Chapter 21

Four carcasses twitched and shuddered across the wooden floor while we took a well-deserved drink. Eight in total had attacked Serenity House this evening.

"I think we can safely say your ball was a riot." I couldn't help myself, I had to say it. Behind me, the soldiers chortled with laughter.

"It did end rather spectacularly, didn't it?" Seth smiled.

Frank appeared on the top step. "Seth," he called. "We think we've pinpointed the hive in the grid Ella identified."

Seth handed off his sword to the butler, who had materialised at his elbow. How did he do that? He must have secret doorways that exited in thin air. "Rally your men, lieutenant, we have our target."

"Yes, captain." The soldier saluted and jogged up the stairs.

I took in the mess on the dance floor. "We need to identify them if we can, and the ones outside." Where did they come from, and how far had they travelled? I needed names to inscribe in my notebook, before their bodies were consigned to the bonfire. A tinge of