DAGON MANSION

CHAPTER SIX: THE SECOND RITUAL CRIME

Three months later.

It was simply another average morning. Stephan, a sixty-year-old man with a love for the sea, was strolling along the rugged cliffs near the iconic Glouminster Lighthouse with his loyal companion, Trevor, a golden retriever. Trevor began barking excitedly and approached the lighthouse's base. As they approached, the man's nose filled with a horrible stench of blood.

A man wearing a tattered shirt lay on the ground in the center of a drawn circle. Everything was filled with blood. He was 30 years old, with short jet-black hair, brown eyes, and a brown complexion. His neck was exposed, revealing the splintered remnants of his windpipe. His chest was covered with numerous bites. Stephan had never seen such an animal attack before. Because of his desperate attempt to save his life, the victim's arms were also wounded. Stephan quickly realized that the man had been brutally murdered, and he knew he needed to call the authorities immediately. Trevor continued to bark loudly, drawing attention to the gruesome scene.

Rogers and Brady arrived after 25 minutes. When forensics examined the victim's documents, they discovered that his name was Gale Merrick and he lived in Glouminster. Brady recognized him as the operator of a small bookstore. A kind man.

Brady noticed that vampire symbols had returned to the crime scene. She pointed this out to Rogers, but he didn't want to hear about serial murders, so he dismissed it.

Theolinda paid another visit to Ryan.

"Another ritual murder happened. This time, it was a 30-year-old guy. The wounds look similar, and the symbols are back on the ground."

"Vampires again. What is Rogers' opinion?" Ryan inquired.

"I did not tell him about vampires. On the other hand, he has been acting suspiciously lately. I am concerned about him."

"Rogers has always seemed weird. I am not sure what you see in him."

Theo asked:

"What exactly are you talking about?"

"It is evident that you like him. I'd say you are madly in love with him. I don't see why a gorgeous and highly intelligent woman would be drawn to a man like that."

Theolinda burst into laughter.

"You are insane. Who should I be attracted to, in your opinion? You?" Theo nearly spoke without thinking. She instantly regretted what she'd said.

Ryan exclaimed:

"I didn't say it; you did. But I am sorry to tell you that I am already in love. It's a hopeless love, yet my heart is full."

"You're talking about Mia Richardson, right?"

"Yes, my daughter's mother, and the woman I adore. Hahahaha. I'm madly in love, much like a character in one of my mother-in-law's romance novels."

Theo stated:

"They say that love changes everything."

"It certainly has for me."

Theo couldn't help but feel jealous as she realized Ryan's love for Mia. She wondered what was wrong. Why should she be jealous? She felt nothing for that man. Theolinda chose to change the subject and said:

"Now, back to why I came here. I don't know what to do."

"You must investigate where the vampires enter. I expected that following the Forestvale Manor fire, the portal would be closed. Who could have unlocked it, and how? " Ryan pondered.

"I'll go there and see what I can find out," Theolinda said.

Mia was in her grandmother's cozy London kitchen, stirring a pot of hearty vegetable soup for Scarlett's lunch.

'Come, Mom,' a girl's voice echoed in her head. 'I am starving.'

Mia assumed it was her imagination. She's been feeling rather tired recently.

'Mom, this horse is so wonderful. I am going to take it. I would like that for me!'

A sudden, loud noise was heard in the girl's room. Scarlett started to cry. Mia raced forward and found the girl on the ground, along with a large figure of a horse fractured into two parts.

'I didn't want it to break,' murmured the girl mentally to her mother. 'Bad horse!'

Mia reached out and grabbed the girl, making certain she was not injured. Fortunately, the girl was not harmed. Mia sighed in relief. Mentally, Scarlett communicated to her mother:

'I'm fine, Mom. Do not be concerned.'

Mia recognized that the girl could communicate telepathically, similar to how she and Ryan communicate. Rowena needed to be informed urgently about the situation.