Chapter 17 Dealing with Vampires

An excerpt from The Violet Series Book 1: The Water Nymph’s Tale.

Violet was sleepy and she laid on the sand. Soon she was asleep. The sun was up, but that didn’t matter. She was safe on the preserve.

She slept most of the day. When she finally woke up, it was late afternoon. She sat up and yawned.

“Hungry?” her grandfather asked.

“Yes.”

“In that case—” He reached in the water and scooped out some plants and a fish. He set the lot in front of her.

She wasted no time in eating. When she was done she looked at the water dragon. “I need to get back to the castle to make sure Antoni is safe.”

“Would you like some help?”

“Yes.”

“I can give you a ride back to the castle without any problems. I cannot get inside because of my current size, but I can wait in the river and send in more water nymphs to help.”

Violet nodded. “I think that will help. It seems the vampires don’t like the water nymphs.”

Herbert laughed. “No, why would they? The water nymphs can rival the vampires when it comes to vocal skills. Of course, the water nymphs are relatively harmless unless you don’t like jokes.”

She smiled. “Yes, I’ve heard a few tales of what the water nymphs can do.”

“Just a moment and I’ll let the water nymphs know what we are planning and I’ll let you know what they say.” He plunged into the water.

Violet waited on the bank for him to return. She watched the sun get closer to the horizon.

Herbert rose out of the water. “Good news. The water nymphs have agreed to help, even the men.”

“The men?”

“Yeah, they aren’t as well known to come out for little jokes as the women are, but that may also be because there weren’t many women close by for them to show much interest.”

Violet laughed. “I see.”

“We don’t have time to waste. The vampires will be up soon. Climb on to my back.”

She did so and he swam through the wide river to the castle.

Violet stepped off her grandfather’s back and onto the sand. She walked up to the castle and once again, the door opened to her. Herbert stayed in the water and watched the windows as much as he could.

*******************

The vampires were waking up one by one. Victor sat up and stepped out of his coffin. Ursula was standing next to him in a minute.

“Now can we have the prisoner?”

“Of course. After you.”

They walked out of the sleeping chamber to the nearby dungeon. The light was dim and it was several minutes before they saw the door to the prisoner’s cell was standing open, with the keys in the lock.

“What?”

“How?”

The two vampires screamed.

Everyone in the castle heard them. The sound even traveled to the nearby river.

********************

Violet was in the great hall when she heard the vampires scream. She saw the water nymphs surrounding Antoni and ran over to them.

“Violet! We freed him!”

“Thank you! Are you alright, Antoni?”

“Better, now that I’m out of the dungeon, but confused by all these women.”

“Oh, I guess we better give him some space.” The water nymphs let go and backed away from him.

“Can you breathe better now?”

“Yes, thank you. Now, Violet, it’s good to see you again.” He smiled at her.

The water nymphs made funny faces at Violet and Antoni.

Violet laughed. “Water nymphs are as silly as their reputation.”

“No way!”

Antoni laughed. “We should get out of here soon. The vampires will be here shortly.”

As soon as he said that, the torches were lit and the small group was surrounded by vampires.

“Too late! We won’t leave you, Violet and Antoni!” The water nymphs formed a circle around the two friends by linking their arms together.

The vampires bared their teeth. They growled at the water nymphs. The ladies wouldn’t budge. Soon there was water flowing into the castle. It collected into puddles behind each vampire. The water formed into water nymphs— men and women.

“Hey, vampires! Guess who’s here!”

The vampires turned around.

“Victor! It’s more water nymphs!”

“I see them, Ursula!”