The ballroom was beautiful in the way a knife was beautiful.
Polished.
Elegant.
Dangerous.
Crystal chandeliers cast golden light across marble floors, expensive suits, and women wearing smiles sharper than weapons.
Music drifted through the hall like perfume.
Soft.
Refined.
False.
Every person here looked civilised.
Which meant most of them were monsters.
Perfect.
I stood between Seraphina and Selene, feeling every gaze in the room shift toward us.
No—
toward me.
The weak college boy, Aarav Malhotra, had disappeared.
Tonight, they were looking at something else.
Something they did not fully understand.
And predators hated uncertainty.
Mr Khanna guided us deeper into the ballroom.
His smile remained professional.
His eyes did not.
He was measuring everything.
The way I walked.
The way Seraphina stayed close.
The way Selene never looked nervous.
He already knew this was no ordinary social visit.
Good.
Let him worry.
At the centre of the ballroom stood the raised platform.
It wasn't officially called a throne.
Of course not.
Rich people preferred elegant lies.
But everyone here knew what it was.
Power.
Authority.
Judgement.
The hidden throne.
Tonight, those who ruled from the shadows would decide who was worthy of standing near it.
And apparently, I had been invited to audition.
Wonderful.
Mr Khanna stopped near a group of older men and women.
Expensive clothes.
Controlled smiles.
Ancient eyes.
Not all of them were vampires.
But all of them served power.
He introduced me like a businessman presenting an investment.
"This is Aarav Malhotra."
A pause.
"The one the Noir and Lunaris families are watching."
That changed the room instantly.
Interest sharpened.
One older woman with emerald jewellery smiled faintly.
"So young."
A man beside her swirled his drink.
"And yet already expensive."
I almost laughed.
At least they were honest.
Seraphina stepped slightly closer to me.
A warning disguised as elegance.
Selene remained calm.
Moonlight never needed to raise its voice.
The older woman asked,
"And tell me, Mr Malhotra…"
Her gaze moved to the marks near my neck.
"Which family do you intend to belong to?"
Simple question.
Dangerous answer.
Everyone listened.
Even the music felt quieter.
I smiled faintly.
"Mine."
Silence.
Then—
somewhere above us—
Someone laughed.
Soft.
Low.
But powerful enough to silence the entire ballroom.
Every head turned upward.
The private balcony.
Top floor.
Hidden in shadow.
A figure sat there.
Not clearly visible.
Only the outline.
Elegant.
Still.
Watching.
And somehow—
Everyone in the room lowered their eyes slightly.
Respect.
Fear.
Instinct.
Even Mr Khanna straightened.
Seraphina's expression changed.
Serious.
Selene's fingers tightened around her glass.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Whoever sat there—
Even these people feared them.
A voice came from the balcony.
Female.
Calm.
Royal.
And dangerous enough to make the air itself feel colder.
"He answers like a king."
My blood reacted instantly.
Not fear.
Recognition.
The ancient bloodline inside me stirred.
Like something old had just opened one eye.
The woman continued.
"Send him up."
No one argued.
No one questioned.
Mr Khanna stepped back immediately.
The older nobles looked relieved it wasn't them.
Good sign.
Probably.
Seraphina looked at me.
"This is not a request."
"I noticed."
Selene stepped closer.
For the first time tonight, her voice carried a real warning.
"Be careful."
Now that was interesting.
When moonlight warned you, storms were coming.
I adjusted my cuffs.
"Both of you look far too worried."
Seraphina's crimson eyes locked onto mine.
"Because this is not a game anymore."
Her voice dropped lower.
"That woman…"
"She does not ask twice."
I looked toward the balcony.
Still hidden.
Still watching.
And somehow—
I smiled.
Good.
I was getting tired of small predators.
Maybe it was time to meet the one at the top.
A private attendant approached.
Silent.
Perfect posture.
Terrifying professionalism.
"This way, sir."
Sir.
Nice.
I liked that.
Before I followed, Seraphina grabbed my wrist.
Her touch stopped me.
I turned.
For the first time since meeting her—
Her calm had real cracks.
Something close to concern.
Something close to jealousy.
Interesting.
She stepped closer.
Too close for the ballroom.
Perfect.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"If she chooses you…"
She paused.
The words clearly irritated her.
"…everything changes."
Selene added quietly from my other side,
"And not only for you."
I looked between them.
Two vampire women.
Both are dangerous.
Both were trying not to look like they cared too much.
Failing beautifully.
I smiled faintly.
Then I leant closer to Seraphina first.
My hand brushed her waist lightly.
Enough to make her breath pause.
"Jealous?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"Careful."
I turned slightly toward Selene.
"And you?"
She lifted one elegant brow.
"I prefer accurate words."
I smirked.
"Possessive, then."
That almost made her lose her composure.
Almost.
Victory.
Small.
But important.
Then I stepped back.
Cold calm returning.
"Relax."
My voice dropped lower.
"If there's a throne waiting upstairs…"
I looked toward the balcony.
"…then it should learn to wait for me."
That made both of them smile.
Dangerous women.
Terrible influence.
Perfect.
I followed the attendant toward the private elevator.
Each step felt heavier.
Not from fear.
From instinct.
Something powerful was waiting above.
Something ancient.
Something that already knew my name before tonight began.
The elevator doors opened.
Golden.
Silent.
Waiting.
I stepped inside alone.
The doors closed.
And for the first time since my rebirth—
I felt it clearly.
Not just survival.
Not just blood bonds.
Not just hidden enemies.
This—
This was the beginning of the throne war.
And somewhere above—
The woman in the shadows was waiting.
Not as prey.
Not as an enemy.
But as someone deciding whether I was worthy to stand beside her.
The elevator rose.
Slowly.
Like a blade being drawn.
And I smiled.
Because kings were not tested by comfort.
They were tested by those powerful enough to challenge them.
Good.
Let her try.