The end of the chapter was from a remark Silverbane made in a review! Thanks for the push. (Plot bunnies hide while author laughs demonically as she types)
Chapter 31-Seeking an Answer
Shandra glanced at Drizzt. and saw he was examining one of the walls. "Drizzt, what're you doing?" she asked.
"Something's not right," Drizzt muttered. "There's no reason for those stairs to lead up here."
"Perhaps through one of those two doors," Shandra suggested.
Drizzt shook his head. "No, that doesn't make any sense either. A vampire would want its lair some place where there was no chance of any sunlight entering," he said.
Shandra smiled suddenly. "So there might be a secret door leading to hidden chamber," she said.
"That's what I'm thinking. We just have to find it," Drizzt said.
"Is it safe for us to split up and search?' Tarion asked.
"No one goes anywhere alone. We'll search in pairs," Drizzt said. "It'll be safer that way."
"What if we can't find it?" Galen asked.
"If we don't it'll be revealed to us eventually or they'll come after us," Drizzt said with shocking certainly.
"How do you know that?" Thom asked.
"Because when Kylia was kidnapped he dared us to come for her. He wanted us here, so sooner or later he'll confront us," Drizzt said.
They began to search the room carefully. After two hours of looking without success they were all getting tired and frustrated. They stopped to rest foe a while and have something to eat.
"For wanting us to find him he isn't making it easy," Tarion remarked then yawned. "Tyr's Blood, I'm tired."
"Perhaps we should try to get some rest. We haven't slept for a while," Shandra said. She looked at Drizzt. "Teams of two for each watch?"
Drizzt nodded. "Magical locks on the doors as well, please Kylia?" he asked.
"A wise idea, at least we'll have some extra security," Kylia said. She cast the spell on both doors then returned to the group. Sitting down and leaning against Tarion, she was delighted when his arms came around her and pulled her closer. "Rest, I'll be the first on watch," he said.
"Galen, will you watch with him? Next will be Shandra and Thom then Kylia and I," Drizzt said.
"Why those pairings?" Galen asked.
"So each magic user will have a warrior close by if needed," Drizzt said.
"You're quite good at strategy for a ranger," Galen remarked.
"I was a warrior and patrol scout before I even knew what a ranger was. I became a ranger when I came to the surface," Drizzt said. He settled down to sleep and the others soon joined him.
Meanwhile
The soft squeaking of rats filled the room as they approached Renee's crumpled body. A rat bolder then the rest sniffed warily at the corpse's face. Suddenly Renee's eyes opened, glowing savage red and her hand flashed out and seized the rat. Sinking her fangs into the rat, she drained it dry in seconds. Squeaking in terror, the other rats fled in all directions and disappeared.
Tossing the dried husk of the rat aside, Renee rose and left the room. Her new master had given her commands that she fully intended to follow. Once she did then she would be allowed to dieā¦..To die was all that she wanted.
See what I mean! Bad, bad author! R/R please!
