I compelled her gently to calmness. “I shall return. I promise you this. ”
The tension fled from her face as she sank against me, her hands against my chest. Her arm was now healed, only a ragged scar remaining where it had been torn from her body, and soon even the scar would fade. I gently stroked her hair, the silky tendrils sliding easily over the leather of my gloves. She was such a sweet child in her love for Glynis that my heart went out to her. Her youth, though a rapier of danger to our existence, delighted me. Slowly nodding, she slid from my embrace, understanding filling her eyes.
“This is truly our only hope, is it not?”
“Yes, I fear it is, Laura,” I answered.
Adem stepped forward, his hand reaching out to steady the young vampire. Tangled strands of hair fell about her face as she turned toward him, her hands clutched together at her breasts. “Adem, go with him. ”
“It is best I go alone,” I said quietly. “When he rises, his anger will be fierce. If I am alone, it will be easier for me to contain him. ”
“I can accompany you, though I am not certain if you can fly me there as well,” Adem offered.
“I do not intend to fly. The weather would make it difficult and it would take too long. ” I donned my hat as I walked into the hallway, my hand resting against the hilt of my sword.
“You cannot mean-” Adem began in protest.
I turned sharply on my heel, regarding him coolly. “Yes. I do. ”
“What? What is it?” Laura cried out.
“Astir. He plans to go to Astir,” Adem said worriedly.
Laura looked aghast. “Ignatius, hasn’t he refused your request already to help her escape?”
“I must. If I am to make the journey to the castle and return to save her, I must go to Astir. ” I shook my head. “I have no choice. ”
“Dealing with that creature is like dealing with the devil. Its silver tongue speaks no real truth and no true lie,” Adem warned. “I serve him, but I am aware of what my master is. He will use this to his advantage. ”
“If he is unwilling to spirit her out of her imprisonment, then I need him to transport me to the castle. ” In all my dealings with the creature, I always knew I had to tread carefully. I was as fallen from God as the angel, and Astir reveled in my disgrace.
Distraught, Laura reached out toward me, her slim fingers trembling. “Please, Ignatius, I cannot bear to lose you and Glynis both. ”
I took her hand and pressed a kiss to it. “You will not. ”
Unable to stay and witness her sorrow, I turned and moved swiftly down the hallway to the stairs that led down to the grand foyer, Adem and Laura pacing me. Magda stood in the hallway below. A look of fright was pressed onto her features as she waited near the front door, clutching my heavy coat.
“Please do not go, Father Ignatius,” she begged as I drew near.
“It is my only option. ” I was weary of the argument though I completely understood their concern.
“He is such an evil man,” Magda sobbed as she cast the cloak over my shoulders.
As I fastened the clasp, I turned to regard the three: Glynis’s loving child, her wary guard, and faithful servant. I forced a reassuring smile upon my lips and said, “Do not fear. I shall return soon enough with the Countess. I swear it. ”
“A priest, even a vampire one, should never swear on those things of which he is not certain,” Adem chastised me.
My smile faded in the face of this truth. “Then I shall do my best to make it certain. ”
“That I do believe,” Adem said soberly.
Laura threw her arms about me, kissing my cheek, her bloody tears staining her delicate face, before drawing back into Magda’s arms.
Without another word, I turned and departed into the snowy night.
Letter from Father Ignatius to the Immortal Beloved of Vienna continued. . .
I realize, my dear mistress, that our dealings with Astir have not always been to the best result, but I felt I had no choice in the matter. You are far from here and Astir was my only hope. To save Glynis, I accept that I would have to risk losing her to Vlad. Never have I feared so much the outcome of a decision made in desperation. . .