The girl sighed and pulled her hat down low over her face, standing at the edge of the trees. Dressed in a black jersey and rough grey trousers, she looked as though she was a poor farmer. This suited her fine. She was from a fine, rich family, and did not appreciate the hassle this earned her from the townspeople.

"Hey!" A loud, masculine voice called to her suddenly, breaking the tense silence. She gasped and turned around, seeing a tall, broad-shouldered youth facing her. He had wild, curly black hair that tumbled around a face that was bearing a scowl. "Hey, boy!" he called again. "Who are you?"

The girl supressed a chuckle. This boy thought she was male. Making her voice low she replied, "Who are you?"

"I asked first," he replied, unsmilingly. His brown eyes were narrowed. "There are things in those woods that are evil... how do I know you aren't one of them?"

"What do I care what you think?" she responded. "Who put you in charge? You're a mere boy. What do you think you are, a Knight of The Holy Order or something?"

"I'm a Hunter of Vaseria!" he snapped back. Suddenly, he reached into his belt and whipped out a pistol, pointing it at her. "Take your hat off, now

She wasn't about to argue with him, not when he was waving a pistol in her face. Sighing, she pulled her hat off, her long, waist-length brown hair tumbling out, revealing her face, which was already pretty. "Happy?" she shot at him.

He gasped. "You're a girl!"

"Well observed," she said sourly.

"I recognise you," he said, pushing back his hair ruggedly, lowering the pistol. "Aren't you the Arany girl, the daughter of the people who live in that big manor house?"

"Crina Arany, yes."

He laughed suddenly, and it made his face look brighter, nicer. He crossed over to her and shook her hand. "It's wonderful to meet you, Miss Crina. I'm Ioan. I haven't seen you round here before... then again few people are brave enough to come here."

"I was just walking," she said slowly, wondering why he was being so nice to her when she had snapped at him.

"Ah. Alright then, Miss." He paused, soft eyes twinkling, then said suddenly, "Why are you dressed like that?"

She shrugged. "I don't like the attention I get. I like dressing like a boy, you can have more fun. Mother disapproves, of course, but then again I think she's worried nobody will marry me if I'm like this."

"I'd marry you." Ioan said the words suddenly, then went scarlet, though he grinned.

She felt a funny feeling in her stomach, but smiled. "Thank you, but I'm only fourteen." She shook his hand again. "It was lovely to meet you, Ioan." She turned to leave.

"Crina!" he said. "Where are you going?"

"Home."

He hesitated, then said in a rush, "Will you come and see me tomorrow?"

For a moment they looked at each other. Then Crina nodded. "Of course."

Ioan grinned. "Until tomorrow then..."

¯¨´·-.¸¸,.-´¨·.¸¸.·´´¯··..·

Crina awoke suddenly, her heart racing. She was lying on her side, her long hair hanging over her face. One hand was on the medallion, the other on her stomach. She blinked, wondering what had woken her up. There was light in her room, a soft, pale, early morning light.

Yawning, she sat up, discovering what had awoken her.

Vlad's gloved hand covered her mouth as she opened it to scream in surprise at the sight of him sitting on her bed. She was shaking, staring at him. He looked strangely attractive, his white face impassive, his hair clipped back neatly. He was dressed from head to foot in black velvet, including matching boots. He waited until she had calmed down a little and removed his hand.

"I told you I would make everything alright," he said softly, his dark blue eyes fixed on her face.

"Vlad!" she gasped, staring at him. "But... how did you get in here...?"

He stood up and crossed to the window, looking out with an intense expression on his face. He stood like this for a few moments in silence, before speaking quietly. "Calm yourself, child, or you shall wake your family."

She stared at him. Something strange was going on. Forcing herself to breathe normally, she said firmly, "Vlad, tell me how you got in here."

He looked back at her. "You could be a little more grateful, Crina. I am helping you. Do not be so accusative." His thick accent was quite polite and charming, but carried a threatening undertone that chilled Crina a little. Vlad turned back to the window, reaching up to smooth his hair.

"But, Vlad..." she began, a little scared.

He turned back to her. "Crina, hush. I am taking you away from this place."

Her breath caught in her throat. Gazing at him with wide eyes, her beautiful expression startled, she breathed, "What? What do you mean, taking me away?"

"Taking you away," he repeated. "Taking you now, taking you with me. Making you free, allowing you to explore yourself without the shadow of your husband-to-be."

Crina felt anger rising. "You aren't answering me!" she snapped, jumping out of bed and going over to Vlad. "You aren't telling me anythi-"

She fell silent as suddenly he clasped his hand over her mouth again, holding her close in an iron grip. For the first time she felt really frightened. Vlad was scary, powerful, mysterious. And just how had he gotten in? Her heart racing, she stood still, looking at him with frightened eyes.

"Be quiet, girl," he murmured. "Do you want to wake everybody?" He did not remove his hand, but loosened his grip a little, and then spoke. "I'm taking you to my castle. I think you will find it agreeable. I know you're scared, but I assure you this is all for your own good."

He removed his hand and moved her over to the bed, lifting his own cloak and wrapping it around her. She was shaking her head. "Please," she said quietly, "I've changed my m-mind... I don't want to go..."

Then his dark eyes were gazing into her own, deeply and alluringly. She felt consciousness slip from her grasp, and felt herself become unable to look away. As her eyes closed slowly and she fell into his arms, she muttered,

"But... how did you... get in...?"

To be continued.