In the darkness before Dawn, wings suddenly fluttered. Just as Evelyn was about to speak, Annan closed the Portal and put The Seventh Night back where it belonged.
A swarm of bats landed on the terrace and gathered into the Scarlet Princess's silhouette. As if sensing Annan's envy, she said, "You'll be able to do that one day."
"It'll be light soon."
Annan pointed to a glimmer of light rising beyond the edge of the Forest.
"Come with me."
The Scarlet Princess returned to the Castle, and Annan followed. Along the way, they passed many Blood Thralls dressed as maids. Every one of them was beautiful.
They descended from the upper floor to the ground floor. The butler joined them, and they continued into the basement, where burning torches illuminated several ornate coffins.
"Pick your favorite." Lena lifted her chin slightly.
If Annan hadn't known vampires traditionally slept in coffins, he would have thought his identity had been exposed.
"Which one is yours?" he asked.
"None of them. I have a room upstairs."
Annan fell silent for a moment. "I'd like a room too."
The butler, who seemed to melt into the shadows, said coldly, "This is the Princess's Castle. You must do as she says..."
"Dracula," the Scarlet Princess interrupted. "Everyone who meets me either flatters me or fears me... Isn't it nice to have a newly turned vampire who can talk to me normally?"
She looked Annan over appreciatively. "It seems you're not used to sleeping in a coffin. Dracula, please arrange a bedroom for him... Not too far from mine."
"Of course."
Annan followed the butler out of the chilly basement to an upper floor of the Castle. There were only a few rooms here, one of which belonged to the Scarlet Princess.
Perhaps worried Annan might