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## **Chapter Three: Blood Games**
> *Location: The Catacomb Club – Old District Sublevel 9, Xintai*
It was past midnight when Bai Lu walked into the vampire den.
No invitation.
No warning.
No fear.
The music pulsed low, a slow, hungry rhythm that matched the heartbeat of the creatures within. A crimson chandelier spun overhead, crafted from old bone and modern decadence. Bodies danced in shadows—some human, most not.
The **Catacomb Club** was neutral ground, supposedly. No kills, no claims.
But tonight, someone had broken the rule.
Her heels clicked as she walked past writhing silhouettes. Eyes turned toward her—gold, red, silver. They recognized something in her. Not her name.
Her **blood**.
At the far end of the club, on a throne made of petrified ashwood, lounged the **Coven Leader**, known as **Darius Veyne**. Ancient. Elegant. Face like chiseled ice and lips curved in permanent contempt.
"White Flame," he said, his voice like velvet dipped in wine. "Or do you prefer 'Bai Lu' now?"
"I prefer *answers*," she replied, calm.
He gestured to a silver goblet. "Come. Drink. Or fight. Either will make the night interesting."
She didn't move.
"You broke the Accord," she said. "You took a girl. Seventeen. Unawakened. She's gone."
Darius smirked. "The Accord is for those bound by fear."
"And you think I am?"
"No." His smile grew cold. "I think you're bound by something far worse—*purpose*."
There was a shift in the air.
Fangs flashed around the room. The coven moved like wolves—ten, maybe twelve. Circling. Testing.
Bai Lu rolled her neck once. "I was hoping you'd say something that stupid."
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### **The Fight**
It started with a flick of her hand.
The first vampire lunged—and collapsed midair, skull imploding with a *crack*. Another moved faster than light, his claws aimed at her throat—until the room itself shifted. Gravity *turned sideways*, and he was slammed into the ceiling with bone-shattering force.
Someone screamed.
Darius rose from his throne, clapping slowly.
"Impressive," he said. "But we are not—"
She vanished.
Reappeared in front of him.
And drove her fingers into his chest.
The room *froze*.
"You talk too much," she whispered.
Darius gasped. Blood—dark, viscous—poured from his mouth.
But she didn't kill him.
Not yet.
She leaned close, her breath ice on his ear.
"Give me the girl," she said, "or I tear your memories out one by one and burn every face you've ever kissed."
Darius trembled.
"Fine," he rasped. "Take her."
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### **The Lackey**
She found the girl—alive, drugged, barely conscious—locked in a ritual cell below. She also found someone else.
A vampire, shackled upside down by his ankles, muttering complaints as blood dripped from a split lip. Young-looking—maybe twenty. Tousled black hair, shirt half open, dark eyes ringed with amusement despite the bruises.
He blinked when he saw her.
"You're not here to kill me, are you? Because I already got punched by Mr. Darius and his Five Emo Brides."
Bai Lu raised an eyebrow.
"You're not part of the coven?"
"I was. Briefly. Let's say I had *creative differences.*"
"Name?"
He smiled. "Name's **Rin**. Just Rin. Professional disappointment, part-time flirt, and—" he yanked at his chains— "full-time regretting all my life choices."
She stared.
"Do you want out or not?"
"Do I get to live?"
"Probably."
"Then yes. Absolutely. I am *extremely* pro-living."
She sliced through the chains with a flick of power. Rin dropped to the floor, groaning.
"Wow. You're terrifying," he said, grinning. "I like that in a boss."
"I'm not your boss."
"Sure. Mistress? Supreme Commander? White Queen of Ruthless Hotness?"
She didn't answer. She just walked past him.
He followed.
"I don't suppose this means I'm recruited?"
"No."
"But you're letting me tag along?"
"Until I decide you're useless."
"Cool, cool. That's... oddly motivating."
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### **Later – Rooftop Overlook**
The girl was safe—taken to a Night Division safehouse. The coven had retreated, tails between their legs.
Bai Lu stood on the edge of a rooftop, arms crossed, staring out at the city.
Rin sat on the railing nearby, kicking his legs like a child.
"You're really something else," he said.
"I know."
"You've got power, precision, the fashion sense of a blade. And you saved that girl without killing everyone. You're a paradox."
"You're still talking."
"Yeah. It's a problem."
She glanced at him, finally.
"You're too cheerful for a vampire."
He shrugged. "I was turned by accident during a karaoke night. Long story. Humor is my coping mechanism."
She gave him the faintest ghost of a smile.
Maybe.
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> *Rin had no idea who—or what—he had just sworn himself to follow.*
> *But for now, he liked the view.*
> *And she hadn't killed him yet.*
> *That counted as a win.*
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