The Van Helsing Conjecture – Excerpt No. 324

31 July 2025

She could tell from their mannerisms that most were uncomfortable having a hunter in their midst, especially one in uniform. Although several men complimented my wardrobe.

“I dunno… the men really wanted to get to know you a LOT better…”

These were artists, misfits, malcontents, those who were just a little off. As acolytes these traits would be filtered out quickly during training.

Clara never did find out what happened to those who failed out in her time. They have nowhere to go.

a cinematic, high-contrast, black and white photograph of a striking brunette with piercing grey eyes, adorned in a fitted black lace corset, a flowing black skirt, and majestic large black feathered wings that appear almost ethereal, standing confidently in the midst of a crowd of formally dressed gentlemen, all fixated on her, in a pristine ancient Roman town, evoking the opulence of the 1900s, with intricate stone buildings, ornate fountains, and winding cobblestone streets, the atmosphere thick with anticipation and admiration, capturing the essence of a bygone era through the lens of a master photographer.

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.