There was a dark cloud that loomed over Nikolett's home. There usually was one, but now it looked even more dark and sinister than before. She ran quickly into the dark castle and to her father's quarters.
"Father?" She asked, quietly as she entered her father's bedroom. She got no answer, but she heard heavy breathing. He was still asleep. She closed the door behind her and dropped her bag at the foot of his bed. She saw him lying in his bed through a crack in the curtain's around it.
"Nikolett?" She heard him mumble. She walked to the bed and drew the curtains open.
"I'm here, father." She said, staring in awe at his condition. He was whiter than a ghost and he looked very frail.
"My daughter." He said, smiling, his eyes opened only slightly.
"How did this happen?" She asked, not noticing someone entering the room.
"I think that's enough questions, my lady. He needs his rest." She turned quickly to see a ruggedly handsome vampire with black hair and matching eyes standing in the doorway. Ivan.
"Hello, Ivan." He gave a slight bow to her.
"Come, I'll explain everything." She nodded, giving her father one last look before exiting the bedroom. She followed Ivan into the hallway and they began to walk. "We don't know how this happened, unfortunately. We assume he had some bad blood."
"I don't understand it. He's always been so careful. He can usually spot a sick human."
"I suppose this one fooled him."
"Is there a cure?" Ivan paused for a second as she asked that question. "Is there?"
"Not that we know of, madam."
"Well, what can we do?"
"Just hope that everything's going to turn out all right." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "I'm sure it will, though." She smiled at him with unsure eyes.
"I hope you're right." He bowed again to her and left her to think. But, she didn't have long to think. A guard was quickly running toward her.
"Your Highness, we have captured four intruders who were trying to sneak inside."
"Four?" She asked, puzzled. Then her eyes went wide and he let out a loud groan. "Take me to them." He bowed to her and led the way to the entrance hall where four people were surrounded by guards holding sharps spears at their necks. Nikolett saw who they were and rolled her eyes. "Lower your weapons!" She guards lowered their spears, but not their guards. She looked at each one of the intruders in turn. "They shall not be harmed."
"But, madam…" One of the guards began.
"Do you dare judge my order?" He quickly shook his head and told the other guards to head back to their posts. When they were all gone, Nikolett turned to the intruders, her eyes dark red. The four jumped back slightly. "What are you doing here? I told you that I could handle this myself." Her voice was hoarse and deep. This had definitely made her angry.
"You always say it, but you never mean it." The oldest one in the group said.
"Sirius, I'm not joking. They could have killed you."
"But, they didn't." Ron spoke up.
"If Ivan was the one who found you, he wouldn't have showed you any mercy." She paused as she listened closely around her. She wanted to make sure Ivan wasn't anywhere in the vicinity. "We shouldn't talk here. Follow me." She led them up the Grand Staircase and to her quarters. When she was certain they were alone, she slapped Sirius hard across the face. Of course, it wasn't so hard as to have broken his neck. "This was very reckless. You could have gotten killed."
"Well, didn't you think it was suspicious that your father suddenly became ill?" Hermione asked, admiring her bedroom and how the centuries had aged all of the wooden furniture.
"Of course! But, I can't let them know that… Ivan wants to take my father's place. I know that. And I also know that he would do anything for that to happen. It's most likely him who did it, but I can't be sure. Not yet."
"Well, we'll help you, then." Harry said.
"I can't let you do that. It's too dangerous."
"Which is why we should help you." Sirius said, rubbing his face where she had slapped him.
"Vampires are practically impervious to magic. At least, these ones are, because they've followed my father since the beginning."
"Then, how do you expect to not be killed?" Ron asked.
"I honestly don't know. But, I've been around them since I was young. If Ivan orders them to kill me, they most likely won't do it."
"We're still not leaving." Hermione stated firmly. Nikolett let out a loud sigh as she gave in.
"All right, fine. But, you can't stay here. There's a friend of mine who lives in the village; a wizard. Tell him that I sent you and he should let you stay with him. His name is Roland and he lives on the other side of town on the hill." She said, walking toward the window and pointing his home out to them. "You'll be safe there. Now go, before the rest of the house wakes." There were three loud cracks! and Harry, Ron, and Hermione Apparated out of sight. Sirius stayed behind.
"I'm not leaving." He said, fear for her in his eyes.
"You must. I don't want to lose you again." She said. He nodded and they gave each other a small kiss.
"I love you." He said.
"I know." Was all she said before there was another loud crack! and he was gone.
