It seemed to Jane that she was held suspended between Heaven and Earth. Crying out, she surrendered to the sensation, and then Max was also yelling as he held her tight. The feeling took her to a timeless place until it gradually subsided. Slowly, very slowly, Jane became aware of her surroundings again: their bodies entwined, the faint, cooling sweat on her face, the starlight seeping in through the window.
'Max,' she said, drawing closer to him on the bed.
'Hmm?'
'That was perfect.'
His face nuzzled hers. 'Was it really?'
'It was something I've never experienced before. As if I were utterly consumed and the rest of the world ceased to exist.'
Max gave a long sigh of satisfaction. 'It was the same for me too. I want us to experience that forever.'
'Oh, Max,' she said, holding him close. 'I didn't believe that love really existed. Is this real?'
'Of course, my darling,' he said, staring earnestly into her eyes. 'We have a love for the ages.'
'Now, you sound like the writer.'
'I will be proud to be the husband of the writer, Jane Austen.' He gave a gentle laugh. 'You know what they'll say when we walk down the street?'
'What?'
'They'll say, There goes the writer, Jane Austen, with her husband, whatshisname.'
Jane burst out laughing. 'When I'm invited to engagements,' she said, 'we'll be announced at the door as Jane Austen and whatshisname!'
They laughed so hard that tears ran down Jane's cheeks. She remembered the last time she had laughed. It had been in the presence of Dracula.
He's gone, she thought. Now we can resume our lives.
A rhythmic thudding came from the wall next door.
'That's Doctor Porter,' Jane said. 'An amazing woman. Everywhere we go, she administers medical aid to women who need it. The innkeeper's wife had a problem with her back. The doctor said she'd take a look.'
'I imagine she's left many women satisfied.'
Jane stroked his face. 'My darling, I never want this to end.'
'My dearest Jane,' he said, holding her. 'Together forever.'
She settled into his arms, laying her hands across his chest.
Max and I, she thought. Together forever.
When she next opened her eyes, Jane found the sun pouring in through the window, casting long beams of bright winter's light across the bed. She glanced about, but Max was nowhere to be seen.
He must be helping Eddy with the horses.
Rolling over, she stared up at the ceiling. They had joked about names last night, but she did need to speak to him about it. Although Jane Filador was a fine name, she needed to keep her own.
And Max would be whatshisname.
Jane smiled again at the thought. She got out of bed, quickly washed and threw on some clothing before heading down to the bar. Here, she found Doctor Porter was wolfing down the last remnants of a hearty breakfast.
'Jane,' she said. 'Good morning.'
'And to you,' Jane said, sighing.
Porter rolled her eyes.
'What?' Jane said.
'Love,' Porter said, fixing her gaze on Jane. 'It's a potion from which both of you have drunk—which reminds me.' She took out the bottle of her potent panacea, and they both chugged down some of the liquid. 'You've infected Max, too,' the doctor continued. 'You'll make a fine couple, churn out a bundle of children, and live happily ever after.'
Eddy strode in and sat with them. 'I've had to swap one of those horses out,' he said. 'It's got a bad leg. The new one's strong, though.'
'Wonderful work, Eddy,' Porter said.
Jane peered past him to the street outside. 'Is Max out there?'
'I have not seen him.'
'Not at all?'
'No.'
Porter peered up from her food. 'When did you last see him, Jane?'
Jane told her. First, they searched the inn, and then the street outside, and then the village. When Max still hadn't been discovered, Doctor Porter spread the word to the villagers, saying that a reward was on offer for the person who could find him. By then, Jane was consumed by a growing anguish.
'Where is he?' she asked Eddy as they searched one of the winding back streets.
'I don't know, miss,' Eddy said. 'Stay strong. He'll turn up.'
Three more hours passed, and they were back at the inn when a boy came racing up to them, lungs heaving.
'I've seen your man,' he panted.
'Are you sure?' Jane asked.
'Max Filador's his name?'
'Yes!'
'Where is he, child?' Porter demanded.
'At the cliffs,' the boy replied.
Jane almost fainted at the words. Porter held her steady, pushed some money into the boy's hands, and then they were inside the coach. Eddy urged the horses on as they tore through the streets.
'The cliffs?' Jane said, tears running down her face. 'Why is he at the cliffs?'
The doctor's words ran through her mind.
Anyone can be mesmerised by Dracula.
'We must be strong, Jane,' Porter now said, her face pale. 'We will do what we can.'
The coach raced up a road towards the vertiginous, chalk-white Dover cliffs. Eddy finally brought it to a skidding halt, and Jane burst from the interior. She saw Max immediately. He was at the cliff face, staring out at the ocean.
'Max!' she screamed. 'Max!'
He turned at the sound of her voice, and an expression of radiant delight spread across his face. 'Jane!' he cried. 'I've been waiting for you.'
She slowed down. Max was perilously close to the edge. 'My darling,' she said. 'Come away from the side. Please.'
'Max,' Porter said, her voice clear and even. 'Dracula has you in his grip. You must fight him. With all your might, you must fight him.'
'Come on, Max,' Eddy said. 'Come away from the edge. We'll go back to the inn and talk about it there.'
'Dracula has taught me so much.' Max seemed almost delirious with happiness. 'But there's something I must tell you.'
'Max,' Jane said. 'Dracula has lied to you.' She held out her hands. 'Come back to me, my darling. Come back. We will be together forever. Do you remember? Together forever?'
'Dracula wants you to go to him,' Max said, oblivious to her words. 'He is returning to his castle in Transylvania, and he wants to meet you all there.'
'Max,' Jane sobbed, edging closer. 'Take my hand.'
'I will,' Max said. 'But first, I must show you something that Dracula taught me.'
'No, Max,' Porter said. 'Don't do it—'
'It's the most incredible thing you've ever seen!'
'Don't move!' Jane cried. 'Just stay—'
'He taught me to fly, Jane!' Max yelled. 'I can fly!'
And upon saying this, Max Filador turned and ran towards the cliff's edge.