The days of waiting slid into months. Beginning to despair, I voiced my concerns out loud.

"Suppose they never return?" I questioned. "What then?"

"You said they left previously and returned," Prentiss Wills grimly assured me. "Surely, they must come back soon."

I sighed and cast my eyes toward the gothic castle upon its precipice. Abandoning our cozy rooms in Bucharest, Prentiss and I returned to the von Helfin village. The upstairs rooms in the public house provided shelter but little comfort. Nevertheless, we stationed ourselves close at hand, anticipating the Baron's return.

Shivering, I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders tightly. Despite the summer daytime temperatures, the night air remained cold and damp. Prentiss declared midnight the best time to espy von Helfin's return.

"You'll catch your death if you continue in this cold," Prentiss remarked one early dawn. Our vigil ended for the night; we returned to the village to sleep. "Return to Bucharest. I can handle the situation here."

"No," I countered stubbornly. "I intend to finish what we started. Von Helfin killed my Mama."

"Suit yourself," the curate reluctantly agreed. "Nevertheless, I would feel better without your presence."

Prentiss halted at my bedroom door with his hand on the knob. Although I dodged around him, he moved to block my path. He never tried to comfort me or embrace me. When I invited him inside my private sanctuary, he adamantly refused. His following statement took me entirely by surprise.

"Will you marry me?" the curate abruptly asked. "Once we return to England, that is."

I gaped at my companion in utter disbelief. He certainly chose the most inappropriate moment to spring his proposal.

"Prentiss!" I declared indignantly. Stretching around him, I swung open my door. I entered quickly and slammed it behind me.

I stood against the oaken door and steadied my breathing. In the past, Papa and Mama encouraged a possible marriage between the curate and me. I accepted their decision willingly. However, time and experience made me unsure. My thoughts flew to Ranulf. I freely admitted my love for the Baron's ward. Prentiss Wills seemed dull in comparison.

A long time passed before I finally slept. Tossing and turning, I considered Prentiss. He traveled a long way to find me. He willingly offered his assistance to destroy my vampire nemesis. In England, our betrothal seemed a foregone conclusion. My wandering mind continued to dwell on several muddled points.

The arrival of total darkness brought a tapping on my door. I rose silently and dressed. Prentiss waited in the pub beneath. When I joined him, we hurried into the forest.

We sat against a large oak in the forbidding forest. High up on its ridge, Castle von Helfin loomed above us. Tension grew thickly around us. I attempted to speak about the proposal several times but stopped myself. I sighed loudly, not knowing where to begin.

Occasionally, Prentiss crawled closer for a better vantage point. When he returned, we sat quietly and gazed at the yellow full moon. My companion handed me a loaf of bread and a pint of milk. The village beyond the forest kept us supplied with nourishment. Thanking him graciously, I nibbled on his offering.

"I apologize," Prentiss finally remarked, breaking my repast. "I spoke inappropriately."

"It's all right," I answered noncommittally. "I...I cannot answer you now. I will think about it...carefully."

Silence fell between us. My companion edged closer to my side, and we continued our meal. Suddenly, Prentiss leaped to his feet and pointed. I stood beside him and peered into the darkness. Five stealthy figures appeared and entered through the courtyard gate. In my enthusiasm, I flung my arms around the curate's neck.

"Are you sure it's them?" Prentiss asked, swiftly stepping out of my embrace.

"Who else?" I snapped harshly.

The curate surveyed me coolly, taken aback by the severity of my voice.

"I'm sorry, Prentiss," I muttered, casting my eyes downward. "I didn't mean to snap at you. It's the excitement, the tension."

"Not to worry, my dear," the curate responded, brushing aside my apology. "We must return to our quarters quickly. We attack at dawn."

Dawn—the triumphant word reverberated in my mind. While the vampires slept in their coffins, we planned to creep upon them stealthily. We returned to the village and stuffed our pockets with garlic cloves hurriedly. Prentiss hung a large silver cross around my neck and donned one also. In the forest bracken, the curate uncovered the five wooden stakes he had buried earlier.

Silently, we entered the sinister castle. Clinging close to each other, we crept across the decaying entrance hall. Despite our clandestine progress, our shoes beat a loud staccato across the flagstones. I cringed at the sound. Would our clatter reach the Baron in his deadly sleep?

At the cellar door, I grasped Prentiss's arm and halted him. He turned to me, his dismay etched across his lean face.

"I warned you, Norah," he admonished severely. "You should have stayed in the village. You cannot back out now."

"It's not that, Prentiss," I rebuked sharply. "The dogs..."

"What dogs?" He stared at me wide-eyed.

"The Baron's hellish hounds," I cried, becoming distraught. "I forgot! Diabolus, Dybbuk, Moloch, Incubus, and Belial." I counted the names off on the fingers of my right hand.

Prentiss blanched, his skin growing whiter with each name.

Minutes ticked past. The curate continued the hesitated at the cellar door. Then, placing his hand in his coat pocket, he drew out a silver revolver. I gasped audibly.

"I'll handle them," Prentiss stated firmly. "I loaded it with silver bullets, just in case."

"In case of what?" I asked, startled. Tentatively, I shrunk back against the wall.

"Werewolves."

"Werewolves!" I exclaimed, my eyes wide with fright. The wolf's nightly ululations sprung into my mind. I never thought of the shapeshifting beasts existing in the von Helfin surroundings.

"Anything is possible," Prentiss responded, cautioning me to hold my tongue.

The curate stretched out his hand and opened the cellar door. I followed him down the damp stairway, wondering about my prim companion. He suddenly knew a lot about subjects he disdained.

"Foolhardy nonsense," Prentiss Wills often exclaimed when Papa and I discussed the occult. If he could not see things with his own eyes, he did not believe. As we descended into the dank underground chamber, I began to brooch the issue. He quickly hushed me.

The massive iron gate loomed out of the misty corridor. A loud gasp escaped my lips when Prentiss touched it, and it swung open. Grabbing his arm, I stopped him.

"Trap?" I mouthed.

Anxiously glancing into the impenetrable darkness, I expected the Baron to appear and attack us with his children's aid. Prentiss pulled me against the wall, holding me around the waist. Time passed slowly. Nothing happened. Finally, we ventured forth again.

At the end of the corridor, the vast cavern spread before us. The five coffins remained in their places, exactly as I remembered them. Falling to his knees before the first one, Prentiss pried the lid open. It fell onto its side with an echoing crash. I cringed, ready to flee.

The curate drew out a stake and, stretching upward, raised it above the sleeping Baron's heart. Time stood still. My nemesis continued his slumbers—his sanguine lips standing out against his ghostly skin. The muscles in Prentiss's arms stood out as he gathered his strength. When he plunged, I reached out my hand and stopped him.

"He's mine," I stated unemotionally. "He killed my mother. I want my revenge. I'll take him and..."

I studied the caskets intently. Then, rising, I moved on to the last one in the line. Kneeling, I removed the lid and stared into Ranulf's beloved face. My tears choked me as I gazed upon him. Nevertheless, I strengthened my resolve and determination.

"This one." I pointed disdainfully toward my lover. "The children are yours."

Despite my hatred of the von Helfin clan, I could not harm Luiza. I viewed her as my friend, a companion in a hellish nightmare. Although we had to destroy them, I would rather Prentiss did the deed.

Swiftly, I grasped the stake, tightening my fists around the wooden shaft. My hatred of the Baron hardened within my heart, and I strode toward his casket. Holding my breath, I positioned myself before him and rose to my knees. It required great strength to drive the shaft home. I gathered my concentration and positioned the picket above his heart.

"For Mama," I exclaimed, my voice reverberating in the hellish chamber. Tears filled my eyes, and my voice hitched with sorrow.

The Baron's hate-filled orbs flew open when the stake entered his heart. Accusingly, he stared at me. Then, threateningly, he began to rise. Von Helfin's hands grappled for my throat and brushed my skin. I plunged the stake deeper into his body, and his arms slackened. A gurgling noise escaped his red lips, and then he fell silent.

Deep in the cavern, a dog growled. It rumbled, multiplied, and grew louder. I stood and grappled for Prentiss's arm. Together, we drew back against the wall. Abruptly, five bullmastiffs burst upon us. They cornered us and continued to growl menacingly. The curate stepped forward, shoving me behind him. Raising his revolver, he shot Moloch through the head, killing him instantly.

Diabolus and Incubus followed, each receiving a similar death shot. Leaping suddenly, Dybbuk sunk his teeth into Prentiss's arm. Yelping in pain, the curate encircled the dog's neck with his strong palms, driving him backward. Another fatal shot echoed through the cellar chamber. Belial turned tail and fled with Prentiss hot on his trail.

I waited anxiously; my back pressed against the wall. At any moment, I expected the final bullmastiff's return. Finally, I heard another shot and a loud whimper. Prentiss emerged from the mist, and, running to him, I flung my arms around his neck. He encircled my waist and pulled me close. I relaxed against him. For the first time, the prim curate embraced and kissed me.

"Norah, look!" Prentiss exclaimed, releasing me.

Together, we approached the coffins. The Baron's transparent form shimmered weakly. Beneath him, I could see the red velvet lining. The children appeared in the same condition. Prentiss stood above them, overalled by the sight. Vlad vanished completely, but Luiza hovered between the Earth and the afterworld. Fading in and out, Vanda opened her eyes wide and she, finally, disappeared.

"Ranulf!" I exclaimed, moving toward the far coffin hastily. I breathed a sigh of relief when I found him intact.

Hypnotized by Luiza's transparent form, Prentiss did not notice my movements. I threw him a furtive glance, then fell to my knees beside my lover's coffin. His soft black hair fell over his high forehead. Tenderly, I brushed it aside. Looking toward the curate again, I saw him bend over Luiza's flickering body. I did not wish him to observe my actions. I leaned forward and gently laid a kiss on Ranulf's lips.

"Oh, Ranulf, I do love you," I whispered, barely audibly. "With all my heart and soul, I do love you."

Prentiss glanced in my direction and stepped toward me. Staring at him intently, I lifted the stake and positioned it above Ranulf's heart. The curate turned back to Luiza and watched her finally evaporate. I deftly positioned my weapon, forcing it to its destination. If Prentiss looked, he would not notice that it did not hit its mark. I could not destroy Ranulf.