Chapter 220: Interlude: Scarlet - An Invitation in Blood

Scarlet fidgeted a little herself, trying to determine what to do with Terry as Illa panicked like a total teenage girl; if the ginger was acting, it was good. Scarlet decided it would be best to drop him off back in the armored vehicle, since the moment Illa stopped her charm, he’d be an enemy again, and the military could interrogate him or something.

"It should be fine—probably."

"Scarlet, don’t tease me," Illa cried, giving her a light, pouty smile. "Does this mean we are becoming friends?"

"Friendly," Scarlet chimed, pointing at the man, who was rapidly drying out from a lack of blood. "I’ll drop him off before we go shopping, so just stay here for a second; be right back."

Illa showed off her fangs again. "Friendly is an improvement! One step at a time. Relationship goals, am I right?!"

"Eh-hehe. Sure. One sec..."

Kneeling beside the man, she transported him into the now-empty armored vehicle and pounded on the side, practically scaring the ghost out of the SWAT driver.

"Special delivery!"

Giggling, she felt surprisingly good about how she was handling things. Now, to see what grade she got by calling the boss hare herself. Looking back to where she’d left Illa, Scarlet felt her lungs jump into her throat; Illa wasn’t alone anymore.

The ginger gasped at the sight of a pretty 13-year-old girl who opened the door to the boiler room, her caramel-brown hair pulled into a high side bun—yet another vampire.

Panicking at the sudden arrival of even more fanged threats, Scarlet let her shadows carry her back to the building. Illa’s excitement was on full display as the charming, proper teen unfastened her inner-fur-sewn black overcoat, revealing an elegant black lace and red velvet dress.

"Scarlet! She’s the cutest, most adorable thing I have ever seen! Ahh! She’s so mature for her age; do you see her dress and that exquisite belt?! It all matches! I just want to bite— Scarlet?"

Scarlet held out a hand to stop Illa from rushing over to sweep the composed girl off her feet and into a swinging embrace. Pressure hit her chest like a vise as she studied the dangerous 13-year-old, her flaming cherry eyes alight with welcoming energy. "She’s actually pretty strong."

The howl of a wolf came from across town, and Scarlet gulped as she filtered out the building, keeping the teen in sight. Ominously, she also spotted a thick fog rolling in from the sea. Is the attack already starting?!

The girl kept her coat over her shoulders, her expensive thorn-style black diamond necklace hanging as she crossed her feet and spread her dress out to offer a formal curtsy. Her body was alight with so much crimson that Scarlet felt dizzy looking into it; parts of it were practically entirely formed out of blood.

"Greetings, Lady Scarlet Johnson. I am Lady Cássia Kiss, an emissary of Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed, and she has tasked me to await your arrival in Miami to offer you a formal invitation to her masquerade."

The vampire rose to slip her hand into the inner pocket of her coat to withdraw a business card, the lettering written in blood.

A quake ran through Scarlet’s bones at the classy teen’s smooth introduction. "First, what is happening outside? How did you find me?"

Cássia maintained her grace while holding the card against her front, showing her small fangs and a smile. "Count Dracula has decided to launch an attack on the Sunshine State in order to show the world that there is nowhere they can hide from the darkness. We will be leaving before his forces arrive. If you wish to join the Countess’ party, then we must leave before Lady Aurora Bain departs with the guests."

"Aurora-who?" Scarlet asked, feeling the pressure rising as a time limit crashed against her chest.

Illa piped up from behind her. "Oh, that’s the Scarlet Hand fairy that Terry talked about! The fog is probably her doing. Well, or her fairy followers—maybe both... Hmm. Do you think the Countess would mind if we stole this little cutie?"

The world started to crumble around her with the expectant 13-year-old’s smile, all while Illa was still drooling over the girl with longing eyes, wanting to smother her in hugs.

This... is a total mess! Rachel, what am I supposed to do?!

"I-I need to get clothes if we’re going to a party!"

Her throat constricted as Cássia giggled, her uncanny, shimmering ruby eyes fixated on Scarlet and practically ignoring Illa’s attempts to snatch her attention.

"The Countess anticipated her guests might not have the proper attire, so she had her servants prepare the materials required to fashion you an appropriate wardrobe once inside her domain... You may bring guards and friends if you so choose."

The girl began using one hand to expertly fasten the top buttons of her coat with an expectant charm. "I am sure they are listening as we speak and will meet us at the docks. Shall we leave? The Hunters and Vampire Lords are already gathering on the vessel."

"Can we?! I so want to go, Scarlet— Please take me!" Illa pleaded, grabbing her arm and giving her big blue puppy-dog eyes. "It sounds like so much fun!"

"I... guess I do need to get my dad’s body back, and it’s on the boat. Umm. I might need to fight Lady Selene... Is that okay with the Countess?"

Blood snaked out from beneath Cássia’s coat to present her with the invitation, a toothy grin on her face and some of her poise dropping to show the young teenage girl underneath.

"Absolutely! So long as one makes their intentions known to the other party, conflict is most certainly encouraged. My Mistress’ Legend Quest demands a game of cutthroat adversaries and rivals struggling to overcome plots and subterfuge for power..."

Scarlet took the card, hoping Rachel was making plans, because she’d really stepped in the deep end on this one. "Then... I accept."

"Yes! Yes! Yes! And custom clothes!" Illa squealed. "You must get a new dress with us, Cássia! Oh, you should join Scarlet’s team; she’s the best!"

Scarlet forced a laugh. "Let’s... not get ahead of ourselves, Illa."

Cássia’s mesmerizing crimson eyes flickered with delight as the 13-year-old bowed her head slightly. "Each faction has been granted a servant of the Countess to make sure your every desire is met. And, as instructed, should you accept the invitation, I am to be at your beck and call, Lady Scarlet. A week of vampiric fun at the Court of Blood. I hope to serve you well... Right this way, My Lady."

Scarlet felt a clawed hand grip her heart as the pressure mounted, and she followed the Countess of Blood’s servant into the misty night, where a fancy black car waited for them.

Rachel... Help!