“You will feel slightly ill, but it is because you were so repulsed by my appearance,” Glynis continued.
“It was so terrible,” the doctor sobbed.
I sat back with satisfaction. It was done. “Now, Emil, go back to your chair and sit down until I tell you otherwise. ”
Emil climbed off the bed and obediently sat down, his expression blank, his eyes glazed.
I waited for nearly an hour in the room, allowing sufficient time for the doctor to examine me. At last, I lowered the veil over my face and raised a hand in front of the doctor’s face.
“It is done,” I whispered.
Doctor Baum snapped into motion immediately. “There you go. The veil is back in place. Do not fret now. It is all done. ”
“What do you think, Doctor? Can anything be done?”
The doctor swallowed hard and reached out to grasp my hand. His eyes filling with tears, he shook his head. “Dear girl, if I could do anything I would. The damage is too severe. I am so terribly sorry. ”
I almost laughed, but caught myself. The doctor took my strangled laugh as a sob and patted my hand.
“Glynis, you are a lucky woman to be alive. Now, you are blessed with a husband who loves you despite what has happened. He is a good man and you must be happy. ”
I smiled triumphantly behind my veil. “I shall, Doctor. ” I vowed. “I shall. ”
Chapter 25
The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright
Later-
Silence, cold and seething, dominated the ride back to the mansion. As the carriage rolled past the pastel colored homes of Buda’s wealthy, Vlad stared stoically ahead throughout the ride. Only the dark fires glimmering in his eyes were visible through the cloak of darkness he had drawn around him.
Across from him, I sat in a blissful haze of happiness. Freed from my cumbersome veils, I enjoyed the sweet caress of the night breeze against my face. A small smile formed on my lips as I gazed down the hillside toward the sparkling river then further to the flatland of Pesth.
I was immune to Vlad’s cold stare. My brother’s warm embrace had brought a joy to my soul I had not believed to be possible in this vampire existence. Being with Andrew had reawakened my humanity and it warmed the coldness of my vampire heart. For the first time in my undead life, the long festering wounds inflicted on my soul by Vlad’s cruelty and Sir Stephen’s betrayal were numbed. The comforting love of my brother had been a salve to my tortured psyche.
As the sleeping city streamed past my window, I wished fervently that I would never leave this place. In this city, I had found a measure of peace. First unexpectedly and wonderfully, in the arms of my mysterious vampire, and then in the gentle smile of my elder brother. To be free of Vlad’s wretched castle was bliss. His evil permeated every stone of that ruined structure. Here in Buda, his evil seemed tempered by outside forces.
With a pang of guilt, I realized that I had hardly missed my vampire sisters since arriving in Buda. Their beautiful faces and tender embraces seemed like a distant memory. Only Cneajna’s image remained vivid in my mind. I could distinctly remember the lovely vampire’s teasing smile and bright laugh. I know that if I were to never return to the castle, I would miss Cneajna dreadfully. But with that realization, came the knowledge that I can go on without my vampire mother. Freedom from that terrible place where my family had perished is more enticing than Cneajna’s motherly affections. I had lost my mortal mother and, guiltily, I knew I was prepared to abandon my vampire mother.
Now if only I could go to Ignatius. His face haunted me as my gaze drifted upwards to the heavy clouds gliding across the sky. I could vividly remember every detail of his handsome countenance. The mere thought of him made my lips yearn to feel the passion of his kiss once more. How I longed to see him, speak to him, to know him even more.
Above me, the moon escaped the dark clouds and hovered majestically over Buda. Its luminous light embraced the city below. I sighed with contentment. Everything about this night was so beautiful, I wished it would go on forever.
With a creaky sigh, the carriage turned onto the lane leading up to the mansion nestled amongst the oak tress. As soon as it came to a halt, I sprang from the carriage and hurried into the house. I was happily rushing up the staircase when a cold chill swept over my body. Whirling about, I saw Vlad standing in the doorway below glowering up at me.
I knew that look far too well.
With a terrified gasp, I fled up the stairs. With a roar Vlad sprang to the second floor and perched precariously on the railing. I screamed and darted into my bedroom. Vlad launched himself after me as I attempted to shut the door. He brutally shoved it open and pounced on me.
“You tried to warn him,” Vlad growled fiercely.
“No! No,” I cried out. I was pinned beneath him, thrashing wildly about.
“I know ways to make you suffer that you have never dreamed of! If you destroy my plans to move to England, I will slowly torture your brother to death and feast on his blood as I did your father!”
“I did not try to warn him! You heard every word I spoke! I would not betray you! I do not want him to die at your hand! I love him,” I responded in a fervent, distressed voice.
Vlad’s long nails tore my soft flesh as his body pressed heavily down on my bosom. The pain began to become unbearable. I pressed my hands against his chest to push him off of me. Vlad laughed as I struggled, his long tongue darting out between his sharp teeth.