Well, it's been awhile, and I've been really busy, but I finally got 
through rewriting Chapter 4. So here it is! 

Souls Divided: Chapter 4
By Moiraine (moiraine@apexmail.com)

Celeste played her flute until she was sure that Reinhardt was asleep, then stopped and put the flute back in her 
pack. Standing up and stretching, she walked around the room once, assuring herself that there was nothing hidden 
in the shadows thrown by the torches and the two large pillars in the center of the room. While she looked, she 
thought about Reinhardt's question about trust. Like Reinhardt, she was surprised to find herself trusting her 
companions completely. Somehow, after knowing each other for only a day, the three vampire hunters had made a 
connection between them. Celeste sensed that bond, but didn't understand it. 

*Destiny?* She wondered as she sat back down near Carrie and Reinhardt to keep watch over them. Just then, a 
hissing, vaugely female voice spoke, seemingly out of nowhere. 

"Destiny may have brought you together, Celeste Trakand, but my dark Lord will tear you apart..."

Celeste sprang to her feet and raised her crossbow. Glancing around for the source of the voice, some part of her 
mind absently reflected that the voice had resembled the voice of her sister. She reached over and shook Reinhardt. 
He sat up and looked at her questioningly, and the voice spoke again:

"Yes, dear little Celeste, get your pathetic friends," the contempt in the voice was mocking as Celeste stood up 
while Reinhardt woke Carrie, "Do you dare not face me alone?"

With that, the speaker appeared, materializing in front of a pillar. Celeste gasped, and the hand holding the 
crossbow wavered. Behind her, Reinhardt and Carrie exchanged a glance and got ready to fight. Celeste took
no notice; she was staring at the vampiress who'd spoken. It was her sister, Elayne. Seeing Celeste's stunned 
stare, Elayne gave a low chuckle and spoke again, sounding nearly friendly instead of contemptful:

"Dear sister, I know you have been searching for me. Now you know where I am, and I would ask that you don't 
disturb my happines here."

Celeste was dumbfounded, but managed to choke out a word: "H-happiness?"


Elayne smiled, and suddenly looked human, instead of the fanged creature
who had first appeared.

"Of course, sweet sister," and to Celeste's stunned horror, the voice sounded like the Elayne she'd known and loved 
as her little sister, "Why, this is a beautiful place, with parties and celebrations every night. People from the 
village visit all the time and decide to stay here to enjoy my Lord's hospitality. And there are many powerful 
beings to associate with. I have their respect, as well as the love of my Lord, Vlad Tepes. Why don't you join me 
and remain here, Celeste? I'd love for you to stay."

Celeste slowly shook her head. "And serve my greatest enemy? No, Elayne. You suffer delusions of grandeur. The 
love and respect you speak of is an illusion by a master of deception. Vlad Tepes is a evil monster, and I mean to 
kill him or die in the attempt!" 

Elayne hissed in anger, then spoke again, trying to regain her pleasant smile. "You are mistaken, sister. Lord Vlad 
is a wonderful man who'd do anything--"

Celeste interrupted her, her anger rising, that her own sister had been brainwashed into believing Dracula to be 
good. "Yes, he'd do anything, as long as it hurt someone weaker than him or got him a meal of blood! Elayne, can 
you honestly believe--"

Celeste didn't even get a chance to finish her sentence, as Elayne suddenly ran at her, hissing and reaching for 
Celeste. Without thinking, Celeste raised her crossbow and fired at her sister, the reaction to a vampire so 
strongly ingrained in her that she didn't even think of who this particular vampiress was. The bolt flew to its 
target, going through Elayne's heart. Elayne skidded to a stop only a few feet away from Celeste and looked down 
at herself. With an agonized shriek, she fell to the ground, her body already burning with purplish fire. Within 
moments, the only proof that a vampire had died in the room was a black mark on the floor and the smell of burning 
flesh in the air. 

Celeste, who hadn't moved after shooting the arrow, suddenly dropped her crossbow and collapsed to her knees. 
Buring her face in her hands, she rocked herself back and forth, sobbing. Glancing at each other, Carrie and 
Reinhardt moved forward and each put an arm around their miserable friend. After a moment, Celeste moaned, 
barely understandable.

"My little sister...my own sister...oh, God, I'm so sorry....Elayne..."

Carrie hugged Celeste. "You set her free of the curse, Celeste. She's free of Dracula now."

Celeste lowered her hands, and looked at Carrie. "I...no...I should've listened...maybe I could have convinced 
her..."

Reinhardt hugged Celeste that time. "And you would've risked all our lives in the process. Dracula's influence is 
far too great. Carrie's right. You set your sister free."

Celeste had no answer to this. She could only shake her head and cry, even though she knew her friends were right. 
Finally, Carrie hugged her again. 

"Try to get some sleep, Celeste. I'll keep my watch now."

Celeste nodded miserably and pulled her cloak around her. Frowing with concern, Reinhardt leaned against the wall 
and pulled her against him. Laying her head on his shoulder, Celeste cried and finally went to sleep, her tears 
still flowing for a moment after she went to sleep. 

~~~~~

Well, if you've read this far, you know the drill. Questions and comment
s can be sent to me at Moiraine@apexmail.com. Thanks for reading!   -M.