The Tale of the Vampire Bride (63 page)

None of us saw the weapon that sent Vlad spiraling out of the sky. He released my hand as the silver dagger struck his shoulder. I watched my Master fall to the earth below as Ignatius gathered me up in his arms. Moving swiftly through the air, we darted down into the trees. Branches tried to snag us, but my lover was swift and sure and kept us from being entangled.

Gliding through the foliage, Ignatius held me protectively in his embrace. There was a great commotion to the side of us, and I gasped in fear. Vlad's roar of rage filled the night.

“Foul beast!” It was a woman's voice, full of hate.

A shivered in fear and weakness as the sound of battle erupted nearby. Suddenly, a female dressed in men’s clothing sailed through the air near us and into the boughs of a tree. Her body caught in the branches, resembling a rag doll tossed away by a petulant child. Long black hair was woven into a braid and it swung around her head as her form swayed in the boughs of the tree. Her throat was ripped out and her eyes were devoid of life. With an almost surreal slowness, she slipped through the branches of the tree to the ground below.

“Another dhamphir,” Ignatius whispered in my ear.

His touch was tender as I turned to gaze fully into his face. I parted my lips to speak when I was torn from his grip.

A scream almost left my lips until I realized it was Vlad who held me.

“To the ground,” he ordered.

When we landed I saw the female dhamphir sprawled nearby. Irrationally, I feared she would somehow spring to life to pursue us. But she remained dead, staring blindly toward us. I had to turn away.

“Vlad, they are everywhere,” Ignatius said in a fierce whisper.

“We keep moving,” Vlad answered tersely.

Gripping my hand, Vlad ran through the trees, dragging me along behind him. Ignatius kept pace with us, leaping with great ease over gnarled roots. Though I tried, I could barely keep up with Vlad and stumbled a few times. I felt utterly weak and helpless. I cried out with frustration. Kindly, Ignatius reached out to grip my other hand and helped me keep up. Vlad snarled with anger, but he did not fight Ignatius’ assistance. He understood how desperately in danger we were.

When we reached the wall that encircled the estate, Vlad leaped up to perch on top. I landed next to him and teetered. The weakness in my limbs was dismaying, but Ignatius' touch was comforting as he steadied me.

Gazing through the dark silhouette of the trees we saw the house on fire. Great flames were engulfing the structure I had come to love as my home. Through the smoke and fire, I could see our servants trying to defend themselves against the vampire hunters. To my dismay, I could see that they were losing as they were struck down with guns and daggers.

With a gasp, I covered my mouth in horror. “Vlad, stop them!”

Vlad was silent, his green eyes taking in the chaos that loomed just beyond the edges of the trees. At last he turned to Ignatius and me. “We must flee Buda.”

Ignatius started to protest, then faltered. “Of course.”

“Arminius is among them,” Vlad said in a low voice and pointed.

A dark shape against the flames carried a large crucifix. It was the priest I had seen before when the mad vampire had been struck down.

“He will never give up hunting you,” Ignatius answered in a grim tone.

“No, he will not. Neither will his apprentices.” Vlad shook his head and turned to me. “I am sorry, Glynis, but our time here is at an end. We must go.”

A woman’s scream pierced the night. I gripped Vlad’s arm tightly as I saw the familiar form of my maid atop the house. She was clinging to the roof above my room and to my horror I saw the small shape of a child with her. Two vampire hunters, braving the fire, attempted to drag them off the shingles.

“Grab the bride of the devil,” someone shouted from below. “Throw her and the spawn down.”

“Vlad, its Magda!”

Vlad turned to Ignatius as he reluctantly released my arm. “Take Glynis to the stables of Sir Stephen. Wait for me there.”

Ignatius hesitated, then nodded. “Of course.”

Vlad took hold of the back of my neck and stared deep into my eyes before he gave me a quick, harsh kiss. Releasing me, he flung himself into the air and vanished from sight as he drew his power about him.

Taking hold of my hand, Ignatius leaped down just beyond the ivy-laden wall where we had made love not too long ago. In silence, he pulled me along behind him. Though we moved swiftly, he was tender and mindful of my weakness. As we hurried, I could feel him shielding both of us. I knew we were but a mere shadow slipping in and out of the darkness.

Running more swiftly than any mortal, we made our way down the darkened streets to Sir Stephen’s estate. The gates were open and Ignatius hesitated.

“We could flee together,” he said softly.

I looked at him desperately, my mind whirling with the possibility. “Should we?”

Ignatius looked torn and afraid. “We could chance it. We could flee to another country. We will have to move swiftly.”

“But with his blood in me, if he beckons me…” I felt tears on my face. “If he calls to me…”

Ignatius nodded, his face tense, and he dared to kiss me.

I clung to him, my lips worshiping his. Our kiss was desperate, yet full of love.

He drew back with an anguished expression. “We shall find a way to break his power over you. I swear it, my love.”

“I love you,” I whispered.

He smiled ruefully, then guided me down the long lane toward the stables.

Our hands clasped tightly, we reached the stables. All was quiet and still here. The vampire hunters were no where to be seen. Ignatius touched my cheek gently.

“We shall find safety soon,” he promised.

Vlad emerged from the darkness holding Magda in one arm and a small boy in the other. Magda sobbed and coughed as he guided her toward us. Covered in soot and reeking of smoke, she collapsed to the ground when they reached us. I went to her instantly, falling to my knees.

“Mistress, mistress…” she cried when she saw me.

Ignatius took the small boy in his arms. Drawing a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped the child’s dirty face. The boy stared blankly as tears fell silently down his cheeks. He was struck dumb with fear and my heart broke for him.

Vlad did not say a word, but set about drawing some horses from the stable. I watched him, fearful of his expression.

Ignatius gently lowered the boy into Magda’s arms and she held the child tightly as she wept. The little boy stirred out of his daze and buried his face in her neck as he wrapped his tiny arms about her.

Ignatius moved to help Vlad saddle the horses. They worked in silence, barely acknowledging each other, but working efficiently. I held Magda's hand as I tried to calm her, but my own fear threatened to overwhelm my senses.

At last, the horses were ready.

“The woman and her child are to go to Astir,” Vlad said to Ignatius.

I was not certain what this meant and began to protest, but Ignatius said quickly, “I will make sure he gives her a good position in his household.”

Vlad nodded. “Once I am at the castle, I will send him compensation if he desires it. She alone survived the slaughter of my servants and deserves to be treated well.”

Ignatius agreed silently and moved toward Magda.

“Please, sir, let me go with you and my Mistress,” Magda begged Vlad.

“It is best you go with my brother,” Vlad answered her. “You will not be harmed.”

I kissed Magda’s cheek and tried to console her. “All will be well,” I promised her.

“Please, let me go with you. Please!”

I doubt Vlad was touched by her pleas, but he hesitated, then said, “We shall take you to your new haven. It shall be to my advantage for I need to appeal to Astir for a carriage and a driver.”

Ignatius helped me get Magda to her feet. The child clung to her so tightly we did not dare try to remove him. Ignatius swung up onto one of the horses and reached down for her and the child. I lifted them easily, despite my weakened condition. My maid settled into the strong arms of my lover.

“Should we be attacked again, flee immediately. I will find you,” Vlad instructed me.

I started to protest, then realized he feared that I would be easily killed in my weakened state. With a nod of my head, I let him lift me onto another horse. His hands lingered on my waist as he gazed up at me intently.

“I shall be fine,” I promised.

Ignatius’ horse drew near mine. Magda gazed at me sorrowfully as she rocked the boy in her arms.

Vlad leapt onto the last horse and expertly drew it about. The horse was sleek and black, its dark eyes flashing. Despite my hatred of him, I had to admit he cut a dashing figure on his mount.

“Ignatius, lead. Glynis follow. I shall be last. Go straight to Astir’s haven and do not detour. They will be watching the skies, not looking for us on horseback.”

Ignatius nodded, spurring his horse. Instantly, he was off. I followed on my own mount, my reins clutched in my hands. The thundering of horses hooves filled my ears, then slowly faded as Vlad cloaked us in his power and muted any sound we might make. We rode swiftly through the cobblestone streets under the canopies of the great trees and past the silent homes and businesses of Buda.

I could not take my eyes from Ignatius’ form as we rode. I loved him so, yet I could not touch him or speak to him. The danger we faced was terrifying and I wished to touch him to console myself. But Vlad’s anger was a living force at my back, and I knew he suspected us.

The horses wound their way through Buda, up and down lanes, darting around corners, plunging deeper into the heart of the city. The wind tore at my hair and face. I was glad, for it dried the tears I could not stop from slipping down my face.

I was at last beginning to feel a tad safe when Gregor, the dhamphir vampire hunter, materialized abruptly in the center of the street before the horse bearing Ignatius. The deadly hunter was just as pale as when he had first attacked me and was clad all in black. His pale countenance was determined as his fingers twitched over the daggers sheathed in the arm of his coat.

“I do not take kindly to those who killed my sister,” he hissed.

There was a glimmer of silver, then Ignatius’ horse reared back, screaming. It fell over, legs flailing as both Ignatius and Magda were thrown. Somehow, Magda managed to hold onto the boy and cushioned his fall with her body as she tumbled to the road.

I do not think the dhamphir realized there was more than one of us. He moved quite resolutely toward Ignatius with no heed to my swift approach. Gregor strode with ruthless determination toward my lover with daggers in both his white hands.

My horse leaped over the its fallen comrade toward the dhamphir.

Purely on instinct, I looped my reins in one hand. As I sailed past the hunter, I caught him about the throat and dragged him off his feet. Gregor’s hand came up to grip my wrist as he struggled to free himself as the horse swept him down the street. Anger, hot and raw filled me. I remembered all too well his assault and knew he would have slain Magda and her child. Yearning for a weapon to cease his life, I did what little I could and drew the reins tighter around his throat.

“Bride of Satan,” he gasped as he recognized me.

“Die, you little worm,” I hissed, trying to either break his neck or strangle the life from him.

I saw the flash of his blade in his other hand. “After you, my lady.”

With a cry of frustration, I flung myself from the horse to evade the blade and tumbled off the street into the bushes nearby. I remembered all too well how those daggers burned and rendered me helpless before.

The loud neighing of the horses mingled with the shouts of men as I rolled out of the bushes. Looking up, I saw that the dhamphir had cut himself free and attempting to climb to his feet. My horse was in a fury. It reared up and struck at him with its front hooves.

As I managed to stand, I saw the horse rise up again and, at last, land a hard blow to the dhamphir. It knocked the hunter back onto the ground before whirling about and fleeing.

“Run to the haven,” Vlad’s voice ordered from behind me.

Ignatius rushed toward me and grabbed my hand. Already he carried Magda and her child across his shoulders. He drew me along behind him as we ran swiftly through the streets, leaving Vlad behind to battle alone with the dhamphir.

“Can he win?” I asked as Ignatius raced us through the narrow streets.

“I do not know,” Ignatius answered in a terse voice. “We are all weakened from lack of blood. And the dhamphir is glutted with it.”

We turned down the familiar back street and I let out a cry of relief. I had not realized how close we were to Astir’s haven. As we rushed toward the alcove set in the wall, I saw the small door open. The darkness beyond its threshold was a welcome sight to say the least.

Quite suddenly, the doorway filled with brilliant white light. The light not only filled the doorway, but also seemed to press against the sides of it, stretching it wide.