The vampire Council chamber beneath Manhattan was older than most human cities. Ancient stone walls bore symbols that predated written language, and the air itself seemed thick with the weight of centuries. Tonight, the chamber buzzed with tension as the most powerful vampires in North America gathered for an emergency session.
Magistrate Corvus stood at the center of the circular chamber, his pale form radiating authority that made even ancient vampires bow their heads slightly. Around him, seventeen Council members sat in chairs carved from black stone, their red eyes glowing in the candlelight.
"The Ravencrest situation has been contained," Corvus announced. "Victor is secured in our holding facility. His sire, Elder Ravencrest, remains under house arrest but has not been charged with
