The moon over the valley was full, casting a silver glow across the tall black spires of Noctis Hollow, the secret heart of vampire civilization in Britain — far removed from human maps, shielded by shadow magic and old oaths.
This was not the Crimson Hotel.
This was the sanctum of the ancient bloodlines, the home of the Vampire Court — the ones who ruled, judged, and guarded the vampire world for over a thousand years.
---
A Summoning in the Shadows
In the dead of night, Jayden stood beside Veyna, his hood up, as they walked the silent marble halls of Noctis Hollow.
"I thought the hotel was secret," Jayden whispered.
"This place is older, deeper," Veyna replied. "Few know it. Fewer enter it."
They entered a grand chamber lined with twelve dark thrones. Vampires of every century stood on either side, dressed in robes, leather, and velvet suits. Flickers of red lit their eyes as they turned to examine Jayden.
In the center of the chamber stood a tall man with white hair and a jaw as sharp as a sword — Lord Kaelric, High Keeper of the Blood.
He did not smile.
"So this is the boy," he said. "The one with the shadow pulse."
Jayden stepped forward. "I don't understand. I didn't ask for any of this."
Lord Kaelric's cold gaze narrowed. "And yet, prophecy rarely asks for permission."
---
The Disturbance
Before Jayden could speak again, a figure cloaked in black stepped from the far end of the hall — a seeress known only as Mother Nyxa.
"The air shifted two nights ago," she said, her voice like wind through bone.
"A pulse — ancient, pure, and raw — echoed through the outer rings of Noctis Hollow."
Another Council member spoke, "We thought it was a spell gone wrong, but it wasn't. It was a presence."
"A rising," Mother Nyxa added. "A soul long hidden… waking."
She turned slowly toward Jayden.
> "You were the echo."
"But something followed you in the silence."
Jayden's breath caught in his throat.
---
The Prophecy of the Shadow-Blood
Mother Nyxa raised a scroll wrapped in living vines. It uncoiled in her hand like it remembered her touch.
"This was written over five hundred years ago," she said. "A prophecy sealed in blood."
> 'From the womb of war, raised not by fangs,
but by kindness and warmth of men,
shall rise the Shadow-Blood,
the walker between worlds,
cursed to choose and bleed both paths,
until the gods of the shadows stir again.'
A murmur moved through the room.
Some vampires looked afraid. Others looked hungry.
Jayden felt like the ground had dropped beneath him.
> Was this about him?
---
Reactions and Rumors
Lord Kaelric folded his arms. "We don't deal in legends here. We deal in power. If the boy is a prophecy, we will observe. If not, we cast him out."
Another Council member — Lady Morrienna, with eyes like melted silver — whispered, "Or we control him before he decides where his loyalty lies."
Jayden clenched his fists.
Veyna stepped in front of him. "He is not your enemy."
"He is not yet your ally," Kaelric replied coldly.
---
A Decision Made
The Council voted — Jayden would be granted temporary access to Noctis Hollow, but under surveillance. He would be trained further, tested, and observed.
Veyna pulled him aside as they left.
"You've stirred things older than you know," she said. "Something ancient is moving, and the Court is afraid."
"I didn't ask for this," Jayden muttered.
"No," she agreed, "but maybe… you were born for it."
---
Meanwhile... in the Forest
Far beyond Noctis Hollow, a shadowed figure stood under the trees, where the pulse had first been felt.
He knelt, touched the earth, and smiled.
"It begins," he said.
Behind him, a massive shape moved — not vampire, not human. Something older. Something wild.