Hi, glad you all liked the last chapter! I hope you like this one as well!

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Chapter 39--Strange Happenings

The wolves' howling stopped as suddenly as it begun, which didn't help anyone's nerves. They decided to try and find Glenna before she got any farther away.

Drizzt found her trail easily and began to track her. Suddenly Drizzt stopped suddenly and looked around, eyes nervous and wary.

Shandra almost bumped into him. "Drizzt, what's wrong?" she asked.

Drizzt didn't answer. "Kylia, can you feel it?" he asked.

Kylia frowned and concentrated then shuddered. "Xas, renor faer," she said.

"I thought so," Drizzt said, "it's very strong."

"What's very strong?" Tarion demanded.

"Her tracks end here. Magic was used," Drizzt said.

"Magic?" Tarion exclaimed. He whirled on Kylia. "I thought that you contained her magic!"

"Don't yell at me! The spell worked! I felt it!" Kylia said.

"Would both of you kindly shut up!" Drizzt yelled.

That killed the argument immediately. Both Kylia and Tarion stared at Drizzt, shocked at his rudeness; even Shandra stared at him.

"Kylia's spell did work. Gods, don't you ever listen, Tarion. I said magic was used, not that Glenna used it. Someone else was here and since there are no tracks leading to the spot where the other stood then magic was used to get here. There are no tracks leading away from either of them, so he or she used magic to take them both away," Drizzt said.

"So what's very strong?" Shandra asked.

Black magic, seeped with evil," Kylia said.

"How do you two know that?" Tarion asked.

"Drow are sensitive to magic, we can sense it," Drizzt said. "Kylia more then me, since she is a mage, but this is very strong."

"Can we track them?" Shandra asked.

"No, there's no trail to follow, magical or otherwise," Drizzt said. Having no options, they returned to camp. They would continue to Kern in the morning and see if anyone could help at the temple, but they knew that was unlikely.

*Meanwhile*

Glenna woke up from what felt like a deep, restful sleep to find herself in a large four-posted bed with clean silk sheets. Pink silk bed hanging with embroidery done in gold thread surrounded the bed. Fancy tapestries hung on the walls and thick rugs covered the floor. Beautifully carved furniture filled the room. There were no windows. She sat up and realized someone had undressed her. All she was wearing was a crimson silk nightgown. Suddenly she remembered what had happened and felt her throat. She let out a shuddering sigh of relief when she found no marks.

There was a click of a key turning in a lock and the door opened to reveal Altos. He entered and closed the door. "Good eve, my sweet. I trust you rested well," he said and came to the side of the bed.

"Get away from me!" Glenna cried. She avoided looking into his eyes, fearing their mesmerizing power. She stared at the bed, feeling the bed dip as he seated himself on the edge. "Too late to look away, my pretty one. You are already mine," he said.

"But you haven't fed yet!" Glenna said.

"That will soon be remedied. Look at me," Altos ordered softly.

Much to her horror Glenna found she couldn't disobey. Her gaze rose to his despite her attempts to stop herself.

"You see? Your body is mine though your thoughts are free," Altos said. He reached out and began to undo the front of the gown, baring her throat.

Glenna shivered in revulsion and fear. His hands were ice cold. "No, please, I don't want to be one of you!" she pleaded, hating herself for begging, but she couldn't help it.

"Don't worry, my future queen, I will not make you one yet. I find it useful to have a source of…nourishment on hand for now," Altos said. He finished baring her throat then tipped her head back. "Don't move," he ordered.

Glenna shivered as he kissed her throat, indeed she couldn't move and his lips were as cold as his hands. "No!" she sobbed.

Altos was thoroughly enjoying his prey's helplessness. He could smell her fear and it was as intoxicating as the smell of her blood. He nipped and kissed her throat until his hunger demanded satisfaction.

Glenna gasped as he felt his fangs puncture her skin and he began to feed. Oddly, after the initial piecing it didn't hurt and it was frighteningly erotic. Eventually she fainted.

Satisfied, Altos laid Glenna down and left his future Queen alone to recover. He would return the next night to feed again. She would be his for an eternity…

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It's not my fault! I just reread Dracula and I'm trying to make this scary and tension filled. Hope it's working! R/R please!

Translation--Xas, renor faer means yes, black magic