Read Online The Vengeance of the Vampire Bride by Rhiannon Frater - Free Book Online Page A

spoken to her in
passing of having my family moved to Buda to be entombed once a new
estate was secured, I had not truly considered all that would
entail bringing my family to their final rest.
    “I only thought that if they each had
their own coffin that it would be more dignified. Also, there would
be less of a risk of the chest being lost or stolen in transit. I
do not think a desperate thief would take a coffin,” she
continued.
    In my selfishness, I wanted them near
me. Therefore, the chest had been convenient. I had consoled myself
with the thought of them being together as they rested in the
darkness of the hotel cellar awaiting a proper burial.
    “I suppose it would not be ill advised
for transport back to Buda.” I was chastened by her words. I felt
embarrassed at my shortsightedness in the proper care of my dead
family. I know that I am sometimes a selfish creature and can be
led astray by that sin. That I should not see what so clearly was
the right and proper course of action made me fear that I am more
of a monster than I deemed. Fresh tears threatening to spill, I
said, “Please see to the procurement of the caskets. Hopefully, we
shall be returning to Buda soon.”
    “I can arrange for them to be laid out
properly. I can buy new clothing and arrange to have their rosaries
and personal items in their caskets.” Magda set down her sewing and
regarded me earnestly. “I would be honored to perform this task for
you.”
    I flinched at the memory of my mother’s
rosary repelling me when I was ravenous with the hunger and trapped
with her in the darkness of the dungeon prison. “My mother’s rosary
is still at the castle,” I confessed. “Vlad sent my father’s pocket
watch to my brother to prove he was dead. May’s rosary disappeared.
I suspect one of Vlad’s servants may have taken it.”
    “I see,” Magda said softly. “And you
dare not return because of the sisters.”
    “I would be forced to kill them, I
fear,” I admitted. “They hate me because he loved me most.” It
pained me to think of my mother’s rosary. I had watched her bury it
so as to hide its light to allow me to draw near and take her life.
The thought of the tiny precious rosary buried in the dungeon of
the monstrous castle made my heart ache.
    “Do you really believe he loved you
more?”
    “In his own way, that is selfish and
cruel, yes, I do believe he loved me most.” I wiped my tears away
with my handkerchief and set my book aside. Standing, I stared up
at the night sky as though seeking guidance from the God whom I
feared no longer heard my prayers. “Of course, his love never
prevented him from hurting me. He made me kill my own mother. He is
a monster.”
    “I could go for you and retrieve it,”
Magda offered.
    “No, I could never ask that of you!
They are vile. They would hurt you!” I protested
immediately.
    “I could go in the daylight,” Magda
suggested. “With Adem. We could go together and bring back whatever
you desire from the castle. It is not so unusual for Vlad to be
asleep during the day and Adem would not be suspicious at his
absence.”
    Though we both sincerely liked Adem, we
had agreed to keep the truth of my action against Vlad a secret.
Despite my caution, I did trust Adem enough to know he would honor
my request. Magda’s proposal appealed to me and the thought of
recovering the rosary assuaged the guilt I felt at the neglect of
my deceased family. Besides, it only seemed proper that my mother
should be laid to rest with the rosary she had carried with her
since her First Communion.
    “Could you truly do that for me? I
would be so very grateful. I know exactly where it is located.” I
worried for her safety, yet I trusted Adem. If they were careful
and did not enter the areas of the castle where the sisters slept,
they should be safe. It was rare for the sisters to rise before the
sun set and if they did, they would stay within the darkness of the
old chapel.
    “Yes, of course,”