Chapter 3

Anna walked over to the bath and turned the gold knobs to turn on the water and put in some bath bubbles. Anna slowly undressed but kept a lookout for anyone watching her, but at that moment, she felt as though no one was watching her. She sat on the side of the bathtub and thought about what had happened. She looked at her shoulders and thought about how scarred they would be. Then she came to one of the oddest questions she ever thought. 'Why hadn't Dracula healed me? Is he trying to make me feel pain or did he forget?' He usually healed himself and Anna had seen him do it to her a couple of times.

She could only imagine the cold hands upon her soft delegate shoulders as her wounds started to heal quickly. Anna shivered at the thought of that demon's hands on her. Anna turned around to see if the water had filled the bath and it did. She turned off the water and slipped into the warm water. She was so relaxed now. She felt as if she were home right now, but she knew she wasn't. Anna closed her eyes and tried to think of a way to get out of there. It would be risky if Dracula would ever catch her running away, but it was worth it.

Anna then heard a loud noise in her bedroom. Anna got out of the tub and wrapped the soft towel around her small body. She walked in her room and looked around to try to see what made that noise. She looked at the window and noticed that it was opened and it was raining. Anna walked over to the window trying to avoid the small cold puddles of water the rain left. She closed the window and made sure it was locked. That side of the room now was wet, but Anna didn't really mind, she would be leaving soon.

Anna started to walk back and thought she saw a dark figure in the corner of her eye. She turned around to see a woman about forty standing there. She was looking at Anna and spoke very softly. "My lady," She said in a Scottish accent. "Dracula is waiting for your arrival this evening. He told me to come and help you if you needed any." Anna looked at the woman. She was short, plump and very white. Anna wasn't sure if the woman was a vampire or not. The woman walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a beautiful gown. It was yellow and beige. The corset was yellow and the design of gems and ribbons were in beige. The bottom of the dress reminded Anna of butter. It seemed to sway in almost enchanting ways. The woman walked Anna to the changing area. Anna went behind the partition and took the towel off. The woman handed her the dress. Anna slipped it on and walked out of the partition. The old woman walked over to Anna and turned her around and started to tie up the corset.

Anna was starting to think the woman was a vampire because she seemed too strong for her size and age. After the woman was done Anna leaned on the wall to catch her breath. "What is your name?" Anna asked. "Sonya is my name my lady." The woman replied. Sonya went into the dresser and got out a handful of diamonds. Anna looked at them. Sonya looked at Anna and finally spoke. "I think this necklace, earrings, and tiara would look very nice on you." Sonya handed Anna the diamonds. They were gorgeous. The necklace would cover her whole neck, and the earrings were simple diamonds that dangled from her ear.

The tiara was the one thing she did not want to wear. It was beautiful in diamonds and the sides covered in gold, but it just was too much for Anna. Anna handed back the tiara, " I can't wear that Sonya. It's just too much for me." Sonya looked at her for a few seconds. She quickly took the tiara away and put it back in the dresser it came from. "The Count will be expecting you in twenty minutes. I will be back here to escort you to the dining room." Anna didn't realize how fast time went by. She replied, " I don't need an escort, I know my way around here enough." Sonya started to the door and replied, " The Count has told me to escort you no matter what and if you refuse he told me to tell you he would do it himself." Anna could not believe what he demanded out of her. To some, it may not seem like a big deal, but Anna took it in another way. Anna nodded her head and Sonya walked out of the room.

Anna was looking out her window when she heard a knock on the door. "Come in" Anna said quietly. Sonya came in and said, " It is eight o' clock my lady." Anna walked over to Sonya. Sonya fixed her hair a little bit, but it really wasn't need for Anna had lovely natural hair already. Sonya walked out and started walking down one of the many corridors that seemed like a never ending maze. Anna finally reached the Dining room.

Dracula was standing by the fire looking deeply into it. Anna stood there for a couple of seconds before Dracula realized she was there. He turned around and looked at her. He loved it when Anna was in a nice dress instead of her usual riding clothes. Dracula walked over to Anna and took her hand to kiss it. Anna was disgusted by the thought of it but let him to it anyways. Dracula spoke calmly, "Please sit down." Anna sat down at the farthest chair away from Dracula. Dracula raised an eyebrow that Anna would have chosen to do that. Anna looked at all the food. She didn't touch her food throughout the whole meal. Dracula just sat and drank from his goblet as Anna looked around the room in disgust.

"Well, you haven't touched your food at all, nor have you talked to me. Would you like to tell me why?" Anna refused to look at him. She didn't make any responsive gesture. Dracula waited for a couple minutes. 'Answer me princess. You know what I am capable of doing and I know you would not like what I would do to you. Now the least you could do is make some sort of eye contact.' Dracula had entered her thoughts. Anna cringed with his voice in her head. Anna made the littlest eye contact possible but just enough to satisfy him. 'Now that you are looking at me periodically I guess I have your attention. Anna look at me.' Anna looked over her opposite shoulder and refused to look at him. She wasn't about to play his sick minded games. 'Anna, I am trying to be calm, but right now you are getting on my patience.' Anna spoke aloud, "You have nerve to act like I am going to obey you filthy commands. I will do no such thing for a sick monster like you." Anna threw her napkin on the table and started to leave the room. Dracula grabbed her shoulder knowing it would make her stop in her tracks. Anna winced in pain while Dracula smiled. "I do not remember giving you permission to leave." Anna slapped his hand off her shoulder. "Don't touch me."

Dracula quickly turned her around and held her wrists by his chest. "You are not to go anywhere. I will not allow it. If you continue such behavior I will punish you severely." Anna did not look at him during his lecture. Dracula was getting annoyed, " Anna look at me! NOW!" Trying to pull her face towards his he grabbed her chin roughly. Anna slapped his hand away once again. Dracula could not believe what she had just done and slapped her hard in the face, almost knocking her out. Anna fell to the floor. She could feel warm liquid going down both her arm and lip. Dracula just looked at her while she lay there pathetically. "This is only the start if you keep this attitude up Anna."

Thanks for the reviews! I have so much more planned out and I hope you like it!

LC