The Vampire Queen by Jodie Pierce

get it fer ye.” The woman got up and went digging in the back.
    “You always amaze me,” the Countess complimented her.
    “Remember to use it only for its purpose. The bloodstone can be very dangerous, otherwise,” she warned.
    “Of course,” the Countess promised.
    “I knew ye be bored soon and visit me. Goin’ to stir up some adventure?” the woman asked.
    “You know me so well,” the Countess giggled.
    “By the way, tank ye for leaving me dots on me face when ye changed me. It’s what makes me who I be,” the woman said thankfully.
    “Just who are you?” the Countess replied with a coy smile.
    “A witch, don’t ye know,” the woman said with a smile and disappeared into the back.
    The Countess flew out of the dress shop just as quickly as she flew in. When she arrived at the old castle, the grounds were terribly overgrown. It was obvious they had forgotten to pay someone to keep up with it. There was only one trodden down path from the front gate to the front door of the castle, where the hole had been placed in the front door for the wine delivery. The Countess walked around the porch, looking in the windows to find a terrible mess. All her portraits had been removed from the walls and smashed. Most of the statues of her had been smashed, as well. The Countess had expected Kendra to lash out this way, but she had hoped a few portraits would have survived. The Countess continued to walk around, until she saw something stir inside. She stood at the front door, which had iced glass, but the two side panels could be seen through. She crouched down so as not to be seen.
    There was a filthy creature in green sitting in the middle of the grand staircase. Its head was down, and its hair was wild. Its skin was black with filth and dirt, but it was holding something in its hands. As the creature turned it over and appeared to be stroking its hair, the Countess could see that it was a small bust of herself. The creature leaned over and kissed it.
    Oh, my poor Kendra. What have I done to you? The Countess thought surely this creature in green could only be the once beautiful and vibrant Kendra. The Countess walked around outside and tried the windows. When she came back, the creature was still in the same place. The Countess uttered the only spell she could think of:
    That which has been sealed,
    Let it now be undone.
    Let only Kendra see me with loving eyes.
    The front door opened wide, and the Countess walked in. Kendra looked up, startled.
    “You are not really here. Just my imagination playing tricks, again,” Kendra mumbled to herself and started rocking in place. The Countess walked up the stairs and put her arm around Kendra.
    “It really is me, Kendra. I’ve come back for you,” the Countess said.
    “Don’t touch me,” Kendra jumped up and away from the Countess. “I hate you! Look at this place! Look at me! You did this to me!” Kendra yelled at the Countess.
    “Had you not betrayed me from the beginning, we could have avoided all this and been together all this time,” the Countess reminded her. Kendra’s rage started to slowly soften. She had been so mad at the Countess for so long, she had pushed her betrayal to the back of her mind.
    “I’m not sorry I ever agreed to spy on you, because then I would never have met you and fallen in love with you,” Kendra said shyly.
    “And now? After all these years? All this hate? All my destroyed portraits? Do you still love me?” the Countess asked.
    “Of course. My rage came, because I loved and still love you and was abandoned,” Kendra explained.
    “I have unsealed the castle, so you are now free to do as you wish,” the Countess informed her.
    “Won’t the Count object if I return with you?” Kendra asked.
    “I’m not returning to the Count,” the Countess stated flatly. Kendra was shocked.
    “Weren’t you with him and Lizzy all this time?” she asked.
    “Yes. He will be fine. He has Lizzy to spoil and control now,” the