I sat behind Mama's school desk with a book opened before me. Vlad and Luiza sat side-by-side on the divan, with Vanya seated on the floor in front of them. I cleared my throat and began to read.

"The PRISONER of ZENDA." I cleared my throat. "By Anthony Hope."

I stumbled over the first words, but my voice strengthened as I completed the opening paragraph. Vlad leaned forward and propped his elbows on the knees of his green velvet knickers. Instantly enthralled, he mouthed the words as I spoke them aloud. Luiza showed an interest equal to her brother, but Vanda tuned me out. Her eyes grew blank; then she scurried off to her desk. Drawing a piece of paper toward her, she began to scribble with her coal.

The door creaked open. I paused my recital and glanced up, expecting Ranulf. Previously, he promised to listen to my reading. Instead, Baron von Helfin leaned in the door frame. His beady reddened eyes swept over me, sending shivers down my spine.

"Please join us, Nicolai," Mama encouraged, scuttling toward her husband. She held her hand out invitingly. "Norah narrates beautifully."

The Baron glared down upon my mother and glowered disdainfully. She seemed at a loss for a moment, then resumed her place behind me. A lump formed in my throat, and I hastily swallowed it. My voice faltered when I began to read.

Vlad and Luiza squirmed beneath their father's scrutiny. Unperturbed, Vanda continued to draw. Nothing seemed to phase the youngest child. On and on, my voice droned. My enthusiasm for the story drained under the pressure the Baron inserted into the situation.

Realizing I became the object of his evaluation, I became nervous. My heart beat wildly, and I stumbled upon the text I recited. Finally, Mama leaned over my shoulder and closed the book gently.

"We will stop here and pick up again tomorrow," she announced, to my relief. "In the meantime, let's take up the geography lesson for the day."

Despite the change of topic, von Helfin remained in the door jamb until Mama finally dismissed the class. Hastily, I closed my book and, rushing headlong past the Baron, sprinted up the cellar staircase. I did not stop until I stood in the courtyard and breathed in the cool night air.

"Papa seemed interested in the PRISONER book," Luiza commented, appearing close beside me.

"Oh...oh yes," I responded absently. "The Baron did seem interested. I...I guess he put me on edge. I couldn't concentrate after he arrived."

"The same thing happens to me," my classmate confided. "He makes me nervous sometimes. Vlad too—although Vlad won't admit it."

"I...I expected Ranulf," I stammered hopelessly. "He said he wanted to hear the story. When the door opened, I thought he..."

"Papa sent my cousin away for a few days," Luiza stated dismissively. "He had a mission to fulfill and...well, he should return by the end of the week or maybe next week. I don't quite know."

The blood rushed from my face suddenly. A feeling of vulnerability enveloped me. Left without protection, I became immediately alarmed. My body swayed, and, for a moment, I thought I would faint.

"You look frightened," Luiza remarked, hooking her arm around my elbow. Slowly, she led me on a stroll around the decrepit garden. "There's nothing to fear. Papa won't harm you."

Although I did not believe her, Luiza's comment soothed me. I relaxed and bent my head closer to hers to share secrets. Over the months, the Baron's daughter and I grew closer. Our conversations improved her English; although she spoke with a heavy Romanian accent, I understood her perfectly.

From a distance, we might have appeared like average schoolgirls. We bent our heads close together and giggled occasionally. We talked about the latest Paris fashions, famous dance steps, and—our favorite subject—boys.

"I'm practically engaged to Prentiss Wills," I confided confidentially. "He's the curate at Grey Friar's—Papa's church." I struggled to recall Prentiss's face momentarily. Nevertheless, my companion's next statement turned my attention away from my faraway fiancé.

"Ranulf and I became betrothed on the day of my birth," Luiza remarked, kicking away a loose stone with her toe. "Papa intended to request a dispensation so we could marry. You know we're first cousins. Mama and Papa were cousins also."

For a moment, I stood stark still. Jealousy raged inside me as I thought of Ranulf married to Luiza. Then, recalling the situation, I relaxed. Day by day, my love for the Baron's nephew grew stronger.

"Do you remember your Mama?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Oh yes," my companion breathed, sighing. "Mama was beautiful—dark and mysterious. She had gypsy blood, Papa said. Often, at night, she danced in the moonlight. Vlad and I watched her from up there." She indicated a sizeable third-floor balcony facing the courtyard. "After Vanya was born, she disappeared. Everything changed. Suddenly Papa became a different man, and we all became different. But I remember the old days, and so does Vlad. Vanda doesn't—she only knows the way things are now."

"My life was different, too," I remarked, sinking onto a stone bench. "It changed after father's execu...death. I always felt we were so rich—perhaps not in a monetary sense—but we were so safe and secure. Then, we lost everything. A new vicar took over the church, and we were homeless. Mama had to take a position, but no one would hire her because of Papa's notoriety. And, so, we came here."

"I'm glad you came here," Luiza blurted, grasping my hands. "If only I could be like you...If only...but I can't. We're cursed, Norah, cursed." She leaped up and dashed into the castle, covering her face with her hands.

My footsteps led me back to the schoolroom. Sliding behind my desk, I opened a book of poetry. Luiza did not appear. Mama called us to attention and asked Vlad to recite. Dolefully, the Baron's son narrated Edgar Allen Poe's 'The Raven.' Each 'nevermore' echoed eerily against the rafters. Vanya stared at her brother's moving lips, entranced.

As dawn approached, the Baron reappeared in the doorway. Mama dismissed the class quickly and rose to join her husband. I rushed away but halted at the cellar stairway. Clinging close to the damp wall, I slid back and watched. Von Helfin led the way toward the iron barrier and, with a key, unlocked the gate. One by one, Mama and the children followed him.

My eyes trailed after the eerie group. Then, when they disappeared, I approached the barricade. Fisting the iron railings, I shook them. In the depths of the cavern, the dogs bayed menacingly. Two appeared and charged the gate, their teeth bared. I hastily stepped back, trembling.

"Diabolus, Belial," Baron von Helfin snapped, materializing from the chamber's dark inner sanctum.

The bullmastiffs slunk to their master's side and hunched threateningly beside him. Deep in their throats, they continued to growl. Caressing their heads with his lean, pale fingers, the Baron calmed them.

"Step closer to the gate," he sharply ordered.

Instead of obeying, I moved backward, my feet sliding on the damp flagstones. I slipped and righted myself.

Suddenly the Baron strode toward me. I did not see him unbar the gate. When I glanced toward it, I noticed it remained locked. I gulped, realizing that a barrier could not hold him. Before I could flee, his hand encircled my arm. I tugged furiously to release myself.

"Stand still!" von Helfin snapped, grabbing my other arm. Pulling me close, he forced me to look into his dead expression.

His piercing gaze froze me on the spot. Unable to resist, I stared into his hypnotizing eyes. My body refused to respond to my urgent necessity to escape.

"Curiosity killed the cat," he hissed ominously.

"Satisfaction brought her back," I immediately retorted, my voice sounding numb in my ears.

"Satisfaction is not an option," the Baron quipped. "Until you and Ranulf obey my commands, my private chambers are out of bounds. Are we understood?"

"The Lord is my shepherd," I recited the twenty-third Psalm. My soft, meek voice rose in crescendo. "I shall not want."

Outside, thunder and lightning crashed. A loud screech echoed against the mildewed cellar walls. A mist arose and swirled above the flagstones. I stumbled backward and fell. Above me, von Helfin dissipated as though a part of the vapor. My feet scrambled beneath me, and I plunged for the stairway. Up and up, I flew until I reached the safety of my chamber. I stood with my back against the door, panting for breath.

Throwing the bolt, I relaxed. Then, a phantom figure rose from my bed. My heart stopped, then began to beat rapidly. A scream rose in my throat. Desperately, I attempted to suppress it.

"It will go better for you if you obey the Baron," Helga Balan remarked, her voice hollow.

"I did not invite you into my bedroom," I hissed, advancing on my unwelcome visitor.

Helga sat crossed-legged on the bed and shrugged. Falling back onto the mattress, she stared into the canopy. I stood above her menacingly, wondering how her broken leg could heal quickly. I avoided her presence following the last incident when she fell down the stairs.

"I said I did not invite you into my bedroom," I repeated, hovering above her threateningly.

"I'll go where I please," the young maid arrogantly responded, "when I please."

"You will not," I sputtered defensively. I lunged toward Helga. However, she swiftly rolled over, evading my grasping fingers.

"The Baron always gets his way," Helga stated, ignoring my statement. "You better get used to it. Your mother accepted the situation."

"Von Helfin might control Mama," I responded indignantly, "but I'm not my mother."

"Suit yourself."

Mechanically, Helga rose and strutted toward the door. For a moment, she hesitated and turned back. I waited for her to speak breathlessly. Her pert lips parted, then she shrugged again. Spinning, she pulled the door open and vanished.