Agnes woke up with a horrible headache. She could feel that she was lying on something soft and warm, but she refused to open her eyes for long minutes, until her pain eased somewhat.

„ Well, at least I know I'm still alive!" she thought, then poked about to find out what she was lying on, and she could feel the touch of silk bedding. The sight that awaited her upon opening her eyes was stunning: she was in a large room, furnished and decorated beautifully; its look exceeded even the opulent rooms of the Italian villas. Carpets and paintings hung on the walls; the bed she was lying on was decorated lavishly, along with the cupboards and vanity table in the other end of the room. All was glimmering in ochre in the light of the setting Sun penetrating through the iron-framed windows. The air was comfortably warm with the heat of the classical-style fireplace, and Agnes couldn't help wondering how she got here from the cold ground of the Sáradi mansion's forecourt. She could also see that someone had taken her cloak and jacket off, and laid it upon a chair nearby. She got off her bed, and decided to take a look around.

„ Whoever saved me from the demons, I'll have to find and thank them" she thought as she walked to the heavy wooden door of her room. The centuries old handle and hinges gave a loud creaking noise, as Agnes quickly slipped outside. She found herself on a corridor, with a balcony running by its left side. The air was much colder; she could even see her own breath in the air. Everything was covered in ice-crystals, which glowed beautifully as the light of candles and torches fell on it. Agnes walked to the balcony, and looked down, hoping to spot some movement. But instead all she could see below were a few more stories of corridors with the same structure, running alongside the wall, forming a circle. She looked up, and could see more of the black stones, which were forming a shape like the inside of a cone.

„ I must be in a tower!" she thought, as she looked down and saw deep darkness between the two sides of the building, making the place look like a bottomless lake.

„ Well, it sure looks odd! I wonder what person might want to live here!" she thought, and then moved on forward in the corridor. She opened and shut doors, unbolted several ones, went down stairs led by her curiosity, until she ended up in a great hall, which had four doors on each side. Stairs led up to somewhere again, but Agnes already grew tired of exploring this cold place, so she decided to look at the paintings and weapons on the wall. The paintings depicted people of all ages, all were genuine pieces of art.

„ They must be noblemen, why would their picture hang here!" she thought, „ I wonder when will I find anyone who lives in this gruesome place! I'd rather get out of here!"

She wasn't left alone for a long time, one of the doors unbolted, and a demon stepped inside. It had wound on its back, and Agnes recognized it immediately, and seized one of the swords exhibited on the wall.

„What is this doing around here? I knew something was not right among these walls!" ran through her mind, as she ran up to the demon from the darkness, and surprised the creature with her swords blade again. They stood still for a moment, then Agnes was the first to have her voice heard.

„ You know what I want from you, I'm sure. You have got something, which belongs to me. Return it, and I'll spare your life!" The demon's face turned into an evil smirk, then it answered with a smile, a few minutes later.

„ It is not me, that you should be interrogating!" the demon spit the words in Agnes' face „ You might want to ask him, if you ever want that back!" it said scornfully, and nodded towards the large door on their right, which had just opened. Agnes looked to the side, at a man who was dressed all in black. His noble features and dark hair fascinated Agnes right away, but she didn't have time to ponder on that.

„ How come you're always being useless?" turned the man to the demon „ Get out of here, you only disturb everything!" as soon as the words rolled off his lips, the demon had already disappeared behind one of the doors. Agnes was left alone with the strange man. He walked up to her, his steps echoing in the empty room. He took a stand before Agnes, bent down a bit, then took the lady's hand, and kissed it gently.

„ Welcome to my castle! I'm Count Vladislaus Dracula at your service Miss." he said, and raised his head, looking deep into the lady's eyes. His touch sent chills up and down Agnes' spine, but she answered in a polite manner

„ Agnes Desewffy, it is my pleasure as well." she nodded. Dracula smiled widely upon hearing her name.

„ So that's how you're called?" he thought „ I should have known!"

„ Who is this man? " ran through Agnes' mind as she was eyeing Dracula „ It cost only his words for that demon to turn into like an obedient and humble dog, that accepts commands from its owner. I'm not out of the trouble yet, I guess!"

„ Miss, I believe we have a lot to talk over, I suggest you accompanied me in the library." he said, and offered his arm to the lady. Agnes answered reluctantly.

„ Actually I would only like to thank you for saving me from those creatures, then I would like to get my necklace back, and not bother you afterwards"

„ Well, I believe the situation is more complex that that." came the answer from the Count „ I didn't save you from the demons, I commanded them to bring you here, and I'm afraid I cannot let you leave."

„ What!?" exclaimed Agnes, and quickly stepped away from Dracula, and trying to make sure he keeps the distance, she affixed her sword to his chest. The count began smiling, upon seeing Agnes' desperate face. He sized the sword by its blade, pulled it out from Agnes' hand, and threw it to the other end of the room. She was stunned to see that the man's hand didn't even bleed.

„ What is he made up of?" she thought

„ I was expecting something like that from you Miss Agnes, but there is really no need for a weapon against me."

„ How does he know me?" she thought desperately, trying to find a possibility to flee this uncomfortable situation.

„ You have slaughtered two of my demons, and wounded another one, rather severely" continued the count „ I have killed people for even less than that" he said, as he moved closer to Agnes, who was trying to back out of the embarrassing impasse, but her back met the wall eventually. The count kept violating Agnes' private zone, which disturbed her very much. She could feel his cool breath on her cheeks, and their bodies were just inches from each other. Dracula went on, as he had cornered Agnes completely.

„ But I have no intention of hurting you. I took all the trouble of having you brought here, how would it make sense then?" His low and husky voice sounded like the tune ice crystals tinkling against each other, to Agnes' ears.

„ You're too precious to me anyway." Dracula already whispered this into Agnes' ear, who was feeling unpleasantly by the propinquity of the count, but part of her was also drawn to him, and wanted to seek adventure. Dracula stepped away from Agnes, and went on talking.

„ If I was lucky enough that the God, whom I despise, had you stumble across my way, I will never ever let you go." Agnes answered sarcastically

„ If there is someone, whom I have nothing to do with, then it is God himself!"

Dracula gave a little laugh, and then turned to Agnes again.

„ Well, my love, if my suspicions are correct, among those who dwell the world right now, you're the one who has the most to do with him!"

Dracula was staring at Agnes with hungry eyes upon saying this, which made her shiver. But what he said, evoke her interest more, than his presence evoke her fear.

„ Do you believe me now, that we have a lot talk over, my love? Will you join me in the library then?" he asked, and offered his arm to Agnes again. She was looking at the count doubtingly, but she accepted it unwillingly.

„ I am not your love." she said firmly. Dracula lead his freezing and stubborn captive to the library with a smile of anticipation and triumph on his face.

Hmm-hmm-hmm. Thank you for reading my story! Please review, I would be very-very grateful, and it would also encourage me to update soon! I have made a portrait of Agnes, so those who would like to see how she looks like, feel free to contact me, and I'll be happy to send it to you!