Nissa Markinos slipped silently into Zhou Yi's manor villa. The innate night vision of a vampire allowed her to see clearly into every corner swallowed by darkness. And because of the apprehension lingering in her heart, Nissa chose to stay hidden within the shadows, searching for her target while considering how she might persuade him.
Ever since their first unpleasant encounter, Nissa had already uncovered Zhou Yi's true identity by her own means. Of course, the credit also belonged to the "great" journalists—those idle people who never minded padding their sales by adding a playboy's scandal or two when there were no explosive headlines. Unfortunately for Zhou Yi, he ranked among New York's top five playboys.
Not revealing Zhou Yi's existence to outsiders didn't stop her from investigating him privately. As a woman, Nissa was naturally gifted at such small tricks. What she hadn't expected was that she would have to face this monster again so soon.
To a vampire, Zhou Yi's very existence was monstrous. Vampires feared silver weapons, feared the cross, feared ridiculous things like garlic. But the thing they feared most—the thing that defined their curse—was sunlight.
To beings who had abandoned light and their souls in exchange for immortality, sunlight was nothing short of divine punishment. It seared at their very essence like holy fire, painful beyond measure and absolutely lethal.
If she had a choice, Nissa would never choose to meet Zhou Yi again. It would be no different from a vampire suddenly deciding to go sunbathing in Hawaii—pure madness, the kind of thing only someone who had lived too long and wanted a spectacular death would choose.
But reality seldom moved according to anyone's will.This time, the emergence of a mutant creature had entangled the situation to this degree. Though she didn't know why, the Vampire High Lord had sent his own daughter to deliver his will. Nissa suspected it was mostly to show his displeasure—displeasure at having been kept in the dark as a ruler.
Under the cover of darkness, Nissa searched the entire villa quietly. Unfortunately, she didn't find her target anywhere he might normally rest. At this hour, perhaps he was out attacking some unlucky stronghold. Nissa mocked herself inwardly—being targeted by something akin to her species' natural predator was certainly not a pleasant feeling.
From the first-floor living room to the second-floor bedroom, then the study and game room—she checked every place where someone might be, yet still found nothing. Slowly, she moved toward the garage.
Only a single dim desk lamp lit the hallway, outlining her silhouette faintly. Her light body stepped across the wooden floor like a silent cat—this was instinct. Like a shadow in the night, she made no sound.
Human eyes could not catch her.Human ears could not sense her.At any moment, she could deliver death from the darkness.Vampires, after all, were creatures that fed on humans.
But this time, her talent failed her.
As she pushed open the door before her, a silver gleam suddenly burst into view.
It flashed like lightning—far too quickly to react to.Nissa's mind went blank. But the grueling training of pure-blooded vampires saved her. Those instincts carved deep into her bones made her bend backward reflexively. Her impossibly slim waist folded at a breathtaking angle as she narrowly avoided the lethal strike.
Only then did she see the true nature of that silver gleam: a sharp spearhead, like the tip of a short sword.
Avoiding one strike didn't mean safety.
The attacker would never stop at a single blow.The long spear that had missed its mark twisted sharply. The heavy shaft howled through the air, blurred by its own speed, and came crashing down toward her. The force was so great the very air seemed pulled away. If she took that hit—vampire vitality or not—she would suffer horribly.
This was no time to worry about dignity. She used the classic "lazy donkey roll," tumbling repeatedly across the floor and escaping far beyond the spear's reach.
The spear's shadow, having lost its target, didn't smash into the floor. Instead, it halted just inches above it, tapping lightly before being flicked back—like a coiled serpent withdrawing—most of its length retracting in a blur.
Only then did Zhou Yi emerge from behind the door, carrying the spear over his shoulder, moving with the poised strength of a dragon or tiger. He glanced at the crouching figure on the floor—a vampire beauty in a tight black bodysuit that showed off every enticing curve. His brows loosened slightly in recognition.
"I remember you… from the bar. You're a vampire?"
Nissa let out a secret breath. The sudden attack had left her shaken, and the fact that they were at least speaking now was the best outcome she could hope for.
"My lord, we have met. Last time, with you and your sister, in an underground bar. There was some misunderstanding between us."Nissa stood up. To show respect, she bowed slightly, one hand over her chest, performing an ancient gesture. For a vampire noble, this was the utmost courtesy she could offer.
The spear in Zhou Yi's hand shifted back into its short-sword form. Since she had shown such humility—and considering she was a beautiful woman—he decided not to pursue the matter of her trespassing.Of course, part of it was that he didn't want to fight inside his own home and leave himself a mess to clean up.
"I don't recall inviting you, Miss Vampire. Can you tell me why you're here?"
Still bowing, Nissa replied softly.
"I apologize for intruding. My lord, I am here on behalf of the Vampire Regency's Supreme High Lord. He wishes to invite you to sign a ceasefire agreement—and personally requests your presence to discuss matters."
Zhou Yi thought for a moment, then asked, puzzled, "If I'm not mistaken, your name is Miss Nissa, correct?"
"Yes, Mr. Zhou."She wasn't sure where this questioning would lead, but she responded with utmost respect—now was not the time to gamble with her life.
"I want to know why. Why would your so-called High Lord seek me out? From what I can see, we aren't exactly on friendly terms. If anything, the only agreement between us should be a declaration of war, not a ceasefire. What are you planning?"
His gaze sharpened, turning dangerous—ready to strike if her answer displeased him.
To him, vampires were creatures that feared light and reveled in blood. One could never be too cautious.
"Sir… our world is undergoing a tremendous upheaval. A monster capable of shaking the foundations of both vampires and humans has appeared. We hope you can lay down hostilities and fight alongside us during this crisis."
Nissa's tone was respectful yet firm—though anyone listening closely would detect the resistance beneath her words. She did not appreciate the way Zhou Yi spoke to her. It was the way one addressed prey, not an equal being capable of dialogue.
Zhou Yi, a man long practiced in dealing with women, easily sensed the vampire beauty's state of mind. He was both surprised and amused. Setting aside her strange diet and lifestyle, this woman wasn't so different from ordinary humans—capable of anger, joy, and emotional nuance. Not merely a bloodthirsty demon as he had assumed.
Truthfully, his bias stemmed largely from Cherise's near-death experience. He'd blamed the vampires entirely for what had happened to his sister, which had led to his early—and extreme—dislike of their kind. Hence his frequent raids on vampire strongholds.
With a shift in perspective came a shift in perception.Zhou Yi took a closer look at the vampire beauty before him. From an aesthetic standpoint, he had to admit—she was a rare enchantress.
Not the radiant, golden-haired type, but her beauty was no less striking. Her pale, flawless skin contrasted sharply with her jet-black hair, creating a visual harmony that was pleasing to the eye. Her features were mesmerizing—no less stunning than the glamorous actresses who played vampires on screen. And beyond her looks, she possessed a dignified, ancient elegance and a mysterious charm. That alluring temperament was what truly set her apart.
Having noticed her beauty, Zhou Yi unconsciously softened his expression.
Women—especially beautiful women—always held an advantage in front of men who appreciated them.
"I apologize, Miss Nissa. Perhaps my attitude was inappropriate. If I offended you, please don't take it to heart."
"No need, sir. If you don't mind, I believe we should depart as soon as possible."Still unsure what Zhou Yi was thinking, Nissa kept her posture low and her emotional distance high.
"Of course. If you're ready, we can leave now."He casually hooked the spearhead into the slot behind his waist, making sure it wouldn't jab him accidentally. His answer was straightforward.
"You… aren't changing clothes?"Having investigated Zhou Yi, and with video evidence of the Dawn Knight raiding vampire strongholds, Nissa already knew his true identity—one of the media's greatest mysteries. Her words clearly suggested he should put on his armor.
"What, the vampires haven't figured out my identity yet?"Hearing her implication, Zhou Yi was surprised. Rarely did he meet a woman who took her promises so seriously.
He had assumed her arrival meant the vampires had discovered who he was. He'd expected it. What he didn't expect was that Nissa had actually kept her word—an act that improved his opinion of her. He normally enjoyed teasing charming women and watching them twist their promises, but—