Free Broom with a View by Gayla Twist, Ted Naifeh Page A

I’m afraid.”
    Vera sprang to her feet and made a little rush for the door, suddenly desperate to be anywhere than where she was. Mr. B caught her firmly by the arm insisting, “Remain calm, Madam. This is no time to panic.”
    “But we have to get out .” Vera was frantic. “We have to get out of here. Who knows if they will target the Belladonna next?”
    Mr. B had to suppress a chuckle. The idea that the next building to be chosen for destruction after the embassy would be a Witch -friendly pensione struck his funny bone. “I’m sure we will be perfectly fine for the moment,” he assured her between poorly concealed smirks.
     
    As the day wore on, Violet still felt confined in their guest house, but at least now there was a reason not to take a stroll before dinner. News streamed in about a counterstrike against the Witches’ Guild and rioting in the streets and outside the governor's mansion.
    In the evening, the dining room was filled with people discussing the violence of the day. Count Du Monde was right there in the thick of the conversation doing his best to make his voice heard. “But there is no proof that Witches or Vampires were responsible for the initial attack. No one has claimed responsibility , and the police have found no evidence to arrest anyone.”
    “I heard,” Hippolyta interjected, “that the Vampires attacked their own embassy so they could justify coming after our guild.”
    “Is that really true?” Vera gasped.
    Hippolyta gave her friend a knowing look. “I’ve had it from a very reliable source.”
    “But don’t you see?” The Count was anxious to stop the finger pointing. “There’s no reason to listen to rumors and give credence to wild stories until we know the facts.”
    Mr. B hurried in, this time having used the front door for he had been out gathering more local information about the conflict. The room fell silent , and all eyes turned to him. “I don’t want to cause any alarm,” he said, “but I do believe it might not be safe to stay in X for the moment. I’m going to suggest that we all make a hasty evacuation as soon as arrangements can be made.”
    “Leave the pensione?” Vera wailed, completely forgetting her attempt to flee a few hours earlier. “But where shall we go? Is it safe to return to England?”
    “No,” Mr. B said, pinching his bottom lip in thought. “I’m not sure that is advisable either. I think we must find accommodations in the countryside somewhere, and we must do so as soon as possible.”
    “But where shall we go? Where is there a place where we shall be safe from danger?” Vera asked the room at large.
    Violet couldn’t help but notice that the Count Du Monde and his son were intent in a private conversation on the other side of the table. Finally, the Count raised his voice. “If it’s not too impertinent to suggest, I know of a castle in the countryside, no more than an hour or so ride from here, that I’m sure would be a safe place for all of us to spend a few days until the cessation of violence. I’ve had an open invitation to visit for centuries, and I’m sure there would be enough room for all.”
    The entire room turned to regard the old Vampire, some with expressions of hope, some with trepidation , and some with gratitude. Vera, who was by far the most cautious among those who were reticent, piped up with the courage to ask, “But isn’t it a Vampire castle?” She said the word “Vampire” in a whisper.
    “It is very old,” the count admitted, “and belongs to my good friend who happens to be a Vampire.”
    Looking scandalized at the mere thought of being invited to the home of a Vampire, let alone staying there, Vera gestured towards the other Witches in the room. “But will it be quite safe? I mean, if we do accept the invitation?”
    “My dear, Madam,” Count Du Monde said in a voice that was to leave her in no doubt, “you will be