The Forbidden City at midnight on the winter solstice was eerily beautiful.
Snow fell gently over the ancient architecture, and the tourist-free complex felt like stepping back in time. But underneath the beauty was tension—supernatural forces converging, magic crackling in the air, the promise of violence humming through every stone.
Their alliance spread out through the complex: werewolves on the outer perimeter, witches establishing protective wards, demons lurking in shadows, and vampires—Kieran, Adrian, Marcus, and a dozen others who'd joined their cause—moving toward the center.
"The ritual will be performed in the Hall of Supreme Harmony," Marcus reported through their comms. "It's the largest hall, and the architectural alignment with celestial bodies makes it perfect for resurrection magic."
"How many hostiles?" Kieran asked.
"At least sixty vampires loyal to Viktor's vision. Possibly more—my sources aren't certain."
"Sixty against our forces. Manageable." Kieran glanced at Adrian. "Stay close to me. If anything happens, if you feel overwhelmed, you run. Understood?"
"I'm not running—"
"Adrian." Kieran's voice was firm. "I can't fight effectively if I'm worried about you. Promise me you'll retreat if necessary."
Adrian wanted to argue, but the look in Kieran's eyes stopped him. "I promise."
They moved through the complex silently, vampire senses tracking the enemy's location. As they approached the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Adrian could hear chanting—dozens of voices speaking in a language he didn't recognize but somehow understood. Old magic. Blood magic.
"They've already started," Grandmother Chen's voice came through the comms. "We need to disrupt the ritual before they complete the resurrection sequence."
"How long do we have?" Kieran asked.
"Minutes. The solstice alignment is perfect right now. If they finish the incantation and complete the blood sacrifice, the old lords will rise."
"Blood sacrifice?" Adrian's stomach dropped. "What blood sacrifice?"
"They need the blood of a reincarnated soul," Marcus said grimly. "They need you, Adrian."
Before anyone could respond, vampires poured out of the shadows.
The battle began with brutal efficiency. Werewolves shifted into their massive wolf forms, tearing into enemy vampires. Witches threw magic—fire, ice, binding spells that turned vampires to stone. Demons fought with otherworldly weapons that seemed to cut through vampire flesh like it was paper.
Adrian found himself in the thick of it immediately.
A vampire lunged at him—older, faster, more experienced. But Adrian's training kicked in. He dodged, using his newfound speed to circle behind his attacker, and drove a wooden stake through the vampire's back.
The vampire exploded into ash.
"One down," Adrian muttered, already moving to the next threat.
Kieran fought like a force of nature. His sword was a blur of silver, cutting down enemies with precision born from a thousand years of experience. He moved through the battlefield like death incarnate, and Adrian was both terrified and in awe.
"Adrian, behind you!" Marcus's warning came too late.
Adrian spun to find himself face-to-face with a female vampire he recognized from the intelligence reports—Lady Isadora, one of Viktor's most loyal followers.
"The reincarnation," she hissed, her eyes blazing red. "Perfect. You'll do nicely for the sacrifice."
She moved impossibly fast, her hand closing around Adrian's throat. Adrian tried to fight back, but she was older, stronger, and she had surprise on her side.
"Kieran!" Adrian managed to choke out.
Lady Isadora laughed. "Your precious prince can't save you. He's busy. And you're coming with me."
She dragged Adrian toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony, her grip crushing. Adrian fought desperately, but vampire strength was useless against someone three times his age.
Then a massive white wolf slammed into Lady Isadora, jaws closing around her arm. Wei.
The alpha werewolf tore into the vampire with savage efficiency, forcing her to release Adrian. Adrian scrambled away, gasping despite not needing air.
"Thanks," he managed.
Wei, still in wolf form, growled something that might have been "you're welcome" before launching herself at another enemy.
Adrian turned toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony. He could see the ritual through the open doors—a circle of vampires surrounding an altar, their chanting reaching a crescendo. And on the altar, bleeding from multiple cuts, was a young human woman.
Not him. They'd found another sacrifice.
"No!" Adrian ran toward the hall, vampire speed carrying him forward.
He burst through the doors to find the ritual in full swing. The vampire leading it—an ancient-looking man with silver hair and robes from another century—turned to face him with a smile.
"Ah, the reincarnation. How convenient. Your blood will make the resurrection even more powerful."
"Not happening," Adrian snarled.
He launched himself at the altar, trying to reach the girl. But hands grabbed him—multiple vampires, all older and stronger, pulling him back.
"The ritual is nearly complete," the leader said. "The old lords will rise, and a new age will begin. You should feel honored—your blood will usher in this new era."
Adrian struggled, but there were too many holding him. He watched in horror as the leader raised a ceremonial dagger, preparing to strike the final blow that would complete the ritual.
Then the Hall of Supreme Harmony's roof exploded inward.
Kieran descended like an avenging angel, his eyes blazing crimson, his fangs fully extended. He landed between Adrian and the ritual leader with enough force to crack the ancient stone floor.
"Step away from him," Kieran's voice was pure death. "Now."
The ritual leader laughed. "Lord Ashford. The Cursed Prince himself. How dramatic. But you're too late—"
Kieran moved, and the leader's head separated from his body before he could finish the sentence.
Chaos erupted. The vampires holding Adrian released him to attack Kieran. The ritual circle broke, the chanting stopped, and the magic that had been building dispersed with a sound like breaking glass.
Adrian grabbed the girl from the altar, checking her pulse. Still alive, barely.
"Marcus!" Adrian called through the comms. "I need medical, now!"
Then he turned to help Kieran, who was fighting off a dozen vampires simultaneously.
Adrian grabbed a fallen sword and threw himself into the fray. He wasn't as skilled as Kieran, wasn't as strong or fast, but he was determined. And he was learning.
Together, they cut through the enemy vampires. Kieran's centuries of experience combined with Adrian's desperate determination created a fighting partnership that was devastatingly effective.
When the last vampire in the hall fell to ash, they stood among the carnage, both covered in blood.
"The girl?" Kieran asked.
"Alive. Marcus is with her." Adrian looked around at the destruction. "Is it over?"
"Not yet."
The walls of the Hall began to glow. Ancient symbols carved into the stone activated, pulsing with a sickly green light.
"They had a backup plan," Grandmother Chen's voice came through, strained. "A secondary ritual. They must have embedded it in the architecture itself—"
The altar cracked open, and something began to emerge. A hand, pale and withered, reaching up from the depths.
"The old lords," Kieran breathed. "They're coming through anyway."