The snow blew hard and for the umpteenth time, Gabriella found herself wishing she was anywhere but ridding through the eastern part of Romania.
Gabriel looked at her. "Wishing for Rome?"
"Anywhere," she muttered. "But here. Remind me once more why we do this?" Gabriella turned her bright blue eyes to her brother.
"Because we and the Order are the world last defense against the horrors that are sent straight from hell," said Gabriel seriously. "Because we hide the world from the true horrors that could devastate them. Because God chose us to fight against hell and Satan."
Gabriella shook snow from the hood of her black satin cloak. "There's something about this mission…I can't explain it."
Gabriel nodded. "I know exactly what you mean."
Gabriella smiled slightly. "I saw you staring at Princess Anna. I've never seen you look at anyone like that."
"I've never seen anyone like that."
Suddenly they rounded a bend in the wood and a forest rose up before them.
Gabriella swung down from the saddle. Her high heeled black boots thudded on the firm path. "Well, I guess we're here."
Carl stared at the dark forest. "What?" he squeaked.
"Welcome to Translyvania."
They walked slowly through the gates of the village.
"What an appetizing place." Gabriella eyed the villagers.
They stared back but there wasn't a sound to be heard. No children, no dogs, no animals, no voices. Just silence. People stared at them and moved back as they walked down the street.
"They seem happy to see us." Gabriel looked over his shoulder and saw a crowd had begun following them.
"Are you this popular everywhere you go, Gabriel?" Gabriella asked, her eyes dancing with amusement.
"Pretty much."
"So…what exactly do you remember?" piped up Carl.
Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Not now, Carl?"
"Seriously."
"I remember fighting the Romans at Adente," Gabriel said, dead serious.
Carl stared at Gabriel. "That was in 70 AD!"
Gabriel shrugged. "You asked. Gabriella was there with me."
Carl stared at her. Then he looked around again. "What are we doing here? Why is it so important to kill this Dracula and his brother anyway?"
"Because they say they're the twins of the devil," said Gabriel.
"I meant besides that."
They seemed to be at the center of the village. There was a well in front of them. Across the way there was a large barn and directly across from it, was the church.
Gabriel sighed and dropped the bag he was caring. His black hat was pulled low over his eyes and his long black trench coat covered his guns. Carl's newest gun was in his hand and he dropped it next to his bag.
Carl stood very still and stared with wide eyes around them.
Gabriella was dressed from head to toe in black. A black ribbon held her hair back, she wore black boots and long black cloak that concealed her various weapons, including a black snake whip that was attached to the back of her belt. Carl's guns where right at the sides of her waist where she could grab them if the need arose.
The crowd didn't utter a sound but simply stared at the three newcomers. From behind them, came the sound of boots on wood. "Turn around. Let me see your faces."
Gabriel and Gabriella turned and found themselves face to face with Princess Anna Valerious. Her bright brown eyes studied them and her hands where placed firmly on her small waist. Her thick mass of curly brown hair was unconfined and tumbled around her shoulders and face in glorious disarray.
"Are you Anna Valerious?" asked Gabriella.
"Who wants to know?"
Gabriella ignored her question. "We've come to help." Her eyes picked up something and she tensed.
Gabriel followed her gaze. "She's right." He had to get Anna off that platform.
Anna glared at him. "Well, we don't want any help."
Gabriella's eyebrows rose. "You don't?"
"No."
"Why not, Princess?"
"Because we don't need any."
Gabriella flicked out her whip and it wrapped around Anna's ankle and she jerked it hard, knocking Anna flat on her back.
Anna gasped and cursed loudly.
Shrieks and screams suddenly spilt the quiet air and five female vampires swept by, one of them barely missing Anna.
Gabriel swung his gun up and pulled the trigger.
Silver arrows poured into the midst of the five vampires. They breached off and went off in five different directions, shrieking loudly.
The villagers began running for shelter.
Gabriella flicked her wrist and the whip arched into the air. "I thought you didn't need help."