away They uards and raced toward a path leading away froan to pursue them, but Vlad lifted his hand and ht!"

The an to pursue the two frantic men Ovidiu was almost to the path, the driver close behind, when the fla out As the hter of woht as the blue fire co blue fire danced wildly for a one The screams of the men abruptly ceased, and they were nowhere to be seen

"What ypsies , we tried to draw hie, but they wrenched him from us

"Leave hiht

Prince Vlad e, and Mother threw herself in front of us