The early hours of the morning brought a chill to the air that settled deep into the stones of Bloodmoor Castle. A dim, ghostly light filtered through the narrow windows of the war room, casting long shadows across the maps and documents scattered on the table before Alexi. The flickering candlelight reflected off his sharp features as he studied the tactical layout of his kingdom.

Bloodmoor’s borders had long been a symbol of stability, but now those same borders felt like lines drawn in sand, ready to be erased by the tides of war. The fae Prince was closing in, the Sanguine were poised to strike, and Alexi found himself walking a fine line between stability and collapse.

Marcellus stood beside him, his presence steady but marked by an unspoken tension. The lieutenant had been silent since their meeting with Lady Selene, but his watchful eyes betrayed his thoughts. He was suspicious of her motives, as was Alexi. But in the dangerous game of power, every potential ally was worth considering—at least for now.

"The Sanguine won’t wait much longer," Marcellus said finally, his voice cutting through the silence. "Vasilis has too much pride to let Selene’s public defiance go unanswered."

Alexi nodded, his gaze still fixed on the map. "No, he won’t. He’ll act soon, and when he does, he’ll expect the court to rally behind him. We need to move before he consolidates his power."

Marcellus leaned forward, studying the map with a frown. "The Sanguine have allies among the lesser houses. If they unite, they’ll have enough strength to challenge your rule directly. Vasilis is gambling on the idea that the fae Prince will intervene in his favor if he weakens you."

"Then we need to turn his allies against him," Alexi said, his tone sharp with resolve. "Vasilis believes that by promising power to those who support him, he can buy their loyalty. But loyalty bought with promises is easily broken."

Marcellus raised an eyebrow. "You intend to make them a better offer?"

"I intend to remind them what they stand to lose if Vasilis succeeds," Alexi replied, his voice cold. "Zephyrion doesn’t care about the politics of this court. He cares about power—raw, unbridled power. If Vasilis hands over Bloodmoor, the fae Prince will have no use for his promises. He’ll wipe out the nobility to secure control, and those who supported Vasilis will find themselves without a kingdom, or worse—without their heads."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Marcellus nodded in agreement. "Fear is a powerful motivator, my Lord. But we’ll need more than fear to turn the tide."

Alexi’s eyes darkened as his mind worked through the possibilities. Fear would only get them so far. He needed leverage—something that could sway the court in his favor before Vasilis made his move.

And then it came to him. "The Crimson Vault."

Marcellus’s eyes widened at the mention of the ancient treasury. The Crimson Vault was a closely guarded secret, known only to the ruling family of Bloodmoor. It contained not only vast wealth but powerful relics from the earliest days of the vampire race—artifacts of the first-bloods, imbued with magic strong enough to turn the tide of any war.

"The nobles believe the vault is lost," Marcellus said slowly, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "If you reveal its existence now, they’ll see it as a sign of desperation."

"Not if we play it correctly," Alexi replied. "Vasilis wants power, but he can’t offer the court what I can. The vault represents more than just wealth—it’s a connection to our past, to the first-bloods. If I open the vault, I can use the relics to secure the loyalty of the lesser houses. I’ll give them a reason to stand with me—something tangible, something real."

Marcellus studied Alexi for a long moment before nodding. "It’s risky, but it might work. The court will rally to whoever they believe can protect them—and the relics of the first-bloods are a powerful symbol."

Alexi turned from the map, his decision made. "Prepare the court for an audience. I’ll reveal the vault at the next council meeting. We can’t give Vasilis the chance to strike first."

Marcellus bowed his head in acknowledgment. "As you wish, my Lord."

As Marcellus left the room to carry out his orders, Alexi remained by the table, his thoughts drifting to the deeper implications of his plan. The Crimson Vault was more than just a treasury—it was a sacred place, bound to the bloodline of the first-bloods. To open it now, at a time when his rule was being challenged, could either cement his position or unravel it entirely.

And then there was the matter of the emissary.

The figure’s cryptic warning still echoed in his mind, a reminder that forces far older and darker than the Sanguine rebellion were at work. The fae Prince’s ambitions extended beyond mere conquest, and Alexi couldn’t shake the feeling that opening the vault might set something in motion that even he couldn’t control.

But the choice had already been made. The stakes were too high to turn back now.