Galen moved stealthily up the trail leading to the observation deck. It was dark, and the path was tree-lined, so he was on high alert, seeking anything that wasn’t as it should be.
As he neared his destination he sensed the presence of a vampire. An Old one who, for whatever reason, wasn’t shielding. That told Galen it must be the man he was here to meet. Still, he rested his hand on the hilt of his knife, ready to draw it if necessary.
As the bottom step to the deck, he paused. Ahead of him, silhouetted by the half-full moon, stood the figure of a man. The only thing discernable other than his shape was a glint of red and gold on one hand. The ring his contact had mentioned, Galen presumed.
Galen stepped onto the deck and the man turned to face him. Shock raced through Galen, reflecte
