Chapter Four
Anna
I cannot believe the stupidity that washed over my brother. He invited the one thing that stopped us from accomplishing our goal to remain with us. I rode next to him on the way back, that little leech attached to his back.
"Why, Velkan?" I asked him, my voice soft and irritable. He looked at me and smiled.
"Do you know who she is, Anna?" he asked me in return. I looked at him blankly.
"No."
"Her parents were the Duke and Duchess."
"Were?" Velkan's face darkened.
"Dracula and his wives feasted last night on their flesh and blood. She no longer has a home," he replied. I looked at the girl, who happened to be asleep. She looked different than most Romanians. Her hair was light, but still beautiful. Something inside of me told me to feel pity for the poor creature, but I refused to let my pity show.
"I see. I suppose this random act of kindness has nothing to do with the fact that she is indeed lovely?" I asked slyly. Velkan glared at me then grinned. His thoughts were all too obvious.
After a half an hour of riding we approached the house that was left by our father. I looked on as Velkan gently woke our guest. Ilya opened her light eyes and looked at Velkan with a longing gaze. She then looked at the vast estate that was in our possession and seemed to rank it in her mind.
Although Ilya said nothing, I remained in defense-mode, just in case something slipped. I continued to look at her, noting the small things about her appearance. She attained some scratches that I could safely assume weren't there the night before.
Velkan and I led the horses up to the front of the house where he dismounted and helped his "guest" down as well. I noted an annoyingly bright blush tainting her pale cheeks. He smiled simply, causing her to blush further. I dismounted as well and before I could head inside Velkan handed me his horse's reins and told me to put the horses in the stables.
"You aren't serious! Why can't you?" I snapped. Velkan looked at me warningly then proceeded to lead Ilya into the house. I stood there shocked. My blood seemed to be boiling within me as I led the horses into the stables near the house. Velkan was getting a big head and I intended to deflate it.
When I entered the house, I noticed that Velkan had Ilya sitting in the entry hall while he spoke with a maid. I simply glared at the girl as I headed to my room, hoping to relax in a nice, hot bath. Of course, my intentions were interrupted when Velkan caught sight of me in the hall.
"Ah, Anna, there you are! I was hoping you could lend Ilya some of your clothing until we can get her some of her own," Velkan said cheerfully, his tone expectant. I simply glowered before trudging up to my room, leaving him with no answer. Ilya watched me shyly as I did so. There was something about her frightened eyes that made me lighten my step, but not my attitude. I walked straight to my room, summoning a maid who was to tend to my bath.
I sat on the small loveseat in my room while my bath was being prepared. I sighed and stared out the window, my mind going over the events of the afternoon. Needless to say, it was hardly productive. We didn't get any closer to Dracula and we didn't slay a terrorizing werewolf. Instead we succeeded in sheltering a lousy orphan, who happened to be a lousy noble, who happened to have an interest in my brother.
I grew tired of sitting and walked out into the hall to see if Velkan had left. To my surprise, Velkan was in the hall with the girl's hand in his. He was leading her into a room, not just any room, but his room.