The cool night air whispered across the rooftop deck, carrying with it the faint hum of the city below.
From this height, the sprawling metropolis looked almost peaceful, its twinkling lights stretching into the distance like a beautiful carpet.
Vladimir sat comfortably in a plush chair, a glass of deep red wine in hand. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes, sharp and calculating, never left the horizon.
He'd always loved this view. It reminded him of his position. Above the world, observing, controlling, manipulating from plain sight. But this time, his mind was not on the city but on Solomon and whatever he was planning.
Solomon had half of the reason he was fighting this war in his hands and he was perfectly happy to throw it away just to have Yuri's subjects.
Something wasn't right.
The soft sound of footsteps approaching from behind didn't pull his attention. He had been expecting the vampire.
