NIKOLAI'S POV
The grand hall hummed with unease. Vampire leaders had gathered, pressing for answers about the worsening blood crisis.
They sat in a half-circle, expressions ranging from concern to outright defiance. At the front, I stood beside Dorian. Usually composed, he now showed a rare flicker of frustration. The shortage had grown critical, and the covens’ patience was wearing thin.
Their eyes were on me, some looking for solutions, others possibly doubting my ability to fix this. The crisis wasn’t just about blood anymore—it was about survival, and the desperation in the room was hard to ignore.
“Our blood supply has been repeatedly compromised,” I began, my voice steady. “We’ve managed to reroute and contain the damage—for now—but the disruption is escalating. The rebel’s inten
