"Find the funding for the Street Sweepers yourself!"
Annan had planned to ask around at the banquet about Lucy and Eileen, then rescue them. He hadn't expected the Centurion to drag him into this.
"I don't have any money."
The Centurion sounded as though she had no intention of taking responsibility.
"Then do something for me..." Annan watched the faint shadows of footsteps approaching around the corridor corner. "Have you been exposed—what are you doing?"
The Centurion stopped taking off her clothes. "I..."
Annan had no time to talk about it. "Have you been exposed?"
"No."
"Find two vampires named Lucy and Eileen. Figure out how to rescue them and take them to the Crimson Princess. I'll draw their attention."
"You're as brave as a man!" The Centurion handed Annan a strand of magical beast mane. "Take this."
"What is it?"
"It'll send you to a random place you've visited in the past day. Don't use it until you have nowhere left to run!"
Disguised as a maid, the Centurion fled. Annan glanced at the shadow appearing at the end of the corridor, then returned to the banquet.
The banquet was packed with guests. He should be able to hide among them for a while... or perhaps not.
To his surprise, Williams personally led a group into the banquet and seized control of the exits.
Realizing something was wrong, Annan hurried over to a female vampire who had shown him warm interest earlier, though she had been relatively reserved. "Sister Vera, they're after me. Can you help?"
The beautiful vampire with long scarlet hair glanced uncertainly at Williams. "What did you do?"
"I'm the Crimson Princess's knight. Williams captured her, and I came to rescue her... I can't let them find me. They'll kill me to keep it secret..."
Annan