Man at War – Excerpt No. 299

She walked past the kitchens and heard whimpering on the other side. Normally the hotel’s ventilation concealed such sounds, even from the discerning ears of a vampire. Without any power, she could hear a pin drop. Try not to think of it…

Five minutes later she was in the southern wing of the hotel. Located deep under tonnes of rock, these suites were primarily designed to accommodate vampires. The lack of sunlight was guaranteed and as a bonus the rooms were said to be soundproofed. That last part proved to be a bit of a misnomer. A retired naval gunner may have trouble eavesdropping…

A dramatic black-and-white vintage-style photograph with torn paper edges, showing three tense men in early 20th-century flat caps and heavy overcoats standing inside a dimly lit, chain-draped industrial space resembling a meat locker or refrigerated truck. They grip heavy hanging chains while staring forward with serious, unsettling expressions. The ominous composition and title evoke dark wartime or supernatural horror.

Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.