38

The heist

The trio gathered in the basement of Verdant, plotting their mission with the guidance of Zakaria, the vampire bound to Lycidas.

The atmosphere was tense, the air thick with anticipation as they prepared to infiltrate the vampires’ stronghold—a lavish mansion with its entrance disguised as a bustling nightclub. This mission was crucial: they had to gather concrete evidence of the arbiter’s betrayal and stop the vampires from turning more humans.

Claud, Lycidas, and Lupa huddled around a large wooden table, examining a detailed map of the mansion that Zakaria had drawn from memory. The map showed secret passages, hidden rooms, and the layout of the nightclub above.

“Alright, Zakaria,” Claud began, his tone serious. “You know this place better than any of us. How do we get in?”

Zakaria nodded, her expression somber. “The nightclub is heavily guarded, but there are a few ways to bypass the security. The main entrance is out of the question—too many eyes. However, there’s a hid