Chapter 47: Persimmon, Part 2

Pushing past him, Stregoni immediately saw why he could not move. Lord Sangre's study was a wreck - there was always some measure of clutter, for Sangre was a voracious reader and writer, but this...this was chaos. Paper everywhere, covering at least half the floor. Books strewn about, broken ink bottles, broken glasses and decanters, even broken chairs and tables. The room reeked of ink and brandy - and blood.

In the farthest corner of the room, Sangre and George were locked in a brutal, ugly fight. It was eerie, to see two Lord Sangres - one well kept, elegant and refined, the other a mad mess, hurtling vile epithets as he renewed his assault.

How long had this been going on? Had they been in the music room so long? What in the hell had happened?

Dropping his medical bag, Stregoni moved across the room, grabbing up a heavy book on his way and using all the strength he could muster with one hand to slam it down on George's head.