SHADOW OF THE BLOODLINE: THE THIRD ANCHOR

CHAPTER 1: SHADOW OVER THE CITY Blurb: Some nights are just for fun. Some nights change your life forever. May thought she was invincible — partying through the streets of New York, living for herself. But when monsters slip through shadows, and the city she knows turns against her, she realizes survival isn’t just about courage… it’s about legacy. And someone is watching. Waiting. May laughed, pulling Ethan along as they weaved through Times Square. Neon lights bounced off puddles on the wet pavement, music from a hundred bars blending into one chaotic symphony. Life was loud, messy, and hers. Until it wasn’t. A chill crawled up her spine. Shadows stretched too long, moving wrong, slithering like living smoke across the sidewalk. “Great. I’m losing it,” she muttered. But something deep inside pricked — heat under her skin, instincts screaming A figure crouched on a fire escape. Human? No… something wrong. The creature leaped. Thin, wiry, claws like knives. It hit Ethan first. He went down. “ETHAN!” May screamed. She grabbed the nearest trash lid and hurled it with everything she had. The creature staggered. She bolted. It left Ethan there, barely breathing, and gave chase. Then the world froze. Shadows twisted around the monster, wrapping it in tendrils of black smoke that yanked it into the alley faster than her eyes could track. The night air turned cold. And there, in the middle of the deserted street, leaning against a lamppost, was a man. Tall. Dark. Calm. Zayn. “You’re lucky,” he said, scanning her like he’d been watching all night. “Not many survive their first encounter.” “Who… who are you?” May stammered, her chest heaving. “I’m the reason you’re still alive,” he said, eyes flicking at Ethan. “And I won’t be the reason you die next time. But that depends on you listening… carefully.” He stepped closer, gaze sharp. Come with me. Her pulse raced. Partying, fearless May wanted to shrug it off. But Ethan, lying unconscious on the pavement, made the choice feel heavier. Deep inside, something tugged — primal, sharp. Time seemed to skip, her steps faster than thought. And somewhere, far above the city streets, shadows whispered: “The third anchor has moved. Find her. The King waits.”