After the vampires had exited, I returned for my equipment. I managed to stay in shadow, returning to the villa without being spotted. I didn't, however, gain any more to my [Stealth and Sneaking].

I stood on the balcony, looking through an open window into a room with rich, crimson curtains edged with gold tassels. A large mahogany desk sat in its center, an oversized leather chair behind it. A vampire sat there with his back to me. Every other room was empty, so I could only assume this was Gestar the Guilty.

I slid quietly inside, pulling out the katana.

"The human," he said without turning to face me.

I stopped.

"Don't worry, Child of Adam, I have no quarrel with you."

At that, he spun in his chair. He was a bigger man, with a well-fed look—which nearly made me sick when I considered what that implied. A small goatee adorned his chin, and he wore a small ring through his right nostril.

I don't know what I'd expected. I was here now, face to face with my target.

POTENTIAL DANGER. ENTER [WEREWOLF] FORM?

I ignored the suggestion, and raised the sword.

"Are you going to kill me?" he asked. "Right here in the middle of my city?" He shook his head. "I think not. Now, why not show me your true form, little cub?"

He knew. The look of shock on my face clued him into my thoughts.

"That's right, I know you, Jude Harper. Nothing happens in my Darkness without my knowing. You know, it's a pity, truly. We had plans. Grand ones. Though, your presence here has made things more... urgent."

He rose, and two sharp fangs slowly grew out over his bottom lip.

"Stay back," I warned.

Gestar smiled. "You would've had more time. Weren't you having fun with your new friend, Layla?"

Again, his knowledge of me gave me pause.

"What do you know of her?"

"Everything." He licked his lips. "Everything."

"You sick bastard. Tell me what I need to know, or I'm going to transform here and now and tear your throat out."

[Intimidation] +1%

"I suppose I'll humor you," he said. "What would you like to know?"

"Your plans," I said. "We need to know your plans."

"We?" he said with a knowing smile. "Cleo never knows when to give up, does she? You know these are all games with them, right? The Midnight Hunt... what a sad pack."

"Stop stalling," I said, not really sure I wanted to hear more.

"Two weeks," he said. "We give new cubs two weeks before taking them to the slaughterhouse. That's what she told you to learn, right?"

I tilted my head.

"I don't understand..."

"You're under my watch, Mr. Harper. Close watch. Very close. Perhaps someone you know well."

The words hit hard. I hesitated, feeling a mixture of shock and anger. I was surprised that the vampires had knowledge of me at all, much less that they'd been planning to kill me.

In an instant, Gestar had crossed the room, disarmed me, and tossed the katana aside like it was a butter knife.

"You're brave," he said. "I'll give you that. For that and that alone, I'll gift you those two weeks."

"What?"

"Two weeks and a chance to live," he said. "You won't. Don't get your hopes too high. But go ahead. Return to your precious Cleo and tell her you've accomplished your task. You now know how this little game works."

[OBJECTIVE COMPLETE:] Find Gestar the Guilty. Discover what he plans to do over the next two weeks.

Your bravery has earned you 10XP.

[NEW OBJECTIVE:] Report back to Cleo.

"And don't worry," he said. "There'll be no need for sneaking through my city. No one will harm you on your way. Who would want to spoil the fun? Enjoy these next weeks, Jude Harper. If you can."

He thrust his hand forward, issuing a blast of hot air, and I soared through the open window, my legs hitting the balcony and causing me to flip ass over teakettle. I landed hard on the ground below.

[Warning:] Health at 25%!

I swore, brushing myself off as I rose. I was beginning to wonder if joining Cleo and The Midnight Hunt was the smart move.