A feeling of dread ripped me from my slumbers. A finger of moonlight pointed across the carpet from the turret slit. I sat up and pulled the bedcovers to my chin. Swiftly, I surveyed the room. I felt as though I were not alone. Then, I saw the creature.
Hanging upside down from the bed curtains, a huge black bat ogled me. Its beady red eyes seemed to glow in the shadowed corner. I pulled myself to my knees and shrieked.
"Get out of here!" I yelled frantically.
Grabbing my pillow, I began beating at the dreadful mammal. I rose to my knees and battered it, screaming like a banshee. Its wings began to beat briskly, and it suddenly flew into my face. I flared at it with my arms and finally connected. The bat spiraled against the wall and landed, with a thud, on the floor.
I leaped out of bed and stared at the abominable beast. The black body convulsed, and its wings beat on the floor. My heart pounded as I bent to examine it closely. Fearing I harmed it, I prodded it with my toe. Abruptly, the bat rose and swooped through the open slit. I ran after it and, halting at the window, watched it fly into a nearby tree.
England seemed a million miles away, in a different world. Hugging myself, I tentatively sat on the edge of the bed. Since Mama returned from her honeymoon, I rarely saw her. She no longer occupied the other turret bed chamber. Occasionally, I saw her wraithlike form slip along the ghastly corridors. However, when I chased her, she vanished.
I longed to speak to my mother, to share confidences with her. Due to her neglect, I fell behind in my studies. Day after day, I roamed the castle corridors. The abandoned bedrooms remained unkempt, leaving me to wonder where the Baron and his family slept.
When the sun set, I returned to the turret. As soon as I mounted the spiral stairway, I heard the bolt slam into place. From sunset to dawn, I remained a prisoner in the tower. In the morning, Helga, carrying my breakfast tray, unlocked the door.
"Ranulf has a horrible lump on his forehead," the chambermaid gossiped. "Grandmama put ice on it." She giggled. "Women trouble, she suspects."
My heart fluttered at the nephew's name, then it sank. I imagined him carousing in the nearby village inn late at night. I decided that a handsome young man like Ranulf must have a love interest.
Absently, I lifted the cover on my breakfast plate and stared at the eggs and sausage. My appetite fled as my jealousy rose. Forcefully, I pushed my thoughts concerning the Baron's nephew aside. Closing my eyes, I recalled an image of Prentiss Wills. I had to find a way to return to England and continue my relationship with him. Ranulf remained out of my grasp; I had no right to consider him.
"Take this away," I commanded sharply. Lifting the tray, I shoved it into Helga's arms.
"But, Miss," the maid exclaimed.
"No, but Miss," I responded snappishly. "I said I do not want it."
Hugging myself, I turned away and stared into the smoldering fire. The thought of Ranulf with another woman disturbed me. A tear clung to my lashes, and I dashed it away.
"I told you to go," I declared, spinning back to the chambermaid.
Helga continued to stand in the midst of the room as though rooted to the spot. She clung to the dining tray. I took a step toward her, and she flew from the room. The door banged behind her.
"Stupid," I chastised myself. I sat on the bed, staring in front of me. Finally, I rose and, wrapping my plaid wool shawl around my shoulders, plodded downstairs.
The crisp autumn air struck me when I entered the castle courtyard. A high stone wall enclosed the dismal area. A withered ornamental cherry tree hovered in the east corner, and the hedges remained bare of leaves or color. On the opposite side, a dilapidated arbor stood crookedly amongst them. I sat on the bench and stared despondently at the broken fountain in the center.
My emotions chased themselves around and around in my head. I fought to dismiss them.
"Get a hold of yourself," I upbraided my thoughts.
Standing, I drifted absently toward the cherry tree. Its poor black branches dipped toward the earth dejectedly. I twisted a small branch until it snapped off in my hands. Death seemed to prevail in von Helfin castle's nooks and crannies. Inside and outside, every object appeared neglected—unloved--including the inhabitants. Yet, Mama must have fallen in love with the Baron for her to marry him suddenly.
I had to remain faithful to Prentiss, I decided. If I focused solely on him, I felt I could connect with him. I clung to him, depended upon him. I applied pressure to my brain and telepathically sent out a mental distress call.
"We're connected, heart and soul, Norah," I recalled the curate telling me. Together, we stood in the white gazebo at the bottom of the vicarage garden. Prentiss grasped my hands and pulled me close. He kissed my forehead tenderly. "If you ever need me, call me with your mind, and I will come to you."
I needed him and focused my thoughts on him with all my strength. Behind me, a branch snapped. I spun around, expecting to see my father's assistant. Instead, Helga stood shyly at a distance.
"What do you want?" I snapped fiercely.
"I want your friendship," the waiflike girl stuttered. Clasping her hands behind her back, she rocked on her heels.
For a moment, I ogled the maid. Then, my heart softened. Mama's absence left a huge gap in my life. Without her, I had no one to talk to, no one to share my secrets. I did not particularly like Helga. Her attitude toward the deaf-mute handyman disturbed me. As I thought of Godoired Cazacu, he trundled past, pushing a wheelbarrow. My companion's eyes narrowed suspiciously. However, I wove my elbow through hers and strolled toward the garden's opposite end.
"Tell me about England?" Helga asked keenly.
In hushed tones, I spoke of my old home. Weaving my words, I described autumn apples and hedge roses, the lanes Prentiss and I rode over on our borrowed horses and galloping across vast open fields. Helga listened avidly to my description of London shops and Hyde Park in the springtime.
"During the summer, Papa planned excursions to historic places," I stated enthusiastically. "We visited Stonehenge, Bath, and Stratford upon Avon--Shakespeare's birthplace. I've walked upon Hadrian's Wall and visited Loch Laven Castle where Mary Queen of Scots lay imprisoned."
"You have seen many places," Helga remarked enviously. "I wish I could go there. I have never left von Helfin."
I stopped short and stared at my new friend. I could not imagine spending day upon day in the ominous castle precincts. A desperate yearning filled me to fly away, return to England, and never see the horrible place again.
"If you could run away," Helga began wistfully, "would you take me with you?"
"If I could run away…" I repeated dreamily. Escape!—the word flashed in my mind, its letters a bold red. I halted and dug my toes between the cobbles. If only… "Oh, yes, Helga, you could come with me."
Spinning, I grasped my new friend's hands and danced with her in a circle. Perhaps Helga knew an escape route; maybe she could assist me. Halting my impromptu celebration, I grabbed her hand and dragged her to the arbor seat.
"How far away is the village?" I demanded, grinning wildly. "Can we walk the distance?"
Surreptitiously, I cast my eyes toward the craggy descent. Far below, the tiny hamlet crouched amongst the forest overgrowth. Although I could not locate it, I knew it lay nearby. I had enough money saved to purchase a train ticket, maybe two.
My thoughts whirled in anticipation of leaving von Helfin far behind. Then, an image of Mama sprang up behind my mind's eye. I could not run away and leave her. If I escaped, I had to take her with me. However, since her marriage, Mama clung to the Baron as a drowning person would to a life raft. Her adoring eyes followed his every movement. I determined I had to separate the newly married couple. If I spoke with Mama reasonably, I could convince her to return to England with me.
Oh, how my gentle mother changed since our arrival in Romania! She became an altogether different person beneath the terrifying grip of Baron von Helfin. Time and again, I wished to shake her awake from the dreadful nightmare that enraptured her.
"Norah!" Helga gripped my sleeve and tugged hard.
Abruptly pulling away from my idyllic visions, I refocused on my companion. An urgent expression crossed her face.
"The sun, Norah, the sun," the chambermaid gasped, pointing toward the western horizon.
The last remnants of the scarlet sun peeked between the jagged tree line beneath us. Clammy perspiration covered my skin, and, swiveling, I ran. I bolted toward the heavy oaken door--my shoes beating a staccato against the cobblestones.
The door to the turret stairway seemed miles away. The ancient hinges squealed their displeasure but yielded to my tug. Rushing inside, I tripped over the threshold and stumbled on an upraised flagstone. I righted myself and plunged toward the curving stairway. Gaining the ancient gallery, I rushed past portraits of long-dead von Helfin family members. Their images blurred with my passing.
As I reached the egress into the tower, a black figure emerged from the shadows. I halted, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. In the fading light, the shape stepped forward. I gasped.
Swiftly, Ranulf blocked my passage. His thin lips spread into a crimson smile. Reflected in the final glimmer of daylight, I noticed the elongation of his sharp canines. Grasping my shoulders, he drew me against his chest. Then, hovering above me, he leaned toward my exposed neck.
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