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| "What would I not want to know?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Do you know the legend of Dracula?" Nicholas asked in a voice meant to scare me. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes, but it is only a legend." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "He is as real as you and I.� You were just scolded by him." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Over the next few days, I tried as hard as I could to get close to Vlad to no avail.� It seemed the harder I tried, the more he pushed me away.� This, of course, only fueled my curiosity; especially since it seemed as though he was somehow afraid of me.� When I was around him I felt something I had never felt before.� He was my savoir; he rescued me from the hell I was bound to live with my parents: slavery by day and punching bag by night.� I knew he could give me the power to live the way life was meant to be lived- fun and carefree without rules or consequences. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I snuck into Vlad's room while he was asleep one afternoon.� My cover was to be mopping beyond my quarters; I would tell Vlad that I wanted to please him by doing a truly good job cleaning.� In reality, I only wanted to get closer to him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Creeping towards his bed, mop still in hand, I held my breath as I crossed the room.� Vlad had senses better than a cat; he could spot a flea egg hatch on the far wall.� I got right up to his bed and laid my mop on the floor ever so gently as to not disturb him.� I kneeled at his side and took in the scent of his flesh.� It had a sickly sweet odor of death masked with expensive cologne; the color was like the white of angels' wings and so soft and cold.� | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I pressed my mouth to his hand and caressed his skin with my lips.� He did not flinch.� I took his hand in mine and held it tight, kissing him again and again.� My kisses slowly moved up his arm and to his shoulder.� I stopped when I saw two dark eyes staring down on me. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What are you doing here?" he asked coldly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I was trying to please you," I began, "...With my cleaning.� With the mop.� I was trying to..." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vlad cut me off, "You are just a child.� I do not do this anymore."� He paused and looked at me for a beat, "What do you not understand about my charity?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I understand, but..." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No.� You know nothing about me or you would not be here now." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I know that you are caring; you have taken in all of the boys like Nicholas to make them like you." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What has Nicholas told you of me?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That you are tough but fair and you are very kind to those who do well by you.� He also told me about your past; how you used to be Dracula but you have changed." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That is true.� I used to be Dracula, but that is not who I am anymore.� I used to feed on little girls like you and that is why you must not be here.� Go! Now!" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I slowly stood up and turned away. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "And do not disobey me by leaving your quarters again!" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I retreated to my prison quarters and remained there for seven days and seven nights.� Nicholas turned out to be a good friend. He not only brought me my three allotted meals a day, but he also brought me snacks in the afternoon and at night before he went to bed. But there was a slight problem.� Cabin fever hit me pretty hard and, even though I tried, I could not remain solely in the east wing anymore. One night I tried to sneak out again and this time I left the castle and decided I would be less noticeable if I walked the grounds.� After all, it was well after three in the morning; I was sure I would be the only one awake. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I was wrong.� I heard what sounded like war battles not far from the window I climbed out of.� You would have never thought these were the same boys who ate lunch at one table the way they were clashing at each other with swords and battle axes.� I counted forty-nine; Nicholas was missing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Annabelle!" a familiar voice panted behind me, "I thought you heeded Vlad's warning." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I have tried." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What are you doing out?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I needed some fresh air.� What are you boys doing?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "It is coming to the end of our stay here.� Vlad chooses the ones who will become like him at the end of the battle." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Why are you not fighting?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Continue to Part 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Index | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||