Tatyana paced impatiently as she peered out into the darkness. Bruce had left to hunt for food quite some time ago, leaving her plenty of alone time to think about Charles. She needed to know if he was alright. Had Elsa been able to keep him safe and out of harm’s way?
She felt guilty about burdening the old woman with her troubles the way she had. If there was any other way, she’d have gladly done it, but the old magic woman was all she had right now. She needed to make sure that her baby brother was still in Elsa’s care. She needed to get back to San Diego.
Taking Bruce with her was out of the question. Nandru and his vampires were all over the valley. In fact, it seemed like there were vampires in every corner of the country. She was kept isolated in Wadim’s den and, since Wadim was an outcast who other vampires avoided, she hadn’t learned of their vast presence. In fact, with Wadim’s den destroyed she didn
Elsa shouldn’t have been surprised at the news that Dracula sent Osip to search for Charles. Even so, hearing the news from me shook her to the core. A world full of vampires to hold off was bad enough, but to hide from a brother who shared the same family genetic ties would be next to impossible. She felt old, tired, and overwhelmed. What she wouldn’t give to have the power to squash those vampires like the bugs they were.Shen felt the need for some release of physical and mental tension and went to a nearby martial arts studio to train. He telephoned, stating that he’d lost track of the time and would do his best to fight the traffic and return as quickly as possible. So, we waited; each in deep thought and barely remembering the presence of the other.Nandru was the first to spot Shen getting out of the cab. He hopped anxiously to his feet while announcing his arrival. Shen wasn’t even given the opportunity to enter the mot
Tatyana looked out onto the bay as the cab moved across the long bridge to Coronado Island. She was anxious to get to Elsa’s house and cradle Charles in her arms.She was both relieved and grateful that making her way out of the harsh Arizona mountains toward Sky Harbor airport, while being undetected by Nandru or any of his vampires, was easier than she’d anticipated. She hoped the rest of her mission went that smoothly.The cab pulled up to the curb in front of Elsa’s large, turn of the century house. As she got out, she couldn’t help admiring the ornate and perfect architecture of the building. She smiled and closed her eyes as she allowed herself to flow back to a time gone by. She could almost hear the horse and buggies making their way down the streets, while the laughter of people walking the beach and enjoying life drifted through the air. In the midst of it all, a woman was calling her name.As she stood motionless, T
Osip ran his hand along the smooth twelve-foot mahogany table in the oversized great room of Nandru’s den. How he longed to be lord of such a magnificent place as this. He’d often fantasize about being in such a position. Who would be his queen? Would it be the lovely young vampire who serviced him so well last night? He chuckled as he thought of the erotic pleasures she bestowed upon him over and over again. No. His queen would be pure when she came to him. He’d keep a small harem for his pleasures, but his queen would be a pure virgin that was made vampire by him.His musing was interrupted by the entrance of Lucinda. Expecting to find Nandru, she gasped her apologies before backing out of the room.Osip was immediately struck by Lucinda’s strong European beauty.“Wait! Come back!” he bellowed in a commanding tone that was fitting of any great lord.Lucinda eased her way back
Lucinda watched Yolanda cross the room with as much pride and dignity as she could muster. The news of her fall from status had spread quickly through the den and, although she still held a position of rank as the mother of Nandru’s sons, obvious disdain for her was openly worn on the faces of the many servants who’d suffered her abusive nature over the years. Some even sported smiles and sneers.Yolanda had managed to fashion an eye patch to cover Dragomir’ handiwork. It created an air of mystery about her. To an onlooker, her proud swagger and patched eye could have easily hinted that there was a pirate amongst them.Morgana lay moaning on her fainting sofa. The pain in her abdomen was unbearable. She’d delivered many children for Nandru, but never had she experienced pain of this magnitude.Yolanda knelt beside her and coaxed her into a calmer state. There was a bond between the two mistresses that L
I waited patiently for Shen to join me in the ice cream shop. I’d decided to take a little time to think things through and ease my nervous tension. I’d walked through Old Town Scottsdale and ended up in a fifties style ice cream parlor with a dish of homemade ice cream in front of me that was just the ticket. Feeling calmer and more amiable, I’d called Shen on my cell phone and asked him to join me.Shen smiled as he entered the fifties style ambience. He enjoyed the decor of that era and I knew it. Sitting down opposite me, he ordered a root beer float before stretching his legs out in front of him with a satisfied grin.“You’re so predictable,” I chuckled. “Just once I’d like to see you order something other than a root beer float.”“I happen to like root beer floats,” he said with twinkling eyes.I hadn’t seen him this relaxed in months. It was infectious!
Shen and I picked our way along the narrow path that led up to the area where Elsa had encountered Bruce. We had no idea what had happened to Elsa. She hadn’t checked out and her things were still in her room. We agreed that, wherever she was, she was probably fine. She’d expressed the need to be pampered. Perhaps she’d decided to take the night off and go to a spa. Whatever the reason for her absence, we decided to simply leave her for the night and continue the search on our own. Shen still had the spare vile of potion that she’d given him the first night we started the hunt. So, if we did find him, we were prepared. We just hoped the one vile would be enough. It would have been better to have Elsa’s vile as well, but we had no way to get into her room and, if we did, no idea where she’d hidden it from prying eyes.Returning to the scene of Nandru’s demise created an emotional roller coaster for me. The
After several days with no sign of Dragomir, Osip felt it was safe to assume that he’d met his demise by that cursed werewolf. This was a disaster.He’d set out to bring back to Count Dracula his half-brother along with, if possible, the Tugurlan cousins. Instead, he’d managed to lead Dragomir right to his fate. Now the Count had two legitimate sons and one bastard son who were dead, as well as the commander, who happened to be one of the Count’s favored vampires, and he was still no closer to producing the Tugurlan cousins or his infant half-brother. This was very bad.He needed to think of a way around it all. He needed to save his station here and status back home. His mind whirled as he struggled for an idea.Nandru’s study felt stifling. He needed air. As he stepped out into the corridor he almost collided with Lucinda, who was carrying Nandru’s newborn son in her arms. Osip looked clos
Bruce stretched his leg muscles, hoping to relieve some of the pain that seemed to radiate clear to the marrow of his bones. When he’d agreed to allow me to give him a crash course in martial arts self-defense, he had no idea how physically challenging it would be.He always prided himself in his well preserved and athletic body. He’d been a valued player on his college football team and continued to play with a local group of Owego residents on weekends just for fun. He was also an adept and avid hunter. Even so, his body was screaming in shocked surprise at the number of muscles he possessed that hadn’t seen action; possibly ever.The floorboards of his cabin’s porch creaked under his weight as he paced back and forth; partially out of impatience while he waited for me to return with the newlyweds, and partially to keep his muscles from tightening up any more than they already were.Our good friends and my fellow escap
After several days with no sign of Dragomir, Osip felt it was safe to assume that he’d met his demise by that cursed werewolf. This was a disaster.He’d set out to bring back to Count Dracula his half-brother along with, if possible, the Tugurlan cousins. Instead, he’d managed to lead Dragomir right to his fate. Now the Count had two legitimate sons and one bastard son who were dead, as well as the commander, who happened to be one of the Count’s favored vampires, and he was still no closer to producing the Tugurlan cousins or his infant half-brother. This was very bad.He needed to think of a way around it all. He needed to save his station here and status back home. His mind whirled as he struggled for an idea.Nandru’s study felt stifling. He needed air. As he stepped out into the corridor he almost collided with Lucinda, who was carrying Nandru’s newborn son in her arms. Osip looked clos
Shen and I picked our way along the narrow path that led up to the area where Elsa had encountered Bruce. We had no idea what had happened to Elsa. She hadn’t checked out and her things were still in her room. We agreed that, wherever she was, she was probably fine. She’d expressed the need to be pampered. Perhaps she’d decided to take the night off and go to a spa. Whatever the reason for her absence, we decided to simply leave her for the night and continue the search on our own. Shen still had the spare vile of potion that she’d given him the first night we started the hunt. So, if we did find him, we were prepared. We just hoped the one vile would be enough. It would have been better to have Elsa’s vile as well, but we had no way to get into her room and, if we did, no idea where she’d hidden it from prying eyes.Returning to the scene of Nandru’s demise created an emotional roller coaster for me. The
I waited patiently for Shen to join me in the ice cream shop. I’d decided to take a little time to think things through and ease my nervous tension. I’d walked through Old Town Scottsdale and ended up in a fifties style ice cream parlor with a dish of homemade ice cream in front of me that was just the ticket. Feeling calmer and more amiable, I’d called Shen on my cell phone and asked him to join me.Shen smiled as he entered the fifties style ambience. He enjoyed the decor of that era and I knew it. Sitting down opposite me, he ordered a root beer float before stretching his legs out in front of him with a satisfied grin.“You’re so predictable,” I chuckled. “Just once I’d like to see you order something other than a root beer float.”“I happen to like root beer floats,” he said with twinkling eyes.I hadn’t seen him this relaxed in months. It was infectious!
Lucinda watched Yolanda cross the room with as much pride and dignity as she could muster. The news of her fall from status had spread quickly through the den and, although she still held a position of rank as the mother of Nandru’s sons, obvious disdain for her was openly worn on the faces of the many servants who’d suffered her abusive nature over the years. Some even sported smiles and sneers.Yolanda had managed to fashion an eye patch to cover Dragomir’ handiwork. It created an air of mystery about her. To an onlooker, her proud swagger and patched eye could have easily hinted that there was a pirate amongst them.Morgana lay moaning on her fainting sofa. The pain in her abdomen was unbearable. She’d delivered many children for Nandru, but never had she experienced pain of this magnitude.Yolanda knelt beside her and coaxed her into a calmer state. There was a bond between the two mistresses that L
Osip ran his hand along the smooth twelve-foot mahogany table in the oversized great room of Nandru’s den. How he longed to be lord of such a magnificent place as this. He’d often fantasize about being in such a position. Who would be his queen? Would it be the lovely young vampire who serviced him so well last night? He chuckled as he thought of the erotic pleasures she bestowed upon him over and over again. No. His queen would be pure when she came to him. He’d keep a small harem for his pleasures, but his queen would be a pure virgin that was made vampire by him.His musing was interrupted by the entrance of Lucinda. Expecting to find Nandru, she gasped her apologies before backing out of the room.Osip was immediately struck by Lucinda’s strong European beauty.“Wait! Come back!” he bellowed in a commanding tone that was fitting of any great lord.Lucinda eased her way back
Tatyana looked out onto the bay as the cab moved across the long bridge to Coronado Island. She was anxious to get to Elsa’s house and cradle Charles in her arms.She was both relieved and grateful that making her way out of the harsh Arizona mountains toward Sky Harbor airport, while being undetected by Nandru or any of his vampires, was easier than she’d anticipated. She hoped the rest of her mission went that smoothly.The cab pulled up to the curb in front of Elsa’s large, turn of the century house. As she got out, she couldn’t help admiring the ornate and perfect architecture of the building. She smiled and closed her eyes as she allowed herself to flow back to a time gone by. She could almost hear the horse and buggies making their way down the streets, while the laughter of people walking the beach and enjoying life drifted through the air. In the midst of it all, a woman was calling her name.As she stood motionless, T
Elsa shouldn’t have been surprised at the news that Dracula sent Osip to search for Charles. Even so, hearing the news from me shook her to the core. A world full of vampires to hold off was bad enough, but to hide from a brother who shared the same family genetic ties would be next to impossible. She felt old, tired, and overwhelmed. What she wouldn’t give to have the power to squash those vampires like the bugs they were.Shen felt the need for some release of physical and mental tension and went to a nearby martial arts studio to train. He telephoned, stating that he’d lost track of the time and would do his best to fight the traffic and return as quickly as possible. So, we waited; each in deep thought and barely remembering the presence of the other.Nandru was the first to spot Shen getting out of the cab. He hopped anxiously to his feet while announcing his arrival. Shen wasn’t even given the opportunity to enter the mot
Tatyana paced impatiently as she peered out into the darkness. Bruce had left to hunt for food quite some time ago, leaving her plenty of alone time to think about Charles. She needed to know if he was alright. Had Elsa been able to keep him safe and out of harm’s way?She felt guilty about burdening the old woman with her troubles the way she had. If there was any other way, she’d have gladly done it, but the old magic woman was all she had right now. She needed to make sure that her baby brother was still in Elsa’s care. She needed to get back to San Diego.Taking Bruce with her was out of the question. Nandru and his vampires were all over the valley. In fact, it seemed like there were vampires in every corner of the country. She was kept isolated in Wadim’s den and, since Wadim was an outcast who other vampires avoided, she hadn’t learned of their vast presence. In fact, with Wadim’s den destroyed she didn
Nandru did his best to hide his dismay at the arrival of Dragomir and his young protégé. This was disastrous. He was aware of Dragomir’s jealousy over his bond with Dracula and knew that Dracula’s firstborn was searching for centuries for a way to destroy that relationship. Now, of all things, he’d arrived at a time that was most crucial for Nandru. He’d lost the girl, which meant that he’d lost his bargaining chip with the old woman. If Nandru wasn’t careful, Dragomir just might succeed in his mission of destruction.Doing his best to keep his guests occupied while he continued to search for Bruce, Nandru opened the doors to his concubine’s quarters. When Dragomir expressed his desire to taste something of a more prestigious rank -meaning one of Nandru’s private mistresses- Nandru snarled. He knew he couldn’t refuse.He’d never subject Lucinda to such degradat