The train station was alive with motion, a symphony of shuffling feet, distant announcements, and the occasional screech of brakes on tracks. The crowd ebbed and flowed, faces blurring into one another as commuters hurried to their destinations. Amid the chaos, Kadir stood out—an immovable force in a sea of shifting humanity.
Harvey Ross spotted him instantly. Tall and imposing, Kadir's presence commanded attention, even in a crowd this dense. As Harvey approached, weaving through the throng with practiced ease, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. It wasn't often that Kadir sought him out, much less in such a public setting.
"Well, I'll be damned," Harvey said as he closed the distance. "Kadir, of all people. How long has it been since you decided to leave that dusty old library of yours?"
Kadir's lips twitched in the barest hint of a smile. "Too long, apparently, if you're still making jabs about it."
They began walking side by side, their pace matching the rhythm of the bustling station. Harvey adjusted the lapels of his tailored coat, his gaze sweeping the crowd. "You don't just show up out of the blue unless it's serious. So, what is it?"
Kadir's expression darkened, his voice low enough to be swallowed by the surrounding noise. "There's an Elder Vampire in Sharman."
Harvey stopped mid-step, his brow furrowing deeply. "An Elder?" His voice carried an undertone of disbelief. "You're sure?"
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't." Kadir continued walking, forcing Harvey to fall back into step. "The signs are unmistakable. Williams Conrad, if you're familiar with the name."
Harvey let out a low whistle. "Familiar? He's practically a ghost story among our ranks. They say he's as cunning as he is ruthless."
"He is," Kadir said simply. "And he's in the heart of Sharman, operating out of a luxury hotel. The situation is delicate. He's hosting a fledgling—a young half-vampire with untapped Flux potential."
Harvey's sharp gaze flicked to Kadir. "This fledgling… he's important to you?"
Kadir hesitated, his expression betraying nothing. "He has potential. That's reason enough."
Harvey let out a dry laugh. "You always were the sentimental type. So, what's the plan? Don't tell me you're here to ask for backup."
"Not yet," Kadir said firmly. "I need to assess the situation. Conrad isn't the kind of opponent you approach without a plan."
"Then we attack," Harvey said, his tone brooking no argument. "We hit him hard, fast, and clean. Take out the nest before it spreads."
"No," Kadir said, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade. He stopped walking, turning to face Harvey directly. "A battle of our level could level the hotel. There are humans there—guests, staff, and others. Not to mention the vampires under Conrad's thrall. It would be a massacre."
Harvey's jaw tightened, but he nodded begrudgingly. "Fine. So what do you propose?"
"We scout the building discreetly," Kadir said. "Our Observation Flux should give us a clear picture of the layout and the players involved. If we're careful, we can gather the information we need without alerting Conrad."
"And if he does catch wind of us?" Harvey asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.
"Then we'll deal with it," Kadir said simply, his eyes narrowing. "But rushing in blind is a mistake we can't afford."
Harvey exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright. I don't like it, but I'll trust your judgment. For now."
They resumed walking, their conversation shifting to quieter tones. As they exited the station, Harvey glanced sideways at Kadir. "You know this isn't just about strategy, right? If Conrad's really here, it's a declaration of war. Whether we like it or not, we're in his crosshairs now."
"I know," Kadir said, his voice steady. "But we fight on our terms, not his."
at the hotel, the air felt suffocating, thick with an unspoken challenge. I stood there, feeling the weight of Conrad's gaze, sharp and unrelenting, like a predator toying with its prey. In the corner, Lucas's lifeless body served as a chilling reminder of what Conrad was capable of—what this world demanded.
The rabbit in its gilded cage twitched, its tiny nose moving rapidly as though it could sense the unease hanging in the room. My eyes darted between it and Conrad, whose infuriatingly serene smile never faltered. He gestured lazily toward the cage. "Well, Kyon? The choice is yours."
I stared at the cage, then at Conrad, and finally at Sia. She sat still, her face unreadable, but her posture screamed readiness—prepared for anything. I reached out instinctively, my hand hovering just above the latch, but something stopped me.
The rabbit's eyes locked onto mine, wide and glistening with an almost human fear. Its helplessness mirrored something deep within me. In that moment, I wasn't just looking at a rabbit. I was looking at myself—trapped, cornered, fighting against an invisible force.
I pulled my hand back, letting it fall to my side. My jaw tightened as I straightened. "I'm not doing this."
Conrad arched an elegant brow, his expression unchanging except for a flicker of something behind his eyes—amusement? Disappointment? It was impossible to tell. "Not even a taste? You might find it… enlightening."
"No," I said, my voice firm despite the churn of emotions threatening to break through. "I won't."
Conrad chuckled softly, leaning forward, his fingers steepled under his chin. "How unexpected. I must admit, Kyon, you're full of surprises. I thought tonight might finally be the night you embraced what you truly are."
"I know what I am," I said, my tone sharper than I intended. "And I'm not like you."
The room fell silent, my words hanging heavy in the charged air. Then, to my astonishment, Conrad began to clap slowly, each measured beat echoing in the quiet.
"Bravo," he said, his voice dripping with mock admiration. "It takes a rare strength to refuse temptation. A commendable trait, truly. Though…" He leaned back, his smirk sharpening. "Strength only matters when it's put to use."
I frowned, my instincts screaming that there was a trap buried in the praise. Conrad's words were never what they seemed.
"You should be proud, Kyon," Conrad continued, his tone now almost fatherly. "Resistance is a valuable quality. A man who can resist is a man who cannot be easily broken."
For a brief moment, something stirred in me—a flicker of pride. But I smothered it quickly. This wasn't admiration. It was manipulation, another thread in the web Conrad was weaving. I refused to get tangled.
"Are we done here?" I asked, my voice edged with impatience.
Conrad's fangs glinted faintly as his smile widened. "For now. But take this to heart, Kyon—you can only deny yourself for so long. The hunger is a tide, and tides always rise. One day, it will win."
I said nothing, meeting his gaze head-on. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of an argument. The hunger was there, clawing at the edges of my mind, but it wasn't stronger than me. Not yet.
Sia rose suddenly, her movement breaking the tension. "We should go," she said, her voice calm but resolute.
Conrad inclined his head with a serene smile that made my skin crawl. "As you wish. But remember, Kyon—the door is always open."
I moved to follow Sia, relief creeping in, but Conrad's voice stopped me in my tracks. It was sharp, commanding, and laced with a dangerous edge. "Although," he drawled, "leaving might not be the wisest decision right now."
Sia turned, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "And why is that?"
Conrad's smile widened, his fangs glinting in the dim light. He tapped a finger against the armrest of his chair, drawing out the moment like a cat toying with its prey.
"Because," he said, his voice as smooth as silk, "the hunters are already here."
My stomach dropped. "What?"