VROLOK by Nolene-Patricia Dougan Read Free Book Online Page B

his grip, sat Isabella down, and started to dress her wound. He sat beside her and waited for Alexei to return. Isabella, who had been silent since her sister had left, started to speak.
    “I would have killed her.”
    “No, you wouldn’t have, Isabella; you would have regained your senses in time.”
    Isabella knew this was not true but she did not argue with him. Nicolae was always sure that Isabella’s values were the same as his own and she never wanted to disappoint him.
    “What do you think she will tell my father?”
    “It doesn’t matter. Alexei is your real father. He has been a father to us both.” Isabella nestled her head on Nicolae’s shoulder and fell asleep. After watching her for a while, Nicolae fell asleep, too. They were both awakened by a knock on the door a few hours later. It was Dragen’s father.
    “Come with me. Alexei has collapsed,” He said.
    Isabella ran out the door after Dragen’s father. Nicolae grabbed Isabella’s coat and followed. When they reached Alexei it was too late…his heart had stopped beating. Isabella fell to the ground and wept and Nicolae placed her coat around her shoulders.
    A few months later Isabella and Nicolae were married.
     
    Anna stopped reading. A silence had come over the village. Anna knew by the silence that Isabella had returned. She continued to read…

VROLOK
VAMPIRE 
     
    CHAPTER THREE
    The ensuing months subsequent to Isabella’s wedding were the happiest of her life. She stayed well away from her family, and her family stayed well away from her.
    Isabella soon became pregnant and looked forward auspiciously to the birth of her child. Unfortunately for Isabella, her happiness was to be momentarily interrupted by a visit from her stepmother.
    Nicolae answered the door that day and was surprised to see Adriana, Isabella’s stepmother, but welcomed her into his and Isabella‘s home. She came in and sat down, not being able to bring her gaze up from the floor. She sat for a few minutes in silence trying to gather up the courage to speak. When Isabella saw her she noticed how tired and pale she looked; this was a woman who had suffered and the harshness of life had broken her, but Isabella was far from sympathetic. Sensing the hostility that Isabella felt towards her, Isabella’s stepmother took a deep breath to compose herself and began to speak.
    “Your father is asking for you,” she said, her voice wavering as she spoke. Every word was hard for her to utter. Isabella was amazed at what her stepmother was starting to say to her.
    “My father…I don’t understand. Why have you come here? Why are you telling me this?” retorted Isabella.
    “I want you to go and see him!” Isabella’s stepmother said, her voice seeming more determined.
    “Go and see him,” Isabella said in disbelief. “Go and see him,” she repeated, “I don’t….”
    “Isabella, he is dying. Your father is dying! Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” Adriana said, her voice breaking.
    “Why should it? It certainly would mean nothing to—”
    “Isabella!” Nicolae silenced his wife. Isabella’s stepmother looked at Nicolae with a subtle look of gratitude and continued to talk to her stepdaughter.
    “I did not come here to argue with you. If it were up to me I would not be here at all. Your father asked me to come and ask you to go and see him.”
    “Why?” Isabella asked. “Why now?”
    “I don’t know. All I can say is that a priest came to see him yesterday and told him he had to make his peace with this world.” Isabella’s stepmother rose. “Decide for yourself. It’s up to you and your own conscience. I have tried…my conscience is clear.” Isabella’s stepmother left the house without saying another word.
    “How dare you talk to me like that in front of her!” Isabella hissed when her stepmother had left.
    “Show some compassion, Bella—her husband is dying.” Nicolae’s words managed to silence Isabella again, which was quite an