A vast ring-shaped fortress, blending pointed Gothic architecture with some structure of staggering complexity, assaulted everyone's eyes without restraint.
It towered into the clouds, its outer walls covered in layer upon layer of blue-gray stone slabs that looked like a monster's scales.
There were no windows.
There were none of the iron bars a prison should have had.
"What astonishing bureaucratic arrogance."
A low, icy voice drifted from the shadows of the dock.
Valerius emerged from the thick fog.
The Vampires Prince who had once terrified countless wizards was wearing an exquisitely tailored, dark red, high-collared trench coat.
In a storm cold enough to freeze a person stiff, not a strand of his long black hair was out of place.
Even the sea spray turned to fine ice dust as it approached the hem of his coat.
"You dare show yourself here! You parasite of the night!"
Dirk's pupils contracted sharply, and he drew the wand from his robes without hesitation.
The twelve Aurors behind him drew their wands at the same time, taking up defensive stances.
Every wand tip remained locked on the dangerous nonhuman creature.
"I thought the Marauders Company would send an engineer who knew a few rules."
Dirk berated him harshly.
"Not a vampire with blood all over his hands to hand this damned prison over to the Ministry of Magic!"
Valerius completely ignored the wands pointed at his nose.
He extended his long, pale fingers and gently stroked a massive supporting stone pillar beside him with an air of crazed infatuation.
"Allow me to correct two exceedingly stupid mistakes, Mr. Deputy Director."
Valerius raised his chin slightly, his scarlet eyes filled with disdainful contempt.
"First, I am not merely an engineer. I am the art director and chief designer of this unparalleled masterpiece."
"Second."
He