Peter Rakoczy: The Music of My Life

Chapter 27: Viktor

Peter followed Nicolae down the hallway. The way looked familiar - he had searched all the chambers along it earlier and they had all been empty. To his dismay, Nicolae stopped in front of one of those rooms and pushed the door open. As expected, nobody was inside. The room seemed to be a small library or reading room, because there were bookshelves covering the walls, and a seating area by the window.

"What's this? Some sort of joke?" Peter asked. He was both annoyed and disappointed.

Nicolae turned and faced him.

"Just give me a minute, will you," he said as he walked toward one of the book cases.

Nicolae pressed a finger on a book spine and the bookshelf began to slowly move, revealing a secret passage behind it. Peter's eyes widened as he followed Nicolae up a narrow winding staircase. When they got to the next level, Nicolae took out a key and opened a metal door that looked heavily secured.

"You have to stay quiet," Nicolae instructed Peter. "And keep your hands to yourself. No matter what you see."

"Very well," Peter acquiesced.

Nicolae opened the door and allowed Peter inside a dark, chilly room. Nicolae lit an oil lamp on the wall, shedding some light around them. The walls and floor of the circular room were made of stone and were unadorned. There were no windows. To Peter, it looked like a prison, its only purpose to keep someone inside. The room was completely bare of any furniture except for a large canopy bed. The black velvet curtains around the bed were drawn shut. Peter's heartbeat accelerated as Nicolae pulled a cord and opened them.

"Come here," Nicolae beckoned Peter to approach the bed and moved out of the way.

"Oh my God," Peter whispered, his eyes widening.

On the bed, he saw Nina. She was still clad in the gypsy outfit she wore at the masquerade. She looked deeply asleep. When Peter got closer, he noticed a bite mark on the side of her neck. There were two small indentations that penetrated the flesh. Other than that, Nina appeared intact. Peter touched her forehead. To his relief, it was warm. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gently shook her, but his niece did not awaken.

"What have you done to her?" Peter turned around and glared at Nicolae. "Why isn't she waking up?"

"She's in a deep trance," Nicolae murmured. "Trust me... it's better for her to be asleep at the moment."

"Why? What's that on her neck?" Peter had a million questions.

"It's a bite mark... obviously," Nicolae said casually.

"From what?"

"Why don't we go back downstairs and I will explain everything," Nicolae spoke calmly, heading towards the door.

"No! Tell me now!" Peter raised his voice.

On the bed, Nina moaned softly. Peter rushed to her side. He tried to shake her awake again, this time more vigorously. Suddenly, he felt Nicolae's hands on his upper arms, pulling him away. Peter struggled, but it was to no avail. Nicolae had him in an iron grip and wasn't letting go.

"Let go of me!" Peter shouted indignantly, only to be lifted off the floor and transported to the door where Nicolae dropped him back on his feet.

When Peter looked up at his host, he saw that Nicolae's face had completely transformed. His angry eyes were blood-red and menacing. Peter drew back in horror, but Nicolae pressed him up against the door with one arm, as though Peter was just a straw puppet.

"I told you to stay quiet, didn't I?" Nicolae's voice was low and threatening. Peter caught a glimpse of long, sharp canines when Nicolae spoke.

Peter gulped and nodded.