In the highrise loft above Oslo's glimmering skyline, music thumped low, a rhythmic pulse beneath silk sheets and whispered laughter. Fenric Grayclaw—bare-chested, his silver tattoos gleaming under warm lighting—lay sprawled against the pillows like a king on a crumpled throne.
The mortal woman curled against him, breathless and flushed. Her neck bore two neat pinpricks, already beginning to fade. She didn't seem to care. Not now.
"Are you always this intense?" she murmured, teasing.
Fenric grinned. "Darling, I'm pacing myself."
She giggled, but the room abruptly chilled.
Fenric's smile vanished.
From the shadows at the edge of the room, something peeled itself free—like smoke being reversed. A tall figure in dark armor stepped out, his presence more felt than seen. His eyes shimmered with the cold light common to people who have spent time in the ocean depths.
Zariel.
The woman stiffened, instinctively sensing danger. Fenric snapped his fingers on her delicate neck—she passed out instantly, crumpling into a deep, painless slumber.
"You could have knocked," Fenric said, rising slowly. He didn't bother covering up—power never apologized for its nakedness.
Zariel's gaze passed over the room without care. "If I had knocked, you'd have had time to flee."
Fenric laughed. "As if I could outrun you. Or would want to."
Zariel stepped closer. "I come with deal"
"Let me guess," Fenric drawled. "You want someone dead."
"Ramiel."
The vampire's amusement dimmed slightly. He began pulling on a tailored black shirt, fixing the buttons with unnatural speed.
"That's not a name you whisper in afterglow," Fenric muttered. "The Ash-Walker's no myth, Zariel. He's survived flames that could erase entire bloodlines."
Zariel said nothing.
"Even Vladmir fears him," Fenric added. "And you know what it takes to make him flinch."
"I'm not asking you to try him," Zariel said at last. "Just to kill one of his strongest aides. His vampire. His ward. His witch. It doesn't matter which. If you succeed..."
He extended a sealed scroll.
"I will grant you half of Thalantis. Shores, ruins, and the ancient tombs beneath."
Fenric's fingers hovered just above the scroll. "That's a kingdom built on bone. Without Thal'Zaron's notice?"
"It suits you, i'll handle the old man"
The vampire stared at the scroll, his lips curling thoughtfully. "You want chaos sown. A crack in his armor."
Zariel's voice was flat. "I want him weakened before I crush him."
Fenric nodded slowly. "Then consider it done. But I'll need time. And blood. A storm like him doesn't bleed easily."
"You'll have both," Zariel said, stepping back into shadow. "Fail, and I will take your bones to decorate my forge."
As the demon vanished, the light returned, and the woman stirred softly.
Fenric stood near the window, staring out at the dark sky, one finger tapping the scroll.
"Ramiel..." he murmured. "Let's see what makes you bleed."