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I shall try and describe the hell we endured in his absence…

Our screaer I was the first to run to the great doors and beat upon the behindstaircase, her long white gown flowing around her like great wings She looked like an angel and, for a mad moment, I wished she would carry me up to heaven out of this hell

Elina threw herself over the railing of the great staircase, her hair fanning around her like a black halo Cneajna fell to her knees in the center of the grand foyer, screaainst the enorer was driving us to insanity

Trapped in the castle for days, the gypsies safely locked out, we have been starving Since Vlad had abruptly left us alone, deliberately chained to this dark corrupt castle by his poe had not fed We could not escape to feed and ere on the verge of madness

Our bodies and faces had thinned, and we looked strangely inhuman Our eyes were deep-set, our limbs sinewy Our hearts had ceased to beat and our bodies becaray We looked like wraiths Elina landed beside me and raked her nails feverishly over the darkened wood, splinters tearing into her fingers We were desperate and beyond reason

Ariana ran down the stairs, her hands clutching an ancient sword Rushing past Cneajna, she raised it over her head, ja; the hunger so painful that I felt I was being ripped apart into tiny pieces Grasping the hilt, I helped Ariana in her attempt to pry open the lock Elina joined her hands with ours, and together we tried to break open the doors

Cneajna huddled on the floor behind us, clawing at her hair in despair I felt the an to bend, and I cried out with relief "It is opening!"

Cneajna threw herself at us and grabbed hold of the sword We were all so very weak Together we strained as the metal slowly bent and the wood splintered

"There! We have done it!" Elina exclaied to the stone floor I pulled on the door with all es

"Yes! Yes!" Cneajna gasped in delight

The crisp night air fanned over us as we crouched together in the doorway The invisible barrier erected by Prince Vlad’s dark powers still kept us fro sky hovering over the courtyard gave us a ed within us

"We will starve If no one co the door in anguish

Ariana began to ith fear and hunger

I pressedus captive I could not break through it Screaainst the invisible shield and wept

The Journal of Sir Stephen

4th of September, 1819

Count Dracula’s new plans are now set in motion He seems quite pleased with the situation, and I can only feel a sense of relief Despite htens me deeply That he could take our potentially difficult predicament and use it to serve his purposes is a profound rereat Prince of Wallachia

After all had been settled in Buda, it was decided that ould travel back to the castle together I would then continue on alone to see to the sale of one of his properties to finance his newest endeavor I was not very coth with the Prince, but I fortified hout our ti htens me terribly I am determined to sweep away any mistrust he may have in me

Leave it to an infernal woly entertaining during our trip He recounted reat exploits in years past without the usual bitterness he expresses when re all the betrayals he suffered as a htened me somewhat It was so unexpected I suppose I have becoance and his sharpness To see hi

Perhaps it is because he is no longer aand jolting carriage I sat across fro forcasually, his green eyes glinting at me

I am certain he was amused by my white knuckles and terrified expression

Then, suddenly, he becah filled the darkness of the carriage as we traveled toward the decaying remains of his once impressive castle

"They are really in quite an uproar Screa on" Count Dracula chuckled as he slapped his gloves against h, not certain what he was speaking of

"I hear one for so long," he said

"Oh, yes Your wives! I only have one wife, thank goodness You have three! How do you stand it? Women can be so insufferable"

"Four wives," the Count said "Remember, Glynis is now my Bride And yes, they are all insufferable in their oay"

I tried not to look uncomfortable, and nodded "Oh, yes, Lady Glynis I was rather surprised that you…changed her I ht perhaps the hunting was rather scarce up here and you needed…" I faltered inthe vah I have served Count Dracula for more than twelve years now, I a onteeth as he sood up in the mountains Especially now that the British E the world I rather like the English Their rational minds will not accept what their eyes see It is rather a that I do not exist"<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>