Page 19

Have Stakes, Will Travel

B efore dawn word had spread throughout Cauldron Falls that the vampire hunter had arrived. A crowd gathered in the town square, eager to catch a glimpse of the legendary Vlad Marcum. The crowd was not disappointed by what they saw when the hunter finally appeared.

Vlad Marcum was a character straight out of an adventure novel---tall, weathered, and clad in a leather outfit festooned with various vampire-hunting tools that clinked softly with each movement.

His broad-brimmed hat shaded piercing blue eyes, and a prominent scar ran from his left temple to jawline---a souvenir from his first encounter with vampires, if the whispers were to be believed.

Three silver stakes hung from his belt, each engraved with runes in an ancient language, while vials of colored liquids filled a bandolier across his chest.

"G'day, Cauldron Falls citizens!" he boomed as he strode into the square, a massive equipment bag slung over one shoulder. "Vlad Marcum, vampire hunter, at your service!"

He swung his bag down with a clatter of wooden stakes and silver implements. "Heard you've got yourself a bloodsucker problem! Well, you can rest easy now. Never met a vampire I couldn't dust!"

Roam watched this theatrical entrance with barely concealed skepticism. He had been waiting in the square with several Shifter officers, expecting a professional consultant. What they got was closer to a vampire-hunting theme park character.

"Mr. Marcum," he greeted, extending a hand. "Detective Chief Inspector Roam O'Reilly. We appreciate your prompt response to Mayor Loveridge's request."

"Call me Vlad, mate!" the hunter replied, gripping Roam's hand with enthusiastic force. His accent was an impossible blend of Australian outback and Eastern European cadences. "Everyone does! And I never ignore a call about vampires. Especially not Ronald Bitterhump!"

This caught Roam's attention. "You know Ronald?"

"Know him?" Vlad laughed heartily, but his eyes took on a hardened quality that belied his jovial tone.

"Tangled with that bloke three times! Miami in '87, Phoenix in '95, and almost nabbed him in Denver back in 2010!

" He pulled down the collar of his shirt to reveal a set of distinctive slashes on his neck.

"Got this little memento in Phoenix. Would've been a goner if not for my emergency anti-vampire kit. Bugger almost got me."

Despite his theatrical demeanor, Vlad's knowledge seemed legitimate. Roam decided to reserve judgment until he saw the man in action.

"We believe Ronald is planning to attack tonight, during the blood moon," Roam explained, leading Vlad toward town hall. "He has at least one accomplice within Cauldron Falls who's already murdered our local dark creatures expert."

"Classic Ronald," Vlad nodded sagely, his expression darkening momentarily.

"Always works through proxies. Too scared to show his big orange face until the groundwork's laid.

Too vain to risk his spray tan, more like.

" He pulled a journal from inside his jacket---a weathered leather volume covered in handwritten notes and sketches.

"Been tracking that blighter for decades.

Each time, same pattern---find a location with special properties, identify a desperate local to help establish his foothold, then sweep in during a celestial event for maximum power. "

Vlad flipped through the journal, showing a detailed timeline of Ronald's previous attempts. "Florida---failed because vampires don't want to be tan. Phoenix---tried to market 'blood icicles' as a summer treat. Denver---nightclub slash resort called 'Fang Zone.' All failures, but he keeps trying."

"Any idea who his local contact might be?" Roam asked, impressed by the hunter's detailed records despite his flamboyant manner.

Vlad's gaze swept the square, taking in the various townspeople with surprising shrewdness.

"From experience? Look for someone with financial troubles, social grievances, or limited power.

Someone who stands to gain significantly from a vampire takeover.

And someone with access to restricted areas or influence over town decisions. "

Before Roam could respond, a voice called out from across the square.

"Mr. Marcum! Welcome to Cauldron Falls!"

Tandy Keyes approached, wearing an expression of exaggerated relief. She had dressed conservatively today---a muted gray suit rather than her usual bold colors, as if mourning Evangelina's death. But her eyes darted nervously, taking in Vlad's equipment and journal with barely concealed alarm.

"Thank goodness you've arrived!" she continued, her voice perfectly modulated to convey both concern and respect. "I'm Tandy Keyes, local property specialist. I've prepared a complete map of the town for your assessment, highlighting all access points to the falls."

She extended a roll of parchment, which Vlad accepted with a curious tilt of his head. His weathered fingers brushed against hers for a fraction longer than necessary, and Tandy resisted the urge to pull away.

"Mighty helpful of you, miss," he said, studying her face with unsettling intensity. "You always this prepared for visitors?"

"Only the important ones," Tandy replied with a winning smile, though a thin sheen of perspiration had formed on her forehead. "And someone with your reputation... well, Cauldron Falls is fortunate to have your expertise in this troubling time."

Roam noticed something pass between them---a look of assessment from Vlad, a barely perceptible tension in Tandy's posture.

"Ms. Keyes has been really involved in the town's response to the vampire threat," Roam noted carefully, watching for reactions from both of them.

"Just doing my civic duty. You know me. Helpful Tandy. That’s kind of a nickname for me…

around town." Tandy responded her fingers twisted her gold bracelet nervously.

"In fact, I was hoping to offer Mr. Marcum a tour of the key defensive positions around town.

My real estate background gives me unique insight into Cauldron Falls' geography. "

"Appreciate the offer," Vlad said, his jovial tone unchanged, but his eyes sharper. "But first I'll need to meet with this Maisie sheila---the one who escaped from Ronald's compound. Firsthand accounts are gold in my line of work."

Tandy's smile flickered momentarily. "Of course. Though I should mention that many in town question the reliability of her claims. She seems rather... unstable. If you know what I mean."

"I'll be the judge of that," Vlad replied firmly.

"Seen all sorts in my years of hunting. Sometimes the craziest-sounding witnesses are the most accurate.

" He tapped a scar near his eye. "Got this in Budapest when I dismissed a 'crazy' old janitor's tale about vampires in the subway system.

Learned my lesson about judging credibility based on first impressions. "

Leahnora Loveridge emerged from the town hall, her petite form commanding immediate attention. "Mr. Marcum, welcome to Cauldron Falls. I see you've already met Detective O'Reilly and Ms. Keyes."

"Mayor Loveridge," Vlad bowed with surprising grace for such a rugged figure. "Ready to hunt some vampires for you, ma'am. And may I say, your town's magical signature is quite remarkable. The falls' energy is detectable even from here."

Leahnora's eyebrows rose slightly---few visitors could sense the falls' magic without direct exposure. "You're sensitive to magical currents?"

"Comes with the job," Vlad explained, tapping the silver medallion hanging from his neck.

"After forty years hunting the undead, you develop a certain.

.. awareness. Plus, this little beauty helps.

" He held up the medallion, which contained a small vial of clear liquid.

"Water from seven magical sources around the world. Resonates with similar energies."

"We appreciate your help," Leahnora responded formally. "Detective O'Reilly will brief you on our security preparations, and then we'd like you to assess Maisie's account of her captivity."

"Perfect plan," Vlad agreed, tipping his hat to Tandy. "Thanks for the map, love. Might take you up on that tour later."

As Roam led Vlad toward town hall, the vampire hunter leaned in and murmured, "Interesting town you've got here, Detective. That real estate sheila seems mighty eager to help."

"You noticed," Roam replied quietly. "She's our primary suspect in Evangelina Coal's murder."

Vlad's expression didn't change, but he gave a nearly imperceptible nod. "Ronald always picks the ambitious ones. Easy to manipulate with promises of wealth and power." He glanced back at Tandy, who was watching them with poorly concealed anxiety. "What's her particular weakness, I wonder?"

"We're still investigating," Roam admitted. "But she's been struggling financially. She's sitting on a book of properties that haven't sold in months. And she's not the most talented witch on the block."

"Ah," Vlad nodded knowingly. "Financial desperation combined with status anxiety. Ronald's favorite combination. Offer them money and prestige, dangle the promise of being 'special' in his new order."

"You really do know him," Roam acknowledged, his initial skepticism fading.

"Tracked that bloke for decades," Vlad confirmed. "His pattern's always the same. The only thing different this time..."

"What?" Roam prompted when Vlad paused.

The vampire hunter's scarred face turned grave. "This is the first time he's targeted a place with water this powerful. If he succeeds here, Ronald won't just have a vampire resort. He'll have a way to create near invincible daywalkers."

Roam felt a chill at this confirmation of what they had feared. "Then we need to make sure he fails."

"That we do, mate," Vlad agreed. "That we do."

Behind them, Tandy Keyes watched their retreating figures, her expression calculating. She pulled out her phone and sent a terse message: "Hunter knows too much. Will act soon."