As Tandy shared what she knew, the town officials gathered around, taking notes and adjusting their defense strategies. Even in handcuffs, she couldn't help slipping into her professional presentation mode.
"The ritual must be performed at the apex," she explained, gesturing as much as her restraints allowed. "Ronald is very specific about timing. He gets quite annoying about it, honestly."
"And the anti-magic powder?" Vlad prompted.
"He has enough to create a pathway through standard magical barriers," Tandy confirmed. "But not enough for the entire town. It's quite expensive---cuts into the profit margins terribly. I suggested a more cost-effective alternative, but he's oddly attached to his orange-tinted versions of everything."
As she continued providing details, Leahnora signaled to several officials at the back of the hall. They nodded and slipped out, presumably to strengthen the town's defenses based on the new information.
"As I told Vlad, the one thing Ronald doesn't know," Tandy added, lowering her voice conspiratorially, "is that the falls water only works if it's freely given. I found that in the journalI stole. If taken by force, it could actually harm vampires rather than help them."
"And why didn't you tell him this?" Honey asked, surprised.
"Well, I was saving it for contract negotiations," Tandy admitted. "Thought it might help me negotiate a higher commission percentage. I was thinking 7.5% is fair for eternity, don't you think? Not too greedy?"
Roam shook his head in disbelief. "You were willing to let Ronald take over the town, but you held back information that could help him because you wanted a better commission rate?"
"It's called business leverage," Tandy sniffed. "Standard practice in high-stakes negotiations."
A commotion at the door interrupted them. One of the Shifter guards entered, looking alarmed.
"Scout report from the northern perimeter," he announced. "Multiple bat sightings. They're coming earlier than expected."
"Ronald never could read a lunar chart properly," Tandy muttered. "His timing was always off by at least twenty minutes at our planning meetings. Very unprofessional."
Leahnora turned to Roam. "Get her to the secured holding cell. We'll deal with her fully after we've handled Ronald."
As two Shifter guards moved to lead Tandy away, she suddenly called out, "Wait! I can help! I know Ronald's weaknesses!"
Vlad raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"
"He's pathologically vain about his hair piece," Tandy explained rapidly. "Completely loses focus if it's threatened. And his spray tan? He keeps touch-up bottles in his pockets at all times. If they're damaged, he has absolute meltdowns. I once saw him abandon an entire meeting because someone spilled water on his sleeve and his tan started to streak."
The assembled town officials exchanged glances. This was certainly unusual tactical information, but it might prove useful.
"Also," Tandy continued, warming to her subject, "he has this ridiculous catchphrase he insists on using whenever he makes a big entrance: 'Ronald has entered the building!' He practices it for hours. If you interrupt it or don't react properly, he gets completely thrown off script."
"Anything else?" Roam asked, signaling the guards to wait.
"Yes!" Tandy nodded enthusiastically. "He's terrified of fashion critics! Absolutely petrified! There's a vampire fashion critic named Count Federico who once called Ronald's style 'aggressively tasteless' in 1989, and Ronald still has nightmares about it. Just mentioning Federico's name could distract him."
Vlad looked thoughtful. "This might actually be useful. Count Federico is currently the Chief Justice of the Transylvanian Tribunal."
"He is?" Tandy gasped. "Oh, Ronald will hate that! Federico once said Ronald's choice of gold accessories made him look like 'a pawnshop that gained sentience.' Ronald cried for days!"
Despite the gravity of the situation, several people had to suppress smiles at this image.
"Take her to the holding cell until we need her," Leahnora instructed the guards. "And send for the Salem transport. They should arrive by dawn."
As Tandy was led away, she called back over her shoulder, "If anyone wants to list their property before the vampire attack potentially decreases market values, I'm still technically licensed until my hearing! Special end-of-the-world rates available!"
The guards exchanged exasperated glances as they escorted her out.
Once Tandy was gone, Leahnora turned to address the assembled townsfolk. "Citizens of Cauldron Falls, the threat we face tonight is real. Ronald Bitterhump and his vampire coven are coming to claim our town and our falls. But now, thanksto Ms. Keyes' cooperation---however self-serving it may be---we know what to expect and how to prepare."
As they began organizing defensive positions throughout town, Vlad approached Roam and Honey.
"That woman is something else," he commented, shaking his head. "Twenty years hunting vampires, and I've never met an accomplice quite so..."
