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The man in the black coat gave one last examination and then headed for the door. He stopped as if something caught his eye. He bent down. Sebastian inhaled sharply as he discovered what caught the man’s attention. He held his breath. On the hardwood floor was a solitary drop—a drop of her blood. The man in black ran a finger through it, raising his finger closer to his face to further examine it.

Sebastian’s heart thumped in his chest. He glanced over to the cellar entrance. His best chance was to grab the broom handle and fend him off to protect her.

The man in the black coat showed Sebastian the blood on his finger. “Rough night?”

Thoughts raced through Sebastian’s mind. Thoughts of how to justify a single drop of blood on the floor of his tavern. Anything. Anything plausible.

“Yeah. Some rowdy men came in here. They had a little too much to drink and got into a fight. One of them punched the other in the face. He must have gotten a bloody nose,” Sebastian answered. He gulped.

The man in the black coat stood. He wiped his fingeracross the top of a table. “Well, if you see anything unusual, stay inside for your own safety. There is a vampire on the loose.”

“I’ll keep an eye out,” Sebastian said.

As the man in the black duster opened the door, a cold gust of wind swept through the room. He vanished into the darkness of night; the sound of his fading footsteps filled the air. Sebastian shut the door, the click of the lock echoing in the silence. He breathed a sigh of relief, but the tension still lingered in the air. He knew he had one more nocturnal visitor to confront before the night was over.

Sebastian carefully lowered the only remaining lantern, its soft light guiding him as he moved behind the bar. Sebastian swiftly grabbed a bucket of water, a well-worn rag, and a small, wooden box from a shelf. He then descended the creaky steps to the dimly lit cellar.

A musty scent filled the air. The cold dampness against the dirt flooring. The darkness concealed its secrets, only illuminated by the lantern Sebastian carried. Wine and beer barrels provided excellent hiding spots for the woman now lurking in his cellar. The stairs creaked with every step.

Sebastian stopped at the base of the stairs. His eyes followed the lantern light as he played an unknowing game of hide-and-seek. There was movement off to his left, her strawberry blonde hair shining in the gleaming light. He moved around the barrels.

She cowered in the corner like an animal ready to strike. The full intensity of the lamp light bathed her in an orangish-yellow glow. Her fangs were elongated, and her chin was painted with dried blood. Sebastian wasn’t intimidated by her aggressive display.

“Do you not fear me?” she asked.

He moved toward her.

“Stay back,” she growled. “I’ll tear you to shreds.”

He stopped and peered into her eyes. “If you were a real threat to me, you wouldn’t have begged so politely to enter my tavern. No. Not you. You look like a woman who doesn’t ask, but takes. I would have already been your next victim if not for your wound. Correct?”

Sylvia nodded. She winced, retreating further into the corner. She steadied herself against the wall with one hand and grabbed the left side of her chest with the other. Blood seeped from her chest wound. Her breathing labored.

“I can help you. Will you let me?” he asked as he presented the bucket and rag.

Her fangs retreated. “I’ll allow you to help me.”

Sebastian moved closer. “I take it you were hit by a bullet. I’m going to guess . . . is it silver?”

Her sapphire eyes focused on Sebastian with a skeptical sense of trust.

“I can’t help you if you don’t tell me.”

“It was a bullet. I don’t know what it’s made of, but your guess might be correct.”

“Please, sit.” He motioned to a barrel standing upright.

She climbed on top of it.

“My name is Sebastian. Sebastian Savino. I’m the owner of this tavern.”

“Sylvia. Countess Sylvia Dubois.”

“Nice to meet you, Sylvia. Or do you prefer Countess?” Sebastian dropped the rag into the bucket, soaking up the water.

“I demand my subjects call me Countess, but I’ll make an exception for you.”

Sebastian smiled. “Well, Sylvia, I need you to pull back your dress collar for me. Don’t worry. I only need to see the wound.”