Night's Promise(54)
“A trip?” Sheree toyed with the collar of her robe. “Where are you going?”
“Romania.”
Just the word conjured images of ancient castles and brooding vampires.
“You’ll love it. It’s a beautiful place.”
“I . . .” Sheree blinked. Romania! “I don’t know.”
Mara’s gaze met hers. “Please say you’ll come.”
Remembering Derek’s warning not to stare into a vampire’s eyes, Sheree quickly looked away. “Will Derek be there?”
“Of course. He’s the reason we’re going. You’ve nothing to fear,” Mara assured her. “I will not let anything happen to you.”
“My passport’s in Philadelphia.”
Mara laughed softly. “You won’t need it.”
An hour later, Sheree had showered, dressed, and packed a bag. Her wooden stake was at the bottom, under her nightgown.
“Are you ready?” Mara asked, her tone impatient.
Sheree glanced around, making sure everything was closed and locked. “Yes, I guess so.”
“Then take my hand and we’ll be off.”
“Why?” Sheree asked, suddenly reluctant to touch the vampire.
Mara caught Sheree’s hand in hers. “Because we’re traveling by Air Vampire.”
Before Sheree could ask what that meant, she felt herself being lifted from the ground. She closed her eyes as a strange buzzing filled her ears, along with the sense of traveling through space at inhuman speed. Nausea roiled in the pit of her stomach.
Just when she thought she might pass out, the world righted itself. Opening her eyes, she found herself standing in the middle of a large room.
Mara smiled at her. “Welcome to Transylvania. Feel free to look around while I prepare our rooms. Here, let me take your bag. You’ll be in the first room on the left at the top of the stairs.”
Feeling disoriented and a little dizzy, Sheree handed over her suitcase; then, standing in the middle of the great hall, she did a slow turn. The walls were made of gray stone. The leaded windows, set high, were mere slits. She was surprised to see that it was dark outside and wondered briefly what the time difference was between California and Romania.
A fireplace that would comfortably hold a horse and rider took up most of one wall. The mantel was so high, she couldn’t reach it. A number of medieval weapons hung above the fireplace. The furniture, scattered in groups around the room, was made of dark, heavy wood; the chairs and sofas were covered in dark red damask. A suit of armor stood in one corner. Large rugs covered the floor; tapestries hung from the walls.
Several doors led to other rooms. Some were vacant; one was a kitchen outfitted with another large fireplace, probably used for cooking in times past. A high wooden table stood in the middle of the floor. Judging by the stains on it, she guessed it had been used for cutting and chopping rather than dining. A rack near the fireplace held a variety of odd-looking utensils and several large iron pots.
A narrow, winding staircase led to the upper floors.
She was debating whether to go up or not when Mara descended the stairs.
“The beds are made,” she said, brushing her hands on her skirt. “Your clothes are in the wardrobe. Are you hungry?”
“Yes, a little.”
“There’s a village at the foot of the mountain. We can get you something to eat there. Logan will stop for provisions before he leaves home.”
“When will Derek get here?”
“It will be a few hours yet,” Mara said, reaching for her hand. “Ready?”
The village looked like something out of the distant past. It was quaint and charming, as was the restaurant Mara chose. Sheree ordered ham and eggs; Mara asked for a glass of wine.
“Do they know . . .” Lowering her voice, Sheree glanced around. “Do they know what you are?”
“Their ancestors knew. I have not been here in over a century. If the villagers learn the castle is occupied, they may suspect, but they will do nothing.”
Feeling uncomfortable, Sheree ate quickly.
When they returned to the castle, Mara told Sheree she was going out for a while and to make herself at home. And then the vampire vanished from the room.
Sheree stared at the place where Mara had been only moments before. What would it be like to be able to just wave your hand and disappear? To cross hundreds of miles like magic? To live forever? While she pondered that, she felt her eyes widen with the realization that Mara had probably gone hunting.
What kind of prey did she prefer? Human? Or animal?
Did she kill when she fed?
Feeling suddenly sick to her stomach, Sheree made her way cautiously up the narrow stone stairs to her room. Inside, she closed the door, then rested her back against it while she surveyed her surroundings.