The pursuit intensifies on Kaeltripton! Last time, Dracula evaded Varna—now the team races him up the river from Galatz, with Mina’s cursed visions guiding them as her condition worsens, pushing their resolve to the brink. We’re serving this free slice of Dracula with a teaser excerpt below, followed by the full text from roughly pages 358 to 374—covering the river chase and a darkening fate. We’re dishing out Dracula in chunks—keep checking back for more, or grab a $ subscription to unlock the whole saga now, plus my takes on its relentless tension. Ready to sail into the dread? Let’s chase the current!

Dr Seward’s Diary (Continued)
22 October.—Galatz at last—dusty, chaotic port. Jonathan’s lead was gold: the box left on a riverboat, the Tsarina, up the Sereth yesterday. Van Helsing’s sure: ‘He’s racing to his castle—one refuge left.’ We hired a steam launch—Arthur’s cash smoothed it—and we’re tearing upstream now, engines roaring. Mina’s our eyes—under trance, she whispers: ‘Water, cliffs—moving fast.’ Her voice shakes; the curse digs deeper. Quincey’s at the helm, grim; Jonathan’s sharpening stakes. We’ll catch him or die trying.
Mina Harker’s Journal
23 October.—The boat’s a lifeline—rushing through mist, cliffs looming. Van Helsing hypnotizes me daily—I see Dracula’s path: river bends, dark water, his laugh echoing in my skull. It’s stronger—he’s closer to me, pulling. To-day, a cross scalded my hand; I screamed, and Jonathan held me, tears in his eyes. ‘We’ll end him,’ he swore. I’m fading—feel him in my blood—but I’ll guide them while I can.
24 October.—River’s wild—rapids slow us, but we push on. Mina’s worse—pale as death, eyes glassy. Trance says: ‘Still water now—nearer the mountains.’ Van Helsing’s face is stone: ‘He’s gaining—we must be faster.’ Arthur’s driving the crew; Quincey’s ready to leap ashore if we spot that boat. I’m writing this as night falls—fear we’re too late.