EXT. CASTLE - DAWN

The carriage stops. Mira exits, not too surprised to see her WOLF ESCORTS - two big creatures, one on either side. They accompany her to the doors, which swing open on their own, just as they did the first time she arrived.

Mira enters--

THE ENTRY HALL

The blank-faced manservant stands ready and waiting. He gestures toward the entrance to the corridor.

Mira joins him.

INT. DINING HALL - MORNING

Mira enters, the blank-faced manservant remaining in the doorway behind her. Blocking the exit.

The Count sits in his usual spot, smiling beatifically.Mira just stares at him, patient.
Mira sits, utterly calm. Beat.A chink in Mira’s armor.

EXT. RIVER - WAGON - DAY

The wagon almost level again. Miklos nails a piece of wood against the wheel axle, trying to strengthen it. The nail BENDS.Inside the wagon, Ilka stares at Dominik, unable to look away. That alien look still on his face. That dark chuckle.

Movement catches Ilka’s eye. Past Dominik, up the riverbank, the first wolf can be seen. Hackles raised, growling.Ilka finally tears her eyes away. Turns, digs through one of the bags. Pulls out a handful of nails - shaking fingers drop most. She manages to lean over and give Miklos a few.

She whips back around. Dominik looks at her, quizzical.No relief on Ilka’s face. Just wariness. She jumps when Miklos suddenly stands behind her.Dominik looks more and more upset as Ilka continues to stare at him.Ilka does, holding them in limp hands. Keeping an eye on Dominik out of her peripheral vision. Miklos pantomimes and Ilka repeats the gesture, slapping the reins up and down.

The horses start - the wagon moves forward. Miklos walks beside, keeps an eye on the wheel.

Ilka looks back up the riverbank. The wolf is gone.

The horses’ front hooves step onto the bridge.


The wolves are upon them.

The horses scream, jerk forward. The reins and bridle SNAP - the horses break free of the wagon, run across the bridge.

A wolf LEAPS onto Miklos. He grapples with it, trying to keep its fangs away from his throat.

Ilka grabs Dominik, shakes him.Dominik just laughs at her.

Miklos SCREAMS.

Ilka searches, frantic, finds a KNIFE. She goes to the edge of the wagon.

Red blood spreads over the surface of the snow.

Ilka moans, leans back. Dominik is beside her, dangling a chubby little hand down to pet the wolf’s head.

Ilka pushes herself away from the boy, knife still in hand. Eyes a little mad.

INT. CASTLE - DINING HALL - DAY

Mira sits. Still. Waiting. The blank-faced manservant fills her wine glass - that dark red liquid. Bathory raises his own glass.Mira lifts her glass. POURS the wine out on the floor. Then she DROPS the glass. It shatters.A plate is set before her, the cover withdrawn. Mira doesn’t look at it, just stares ahead at Bathory.Mira picks up the plate - beautifully arranged, delicious food - and drops it on the floor. She turns to the servant who set it in front of her.The servant is SAMUEL. He stares forward with the same vacant, blank expression as the others.She jumps up, throws her arms around him. But it’s like hugging a block of wood. Mira pulls back, tries to get Samuel to look at her.No response. Bathory grins in the background, as though he is enjoying some theater.She puts her hands on the side of his face. He finally seems to see her. He lifts a hand - slowly - and touches her hair. Lifts a lock to examine it. Mira smiles at him, encouraging.

The corner of Samuel’s mouth lifts in distaste. Then he LUNGES for Mira’s throat.

Mira cries out, shoves herself back. Samuel snaps his teeth together again, growling.Samuel turns to the Count, teeth still bared. Bathory raises a finger. The vacant mask slips back down over Samuel’s face. He steps back against the wall.

Mira stares.Mira just turns and RUNS.

INT. CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER

Running. Her breathing loud - panicked gasps. Around the corner and there’s her stretch of hallway - the dragon tapestry between two doors. She enters--

HER ROOM

And slams the door shut. Stands a beat.

Mira SCREAMS.