Broom with a View by Gayla Twist, Ted Naifeh

who sprang up from next to the carriage’s rear wheel. The fourth accomplice attacked from the side on which Violet was seated. She frantically groped for the wand in her pocket while Miss Hopkins brandished her open parasol, stabbing at their assailant as well as repelling him.
    Fortunately, Vera let out an ear -splitting shriek, drawing the attention of the carriage in front of them which quickly came to a halt. Through the struggle, Violet caught a glimpse of the Du Mondes looking back at them. Then Sebastian was in their carriage, although she couldn’t remember seeing him run the few short yards that separated them. It was like he dropped out of the sky and was instantly in the thick of it, lifting the assailant that Hippolyta was fending off with her umbrella and flinging him into the street.
    Even though it was obvious that the young Du Monde was there to protect them, Vera increased her screams, which were very close to Violet’s ear, to the point that Violet was wishing that her aunt could stifle her fear a little better. Mr. B was back on his feet again, giving his attacker what for while Sebastian dealt with the two men who were detaining the horse.
    Once the horse’s head was clear of encumbrances, the driver found his whip and lashed at the animal, which lost no time taking a hasty gait down the small street. The carriage in front was also on the move , and besides a few scuffs, a tear in Miss Hopkins's parasol, and Mr. B’s bruised jaw, no one was much the worse for wear.
    At a likely stopping point well away from the site of their assault, it was decided that Sebastian and Mr. B would trade carriages in case of another attack. Violet could tell that her aunt dearly wanted to protest but was caught between gratitude and terror, which left her temporarily speechless. Sebastian perched himself next to the driver and glared with forbidding eyes at anyone who even glanced in their direction until they were well out of the city.
    It was a very sunny day, and Violet knew the young Vampire must be suffering as he rode in their open carriage. More than once, she saw Count Du Monde peer back at his son with concern. But soon, Hippolyta’s immense parasol began to shy away from the head of Vera and inch more and more in the direction of the young Vampire, eventually positioned to the point that he was in relative shade. Miss Hopkins’s childhood friend would just have to freckle.
     
    It was almost dusk by the time the party reached the castle gates. They were constructed of a heavy wrought iron, but any view of the castle they protected was almost thoroughly eclipsed by thick vines that had woven themselves through the bars. “Lord Lennox must have fired his gardener,” Count Du Monde observed. “I’m surprised. He’s always very particular about his garden; the shrubbery is usually quite meticulous.”
    It took the combined efforts of Sebastian, Mr. B , and both the drivers to pry the gates open. “It just doesn’t make any sense,” the old count said, keeping a running commentary going. “Where are the guards? Where are the servants? I would have expected that someone would have greeted us with refreshments for the ladies by now.”
    The sun had just begun to set as the carriages entered the castle grounds. T he shadow of an immense structure loomed before them. “Are you sure this is the right place?” Miss Abigail Fate asked, peering through the opera glasses.
     
    * * * * * * * * * *
     
    “I just don’t understand,” Count Du Monde said for the third time, his voice filled with despair although it was obvious he was making great efforts to keep his chin from quivering. “The last time I was here, it was such a vibrant place. There was a Vampire fancy dress ball with at least two hundred guests. I can still remember the feast.”
    “And how many years ago was that ?” Mr. B asked in a kindly voice.
    “Not that long ago,” the Vampire insisted. “Now, let me see... It was only. Well,