The midmorning air cooled her heated skin as she stood on the balcony outside her bed-chamber, staring out in sadness at the dark frozen forest in the distance, spreading further than she could see. It amazed Irina how vast and eerie it was like it continued forever and ever. But she knew it didn't.
Somewhere beyond the trees was the village; the reservoir, and the valley.
Irina peeked over the railing, following the ravine as it sat at the base of the castle, weaving into the forest like threads, going in one direction: to the river.
To grandmother.
It was no use.
She knew there was no way to convince Lady Dimitrescu to let her leave; she knew because she tried.
Swearing she'd come back once she took the medicine to her grandmother, she proposed having Bela escort her to the reservoir, but Alcina said no, telling her that her daughters could never leave the castle or venture outside.
The reason remained unknown.
However, for a week now, Irina had been aware that Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters craved the blood of humans. She learned this on accident, being offered a drink by Daniela; the suspicion though came from Lady Dimitrescu the night she took Irina before Mother Miranda, having tasted her blood.
Such creatures she had heard of before, but only in stories; creatures known as vampires.
A shiver crawled down her spine.
How did this happen? Perhaps a curse. Someone made them this way. But why?
Irina groaned in annoyance.
Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters should not be her concern. She needed to find a way out of this castle.
But how?
The entrance was locked and the key was put away somewhere.
If onl––
A horrified scream interrupted her, making her jump in fright. Irina peeked over the railing again and noticed a person emerge from the forest, running towards the entrance from the bridge.
Go back. Don't come here.
She wanted to shout to them, to beg them to turn back and take their chances in the forest, but an idea came to her; a sinister idea.
Perhaps this was her chance.
Returning to her bed chamber in a hurry, Irina tore a piece from the linen cloth over the table next to her bed, shoving it into her lace bodice. In a rush, she busted from the door and into the hall, shouting for Bela.
As she made it down the stairs and into the foyer, a swarm of insects circled around her, forming into Cassandra. Her curious eyes stared at the heaving woman.
"What are you causing a scene about?"
Perfect.
Irina took a deep uneasy breath. "I saw someone emerge from the forest; someone that appears to be hurt."
"A human?"
Her eyes gleamed with hunger once Irina nodded to confirm.
"Mother is going to be thrilled," she said in excitement.
Irina felt bad for them. This person had no idea that death awaited them within these walls.
A sudden bang echoed from the entrance hall. The urgency in their knocks seemed to suggest that something was after them; a monster from the forest no doubt.
Cassandra grabbed Irina by the arm and placed a key into her hand.
"Open the door for me," she begged.
Irina agreed without a thought, rushing down into the entrance hall and to the front door. Once the door was open, a woman rushed in, unkempt and covered in her blood.
She grabbed Irina and sobbed.
"Close the door … please it's out there."
What was out there?
Irina took a peek, but as far as she could see there was nothing there. Taking out a scrap of cloth, she jammed it into the strike plate and shut the door.
A spark of hope ignited in her.
Turning towards the frightened woman, Irina noticed a large and jagged cut across her chest; the front of her dress was torn and stained in red.
She smiled in relief and grabbed her hand, smearing her warm blood on Irina's skin.
"Praise the mother," she uttered.
Irina offered her an arm, allowing her to lean on her.
"Come, let's get you cleaned up."
She nodded with a sigh and Irina led her up the stairs and into the foyer. All the while she looked around in awe, but Irina stopped, clearing her voice. Somewhere Cassandra was lying in wait.
"What happened to you out there?"
Her body trembled in Irina's arms.
"A large beast drug me into the forest near my house. I barely escaped it, running further into the woods. But thank the mother your castle was here. You saved me."
Remorse hit her like a ton of bricks.
You're wrong. I saved myself.
The buzzing sound of insects was music to her ears. Irina eased her arm from her with promises of water and clean bandages, moving back.
"I'd be dead with––
Cassandra swarmed her, the insects that make her surrounded the woman; some busted from her skin in a grotesque way as the woman swatted at them, screaming in fear.
Forming her body, Cassandra stood in front of her with a grin and pushed her onto her back with immense strength. She laughed as the frightened woman tried to scoot away. But Daniela appeared behind her and grasped onto her hair, leaning down to bury her teeth into her exposed neck.
Her screams pierced Irina's ears.
Glancing at Irina, she reached out her arm, fingers twitching as she tried to touch her.
"Help me … please hel––
She screamed in fear, clawing at the floor in a desperate attempt to escape as Cassandra and Daniela drug her upstairs and out of sight.
Irina clutched the key in unease.
Bela appeared before her, resting her hand against her arm.
"Are you okay?"
No, but she nodded regardless.
"I'll be in my room," Irina told her.
Bela nodded and traced the blood on the woman's arm.
"That might be for the best," she agreed. "I will bring you something to eat later."
Irina gently smiled.
"Thank you, Bela."
Heading upstairs, she returned to her room with the key in tow. It bit into her skin as she clutched it tight; the woman's blood stained her nails.
Was this the price of freedom?