Page 96 of How to Stake a Vampire

Gregory was on his feet in an instant, Constantia right behind him. Barney’s expression shifted from frustration to deadly focus in a heartbeat.

“Are you certain?” Gregory demanded harshly, storming over.

“As certain as we can be,” Didi replied. “Mindy says the wraith’s signature is stronger than at the Chamber of Commerce. She thinks the wraith has been there since yesterday.”

I clenched my jaw. Ludvik had stayed one step ahead of us all this time. I hoped his luck was about to run out.

“What about Virgil?” Constantia quavered.

“We can’t tell from here, but”—Didi hesitated—”there are definitely signs of recent vampire presence. Gavin found a dead deer. It was a fresh kill.”

“Where exactly is this place?” Samuel asked tensely.

“It’s in dwarf territory,” Didi replied. “Old mining country. Finnic should know of it.”

Surprise widened Daria’s eyes. She disappeared and returned with a detailed topographical map.

“Here!” We gathered around her as she spread the map on a coffee table. She pointed at a location in the forest to the west of Amberford. “This must be the place.”

I felt a spark of hope for the first time in hours. “Can we get inside without being detected?”

“That’s the tricky part,” Didi said awkwardly. “Mindy says the mine has multiple entrances, but most of them are collapsed or flooded. She and Nigel didn’t venture too deeply inside.” The witch paused. “Finnic might know a passage that’s still passable.”

“Where’s Finnic?” Gregory asked in a strained voice.

Samuel frowned. “Still out searching.”

“I’ll call him,” Titania said hastily.

“The mine’s main entrance is hidden in a valley between two ridges,” Didi continued. “There’s an old access road, but it’s overgrown.”

“I know of it.” Barney frowned. “That was a clever move by Ludvik.”

“Why?” I asked warily.

“That whole area is full of traps.” The vampire met my gaze. “Which means it’s going to be dangerous for a large team to get in that mine.”

“Traps?” I echoed weakly.

“Dwarves are very protective of their properties,” Samuel said darkly.

“It doesn’t matter,” Ellie said tightly. “We’re going.”

I furrowed my brow. “Ellie?—”

“No,” she cut me off, her eyes blazing. “Don’t even think about trying to talk me out of this. I’m coming with you!”

Bo whined and pushed in between us.

Frustration churned my insides. I could tell there would be no changing Ellie’s mind.

“I know what you’re worried about Abby, but I can handle myself,” my best friend said, her voice taking on an edge I’d never heard before. “In case you missed it last night, I’m not exactly helpless anymore.”

My chest tightened. I couldn’t deny the power Ellie had exhibited when she’d stormed the building. It had even given Barney and Pearl pause, after all.

“Alright,” I said reluctantly.

Gregory and Constantia exchanged a look I couldn’t quite read.