'What?' Jane said and then remembered her manners. 'I beg your pardon?'
Dracula continued. 'I intend to do just that. Make the world a better place.'
'And how do you propose to do that?'
'By putting an end to war,' he answered. 'Can you imagine a world without war?'
'Of course.'
He laughed. 'That was foolish on my part. Of course, you can. You have not seen wars waged over the centuries. You have not wielded a sword or axe to hack and slash your way across a field of men. You do not know war—but I do.' The vampire stood, walked to the fire, and stared into the flames. 'I've watched men die in every fashion imaginable, and I've drawn a single, inescapable conclusion.' He turned back to Jane. 'There will always be powerful men who want more, and they'll destroy everything in their path to gain it. But a man's life is so brief, so fleeting, that what they gain is inevitably lost—as are the lessons they have learned. What if I could vanquish war from this world? Bring about eternal peace? Would that interest you?'
Jane stared at him. 'Vanquish war? Eternal peace? You make this sound like you plan to build Heaven on Earth.'
'That's exactly what I do intend. Finally, after centuries of bloodshed and death, an end to war. Can you imagine it? No more wars. No more deaths.'
'But how would you achieve such a thing? And why are you telling me this?'
Dracula stared back into the flames again. 'The Egyptians,' he said. 'Those ancient people from whom I sprang believed in reincarnation. They believed people were born and reborn again and again.'
'That was their belief,' Jane said, stiffly. 'The church teaches that we are reborn with God in Heaven.'
'And that is a kind of rebirth,' Dracula conceded. 'Your own faith is not so different. Have you ever considered that you have lived another life? And you may live another life again?'
'What are you saying?'
'I knew a woman once.' Dracula's eyes were focused on Jane. 'Her name was Mara. I loved her deeply. You look like her. No,' he said, 'you are her. Your face is identical to hers in every way.'
'You believe I am Mara reborn?' Jane said incredulously.
The idea was preposterous. It clashed with everything she had ever been taught. Men and women were not reborn on Earth. They were reborn in Heaven. They served God within the company of those friends and family who had gone before.
'The moment I saw your picture in Cassandra's locket, I knew you were her.'
The mention of Cassandra reminded Jane of her sister. 'I wish to see Cassandra. And I demand that you not use your mesmerising powers on me again. Or her.'
'My answer to your first request is in the affirmative,' Dracula said. 'As to your other requests, I must decline. Until I know that you will stay with me—of your own free will—then Cassandra must remain in my power.'
'You wish me to stay?' She was only now realising what the vampire was suggesting. 'You wish me to become…'
'My wife,' Dracula said. 'As you should have been.'
You are mad, Jane thought. The ages have twisted your mind.
'I will consider it,' she said.
Dracula laughed. 'I am not so easily fooled. I know what is in your mind. You think you can fool me into believing your love is real, and then you will betray me. But I can tell the difference. You will come to love me. I know it.'
Jane did not believe in love. She could have said that, but it would have achieved nothing. 'Let me see my sister.'
Dracula peered past her to the doorway beyond. Jane turned, and there stood Cassandra, silent and watching, her face impassive. She was so still that she could have been there during their whole conversation.
'Cassandra!' Jane cried and ran to her.
She clutched her sister. Thank God. She was still warm. Dracula had not completed her transformation. Then her sister's mouth opened, and Jane spied the tell-tale signs of the vampire's curse. Her canines were only slightly longer than they had been, but they were pointed. It made Jane sick to think of her sister being one of Dracula's lackies.
Cassandra's eyes shifted to her. 'Jane!' she said, as if seeing her for the first time. 'I did not expect you!'
'Cassandra?'
'My darling sister.' Cassandra drew her close and then peered earnestly into her face. 'You have joined us at last.'
Jane lowered her voice. 'Cassandra, we must leave this place.'
'Dear Jane,' she said. 'We must stay. Has Dracula told you his plan? His whole plan?'
Dracula spoke from his place at the mantle. 'I have not.'
'Wait till you hear it,' Cassandra said. 'Then you will join us of your own free will.'
I doubt it.
'I will leave you women to speak,' Dracula said. 'I have other matters to deal with.' His eyes settled on Jane. 'I know you will entreat your sister to leave with you. I know your clever little writer's mind will conjure up a thousand different plans. I would expect no less from you.' He sauntered to the doorway. 'But I promise you this, Jane Austen. A glorious new world awaits us. You and I can enjoy eternal life together with your sister at our side. You will rule millions of subjects.' He paused. 'Don't you think Queen Jane has a lovely ring to it?'