"It'll interfere with the tracking signal," Vlad confirmed. "Make it harder for him to pinpoint your location for sure."
With a determined expression, Maisie downed the contents in one gulp. Her face immediately contorted in disgust. "That's... horrific! Worse than you said!"
"But effective," Vlad assured her, watching as the spray residue on her skin began to fade slightly. "Now, tell me everything you remember about Ronald's compound and his plans for Cauldron Falls."
Maisie's account was more detailed than before, the serum already helping clear some of the mental static. She described the mountain compound where she'd been held---a former ski resort converted into Ronald's headquarters. She recalled the daily spray treatments, the forced attendance at fashion shows,and the way she'd been made to test water samples from various locations.
"He's been searching for this opportunity for years," she explained. "He thinks it's the key to overcoming vampire weaknesses and getting back into proper vampire society. When his scouts found Cauldron Falls, he became obsessed."
"So, I was right. He wants the falls water to create a bred of invincible daywalkers," Vlad mused when she finished. "Makes sense. He's been obsessed with overcoming vampire limitations since the 80s. His Florida resort was actually an attempt to build tolerance to sunlight."
"Which failed spectacularly," Bartie added from his perch. "Several vampires were reduced to ash. Quite the scandal in vampire circles. Ronald was laughed out of three consecutive Vampire Councils."
Vlad's eyebrows shot up. "You're remarkably well-informed for a fruit bat."
"I have unfortunate connections in unfortunate places," Bartie shrugged. "One doesn't choose one's relatives, does one?"
"Your relative is a vampire bat?" Honey asked, surprised.
"My third cousin twice removed on my mother's side," Bartie admitted reluctantly. "Frightful bore at family reunions. Always going on about his 'liquid diet' and how it keeps his coat so glossy."
"The vampire bats Ronald uses for surveillance," Maisie explained. "They're not just pets---they're actual relatives of his vampire coven. When a vampire turns, their familiar often transforms too."
"But not all vampire bats are related to vampires," Bartie clarified hastily. "Most are perfectly respectable fruit-eaters who just happen to look a bit sinister."
Vlad laughed, the sound surprisingly warm. "Your bat's a treasure, Maisie. Now, about Tandy Keyes---you mentioned seeing her at the compound?"
Maisie nodded. Her expression suddenly more focused, as another memory surfaced. "Yes! She visited several times. I remember now---she was showing Ronald maps of Cauldron Falls. He called her his 'inside witch' and said she'd make sure everything was ready for his arrival."
"Classic," Vlad said, nodding to Roam. "He did it with a time-share salesman in Florida, a nightclub owner in Phoenix. The Denver fellow was a real estate developer too---specialized in exclusive mountain properties."
"What happened to them?" Honey asked, though she suspected she knew the answer.
"The Florida salesman disappeared when the resort failed. The Phoenix nightclub owner is serving twenty years in Salem for multiple murders Ronald committed. And Denver..." Vlad's expression darkened. "Let's just say high mountain cliffs are dangerous places for midnight meetings."
"We need proof to bring Tandy in," Roam said. "Something concrete linking her to Evangelina's murder."
Roam pulled out the note fragment they'd found in Evangelina's office. "Evangelina discovered something critical before she died. According to her research, the falls water must be freely given to maintain its power. If Ronald tries to take it by force, it becomes useless---or possibly even harmful---to vampires."
Vlad studied the paper, his weathered face lighting up with understanding. "This changes everything. Instead of just defending the falls, we can use them as a weapon."
"Maisie's connection to the water means she could direct it with the right intention," Honey added, glancing at her sister.
Maisie looked uncertain, but nodded. "I can feel the water responding to me. If it needs to be freely given, then maybe my willingness to share it is what matters."
"That's brilliant," Vlad said, his theatrical persona giving way to genuine strategic thinking. "We'll create a trap---let Ronald think he's winning access to the falls, but instead of resisting completely, we have Maisie channel the water deliberately. Not taken but given with protective intent."
"A Trojan horse of magical water," Bartie observed from his perch. "Rather poetic justice for a vampire obsessed with appearances."
"Evangelina's last gift to us," Roam said solemnly. "She figured it out before Tandy silenced her."
"Then let's make sure her sacrifice wasn't in vain," Honey said, squeezing Maisie's hand. "We'll use her knowledge to protect Cauldron Falls."
Vlad nodded approvingly. "This might be my final battle with the orange vampire. There’s something disturbingly bittersweet about it all."
"This is all awesome, but we still need proof to get Tandy," Honey said.
"I also might be able to help with that proof," Vlad grinned, his adventurer persona returning. "Been tracking accomplices for decades---learned a thing or two about tripping them up. Give me a few hours with this Tandy sheila. I'll get her to reveal her hand."
