She waved her arms to encompass the countryside. “This is Dracula country. If you’d forget your obsession with caves, we might be able to explore the old castles for a change.”
The flowers that are pink with a yellow middle are called Tratina. The white daisies are Marguarete. I cannot remember offhand what the blue ones are called, but it will come to me.
Are you eavesdropping on our conversation?
You are thinking loudly—and denying my existence—which seems to be a habit of yours lately.
Joie gave a little sniff. He was a figment of her imagination and he knew the names of the flowers. She glanced over her shoulder at her sister.
“Gabrielle, the pink ones are Tratina, and the white daisies are Marguarete. I have no idea what the blue ones are called.”
“You’re a walking encyclopedia,” Gabrielle said, impressed.
“That should teach you to tell me I have no interest in anything but caves,” Joie said. She shivered, although she was dressed for the cold. There was just something a little off about the place and a part of her felt as if they needed to get off the mountain fast. She glanced up at the sky. Maybe there was a storm coming.
Jubal stared at the wild countryside surrounding them, on either side and below. There were many deep gorges and several caves. Green valleys and plateaus made the view breathtaking. Below them, in the heavier depressions, water had soaked the ground, causing peat bogs. There were vivid green beds of moss and numerous shallow ponds winding their way around stands of birch and pine. The area was magical, and yet Jubal was uneasy. The air was crisp and cold and the sky seemed clear, yet a strange mist covered the surfaces above them. At times he thought something moved in the mist, something alive and terrifying.
He studied the towering heights rising above them. They were halfway up the mountain and the mist seemed to be slowly descending. If they were caught out in the open, they had the equipment to spend the night, but it would be a nasty night.
“Joie, give it up and let’s get out of here,” he said. “This place feels haunted to me. I don’t like the vibes.”
Gabrielle turned her head to stare at her brother. “Really, Jubal?” She arched a winged brow at him. “That’s strange, because I feel exactly the same way—like we shouldn’t be here, or that we’re intruding in some way. Do you suppose it’s all the vampire stories we were listening to at the inn last night that’s made both of us jumpy? Normally, creepy stories are amusing, but I definitely feel apprehensive.” She raised her voice. Her younger sister had moved around the outcropping and appeared to be examining another limestone boulder jutting out of the side of the mountain. “What about you, Joie? Does this place give you the creeps?”
“We came here to explore the caves,” Joie said firmly. “We’re always very respectful when we’re on the mountain and never leave anything behind, so there’s no reason to be nervous. The mountain gods have no reason to be angry with us, if there are such things. I know the opening is here. I’m feeling it very strongly. I know I’m close.”
Joie ran her hand up a long crack and then walked carefully back around the outcropping of the mountain, stepping over her brother’s outstretched legs without even glancing at him. Her heart began to pound, a sure sign that she was close. She closed her eyes and tried to image the opening, to “feel” her way with her mind. Her obsession was growing stronger and with it, the conviction that this was the place.
“The entrance is here, I know it is,” she muttered aloud.
The others feel the threat of the vampires. You must go, Joie. Traian’s voice came to her softly in warning, slipping into her mind, bringing with it an ominous chill.
Oh, now you’re going to tell me you believe in vampires. I just picked up that thought from Gabrielle. You aren’t real, so be quiet and stop trying to frighten me away. I’m not leaving until I know for certain. She was not buying a vampire story to scare them all away.
You already know; you just cannot admit the truth. I am trapped and will not be able to rescue you should you come upon them.
“Rescue me?” Joie nearly shouted the words, her eyes flashing with indignation. She turned her head to smile in reassurance at her brother and sister.