Once he managed to find a carriage for hire, which wasn’t really much of a carriage at all, Callum headed off to meet the Count of Umbra Harbor. He didn’t know who or what to expect, and his heart pounded anxiously.

The driver, Jack, was a young, quiet man, and his two boys rode along in the back of the old cart. The older was quite chatty, while the other boy was silent. They wore ropes of garlic around their neck, while their father word a heavy string of wooden rosary.

“May I ask you something?” Callum questioned, keeping his voice low. He hadn’t spoken to anyone except Jasper about the Bloodsucker, and he was certain that Jack and his children were in Van’s letters. The man let out a heavy sigh, keeping his gaze focused on his horses.

“I s’pose you’re gonna ask ‘bout me and my Willa,” he said quietly. He eyed the boys in the back, who weren’t listening. They were engrossed in some card game while the elder of the two chatted away about the rules. “I don’t got any answers for ya, I’m afraid. If I did, maybe little Edvard might start talkin’ again. He ain’t never been the same since he found his mum in the pasture, laid out like that.”

“You were attacked by the Bloodsucker too, weren’t you? After Wilhelmina died?”

“Aye…” Jack placed his hand over the side of his neck and scowled. “I was travelin’ home from visitin’ Willa’s family after she died. He stopped me just outside the border of the county. I stopped ‘cause I thought maybe he needed help or somethin’.”

“Who was he?”

“No idea,” he said with a shrug. “I didn’t get a real good look at him ‘cause it was so dark. He was real forward and touchy, but I turned him down. I don’t care what other people do, but I ain’t into men, ya know? He got real mad that I turned him down. His eyes went red, and he had fangs like an animal. He bit me too, but my rosary burned his face and he let me go.”

“You must have been terrified.”

“I ain’t never run so fast in my life,” he said with a nod. “Went straight to Helsing and begged for help, but there’s not much to be done. He just gave me more ropes of garlic. I got ‘em all over the house and up in the barn. They boys never take theirs off except during bathtime, and I always got Willa’s rosary on me.”

“What do you think of Doctor Helsing’s accusations about the Count?”

“I ain’t never met the man, but I know Helsing and him don’t get along, so who’s to say? Could just be some grudge. I’m not gonna point fingers—I just wanna protect my boys.”

Jack’s horses started to grow restless as they reached a clearing in the dense forest. They refused to go any closer to the estate, despite Jack trying to get them moving.

There was a large iron gate surrounding the property, and the rough dirt path gave way to a beautiful stone drive that led up to the house. It was enormous and surrounded by more forest. The mansion was all dark stone and black wood, giving it a threatening aura as it loomed up on the hill in the fog. Two dark stone gargoyles were perched up on either side of the gate, staring down on them ominously.

“I’m sorry,” Jack said, shaking his head with disdain. “I dunno what’s gotten into them. You’ll have to walk up to the house.”

“That’s all right.” Callum hopped down from the carriage with his suitcase, and waved to the boys, who watched him with piqued interest. He handed Jack some money too. “I appreciate all your help, and thanks for talking with me. It seems most folks want to keep quiet.”

“Keeping my mouth shut ain’t gonna bring back my Willa, and it ain’t gonna keep any of them other folks from sharing her fate. I’m happy to help in any way I can. You know where we’re at if you need anything. I’ll try to be back before sunset to pick you up.”

Callum waved again as Jack headed back down the dirt path to Umbra Harbor. His heart fluttered anxiously as he turned to the old mansion, making his way up the drive.

There was nothing particularly strange about the buildings on the property. The main house seemed well cared-for, and the autumn leaves had been brushed off the front stairs. He took a deep, calming breath as he ascended, and knocked on the large wooden doors.

He listened for movement inside, but didn’t hear anything, and there was no light coming through any of the windows. He knocked again and waited, but eventually his shoulders dropped with discouragement. He really hoped he didn’t make the trip out there for nothing, especially since he wasn’t expecting Jack to return until sunset.

Right as he was preparing to give up, a middle-aged woman opened one of the doors, just far enough for her to stand in it. She had a white apron over her dark dress, and a stack of clean linens tucked under one arm while she eyed him up and down.

“Can I help you?”

“Good afternoon, ma’am,” Callum said, removing his hat. “Does the Count of Umbra Harbor live here?”

“He does.” She shifted the linens to her other arm, never taking her gaze off Callum. “Do you have business with the Count?”

“I’m a private investigator from the Capital City,” he explained and showed her his badge. “I’m looking into some strange goings-on in town, and was directed here to speak with the current owner. It is his county, after all.”

“Well…” The woman seemed a bit nervous and unsure, looking around to make sure Callum was alone. “He doesn’t really like visitors. And he’s—”

“Mary,” a man’s voice called out from somewhere inside the house, and the woman’s eye went wide. She stood up straighter and turned her attention to the direction of the voice. “Who’s at the door?”

“A detective from the Capital City,” she said. “He said he’s investigating the harbor, and he wants to speak with you.”

“Well, don’t be rude, Mary. He must be tired—it’s a long way from the Capital City.”

The other side of the wooden doors opened, and Callum found himself face-to-face with the Count of Umbra Harbor.

He was wearing a dark shirt, tucked into finely tailored pants, under a black vest with intricate embroidery and gold buttons. His glossy shoes must have cost more than Callum’s office back in the city.

He was taller than Callum, and he had high cheekbones and prominent, upturned eyes that were a beautiful shade of amber that he had never seen, and he couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away.

The man brushed his dark hair out of his face and smiled, and Callum felt strangely bashful. He lowered his eyes a bit, feeling his face get hot. Why was he getting flustered? It wasn’t like he’d never seen a good-looking man before.

The Count had thick scars that extended from his jaw down the side of his neck, mostly hidden by his shirt. It must have been a horrific wound, like he’d been mauled by a wild animal. Maybe a hunt gone badly?

“Good afternoon,” he said, holding his hand out to Callum, and it jolted him out of his daze. “Bram Shelley. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh… right.” Callum cleared his throat and shook himself a bit, trying to rid himself of the strange feeling he got from looking at the Count. He quickly shook his hand, and Bram’s grip was firm but not painful or tight like some men who wanted to show off their strength. His skin was cool and soft, and Callum found himself getting flustered again, so he pulled his hand away quickly. “Callum Harker.”

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“Please, come in, Mr. Harker.” Bram stepped back and gestured for Callum to enter.

Callum had been inside the homes of many nobles back in the Capital City, but he’d never seen anything quite like the Shelley Estate. It was enormous and lavish, with beautiful hardwood floors and plush carpets. There were crystal chandeliers, suits of armor and weapons on display, large paintings covering the walls, and other exquisite items adorning every inch of the manor… clearly the accumulation of centuries of wealth. Every window was draped in deep crimson curtains, creating a lovely contrast with the black walls.

Upstairs, in Bram’s study, three of the four walls were almost completely lined with bookshelves, save for the doors and Bram’s desk. The other wall had an enormous, beautifully designed fireplace with more draped windows on either side of it. There was a tea tablet and couches set up in front of it too.

The top of Bram’s desk seemed to be the only unorganized place in the entire house, with piles of scattered stationery and paperwork strewn about.

“Your housekeeper seems… nice,” Callum said, not entirely sure what to say to the man. At the present moment, everyone in Umbra Harbor was a suspect, and Helsing was entirely convinced that Bram was the Bloodsucker. Perhaps he shouldn’t have visited the Count by himself.

“She is…” Bram gave him a curious look as he gestured for Callum to sit in one of the chairs on the opposite side of his desk. He gathered all of the scattered papers and tapped them into a neat stack, then tucked them away in a drawer before finally taking a seat himself. He leaned forward on the now-clear desk and folded his hands in front of him. “But I’m sure you didn’t come all this way just to make small-talk about Mary. She said you’re investigating the harbor. So, what exactly are you looking for?”

Callum cleared his throat a couple of times. Something about the way Bram looked at him was terribly unnerving, but he needed to get to the point.

“I was sent here because the citizens of Umbra Harbor feel that the nobility of this county are not properly ensuring their safety. I’m here to analyze the situation, speak with witnesses and victims, and—”

“Victims?” Bram furrowed his brow. “Victims of what?”

“That’s what I’m trying to find out.” Callum put on his reading glasses before fishing a few papers out of his suitcase. “I’ve compiled a list of townsfolk, grouped together by their experiences. Chlorosis is healthy women, strange wounds, visions, encounters with a stranger in the night, even deaths… Doctor Helsing has—”

Bram let out a long, noisy sigh, and Callum eyed him questioningly as he leaned back in his chair and rolled his eyes.

“Mr. Harker,” he said firmly, giving him a hard stare, “I would advise you not to take direction from that man. He’s nothing more than a quack, parading himself around as some highly-educated professional while promoting unsafe treatments not grounded in science. Stick with him, and he’ll have you think the countryside is overrun with ghouls, or out in the harbor fishing for mermaids.”

“Well…” Callum was a bit taken aback by Bram’s reaction to hearing about Van. He knew they didn’t like each other, but apparently the hatred ran deeper than he originally thought. “Eccentric habits and theories aside, he does keep extensive record of what’s been going on in town.”

“He also has no regard for anyone but himself. He nearly killed me once by placing a rope of garlic around my neck, even after I told him not to, insisting that it would protect me. I am deathly allergic to many things, Mr. Harker, including onions and garlic. I don’t know what’s going on in town, and if what you’re saying is true, it’s terrible and disturbing, to say the least. But you won’t figure out with Van Helsing’s help.”

“He believes it to be the work of a vampire,” Callum noted, and Bram seemed a bit surprised, but then he frowned. “Do you believe in the supernatural, Mr. Shelley?”

“Just because something is unexplained, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a logical explanation to it, Mr. Harker. You’d do well to remember that if you’re going to enlist the help of lunatics like Van Helsing. Do you have any suspects? You mentioned something about a stranger in town.”

“Well…” Callum rubbed the back of his neck, trying to choose his words carefully. How could he question Bram without sounding like he was accusing the man? “Some of the men have reported being seduced by a handsome stranger in expensive clothing, like a nobleman. But… you’re the only noble in this county, are you not?”

Bram leaned forward on his arms again, a devilish smirk on his face. Callum held his breath as he looked him in the eyes.

“Should I be offended that you’re suggesting I might be the one responsible for these apparent attacks,” he asked softly, “or flattered that you think I’m handsome?”

Callum felt his face and ears get extremely hot, his heart quickening with embarrassment. He was sure he must be bright red.

“That’s not what I meant! I just—”

“Oh, come on, Mr. Harker. Have a sense of humor.” Bram leaned back in his seat and chewed on the end of a pen he’d picked up. “I’m afraid there’s not much I can do to help. I rarely even leave this manor. Besides, I’m quite far from town—it’d be difficult to go back and forth without being noticed, don’t you think?”

“You never go to town? But you’re the Count.”

“I do, just not often. It’s been a while. Nearly every building is covered in garlic nowadays due to Helsing’s crazed superstitions, and I’d prefer to keep breathing. Mary does most business in town on my behalf.”

“He seems to think it will protect the citizens from vampires,” Callum said, and he scowled.

“Well, it doesn’t protect me. How am I supposed to run a county when I can’t even enter the buildings? I’m lucky to have Mary, but she’s not the Count, I am.”

Callum sighed. He had hoped to get more information out of Bram. He was supposed to be running the county. It was no wonder why Helsing had turned to the Capital City for help.

“Why have you ignored the letters from Doctor Helsing? Because you don’t get along?”

“Excuse me?” Bram looked irritated then. “I haven’t received anything from Helsing—we haven’t spoken since the day he nearly killed me.”

“He said he’d been sending letters,” Callum explained, and Bram rubbed his chin. “He said you hadn’t responded to any of the letters. That’s why I’m here.”

“I can assure you, Mr. Harker, that I would not be sitting idly in this manor all this time if I had any idea what was happening in town.” Bram stood and smoothed the front of his vest, then gestured for Callum to follow. “I would never leave my county and its people to some ill fate because of one person. Mary usually collects the post—I’ll speak with her about it later.”

Callum walked the halls of Shelley Manor with Bram while they spoke more, mostly just Callum asking questions about Bram’s day-to-day routine as the Count. It seemed there were no other people working in the manor aside from Mary. She kept the entire place immaculate, and Bram thanked her for her work each time they passed each other.

Bram led him to another room on the opposite end of the manor. It opened up into his bedroom, and Callum stood just outside the doorway.

The room was similar to his study, full of bookshelves, with the addition of a large, four-post bed with heavy curtains. Bram went to his closet and got a jacket, buttoning it up before he led Callum downstairs and out the front door.

“Are you all alone here?” Callum asked.

Bram took a pack of cigarettes out of his breast pocket, offering one up to Callum, which he took gratefully. He’d been so wrapped up in his investigation that he hadn’t smoked in days.

“I’m not alone—I have Mary,” he said as he lit his cigarette. “It is just the two of us, but I don’t need anyone else. There’s no one else here to make more work for her.”

It was already starting to get dark, although it was pretty much always dark in Umbra Harbor. It was raining again, and Callum wondered if he’d ever see a clear sky while he was there.

“Your carriage should be here soon,” Bram said as he lit a couple of lamps around them. He sat down in a chair and took a long drag of his cigarette.

There was a strange chirping noise in the air, and Callum squinted up at the darkened sky. He couldn’t really tell where it was coming from, especially with the rain falling in his face and the noise echoing around them.

“What is that sound?”

“Bats” Bram told him. “They come in the spring and stay until close to the end of the rainy season, when the cold weather drives the insects away. They like to roost in old attics and chimneys.”

Callum scowled. He hated animals that invaded buildings. The Capital City had a terrible rat problem, and what were bats other than rats that could fly?

“You don’t care to get rid of them?” he questioned. “Does the town have no means of pest control?”

“Why would I do that?” Bram seemed offended by the question. “They’re mostly harmless, and they eat annoying insects. They’ll be gone soon anyway—they’re not pests.”

“Suit yourself,” Callum said with a shrug.

While they were chatting, Jack returned to pick up Callum. The horses still refused to come up the drive, so he waited outside the iron gates.

“I won’t take up any more of your time,” Callum said as he dropped his cigarette on the ground, putting it out with his shoe. He held out his hand to shake Bram’s. “Have a wonderful evening, Mr. Shelley.”

Bram stood and put out his own cigarette before taking Callum’s hand. Instead of shaking it, he rubbed his thumb against the back of it softly before lifting it to his lips. He kissed the back of it, flashing a mischievous grin. Callum felt his face get hot, and quickly pulled his hand back.

“I look forward to seeing you again, Mr. Harker.”

Callum put his hat on and rushed out into the rain and down the drive. Bram didn’t move from his spot, watching him leave.

“Thanks for coming back for me,” he said to Jack as he climbed up beside him. “Let’s go.”

“That the Count?” Jack asked, eyeing the man up on the porch. “He looks younger than I expected. Must be the guy’s son or somethin’.”

Callum shivered and glanced back up at the manor. Bram was still standing on the porch, watching them leave. He pulled his jacket tighter around himself, his heart racing. It felt as though Bram could still see him, even long after they were out of view. He hoped he wouldn’t have to go back there again.