“You said Hans knows of your father?” she asked.
“Yeah, he said so.”
Even in the dimming light of dusk I could tell she was blushing.
“And, um, do you think you’ll meet him one day? Will Hans be able to give you an introduction?”
I smiled. “I hope so, yeah.”
She grinned, blushing harder.
“Well, um… if you do… then please say hello from me. I hope he’s doing ok.”
My heart bloomed at the thought.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “I will.”
The driver didn’t look frustrated in the slightest when I slipped into the back seat of the car.
“Thanks for waiting,” I said.
He tipped his hat at me. “You’re very welcome.”
There was still no sign of Grandma as we made our way from Orcop back towards Garway. I was expecting her to jump out of the hedge at any minute with a pitchfork armed ready, but there was nothing, just the dimming road up ahead.
It was almost dark when I saw the glow of Edwin’s manor in the distance.
My soul was screaming so hard for Hans that I could hardly bear it as we pulled up into the driveway. I was aching in my seat until the car parked up outside the main entrance and I dashed away with nothing more than athank you.
It was Daniel who answered the door, still in an oversized long-sleeved t-shirt with an emo smile on his face.
“They’re waiting for you,” he told me, and closed the door behind us.
I nodded.
“This way,” he said, leading me through to the drawing room.
And there he was. My Hans. My beautiful vampire lover in an incredible black tuxedo, waiting for me with a beautiful, fanged smile.
He held out open arms and I dashed for him, feeling like I was coming back home after a long time away.
“You look beautiful,” he told me, easing me away by my shoulders.
“Yes, you do, sweet little Katherine,” agreed Edwin and appeared in my view from the right.
There were candles everywhere, and the chandelier was glowing, and it was obvious from the way they looked at each other that this was a major ritual. I got butterflies so strong they nearly had my legs wobbling.
I took a long sip of merlot along with Daniel as the two vampires watched alongside us, and we made a short social of it as the clock ticked away. Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick. And then – as midnight grew near – Hans gestured to the hallway.
It was time to go.
“Good luck,” Daniel said, and I felt sorry for him as I spotted the non-malicious envy in his eyes.
“Yes, indeed. Good luck and congratulations,” Edwin added.
Hans took my hand and led me back through the house as he had the night previous. We descended the steps until we arrived at the tunnel to the tomb, and he gave me the illuminated lantern, flickering brightly.
He pointed at the darkness of the tunnel.