Silence echoed around the bedroom as, assisted by candlelight, Natasja and Brianna dressed Crina the following evening. She had been bathed, scrubbed, washed in a heavily scented soap that made her skin glow and smell of spices, then pushed back into the room. Nobody was speaking.

Crina held onto the bedpost, fighting back tears of pain as Natasja laced her corset tightly. Brianna was somehow managing to get black stockings on at the same time. Crina knew she was getting in too deep, but she knew this place, these people, had a terrible secret, and that she was close to discovering it.

She also knew she was in love with Vlad. Despite knowing practically nothing about him, she was in love with him, and this caused her greater despair than anything else. She missed Ioan. She felt like she was betraying him, his love. But there was no Ioan, only Vlad.

The wives, as Crina thought of them repulsively, forced her body into an incredibly tight, beautiful dress, with a long, flowing skirt. It was made of midnight blue satin, embroidered with silver snowflakes, with a low-cut neckline and short sleeves. She watched in the mirror as they placed heeled boots on her feet, and began work on her hair and face.

Natasja pulled her hair into a tight bun that made Crina wince, whilst Brianna outlined her eyes in black and painted her lips red. Natasja slid a silver ornament in the shape of a butterfly into Crina's hair.

Finally, pulling on black silk gloves, Crina stared at herself. She looked stunning. She hardly recognised herself.

"Come. It is time," Natasja said.

Flanked by them, Crina was taken to a long, grand stone staircase that went straight down into a ballroom. Loud, beautiful music was being played by a band in the corner. The room was large and full of people, dancing, socialising, all dressed formally. There were people on the stairs, talking, laughing, some of them looking up at Crina in admiration.

Then Vlad appeared. He climbed the stairs calmly to them, looking amazing. Crina looked down as he approached, his hair pinned back neatly, dressed in a midnight blue satin tunic and black trousers tucked into boots.

"Thank you, Brianna, Natasja," he purred, coming to a stop before them. "You have done well, my dears." He reached out and touched Crina's cheek with a gloved hand, making it feel warm. "She looks amazing."

"Thank you, Master," the wives simpered back.

Crina looked up, finding the fact they had called him 'Master' quite strange. Vlad, however, looked as impassive as ever, and he waved them away with an airy hand. Perhaps Crina had heard incorrectly.

"Good evening, Miss Arany," Vlad said, with a trace of a smile. He offered his arm. "May I?"

Crina took his arm. He took her down the steps in silence, past all of the people. They all stared enviously at Crina, and she felt a small glow of pride. They reached the bottom and Vlad took her over to a bench, sitting down and gesturing to her to do the same, which she did.

"Who are all these people?" she asked, as he squeezed her hand.

"Friends of mine," Vlad smiled. He paused, looking a little nervous. One of his hands touched her cheek again, lingered there, as he stared deeply into her eyes. "I... I have a gift for you, Crina."

"I cannot accept anything from you," she said, shaking her head.

He reached into his pocket, producing a beautiful silver necklace, encrusted with sparkling diamonds. Ignoring her protest, he slipped his hands around her neck, causing it to erupt in goosebumps. She lowered her eyes as he fastened the necklace and then drew back to examine it. "Beautiful..." he murmured.

"Thank you, Vlad," she whispered.

He leaned forward and kissed her neck gently, making it tingle. "You're beautiful," he told her quietly. "You're so, so beautiful, Crina."

He rose suddenly, taking her arm and twirling her out onto the dancefloor. She danced without question, feeling completely at ease in his arms, amazed at how well they seemed to fit together. The music was intoxicating, and she soon lost herself in it, occassionally looking up at Vlad into those deep blue orbs that glittered down at her.

"Crina..." he purred as he spun her elegantly. "There are some people here you need to know." He drew her closer to him once more and whispered into her ear, making her spine prickle, "They are in the far corner, Crina."

Crina looked over. Indeed, there were three shady looking people huddled there. The most prominent was a tall, muscular man with long brown hair and a kind face. Brown eyes looked out sharply around the room. He was wearing black velvet, looking smart but still he didn't quite fit in. Beside him stood a shorter, paler man with red-blonde hair that looked smooth and soft, and intelligent blue eyes. He too was wearing black velvet. The woman who was with them was short and very skinny, with a lot of freckles on her pale face and bright green eyes. Long, curly red hair tumbled about her green velvet dress.

"Who are they?" Crina asked, noticing that they all looked tense.

Vlad pulled her, if possible, even closer. "That, my dear, is the great Gabriel Van Helsing and his comrades. They have no doubt been hired by Cristian Farkas to find you... and kill me."

Crina blinked. Cristian must really want her. But it was too late... much too late. She was in love with Vlad. The knowledge made her head throb as the music slowed, Vlad dipping her and then raising her quickly. "Can I be excused to get a drink?" she asked.

"Of course, but hurry back to me, my dear," Vlad smiled.

To be continued.