Chapter 2

2001

Muntenia

Wallachia was divided into two districts Muntenia (Greater Wallachia) and Oltenia (lesser Wallachia), this division occurred in 1419 when Vlad Dracular gave away the secrets of his people. Death plagued the country and corpses had bite marks on their necks. At first Gnats were blamed for this disaster, or curses according to the gypsies divination

Dracula in his drunken state had told them otherwise. The identified blood suckers were expelled to Oltenia and with Anne's dark magic and spells. A rift was created and at her bidding black stones were poured into the rift in great quantities.

The black stones were powered by the moon and made it impossible for the vampires to cross over. For once,the people of Wallachia were indebted and

grateful to the so scorned gypsy. But notwithstanding, the moonlight nights were approaching. Without the moon, the black stones were powerless and the vampires unleashed their horrors to the mortals.

The marketsquare was the busiest place in Muntenia. For the rich elite in the society, it was rowdy. Bells jingled erratically as sellers sang to attract buyers to their wares. "Sweet roses for your

sweetheart "....There were tents and booth owned by gypsies for their fortune telling and a snake charmer stood at the end of one, displaying acrobatic skills with a black cobra and the gathered crowd watched with glee and horror. Two gypsies gossiped about the approaching nights of horror

"Those hunters efforts will be futile as usual "The other trembled "We have our charms,

Rona "

"Useless, we just sell them for money, we all are at the mercy of the almighty.... "the word 'daredevil' froze on her lips and she just sighed. The thought of him alone made them quiver. They both stared as Peugeot pulled up and a young woman alighted, clutching her purse in an alarming speed, she made way through the crowd. A dark eyed woman chased

after her screaming

"Draga, wait! "

The young woman turned to her

"Louka, will you stop calling me 'Draga' "

Louka smiled, happy she had caught her attention.

"You re my Draga"she retorted with undisguised adoration "Wonder why you dislike your birth name and choose to bear an 'Eng--lish ' name "Impatiently she thrust wads of leu into Louka's

palm. Giving Louka money each time she visited the marketsquare was now a tradition. She turned and continued walking at her usual flurry paces.

"Draga!"she mused. She was her father's Draga. Her eyes grew teary at the thought of her dead father.He alone had the right to call her that! He gave her that name because she was his girl.. Loucas Adam's darling. Darling was the most common

endearment in Wallachia.Everybody was someobody's Draga. But she was sure when other people called her that, none meant it.

She pushed at the entrance door of the library. Her entry was accompanied with stares as many heads were strained to glare at her. And almost immediately hushed conversations began. Smoothing her silky apparel, she walked straight to the librarian,

ignoring the contemptuous look directed to her by the librarian's plump daughter.

"Good day, Ms Balan I'm here for the books I ordered for "she said smiling warmly. The books her maid Elene, would never touch, so she had to come for them.

Ms Balan smiled back as she turned to get the books, Elizabeth nodded to the young woman despite the disdain written boldly on her face.

"How do you do, Maria "

Maria snorted in reply as she studied Elizabeth why didn't she have such skin, as smooth as alabaster or lips like red wine?It was indeed sinful for anyone to be as beautiful as Elizabeth Draga Fleming, the younger woman thought eyeing her enviously. She was by far her rival for Sergius, the most eligible bachelor. It was no secret that Sergius lost interest in her after spying the violet eyed girl

in front of her.

Ms Balan returned with the books wrapped in a bag. Her eyes sad as she wondered why such a beautiful girl would be interested in horrific books and not the romantic like other ladies were.

"The book of the dead "Maria shrieked ensnaring people's attention.

"Such horrific books are Elizabeth's favourites "she drawled mockingly. Ignoring her statement

Elizabeth fumbled with her purse for money. Maria's expression turned into greed at the wads of money being held out to her.

Besting her mother, she snatched them, then sarcastically whispered "Draga mea "

Outraged, Elizabeth glared at her

"Don't say such words carelessly, l'm no darling of yours! So call me Elizabeth "she retreated stressing the Elizabeth. Maria huffed

"Nonsense! What's Elizabeth? "eyeing her flaring curls, she growled scornfully

"Elizabeth must mean 'the devil's daughter ' "

"No! "a voice came to her rescue and Maria studied the speaker with a mixture of admiration and pain. He had a finely featured face and a sturdy attractive body.

Avoiding Maria's heated gaze, he continued

"Dr Fleming named her after

his beloved English queen Elizabeth Tudor I"his hand reached to touch her curls "Because of her infamous red hair and his inability to pronounce 'Draga ' "

The harridan sniffed contemptuously

"Where then comes her strange hair? Bet my life that she got it from hell "

This outburst was followed with giggles and whispers. Elizabeth could hear some

muttering

"Heard she was expelled from school because she is possessed by demons!"

"legions of demon indeed! "

Maria struck the last jibe

"Now she writes books about demons! "

Elizabeth felt a flush rise to her cheeks, her violet eyes flashing in anger. Seeing those turbulent eyes, Maria backed away to a safer distance. Tracing the cross sign

over her face she retorted icily

"Eyes of a witch "

"Silence! "the man who had touched her curls snapped. A hush silence ensured, It was apparent that they were afraid of this speaker. Draped in guns, he surely inspired fear. Clutching her arm, he led her out.

"Considering the numbers of exotic libraries in Bucharest, I wonder why you are here " He snarled.

Her chin rose up arrogantly

"I get the books I desire here! "she stomped her feet. Already knowing the 'desired books ' he asked no further questions.

Placing his hands possessively on her waist he pressed a kiss against her cheeks. And she stiffened at his embrace, he felt it and smiled sadly, it was expected. Elizabeth was just too frigid. He stared down into her face, even though the day was hot, the heat

rising from her body was sweetly scented.

"You should stay away from Maria, Draga mea "...his calling her 'my darling'infuriated her but she let it pass.

"I don't understand her hatred of me, Sergius "

Sergius swallowed the knot of apprehension clogged in his throat, apart from the jealousy that Elizabeth was far more beautiful than her. He was responsible for

the incensed hatred.

"Why are you here? "she curiously asked.

He smiled flirtatiously "I came to get this.. "he revealed the bouquet of roses hidden behind him. At her admiring glances he added

"..For you.. as an encouragement. How is your book going? you know how we hunters adore your works "

She grinned, an act that spread warmth to his heart.

"Because it spills most secrets of the vampire "

He ran his hands over her fiery hair "You are so talented"

He glanced away, unable to meet her clear eyed gaze. He had betrayed her trust countless times, spreading horrible rumors about her to any pursuing admirer 'she's cursed 'he would tell them 'I know her too well 'he would add with a speculate gleam "she's an insane whore, plagued by demons "Then

he would grin victoriously when their interests turned to disdain.

She turned to wave as her Peugeot pulled away. With a smug satisfied grin, he thought 'I'm the only one for you now, or you'll die an old maiden, Draga mea "