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She popped open the glove box and rustled the pages of the map, spreading them wide, folding them, unfolding them. “You’ll follow the curve of this road and then it should be coming up on our right soon.”
“I guess we’ll find it when we see a house sitting on a hill.”
“You know, it’s strange. All these things have been like on the coast.”
I shrugged. “It makes sense. This is where people landed when they traveled overseas, yes?”
“I guess so.”
“Domingo has the accent of a Spaniard. He’s probably from a long line of them.”
She pursed her lips. “I didn’t consider that.”
“Vampires create each other, right? He’s probably been around for a very long time.”
“I can’t imagine what he’s seen.”
I nodded. “Or what he’s done.”
“Matéo?”
“Yes, little boxer?”
She shivered while folding the maps together. “What do you think we’re going to find?”
“I haven’t the faintest clue.”
Arnaud, my mother spoke.But don’t tell Bertrand. He would never approve
“What was she looking for?” I whispered to myself. “What was she trying to hide?”
“Matty?”
I touched the ring through my shirt. Just last night, it had grown as hot as if it had been freshly cast from a blacksmith. Now it was cooler than ice. “Nothing, love.”
“No, Matty, look—” She tapped the glass. “There’s a fortress.”
I squinted at it, not quite believing my eyes. “Check the map.”
“That’s where the house should be.”
“What?”
She laughed nervously. “I think that’s your house, Matty.”
“Impossible.”
“Let’s go check it out.”
The place was truly decrepit. Spiraling towers crumbled in on themselves with charcoal black stones piling around the base. Heavy storms had clearly reduced much of the structure to rubbish while leaving parts of the first floor intact. A rather large set of metal doors marked the entrance.
Strong winds whipped the truck as we approached. The closer we drew, the more ominous the fortress became, resembling the charcoal drawings that had spilled from the bag Rose carried with her just about everywhere.
Until after we met.
I glanced at Rose. “You’re not wearing your bag.”
“What?”
