A powerful scent overwhelmed my senses, a putrid stench of rotten blood circulated through the air as I sat in the private room discussing the origins of the vial of essence. Antolio and Derrick seemed oblivious to it, likely dulled by the effects of the alcohol they had consumed. The scent grew stronger, gnawing at my focus and bothering my nose until it caught Vantos's attention.

"Is there a problem, young master?"

I hesitated before responding, glancing at Antolio and Derrick to confirm they hadn't noticed. "It might be nothing, but I'm bothered by a rancid smell—like putrid blood."

"Ah, that might be because some of the patrons in the club are vampires. But I assure you, there's no danger within my domain. The wards in place keep everyone in line. Let's not let it distract us. We have important matters to discuss. Let's see if I can convince you to join our effort to stop the culling before it begins."

"Who else is part of the group that is trying to avoid the war?"

"Unfortunately, I cannot provide you with that information. Trust is a fragile thing in times like these. But what I can tell you is that we're not a small group. Everyone involved understands what's at stake. The lives of countless innocents depend on what we manage to accomplish. Your arrival, chaotic as it may have been, represents an opportunity—a chance to tip the scales and balance the outcome of the war. Your kind is known to gather in large numbers. If you can bring the werewolves of the northern forest under your control, we might stand a real chance of surviving what's coming."

"And what if I can't?"

Vantos smiled. "You just have to work your charm, young master. Werewolves respond to strength and leadership. Show them your dominance—prove you're the alpha they've been waiting for—and they will come to you. It's in their nature to follow a strong leader. All you need is the will to take control."

"So, it's ok delivering this essence to the elder as long as I can control the werewolves?"

"There's another alternative," Vantos said. "If you entrust me with the vampire essence, I could use ghoul's essence to dilute the potency of the one inside that vial. It would be a shame to tamper with something so rare and powerful, but it might be necessary if you're considering handing it over to the elder. This dilution would give us an edge. If Cyrus Bane is revived using the pure essence, he will be nearly unstoppable, and our chances of winning the battle will plummet. However, with a less potent essence, his strength will likely be diminished. That said, there's another factor to consider—Kalia Scarlet. She's the most fearsome vampire I've read about. Even in a weakened state, Kalia's cunning and ferocity make her a more dangerous threat than Cyrus. If the essence is used to awaken her, diluted or not, the consequences could be catastrophic."

"I have read of Kalia, in a book that was delivered in a messenger's bag."

A roguish smile spread across Vantos's face as he listened. "Ah, I'm pleased to hear that it reached you. According to one of my sources inside the Scarlet Enclave, I had feared the book might not make it into your hands. It was an intentional effort to catch your attention and draw you toward our alliance. Of course, we also considered the possibility that you might ignore the missive, given the challenges you're currently facing."

Vantos didn't send the book, it was sent by Dahlia herself. This indicates that Dahlia is Vantos' spy inside the Scarlet clan and also part of this alliance of people who are trying to eradicate the culling once and for all.

"I was able to browse through some of the pages, but I didn't have time to read the entire book."

"No need to explain yourself. That book contains invaluable information about the last war of the clans. I strongly suggest you study it thoroughly—it's more useful than you might realize. Now, regarding Kalia Scarlet, here's something to consider, she's widely believed to be the twin sister of Lucious Scarlet. You've likely heard of him."

"I've heard the story before, The Miracle Child."

"Lucious was... unique among vampires. He could walk freely during the day, conserving his strength even under sunlight. He embodied everything the vampire elders have ever desired: resilience, power, and freedom from their greatest weakness. Kalia, however, is his complete opposite. Unlike Lucious, Kalia is far more vulnerable to sunlight. But she has a gift that sets her apart—a chilling ability to vanish seamlessly into the shadows. During the last war, this talent gave her an overwhelming advantage. She eliminated anyone who stood in her way, regardless of whether they were friend or foe. Her loyalty lies only with herself, and her ruthlessness is unmatched. We must avoid her awakening at all costs."

"I don't understand the motives behind her actions. Killing one of her own—it just doesn't make sense."

"There's far more to this story than what you'll find in old manuscripts. Kalia wasn't raised within the Scarlet Clan as most believe. She was taken in by the Bane's clan as a baby. That alone sets her apart. The most rational explanation I can offer is that Lucious and Kalia were separated at a young age, growing up under entirely different influences. The Bane's clan is no ordinary coven. They're militaristic to the core, and their true location remains a mystery to this day. Kalia, having been raised among them, likely adopted their ruthless nature. It's possible she harbored resentment toward the Scarlet Clan—resentment that may have fueled her brutal actions."

Vantos clasped his hands, glancing at me. "In my judgment, Kalia's actions might not have been entirely her own. I believe Cyrus Bane was battling Kalia in that church—perhaps in a power struggle or a clash of ideology—and both fell victim to Elenore's plan. To my understanding, this is likely what happened during the last war of the clans. A carefully orchestrated scenario that aligned all too well with Elenore's manipulative tendencies. She's a master of turning rivalries to her advantage, and their downfall may have been part of a much larger game she was playing."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"So, what I've heard is true. Elenore aligned herself with Chief Harrow to orchestrate a coup within her clan, which explains why she doesn't appear in the records of the last war of the clans."

Vantos nodded. "The aftermath of Kalia and Cyrus's clash worked immensely in her favor. She stepped into a power vacuum, seizing the opportunity to position herself as the next elder. It was a calculated move, young master, and one that cemented her influence over the Scarlet Clan. You must exercise extreme caution when dealing with Elder Elenore. She's not one to leave loose ends. While everything we've discussed in this room is purely speculative, I wouldn't dismiss these possibilities outright. Her ambitions run deep, and her methods... well, let's just say they're far from conventional."

This conversation had backed me into a corner, leaving me with what felt like the only viable choice: aligning myself with Vantos and doing everything possible to prevent the impending war. As for the essence, handing it over to Vantos to create a diluted version seemed like the safest course of action—for now.

"Would the elder even notice the difference between a pure essence and a diluted version?"

"Not likely," Vantos said. "The two are nearly indistinguishable. The ghoul's essence mimics the patterns of an elder's essence remarkably well, given that these ghouls are their creations. It's an elegant substitution. But if our alliance fails to prevent the war, the diluted essence will at least even the odds, giving us all a fighting chance to survive the chaos."

The scent of rotting blood began to waft through the air again, sharp and unmistakable, drawing my attention to one of the clouded walls. My instincts flared, and I couldn't shake the sense that I was catching traces of someone I had no desire to encounter.

"Vantos," I said, pointing toward the smoky crystal wall. "Could you lighten the smoke on this side? I want to confirm if my senses are betraying me or if there's someone out there, I tend to dislike... intensely."

"Of course."

With a snap of his fingers, the smoke within the wall began to clear, gradually revealing the scene beyond.

As the haze dissipated, my nose proved correct. There, on the dance floor, was Utica, dancing close to a girl I didn't recognize, her hands resting possessively on the girl's waist. Utica leaned in, her lips extremely close to the girl's ear, whispering something that caused the girl to tilt her head, either in confusion or enticement.

"All right, Vantos," I said, watching Utica through the glass. "Let's finish this deal quickly. I've got a party to crash."

Vantos rose from his chair, noticing my menacing glare toward Utica. "I only have one request, do not destroy my club. This establishment is my pride and joy. If you can't settle your differences civilly, I insist you take the fight outside."

"Relax, Vantos. I won't start a fight in your precious club. But make no mistake—she's going to see me. That's the whole point."

"I trust you'll behave yourself, young master," Vantos said with a sly grin. "If you agree with our plan, do you mind if I take the vial now and get started? I can have the diluted essence and the monkshood potion ready within the hour. Or would you prefer I send them directly to your estate?"

"We'll wait here for the potions If it's not too much trouble. I still need to figure out how to ensure Annie and her mother are protected while we head into the forest to attempt to reverse Harold's transformation."

Suddenly, a violent coughing fit overtook Vantos. His body jerked forward, as his face twisted, gasping for air. Then, with a sudden, grotesque heave, he opened his mouth wide and expelled a black frog onto the table. The creature landed with a wet, unpleasant thud, its eyes gleaming with an unnatural yellow hue. Vantos kept his mouth open longer, revealing a glowing summoning circle tattooed on his tongue. The way Vantos summoned his familiar was unlike anything I’d seen before—raw, visceral, and deeply unnatural. It was... strange, to say the least.

"I realize it's a bit... revolting," Vantos said, amused by my reaction. "But it's the only way I can summon him." He gestured to the creature now perched on the table. "Meet Titus, one of my favorite familiars. He's a forbidden class, a type of familiar no one dares to challenge. He'll keep an eye on your servants while you're off searching for Harold."

I leaned in slightly, studying the small black frog with meticulous care. Its glossy skin shimmered faintly under the room's dim light, and its unblinking eyes held an unnerving depth, almost as if it was sizing me up in return. I searched for any sign, any indication, that could justify Vantos's unwavering confidence in its abilities.

Deciding to set aside my reservations, I took a deep breath. If Vantos was as powerful and knowledgeable as he claimed, I had to trust that his familiar was indeed capable of protecting Annie and her family while we dealt with Harold's transformation.

"All right, I'll take your word for it. Titus better live up to the reputation you've given him."

Vantos smirked. "Oh, young master, you'll find that Titus rarely disappoints. Consider it a goodwill gesture. Think of it as paving the way for future dealings between us."

Antolio leaned forward, squinting at the small black frog perched on the table. "It's so small."

"Don't let his size fool you. Titus is concentrated raw power. When I summon him, it's never for trivial matters. He's my enforcer, my strong arm for disputes that require... creative resolutions."

"So, we have a deal?" I asked.

"The deal was sealed the moment you agreed to part with the vial, young master," Vantos said.

"We are both men of our word, aren't we?"

"Don't lump me in with deceitful humans. I am a demon of my word," Vantos said, clapping twice. "Alright, Titus, it's time you prove your worth to the young master."

Quickly, the frog leaped from the table with surprising agility, landing in the front pocket of my shirt and settling there silently. I stared down at the bulge in disbelief. "Why do they do that? This is the second familiar that likes to hide in my pockets."

"I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve seen Titus react so quickly. Maybe it’s because of your lineage—it tends to have a preference for creatures of power."

I let out a frustrated sigh, lightly tapping the lump in my pocket. "Great. A wet frog in my pocket and a half-burnt sleeve on an expensive shirt. Fantastic."

Vantos stepped closer, inspecting the charred edge of my sleeve. "Ah, yes, the entrance sigil must’ve done that. Interesting... I’ve never seen it scorch someone’s clothes before. No worries, young master—I can fix that for you."

Vantos closed his fist and began to whisper words close to his hand, like an incantation. He leaned in closer, blowing gently into his clenched hand, then opened it as he touched my burnt sleeve. Slowly, the damaged fabric began to reconstruct itself, the charred edges weaving together until my shirt looked exactly as it had before we entered the club.

"That should take care of the problem," Vantos said with a satisfied grin. His gaze lingered on the wet spot left by Titus in my pocket. "But I can still see that damp patch on your shirt. Hold on—I have just the solution for this watery issue. And while I’m at it, let’s update your look. The color white doesn’t suit you at all. Time to get something more fitting."

Vantos touched the fabric near my shoulder with a single finger. My shirt began to shift in color, a wave of rich black spreading across the material until it was entirely transformed. The damp spot disappeared into the dark fabric, leaving no trace behind.

"There," he said, stepping back to admire his work. "Now no one will notice a thing. Black suits you far better, don’t you agree?"

I glanced down at my shirt, still processing what had just happened. "I guess it does. But next time, a little warning would be nice."

Vantos chuckled. "Ah, but where’s the fun in that?"

Derrick approached Vantos, tapping him on the shoulder. "Can you fix mine now?"