The Vengeance of the Vampire Bride (21 page)

“Countess, this just arrived,” Brice
said, his tall form stepping to my side. Upon his tray was a simple
card.

“Thank you, Brice,” I said with a true
smile. Plucking up the card, I read it over swiftly. “Is there a
messenger awaiting a reply?”

“Yes, madam.”

“My response is that I shall be there
in due haste,” I said as I gathered my shawl about my shoulders and
stood. Gesturing to Adem, I swiftly walked into the house ignoring
Frida’s query and speculative gaze.

Adem fell into step behind me as I
rushed toward my suite.

“Your master finally agreed to my
request to meet with him,” I informed Adem. “It took him long
enough, didn’t it?”

“Sometimes he has no awareness of the
passage of time, and other times he merely likes to make people
wait.”

I could see the truth in Adem’s
comment, but I was not mollified. I was in a temper over Astir’s
dismissive behavior. I quickly dressed in a blue silk gown and
matching turban with ostrich feathers. Magda fussed over my hair
and clothing as I rushed to the waiting carriage. My slippers were
new and slightly pinched my feet, but I was pleased with my attire.
It was one of the many new outfits Vlad had bought me and I felt
very fashionable. Upon my throat, wrists and ears I wore diamonds
and aquamarines, another gift, this time from my brother. He had
presented them to me as a wedding gift and I was very fond of them.
The color of the aquamarines matched my eyes and the diamonds
sparkled brilliantly upon my limbs as I moved.

Once settled in Astir’s carriage, I
allowed myself a moment of peace to gather my wits about me and set
my words in order. My temper would get the best of me if I was not
careful and I needed Astir to be my supporter, not my enemy. The
carriage groaned as the horses were urged forward and the wheels
turned carrying me away from the palace. I should have probably
informed the baroness I was departing, but a bit of mystery would
keep her in awe of me. I did not want her to feel too familiar. It
was difficult enough to deal with her at times since she so
passionately desired to be my dear friend.

Astir’s message had been simple. It was
a summons to a cafe that was one of the finer establishments in
Buda. I had not ventured out since my arrival and it was a lovely
balm to my tattered soul to see the city in all its beauty. I could
hear the violins playing in one restaurant mingling with the soft
whisper of the Danube. The gentle rocking of the carriage and the
clacking of the horse hooves against the cobblestones was a lovely
reminder of a happier time in Buda. Perhaps I had been foolish, but
for a time I had been at peace with my life with Vlad. Of course it
had been while my brother had been visiting and there were times
when Vlad did strike me, but it had been such a relief from the
brutality of the castle I had been seduced into
complacency.

The driver called out to the horses as
the carriage was brought to a stop before the establishment to
which I had been summoned by Astir. Gathering up my lace shawl, I
prepared to disembark. Pressing away my anger, I focused my
thoughts on that which I needed from Astir. It was Adem who swung
open the door and quickly unfolded the step. Tucking my hand into
his, I allowed him to help me down.

Sweet, lovely music wafted on the night
breeze. It was a delicate melody that enraptured me. Following the
song, I entered the cafe. Inside, the atmosphere was just as lovely
as the music. The furniture was dark wood that gleamed with a fine
polish under the candlelight. The windows were covered in lush dark
red drapes and the air was thick with the fragrance of wax, food,
tea, and coffee. Customers clustered around the tables, laughing,
chatting, or listening to the musicians tucked into a corner. A few
glanced in my direction, but most continued on in their activities
without a second thought to the woman with red hair. It was a
relief. For too many days I had been the center of attention and
speculation, and now I was merely another customer among
many.

The host escorted me to a secluded
table per my request. The candles burned brilliantly in the
chandelier above as I took my seat. Astir was nowhere to be seen,
but it did not surprise me that he would allow me to be seated
first. He had a certain penchant for the grand entrance. I had just
ordered a coffee when I saw the wait-staff rushing to the front of
the cafe in great excitement. I soon saw why.

Astir swept past the tables in grand
fashion clad in a black and white gown of the finest silk and
organza with an utterly atrocious turban of white satin adorned
with feathers, jewels, and ribbons. His hair was arranged in the
most recent fashionable style with grand golden curls, braids and
rolls. A black beaded shawl was about his shoulders and as I gazed
at him, I suddenly recognized him as a woman and not a
man.

Astir was a handsome woman with a
slight masculinity to her features.

I was awestruck.

“Dear God in Heaven, it is warm. Open
some windows!” Astir waved an ostrich fan at the host. “I’m simply
sweltering!”

“Of course, madam!” was the immediate
response and several waiters hastened to obey.

All eyes were on Astir as she strode
elegantly toward my table.

I looked sharply at Adem to see he was
unaffected by this great change in Astir’s attire and apparent
gender.

“Countess Dracula! How lovely you
look!” Astir greeted me with swift pecks on the cheek. “It’s so
dreadfully warm in here. Atrocious! We must get more air! The night
is so lovely!”

I could not help but gaze upon the
fallen angel preening in her beautiful gown and fluffing up her
skirts. All eyes were on her and she smiled mischievously at a
young man as he raised his glass to her.

“How lovely to see you, Lady Astir,” I
said, almost choking on the words.

“I’m so sorry I could not join you at
an earlier date, but there is so much drama going about! You know
how it is,” she said with a wink.

A crystal glass of champagne was set
before her and she smiled graciously at the waiter.

“Stop staring, darling. You mouth is
hanging open,” she chided me, reaching out to gently raise my chin
so my lips would come together. Her glove smelled like jasmine and
was soft against my flesh.

“You have changed a bit since I saw you
last,” I ventured.

“Oh, I know,” she admitted, fanning
herself. “But that is what one must do to keep those around them on
their toes.”

Leaning forward, I said in a softer
tone, “Truly, Astir? Is this what this is all about? To make people
uneasy when they are around you?”

“
Au contraire
, my
darling one. People are not so on edge around a beautiful woman as
they are when about a tall, imposing man.” Astir smiled sweetly.
“Sometimes events warrant that I take on a more delicate persona.
Besides, I look fabulous, don’t I?”

“Despite you being a man
dressed as a woman, I suppose,” I said snappishly, disturbed at how
easily Astir had become a woman in my eyes.

“I am neither, yet I am both,” Astir
corrected. “Therefore, I can dress as I please. Ah, look at your
pout. Coming from such a worldly woman. Perhaps I should kiss it
and make it better!”

I glowered at her. “Don’t you
dare!”

Astir threw back her head and laughed.
She was beautiful in that moment with the diamonds in her jewelry
sparkling against her creamy skin. I was surprised to feel
afraid.

“I do so like you,” Astir said with
vehemence. “So very much.”

“Then if you like me so much, why did
it take you so long to respond to my request for a
visit?”

“Oh, that!” Astir waved her fan. “I was
dealing with...as I said...drama.”

“Does it concern the man who assaulted
us on our return to Buda?”

Rolling her eyes, she dismissed my
words with the flick of her fan. “That is very old and boring
news.”

“Is it really?”

“Of course! I don’t understand why you
wish to prattle on over such a minor event.”

“Then what sort of drama has consumed
you?” I could not fathom what was afoot at this time with the
vampire hunters gone from the city and apparently Vlad’s assassin
being of no consequence. Then a thought occurred to me. “Katya? Is
she causing trouble?”

Astir snorted with contempt. “Of
course! She hasn’t stopped complaining that she wants to be with
you. The haven does not have a vampire presence at this time due to
all the trouble with the vampire hunters so all she does is mope
about. It’s considerably annoying.”

I laughed with delight at the thought
of someone annoying Astir as much as she annoys me. The tension I
had felt from her unexpected appearance alleviated and I took a
small sip of the coffee that had been set before me. It tasted
dreadful.

Astir raised her eyes heavenward as I
giggled. “Oh, I am so very pleased you are amused. You brought the
scourge of Katya upon me.”

“Actually, your guard did. Not all are
as wise as Adem. Enre certainly proved that to be true.

Astir’s expression grew sly as she
glanced at Adem who lingered at a nearby table. “Oh, he is not so
wise at times. I could tell a tale or two about our dear little
Adem.”

I bristled at Astir’s mocking tone and
regarded her coldly.

She laughed at my petulance and took
another long sip of champagne. “Oh, dear. Do you have your eye set
on our dear Adem?”

“Heavens no!” I said, aghast. “My heart
belongs to Ignatius!”

Her sea green eyes sparkled with
merriment as she slipped her hands free of her gloves. “How divine!
You truly do love our dear Father Ignatius, do you not?”

“Of course!” I scowled at her, my
sluggish heart beating in my chest with anger and desire. How I
wanted to hold Ignatius in my arms and speak to him. I craved him
as I did blood, with every aspect of my essence.

“So that is why you summoned me?” Astir
tucked her gloves away and set her very pale, slim fingers upon
mine. “Is that it, dear one?”

I supposed she expected me to shirk
away from her touch, but instead I gripped those too-long, dry
fingers with my own. “Yes. I have considered your warning about
Ignatius learning about Vlad’s fate, and I do not believe he would
betray me to his Mistress. He loves me. He will protect
me.”

“Are you so certain?” Astir lifted one
slim brow.

“I am certain. Though your warning has
some merit, I do not believe he would ever betray me. There are
conversations you were not privy to, and, upon reflection, I
believe he will stand at my side.”

With a slight roll of her shoulders,
Astir turned her attention toward Adem. “Love can destroy, you
know. Even when it does not intend to.”

“I do not give your words merit where
they have none,” I retorted as I clutched her hand fiercely. “I
implore you. Now, tell me. Where is he? What do you
know?”

Astir’s eyes flicked down to our
clutched hands, and she slightly quirked the corner of her thin
mouth. “Well, aren’t we a tad desperate?”

“I love him. You know this. You even
helped keep our affair a secret from Vlad. Now tell
me...”

Astir withdrew her hand and lightly
patted mine before drawing herself up and sitting primly in her
chair. She cast her gaze toward the open windows and appeared to
contemplate her response. “Vienna. With his Mistress. At least,
that is what his last correspondence indicated.”

I slightly inclined my head. “Thank
you. I wish to send him a letter. Can you arrange this?”

“I would advise against it,” Astir
answered, all traces of gaiety gone from her demeanor.

“I told you! He will not betray me. Why
do you thwart me?”

Shifting about in her chair, Astir
looked slightly uncomfortable. “There is much afoot in the city of
Buda that you are not privy to at this time.”

“Then tell me!”

“Oh, I dare not, for I cannot intercede
were you to act foolishly. It is best you do not know and keep to
your promise to behave yourself.” Astir sipped her champagne and
once more appeared to be weighing her words before
speaking.

“Then tell me so I will not act
foolishly! Does this have to do with my husband?”

The wickedness returned to her
expression as she said slyly, “Ah, you call him your husband so
easily now.”

Leaning forward, my hands clutched into
tight fists, I answered, “Of course. It is best that I carry his
title and his name.”

Astir tilted her head, her delicate
diamond earrings catching the light. “I see. Well, your dear
husband has caused much of the complications occurring at this
time, but the situation is now far removed from his power and
influence. It has run its own course and I suggest that you be a
dear, quiet little vampire and behave yourself. The powers that be
are not gazing in your direction at this time though they are aware
of your presence. There is a power struggle occurring and your dear
husband was wise enough to remove himself, and you, from the fray.
It is best if Ignatius does not come into this city and that you do
not correspond with him. In fact, it is best for both of us if you
do nothing more than entertain your human friends, do not kill for
blood, and behave in the manner of a mortal countess.”