The hall was circular, its ceiling lost in shadow. Five thrones of black stone formed a half-moon at the far end, each occupied by one of the Elders the most powerful vampire lords still walking the world.
They were not united by loyalty.
Only by ambition.
Lord Malrec Thorne sat at the center. Broad-shouldered, scarred, his crimson eyes burned with open brutality. He ruled through fear and bloodshed, known for razing human settlements simply to make a point.
To his right lounged Lady Seraphyne, now seated among them her earlier warmth gone, replaced by predatory calm. She was beautiful, brilliant, and lethal, rumored to orchestrate wars without ever lifting a blade.
Beside her sat Lord Vaelis Crowmoor, thin and sharp-featured, his smile never reaching his eyes. A master manipulator, he dealt in secrets, poisons, and whispered betrayals. Empires had fallen because Vaelis smiled at the right moment.
On Malrec's left was Lord Darius Blackvein, ancient and skeletal, his voice soft but terrifying. He believed cruelty was an art and practiced it patiently, drawing suffering out over decades.
The final throne was occupied by Lord Eryndor Voss handsome, refined, and smiling pleasantly.
He hated Lucien.
The hatred sat behind his eyes like a blade waiting to strike.
Eryndor leaned forward, fingers steepled. "The King of the Central Realm finally joins us," he said smoothly. "We feared your throne had made you… complacent."
Lucien met his gaze without flinching. "If I were complacent, this city would already be ash."
A flicker of amusement passed through the room. Malrec chuckled darkly.
Eryndor's smile tightened.
Seraphyne rose gracefully. "Enough," she said. "We did not gather to trade insults."
Her eyes lingered on Lucien calculating, intrigued.
"The issue is simple," Malrec growled. "Rogue vampires are forming armies. Humans are being slaughtered without discretion. It threatens balance."
"And thrones," Vaelis added softly.
Lucien folded his arms. "Then why does it feel like this meeting is less about rogues… and more about testing my rule?"
Eryndor's eyes gleamed.
"Because balance," he said calmly, "often requires replacement."
The tension sharpened.
Lucien understood then some of these lords did not want his cooperation.
They wanted his crown.
And Seraphyne, watching him from her throne, smiled as though the game had only just begun.
The meeting ended with intension still intact.
The council hall emptied slowly, like predators retreating into shadow.
Lucien remained standing at the center of the room long after the Elders had risen from their thrones. He did not trust any of them trust had no place here, but one presence lingered more sharply than the rest.
Lord Eryndor Voss.
As the others departed, Eryndor fell into step beside Lady Seraphyne, his voice low and smooth. "You're quiet," he remarked. "That's unlike you."
Seraphyne smiled without warmth. "And you speak too much. That is like you."
They walked beneath a vaulted corridor lined with blood-glass windows. Moonlight fractured around them, casting sharp reflections across the floor.
"He's grown too powerful," Eryndor continued, his tone casual. "Lucien inspires loyalty. Fear would have been easier to manage."
Seraphyne stopped walking.
She turned slowly, eyes glowing faintly. "Careful, Eryndor. Treason sounds ugly when spoken aloud."
He laughed softly. "Is it treason if the throne improves under new rule?"
Her gaze lingered on him, thoughtful. "And you believe you'd wear the crown better?"
"I believe," Eryndor said calmly, "that Lucien is distracted."
That earned him a raised brow. "By what?"
Eryndor smiled. "By something small, quiet, human, I have eyes and ears everywhere he said with a smirk.
Seraphyne's expression did not change, but something sharpened behind her eyes.
"How interesting," she murmured. "Be careful. Kings do not forgive threats."
"And queens," Eryndor replied lightly, "do not forgive being underestimated."
They parted with polite bows, each already planning the other's downfall.
Seraphyne did not go to her chambers.
Instead, she ordered a servant to fetch parchment.