Though the vampires roared in response to the disturbance, they found nothing amiss. Confused, they began to move about in angry, erratic patterns. Two stealth patrols even collided mid-air.
The next second, they turned on each other—fangs bared—only to realize, belatedly, that they were of the same kind. They shoved off with irritated hisses, growling low in their throats. The confusion rippled outward, spreading through the castle ranks like a virus.
Ethan watched from the shadows, eyes narrowed, as if he'd just discovered a new exploit. The Moonfire flash—while initially used to draw attention—had also acted like a flashbang. These creatures, long adapted to pitch-black darkness, had been temporarily blinded by the sudden burst of light.
Then, amid the chaos, something massive emerged from the second-floor entrance.
A werewolf.
