David’s boots crunched against the gravel-strewn path as he approached the old, dilapidated church. The once-proud structure had been abandoned for decades, its wooden beams sagging under the weight of time and neglect. Moss and ivy crept along the crumbling stone walls, nature slowly reclaiming what humanity had left behind. The faint outline of a cross remained atop the spire, barely visible through the mist of the cold autumn evening. Inside this forgotten ruin, the Watchers had built one of their many refuges—a sanctuary hidden in plain sight.


    Pulling his collar tighter against the chill, David made his way through the side entrance of the church, slipping through a wooden door that groaned as it opened. The interior of the church was just as worn as the outside, with pews overturned and long-forgotten relics scattered across the ground. But beneath the layers of decay was the Watchers’ operational base, a world of advanced technology masked by the crumbling structure.


    The church’s altar had been repurposed as the entryway to the Watchers’ command center. David approached the altar, glancing around to make sure no one was watching, then pressed his hand against a small panel hidden in the stone. With a quiet hiss, part of the floor slid aside, revealing a stairway descending into the lower chambers.


    David hesitated for a moment, letting the weight of everything he had learned settle on his shoulders before stepping down into the stronghold.


    Unlike the deteriorating church above, the subterranean chamber below was a sleek contrast, with concrete walls lined with cutting-edge technology. The Watchers may have operated in secrecy, but their infrastructure was anything but primitive. Monitors blinked along the walls, displaying surveillance feeds from across the globe, while the low hum of power pulsed through the hidden facility.


    As David made his way through the corridors, his thoughts churned, weighed down by the news he carried. He soon reached the commander''s chamber, an unassuming room guarded by two Watchers. They nodded as he approached, and one pressed a button, opening the door with a soft hiss.


    Inside, Commander Rowen sat at a cluttered desk, surrounded by maps and reports. His face, etched with years of service, barely registered surprise when he saw David.


    “Carter,” Rowen greeted, his gravelly voice echoing through the chamber. “What have you got for me?”


    David slumped into the chair opposite his commander and let out a tired sigh.


    “What I’ve always got for you, Rowen—bad news.”


    Rowen’s expression grew grim. “Well, lay it on me.”


    David rubbed his temple, bracing himself. “I found my sister... she’s under the ‘protection’ of a couple of vampires.”


    Rowen’s brow furrowed at the mention of vampires. “Hm. That does sound like bad news. And the Ecliptus fragment she’s been carrying around? Did you get it?”


    David shook his head. “No. The vampires wouldn’t let me have it. They said some other vampire was after it and that it was best left in their hands.”


    Rowen leaned back in his chair, his lips pressed into a thin line. “That’s not good news at all.”


    “It gets worse, Rowen.” David paused, his jaw tightening. “Elena’s bonded to it.”


    Rowen closed his eyes for a brief moment. When he spoke again, his voice was softer. “I’m sorry, David…”


    David sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. “What does this mean for her? Is there any way to break the bond? It’s bad enough the Noctarchs are drawn to her because of our bloodline, but now with the bond in place, they’re going to be on her like moths to a flame.”


    “Oh, it’ll be worse than that,” Rowen said, his voice darkening. He leaned forward, his gaze locking with David’s. “The Noctarchs can manipulate the bond. If they get close enough, they can twist it—twist her.”


    David’s face paled, a chill running down his spine. “Manipulate her? What do you mean?”


    “The bond connects her to the artifact’s power, David. If the Noctarchs get close enough, they can use that connection to force her to activate the artifact.”


    David’s hand clenched into a fist. “So what do we do?”


    Rowen’s eyes narrowed, his voice taking on a more urgent tone. “First, work on setting up a meeting with her vampire ‘protectors.’ I want to speak with them myself, see what they know.”


    David nodded. “I’ll reach out to them, but they were pretty guarded.”


    Rowen gave him a curt nod. “Do what you can. And while you’re at it, check in with Alester. He’s been embedded in the vampire underground for months. He might have some insight into what’s going on.”


    David pushed himself out of the chair, his mind racing with a mix of dread and determination. As he made for the door, Rowen’s voice stopped him.


    “And, David…” Rowen hesitated, his voice lowering as he spoke. “Keep a close eye on things. I trust I don’t have to tell you what we might need to do if the Noctrachs get too close to your sister.”


    David froze, his body stiffening at the implication.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    Rowen’s gaze softened slightly, the weight of his words evident in his eyes. “I know what severing the bond means, but if it’s the only way to keep the world safe…”


    David didn’t respond. His heart pounded in his chest as he turned and walked out, the unspoken threat hanging over him like a storm cloud.


    *******


    David adjusted the collar of his jacket, feeling the slight hum of the device from the Watchers that masked his human scent and presence. It was his only safeguard down here, and he knew one wrong move could expose him. The Vampire Underground was treacherous, a realm of shadows and secrets where trust was a rare commodity. He’d learned enough from the Watchers to know that moving with caution was his only chance of survival.


    The entrance was hidden deep within the bowels of the city. David approached the iron door, rusted and worn, barely discernible in the dim alley. Without hesitation, he reached for the handle, his movements precise and confident. The Watchers had prepared him well.


    The door creaked open under his touch, revealing a dimly lit corridor stretching beyond. No questions. No challenges. He stepped inside, the heavy door closing silently behind him as he was swallowed by the shadows of the vampire underground.


    Inside, the air was thick, reeking of blood, damp stone, and a lingering sense of death. The Underground was a world apart from anything above. It was a labyrinth of narrow passageways and darkened chambers, filled with vampires and their thralls. The thralls moved like shadows, their eyes downcast, their spirits broken, serving blood-filled goblets to their vampire masters who lounged in dimly lit corners.


    David kept his head down, moving swiftly but carefully. He couldn’t afford to draw attention. The Watchers’ device masked his scent, but it wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny if anyone got too close. He needed to find Alester.


    His eyes scanned the room, his breath steady as he finally spotted Alester. The gaunt, familiar figure of the Watcher was slouched in a darkened corner, his pale face barely visible beneath the hood of his cloak. But Alester wasn’t alone. A tall, graceful woman stood over him, her movements almost too fluid, too perfect. Her eyes gleamed in the dim light, and David felt a strange sense of unease crawl up his spine.


    She was dangerous. He didn’t know who she was, but everything about her screamed that she was not someone to be trifled with. He needed to act fast.


    David approached, keeping his voice calm. “That thrall belongs to me,” he said evenly, hoping to defuse the situation.


    The woman turned, her eyes narrowing as they landed on David. She studied him, a slow smile curling her lips, but it wasn’t a smile of warmth.


    “Yours, is he?” she purred, her voice laced with amusement. She tilted her head, studying him intently as if trying to unravel his disguise with just her gaze. “Interesting.”


    David held her gaze, refusing to flinch under her scrutiny. “Yes,” he said firmly. “He’s mine.”


    There was a long, tense pause. The woman’s smile widened, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Of course,” she said smoothly, her tone light but mocking. “All yours.”


    She stepped back, her eyes lingering on David for a moment longer than necessary before she turned and drifted away, her presence leaving a chill in the air.


    David knelt beside Alester, his voice barely above a whisper. “We need to talk,” he muttered, his gaze darting over his shoulder to ensure they weren’t being overheard.


    Alester, eyes slightly bloodshot, nodded subtly. “Not here,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “Follow me.”


    They slipped into a narrow, dimly lit passage, the walls of the vampire underground closing in around them. The further they moved, the heavier the air seemed, thick with the weight of secrets and shadows.


    Once they were alone, David wasted no time. “What do you know about Lucian?” he asked, his tone urgent but controlled.


    Alester visibly tensed, his expression growing grim. “Lucian...” he began, shaking his head. “I’ve never met him, but the stories I’ve heard... Let’s just say they’re the kind that make the hair on your neck stand up.” He glanced around, lowering his voice even further. “He’s feared by everyone down here. People don’t even like saying his name.”


    David’s brow furrowed, but he kept his focus. “And what about Theo? Arthur?”


    Alester scratched his chin, his eyes darkening with thought. “Theo... I haven’t heard of him. Doesn’t ring any bells down here. But Arthur—he’s well known. One of the originals. Doesn’t come down here much, but when his name’s mentioned, people listen.”


    David nodded, absorbing the information. He glanced at Alester, noticing how pale he looked, the dark circles under his eyes. “How are you holding up?” David asked, his voice softening. “These leeches aren’t getting too handsy with you are they?”


    Alester grinned wickedly. "The real problem is they aren’t handsy enough if you know what I mean."


    David shook his head, amused but concerned. “Seriously, Alester,” he said, his tone more serious. “There’s no shame in asking for a reassignment if it’s getting to be too much. You don’t have to stay down here if it’s taking a toll.”


    Alester chuckled softly, though the weariness in his eyes betrayed him. “Nah, I’m good for now. Besides, I’d miss the charm of this place.” He gestured to the grim surroundings with a sarcastic wave of his hand. “But... thanks. I appreciate it.”


    David gave him a firm nod, knowing the weight of being undercover in a place like this. “Just be careful,” he said quietly. “Don’t let them get too close.”


    Alester gave a mock salute. “Always careful, boss.”


    *******


    As David made his way back toward the surface, his senses were on high alert. Something felt off. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he quickened his pace, trying to shake the feeling that he was being watched.


    Just as he rounded a corner, a cold hand gripped his shoulder, slamming him into the wall. The force knocked the breath out of him, and he struggled to regain his balance. When he looked up, his heart sank.


    It was the woman from earlier.


    “You didn’t think I’d let you walk out of here without a proper goodbye, did you?” she whispered


    David’s heart raced as his mind scrambled for a way out. His hand instinctively reached for his weapon, but she was faster, her grip like iron around his neck.


    “Who are you really?" she purred, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous amusement. "And what brings a human to a place like this?”


    He didn’t answer, trying instead to keep his breathing calm, his pulse steady. But then he saw it—her eyes. Something in them changed, darkened. There was a strange pull in her gaze, a deep, unsettling pressure that made his chest tighten. His mind fogged for a split second, and he realized—too late—what was happening.


    Compulsion.


    The haze began to creep in, his thoughts scattering as the pull of her eyes became too strong to resist. David’s pulse quickened as he fought to break free, but it was already slipping out of his control. His mind was sinking, dragged into that inescapable void, and his thoughts spiraled into nothingness.