“Meet in the middle,” a commanding voice said, although Simon could identify no speaker. He obeyed and marched forward, as did Dimitri. When they came face to face, the vampire flashed his teeth, and Simon almost lost his resolve. The power that emanated from the creature was palpable. Simon had the distinct feeling that the vampire could flick him away like one does an annoying bug. He inhaled and steeled himself inwardly, reminding himself that he had to be successful or die trying for Sophie’s sake.
“Turn,” the voice commanded. Then the counting began. “One, two, three…” and with each count, Simon took a step away from Dimitri. When the count reached forty paces, they were ordered to stop and turn to face each other again.
“Raise your weapons.”
Simon raised his pistol, forgetting his fears and focusing solely on his target.
“Fire!”
Chapter Ten
Sophie’s throat wasraw from screaming, and her hands, bruised from pushing and banging her fists against the stone vault door, ached. She was desperate to escape the vault and save Simon from a certain death at the hands of Dimitri, but it seemed there was nothing more she could do. Tears of frustration streamed down her cheeks. Why was this happening to her? What had she done to attract the attention of a vampire? Exhausted, she sank to the floor, pulled her knees up to her chest, and rested her forehead against them.
Her heavy eyes were just about to close when a rush of fresh, cold air filled the room. Sophie looked up. The door to the vault had swung open. Momentarily stunned, she sat blinking in surprise, expecting to see Dimitri. Then she jumped to her feet and dashed outside.
A row of torches lit a path in front of the vault. And then she saw Simon. He was kneeling over Dimitri and clutching a stake in the shape of a cross, which he was about to plunge into the vampire’s heart.
Sophie held her breath as Simon raised the stake.
“Stop!” someone shouted.
Simon froze.
Sophie turned. Then she gasped out loud. “Papa!” she cried.
*
Simon stared atthe tall, dark-haired gentleman before him. There was something odd about him. Something…bloodless.
“Papa!” Sophie ran past him, toward the man, and threw her arm around his neck. Only there was nothing for her to grasp. She went right through him. She turned and stared at him, a look of utter bewilderment on her face. “You’re a….”
A tear rolled down Sophie’s cheeks.
“Yes, my dearest. I’m with your mama now.”
“Brother!” Mildred and Agnes cried as they floated toward him. “Where have you been? Why didn’t you come to us?”
“Not all spirits can return. You know that. We must have a purpose. And you were already taking care of my Sophie.”
“But you’re here now,” Agnes said.
“That’s right,” he said, turning to look directly at Simon. “I’m here to tell that young man to put down that stake.”
“Why?” Agnes demanded. “That monster kidnapped Sophie. He wants to turn her into one of his own.”
“No, he doesn’t. Trust me. His only aim was to protect her.”
Simon stared at the motionless vampire. Dimitri had been incapacitated by the silver bullet he’d fired into his chest, but he would not stay unconscious forever. Slowly, he lowered the stake. He did not understand what was happening, but if the ghost before him was indeed Sophie’s papa, he was willing to listen.
“Why should that vampire want to protect Sophie?” Agnes said.
“Because one good deed deserves another.”
“What are you talking about?” Mildred hovered next to her brother, hands on her hips.
“Many years ago, our great-great-grandfather, an explorer like myself, risked his life while on the continent to save a man who was being robbed by thugs—that man was Dimitri. That day, he earned Dimitri’s loyalty forever. Years later, whenDimitri was turned into a vampire, he used his new power to protect the descendants of the man who saved him. That’s what he was doing when he took Sophie.”
“I fail to see how kidnapping an innocent young lady is protecting her.” Agnes floated to the still-unconscious Dimitri and glared down at him.
