Memoirs of an Immortal Life (17 page)

Vlad Dracul’s Journal

8 May 1897

Budapesth

How easy Ahbrim is still swayed. Our conversation lengthy as he and Claudia dined while I provided pleasant conversation. He is still naïve and believes this to be only the plea of his daughter on behalf of a man whom he once loved as his Viovode. I do not control Claudia as I did the others. She is different from them. Her will is too great for me to overcome, which I would not do even if the opportunity was presented. Claudia deserves the life she has been given. Perhaps it is the Baserab within her. I care only for her safety, especially now that she knows part of the truth about her father and I and our strange relationship.

Within the confines of the Castle I can keep a closer watch over her, protect her from this madness that infects Ahbrim if need be. I know the vow he took and how he came to be immortal. What I am unsure of is what would happen to Ahbrim if he did cure me. Once his vow was fulfilled, would his immortality end? Would he then age at an increased rate and crumble to dust in her arms as Claudia held him? Or would Ahbrim’s life just fade from him? What would become of Claudia? Would his God be so cruel as to condemn her to a life with me?

The Castle will provide me with a means of escape should I be in need. There are many hidden
passageways within her walls, long ago constructed that still remain. Others, rebuilt by the Slavics, who remained loyal to me during the many reconstructions. Should I need to flee with Claudia to save her from his lunacy, at least I will be on familiar ground. I am not yet convinced his only interest lies in curing me. Claudia’s blood could be the cure to many illnesses born of this century. I am not confident that he would not use her to further his research. He may have been consumed with saving his daughter’s life but the man I once knew who would have viewed it as a miracle given by God is long gone. A lunatic remains whose sanity is questionable, at best.

I saw first the signs when he came to me at Carfax. He knew of my arrival and what was planned. Ahbrim made no attempts to stop me.
He cared only that I would aid him and if he would be granted what he so desperately desired. Ahbrim bargains with a creature he considers evil, a contradiction of his faith and all that he embraces. He did so to save the life of his daughter. So now the question I pose is - what consumes him now? Why should he care so greatly about a single man long lost to him if it is not madness which prevails?

Abraham Van Helsing’s Journal

14 August 1897

Budapesth

We make ready this day to travel to his home, Castle Baserab, deep within the Carpathian Mountains. My work will be easier to complete there, as Claudia has said. If Vladimir feels at ease someplace familiar to him, I may find it easier to persuade him to consider my offer.

Many years has it been since last I saw her splendor. Vladimir says he has worked diligently on restoration. I remember vividly the day of her completion when he carried Elisabeta across the threshold into the Castle, his wedding gift to her
, a gift that was later to become not only her curse but his.

The interior was completed to
the exact specifications at his request to Nicolai and Velascon. Upon the ceiling of the main hall a large mural he commissioned so that all would see her beauty upon entering.

It was once home to us, when Vladimir was a man. I pray that he might find solace in returning to his home.

Claudia Van Helsing’s Journal

1 October 1897

Castle Baserab

The journey to my uncle’s home was a long one
. The terrain leading to the castle was treacherous, and at times, I feared our carriage would slip from the narrow road into the deep ravine below. Vladimir assured me several times I should not worry; his driver was skilled and had navigated that road many, many times in his life.

The snow is deep here in the mountains, much deeper than any snow that I have ever seen. I wonder how often Vladimir had to send for provisions to last the long winters. But then I must remember he does not have to dine as we do.

From what I was able to see, Castle Baserab appears to be built into the mountainside. I am sure it once was impossible for anyone to lay siege given its location.

Though the outside was beautiful, I find I am overwhelmed at the interior beauty. I find myself wandering the corridors admiring the intricate work of the
stonemasons and the inlaid decorative carved doors and doorways. Vladimir appears to be happier now that he has returned to his home. However, that lingering sadness remains still. I cannot imagine my life without my family. To think he has lived all this time alone with no one to care for him causes me such sorrow.

Two rooms within the castle are boarded and appear to have been so for a very long time
. When we arrived, Vladimir told us that certain areas of the castle were dangerous, and we should not seek entry to them. What could possibly be behind those doors that would cause him to refrain from entering those rooms again?

A small village sits below the castle nestled between the snowcapped mountains. I made mention of it to my father, but he ignored me. I ventured to ask Vladimir about it. He said the village is quite old, a leftover relic from days long past. He says it was constructed by a relative of his who cared greatly for his people. Could this relative actually have been my Vladimir? Does he hide the truth from me when he trusted me in accepting what he truly is? I believe he wishes to protect me from his past, but I must know the entire truth about him and what happened between Vladimir and my father.

17 October 1897

I awoke to the sounds of my father screaming at Vladimir. It has become a constant since we arrived. I sense they care deeply for each other, yet an unknown force stands between them. I cannot discern if it is some past transgression well seeded or if my father is still angered by what Vladimir did that night. To me it appears to be an old wound that has never healed. How long the anger will last between them, I cannot say, but, for the good of all involved, they must learn how to make peace somehow.

Though I am not fluent in Romanian, the symbols outside one of the boarded doors are easily interpreted. It appears to have been a church or a place of worship. I wonder what happened in his life that angered him so greatly he would turn away from God. Was it the death of his beloved, the beautiful dark woman who haunts my dreams? I often wonder what happened to her but have not yet found the courage to ask Vladimir.

The second room, which is boarded, I believe to be hers. The wood surrounding the doorframe has inlaid roses and spiraling vines. The splendor of what surrounds us still leaves me in awe. In the main entryway of the castle, upon the ceiling, is a great mural, the mural of a beautiful woman who appears to be floating in water. She is dressed in a lavender gown, the hem edged in gold and fastened to her bodice by a beautiful amethyst brooch. Her eyes are haunting as she stares down at me. I can only assume she is his beloved Elisabeta, and that her death was what caused Vladimir to become what he became. I know that it is for her that he cries, the woman I see in my dreams. How sad that he has lived an eternity with no one to care for him. How could a love so beautiful have ended so tragically? My father says there is good in all men, if only we take the time to seek it, yet I find his behavior toward Vladimir is the exception. I know my father will not tell me the truth; all that I can hope for now is that Vladimir will have the strength to tell me. I hope in the coming days to find the opportunity to speak with Vladimir alone and perhaps then I shall learn the truth. Until then, all I can do is keep the peace between them.

Vladimir keeps only a few trusted souls around him, those I believe he has known for many years who serve him faithfully and without question. I wonder how long they have been in his service. Are they the same type of creature as Vladimir?

At night, the castle is eerily quiet. I find it is so quiet it is difficult to sleep. Tomorrow Vladimir has promised to show me more of the castle and to tell me more of its history. Perhaps then, I can learn more about him and the life he once led, the life when he knew my father.

Claudia Van Helsing’s Journal

18 October 1897

Castle Baserab

Vladimir appears slightly more at ease now that he is home, yet the lingering sadness I witnessed when we were in Budapesth remains. It is the sadness that may never heal. I cannot imagine what it would feel like to have a love so deep that time itself could not erase the pain of its loss. His love for her transcends time. I wonder if in my life the privilege of knowing a life and a love so beautiful will ever be mine.

The castle, Vladimir told me, is filled with secret passageways that lead between the rooms and corridors, many of which he said were constructed when his beloved was alive. Only five people were privy to the location of the secret passageways: himself, his beloved, Nicolai, Velascon, and another whose name he would not mention, only saying that he cared very deeply for him but the name he never revealed. He has promised to give me a guided tour of the passages, so that if the situation arises where
I would need to escape, I would be able to do so. He is so kind I cannot imagine what it is he believes could possibly happen that would place us in any danger.

I understand that Vladimir endures the curse that he bears, yet he is not a creature like those described in the books kept by my father. There is one book in his possession, which I have not been able to view
. He keeps it with him always, which only feeds my curiosity about the contents.