Far from Elmsvale, in a place untouched by sunlight and mercy, the Council of the Eternal Vein gathered beneath stone spires and blackened banners.
Seven thrones. Seven shadows.
They had ruled the night for millennia—and now, they had sensed a disturbance. A bond forbidden. A vampire's heart stirred by human love.
The Archlord, a gaunt figure with silver eyes like Dorian's—but colder—rose from his throne.
"Dorian Blackthorn has defied our law," he said, his voice like falling ash.
"The Perfect must remain perfect. Love is a flaw."
The others nodded.
"Send the Shadows," the Archlord commanded. "Bring him… and the girl."
❖
Back in Elmsvale, Aria awoke to silence.
Not peaceful silence. The kind that felt wrong.
Dorian was gone.
She rushed down the grand staircase of the Blackthorn estate, calling his name—but only shadows answered. Then she noticed something on the dining table: a rose.
Black.
Dipped in blood.
Her hands trembled. She knew what it meant: a warning.
Moments later, the door burst open. Elias Thorn stood there, winded and bruised.
"They took him," he said grimly. "Council enforcers. He let them."
"What? Why would he—?"
"He was protecting you. He knew if he resisted, they'd burn the town to ashes. So he surrendered."
Aria's voice cracked. "Where did they take him?"
"To the Hollow Keep. Across the sea. A fortress built for judgment. And no vampire ever returns."
"Then I'll bring him back," Aria said, fire in her eyes.
Elias stared. "You're serious."
"I am."
"You're a human."
"Not just any human," she said, standing tall. "I'm the one he chose."
There was a long pause. Then Elias sighed, rubbing a hand over his tired face.
"You know, you're crazier than he is."
She smiled. "Good. Then we're perfect for each other."
❖
That night, they prepared.
Elias provided weapons—iron stakes, ash-dipped bullets, charms older than civilization. Aria trained with fury in her blood, learning how to kill creatures she once thought only lived in nightmares.
She cut her hair. Dyed it black. Marked her skin with runes of protection. She was no longer just a girl in love. She was a warrior forged in midnight.
Elias handed her a blade etched with silver and sorrow. "This once belonged to my sister. She died saving a vampire she loved."
Aria took it without hesitation. "Then let's make her sacrifice worth it."
They boarded a ship under moonlight.
Ahead lay the Hollow Keep.
A war was coming.
And Aria West would walk into hell to bring back the man she loved.