The atmosphere in the 50th penthouse was heavy with unspoken tension. Moonlight filtered through the tall windows, glinting off polished surfaces and casting faint reflections of the three figures who stood in silence, observing the chaos below. Conrad, the elder of the Sanguin Antiquus, exuded an air of casual authority, his sharp gaze fixed on the distant battlefield.

Beside him, Elijah, the leader of the vampires in the city of Sharman, stood silently, his expression impassive but his presence commanding. Meanwhile, Kadir, the Flux Grandmaster, stood slightly apart, his piercing eyes betraying his simmering distrust.

Conrad broke the silence first, his voice smooth and tinged with amusement. “Tonight has truly surpassed my expectations. A daywalker causing such a commotion… who would have thought? And to possess the ability to compel a vampire who has lived for a thousand years, while being no more than twenty himself. Truly, his application of PsychoFlux is nothing short of remarkable.”

Kadir snorted, crossing his arms. “Did you imagine anything else when you orchestrated all of this? Even letting that man know his exact location…” His tone dripped with accusation. “The hunters knew exactly who they were after. And you expect me to believe it’s coincidence that they managed to execute such a precise operation in a place like Helios Hotel, with high-class vampires gathered under one roof? No crossfire. No human guests in danger. Convenient, don’t you think?”

Conrad turned to him with a faint smile, a picture of calm despite the pointed remarks. “Those are rather strong accusations, Grandmaster. And baseless, I might add. You have no proof that I’ve influenced tonight’s events in any way. Why would I risk the boy’s life? I’ve already told you—I’m interested in his future. It would be a waste if he were to die.”

Kadir’s frown deepened, and his voice was sharp. “You are truly the most elaborate liar I’ve ever known, Conrad. You think I haven’t used my Echo Flux to listen for your tells? You’ve made it near impossible to detect your lies, but even you can’t deny the truth of what we both know. Kyon was never meant to make it out of this alive.”

Conrad tilted his head, his smile growing, but he said nothing.

Kadir continued, his words laced with scorn. “If the Order of the Dawn kills him tonight, it’s perfectly aligned with your council’s agenda, isn’t it? The Sanguin Antiquus has always wanted to eliminate anomalies like daywalkers. But if he survives… well, then it becomes his problem, doesn’t it?”

At this, Elijah shifted slightly, his unreadable gaze moving from Kadir to Conrad, but he remained silent, an observer to their verbal sparring.

Kadir didn’t stop, his voice now tinged with grim foreboding. “You know exactly who I mean. The man who thrives on tracking anomalies like Kyon. Daywalkers are already feared for having the best of both worlds—superhuman strength and resilience, paired with the ability to walk in the sunlight. But Kyon is far more than that. He wields a power he should never have been born with. The Argent Sword won’t fully protect him. There will always be those who won’t let him live in peace.”

Conrad chuckled, low and measured. “Fear is the ultimate motivator, isn’t it? And you’re right—word will spread. A half-vampire who survived an assault by highly skilled hunters and several ancient vampires, leaving him the last one standing. No one will allow someone that dangerous to grow unchecked.”

Kadir’s glare was unrelenting. “Ah, I see now. So no matter what he does, he’s doomed. Either he’s killed by the hunters, or he’s hunted by that man. But if, by some miracle, he survives all of that, there’s still you. You’ll ensure the only way he can be safe is by bowing to you, submitting to your control.” He shook his head, a bitter smile on his lips. “But let me tell you this, Conrad. That boy will not kneel to you. He’s not that weak.”

Conrad’s smirk widened, but there was a shadow of something darker in his eyes. “You’re being far too optimistic. I’m not even sure he’ll survive Vincent.”

The mention of Vincent brought a faint shift in the air, a tension that rippled through the room. Kadir’s expression changed, his smile sharpening. “Won’t he?”

For a moment, silence stretched between them, heavy with implications. Then Kadir added, almost as an afterthought, “But if you’re so sure of Vincent’s victory, then I wonder—what will happen after? You and I both know that he won’t let this end here. Once Kyon becomes a blip on his radar, there will be no escaping him. Not even for you, Conrad.”

Stolen novel; please report.

Conrad’s smile faltered for the briefest of moments, but he quickly recovered, his tone as smooth as ever. “You speak of shadows and phantoms, Grandmaster. But I deal in reality. Let us see if your confidence in the boy is well-placed.”

Kadir didn’t respond, but the look he gave Conrad was one of quiet defiance. He turned to face the window, his gaze focused on the distant chaos, as though searching for an answer in the swirling violence below. Elijah remained silent, his thoughts his own, as the weight of what had been said settled over the room.

........

The boiler room was dim and stifling, the air heavy with the acrid scent of burning. Lawrence ran a hand through his sweat-dampened hair, his Flux dimming as the last remnants of their battle faded into the stillness. Around him, the remains of the dispatched bloodsuckers lay in smoldering heaps, their dark essence dissipating like ash.

“Well,” Lawrence said, his voice cutting through the silence, “that takes care of this mess.” He straightened, his expression sharp as his Echo Flux extended outward, seeking any lingering threats.

Harvey, standing near a rusted pipe, furrowed his brow as his own Flux rippled outward. He cursed under his breath, his jaw tightening. “Kyon’s above us. He’s stopped moving.” His voice was grim. “And there’s something else—something wrong. He’s facing someone strong.”

Sia’s eyes widened slightly as she focused her own Flux, the ripples of energy brushing against the oppressive aura emanating from above. “It’s not just strong. It’s radiating bloodlust—intense, directed.” Her tone was tight with urgency. “That’s no ordinary vampire.”

Lawrence exhaled sharply, his expression darkening. “Conrad.” He spat the name like a curse, his Echo Flux flaring slightly as he clenched his fists. “It has to be one of his subordinates. Who else could it be?” He turned toward Harvey. “You feel it too, don’t you? That oppressive weight—it’s ancient.”

Harvey nodded, his face a mask of grim determination. “Yeah. This one’s dangerous. More dangerous than the elder vampire we faced earlier.” He hesitated, his frown deepening. “That elder’s aura is almost… muted. Whatever Kyon’s up against now, it’s on a completely different level.”

Sia glanced between the two of them, frustration flickering across her face. “We don’t have time to debate this. Kyon’s Flux is humming in a way I’ve never felt before—chaotic, unbalanced.” She took a step toward the stairwell, her movements urgent. “If we don’t get to him now, he’ll burn out before he even has a chance to fight back.”

Lawrence nodded, already moving toward the stairs. “Elevators are too risky. We’ll take the stairs and push as fast as we can.”

Harvey followed immediately, his steps heavy with purpose. “If this is one of Conrad’s subordinates, then this was planned. Conrad’s not stupid—he knows exactly how to pick apart his enemies.” He glanced back at Sia. “Can you reach Kyon through The Pulse?”

Sia’s face hardened as she extended her Flux again, her focus narrowing. A moment later, she shook her head, her frustration evident. “No. Something’s interfering—or someone. Either way, it’s deliberate.” She paused, her Echo Flux brushing against the turbulence above. “And if we don’t get to him soon, he’ll have more than just Conrad’s pet to deal with. Others will sense the commotion and swarm.”

Lawrence’s jaw tightened as he began to ascend the stairs, his movements swift and deliberate. “Conrad’s playing a dangerous game, but we’re not letting him win this one. Kyon may be reckless, but he’s not alone.”

The three of them moved as one, their Fluxes resonating in unison as they climbed higher and higher. The stairwell was silent except for the sound of their footsteps, the oppressive aura growing heavier with each floor they ascended. Sia glanced at Lawrence, her voice low but urgent. “Do you think this is part of Conrad’s plan? To isolate Kyon and overwhelm him?”

Lawrence’s expression darkened. “It has to be. Conrad doesn’t act without purpose. He knows Kyon’s a threat—knows what he’s capable of.” His tone grew harsher. “And he’ll use every advantage to snuff him out before he becomes too powerful.”

Harvey’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and determined. “Then we need to stop playing by his rules. This subordinate of his—whatever it is—it’s dangerous, but it’s not unbeatable. If we take it down fast, Conrad loses his leverage.”

Sia nodded, her steps quickening. “Agreed. But we can’t rush in blind. If Kyon’s Flux is destabilizing, he won’t be able to coordinate with us. We’ll have to adapt to whatever’s waiting for us.”

Lawrence glanced back at her, his tone resolute. “Then we adapt. Kyon’s strong, but even he has limits. If we don’t get there in time…” He let the thought hang in the air, the unspoken fear palpable.

The oppressive aura grew sharper as they neared the upper floors, each step bringing them closer to the source of the bloodlust. Harvey’s expression was grim, his eyes narrowing. “That thing—it’s not just a subordinate. It feels like it’s waiting for us, too. Conrad’s set the perfect trap.”

Lawrence’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Then we spring it. Together.”

As they reached the midway point, the air seemed to thrum with tension, the shadows growing longer and darker. Sia’s Echo Flux rippled outward, brushing against the turbulent energy above. She flinched slightly, her expression hardening. “We’re running out of time. If we don’t reach Kyon soon…”

Lawrence cut her off, his voice firm. “We will.” He glanced at Harvey, his tone softening slightly. “And when we do, we end this. Conrad’s not getting what he wants—not tonight.”

Harvey nodded, his determination unwavering. “Not ever.”

With that, the three of them surged upward, their Fluxes blazing faintly as they prepared to face whatever awaited them above.