"Mayor Loveridge," Vlad bowed with surprising grace for such a rugged figure. "Ready to hunt some vampires for you, ma'am. And may I say, your town's magical signature is quite remarkable. The falls' energy is detectable even from here."
Leahnora's eyebrows rose slightly---few visitors could sense the falls' magic without direct exposure. "You're sensitive to magical currents?"
"Comes with the job," Vlad explained, tapping the silver medallion hanging from his neck. "After forty years hunting the undead, you develop a certain... awareness. Plus, this little beauty helps." He held up the medallion, which contained a small vial of clear liquid. "Water from seven magical sources around the world. Resonates with similar energies."
"We appreciate your help," Leahnora responded formally. "Detective O'Reilly will brief you on our security preparations, and then we'd like you to assess Maisie's account of her captivity."
"Perfect plan," Vlad agreed, tipping his hat to Tandy. "Thanks for the map, love. Might take you up on that tour later."
As Roam led Vlad toward town hall, the vampire hunter leaned in and murmured, "Interesting town you've got here, Detective. That real estate sheila seems mighty eager to help."
"You noticed," Roam replied quietly. "She's our primary suspect in Evangelina Coal's murder."
Vlad's expression didn't change, but he gave a nearly imperceptible nod. "Ronald always picks the ambitious ones. Easy to manipulate with promises of wealth and power." Heglanced back at Tandy, who was watching them with poorly concealed anxiety. "What's her particular weakness, I wonder?"
"We're still investigating," Roam admitted. "But she's been struggling financially. She's sitting on a book of properties that haven't sold in months. And she's not the most talented witch on the block."
"Ah," Vlad nodded knowingly. "Financial desperation combined with status anxiety. Ronald's favorite combination. Offer them money and prestige, dangle the promise of being 'special' in his new order."
"You really do know him," Roam acknowledged, his initial skepticism fading.
"Tracked that bloke for decades," Vlad confirmed. "His pattern's always the same. The only thing different this time..."
"What?" Roam prompted when Vlad paused.
The vampire hunter's scarred face turned grave. "This is the first time he's targeted a place with water this powerful. If he succeeds here, Ronald won't just have a vampire resort. He'll have a way to create near invincible daywalkers."
Roam felt a chill at this confirmation of what they had feared. "Then we need to make sure he fails."
"That we do, mate," Vlad agreed. "That we do."
Behind them, Tandy Keyes watched their retreating figures, her expression calculating. She pulled out her phone and sent a terse message: "Hunter knows too much. Will act soon."
Fang You Very Much
Vlad Marcum stood in Honey's kitchen at FACTS & FIBS, carefully examining Maisie while Honey, Roam, and Bartie watched. The vampire hunter's theatrical manner had been replaced by unexpected professionalism as he examined her for signs of vampire influence.
He moved with the practiced efficiency of someone who had performed similar examinations hundreds of times before. His weathered hands were gentle as he checked the spray residue on her wrists and examined the faint marks on her skin.
"Supernatural hairspray, all right," he confirmed, sniffing at her wrist then quickly pulling back with a grimace. "Ugh, smells like a tanning bed exploded in a cologne factory. Definitely Ronald's signature scent. I'd recognize it anywhere."
Maisie, who had initially tensed at being examined, was now watching Vlad with growing fascination. Unlike her earlier encounters with strangers, she seemed more at ease, sitting up straight rather than hunching defensively.
"Can you tell how long I was in captivity?" she asked.
Vlad studied the patterns of faded spray on her skin. "Based on these layered residues, I'd say at long enough. Since you were little."
"Sounds right," Maisie repeated softly, her eyes distant. "That fits with the fragments I remember."
"Ronald's not great at memory wipes," Vlad explained, rummaging through his equipment bag. "More like memory scrambles. He thinks he's being subtle, but it's like using a sledgehammer for needlepoint."
"Is there anything you can do to help her remember?" Honey asked.
"As a matter of fact..." Vlad produced a small vial of iridescent liquid from his bag. "This might help. Anti-vampire serum. Won't restore memories overnight, but it'll start clearing the mental fog."
He handed the vial to Maisie. "Fair warning---tastes like possum roadkill marinated in gym socks."
Maisie looked at the vial skeptically. "Will it help me hide from Ronald? He can track me through the spray."
