Carpathian Intrigue — John Simpson (1)

Young history scholar Christopher, granted rare permission to study the library of ancient and remote Bran Castle, wastes no time traveling to the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. Expecting to meet an elderly, reclusive nobleman, Christopher is surprised to be greeted by a handsome, virile man who clearly welcomes his presence and puts the library at his disposal. The elderly servant, Rupert and mysterious dungeon master, Constantine, are more in line with his expectations. It isn't long before Michael, the count, shows Christopher a secret chamber where the walls are covered with magnificent portraits of comely, nude young men. The Count confesses that these are former lovers, immortalized in paint, and remarks that Christopher would outshine them all. Boldly, Christopher accepts Michael's tacit invitation to his bed and is swept into a new world of sensual pleasure. But when he discovers a set of scrolls and a journal detailing an event in the castle dungeon's history, he finds that his lover may not be who he seems: Two hundred years ago, a curse was placed on the castle's count and two of his retainers. Can it be mere coincidence that their names were Michael, Rupert and Constantine?