The moment Stephen spat the words "KILL HIM!" across the throne hall, the world seemed to split in two.
A heartbeat of silence.
A breath.
A lingering echo.
Then chaos descended.
A savage roar rolled through the hall as dozens of vampires leapt toward Samuel like a pack of starving predators. Shadows blurred into motion. Fangs glistened. Claws cut through the air with a hunger sharpened by centuries of cruelty.
But Samuel didn't flinch.
He stood still—calm, quiet, cold.
Like a man who no longer feared death… and no longer intended to grant mercy.
The first vampire reached him with a screech, claws aimed at Samuel's throat.
Samuel lifted one hand.
CRACK.
He caught the vampire by the wrist without even looking. A sharp twist—bones shattered like brittle glass. The creature screamed, but Samuel silenced him by driving his hand straight through the vampire's chest. Blood sprayed across the marble floor.
Gasps filled the hall.
