The woman who had stopped them that evening was called Rebekkah Valerious, a distant cousin of Anna. After Anna's death Rebekkah had left her home in Spain to come home and rule Transylvania.

At that moment, Rebekkah was sitting in the library of her large, modern castle, her head in a book about the great Gabriel Van Helsing. It was cold, and Rebekkah kept looking around, sure she could hear something.

Her candle flickered violently. Rebekkah lowered her book to stare at it.

It went out completely, engulfing her in almost darkness. Her hand travelled automatically towards her pistol, but a hand caught her wrist. She was shocked by how cold it was, and also how strong. She looked up into the face of the man leaning on the back of her chair.

"Who are you? Where did you come from? Why-?" she asked.

"So many questions, Rebekkah, so many questions," he purred.

"Who are you?" she repeated firmly.

His eyes flashed eerily. "I am Count Vladislaus Dragulia. Born 1432. Murdered 1462.... murdered AGAIN a month ago."

Rebekkah's blood ran cold. "No..."

"Oh, yes," he growled, leaning close, grabbing her tightly. "I'm back."