YEAR OF THE VAMPIRE 29

Chapter 29

Music from: Battle Royale

The door locked behind Ivy as soon as she stumbled through it.

Most of the other residents were still gathered in the ballroom, all watching the door and her entrance.

"What's going on?" Rimbladt asked. Behind him, Mandrake, Jovan, and the two gypsies were deep in a musical number of piano, violins, and cello.

Ivy stopped, the music seeping into her soul, stilling any dire need for help. The melody came in a wave, through her, seemingly replacing the blood in her veins.

"You've come to an answer?" Scarlet asked. She held a bouquet of red roses in her arms. "I would so love for you to stay, Ivy. I know Rockfort would paint us in the loveliest—"

"The mirror," Dred said, pointing at the tall, tapestry covered rectangle to the side of Ivy at the wall. It was partly blocked by a three-panel folding screen.

Ivy turned as gray smoke billowed past her.

"Who put that here?" The music came to a halt, and Mandrake crossed the room and pulled the panel away.

The ornately-framed floor-length mirror was covered, but smoke swirled from it.

Mandrake looked to Dred. "That is not to leave the library."

Vohn emerged from the woodcut room, slamming the door behind him, his sword bloodied. He ripped off the tapestry, showing the mirror the room.

Every jaw dropped.