I played with Shara and her father for what felt like hours as I waited for Kalli to arrive at Shaw Manor. That’s what Shara told me it was called. The place gave off a renaissance vibe complete with gilded mirrors and antique French furniture.

After a couple of games, Shara had insisted on giving me a tour. The place was massive. The first thing I noticed was the lack of windows. It made sense. Vampires were allergic to sunlight.

I wonder how many of those old myths are true?

Kalli was listening to my thoughts. What myths?

You know. The ones about vampires.

I felt Kalli’s emotions flare as she thought about the question.

What was that?

She nervously informed me, I was thinking about my life at the orphanage. Don’t worry about it. As I recall, Vampires are creatures of the night. They don’t enjoy stakes through the heart. I believe they are allergic to garlic. Sunlight kills them. What else was there? Silver? No, that’s werewolves. Does that help?

Do you know which ones are actually true?

I could tell that Kalliphae was disappointed that her information wasn’t helpful. I don’t. Sadly, I’ve never met a vampire.

I pulled up the map to see how close Kalliphae was. Her blip on the map was still on the highway but…

Kalli. You guys missed the exit. You’re going the wrong way.

Kalli felt alarmed and I could tell she was talking to Lou. She returned to me a moment later. We’re following someone from the guild. Lou doesn’t know where they are taking us.

I looked back at Shara and her father who were in the middle of explaining the history of summer sitting room 7. Shara smiled and explained, “…and this is where daddy and I make a castle under the bed.”

I laughed, “Isn’t it strange to make a play castle when you live in one to begin with?”

She stuck her tongue out at me, “What fun would that be? I used to play with fake swords even though we have hundreds of real ones. Sometimes it's fun to play make-believe.”

I changed the subject, “Excuse me, Mr. Shaw. Do you know when Kalli is going to be getting here?”

Shara’s dad had been standing silently behind us as the kid made up a new story for every room we visited. He looked back at the door behind him and said, “Your friend has been collected and is being taken to safety. You will be reunited with her in the morning. It was unfortunate that the bounty hunter used magic that severed your group connection.”

I paused at his explanation. Was it obvious that we were no longer in a normal group? I asked, “Why can’t she just be brought here?”

The old man frowned at me, “It is highly irregular for us to host guests in Shaw Manor. You were brought here as a precaution. It is still unclear who wishes to harm the manipulator.”

My eyes widened in shock when I heard him say manipulator. Shara was oblivious, “What are you talking about daddy? Is Melvin in some kind of danger?”

Rick looked down at his daughter and smiled, “Never you mind about that. We will keep Melvin safe. How about you head off to bed. I’m sure Melvin would like to get some sleep after the day he’s had.”

That was the last thing I wanted to do at the moment, but I nodded anyhow. Mr. Shaw knelt next to the girl to comfort her, “How about you go hop in bed, sugar plum. I am going to get our guest situated for the night then I’ll come tuck you in.

“Daddy”, Shara sounded scandalized when she screamed, “Don’t call me that in front of people. Can you tell me a bedtime story tonight?”

“You got it”, he promised, watching her until she was gone.

I decided that I needed a backup plan.

Kalli. Do you think you can come pick me up on the phoenix?

She felt concerned. Why, Mel. Is something wrong?

I’m starting to have a bad feeling. They know that I’m the manipulator and that we were forced out of the group. I think they’re up to something.

Kalli thought for a moment and replied. There's no way I can leave without the guild noticing. What do you want me to tell Lou?

She was right. They were going to be onto us as soon as she left. I came up with an idea.

Ask Lou to come up with a distraction. If you can get him to pull over, you can find a way to sneak away. Then try to find a place where you can take off without the guild noticing you.

I practically felt the girl working out a plan. Mr. Shaw walked slowly through the bowels of Shaw Manor. It felt like we were wandering deep into a maze. I idly wondered why I couldn’t sleep in any one of the many bedrooms we walked past. I asked, “I noticed that you guys don’t have any coffins. I thought vampires slept in coffins.”

He hesitated for a moment. I had a feeling that he was surprised that I knew Lady Shaw was a vampire as he explained, “Coffins are a dated concept. With modern technology, we can easily control the light. Absolute darkness is required for cellular regeneration. Even in rooms with windows, we can both blot out the sun and create a perfect environment.”

If he was going to be this talkative, I might as well get some more information out of him, “So the sun can’t kill a vampire?”

Mr. Shaw laughed, “It’s true. All of the rumors have some level of truth to them. Sunlight does have a detrimental effect on the vampire body. It does not happen as rapidly as television would have you believe.”

“What about garlic?”, I pressed the advantage.

This caused the old man to snort, “It is also true that vampires have very selective pallets. The truth is that most solid foods are unappealing to a vampire. Why do you think it's so rare to come across a fat one. Of course, my wife is likely the first vampire you’ve ever met, isn’t she?”

I laughed too, trying to make him feel that this was just light conversation, “Yes. She’s my first. What about a stake through the heart?”

I doubled over as I suddenly felt as if the wind were knocked out of me. Shara’s dad stopped and gave me a look of concern, “My goodness, are you okay?”

I tried to figure out where the pain had come from. I found it through the connection along with an aching Kalliphae.

What happened? Are you alright?

She winced and sent back a reply. It’s fine. I fell from the privy window. Why do they have to put them so high?

It’s so the smell…well, never mind. That felt painful.

She smiled. You should have felt it on my end. Anyhow, I’m going to put a bit of distance between me and the guild and then I’ll be on my way.

I pulled up my map to track her progress and blinked to see Mr. Shaw in my face. I quickly replied, “I’m fine. I just felt a disturbance in the force is all.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Do you need another restroom stop?”

I shook my head, “No no. I’m fine. Are we almost there yet?”

Mr. Shaw took that as his cue to continue walking and said, “Now where was I? Oh yes, a stake through the heart. Just think about it, any creature that has a heart needs it to survive. Vampires have a very special union with blood, which makes the heart even more important. The wooden stake, while convenient, is not the only thing that will ruin a vampire’s day. I once heard of a sheriff who cut a man’s heart out with a spoon.”

I stopped to stare at the man, “Why are you telling me all of this?”

He chuckled quietly as if he were in on a private joke that I wasn’t privy to, “This is all common knowledge. You would know this and more if you had any magical upbringing. Besides, even vampire hunters with all of their fancy weapons fail to slay them with any regularity.”

I noticed the hall we had turned down was rather dark. The decor had gone from a dull brown color to a gothic black. Candles no longer lined the walls and I felt like I would probably be blind if not for my God Eye.

I quietly asked, “Where are you taking me?”

Mr. Shaw’s lip curled up in a grin, “As our guest of honor, we felt it only fitting that you should be offered our master suite.”

I gulped as we approached a set of double doors, “Are you inviting me to sleep in your bedroom? Don’t you think I’m a little young for that?

I also felt Kalli blush. The wind swept her hair over her shoulders as she flew at breakneck speed toward my location. She was so close, yet so far away.

The old man opened both doors wide and I gasped as I saw a large bed chamber with a canopy bed raised on a dais. The white bed stood out in stark contrast to the black decor around it. Mr. Shaw placed a hand on my shoulder. I jumped nearly two feet in the air. He shook his head and explained, “Don’t worry. Lady Shaw and I sleep in the basement. We reserve this room specifically for our VIP guests. You should find the bed to be most comfortable. Also, this room has a more traditional restroom. Some people find it troublesome getting used to the chamberpots so we have modernized just a tiny bit.”

I look at the windowless walls, “Is it too late to request a room with a window?”

Mr. Shaw stood still for a moment, “I will see what can be arranged. In the meantime, would you like me to have any food sent up? You must be hungry.”

The thought of vampire food made me a little queasy. I didn’t want to arouse any suspicion so I said, “Sure. I could go for some food.”

The room was far worse when I was alone inside of it. Kalliphae felt my shuddering and commented. That room really is creepy. Why would they put you there?

I looked around at the black walls from my perch on the bed. It somehow felt safe to sit in the sanctuary of the white cloth. Sitting there, it suddenly dawned on me that the bed was precisely where they wanted me to sit. It was the kill box. The sacrificial altar.

I jumped from the bed and into the darkness. Even my God Eye didn’t prepare me for what I saw next. A pair of red eyes peered at me from the far side of the room. I could clearly see everything in the room, but she had blended with the black wall perfectly.

Carmilla Shaw took a step forward shrouded in her black cloak. I stepped back at her approach. We continued this strange dance until I felt the wall at my back. Kalli was terrified. You need to run, Melvin.

I wanted to, but I was paralyzed in fear. Carmilla stopped just out of arms reach and cooed at me, “Relax child. I’ve merely come to tuck you in. I hear my husband told you all about vampires. You know, I can turn you if you like. How would you like to be freed of your mortal cage?”

I gulped audibly, “I don’t think I would like that. Not like this. Perhaps you could give me a few years to think about it?”

She had a laugh that sounded almost like a hiss, “I suppose that’s just fine. The life isn’t for everyone after all.”

I could see her fangs glistening. Wait. There wasn’t any light. They were dripping. Was that saliva? Was she anticipating a meal? Was I to be that meal? Kalli’s shout echoed in my ears. Run, Mel. What’s wrong with you. Get out of there.

Lady Shaw stepped back, giving me room, “Come now. Let’s get you tucked into bed. Rick is whipping you up a snack as we speak.”

I had a strange feeling that if I climbed into that bed, I wasn’t going to get back out of it.