Alexander-Fyn-Sanguinarian

There was someone else locked up here besides her. “Have you found a bride yet?”
    “No,” he said, tensing slightly. “Why do you ask?”
    “No reason. Stay with me tonight, Dominic, you could sleep right there.”
    “Yes, all right,” he agreed. He got up to lock the door properly and put the key in his pocket. On the nights he stayed with her he always left the key easily accessible in his pocket, knowing she would not wish to leave or go wandering about when he was with her. “Get into bed now, my dear.”
    Dominica obeyed him at once, climbing into bed and lying down quietly, her eyes never leaving her brother, who stretched out on the chaise lounge. “Good night, Dominic.”
    He closed his eyes and within minutes slept like the dead.
    Dominica watched him for some time until she felt his soul unreachable. Always he slept lightly, waking easily, sometimes in response to her dreams. Usually her only desire was to have him close-by. Tonight all she wanted was the keys in his pocket. That new key held a secret, something Dominic was not sharing with her, and that made her angry.
    Rising silently, she had the keys in her hand without her brother sensing any movement. Then throwing on a loose black silk dressing gown over her nightgown, she fastened the tiny silk-covered buttons and left the tower, locking Dominic in behind her. It was some months since she had wandered freely about the castle and a sense of excitement coursed through her. It was very late—all the servants would be in their beds. She could go anywhere, do anything, but all she wanted was to find who Dominic was hiding.
    Examining the key as she walked the silent, dark passages of the castle, she tried several doors. They were all unlocked. Where would he hide someone, or imprison someone? The east tower which was still in good repair? Yes! That was where his bride could be hidden.

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    Fyn Alexander
    With purpose now, she strode through the castle, down the staircase, across the Great Hall, along the passage to the far side of the castle, and up the spiral steps. At the end of the east tower passage she saw a light under the door. Someone was in the tower. Without pause she put the large iron key in the lock and turned it.
    The chamber was lit only by the light from the hearth. Warm air struck Dominica’s face the moment she entered, making her flinch.
    This person liked warmth too much to be one of their kind. She took in the large chamber which was nearly bare except for the chair beside the hearth, and the bed. A small bump curled up in the middle of the huge bed looked almost like a child. Closing the door behind her, she moved closer and sat down on the side of the bed, pulling the heavy eiderdown back to reveal a small blond young woman snuggled into a ball for warmth.
    “How sweet.” Her lips curled back from her teeth. “So this is what he is keeping from me. My brother is supposed to tell me everything.
    I was born an hour before him. I am the true heir.”

    * * * *

    Evangeline thought she was dreaming, yet she heard the voice quite clearly beside her in bed. She opened her eyes, looking up into the most beautiful face she had ever seen. Pale skin and green eyes were gilded by the golden firelight. For an instant she was afraid, but this was a woman. Had the other prisoner found her? Sitting up she wrapped her arms around her knees. “How did you find me? Who are you?”
    “I live here. Who are you?” the woman asked.
    “Evangeline Rutledge. I have been here for only a few days. Are you a prisoner, too?”
    The woman paused and seemed to consider the question. “Yes, yes, I am held in my tower, which is very unfair. Why are you here?”
    She sounded angry.

    Sanguinarian 119
    “Lord Ravenscroft wishes to marry me, though I have no wish to marry him.”
    The woman’s beautiful eyes flashed angrily. “He said he had not found a bride.” She leapt up and paced the room, her silk dressing gown flying about her like ravens’ wings.
    Evangeline watched the woman, becoming increasingly anxious.
    She seemed a bit mad. “Have you come to help me escape? Are we going to go together? Who are you?”
    “I am Lady Ravenscroft.”
    “But I am to be Lady Ravenscroft,” Evangeline said doubtfully.
    The woman leaned into Evangeline’s face and hissed at her like a snake about to lunge. Evangeline drew back from the horrible sound and the bared teeth. One look at the beautiful hands, the long manicured nails, and she knew