Page 17

Town Hell Meeting

T he town hall was packed beyond capacity, the air thick with tension.

The divisions within Cauldron Falls had grown more defined in the hours since Evangelina's death.

Gwen Lewis and her traditional faction occupied the left side of the hall, many wearing multiple strands of garlic and clutching various protective talismans.

Marty Tuey's modernist skeptics huddled on the right, though their numbers had noticeably dwindled.

In the center sat a growing contingent of pragmatists---those who had decided to take some precautions without fully embracing either extreme. They watched both sides warily, clutching both traditional protections and modern defensive crystals.

Leahnora Loveridge stood on the raised platform at the front, her dark auburn curls gleaming in the light from the massive chandeliers lining the ceiling. Despite her petite stature, she commanded attention with her mere presence.

"Citizens of Cauldron Falls," she began, her voice amplified to reach every corner of the room.

"We face a crisis unlike any in recent memory.

Today, we lost a valued member of our community in a tragic incident.

Evangelina Coal was a respected expert whose counsel guided us through many challenging times. "

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.

"We must now determine how to proceed in light of both her loss and the warnings she was investigating." Leahnora's gaze swept the room. "The claims of vampire activity near our town."

Immediately, the room erupted into opposing shouts. Marty Tuey and his supporters called for an end to "fear-mongering," while those who believed the vampire threat demanded immediate action.

"SILENCE!" Leahnora commanded, her power briefly manifesting as a visible aura around her small frame. The room instantly quieted.

"We will hear from both sides in an orderly fashion," she continued. "First, Detective Chief Inspector Roam O'Reilly will present the facts of today's incident and the evidence regarding the vampire claims."

Roam stepped forward, scanning the crowd before he spoke.

"Today's incident was not an accident," he stated firmly. "The support rope on the cross was deliberately sabotaged. We are treating Evangelina Coal's death as a murder."

Gasps and exclamations filled the hall. Roam waited for the noise to subside before continuing.

"We have evidence suggesting Evangelina discovered critical information about a potential vampire threat to Cauldron Falls.

Her research indicated that a vampire named Ronald Bitterhump attempted to establish a vampire resort in Florida in 1987, which failed.

We believe he now has similar intentions for Cauldron Falls, specifically targeting our falls. "

Marty Tuey stood up. "And what actual evidence do you have of these vampires? Besides the word of a mentally unstable witch and her British bat?"

From her seat in the front row, Tandy Keyes nodded slightly at Marty's arguments.

Roam fixed Marty with a steady gaze. "We have the body of a non-native vampire bat found at Spellbinders Bookstore.

We have Evangelina's professional assessment, confirming Maisie was under vampire thrall.

And we have historical records from the Cauldron Falls Archives documenting Ronald's previous attempt.

Found on Ms. Coal at the time of her demise. "

"Circumstantial at best," Marty countered. "And convenient that the only 'expert' who could verify these claims is now dead."

A murmur of uncertainty rippled through the center faction. Tandy watched with satisfaction as doubt spread across previously resolute faces.

Leahnora raised a hand for silence. "We will now hear from Maisie herself."

Honey led her sister to the platform. Maisie looked better than she had upon arrival---cleaner, more rested---but still visibly traumatized. Bartie perched on her shoulder. His tiny bat face unusually solemn.

"I was his prisoner for years," Maisie began, her voice soft but steady. "Ronald and his coven kept me in their compound in the mountains. They... used me for my ability to help identify potential territories with magical properties."

"And why would vampires need a witch for that?" someone called out skeptically.

"Because vampires can't directly interact with certain types of magic," Maisie explained. "Especially natural magic, like the falls. They needed someone who could test the water, determine its properties."

"The water from Cauldron Falls has protective qualities for our community," Honey added. "Evangelina's research suggests it could also benefit vampires, allowing them greater resistance to their traditional weaknesses."

"Convenient that we can't verify any of this," Marty muttered loudly.

Maisie flinched at the hostility, but continued.

"Ronald plans to establish a vampire resort here.

He wants to market the falls as a spa treatment for vampires, allowing them to move more freely in daylight, resist garlic and religious symbols.

He's... desperate for this to succeed after his Florida failure. "

A few chuckles broke out at the mention of the Florida resort but were quickly silenced by Leahnora's stern gaze.

"The blood moon rises tomorrow night," Maisie concluded. "That's when they'll come. Ronald believes the moon's power will strengthen their claim on the territory."

As Maisie returned to her seat, the meeting descended into chaos again---arguments erupting between those who believed her and those who sided with Marty's skepticism.

Leahnora allowed the discussion to continue for several minutes before calling for order again.

"Regardless of individual beliefs," she said firmly, "we cannot ignore a potential threat to our community. Especially when connected to a confirmed murder. Therefore, I am implementing emergency security measures effective immediately."

She outlined a plan involving increased Shifter patrols, a town-wide protective barrier spell, and a curfew beginning immediately. She also announced her decision to contact an outside expert.

"Given the loss of Evangelina Coal, I have sent for Vlad Marcum, a renowned vampire hunter who has handled similar situations in other communities. He should arrive shortly."

At the mention of Vlad Marcum, Tandy Keyes's composed expression slipped momentarily, revealing a flash of panic before she quickly recovered. From his perch on Maisie's shoulder, Bartie noticed this reaction, his keen bat senses picking up on her increased heart rate.

"Who is Vlad Marcum?" Gloria stood up.

"One of the most experienced vampire hunters in the world," Leahnora explained. "He has faced Ronald Bitterhump before and knows his tactics. If anyone can help us prepare for tomorrow night's blood moon, it's Vlad."

Throughout the hall, reactions to this announcement varied dramatically.

Gwen's traditionalists nodded with approval---a professional hunter aligned with their belief in immediate action.

Marty's skeptics rolled their eyes at what they saw as more fear-mongering.

The middle faction seemed relieved that an outside expert was being consulted, someone who might provide a balanced perspective.

As the meeting adjourned, people broke into heated discussion groups. The division in the town was palpable---exactly as Ronald and Tandy had planned.

Tandy slipped away from the hall, her mind already working on a new problem. Vlad Marcum complicated things. If he had faced Ronald before, he might recognize the signs of an inside collaborator. She would need to neutralize him quickly, before he could share his knowledge.

Pulling out her phone, she typed a terse message to Ronald: "Complication. Vampire hunter Vlad Marcum arriving."

The response came almost immediately: "Eliminate him. Blood moon will not wait."

Tandy glanced back at the town hall, where Honey and Roam were deep in conversation with Leahnora. This vampire hunter would bring new challenges---and another unfortunate "accident" for Cauldron Falls.