On this day in 1897, Bram Stoker published Dracula. In celebration of this infamous book, which inspired thousands of movies, stories, games, and works of art, I'm going to share with you sample of an upcoming vampire erotica book set for release later this year.

Please enjoy.

“Welcome to Čachtice Castle, I am Countess Elizabeth Bathory. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”

“Vlad Dracula.” He removed his cavalier hat and gave a bow. Pleased with the courtesy, Elizabeth returned the gesture by lifting her voluminous skirt and answering with a coy curtsy.

“My, my,” the countess smiled. “You look exceptionally healthy for a man of over one hundred and seventy years old.”

Vlad chuckled. “You’re speaking of my great-grandfather, Vlad The Impaler.” Under his full, black mustache, he gave the slightest, enigmatic smile.

“The likeness is remarkable,” Elizabeth said.

“You know of my blood?”

“A Bathory fought alongside Vlad Tepes himself and they were close allies. Since then, there have been no less than six Bathory men who’ve held the title of prince of Transylvania. The country runs thick with Bathory blood. Currently it is Bathory blood that is prince of Transylvania once again. I myself hold deed over a generous section of Transylvanian land. It would be ignorant to have hold of a land and not know its history, would it not? We are not, after all, The Turks.”

That observation caused Vlad to laugh. “Quite true. You are a clever woman, Countess.”

Elizabeth gave him a cordial smile. “You must be starved after your travels. It is nearly time for supper.” She turned and addressed the nearest servant. “Have the kitchen prepare another helping for…I don’t believe you’ve given me your title.”

“Doctor will suffice,” Vlad said.

“Doctor. Have the kitchen prepare another helping for our Doctor Dracula. When it is ready, bring it to my solar. For now, please ensure there’s fresh wine to enjoy. And, I feel like using the ivory utensils today, and the porcelain instead of the silver. See that it’s done.”

The servant nodded and hurried off. The wine had to arrive in the room before the countess did.

“Come, we will talk in private.” Elizabeth gathered her skirts again and lead Vlad to the comfortable isolation of her solar.

* * *
“Was it you playing the harpsichord upon my arrival?” Vlad asked, gazing at the instrument standing by the window.

“It was.”

“You play beautifully.”

“Thank you.” Elizabeth poured two goblets of the finest red wine the castle had in her cellars.

“You don’t have a servant for such a menial task?” Vlad was sitting at an ornately carved oak table. They were in the corner of the room, near a fireplace.

Goblet in each hand, Elizabeth joined him at the table. “I said I wanted you alone and I meant what I said.” She placed one of the goblets in front of him and sat down. “What is it that brings you here, dear doctor?” She watched the firelight turn his green eyes gold.

“First, allow me to extend a courtesy. I know I am very late, but I recently heard of the death of your husband. I am here to thank his wife for his services in the war. The Ottomans have been a thorn in the side of the Dracula line for centuries. Your husband was a dutiful soldier.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Kind words, doctor. My husband rather admired your ancestor. Francis, too, impaled his enemies on spikes. He was known as The Black Knight of Hungary.” She swirled her wine around in her goblet. “I’ve known him since I was a small girl. For a time I felt lost without him. I suppose that is what love is. But, I found ways to occupy my mind.” Her smile returning, she turned her eyes back to Vlad’s face. “Have you ever known love like that?”

Vlad did not shy away from her interrogation. “No. Not in this lifetime. Not yet, anyway. I appreciate your curiosity, Countess Bathory,”

“And I appreciate your candor.” She leaned forward. “Now, why not tell me why you’re really here?”

The door opened and some servants entered, each carrying platters of food, or a carafe full of wine. The meal was placed on the table, and fresh drinks poured. One servant girl picked up the trey, but it slipped from her hands. It was an intricate porcelain tray with delicate gold painted handles and an almost lace-like border. The Countess watched in horror as it fell toward the unforgiving floor.

In a move as fluid as water, Vlad’s arm carved through the air and scooped the platter from gravity’s control. He held it up on his fingertips, revealing it to be unharmed.

“Be more mindful next time,” Vlad told the girl. She reached out and took the platter by the small handles. Her left hand was missing all fingers except for her pointer and thumb, and the right was missing her ring and pinky. She had to concentrate to take secure hold of the trey.

The cuts were clean, precise. Elizabeth had done it herself with fabric sheers after the girl had spilled tea all over the keys of her harpsichord. Elizabeth could feel how red her face was, from fury at the girl’s incompetence, and humiliation that it was in front of her esteemed guest.

When the girl finally left, Vlad sighed. “Lepers. They never seem able to keep their fingers to themselves.”

Elizabeth laughed. It wasn’t a lady-like laugh quietly giggled behind a hand or into her kerchief made of lace and silk. It was a laugh erupting from her soul. It was the sort of laugh that caused her to cradle her stomach. It went on and on, musical and manic. It left her absolutely breathless.

“Oh,” she gasped. “Oh, my. You are too clever, doctor. I haven’t laughed like that in...years.” She released a cleansing breath. “I’ve not had much mirth since Francis’ death, if any.” She brightened. “Perhaps that’s what Čachtice needs. Merriment. Not just the castle but the village as well. A masquerade! We should hold a masquerade. We will. They’re all the rage in Italy and France but so rare here in Hungary. It will be an event!” Elizabeth was so positively taken by this idea that she was dizzy.

“Dear Dracula, I look forward to seeing you in your best suit. I do hope you brought it with you. Do you plan on staying in Čachtice long?”

“I haven’t decided. The true reason my travels brought me here were the rumours. The strange illness that has made victims of the maidens of the village. And their disappearances. I’m curious, so I came to satiate that curiosity. I came to meet you as a courtesy. But it is sincere. I have a room at the inn.”

The Countess’ heart thumped in her chest. Perhaps this doctor was some sort of spy sent by the conniving Thurzo. After Francis’ death, Thurzo had tried to lay claim to his property, though Francis had never made this intention known to Elizabeth, their children, or stated so in his will. Elizabeth was well aware that Thurzo was scheming his way into her power. The fact that most of the rumours concerning her murderous ways were true was just a detail.

“The inn? Oh, no doctor. You must stay here in the castle. I insist.”

“That’s quite generous of you, Countess Bathory.”

“Elizabeth.”

“Elizabeth,” he repeated. She loved the way her name sounded on his tongue, the way it waved and rolled. Elizabeta. “Then, you may call me Vlad.”

“Vlad.” His name on her lips made her smile. Their meal finished, she picked up her table knife. “Come, Vlad, I will personally show you to your room.”

I hope you enjoyed this exclusive excerpt from an upcoming story of desire, passion, and violence. Sanguinerotica is scheduled for release in August 2019. Please follow us on Twitter or join our mailing list for updates and announcements.