Three days in Marcel's court taught me everything I needed to know about the power structure.
Diego resented me. Thierry was suspicious but professional. The rank-and-file vampires alternated between fear and curiosity—they could sense something different about me, even if they couldn't name it.
I used those three days to map the Abattoir completely. Every entrance, every exit, every hidden passage. The building had centuries of history, and history meant secrets. I found tunnels Marcel probably didn't know existed, rooms that hadn't been opened in decades, and one very interesting basement level that reeked of old magic.
[DISCOVERY: Hidden ritual space beneath Abattoir]
[Magical residue: Significant]
[Source: Unknown witch coven, circa 1800s]
[Potential用途: Leverage against local witches]
I filed that information away for later.
On the fourth night, Diego made his move.
I was crossing the courtyard when he stepped into my path, flanked by two of his people. The same alley ambush setup from the original timeline—Diego never was creative.
"The mystery man." He smiled, all teeth. "Marcel's new pet. You've been here almost a week and haven't paid your respects to the people who actually run things."
"Which people would those be?"
"The ones who've been here for decades. The ones who built this city while you were still human." He stepped closer. "The ones who could make your existence very difficult if you don't show proper deference."
I looked at him. Really looked—past the posturing, past the political maneuvering, down to the core of what he was.
A two-hundred-year-old vampire who'd never been truly challenged. Strong by local standards, but limited. Predictable. The kind of minor antagonist I'd dealt with in literally thousands of realities.
"Diego." I kept my voice pleasant. "I'm going to give you some advice. Free of charge, because I'm feeling generous."
His eyes narrowed. "Advice?"
"You're used to being the biggest threat in most rooms. That's not going to work with me." I smiled. "Walk away now. Tell yourself you're being strategic, letting me think I've won. Whatever helps you sleep during the day. But if you actually try to follow through on that threat..."
I let the sentence hang. Let him imagine the possibilities.
His flunkies shifted nervously. Diego's face cycled through several expressions—anger, confusion, uncertainty, and finally, calculation.
"You're bluffing."
"Am I?" I stepped past him, close enough that our shoulders almost brushed. "Test it. Please. I haven't had a decent workout since I arrived."
I walked away without looking back.
Behind me, I heard one of the flunkies whisper, "Boss, what was that?"
Diego's response was too quiet for normal hearing to catch. But I heard it.
"I don't know. But we're going to find out."
[Intimidation check: SUCCESS]
[Diego threat level: REDUCED (temporarily)]
[Quest update: Enemy made, but respect established]
Good enough for now.
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