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"It would be an absolute pleasure," I answered

I am not an idiot Sir Stephen was nervous at the mere mention of Dracula That only fueled my suspicions about rand office, staring at the slender nervous man, I knew that I had been drawn into a web ined Count Dracula has drawn me here for a purpose Perhaps the only reason he married Glynis was to ensure that he had an established contact in England that could help hilish society with ease And now I am ensnared, as is h to outwit hiht

13th of March, 1820

Buda, Hungary

I admit that I was ecstatic, yet nervous, to have my brother visit my home

I sensed his presence earlier in the house as I slept with Vlad in our hiding place At first I had been frightened, fearing that a vae of power beside me, I had known that Vlad feared the same It had been several incredibly tense nized my brother’s presence Only then had Vlad released Andrew fro place early this evening, Magda infor us soon I immediately instructed the servants to prepare a fine feast for my brother I desperately wanted for my brother to feel comfortable in my new home Vlad’s threat had been seared into my heart and I was desperate to dispel any reservations Andrew had about my new life If Vlad forces me to kill Andrew, I knoill fall into a madness from which I cannot return

When Andrew finally arrived at the house, Ifor hihtly and kissed hih my veil Immediately, I had sensed his unease and it disturbed reet Andrew and invite hih Vlad was cordial and pleasant, Andrew see Conversation was stilted throughout dinner I didup lie after lie about htfully and watched reat interest

Vlad spent the entire dinner watching my brother It made me very nervous, so I became a little too excited Beyond that it was very aard to sit at a table laden onderful food and not being able to eat a bite Vlad declined to eat on the pretext that he had eaten dinner withMy brother had looked a little suspicious, but had accepted the explanation that I was forced to eat in private due to rand parlor that is Vlad’s pride It is lovely with its imported furniture in deep purples and reds Andrew sat next to Vlad sar while Vlad lit up his pipe I tookhands in my lap I drew theaze

"I visited Sir Stephen this afternoon," Andrew said abruptly after Vlad had finished with a short lecture on the history of Buda

"And hoas your visit," Vlad responded coolly

"He had a rather slow business day and we spoke for several hours In the midst of our conversation, he told land"

I could not be sure, but it seee to land It is the birthplace of my beloved wife and I feel that ould be very happy there," Vlad answered s smile

"Would you not miss your own country?" Andrew asked him

"I would, but Glynis’ happiness is reat earnestness

Liar!

Vlad cast a sharp glance in my direction "She is the most important woman inwas obvious toflippantly

Andrew looked toward ht so holand"

Andrew dragged on his cigar thoughtfully, then exhaled slowly The smoke curled about his head like a lazy snake then drifted up into the shadows "Well, then I promise to help you in your move across the Continent I have many connections and I would be pleased to help you in anyway possible