Chapter II
I love the shade and the shadow, and would be alone with my thoughts when I may.
Bram Stoker, Dracula
Count Stephan gazed out of the high arched window of his bedroom across the rugged snow peaks of the mountains. Blue-gray clouds obscured the valleys below under a blanket of velvet mystery and ethereal quiet. The violet haze of nearing twilight obscured the details of the distant peaks. The sun was below the mountains, and the shadows comforted the Count’s, anxious heart.
“Will you be dining in tonight, my lord,” came the silky voice of a young maiden. The Count turned and took up the portrait of her delicious yearning brushed with a pinkish hue on her porcelain face. He smiled as thoughts raced through his mind on how the dining-out pleasures met with his desire to take his sustenance here and now.
The seemingly undernourished girl realized her mistake as long fingers lightly stroked her cheek, forcing her to stare nervously at her feet.
“I’ll take dinner here on the Buffett. The fireplace is especially inviting tonight, don’t you think? “
“Yes, my lord.”
“Please have my Coachman ready to depart at precisely 7:00 pm. Oh, and I’ll take my evening coffee up here as well.”
“It is my pleasure, Sir Stephan.”
“And you are my eternal pleasure, Anna.” The Count lifted her chin with commanding fingertips until her eyelashes fluttered and opened to the laser penetration of two orbs of black glass dancing with the reflected light of the fire. She felt a disquieting tingle race down from her stomach into her loins. Stephan released his spell on the maiden, and Anna hurried from the Count’s chamber.
Deep laughter reverberated off the tapestry-covered walls as the Count sat by the fireplace. “That delightful Anna gives me hope for the future of her family. They have served our house for as long as this castle has stood. The modern world has nothing to compare to such devotion.”
“Now, I must turn my attention to Miley. How can I convince her to come to this distant outpost to be my personal scribe? Our meeting was not the most cordial as it seems Miss Miley has many troubles. Perhaps escape and solitude is what she needs, and I can give her that which she desires most.”
Apple Rae 
I’m enjoying this vampirish tale of yours, Daniel. 🧛🏻♂
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Thank you Chris! That is indeed an honor coming from the King of vampire chapters. I must admit, your influence weighs heavy on my efforts to revive the old Count of Wallachia.
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Wow, Dan! I knew there’s a part two to Miley’s story and here we are meeting new, elegant, and loveable characters that make the story even more mysterious and captivating. Reminds me of the Viscount and Alexandra from the first time I have read your tales circa 2018. The writing style i have always idolized and the kind of stories I have always yearned for. Thank you for another captivating chapter that wins every reader’s heart.
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You inspire me Apple. This is a short story that leaves us with Miley’s fate in our hands. Perhaps the Count is not a bad man. There is a side of him that is mysterious and dark and another side that gives love and support with patience where it is needed. Who he is must be decided by those under his spell. Thank you for the kind words and encouragement.
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Hype: I hope you’ve seen DUNE on Netflix. Thought of you while watching. And your story above: So glad to have you back…once again you create setting like no other. I could float right into it.
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Hi George! Bro, Dune is getting its due and the Dune universe seems to be expanding. I’m slowly finding my mojo and Apple has graciously allowed me to use her platform because she is totally cool like that. We have the surprise finally of the stranger coming next Thursday then a long stretch of Tribal to finish it up. Any hope Akira and Paul have some evil bug stomping in their future? Fire it up bro 😎 🔥
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