The moon hung like a silver eye above the twisted trees of Crimson Hollow. Lucien Mason stood alone on the balcony of the Black Thorn Fortress, the wind tugging at his raven hair, the scent of blood and magic thick in the air.
Below, his army was growing.
Vampires. Lycans. Hybrids. Even a few cursed humans who had willingly offered their souls to his banner.
But that wasn't what kept his heart pounding tonight.
No—inside, behind those thick obsidian walls, were the two who now fought not just for his attention... but for his throne.
"Come back inside," a sultry voice whispered from the shadows behind him. The air turned warm as fingers slid along his chest.
Sera.
The succubus princess who had bound herself to him through the Crimson Pact.
Lucien turned slowly, his eyes glowing faintly crimson. She stood there in a sheer, black nightgown that clung to every sinful curve, her lips already parted with expectation.
"You always smell like fire," he muttered.
