I stood over the sigil Vantos had drawn, waiting silently as he remained motionless, his eyes closed, and his fingers entwined in a triangle before him. A faint, rhythmic light pulsed between his hands, growing brighter with each beat. Then, in an instant, Vantos stepped forward and pressed his index finger firmly against my forehead.

For a moment, nothing happened. But then Vantos grunted, his face contorting in pain. A sudden, blinding light erupted between us, throwing him back as if struck by an invisible force. The sigil beneath my feet disappeared, leaving only faint scorch marks on the ground. Vantos groaned in pain as he lay sprawled out, clutching his hand.

"Wow, that was completely unexpected," Vantos said.

Concerned, I stepped toward him, offering a hand to help him up. But as I leaned closer, my attention was drawn to his finger—the one he'd pressed to my forehead. The skin was scorched, darkened, and cracked as though it had been burned by fire.

"What happened to your finger?"

Vantos examined the injury, his expression filled immediately with concern. "It seems that your mind is not as easily accessed as I anticipated. There's a... barrier—one I wasn't prepared for. Something or someone has shielded your memories, and the defense mechanism is... quite potent. My connection was rejected immediately when I tried to enter your mind. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, young master, but a powerful seal is blocking your memories—a seal I've only encountered twice during my lifetime."

"A seal?"

"Yes. It's the result of an ancient forbidden ritual. The caster uses its entire life force to create a seal of this magnitude, one capable of etching itself directly into your mind. To craft something so powerful, the caster essentially exchanges their own life for the creation of the seal."

I helped Vantos stand up, as he immediately began to dust off his robe. "Now, I'm curious," he said. "I've only known a handful of warlocks capable of successfully creating a barrier like that, and none of them strike me as the kind who'd willingly throw their lives away for such a foolish incantation. I'll need to reach out to a few... contacts to see if I can uncover why someone would sacrifice themselves to seal your memories away."

Behind us, Antolio helped Derrick to his feet, as he limped slightly from an injury to his leg. They approached, as Derrick's face remained pale from his ordeal.

"Glad you decided to join us, Derrick, you were out for a little bit."

"I never expected a hybrid to be that powerful. I was no match for him. If every hunter has consumed even a portion of the elder's essence, I'm afraid the war of the clans will be far more difficult than I previously thought."

"You were at a disadvantage," Vantos said. "This hunter was almost fully turned into a vampire and engaging him at night was a risky endeavor. Night amplifies a vampire's power, even in a hybrid state. I suspect Chief Harrow is being highly selective about who gets to taste the elder's essence. Producing it takes months for even a single drop, so I doubt the entire clan will have access to it."

"Thanks again, Vantos. I'm afraid we must make haste and return to the estate. Please let me know what you can find about this seal."

"Absolutely. And before you go, you might want to come see me later. I've acquired some clothing that may interest you. It's designed with the same enchantments as your rib belt—it won't shred when you transform. Of course, I'd be willing to provide these garments at a discounted price for you. Solving your little... nude situation is worth the investment, wouldn't you agree?"

I couldn't help but smirk at his thinly veiled humor. "I'll think about it."

"Now that my life force is being replenished, let me save you some time and provide a quick portal to the entrance of the warehouse. Just a word of advice—make sure none of the ladies see you when you board your vehicle. Three naked men could be... scandalous for some of the town's more delicate residents. Especially vampires."

With a snap of his fingers, a swirling portal materialized before us, shimmering with an iridescent glow. Without hesitation, Vantos and Lutia stepped through first, their forms disappearing into the other side. I exchanged a glance with Antolio and Derrick before we followed, stepping into the swirling energy.

At the entrance of the abandoned warehouse, the cool night air greeted us, the faint hum of the portal fading as it closed behind us. Vantos's attention shifted to Titus, who was still perched comfortably on my shoulder.

He approached me, extending a hand to pet his familiar. "Take care of my frog," Vantos said with a smirk. "He's very sensitive."

I nodded, then boarded our vehicle and drove away. Inside, I glanced at Derrick, who was rubbing his shoulder, occasionally wincing from the pain. "How are you feeling, Derrick?" I asked.

He looked up, offering a weak grin. "A bit sore, but I'll be fine. I've healed almost completely, thanks to that potion Antolio gave me. Still, that hybrid packed a hell of a punch."

"That's good to know. The night is at its peak, and I want to find Harold and resolve this matter once and for all. I hope you're both up for the task because I'll be accompanying you to the cave where the grey wolf is being held prisoner."

We reach the estate with ample time to get in the house and grab some clothes. The night, bathed in the faint glow of the red moon, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves and a serenity that feels deceptive. As we pulled into the driveway, the lights of the guest house flickered on, and the front door opened. Annie stepped outside, her nightgown swaying gently in the breeze, her face lit with relief.

"My lord," Annie said, approaching the vehicle. "I'm glad to see you have arrived safe."

Antolio turned off the engine, and for a moment, none of us moved. Annie tilted her head slightly, curious about why we hadn't stepped out of the car. "Are you planning to leave again?" she asked.

"We... ran into a little problem. But it's nothing you need to worry about. However, I do have a favor to ask. Could you get us some clothes? Harold's luggage should still be in the receiving room if it's not too much trouble."

Annie chuckled. "I see you have a little problem. I'll get you the clothes you requested."

As we waited, the stillness of the night felt unsettling. The estate was quiet, almost unnatural. Then, a faint scent drifted toward me—a familiar aroma I recognized immediately. It was the unique fragrance of the beverage Dahlia often crafted; its unmistakable sweetness carried on the soft night breeze.

But mingling with it was another scent, sharp and musty, coming from the opposite direction. It was heavy, unmistakably animalistic, carrying a presence that set my instincts on edge. I inhaled deeply, focusing on the distinction of the smells. One was undeniably Dahlia—the sweet, unique aroma of her handcrafted beverage was unmistakable. But the other... it was raw and earthy, a scent laced with the musk of werewolves.

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"Derrick, Antolio, if you haven't noticed, we're not alone. We're being watched from the shadows."

Moments later, Annie returned, carrying the spare clothes. She approached the car and handed them to me through the open window. "Here you go," she said, before stepping back slightly.

I passed the clothes to Derrick and Antolio, but before I could make a request, Annie lingered, standing awkwardly in front of the vehicle. Her gaze flickered briefly over us, making the interaction a bit uncomfortable. "Would you..."

Before I could finish, she quickly turned around, averting her eyes. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to stare."

Annie walked towards the guest house, closing the door. As we stepped out of the car, movement in the surrounding trees caught my attention.

I reached for Titus and gently placed him on the broad leaf of a plant near the balcony. "I trust you will protect Annie, my friend. Anyone who attacks this house is our enemy."

"You're leaving Vantos's familiar near the guest house? Are you expecting an attack?" Derrick asked.

"It appears they're waiting for us to leave. I'm not sure of their intentions yet, but I won't take any risks. That's why I'm leaving Titus in charge here. There's something I need to take care of before we go. In the meantime, I want you both to survey the property. I've got to make sure my instincts aren't betraying me and that no one has followed us back here."

"Leave it to us, young master," Derrick said. They both nodded, splitting up, moving in opposite directions to cover more ground.

I watched Derrick and Antolio disappear into the shadows, leaving me alone to confront what I knew was lurking nearby. I took a deep breath, and walked toward the trees near the entrance, following the distinct trail of blood mixed with a faint hint of cinnamon. The closer I got, the heavier the air became, laced with the unmistakable stench of rotten blood. It was clear—Dahlia wasn't alone.

"You might as well show yourself; I'm on my own now."

From the shadows, Dahlia emerged, followed by a group of vampire Enforcers. Their faces were hidden behind shiny black masks, effectively erasing any trace of their identities. Raising her hand, Dahlia stopped their advance.

"Halt. I'm perfectly capable of eliminating this little puppy if he decides not to cooperate. Remain in your positions."

The moment she issued the order, her squad blended back into the shadows. "You are a tough one to fool, Lord Tobias. I didn't want to bother you, but the elder has requested an update on her request."

The elder's request had come faster than I anticipated. Knowing Dahlia's close ties to Vantos, I decided it was best to have this conversation without the watchful eyes of her soldiers lurking in the shadows.

"Dismiss your company. The details of this conversation should remain between you and the elder."

Dahlia turned her head slightly, glancing over her shoulder. With a subtle nod, the shadows around the estate dispersed, melting into the night. "They're gone now. It's safe to talk."

I reached into my rib belt, retrieving one of the vials nestled securely within it. Taking her hand, I placed the vial in her palm, wrapping her fingers around it gently before pushing her hand back toward her. "With this, tell the elder I have paid the debt owed by my mother, and that I will visit her sometime this week. There's something I need from her."

Dahlia held the vial close to her eyes, her gaze captivated by the swirling dark liquid within. "You had this vial all along?"

"I didn't. My mother had it hidden in a secret vault."

Her reaction was immediate—her expression clouded with displeasure, and for a moment, a deep sadness flickered in her eyes. It was a look I hadn't expected, and it unsettled me.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "I thought this is what the vampires wanted."

"As a loyal soldier, this would've been an honor to return to its rightful place. But..." She hesitated, her fingers tightening around the vial. "I'm not sure anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"Honestly, my orders were to eliminate you once you delivered the essence. Everyone in the estate was to be... dealt with as well."

Vantos had been right about the elder—her capacity for ruthlessness and her willingness to cut loose ends without hesitation was something he had well predicted. "Yet, here we are. You haven't carried out those orders. Why?"

"Because things aren't as simple as they seem, and because there's more to this vial than you realize."

She held the vial up slightly, staring into its swirling depths. "I wish you would have never placed this vial in my hands. I would've preferred you telling me it was lost—or stolen. Anything but this. How am I going to tell the elder that I didn't dare to eliminate you? That I couldn't bring myself to finish what she ordered me to do?"

The rawness in her words caught me off guard. This wasn't just a soldier's hesitation—it was something deeper, more personal. Dahlia was standing on the edge of defiance, her loyalty to the elder wavering against whatever conflicted emotions were boiling beneath the surface of her skin.

"I know you are part of Vantos's alliance to stop the culling of Adams Town. And that is why I feel I can trust you with that vial. As for disposing of me, the elder must understand that I'm her most valuable asset in the upcoming war. Killing me wouldn't suit her interests—it would be a grave mistake."

Dahlia's expression shifted, the sadness in her eyes giving way to confusion. "I don't understand."

"A few hours ago, we encountered a new threat, a hunter who, somehow, had access to the elder's essence. His body was infused with the powers of an elder vampire, turning him into something else entirely. He was no longer just a hunter—he was a hybrid with capabilities that seemed... limitless. Strength, speed, resilience—it was like fighting a walking nightmare."

"A hybrid? That's not supposed to be possible. The elder's essence... it's meant for resurrecting our elders. For hunters to harness such power—it would shatter the balance of the war."

"Exactly. If the hunters have figured out how to replicate the process, there could be more of them or maybe—an entire army of hybrids. The war you think is coming won't be anything like the vampires have faced before. And here's the critical point: we are the only ones who know how to kill them. You must understand, that a few of these hybrids could walk into the Vernara building in plain daylight and eradicate the vampires of Adams in one swift strike. You know as well as I do—vampires are weakest during the day."

"And do you think she's going to listen to me? The elder and Chief Harrow have an unbreakable treaty. She trusts him as one of her own. To question his actions would be as serious as betrayal."

"That's why you need proof, and Vantos has it. Get with him and ask for the hunter's emblem, which he tore off the hybrid's armor. On the back of that emblem, the hunter's name and rank are inscribed. Give it to the elder and request an investigation."

Dahlia hesitated, her grip on the vial tightening again. "You think that will be enough?"

"If we're lucky, it will be proof enough to validate my claim," I said. "The elder may trust Chief Harrow, but she isn't blind. If she sees that one of her supposed allies is creating hybrids powerful enough to challenge the balance of power, she'll have no choice but to act. And you will emerge as a savior of the Scarlet Clan."

"You're placing a great deal of faith in my ability to sway her," she said after a moment. "But... I'll do it because I believe no one should be forced to fight in a war they don't want to be part of. And because I'm beginning to believe that you might be right."

"I'm impressed. When I first met you, I thought you were just a reckless, hot-headed woman. But now, I’ve seen the real person behind the tough exterior, and I think I understand why you act that way."

"You know nothing about me!" She shouted, turning away from me. "I didn’t choose to become a vampire; I was forced to serve. For years, I’ve watched Adams society crumble under corruption and tyranny, and I’ve come to one conclusion: I don’t want to be a part of it anymore. I’ve seen how the so-called leaders of this society have twisted the laws with favors and alliances, enriching themselves while innocent people suffer. My father was one of the hunters who answered Chief Harrow’s call before the last war of the clans. He disappeared. My mother, in a moment of desperation, brought us to this forsaken town to find him. She thought servitude within the Scarlet clan would give her the means to uncover the truth. But it was a lie. All of it. She found out my father had been killed—murdered—by the very people I’m now forced to serve."

I stepped closer to her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "Believe me, our circumstances are not that different. I know what it means to carry the weight of choices forced upon you. But if you want to stop the culling from ever happening again, you must continue to serve, even if you disagree with how they do things."

"I understand. I’ll personally deliver the essence to the elder and explain why I chose not to carry out her orders. I’ll tell her everything—about the hybrid, the emblem, and the threat this poses to all of us."