Chapter 21 - Meeting Claus

After more than an hour, the opera ended, and the theater's lights finally turned on. I looked at the chamber in front, but it was empty. "Droga," I thought to myself. Ane and I headed to the exit, and we were already going down the stairs when I felt a hand holding my elbow:

- Can we go somewhere to talk? - Claus asked as I turned to see who had touched me.

Before I could answer, Anna anticipated:

- Yes, we can.

A chill and fear passed through my body. It was done. I found Claus. I needed Phillip's cure, quick. He then pointed to a beautiful chariot with beautiful black curls standing in front of us:

- Can you accompany me in my carriage?

The journey was relatively short, and soon we stopped in front of a huge mansion, probably his residence. Following us in, I could notice the same funeral decoration as Philip's castle. Candles and a fireplace lit a huge room with black leather sofas. The curtains completely covered the windows, preventing any external lighting. I sat on one of the sofas, while Claus went to a shopkeeper to serve some drinks. Sitting next to me with a cup in his hand, he began:

- What's your name, beautiful young lady? You're not from Paris, are you?

- You must be Claus, right? - I'd rather not say my name... - I replied, trying to get away from him.

- What did you come here to do? "What do you know about me?" he asked, holding my arm angrily. "I know I'm probably risking my life, but I came to Paris after you, Mr. Claus Deidrich.

- What do you know about me? Risk your life? I'm curious. - he spoke, loosening me and putting the cup on the table after emptying it in a single drink.

- I know a lot about you.
He held me back, now in his wrists, with a superhuman force.

- What do you know about me?

- I know you're a vampire.
But did you come after me knowing that I could crush you like an insect, or drink the last drop of your blood in seconds?

- Because only you can answer a question that can save the life of an old friend. What do you think?

- Then you should meet Phillip. Do you want me to answer the question in his letter? He was drinking blood the wrong way. How do you know him? Why would a beautiful young woman like you risk the life of a vampire?

- Yeah, I need that answer. But I will unfortunately not be able to answer your questions. I'm afraid of you, but if you kill me, Phillip will hunt you like an animal and kill you...

- So you must be the princess who populated Phillip's dreams. You're valuable to him, aren't you?

- What are you going to do, Claus? Will he kill me, or will he give me the answer that can cure Phillip?

He quickly appeared in front of me, preventing me from leaving.

- I have to think. You're so beautiful - he spoke by taking a piece of my hair and wrapping it around his finger, I could feel his cold breath near my face. - So brave. Ah, it must be the princess he was calling while he was sleeping. I think I'll give you the answer you're looking for, but I'm gonna want something in return.

Damn, I didn't expect to have to negotiate with a vampire, but I needed to save Phillip.

- What do you want?

- Just a kiss in exchange for your prince's cure. I've never kissed a princess so beautiful. I wanted to know the taste of those lips. 

- If you give me the cure, you'll get your pay. - I said after I took a deep breath

- He needs my blood. - He answered. - Now my payment. - he spoke, wrapping me in his arms.

Before I realized he was already touching his cold lips on mine. He then turned away, but kept his hands around my waist:

- Come on, I have to pack my bags, I need to save my boy.

- How? I didn't understand.

- We're leaving today, sweetheart. - Before Phillip got weaker. - He spoke with a smile.

I tried to recover the air.

- We're boarding today? How will that be possible?

- I'll fix it, my sweet girl. The carriage will take you and your companion to pick up your luggage, and we will meet at the port. Today! We need to be quick.