Chapter One Sunset
Elsabett? Do you intend to stay out there all night?
The golden-haired young woman in the abandoned oxcart pulled her knees up to her chest and clutched her rosary tighter. Blessed Father, who dwells in Heaven, most holy be your name. May your will be done. May your kingdom come, and your holy judgment be passed on all the Earth as in Heaven. Feed to us our daily bread and forgive our sins, as we forgive the ones who have sinned against us. Let us never stray into evil. Yours is the glory, forever and ever. Blessed Father The woman in the doorway, slightly plump and with her hair and face beginning to show the strain of living a hard life, sighed and took a step into the yard. It's getting dark. You know you shouldn't be out after dark.This is Carpathia, Mutti, not Weimar. Do you really think there are vampires here?Elsa, that's Her mother sighed and took another step into the yard. I need to tell you something, Elsa. Could youI think I already know, Elsabett said quietly, brushing a curly blonde lock out of her face and running her �ngers along the beads of her rosary. Vatti's not coming to meet us, is he?Oh, Elsabett The haggard-looking housewife rushed toward her daughter, tears streaming down her face. If onlyif onlyyou couldn'tMutti, I don't try to know things, Elsabett said quietly. I just Swinging her legs over the edge of the cart, she sighed and looked down forlornly at her nearly worn-out shoes. What happened to him?The Sarafanthey said Elsabett's mother sniffed and dabbed at her face with a dirty sleeve. They saidhe was attacked and theythey didn't reach him in time.What could he have been doing that he was attacked? Was he �ghting a vampire?No, no, liebchen. He wasby another soldier. They didn'ttell me much, but I thinkhis assailant had had too much to drink.Not so loud! the older woman hissed, glancing around at the darkening landscape. You don't want to attract attention! Ye'el only knows what sort of creatures might be lurking around here—!Mutti, the Sarafan are holy warriors! They're supposed to be paragons of virtue! How could they— Abruptly, she launched herself in the other direction and leaned over the back edge of the cart. I don'tI—I want to be alone now. Please. I'll be in soon.
Her mother sighed worriedly. Very well, then. I'll try to keep your supper warm. The soft crunching of her shoes decreased in volume and was presently followed by the creak and thud of a heavy wooden door being closed.
Elsabett bit her lip and tried not to let the tears escape her eyes. She clutched the rosary until the crimson-and-indigo beads left red indentations in her hand. Why? Why, Ye'el? Why take my father? What had he done?' she thought. And the Sarafan! How could they let this happen?'
She got to her feet in the old wagon, heedless of its creaks of protest, and faced the sun, which was now less than half-visible behind the craggy horizon. Blessed Father, if this is your willI beg you, show me a sign!' Her tear-�lled green eyes scanned along the landscape, but took in only scraggly forest, tired moor, and the distant upthrust jags of mountains. She hung her head in sorrow and was about to fall to her knees when the sudden snap of a twig jerked her attention and eyes back upward.
Who's there? she asked, carefully reaching for the hilt of one of the knives hidden in her sleeves. Show yourself.By the blood of my forefathers came a con�dent male voice, thick with the accent of the region, from the shadows beneath a stunted laurel. I had heard that newcomers would be settling in this area, but I never thought to dream that any of them would be so beautiful! He stepped out where Elsabett could see him, and her heart leapt into her throat. He was tall, pale, and raven-haired, completely clad in black. His face was ageless, and incredibly handsome. Oh, come now, lovely one. Why do you weep? she began, then shook her head and hopped down from the wagon. It is nothing. A personal matter. I wouldn't wish to trouble you with it.And your accent is most exotic, he said softly, gliding towards her. I have never heard its like. Do you come from very far away?Reasonably far, she replied. Tell me, stranger, do you live nearby? I thought that there were no other farmsteads for several leagues.
He smiled, and her pulse raced. Not nearby, I'm afraid, but I do enjoy a long walk now and then. He nonchalantly leaned on the wagonframe beside her and sighed. Tell me, maiden, what is your name?Where I come from, names have power and are only given with trust, she replied softly.
he said with a nod. Then perhaps I can give you mine as a token of my esteem. He stepped back and bowed formally. I am called Vladislaus, or simply Vlad.Are you a nobleman, Vladislaus? she asked with a touch of shyness. Curse his beauty! My wits are evaporating like fog in the sun!'
He shrugged. Yes and no. I hold a title, but these days I �nd myself doing fewer and fewer of the things my position usually requires. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, he continued, I must confess, in my time I have met with many princesses and ladies of all ranks, but none of them compare to you. Your beauty and theirs is like the sun's light compared to smoky candles.Vlad, you �atter me, she demurred, turning away and hoping the twilight hid her reddening cheeks.
Is that so unfamiliar to you? he asked. Why, I am surprised that men do not pour from the shadows asking for your hand in marriage.
She gasped as a sudden realisation hit her. Oh, Ye'el. I can't wed nowWhy is that? he asked concernedly.
My—my father is dead. I have no-one to give me away.This is a custom in your land? Vlad asked with an arched eyebrow.
Yes. Oh, what will I Vatti The tears overwhelmed her barrier, and Elsabett slumped to the ground, racked with sobs.
A cool hand gently smoothed back her hair. Please, beautiful one, do not cry so. I cannot bear to see a woman so lovely in such sorrow.What else am I to do? she wailed. My father was a holy warrior, killed not by the undead monsters that he had sworn to destroy, but by his own comrades! How am I to—to—Undead monsters Vlad asked quietly. Your father was a member of the Sarafan? She nodded wordlessly. Would it win your heart if I were to avenge his death for you and your family?
Elsabett choked back a sob and looked up desperately into his face. Then her breath caught in her throat and her pulse raced anew. You—I think I know you. I—have seen you in my dreams.Have you? He rose to his feet, suddenly far colder. Do you know who I am, then?No, I don't. She sniffed. But if you'll help my family regain its honourI don't care. He visibly relaxed. Is there a problem?Not anymore, he said with a smile. Come with me. Elsabett held up a hand. Nebulous fragments of knowledge, like memories of a long-forgotten dream, �oated at the edge of her consciousness. Such a sensation always preceded a revelation of some kind or another. You're acount. A former soldier? He nodded, appearing impressed.
How do you know these things? he asked.
don't know. Sometimes I justknow things, without being told. She looked up into his eyes, snatching at scraps. Your name isVladislaus Draculisn't it? And they call youCount Dracula. Little Dragon', in this nation's tongue.
He inhaled deeply and took a step back. I am quite impressed. Do you realise that if the Sarafan knew of yourability, you would likely be branded a witch?
Elsabett closed her eyes and jerked away. you know, I don't care. I don't think I like the Sarafan anymore.Well, they are rather arrogant. Worse than some of the vampires they hunt, from what I hear. Vlad lifted her chin with two �ngers and gazed into her eyes. I could help you. I know of ways by which you could strike back at the Sarafan, punish them for what they took from you.
The rest of the revelation hit her like a breaking wave. You're a vampire!True enough. But no crueler than the pompous knights who murdered your sire.
Elsabett's heartbeat quickened again, and she felt her face heating. Ich kann nichts tun she whispered. This was meantto happen.Do you think so? he whispered, leaning close to her ear. Tell me the name of my newest student.Elsabett Niemann, she told him in a barely-audible voice. I know what you are about to do. Pleasebe gentleBut of coursemy love, he murmured. Cold pain, a bare twinge, spread across the left side of her neck. Numbness �lled her body, then was replaced by a sensation as hard and cool as steel. I pronounce you Elsabett the Ingénue, bride of Dracula. Elsabett threw her head back and let out a cry as green light blazed from her eyes. Fire rushed through her veins, and she felt her pulse slow and then return to its normal speed. It is done, then? she asked. Dracula stepped back and looked at her. I believe so. Butthis is strange. —No.—It is of little matter. He brushed a lock of black hair out of his face and extended his hand to her. Let us go.I am sorry for my mother, Elsabett said, looking back at the farmhouse in which she had lived less than a day. She will worry about me.And yet you will restore her dignity by avenging your father's death, he said. Your homecoming will be all the more joyous.Where are we going? she asked, placing her hand in his. To my castle. Along the way, your �rst lesson in the use of your new powers. He spread his arms wide. Fly? But I can't— She watched as Vlad changed shape, seeming to grow nearly a head taller, and wide black wings spread from his back. You must simply wish for it! he said. Elsabett took a deep breath and stretched upwards, reaching as high as she could. Of a sudden, a feeling like ripples spread along her limbs, and she sensed new muscles extending the length of her back. Vlad took a running leap into the air, and she followed. The sun disappeared beneath the edge of the world.