As they entered the town, Tandy's grand dreams of vampire real estate dominance lay in ruins around her. No fancy name plaque. No eternal commission. Just the prospect of a cell in the Salem Magical Correctional Facility and the knowledge that she'd betrayed her town for what amounted to empty promises and cheap merchandise.
Vlad's expression hardened as he considered the coming battle. He'd faced Ronald multiple times before and failed to stop him permanently. Tonight would be different. It had to be.
"I don't suppose," Tandy ventured as they approached the town hall, "that there's any chance of a good character reference for the real estate licensing board? No? Worth a shot."
Cuffed and Stuffed
Word had spread throughout Cauldron Falls that the vampire hunter had arrived and captured the villan. A crowd gathered in the town square, eager to catch a glimpse of both the legendary Vlad Marcum and the disgraced Tandy Keyes.
Marty Tuey's protest had grown slightly larger, now featuring enchanted signs that flashed slogans like "Vampire Panic = Economic Damage" and "Fact-Check Your Fears!" Directly opposite, a counter-demonstration led by Gwen Lewis and several other older witches brandished garlic bundles and chanted protective spells, their voices rising and falling in ancient rhythms that seemed to resonate with the very stones beneath their feet.
In the center of it all stood Tandy Keyes, handcuffed and surrounded by Shifter guards. "This is completely unnecessary," she complained, jangling her handcuffs. "These clash terribly with my outfit! Couldn't we use something more fashionable? Maybe rose gold? Or at least something that doesn't completely ruin my professional image?"
Roam O'Reilly stood nearby. His expression grim, as he reviewed Vlad's report. "Your professional image was ruined when you tried to stab a vampire hunter and confessed to murdering our town's dark creatures expert, Ms. Keyes."
"Allegedly tried to stab," Tandy corrected. "And it wasn't even a real vampire weapon! Just a TV prop! That should count for something, right? Like attempted murder with reduced dramatic effect?"
The crowd of onlookers grew as word spread that Tandy Keyes had been arrested as Ronald's accomplice. The look of betrayal on their faces was unmistakable---this wasn't some outside threat but one of their own who had plotted against them.
"I can explain everything," Tandy announced to the gathering townsfolk. "It was all a big misunderstanding! I was engaging in speculative real estate development with an unusual demographic! It's called niche marketing!"
No one looked convinced.
Leahnora Loveridge approached Tandy with an expression of profound disappointment.
"Tandy Keyes," she said, her voice carrying throughout the hall. "Vlad Marcum has provided evidence of your collaboration with Ronald Bitterhump. We have recovered Evangelina's records from your office, along with Ronald's communications and the anti-magic formula used on the cross."
Tandy straightened her shoulders, attempting to salvage some dignity. "Mayor Loveridge, may I just point out that vampire real estate is an emerging market with tremendous growth potential. I was simply positioning Cauldron Falls for inevitable industry expansion. It's called being ahead of the curve!"
Honey and Roam exchanged incredulous glances.
"You murdered Evangelina Coal," Roam stated flatly.
"I facilitated an unfortunate property rezoning via structural accident," Tandy corrected primly. "That's the proper real estate terminology."
Leahnora's expression hardened. "We will be conducting a full investigation, but the evidence is overwhelming. You will be transported to the Salem Correctional Facility for Magical Offenses pending trial."
"Salem?" Tandy gasped. "But their real estate market is terrible! All those witch trial tourists drive up prices while creating unsustainable seasonal demand fluctuations!" She paused, considering. "Although, I suppose the prison itself represents an untapped selling opportunity. Captive audience, quite literally."
"This isn't about real estate, Ms. Keyes," Leahnora said firmly. "This is about betrayal and murder."
"Can't it be about both?" Tandy asked hopefully. "I'm excellent at multi-tasking. I’ll make new business cards: 'Tandy Keyes: Multi-Tasking Property Specialist.' I could sell prison cells between court appearances!"
Throughout this exchange, Vlad stood by the window, keeping watch. The blood moon was rising, and despite Tandy's capture, Ronald was still coming.
"Mayor Loveridge," he interrupted. "While I hate to cut short Ms. Keyes' career planning session, we need to prepare for Ronald's arrival."
"Yes, about that," Tandy perked up. "I have extensive notes on Ronald's aesthetic preferences for the resort. He's very particular about color schemes---everything must coordinate with his spray tan. Burnt orange is his signature color, though I've suggested a more subdued palette for the formal dining areas---"
"Ms. Keyes, nice try but drop it," Leahnora cut her off. "The resort will never happen."
"What happens now?" she asked, looking suddenly lost, her ambitions of a vampire real estate empire evaporated before her eyes.
"Now you tell us everything you know about Ronald's plans," Roam said firmly. "Every detail that might help us protect the town."
Tandy hesitated, then straightened her shoulders. If she couldn't be Vampire Real Estate Queen, perhaps she could salvage something by cooperating.
"Ronald has maps of all the underground water channels," she began. "He's planning to enter from the north side of the falls. He has fifteen vampires with him."
