The Red Thirst (3 page)

It almost looked as if Ana was moving, Edgar thought.

A sudden shout outside made Edgar jump. He rushed to the window and looked out. He saw a dark figure racing away from the chapel. Mr Blood was chasing it.

Edgar went over to the door to check the bolts.

He heard the sound of a key turning in the lock.

Somebody had just locked the door, from the outside.

Now Edgar and Mary were trapped in the chapel with Ana's body. And Mr Blood was locked out.

Edgar put his ear to the door. He heard whispers.

“They should both be asleep. Did you make them eat the drugged food?” said a voice.

“I couldn't force it down their throats. I gave them a bag with it in,” came a second whisper. It was the priest.

So that was why Mary fell asleep
, thought Edgar.
The food was drugged! But why? And where is Mr Blood now?

Edgar ran over to Mary and shook her. “Wake up! Please wake up!” he hissed. But still she slept.

Edgar looked up at the window and saw a small flash of light.

He stood up. There was the flash again. But it was too quick for Edgar to see anything.

He put his nose against the glass.

A torch flared into light outside. On the other side of the window was the face of the priest. He was looking right at Edgar.

Edgar jumped back, and crashed into a jug of water. It smashed. Water poured out all over the floor, and all over Mary's face.

A piece of the broken jug fell onto Mary's arm. The sharp edge cut her skin. Blood ran down her arm.

She moved a little in her sleep.

Outside the window, Edgar could see a crowd of villagers. They began to chant. The crowd were looking at something behind Edgar.

Edgar felt shivers run down his back .

He turned around and screamed.

Ana was standing next to the altar. She smiled at Edgar. Her teeth were long, slim fangs. Slowly, she began to walk towards him.

Where is Mr Blood?
thought Edgar.
He must know by now that we have been fooled. The villagers do not want to be rid of a vampire. They are helping a vampire!

Edgar picked up his wooden stake and tried to hit Ana.

She brushed him off with one arm. She was very strong.

The blow sent Edgar flying across the chapel. He crashed into the window. It broke.

He got up and began to move around the floor, holding the wooden stake in front of him.

Ana came closer and closer. Then she stopped right by Mary's body.

Ana's face changed. She took a deep breath and her eyes became slits.

She looked down and saw the trickle of blood that was coming from Mary's arm.

Ana knelt down and put her mouth to the blood. She began to lick. It was as if she could not think about anything else.

Edgar heard a shout from outside. “Now, Edgar! Now! This is your only chance!” It was Mr Blood.

Ana was still licking up Mary's blood. Edgar crept across the floor. Ana had her back to him.

Edgar raised the wooden stake over Ana and brought it down hard.

The wood went through Ana's back, and into her heart.

She gave a moan of agony and struggled to her feet.

She staggered backwards, falling among the candles.