the rain had turned the ground to black mud, soaking through Kael Draven boots as he knelt in the ruins of saint hallow chapel. he did the final sigil in chalk, careful not to smear the salt ring that kept him safe in the theory. the candle flames hissed in the damp air, their light flickering over the open pages of the rite of the bound sentinel.
this was supposed to call a guardian a spirit forged to shield its summoner from harm. witches had been haunted for centuries, and with the high council closing in, Kael had no choice. he took a breath and began to chant.
the words crawled like spiders down his spine , the wind shifting until it carried a sound that wasn't the storm. the shadows thickened, curling inward. the temperature dropped, and the candles flames stretched thin before snapping out entirely.
something stepped through the circle, not a spirit of light, not a noble guardian from the grimoires, a man impossibly tall, draped in black hair like spilled ink and eyes a dark shimmering red, the very air bent around him thick with an ancient, dangerous presence. Kael stomach sank, that wasn't the sentinel, this was something else.
'you have summoned me ' the stranger said softly as if amused, his voice was smooth, decadent, wrong, 'and yet i was not the one you sought'
Kael throat tightened 'who are you'
the man stepped closer, the ritual circle flaring crimson under his boots, he smiled sharp and knowing 'Lucien Veyra' he said 'last of the true blooded vampires, cursed for five centuries............until you called me'
chains of light shot from the circle wrapping around Kael wrist before he could move his magic surged and twisted in protest but the bond was already sealed
'congratulations, little witch' Lucien whispered his lips curling 'you've invited a monster into your life'.