A/N: This is an idea I've been wanting to try for some time. Character deaths will occur throughout because of the nature of this plot. A quick note on this first chapter; I have actually read a story set in Imperial Russia where one of the characters was called Rita.
"They'll come for me soon. I'm afraid."
Princess Rita Danova lay with her head on the Countess Constantia Feldova's chest as they reclined upon a chaise lounge.
"I won't let them take you, Rita, dushenka. I love you. I still have servants that are loyal to me and they've arranged for us to go to the border in disguise. Then a train to Finland, on to Europe, and we'll be safe."
"At least you'll be safe", thought the Countess ruefully, "They don't like my kind in Europe. Still, if I continue to be careful, they need never know what I am."
The small blonde shuddered.
"Why don't they realise, Stantia, we're not all greedy. I never liked the Tsar or his snotty German wife." She laughed but the laughter held sorrow. "Strange, I was always afraid of the Tsar's secret police finding out my feelings. Now it's the Bolsheviks…"
The women both trembled as they heard the knocking on the door.
"Countess! Quickly! They're coming!"
Hearing her old servant, Dmitri, she reluctantly left Rita's arms and opened the door. It was indeed Dmitri… with two men in Bolshevik uniform behind him."
"Apologies, pretty lady, they paid me more than you did. It's a dog eat dog world now."
The old man spat at Constantia, who looked at him in contempt.
"Oh you'll pay for your greed."
"You two are coming with us to face trial for being enemies of the people."
"Take me, but let Rita go. She's innocent, and the things I've done to make life more difficult for the Tsar should surely mean something."
"It's no good fighting the aristocracy if you take one of them for your whore, you perverted bitch!"
Before Constantia could realise what they planned, one of the Bolsheviks took out a pistol and shot Rita point-blank in the chest. She collapsed into the Countess's arms.
"You will pay for this, you – if only I'd been quicker…"
"Stantia… I love you…"
The severity of the Princess's wound left Constantia no time to save her. She gave a little choking gasp and died. Laying her down gently, Constantia turned and faced the murderers.
"We'll not leave you looking as pretty as your slut."
The pistol fired again, shattering Constantia's beautiful face. Before the killers had time to gloat, however, Constania's face healed instantly. She made a sound that could only be described as a hiss, and, leaping on Dmitri, tore out his throat with her fangs. She drained his blood then spat it on the floor. The two Bolsheviks fired at her, then realised their bullets were making no impact. She was upon them.
"Please, Countess! A deal!",slobbered the first one, abject with terror.
"You broke all deals when you killed my love."
She fed on them and watched them die whimpering for mercy. Then, holding Rita once more, she whispered:
"They say we all come back…. I'll find you again, my love, if I have to wait for years."
After she'd buried the woman she loved, leaving no marker on the grave for the spiteful Bolsheviks to find, she arose and disappeared into the endless night sky.