Lucas didn't sleep that night.
Not because he couldn't.
Because every time he closed his eyes, he saw the envoy's smile. That "I know something you don't" grin that made his fangs itch.
So he did the only logical thing at 2:00 AM.
He put on his cloak, grabbed his weapons, and left the citadel.
Alone.
[System Alert: Dumb Idea Detected]
Time: Vampire Witching Hour
Equipment Check: Cloak, blades, sarcasm—✔️
Companions: None (Again. Genius.)
Bonus Comment: This is how horror movies start, champ.
Lucas followed the scent trail from where the envoy vanished—barely a whisper of burned sage and… crypt ink? Gross.
It led through the lower tunnels of the city—abandoned crypt-paths sealed for centuries.
He whispered to himself, "Definitely not haunted. Definitely not crawling with cursed things. Nope. Just a leisurely midnight stroll."
He turned a corner—
—and almost ran face-first into a vampire crouched on the ceiling.
Slim. Hooded. Eyes glowing faint blue.
They dropped silently in front of him.
"Following ghosts now?" they said, voice calm. Cool. Annoyingly attractive.
Lucas blinked. "Sorry, I didn't know the drama club was holding auditions."
[System Scan: New Character Detected]
Name: ???
Affiliation: Unknown
Class: Shadowblood Spy
Mood: Disdainful & Flawless
Threat Level: High sass, higher kill count
Potential: Complicated ally or very stabby frenemy
The stranger smirked. "You're loud. And reckless. And glowing."
Lucas looked down. "Damn. Still glowing from the Dominion. I knew it was too much flair."
The spy turned. "Come. If you want to know what the Deep Bloodline wants... I'll show you."
Lucas paused. "How do I know this isn't a trap?"
"You don't," the spy said, already walking into the dark. "But you'll follow anyway."
Lucas sighed. "Why are the mysterious ones always hot?"
[System: Confirmed – This Is a Terrible Idea]
Danger Level: 💀💀💀💀💀
Romance Probability: 18% (You flirt like a nervous goat)
Humor Potential: Off the charts
Mission Objective: Discover Deep Bloodline base… probably scream
They walked through a tunnel etched with old bloodline symbols. The deeper they went, the colder it got—until even Lucas's breath fogged.
Finally, the spy stopped before a jagged door. It pulsed faintly. Living stone.
"Beyond this," the spy whispered, "is the truth. And the thing your bloodline tried to bury."
Lucas frowned. "You mean the One Beneath?"
"No," the spy said. "I mean you. What you're becoming."
The door opened.
And Lucas's blood burned.