It was easy for Vlad to slip off the wagon after passing into the city.
Elder Miklos and Roland were babbling about supplies for next month, so they didn't even notice as he dropped down into the street.
He stood in the lamplight, considering which way to go.
When he'd last visited, this place had been a village. Now? The streets seemed to be endless. He could get lost here very quickly.
Still, it was exciting to think of all the changes which had happened since his death.
Shouldering his sword, he swaggered towards where he could hear the most noise. After weeks of beating fledglings, he felt he'd earned a little relaxation.
And, with a pocket full of coins he'd collected from his brothers, he could afford to relax really well!
Walking through the streets, Vlad was surprised at how large the village of Bistritz had grown. It truly was a city to rival many he'd visited in his previous lifetime.
Eventually he found himself in a street lit with seductive lights and people shuffling back and forth in colourful clothes of a fashion he had never seen before.
Flowing coats of velvet seemed very popular. And lace. Lots of lace.
It reminded him of French fashions. Something he wasn't overly fond of.
Still, with such richness on display, it made him look down at his own weathered tunic in dissatisfaction.
He should get some new clothes but doubted the petty coins in his pocket would be good enough.
Grunting, he stepped out and ignored a few puzzled looks at the long sword across his shoulders and headed for a small bar which was calling itself The Crimson Drop.
The interior was dark and a little shabby, he thought. The tables and chairs were old.
Maybe as old as he was in his former life.
The bar, too, looked scuffed.
A few claw marks told a story of fights which had ended in violence.
Old violence, he guessed, as the place was empty except for a slight figure dressed in white peering at him from behind the bar.
She wore her blonde hair bunched up in a high bun. Her face was pale and her eyes held a dim red glow which revealed her true nature even before she showed a grin packed with fangs.
"A customer!" She let out a squeal of delight. "Come in, dear customer. Come in! Welcome to the Crimson Drop! My name is Harriet. Please, take a seat. Any seat. How about this one here? It's the best one in the house, I promise!"
He took the offered stool and leaned his sword against his thigh as he put his elbows on the bar.
"What do you serve here?"
"Oh, we serve anyone, dear customer!"
"I meant, what drinks do you have?"
"All the best ones, of course," she said, waving a hand to where small glass vats were sitting over low flame to keep the blood warm. "I have lusty wenches, virgin wenches, healthy wenches, grieving widows, and even a batch of devout nuns!"
Vlad hid his surprise as best as he could.
It wasn't quite what he'd been expecting. Maybe things had changed a lot since his last life.
"Hmm," he said. "Which is sweetest?"
"Oh, that would be the devout nun. Those girls are so devout it makes my head hurt."
"Then, I'll take a glass of that." He dropped some coins hopefully on the bar. "Is this enough?"
"Plenty, dear customer," Harriet said, flashing a grin as his money disappeared in a flash. She was quick! "It will even pay for two whole refills!"
"Is this the only blood bar in the city?"
"Hmm?" She pursed her lips. "Why do you ask?"
"It's just very…" He struggled for a word which wouldn't offend her.
"Empty? Barren? Filled to the brim with despair?" She leaned over the bar as she slid a glass of blood between his hands. Her eyes twinkled. "Alas, young fledgling, this is indeed the only blood bar in Bistritz. So, it's also the best blood bar in the whole city! But that's not what you're asking, is it? You want to know why no one else is here."
"For my curiosity," he said, lifting the glass.
"Satisfy mine, first, fledgling?"
"Why you first?"
"I am a lady."
He blinked at her rudeness. Then let his lips curl into a rueful smile. "Very well."
"Tell me who you are. And your affiliation."
"I am Vlad," he said. "Of the Black Dragon Court."
"Black Dragon?" Her eyes widened. "You speak truly?"
"I do."
"You came down from the mountain?"
"I did."
"Unbelievable." She tugged at her throat. "I did not know they had any fledglings left. I was sure only the old ones remained. Are there more fledglings who will come down the mountain soon?"
"Who can say?"
"Huh. This could be a good thing." She grinned brightly. "Remember to tell them all about the Crimson Drop! And me! I am Harriet! Tell them I am nice. I am nice, aren't I? And pretty! Yes, tell them that."
"I'll think about it."
"I will give you your coin back if you promise to do so."
"Then I shall."
A couple of coins bounced across the bar towards him. It didn't even look like she'd moved.
He stared down at them. "I'm sure I gave you more than this."
"What? You would deprive a poor old vampire of her living?"
"Forget it," he said, scooping up the coins before she could take them again. "What about why it's empty here?"
"Then I shall tell you." She sighed heavily, lifting a hand to her forehead with dramatic flair. "In bygone days, my beautiful bar was filled with laughter. Filled with beauty. With blood. And violence! Much violence! For this is the way of the vampire, yes?"
Vlad eyed the claw marks and nodded. "I can see it used to be rowdy."
"Rowdy?" She tapped her chin. "I like this word. I will use it next time."
He took a sip.
The blood was sweet. He doubted any nuns had been involved, but the zing of blood energy was pleasant as it passed his lips.
Whoever the donor was, they were healthy.
She watched hopefully. "Is it as good as I said?"
"It is."
"And sweet?"
"It's sweet enough," he admitted.
"This is good. We have a reputation to maintain." She looked to the door as though expecting someone else to enter. "Even if that reputation has been stolen from us. Here. Lean close. I will tell you everything!"
He dutifully leaned closer.
She pushed herself across the bar, her cheek pressing against his as she whispered softly into his ear.
"If you are truly from the Black Dragon Court, then it would be best if you left now," she said. "It is not safe for you in the city."
"Why not?"
"Your kind is… hunted."
"By the True Vampire Court?" Vlad guessed.
She shrugged. "Out here? They have no need to travel out here. Who expects the Black Dragon Court to do anything except rot in the belly of Borgo Pass?"
"Then the dogs of the Full Moon Clan?"
"Bah!" She snorted. "Who is afraid of a few uncouth pups?"
He sighed heavily, trying not to think about slapping her. "Who, then?"
"There is a girl. She comes here often. I have banned her, but she waits outside. And when she sees a vampire, she follows them." Harriet's eyes slitted. "And they are never seen again."
"A vampire hunter?"
"Who knows?" She shrugged. "She does not mess with me. But I thinks he uses my bar as a trap. I hope nothing terrible happens to you, little fledgling. I advise you run as soon as you leave. Run fast!"
He cocked his head, trying to think if she was being serious or not.
He'd been chased by vampire hunters before. More than once he'd had to deal with their absurd arsenals of stakes, hammers, garlic, holy water, and silver crosses.
All very inconvenient.
"If she's a hunter, I will deal with her," he said, tapping his sword.
"Well. I have warned you." She sighed. "I hope you speak to your fellow brothers in the mountain before she catches you. Remember! The Crimson Drop. And Harriet."
"Sure," he said.
He drank the last of his drink and put the glass down.
She snatched it up and started cleaning it.
He stared at her.
She placed the clean glass on the shelf and returned his gaze with a cool stare of her own. "What?"
"You said I could have two refills."
"You only paid for one, though."
"I gave you enough for two refills, you said."
"And I gave you some of your coins back."
"That's for my service!"
"Which you haven't performed yet…"
He squinted at her, sliding off his stool and lifting the sword. "I see what this is."
She grinned. "Please come again, dear customer. Remember, the Crimson Drop is the only blood bar in the whole city!"
Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he stomped towards the exit. The blood had been tasty, but now he had a confused taste in his mouth.
Leaving the bar, he stepped into the street.
Had gone maybe two steps before a light feminine voice called to him. "Excuse me! Hello? Are you a vampire?"
Turning, he saw a small woman dressed in a long white dress. Her black hair spilled loose down her shoulders.
Certain this was the woman Harriet had warned against, he frowned down at her.
How could this little thing hurt a fly?
"I am," he said firmly.
"Truly?"
"Yes."
She threw herself at him.
And only his inhuman reflexes stopped him from beheading her as she wrapped her arms around him with a happy squeak.
"You'll do it, won't you? Oh, please say you will!"
"Huh?"
"Quickly! Before they get here!" She lifted her head, batting her eyelids prettily as she bared her neck at him in a way she thought was seductive. "Turn me into your Bride!"