Matthew's POV
The Summit of Shadows—a fitting name for an event that felt more like a gathering of predators in the dark than a diplomatic affair. The hall was carved into the side of a mountain, hidden from mortal eyes and infused with the ancient magic of my kind. Candles flickered along the walls, their flames steady despite the lack of air movement, and the air itself buzzed with tension.
I adjusted the lapels of my suit, scanning the room. Vampires of every kind gathered here—elders with centuries of blood-soaked wisdom, young ones eager to prove themselves, and rogues who didn’t belong to any clan.
But my focus was singular: Ruele Margo.
Rumors of his reckless killings had reached even this summit, and while I’d expected whispers, the outright murmurings of rebellion and chaos we
