Chapter Three: Danger Breaks
It was not that I did not want Velkan to fulfill his heart. I think he might have valued my opinion too much. But she was a stranger, and strangers could be fatal in our world. He knew this and yet, he had a soft spot for the traveling folks. It was some part of his childhood that remained in him; his love of information and tales. He must have been lonely as well. After all, I was only his sister and could only offer so much comfort. But I loved him still. He was my brother.
After he left, I paced in thought, wrestling with ideas. There had been something in his eyes that I had never seen before, and I could not decide what it was. Lust, I kept telling myself. I had seen her. She was a beautiful woman, but she looked like an enchantress. I was untrusting of her being with my brother. But it seemed that my brother had had little difficulty in sending her away, which meant he respected me far above her or anyone else for that matter.
Was I jealous? No, how could I be jealous? My brother had lavished his affections upon me, as any loving brother should. He sheltered me, protected me, loved me as the last living relative he had… It was more than I could have asked for. Perhaps I felt temporarily invaded by this outside force. My brother and I had been inseparable since childhood. Was it time to let him go?
No, I could never let Velkan go. He was my brother. But if he was to love a woman as he should love a woman, I was going to make sure he went about it the right way. She would live in the manor with us and learn the ways of the woods. Yet this woman seemed as if she already knew the ways of the woods. Regardless, she would be instructed to the fullest, and we would live together as a family in the manor. Maybe it would not be so bad for Velkan to fall in love.
I was more concerned with Velkan getting hurt at this point. I had seen him suffer too much in the past, and I longed to make that suffering go away. But no one could destroy it. It was almost as if it were his destiny to suffer, and bear the weight of the family upon him. I wanted to share this burden and in part, I did. But he got the most of it. After all, he was the elder one. Responsibility was thrown upon him. I felt very left out most of the time, and my past showed it.
My past! How it bothered me so! I continued pacing the room and looked outside to see the snow beginning to fall. I went to the window and stared out across the dotted abyss. If only things were not so dangerous, this image would be one of glory. But it only harbored the enemy in its natural shrouds. I closed my eyes and sighed.
I was not sure which inn she had gone to, but I took a gander at the "Traveler's Stead." It was closest, and I did not think she would venture too far. Snow was starting to fall and looking up, it seemed as if we might have had it in for a blizzard. Regardless I knocked firmly on the "Traveler's Stead" and was greeted by the owner, Armstid. He seemed surprised to see me.
"Prince Valerious," he nearly fumbled, "What brings you here? Is anything the matter?'
"No, nothing is the matter, Armstid. I am just looking for someone," I replied. He let me in, shut, and locked the door again.
"Who are you looking for?" He asked, "Shouldn't be too hard to find anyone. We have plenty of empty rooms."
"I seek a young woman. She's… maybe about 5'4". She has blondish-red hair, fair skin, traveling garments… oh, and yes. She has…" I found myself fading at the image, "…stunning blue eyes." I recomposed myself. "Have you seen such a woman?"
"Yes, I did. And she was just down for dinner a few minutes ago. But I think she retired for the evening," Armstid answered, his brow furrowing.
"Please…I need to talk to her," I said earnestly.
"Normally I wouldn't allow it, Prince Valerious, but you are above me and I must follow your orders. Come this way," Armstid said, leading me up the rickety wooden stairs. He led me to the back of the hall and motioned at a door. The hall was very dimly lit. "I suppose I will give you privacy now," stated Armstid, bowing off, "I will be downstairs if needed." After he vanished, I stood at the door a long time, just staring.
What would I say? I did not want to sound like a beggar, or a snob for that matter. There had to be a happy medium. Plus, how could I explain myself to her? That I felt I was falling desperately in love with her, even after only a brief conversation and a casual glance? No, I could not say that… but what would I say? I could say that I was fascinated, and ask her to stay… but would that be enough? I barely knew her. I think I might have been sweating. I gathered myself together with a sigh and stepped forward, straightening. Gently, but firmly, I knocked on the door.
My heart began to flutter when I heard movement behind the door. "Who is it?" A soft voice called.
"It's me," I answered. Would she know who "me" was? The door opened and she stood in dark candlelight before me.
"Prince Valerious?" She inquired, surprised. I felt awkward, and there it was: the complete speechlessness. "Can I help you with something?" She asked nervously, not moving. I shook my head, looking down now, humiliated. I had failed, had I not? "Are you well?" She finally asked, reaching out to touch my shoulder. I swerved my head up quickly to look at her as she did so and she jumped back surprised. I could only be honest, I decided.
"I couldn't watch you leave like that," I finally answered, "Call me stupid, Reveka, call me foolish, call me blind, call me anything… but I just couldn't…" I felt like a complete moron.
I was shocked to see him in my doorway like that. He looked confused, distraught, and aggravated, all at the same time. It took me a minute to realize what on earth he could have been talking about, but after I understood, I invited him in, shutting the door and sitting him down by the window. He was in absolutely no talking condition, so I had to do what I could to make him feel at ease. But I too felt myself faltering a bit. His eyes were so watchful, his face was so discerning, his presence was so intoxicating…
"I do not want to make you talk, Prince Velkan, so I will do my best to assess the situation," I said, beginning to pace. He just gulped, watching me. I could tell he was nervous. "You want me to stay, because you think you feel something for me," I began.
"How do you know—" He started.
"—I can tell by your eyes, Velkan," I said, leaning over him and staring. He slunk back in his chair and lowered his eyes.
"I have failed to be myself," he muttered.
"There is a first time for everything," I answered, finally seating myself across from him, "But what is it you want from me, Velkan? That is one thing I cannot read."
"That is one thing I cannot read either," he answered. He looked positively pitiful. I sighed, rubbing my eyes. "How can I know?" He asked, frustrated, "I don't know you, and yet I wish to pursue you. Is that not the oddest thing you have heard?"
"I've heard worse," I answered, getting up again. I sighed. "But I am to leave this town before dawn."
"I do not want you to go," Velkan said, getting up and following me to the window. I looked out over the swirling snow.
"You need your sister, and your sister needs you. I don't want to interfere in your family life, Velkan," I said, still staring out over the snow.
"Please, you're tearing me apart," he said earnestly, taking my hand in his slowly. I lifted my eyes to meet his. I caught my breath just staring into those beautiful eyes. I was scared.
"How can a stranger be tearing you apart?" I finally asked.
"I don't know," he said softly. The tone of his voice was so sweet, with near seduction lying underneath it. I gasped slightly as he moved closer. "Am I too close?" He asked gently.
"No…come closer…" I found myself saying stupidly. The response sounded forbidden coming from my lips.
"Am I too sudden?" He asked, stepping closer, his eyes never leaving mine. I felt defeated. My heart started pounding.
"Oh God," I muttered, pulling away. He followed and his breath snaked around until it hovered in my ear. My lips parted slightly as he stood right against my shoulder, just breathing into me it seemed. "Don't do this, Velkan, don't do this…" I whispered.
"How can I do anything when I have no idea what is happening?" He asked, but his tone did not change. The inside of me burst with awakened passion. I had never known this emotion.
"It's lust! It's only lust," I countered quickly, breaking the intensity of the moment. We both seemed to calm down at this.
Then suddenly, I heard a wolf call. Then there was another, and another, and another… I jumped at the window and stared intently through the falling snow. Velkan grasped my hand and I looked at him. I could almost see the goose bumps on his skin and his eyes grew wide. I looked back out the window and saw a pack of werewolves running across the field, headed straight for the town.
"The gate won't hold them…" I said.
"Anna!" Velkan shouted. He whirled and ran out the door. I followed, not even closing my door. We fled out into the snowy world without even explaining to Armstid why we were leaving. We flew past flabbergasted faces and out into the freezing cold blindly. I knew the werewolves were headed for the manor. Velkan knew this too. We had to save Anna.
I eventually settled myself into my room with an old manuscript. It was a record written by my early relatives from 1461, the year before Dracula's 'death.' I usually didn't look at the old manuscripts; that was Velkan's job. But now I was genuinely curious. Not much of it made sense to me of course. After an hour, I didn't particularly care what I was reading anymore. It was just confusing to me. But when I got up, I heard the most horrifying sound.
Down the hall in the weapons room, something was clawing at the window. I rose slowly from my seat and glanced down the hall. I heard howls outside. I grabbed some silver bullets and a pistol, taking a sword off the wall as well.
Cautiously, I moved down into the weapons room and stared aghast at an open window with snow pouring in. I froze. I didn't want to turn around, and I didn't want to go forward. I was instantly reminded of stupid things I had done in my childhood regarding werewolves. I think I shuddered to be alone. This manor made me shudder at times. After all, it had once been Dracula's property. A thousand curses I wished upon that creature, who haunted my every step with his evil shadow.
I was afraid, but if I gave into that fear, I was surely doomed. I could only hope that God was sending help.
A/N: I wrestled with the thought of having an Anna viewpoint and finally put it in. Let me know if you think it works because if it doesn't, I will rewrite.