Page 66 (2/2)

My faithful servant reached out and took uilt that I had never realized the depth of her devotion until just a few nights ago

"I know you are a good woman You have never treated us badly You have made Vlad act like a true Master and not a brute We used to live in terrible fear when he would come to the house, but now, it is so da’s brow furrowed "But that woman, that aoman, please, do not let her befriend you or try to return to his good graces"

I held her hands firmly "I despise her Do not worry about her And, of course, you shall be treated well I will insist on nothing less"

Magda looked close to tears "But you will leave to England and we shall be here What if he gives us to her?"

"I will insist that he keeps this home," I lied I actually had other plans for the house once I killed Vlad I was determined to return to Buda and take the house as da looked a little relieved, but her broas still creased orry "In all the years I have served Vlad, only this tiood"

"I aht some measure of happiness to your life," I said, my voice thick with emotion I was very touched by her words

"Perhaps he will eventually allow us to take our sips of blood from you and not him," she said after a beat

"Why does he have you drink his blood?" I looked at her questioningly as she helped reen silk dress

"So that we are bound to hiht," I said

"My family has served him for hundreds of years We have always drunk of his blood and it sustains us We live long and are rarely ill But, e drink, we are strongly bound to his wishes He has not given me his blood in almost a year I think perhaps he trusts that I will do as he wishes without his blood" As she talked, her niers worked to fastena true and kind mistress"

We shared a moment of camaraderie I have rarely had with any servant, and I felt an iuilt when I realized I did not even know if she wasabout her except she was devoted toopen and Vlad’s presence filled the room I was a little surprised at how ht Obviously, he had taken the time to trim his hair and mustache and it made his face seem much more pleasant Of course, I knew that was a lie, but it was still rather remarkable

"You look lovely We should depart now that you are ready," Vlad said

Magda quickly tied one et aze fastened on hiht?"

"Why are you so suspicious? Perhaps it is time for us to socialize with others as awithout so"

"You do knoell, do you not?"

"Far ht my cloak and helped fasten it about my throat She looked anxious When I departed on Vlad’s arhtly, her knuckles co to the Baroness’ hoht," I said as alked down the stairs to the foyer "I do not like it when you plot and leave htfully, then shook his head "No, it is best if you do not know I a your pardon? Temper tantrum?" I stoh, he helped ave him my most sour expression "Of course, you will not be a decent man and let me know of your plans"

"Of course not Besides, you have never considered rowled at hie lurched forward

"Perhaps I have decided it is time for you to know the truth about certain arded hinoredspectacle it had been the night of the opera, but it was still quite glorious to behold as we approached As the carriage drew up to the steps, Vlad reached out to touchhe had given me

"Remember, you are Countess Dracula None other carries that title," he said fir to discern a hidden e opened and we disembarked

Brice met us in the foyer "Please, follow lanced at me

Freed of our cloaks, we followed Brice into a parlor where the Baroness was already visiting with other guests Sir Stephen and his wife, Maria were seated on a couch talking softly with the Baroness

As we entered the roo s since all their expressions had been quite dire e had entered

"Count and Countess Dracula, hoonderful for you to join us tonight," she gushed

Vlad allowed her to greet him warmly and I followed suit

The Baroness looked beautiful in her red gown and red ostrich turban She clasped her hands to her bosoht like white fire

"We are most pleased to be here," Vlad said in response, then er envelopedthose who had betrayed and reet the other guests, putting on htful to ht smile

"He enjoyed your party immensely"

"It was a sha at me openly and I realized she had never seen urement had helped us deceive my brother, but noondered if she had always known all along that it was a lie<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>