Chapter Five

 

 

She had struggled her way through the hedge maze once more, and had finally made it to the castle centre. Carrie sighed and plopped down on the ground in the room with all the fans, thankful for the small ray of sunlight that filtered through the ceiling. It warmed her chilled bones and skin.

She had half-expected Actrise to be there to greet her, but she remembered that she had killed the witch a year before. Her thoughts quickly turned to Malus. She hoped that he was somewhere near. She could almost feel his presence somewhere in the castle. She could only pray that she would reach him before he escaped again. The last time she had seen him, he had slipped right through her fingers. She would not let that happen this time.

She shook her head, got back to her feet and smoothed her skirt out. She breathed deeply and walked into the castle, where she was confronted by two skeletons on motorcycles. They drove toward her, but she managed to evade and shoot them with a ball of purple energy. The skeletons fell off, and the motorcycles crashed into the wall, steaming and hissing.

Carrie heaved a sigh of relief and continued down the hall. Would she need the mandragora this time around? Or would the magical elevator still be operational? After a decisive moment, she opened the door to the torture chamber and walked in. A morbid scene met her eyes. Renon was sitting on a large, blood-stained table, sipping a cup of tea.

"Ah!"he said, seeing her."How good to see you again, my lady. I presumed that the young vampire woman had escorted you out of the grounds. It seems I was wrong. How goes your quest?"

"It is tiresome,"said Carrie, picking up a bottle of mandragora."But not so tiresome that I will give up. If I may ask, have you seen Malus as of late?"

"Malus?"Renon repeated questioningly.

"A young boy with dark hair,"Carrie told him."He was wearing purple clothing."

"I have not seen a boy,"Renon answered."But I have seen a man who fits your description. He had dark hair, and was in purple attire. I last saw him out in the hedge maze. I presume he is not the one you seek."

"No…"Carrie said, disappointed."But thank you nonetheless."

"’Tis my pleasure,"said Renon, tipping his hat."Well, I must be on my way. Good day to you."

He collected his things and headed for the door. He paused there and turned back to Carrie.

"Just a bit of advice,"he said."Follow the music. Good luck."

He left. Carrie stood there for a moment, feeling quite puzzled. Follow the music? What could it mean? She sighed and followed his path through the door, but he was nowhere to be seen out in the hall.

She made her way through the hall with the large pillars to the door on the right wall. Through it, there were no vampires, as Carrie was glad to find, but she could hear the distant strains of a violin. Her face lit up, and she hurried to the stairs, taking them two at a time, dodging medusa heads. She finally made it to the fourth floor.

The violin music was much louder here. She reached out and pushed the door open and went inside. Sitting on one of the tables was Malus, playing his violin, eyes closed. He didn’t notice as she quietly approached him.

"Malus…"Carrie said softly.

He stopped playing and looked up at her. They stood like that for minutes, staring at each other as if they had never met before. Carrie had never seen such a wonderful sight. She rushed forward and threw herself into Malus’ arms, almost causing the young man to drop his violin on the floor.

"Malus, I am so glad to see you!"Carrie sobbed, the tears spilling down her cheeks."I’ve been so worried. I thought I would never see you again!"

Malus’ arms went around her tentatively, as though she were made of glass and the slightest touch would shatter her into a million pieces. She pressed herself further into his shoulder, not caring that his body was cold. 

"Why do you continue to look for me, Carrie?"he demanded."Why do you not go home, where it is safe and warm?"

"Because I want you to be at home with me!"Carrie cried."I am not leaving here unless you come with me."

"But what about Dracula?"

Carrie froze for a moment, then looked up into his face. The corner of his mouth twitched, and for the first time, Carrie noticed how red his lips were. For the first time, she noticed the hellish tinge in his dark, seductive eyes. For the first time, she was afraid to be in his arms.

"You want to kill him… don’t you?"Malus hissed. He held her tight against him, not letting her squirm out of his grasp."You don’t want to be oppressed anymore, do you? You can’t leave this castle until he’s dead, right?"

"You’re hurting me,"Carrie said quietly.

"Forgive me,"Malus said, though he didn’t loosen his grip."So, Carrie, what will you do? Will you continue on your quest? Has your objective changed? You’re going to forget about me, and instead pursue Dracula?"

"Of course I’m not going to forget about you,"Carrie said softly."But you’re different, Malus. What happened?"

"I’m the same old Malus,"he answered.

"No, you’re not,"Carrie said."You’re acting strangely."

"Is that so?"

He turned her around, so quickly that Carrie barely registered it, and forced her down on the table with a strength she hadn’t known he possessed. His stared at her, his eyes burning into her, and her heart started to pound, wondering what he was planning. 

"Just be quiet now, love,"he murmured.

Something in his voice compelled Carrie to do as he said. She closed her mouth, her eyelids drooping halfway. She hadn’t wished for this to happen, but it was if her body was no longer under her control. She felt Malus lean over her, his cold breath tickling her ear. His hand cradled the back of her head as he drew her toward him. His mouth pressed against her neck, but she jumped when something hard and sharp bit into her flesh.

She had half a mind to scream, but Malus’ power over her was strong. She groaned and went limp, feeling something sticky and warm trickle down her throat. She knew, even without seeing it, that it was blood, and yet she didn’t want to believe that Malus really was a vampire. 

If only… if only I had been a little earlier… she thought, I could have saved him from this… he wouldn’t have had to become my only enemy…

Malus withdrew from her, and she gazed up at him in horror, seeing the blood smeared across his chin and teeth. Malus also seemed to be horrified with what he had done. He raised his blood-stained hands and looked at them, a bewildered expression on his face. The fire died from his eyes.

"Malus…"Carrie said weakly."Why…?"

Malus grabbed his hair and made a sound much like that a dog would make if it were being kicked by it’s owner. He fell to his knees, still gripping his hair, the sobs racking his body. Carrie, too weak to leave the table, could not go to him to comfort him, though she wanted to. Even after what he had done.

"Oh God,"he groaned."What have I done…? What have I done?! Carrie, please forgive me, please forgive me!"

He stumbled to his feet and moved toward the door. Carrie cried out to him, trying to make him stay with her, but he didn’t listen. He opened the door and ran out, leaving her alone and defenseless. She prayed that she would not be found by any vampires who happened to be prowling the residence.

Even as she lay there, something started to burn on her chest. The pain managed to wake her back up, and she sat up fully, tore open her shirt and ripped her crucifix out from under her clothes. With a scream, she flung her precious cross across the room.

Carrie looked down and saw that the shape of the crucifix had burned itself into her flesh between her breasts. The burn smarted, and she closed her shirt again, trying to ignore the pain. Her thoughts were mainly bent on purifying herself. How was she supposed to defeat Dracula if she turned into one of his minions?

She new resolve was to find Dracula and free Malus from his curse, even if she couldn’t save herself. She slid off the table, her muscles and bones aching, and staggered to the door. There, she stood for a few moments, trying to clear her head. If she was lucky, she might be able to find something to purify herself with, and then it would be easier to defeat Dracula.

With this in mind, she opened the door and passed through it, prepared to face the dangers that awaited her.