The wind at the skyport was colder than the streets below—sharp and metallic, humming through the mooring cranes overhead.
Lucien dismounted, boots landing with a dull thud on the iron platform. The others followed, spreading out in a loose semicircle as they scanned the area.
No workers.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSVRzkl0sE
No mechanics.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiya8CKXYrP
No steam.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfJphcITXo
Just… silence.
Only the cables creaked, swaying gently in the wind.
Rook rubbed his arms. “Feels like a graveyard up here.”
Kael nodded once. “Stay alert.”
Leila narrowed her eyes, studying the grounded airships. “The timing of this place shutting down… I don’t like it.”
“Yeah,” Lucien said quietly. “Me too.”
Footsteps echoed.
From the watchtower, a small group descended the metal stairs.
At the front was a man draped in layered robes and a fur-lined mantle—middle-aged, neatly kept, eyes sharp despite the forced smile he wore.
Mayor Halden Dorest.
He approached with arms slightly raised, tone overly polite.
“Your Highness,” he greeted, bowing just enough to show respect, but not enough to lower himself.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkFYRnaYTC
“Welcome to Blackbarrow. Had we known of your arrival, we would have prepared a proper reception.”
Lucien’s gaze was flat. “I didn’t come for pleasantries.”
The mayor’s smile tightened. “Of course not. I assume you wish to depart by airship? However…”155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoCoEwCKql
He gestured helplessly toward the silent ships. “As you can see, the skyport is currently… unavailable.”
Lucien stepped closer. “Why?”
The mayor blinked. “Pardon?”
“I asked,” Lucien said slowly, “why is it shut down?”
A beat of silence.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoZAaprGRl
Wind whispered between the iron beams above them.
“We received… concerning reports, Your Highness,” the mayor began carefully.
His gaze flicked briefly toward the northern tower. “For the safety of the city, I had to order a temporary lockdown until investigations were complete.”
Rook leaned toward Kael and muttered, “Tell me he’s not lying.”
Kael’s jaw tightened. “Obviously he is.”
Grey nodded slightly, eyes narrowing.
Lucien didn’t blink. “Then prepare just one ship for me. Don’t tell me you can’t do that.”
The mayor hesitated.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJJC4Tz0e0
His smile stayed in place—but his eyes shifted.
“…It’s not that simple, Your Highness.”
Lucien’s stare sharpened. “Make it simple.”
Halden exhaled slowly. “Even if I wanted to launch one airship, there are… other complications.”
Leila folded her arms. “Here we go.”
Cassian’s hand drifted casually toward his sword. “Choose your words carefully, Mayor.”
Halden’s voice dropped to a lower, more serious tone—no more pretense.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo08FlpsH4
“Ten nights ago,” he said, “people were killed in the skyport. Eight of them.”
Lucien paused. “…And?”
Halden met his eyes.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwNC7N9BFc
“There were bite marks on their necks. And according to the coroner… there wasn’t much blood left in their bodies.”
A chill rolled through the group.
Rook frowned. “What do you mean? Are you saying vampires did that?”
The mayor’s jaw tensed. “It’s the only logical explanation.”
Silence.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3rL5cf45w
Even the wind seemed to hush.
Lucien’s eyes narrowed. “Any witnesses?”
Halden shook his head slowly. “No. But word has already spread. No one wants to stay in the skyport anymore.”
Kael stepped forward. “You’re saying civilians believe there are vampires inside the city now?”
The mayor hesitated.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLYot03R5m
“…Most likely. That’s why the temple ordered the lockdown. The order came from the bishop himself.”
Lucien’s expression didn’t change—but something in his eyes grew colder.
“The bishop?” he repeated. “The temple is involved?”
Halden’s throat bobbed. “Y-Yes, Your Highness. The temple has authority in matters of… demonkin threat.”
Leila scoffed quietly. “Convenient.”
Rook leaned toward Cassian and whispered, “So the temple’s giving orders to imperial officials now? That doesn’t sound right.”
Cassian didn’t answer. But his silence was sharp.
Lucien took one slow step closer to the mayor. “I don’t care what the bishop said. I want an airship—now. If he has questions, tell him where to find me.”
Mayor Halden sighed. “Very well, Your Highness. I’ll see what I can do. As you can see, we’re short on staff…”
“One hundred gold coins,” Lucien cut him off. “To anyone brave enough to work the deck.”
Halden blinked. “One hundred gold coins?”
The guards nearby exchanged startled looks.
“Uh… that’s more than five years’ wage,” one muttered.
Lucien’s tone didn’t waver. “Then it should be enough.”
The mayor hesitated, licking his lips. “You’re… serious.”
Lucien’s golden eyes fixed on him. “Do I look like I’m joking?”
Halden gave a nervous laugh, tugging at his collar. “O-Of course not, Your Highness. I’ll have word spread immediately. I’m sure there are still a few willing souls left in this city.”
Kael folded his arms, scanning the shadows between the hangars. “Willing or desperate—either will do.”
Leila’s gaze lingered on the northern tower. “If what he said about the murders is true… then we’re standing on a vampire’s hunting ground.”
Lucien adjusted his gloves, his expression unreadable. “Not every vampire is Count Veylar Thorne. We can handle them.”
Then, all at once, a low clang echoed from somewhere below—the sound of metal striking metal.
Everyone froze.
Rook’s hand went to his dagger. “…I hope that was the wind.”
Kael’s eyes flicked toward the far end of the platform. “Lower levels?”
Grey’s voice was low. “Below the maintenance docks.”
Lucien’s gaze didn’t move from the shadows. “Dimitri. Take your men and check it out. Be careful.”
Dimitri nodded once and signaled to the city guards. Their footsteps faded quickly into the mist.
The mayor wrung his hands. “Y-Your Highness, please… if the creatures truly remain below—”
Lucien’s look cut him off. “If the creatures are hiding, that means they’re not S-class. We can handle ourselves.”
The cold air thickened with tension.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6esyoSaHWr
Steam drifted from one of the grounded airships, hissing faintly through a ruptured pipe.
Leila drew a slow breath. “Maybe we should sweep the place while there’s still daylight.”
Grey nodded silently.
Kael’s hand rested on his sword. “We should.”
Another clang. Louder this time.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeM3HbDdui
Followed by a low, guttural growl—so deep it seemed to vibrate through the iron beneath their feet.
Rook swallowed. “…Looks like Dimitri found something.”
Lucien’s eyes glimmered gold beneath the mist.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAo0WFPWgd
“Good,” he said quietly. “I was getting bored.”
The group gathered and rushed down the steel staircase, boots echoing faintly on the grates.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKcAIlz4SN
Steam drifted around them like smoke, swallowing their silhouettes.
Above, Mayor Halden stood by the railing, his knuckles white as he gripped the cold iron. The wind whipped at his coat, but he barely noticed.
He swallowed hard, his breath shallow.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhcLn1xOTX
“…Please stay safe,” he whispered. “My prince.”
Meanwhile, on a hilltop not far from Blackbarrow,155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC4e2cb9g8
the wind was cold, carrying the smell of rain and smoke from the city below.
From here, Blackbarrow could be seen clearly—a dark, crowded city surrounded by tall stone walls.
A thin layer of fog hung over it, making the rooftops look like shadows in the mist.
Two men stood on the hill, watching the city.
Veylar’s dark cloak moved with the wind.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTcXrRNYsQ
He rested one hand on the sword at his side, his eyes fixed on the city. “Blackbarrow, at last,” he said with a hint of frustration. “Took us long enough.”
Next to him stood Alwen, tall and calm, his white hair shifting slightly in the wind. His face showed no emotion.
“If you had listened to me and not taken the wrong road, my lord,” he said, “we would’ve arrived hours ago.”
Veylar glanced at him, the corner of his mouth twitching. “It’s been over a hundred years since I last came here,” he said. “You can’t blame me for forgetting the way.”
Alwen looked at him, his voice flat. “You don’t usually forget anything, my lord.”
Veylar gave a short laugh. “Fair point.”
For a moment, both men were silent. The sky darkened as clouds moved across the sun. From here, the city looked peaceful.
He looked toward the north side of Blackbarrow, where the fog was thickest. “I think I’ve found our entrance,” he said quietly.
Alwen nodded. “The north wall?”
Veylar’s smile was thin.
He turned away from the city, his cloak sweeping behind him. “Come, my old friend,” he said softly. “Let’s find ourselves a new home."
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and then Add to home screen.