Chapter 5

A suffocating silence gripped the underground club, broken only by the measured echo of approaching footsteps. Each step rang through the dim space—steady, deliberate, unhurried.

Rani sucked in a breath, wiping her face with the back of her hand. The weight in the air shifted, pulling every gaze toward the source of the sound.

"I must admit," a voice broke the silence, smooth yet carrying a quiet authority, "I didn't expect this."

The flickering blue lights cast long shadows as the man stepped forward, his red hair catching the glow. His light brown eyes, sharp and discerning, swept over the room with the gaze of a man accustomed to command. His tailored business suit, pristine even in the dim haze of the club, made him seem out of place—yet he carried himself with an effortless grace, as if he belonged anywhere he chose to stand.

"Michael." His voice remained calm, yet there was an unmistakable weight behind it. He clapped his hands slowly, the sound echoing off the walls, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the lifeless vampires strewn across the floor. A measured sigh escaped him. "When I received word of an intrusion, I did not expect you to be the culprits." The faintest trace of disappointment colored his tone as his gaze settled on Michael.

"Elijah…" Michael took a step forward, positioning himself protectively in front of his sister. "We can work something out."

"A deal?" Elijah arched a brow, his expression unreadable. "Curious." His head tilted slightly, his tone carrying neither threat nor amusement, but the calculated patience of a man weighing his next move. Then, with a snap of his fingers, another figure stepped into the club.

A woman.

Her hair burned like fire, each strand catching the dim light like molten gold. But it was her eyes that commanded attention—radiant and piercing, like twin suns.

"Victoria." Michael's eyes narrowed, the gravity of the moment pressing down on him like a storm about to break.

"Well, well." She grinned, something playful yet predatory in her expression. "A noble tearing down another noble's business. How utterly predictable."

Michael exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe I overdid it…"

Victoria's smirk didn't waver.

Elijah took a step forward, his presence alone enough to command silence. When he spoke, his voice was measured, carrying no rage—only quiet judgment.

"Not only did you force your way in here," he said, his tone even yet unyielding, "but you also slaughtered my vampires.

"They were just lowbloods—not that important," Michael said with a casual wave, his tone indifferent.

Elijah's gaze darkened, his posture stiffening. His fingers curled slightly at his sides, but his expression remained composed.

"They kept my business running," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an unmistakable weight. He exhaled slowly, eyes flicking over the carnage before settling back on Michael. "And now, because of you, I'll have to replace them. But more than that…" He adjusted the cuff of his pristine suit, his jaw tightening. "This spectacle will leave a stain—one that doesn't wash away easily."

"Look, your bloodsuckers had it coming. One of them tried to seduce my sister—let's call it even," Michael said, his tone edged with impatience.

Elijah let out a quiet hum, tilting his head slightly. "Ah, playing the victim now, Rani?" His gaze flicked to her as she stepped beside her brother.

his gaze lingered on Rani, his expression unreadable. "A noble by birth, yet never one to play the victim," he mused. "The moment you mastered your healing factor, you drowned yourself in every vice imaginable—drinking, indulging, chasing the high of poisons that could never truly harm you."

Michael's lips curled into a snarl, his eyes glowing crimson, the air pulsing with his barely contained rage.

Elijah's voice sliced through the tension, smooth and unsettlingly calm. His gaze flicked to the woman standing beside him, the heat of her presence almost palpable. "Careful now, Michael." He raised a hand, and a flicker of something dangerous danced in his eyes. "You don't want my dragon here—" He nodded toward Victoria, whose fiery hair seemed to shimmer with the power beneath. "—to burn your sister. It might not kill her, but the pain?" He let the threat linger, a dark promise that hung heavy in the air.

"Do you really want to piss me off?" Michael's voice was low, a dangerous edge to it.

Elijah's expression remained unchanged, unfazed by the threat. "No," he said coolly. "But I do want a favor from you, and if you grant it, I'll let this slide. 

Michael scoffed, crossing his arms tightly. "I thought you didn't want a deal, Elijah."

Elijah's lips curled into a half-smile, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Deals favor both parties, Michael."

"Great," Michael muttered, rubbing his forehead in frustration. My sister's dragged me into this mess. All I wanted was to play video games. He let out a heavy sigh.

He paused, glancing at Elijah. "What's the favor?"

Elijah's gaze remained steady, his tone cool. "You're the most powerful werewolf, yet you squander it—too busy lounging around." He began to pace the room, his eyes scanning the wreckage left behind, his steps slow but deliberate as he continued. "I want your word that you'll help me with whatever I need." He stopped in front of Michael, his gaze unwavering. "Do I have it?"