Chapter Ten
Sophie’s throat was raw from screaming, and her hands, bruised from pushing and banging her fists against the stone vault door, ached.
She was desperate to escape the vault and save Simon from a certain death at the hands of Dimitri, but it seemed there was nothing more she could do.
Tears of frustration streamed down her cheeks.
Why was this happening to her? What had she done to attract the attention of a vampire?
Exhausted, she sank to the floor, pulled her knees up to her chest, and rested her forehead against them.
Her heavy eyes were just about to close when a rush of fresh, cold air filled the room. Sophie looked up. The door to the vault had swung open. Momentarily stunned, she sat blinking in surprise, expecting to see Dimitri. Then she jumped to her feet and dashed outside.
A row of torches lit a path in front of the vault. And then she saw Simon. He was kneeling over Dimitri and clutching a stake in the shape of a cross, which he was about to plunge into the vampire’s heart.
Sophie held her breath as Simon raised the stake.
“Stop!” someone shouted.
Simon froze.
Sophie turned. Then she gasped out loud. “Papa!” she cried.
*
Simon stared at the tall, dark-haired gentleman before him. There was something odd about him. Something…bloodless.
“Papa!” Sophie ran past him, toward the man, and threw her arm around his neck. Only there was nothing for her to grasp. She went right through him. She turned and stared at him, a look of utter bewilderment on her face. “You’re a….”
A tear rolled down Sophie’s cheeks.
“Yes, my dearest. I’m with your mama now.”
“Brother!” Mildred and Agnes cried as they floated toward him. “Where have you been? Why didn’t you come to us?”
“Not all spirits can return. You know that. We must have a purpose. And you were already taking care of my Sophie.”
“But you’re here now,” Agnes said.
“That’s right,” he said, turning to look directly at Simon. “I’m here to tell that young man to put down that stake.”
“Why?” Agnes demanded. “That monster kidnapped Sophie. He wants to turn her into one of his own.”
“No, he doesn’t. Trust me. His only aim was to protect her.”
Simon stared at the motionless vampire. Dimitri had been incapacitated by the silver bullet he’d fired into his chest, but he would not stay unconscious forever.
Slowly, he lowered the stake. He did not understand what was happening, but if the ghost before him was indeed Sophie’s papa, he was willing to listen.
“Why should that vampire want to protect Sophie?” Agnes said.
“Because one good deed deserves another.”
“What are you talking about?” Mildred hovered next to her brother, hands on her hips.
“Many years ago, our great-great-grandfather, an explorer like myself, risked his life while on the continent to save a man who was being robbed by thugs—that man was Dimitri. That day, he earned Dimitri’s loyalty forever.
Years later, when Dimitri was turned into a vampire, he used his new power to protect the descendants of the man who saved him.
That’s what he was doing when he took Sophie. ”
“I fail to see how kidnapping an innocent young lady is protecting her.” Agnes floated to the still-unconscious Dimitri and glared down at him.
“A few days ago, my body was discovered buried deep underground during an excavation. I died when I foolishly entered a remote cave alone. The earth collapsed, and I was instantly crushed. Fortunately, I had my notebook on my person, which contained my name and address, and that identified me to the authorities. So, you will receive notice of my death in the coming weeks. Then my solicitors will turn my fortune over to Sophie, as per my will.”
“Oh, Papa!” Tears streamed down Sophie’s face.
“Don’t fret, my love. I am with your mama now. And as long as you are happy, we can rest in peace.”
“But what does all this have to do with Dimitri?” Agnes said.
“Once I am declared deceased, Sophie will be able to claim her inheritance, and it is substantial. Lord Rodwell is severely in debt. His father was a chronic gambler, and now his son must repay those debts, or it could cost him his estate.”
A blaze ignited in Simon’s chest. Does everyone know about my father’s gambling and my mountain of debt? Even the dead gossip about my business! And, he has the gall to think me an opportunist!
His anger bubbled, and he jumped to his feet. “How dare you? I would never—I didn’t even know about Sophie’s inheritance. I only found out her name tonight.”
“That may be true, but Dimitri wanted to ensure that the man who married Sophie was doing it for love. He wanted to make certain that her husband would go to any length to protect her. And I am pleased to say, Lord Rodwell, that tonight you proved your good character and your true love for my daughter.”
Simon’s anger melted away. So, this had all been a test. Dimitri had never intended to harm Sophie. He let the stake fall from his grasp and turned to Sophie.
“Go to him,” her father said.
She smiled through her tears, and Simon’s chest exploded with happiness as she ran into his arms.