Free VROLOK by Nolene-Patricia Dougan Page A

don’t shout at me,” retorted Isabella.
    “Isabella, promise me you won’t go up there. They say whatever it is comes from that castle.”
    Isabella tutted and did not answer her friend. She rose from her seat and walked towards the window to look out at the night. A white mist was pouring down from over the hills and smothering everything it touched. Isabella loved to watch the mist—it seemed beautiful to her.
    “Look at the mist, Katya. It looks as if it’s pouring down from the sky. I love nights like these. They are so beautiful, the mystery of these nights. I always wonder who goes out on nights like these. People who do not want to be seen, who want to keep their actions hidden, unsuitable romantic attachments, perhaps.”
    Katya looked at her friend.
    “Isabella, you say such strange things sometimes. Sometimes I think you weren’t made for this world. It’s a horrible night…no one goes out when it is like this.” Katya wanted to change the subject. “I saw your sister the other day.”
    “I am not interested in my sister,” Isabella objected, turning away from the window and back towards Katya, her facetious mood now becoming more serious.
    “I know you are not interested in your sister. It is the person I saw her with that should interest you or at least concern you.”
    “Why?”
    “She has taken up with a man called Peter. I don’t know his second name.”
    “Katya, I really don’t care who she has taken up with,” Isabella said, trying to dismiss the conversation one more time.
    “You will, Isabella. Everyone in the village is suspicious of him. People suspect him of killing his father. His own father.”
    “He suits my sister, then.”
    “Just be careful, Isabella. They may be a dangerous pair.”
    “I wouldn’t worry. I can take care of myself despite my sister. She would be too terrified to even challenge me.” With this the conversation ended. Katya’s warning was not strong enough for her to be able to make Isabella realise the gravity of the situation.
     
    That night Isabella was restless. She waited till Nicolae was asleep and then once again headed up towards the castle. Peter was watching and waiting for her. Vlad was also watching her approach. He saw Peter and Isabella but stayed concealed from both of them.
    Isabella walked past Peter, still totally unaware that he was there. Peter started to follow her. When he got within touching distance of her, he grabbed her from behind and flung her around to face him. Isabella could smell his sour breath; he’d obviously been drinking. Peter pushed her down onto the forest floor and lay on top of her, pinning her down beneath his large frame.
    Isabella could feel his rough hand pushing up underneath her dress towards the top of her thigh. His other hand was also occupied by ripping off the shoulder of her dress. “There’s the scar just where your sister said it would be. But she was not right about everything. You are very beautiful, even more so up close,” Peter leered.
    “My sister!” Isabella snapped.
    “Yes, she is the one who wants me to kill you, but I think I will keep you alive until morning at least.” He pressed his lips over Isabella’s.
    Isabella became enraged at the mention of her sister. Natasha had arranged this. Not content any more to try and ruin any chance Isabella had of happiness, Natasha wanted to kill her.
    Isabella’s rage gave her strength and she bit down hard and took off part of Peter’s tongue. Then she snatched his hand from under her dress and kicked out and up with both legs to get Peter off her. Isabella was now free from his grasp and he was reeling in agony, holding his bloodied face. She lifted a rock and with all the strength she had left to muster, she bashed in Peter’s skull and then spat on him in disgust.
    Vlad had watched the whole incident. He had kept quiet and out of sight. He wanted to see if Isabella could look after herself and how strong she was; he was not