The Vampire Queen Read Online Free

created her? What did the Count mean by “sentimental times”? Did she become a monster? Did she really still love the Count? She was still wondering how she could have no clue or intuition in the back of her mind that she was a vampire. Although she was sure she didn’t know what blood tasted like, she was certain it didn’t taste like the delicious wine she had been drinking. Suddenly, she had to find out. She was sitting in her bed and turned her right palm up. She took her left thumbnail and dug it into her middle fingertip until it bled.
    “I can take care of that for you,” came an anxious, small voice. She looked up, startled to find Lizzy coming toward her.
    “No, thanks,” she replied and immediately stuck her finger in her mouth. The blood tasted salty as it danced around on her tongue, but it was not as delicious as the wine. Lizzy looked disappointed and sat on the foot of the bed, pouting. She finally realized what had happened. Lizzy had just spoken to her.
    “You can speak,” she said to Lizzy.
    “Of course I can, silly,” Lizzy replied. “I just didn’t feel any need to speak to anyone else here. It was you I was waiting for all along. You are the one with the power to lead your people as their Queen. You will also find a strong man, not that lovesick puppy you have upstairs, to stand by your side and become our King. Everyone will be so happy when you take your proper place. The place he’s been keeping you from. The place you once occupied before him,” she explained.
    “So, it was you who put those images in my dreams,” she accused.
    “Maybe,” the child grinned sheepishly.
    “If that’s what I am to do—those awful things in my dreams—then, I want no part of it,” she said.
    “Oh, we have ways of convincing you,” she said airily.
    “We? We who?” The Countess yelled after her, but Lizzy had already jumped off the bed, skipped up the steps, and was gone.
    The Count must have passed Lizzy on his way down, because he rushed to the Countess.
    “She didn’t hurt you again, did she?” he asked.
    “No, I’m fine, but she did speak to me,” she said.
    “Are you sure?” he asked in disbelief.
    “Yep. Clear as day,” she replied.
    “What did she say?” he asked, looking amused and almost taunting.
    “I can see you don’t believe me, so I’m done discussing this with you,” she said, sounding irritated.
    “Sorry,” he said apologetically. “Did you think about our last conversation? Do you have any questions for me?” he asked.
    “I have tons of questions, but let’s start easy,” she said. “What powers do vampires have?”
    “Each vampire has their own set of powers,” he replied.
    “Ok,” she said, already irritated at his evasiveness. “What powers do I have?”
    “Well...let me think. You can fly...but you’ll need lots of help the first few times until you get the hang of it, again, and you should never go out alone. You heal quickly from any kind of injury or sickness. You are an amazing mind reader. No one has been able to shut you out of their head, yet. You can touch someone and see the past, and you are unbeatable with spells and wands,” he said proudly.
    “I thought only witches and wizards used spells and wands,” she mocked.
    “They do, but those skills come in handy for us during battles with other vampires, familiars, and humans,” he explained. She was getting out of bed and looking for something to wear.
    “So, when can we go flying?” she asked excitedly.
    “Tomorrow night we will have enough cloud cover,” he explained. She looked disappointed.
    “I want to go. Now!” she announced, stomping her foot for added emphasis.
    “That’s my spoiled Queen.” He laughed and left her standing in the middle of the room, with her arms crossed and a pouting expression on her face. She was not one for patience.

Chapter Nine
    By 11:00 p.m. the next night, she had already bathed, dressed, and was pacing the parlor floor while waiting