Rain fell hard on Eldridge city.
The streets looked black and wet under the lights. People walked fast with heads down. They did not look at the tall woman moving through the rain.
Seraphina Voss did not use an umbrella. Rain ran off her black leather jacket and tight leather pants like it was scared to stay. The leather was dark and shiny, hugging her body tight, showing every line of her strong, deadly shape. A long black coat hung over her shoulders, open in front. At her side, a thin silver sword rested in a black sheath, the handle wrapped in old leather. The sword looked ancient, like it had tasted blood for centuries. She walked with perfect control—back straight, shoulders back, every step smooth and powerful. She was scary to see. Tall and thin like a shadow that could swallow you. Her skin was white as death, her eyes red like fresh blood. Long black hair stuck to her face in the rain, but she did not care. Her lips were dark red, always in a line that said she could end your life with one word. People whispered she was a monster. A vampire who had lived five hundred years, killing without regret. Her walk was like a predator hunting, full of danger.
She stopped in front of the Council Hall. Tall iron gates. Old stone walls. Stone monsters looking down.
Two guards in dark clothes stood straight when they saw her. They shook a little.
"My lady," one said. His voice sounded nervous. "Welcome"
Seraphina said nothing. She walked past them. They smelled afraid.
Inside the hall it felt cold. Marble floor. High roof. Candles burned even though lights worked.
Ten chairs sat at the long table now. Nine had people. More members than before. Old men and a few old women, all with hard faces. They came from hidden worlds. Vampires, shifters, and even some who knew dark magic.
The Council.
Mostly old vampires like her. But now more people sat there. One witch with green eyes and scars on her hands. A shifter man who smelled like wolf. They all looked at her when she entered.
No woman ever took the third seat before. Until now.
Seraphina sat in the third chair from the right. Her chair.
Everyone went quiet.
Lord Harlan, the leader, spoke first. He had white hair and a sharp suit. Very old but still strong.
"Welcome, Lady Voss," he said. "Your place is now real. But some here do not like it. A woman as third head? And a vampire who hunts alone?"
The witch woman leaned forward. Her name was Mira. "Yes. Why you? We have witches who can see the future. Why a blood drinker?"
Seraphina looked at her with cold eyes. "Because witches talk too much. You play with spells and herbs. I get things done."
Mira laughed, but it sounded angry. "You think vampires are better? Your kind started half these crimes. Blood everywhere."
"Not my kind," Seraphina said. "Rogues. Or maybe witches cursing people to death."
The shifter man growled. "Enough. We have bigger problems."
Lord Harlan nodded. "The crimes, dead bodies, left like trash. You read the reports?"
"Yes," Seraphina said.
"And?" Harlan asked.
"Humans did not do this alone," she said. "Vampires gone wild. Or witches making deals with dark things. Maybe even shifters losing control."
Mira stood up. "You blame us? Witches do not drain blood!"
Seraphina smiled small and sharp. "But you know spells to make bodies look that way. To hide your tracks."
The room got loud with arguments.
Harlan hit the table. "Quiet! Lady Voss, you are third head now. You lead the hunt."
Seraphina nodded. "I will find them. My way. No soft rules."
Mira sat down, eyes full of hate. "And if it's your own vampires?"
"Then I kill them myself," Seraphina said.
Harlan leaned in. "You have all power. Investigators. And… an apprentice waits. A human boy . Elias Kane."
Seraphina's eyes became smaller. A human? Weak. Breakable. She hated humans. They died too easy. Smelled too alive. Always in the way.
"Why a human?" she asked, voice like ice.
"Rules," Harlan said. "We need fresh eyes. Not from our world."
Mira smiled mean. "Yes. See how you like working with food."
Seraphina ignored her. "Bring him."
The door opened.
A young man walked in.
Tall, but still looked young. Dark messy hair. Blue eyes looking around. Simple black shirt and pants. Hands in pockets.
He saw her.
He stopped moving.
Seraphina looked at him with disgust. A human boy. Soft skin. Weak body. He smelled like fresh meat. Nothing special. Why him? She wanted to send him away right then.
She felt his heart jump fast. His breath stopped for a second.
But she saw only dirt. A human in her world.
The Council watched.
She walked to him slowly, her leather pants making soft sounds with each step, the sword at her side swaying just a little.
Stopped very close. He had to look up a little.
"Elias Kane," she said quietly, but her voice full of hate.
He swallowed. "Yes, Lady Voss."
She looked down at him like he was nothing. "You are human. Weak. Why did they pick you?"
He blinked. "I… I studied hard. I know the laws. The old stories."
Seraphina laughed cold. "Stories? This is real. Blood and death. Humans break easy."
Mira chuckled from the table. "See? She hates him already."
Elias stood straight. "I can learn. I want to help."
Seraphina touched his chin hard. Raised his face. Her nails dug in a little.
His skin felt warm. Too warm. Human warmth she did not like.
Her thumb touched his bottom lip rough. Just one time.
He shook a little, but did not pull away.
"You think you can work for me?" she asked. "Do what I say? When I say? No questions?"
He nodded quick. "Yes."
She let go like he burned her. "We will see. Humans always fail."
She turned to the Council. "This meeting ends."
No one said no.
She walked out. Elias followed right behind. Like a shadow.
Outside, rain still came down.
Seraphina stopped under the cover. Looked at him with more disgust.
"Are you scared, human?" she asked.
He looked into her eyes. Steady, even though his heart beat loud.
"No," he said.
She smiled. Real. Dangerous. Full of teeth.
"You lie. And humans who lie to me do not last long."
Then she stepped into the rain, her leather jacket shining wet, sword glinting for a second under the light.
Elias followed. No pause.
He did not know yet what he stepped into.
But deep inside, something already told him: he would never leave.