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"I a that is not appreciated," Vlad retorted "I like you lish pomp!"

"You stole my purity!"

"And Christian irl who said her prayers every night and attended church faithfully?" He was laughing atwith anger "You stupid bastard! I hate you and I will never stop hating you!"

Vladand dark "Your words ly!"

"I do not care"

"You will have to dragyou in here"

"You will have to force rabbed my by my throat "You do not seem to understand, my dear Glynis You are my possession to do with as I please How you feel about what I decide to do with your beautiful body is of no importance to me I do not want your love or your adoration It would be pleasant, yes, but I do not require it" Vlad’s face drew close to ive ain, I will tie you down and give you to the gypsydoith a female vampire I have done it to another"

"I will kill you," I voiced softly in a tone that was deadly as well as sincere "I will find a way and I will kill you I promise you that" I stared directly into his eyes

His eyes narrowed "Many have tried" Releasing uidly lay across it "Leave" He gestured toward the door and I heard the audible click of the lock

I needed no further order I ran to the door and pulled on the latch Tointo the darkened corridor, I felt tears onstaircases and across rotting floors, I made my way back to the chaht trickling into the hall and the sound of Ariana singing in her high soprano voice I stumbled into the main chamber

Ariana stopped in mid-verse and Cneajna looked up froard and panting, in the doorway

"Glynis!"

I rushed to Cneajna and fell at her feet, burying own

Gently, she leaned over led red tresses "My dearest, do not cry"

Ariana hurried over and crouched beside , sweet sister? Why do you cry?"

"She could not satisfy our husband," Elina declared from where she stood "And he beat her for it"

"Is that true?" Cneajna sers "Did he beat you?"

"He rapedfor her understanding

A look of bewilderment crossed over her face "I do not understand"

Ilona appeared in the doorway "The Master is waiting"

"I will not go back," I screamed at her

"He calls for Ariana and Elina," Ilona answered me

"I told you!" Elina looked triumphant "She could not satisfy hiave me a quick kiss on the cheek and hurried out after Elina

Alone now, Cneajna heldme in her embrace

"Was he displeased with you?"

"He raped me! He forced me to-to-"

"You resisted our husband?" Cneajna sounded absolutely horrified

"I did not want hiht!"

"But it is ht?"

Cneajna tilted her head, her broering "I do not understand, my dearest I do not understand how you could refuse hian to sob even more as I realized that Cneajna truly did not understandvery much like my poor dead father "I am here I will not leave you You are not alone"

I wept in Cneajna’s ar what comfort I could from the woman as my vampire mother But contrary to her words, I kneas alone More alone than I could have ever believed possible

Chapter 12

The Journal of Sir Stephen Sheridan

18th of July, 1819

I a as I strode across the finewas oddly amiss in the world I approached my secretary with a certain sense of anxiety He i tohands

Ever since I found out my wife posted a letter for Edric just before he and his family left for Count Dracula’s castle, I have lived in dire dread It had been Dracula’s express desire that no one should know of the Wrights’ destination If Edric mentioned in his letter to his son that he was on his way to Dracula’s castle, it could cause complications

As I feared, a letter from the Viscount came into view I ripped open the letter and read at once:

Dear Father, Mother, May and Glynis,

Angeline and I miss you dreadfully I do so hope you depart soon for hoeline is with child and we both would like it very much if you could be here for the birth

All is ith the estate We finished the addition to the stables and have begun digging the neell Our businesses are running quite well and I will not bore you with the details