Chapter 41

We were comfortably tucked in at the table as Gus placed plates heaped with scrambled eggs and skillet potatoes before us. I’d never been so hungry in my entire life.

He sat down as we ate and started unfolding a brief accounting of recent local vampire lore.

“They moved in about six months ago. Took over the ruins of an old fortress up the mountainside a bit. Used to be a stronghold for other demon types. It had been abandoned for decades, but they had it good as new practically overnight. They remind me of wasps building a paper hive. It’s a terrible place, vampires flying in and out of it at all hours. Folks say that the new master is a creature named Vaclav. They tried to create trouble when they first came, but they’ve left us well enough alone now that they understand we won’t be caught unawares.”

He jerked his thumb to some rather nasty looking weaponry hanging next to every single door, window, and fireplace in the inn. I certainly wouldn’t want to run into this guy on a dark and stormy night.

“Grabbed a couple kids in those first days. I don’t know much, but I’m smart enough to know you don’t go pissing off a mother if you want to last on this Side. Older vampires would have known, but these were young ones, recently formed, hungry and dumb. We got ‘em the next night they tried to come back. A few tried to come back for revenge. We got them, too.”

I threw down my fork, “Well, they’re about to discover they’re not going to last very long on this Side if they go pissing off daughters, too.” I looked over at Killian, “We need to hit them during the day when their strength is weakest.”

Gus held up his hands, “Now, now. You’re not speaking of storming that fortress all by yourselves there, lassie…”

“Oh, that is precisely what she is speaking of,” replied Killian.

“I’ve got to,” I said to Gus. “They’ve got my mom.”

“You won’t last ten minutes,” he warned, wagging his finger at me, “Believe you me, there has been many a traveler come to take those creatures down, but none came back. I can’t let you go in there guns blazing. Your poor mother would never forgive me.”

“What would you suggest?” I asked, being smart enough to listen when someone older and wiser than me told me I was a dumbass.

“Let me loan you some horses. Your car would be limping along with busted tires before you got around the second bend. I can draw you a map. You’ll also need some disguises…”

“If you can furnish us with appropriate garb, I can take care of the rest,” said Killian.

I looked at him in surprise.

“Fairy glamour. It is not just for seducing the ladies,” he replied.

Naturally.

“Okay, Gus. We’ve got some fairy glamour and some horses. What else?” I asked.

“I assume you’re armed?”

“To the teeth.” I paused as Killian and Gus looked at me, “No pun intended.”

“Then all you need is my good wishes,” said Gus as he pushed himself up from the table. “You’re lucky you’re going in now. The sky was dark with vampires flying out yesterday. I would suggest getting this rescue done before they return.”

“Well, nothing like a deadline to get me motivated,” I paused again. “No pun…”

Gus just cut me off, “I’ll make sure there are clean linens on the beds for when you return.”

“Plan for three guests,” I replied, giving him a firm handshake to seal the deal.