Patrick carried Chrip to the tunnel entrance and squinted into it. He forced his fear down and started upwards, his steps heavy and reluctant.

Her head lay against his shoulder, her lips near his ear, and she whispered, "Patrick, what are they?"

"Vampires."

He expected her to argue, but she only nodded. "You won't let them hurt me, will you?"

His answer was a silent prayer.

At the top of the tunnel, the door was still open and the opulent room was ...