The Blood-soaked Masquerade by Martin J. Manco One night, when the moon was hidden behind dark clouds, the Defenders of the Dawn, a group of talented and successful vampire hunters, gathered outside the elaborate estate hosting the grand masquerade of a particularly wealthy Marquis. This mysterious figure, a long-lost heir to a nearly forgotten family, supposedly, was possessed of incredible wealth that had drawn many fallen nobles, pleasure-seekers, and avid merchants to his banner. It was rumored that even members of the royal families of the surrounding nations were in attendance this evening, mixed in the crowd of masked and costumed entertainers and other guests. The Defenders had also received an invitation, which was suspicious, since they were not from particularly lofty heights of society, nor was their mission, to rid the world of the undead and their minions, widely known. They had just come back from investigating reports of lycanthropes in Southern Germany when the letter arrived. It was written in blood, and though dry, it seemed unnaturally gleaming and bright, almost as if it was impossibly fresh.
To my recent foes, Know that I bear you no particular ill will for our confrontation three years ago. In fact, it was your harsh actions that enabled me to gain my current position of influence. When you are finished dealing with those Bavarian mongrels (and I do hope you bathe thoroughly, afterwards), I would be delighted if you could attend the masquerade one of my minions has arranged. I promise you, however, that by my honor... and my loathing of you and all your simpleminded, simpering kind, that I shall be the only enemy you shall face there. If you can destroy me, then you will have thwarted centuries of my plans... and finished your own botched job last time. Should you fail to find me by the Witching Hour... well, then I shall have removed one less obstacle. See you soon, and remember... wear masks. Sincerely, The Black Beast of Belgrade The Defenders of the Dawn were nervous. They had fought the Black Beast throughout the streets and surrounding countryside, and had lost several of their friends and allies to the creature's unspeakable thirst, tremendous strength, impossible speed, ability to shrug off common charms and banes as well as conventional damage, leathery wings, savage claws and fangs, and dominating gaze. The Defenders had only managed to defeat the creature with a tricky set up of mirrors as the Sun rose, blasting the vampire to ash that drifted away on the - 71 -
