Love, Blood & Brimstone Magic Awakening Read online

  “We will be in the dungeon Mikael. I want to know who comes to the castle and why.

  When we enter the dungeon lock the door and let no one have the key.”

  Mikael nodded and followed them to the dungeon.

  ___________________________

  Merlin noticed Calandria had been reading the same page for at least half an hour.

  He face in his hands and kissed her lightly on the nose.

  “Come little Lark. What is troubling you?”

  Calandria tried to smile.

  “It is nothing. I am fine.”

  Merlin shook his head.

  “You are not fine. You have been reading the same page for half an hour and the book is upside down.” He added as he picked up the book.

  “My daughter and her fiancé are monsters probably because of a spell done by my daughter. Now my son is falling in love with a woman who is not only a witch but married to another man and that man has just made it clear he is our enemy.”

  Merlin nodded.

  “I too noticed the looks between our son and Marishka. I do not think you need to worry about her husband as you said he has just declared himself our enemy. Elena seems to have a hold over him, probably supernatural. Marishka is a good girl and Gabriel is going to need some love and support as he learns to deal with the responsibilities of his birthright.

  Marishka arrived at Castle Dracula a little later. She looked up at the intimidating walls and turrets took a deep breath and walked over to the soldiers stood at the door. They were dressed in the Dracula livery and held long lethal looking pikes.

  “Yes?” one of them growled.

  “I wish to see Count Dracula.” She said bravely.

  “Very good My Lady.” The other soldier replied and tapped on the huge doors with his pike.

  The door was opened by a man with a twisted back, a very bad limp and distorted facial features. Just the looking at him made Marishka want to run but she remembered Gabriel’s kiss and took her courage from that

  The lady has business with the Count Igor.” The soldier snapped his dislike for this twisted man obvious.

  “I will tell him you are here. My lady.”

  Igor led her into the great hall and hurried away.

  After a few minutes she heard a movement by the door. She turned and curtseyed.

  “I am sorry to disturb you your Excellency but I come on important business regarding…”

  She stopped as she realised that the man stood in front of her was not Viatcheslav.

  Mikael looked down at her.

  “If you tell me your important business I will pass it on to the Count.”

  Marishka stood up and looked straight at Mikael pulling herself up to her full height which was unfortunately three inches shorter than Mikael.

  “I wish to speak to the count personally. I do not know you Sir so why would I trust you?”

  Mikael moved closer to her.

  “I am the Viscount’s right hand man, anything you have to say to the Count will eventually get back to me anyway. So you might as well tell me now!”

  Marishka stared at the man. She was slowly losing any resolve she had to be brave.

  Mikael grabbed her by the chin and pulled her face up to look at him.

  “You are beautiful my lady. It would be a shame to ruin such a face.” He snarled running a black gloved finger down her cheek.

  Marishka cringed.

  “Mikael! Your master needs you! Get out! Go and sulk in the dungeons where you belong.” shouted a voice from the door.

  Mikael let Marishka go and turned to the door.

  “My Lord.” he said bowing his head as he passed Viatcheslav.

  Outside the door Igor waited, Mikael pushed him against the wall, his hand around Igor’s throat he spoke quietly but threateningly.

  “I want to know exactly what is said in that room. If you do not tell me your back will not just be twisted it will be broken, I will see to it personally.”

  “Y-yes Captain Rosgonyt.”

  Igor managed to choke. After several more seconds Mikael let go and stalked off to the dungeons.

  _________________________

  Viatcheslav walked over to Marishka.

  He was not quite as tall or attractive as his brother, he had the same green eyes but his hair was cut short.

  “Did he hurt you my dear?” he asked.

  Marishka managed to pull herself together.

  “I am alright thank you My Lord. He just threatened me.” she replied.

  I humbly apologise. He is my brother’s man and fiercely loyal. Now sit down and tell me why you are here.”

  Marishka sank gladly into a chair and explained all they knew about Vladislaus and Elena.

  Viatcheslav was about to say something when Igor entered the room to announce the arrival of Father Dominic.

  Father Dominic stepped into the room.

  “Oh!” he said “I was expecting the Count.”

  Viatcheslav stood.

  “I am Count Dracula. There is no other.”

  Father Dominic bowed almost to the floor.

  “Forgive me your excellency. I must have been mistaken. I was led to believe Vladislaus was Count.”

  Viatcheslav snarled, composing himself he continued.

  “My brother and Elena are resting. Can I be of assistance?”

  Father Dominic shook his head.

  “It was actually Baroness Stanislavsky I wished to speak to.”

  Viatcheslav called to Igor.

  Igor limped in.

  “Yes your Excellency.”

  “Igor go and find Mikael. Tell him I need to speak to him immediately.

  Viatcheslav turned to Father Dominic.

  Mikael will tell you when the Viscount and Baroness intend to rise.”

  A few minutes later Mikael entered the room.

  “What is it you want? I am rather busy your Excellency.” Mikael snapped.

  Viatcheslav ignored Mikael’s attitude.

  “When does your master plan to grace us with an appearance?” he asked.

  Mikael stared at him for a moment.

  Marishka shivered, Mikael’s eyes were cold and unemotional, If eyes were the window to the soul then Mikael’s soul was back and cold, if he had one at all.

  She wondered if he had always been like that or if he was infected by the same evil as Elena and Vladislaus.

  “The Viscount does not wish to be disturbed until dusk and I intend to see that his wishes are carried out.” Mikael snarled.

  Father Dominic stood and offered his hand to Viatcheslav.

  “Then I shall return later. Goodbye your Excellency.”

  Viatcheslav shook Father Dominic’s hand.

  “I will tell the Baroness you were here.”

  When Father Dominic left Mikael turned to Viatcheslav.

  “Please excuse me your Excellency but I will be the one to tell My Lord when he awakens.” he said with obvious venom in his voice.

  “Naturally.” Viatcheslav replied simply.

  Mikael nodded at Marishka.

  “My Lady.” he said and left the room.

  “Detestable man!” Viatcheslav growled. Then turned to Marishka.

  “I really think you better go before it gets dark my dear. Thank you so much for the information.”

  Marishka looked worried.

  “Will you be alright?” she asked.

  “Oh yes of course my dear. Besides if anything happens to me you will know who is responsible. Do not look so worried my dear. Somebody should stay here, you are a witch and therefore the more important of the two of us. Now Go! That is an order.”

  “Be careful your Excellency!” she cried as she left

  _______________________________

  As dusk began to fall Ivan hurried towards the castle. He could hear wolves behind him. He stopped suddenly in his tracks, the wolves had surrounded him. Right in front of him stood a huge shaggy wolf poised to pounce. Ivan screamed and fa
inted!

  Chapter twenty three

  Viatcheslav sat by a roaring fire, sipping a glass of wine. Vladislaus and Elena entered the room, Mikael followed behind as usual, a black gloved hand on his sword, his expression blank yet intimidating.

  “My dear brother. Mikael tells me Father Dominic and Marishka Karasnykov have visited. I wish to know what they came for.” Vladislaus said insincerely.

  “I bet you would!” Viatcheslav replied. ”Father Dominic seemed to think you were Count. I wonder where he got that idea from?”

  “I apologise brother, the priest just assumed I was Count and I had just been informed that the father of my bride to be had been killed gruesomely in the night. I was in no mood to correct him.” Vladislaus retorted.

  Viatcheslav put his glass down on the little desk beside his chair and stood up.

  “Now I have corrected Father Dominic I would appreciate it if you would not let anyone else believe you to be Count. As for Lucian I have been informed that you knew he was dead because you killed him!”

  Vladislaus shook his head.

  “You have been informed wrong. I assure you dear brother I did not kill Lucien and I will not allow anyone else to believe I am Count for as long as you live.”

  Viatcheslav nodded.

  “Very well we will say no more about it!”

  Vladislaus turned to Elena.

  “Tell Viatcheslav how long we want him to live. We want him to have a long and prosperous life do we not?”

  Elena moved glided across the room to stand in front of the Count, she turned to Vladislaus.

  “Just to be absolutely sure, by a long time you mean seconds?” she asked, silently connecting with Vladislaus’ mind and licking her lips, the way a person does when contemplating a particularly good meal.

  “Yes!” the single word reverberated round her mind.

  She turned back to the Count.

  “Of course we want you to be Count for a long time Viatcheslav.” Her voice was like honey dripping off a spoon.

  She prowled around him like a lioness circling her pray.

  “Unfortunately you have been consorting with the enemy. So a long life will not be possible.” She grinned at him exposing her extra-long fangs.

  Viatcheslav ran to the door, at the door he gasped Elena seemed to appear out of thin air in front of him barring the doorway.

  “Now where do you think you are going your Excellency? We have not finished yet.” She growled as she grabbed him and kissed him hard on the lips. Viatcheslav froze in terror as Elena‘s lips moved over his cheek, down his face and stopped at his neck.

  “Goodnight My Lord. I give you eternal peace.” she declared as she bit into his neck with pure bloodlust in her eyes.

  When she had finished drinking from him, she dropped him to the floor.

  Vladislaus looked at his brother’s body.

  “I am genuinely sorry it had to end like this but you knew too much and now I am Count nothing can stop me. I am truly invincible.”

  He turned to Mikael who was at the back of the room leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.

  “Take him to the roof and throw him off. Make sure he lands near the door so when Father Dominic arrives he will find his body.”

  Mikael nodded.

  “Yes my Lord, sorry I mean Your Excellency.”

  Vladislaus grinned.

  “Get used to saying that Mikael. The castle and all its estate now belong to us. “

  Mikael picked up Viatcheslav’s body and left the room.

  Elena turned to Vladislaus.

  “It is you and me against the world my darling.”

  “Always my love.” he replied pulling her to him for a kiss.

  Moments later Mikael walked in.

  “It was close but the priest found him. He arrived just after I dropped him.” He announced.

  Elena moved away from Vladislaus and stalked over to Mikael.

  “I hope he did not see you.” she growled.

  “He did not.” Mikael replied.

  Elena slapped him across the face.

  “I am a baroness and I live here too. You will address me properly.” She snapped.

  Mikael bowed slightly.

  “Yes your Excellency.” He said a little fear in his voice.

  If any other woman had slapped him she would have paid but Elena scared him with her witch’s powers he had no idea what she could do to him. He walked to the back of the room just as Igor entered to announce Father Dominic.

  “I had intended to talk to the Baroness about her Father’s funeral but I have some bad news.” Father Dominic looked at Vladislaus with sheer pity. “I am afraid his Excellency the Count Dracula is dead. I found him at the front door. I helped Igor bring him in. I t looks like he was killed in the same way as the Baron and Lady Zara.”

  It was Vladislaus’ turn to pretend to be upset. He put his head in his hands Elena put her hand on his shoulder and kissed the top of his head. Then she turned to Father Dominic.

  “If you could come back tomorrow, I think we will both be feeling better. We have had a terrible day.”

  Father Dominic nodded.

  “Of course my dear Baroness. I will impose no longer.

  When he left, Elena announced she was going for a walk and having refused Vladislaus’ offer of Mikael’s protection she left. She wanted to experience everything the darkness had to offer with her new heightened senses. Bats flew above her head as she neared the woods. She held out her hands.

  “Come to me.” She called. The bats continued to fly around her.

  “I am like you.” she said. “A creature of the night, I would never harm you.”

  She closed her eyes and concentrated hard willing the bats to come to her. When she opened her eyes several bats had landed on her arms. She stroked their tiny heads.

  She suddenly stopped; she could hear Ivan’s voice in her head. He was screaming her name urgently. Concentrating she tried to get in his mind, to see where he was and what was happening but his eyes where firmly closed. She had to help him; he may be useless and pathetic but inside him beat the heart of a lion. Why else had he taken on Vlad in a fight he knew he had no chance of winning. Marishka had never appreciated him and now was the perfect time to turn him against Marishka and bring him over to fight on the dark side with Gabriel and her.

  “Help me find Ivan.” she whispered to the bats moving her arms so they flew away.

  She turned into a raven and joined them flying over the trees. Scanning the ground for any sign of Ivan.

  She could not see him but eventually she saw a pack of wolves chewing on something and Ivan‘s screams were now so loud in her head he had to be somewhere near.

  She landed behind a tree nearby and once in human form again she stepped out. She held her arms out and bolts of green lightening flew from her hands scattering the wolves. She could now see it was Ivan the wolves had been chewing on. She ran over to him, he was bleeding badly and close to death. She knelt beside him.

  “Ivan can you hear me?” she whispered.

  “Elena?” He managed to gasp.

  Elena took his hand.

  He had lost a lot of blood. Without really thinking about it she knew exactly what to do.

  “I am going to save your life, Ivan. Trust me!”

  “I do not want to d-die.” he gasped.

  “I will not let you but you must do exactly as I tell you and not question me.”

  Ivan managed to nod.

  Still not really thinking about what she was doing Elena bit into her own wrist. She put it to Ivan’s lips.

  “Do not question me Ivan just drink.” she commanded.

  Ivan knew he was dying and he did not want to die, he drank not caring what he was drinking. Elena said it would save him and he trusted her.

  When her veins began to feel tight and she felt her blood draining away she pulled her arm away. She looked up the bats were hovering over them.

 
; “Carry him!” she commanded.

  The bats swooped down and picked Ivan up in their claws. Elena turned back into a Raven. It took around fifty bats and Elena to carry him back to the castle. By the time they got back to the castle and the bats placed him on the ground, his wounds were beginning to heal and he could stand.

  “Thank you.” Elena called to the bats. They flew in a circle around her head and then flew off into the night.

  Ivan had just enough strength to walk into the castle.

  Elena managed to explain to Vladislaus and Mikael what had happened before collapsing in a heap at their feet.

  “Go find a peasant and bring them back as fast as possible.” Vladislaus snapped at Mikael as he bent over Elena.

  Mikael left. He did not bother to say anything he knew his master would not be listening.

  Vladislaus fed Elena a little of his own blood, just enough to revive her. Luckily he had flown into the village, while Elena was out, and drank more than he really needed,

  Ivan watched with a little disgust, realising that he had drunk Elena’s blood.

  “Thank you darling, I know I should not have fed my blood to someone I had not drained myself but he would have died otherwise.” She tried to explain.

  “So what!” Vladislaus snorted.

  “Ivan is a brave man and will be very useful to us.” she said with admiration in her voice.

  “Are we still talking about that runt?” He laughed pointing at Ivan.

  “I have never forgotten how he fought against you to win my heart even though he knew he had no chance of beating you. That took amazing courage.”

  “Maybe,” he begrudgingly admitted. “He could be useful. If they have not sent him as a spy.”

  ______________________________

  Three nights later they buried Lucian and Viatcheslav in their respective family plots.

  As Lucian was lowered into the ground Gabriel, Marishka, Calandria and Merlin watched from a safe distance. Gabriel put his arm around his mother’s shoulders.