Page 133 of The Vampire's Mercy

“Nope. I’m bullet-hole free.”

We were here. Really here. The storm, the burning torches, the beckoning darkness beyond the door.

“Whoa,” I breathed. “This really is the tower.”

“Told you.”

Thunder pealed behind me, a flash of lighting igniting this alcove.

“I’m not dreaming?” I questioned.

“No. Shall we? I’m freezing my scales off here.”

The pounding in my head seemed to have vanished at some point, replaced by a strange vacantness. I wasn’t sure how to feel, because nothing else seemed to matter other than getting inside this tower.

Find the truth…

Unlock…

It didn’t stop a smidgeon of fear making my heart thrum, though.

Medusa pushed the door open. A burst of warm, dusty air greeted me as the hinges creaked.

Shit. We were doing this.

“Hello?” she asked the darkness beyond.

No answer.

“Is anyone there?” I added.

A candle sparked to life on a table close to the door, illuminating an empty bookshelf. The flame flickered as the bitter wind raced into the room. Something hit the floor in the dark, followed by the rustling sounds of paper being blown about.

Choices: Hesitate and freeze, or take the plunge and step inside.

With a deep breath, I went inside at the same time as my snake-shifting companion.

The door slammed behind us so hard we both jumped with a yelp.

Dammit!

I caught my breath, the warmth quickly becoming stifling. The air was too close, filled with dust. My nostrils itched, a tickle scratching at the back of my throat.

More candles ignited around the room, revealing more of the space.

A square-shaped place, the walls as gray as the outside of the tower. There were four bookshelves, all empty, and a tablein the corner with the first candle. A broom leaned against an arched doorway directly ahead, two candles burning in metallic lanterns either side of it.

I licked my lips, gingerly moving toward the door as the rain and wind pounded on the tower’s entrance.

“Be careful,” Medusa warned.

No shit, Snakey.

“Hello?” I called gently.

No answer.

By the way the flames had appeared, this tower definitely wanted us here. Whether that was for nefarious or jolly reasons remained to be seen.