Yin's POV
The clock struck midnight, its chime echoing through my study like a funeral bell. I rubbed my eyes, trying to focus on the documents spread across my desk. Numbers, territories, the endless administrative bullshit that came with ruling vampire society.
"The artifact entered the market three days ago," Ervin said, pointing to a passage in the ancient text he'd brought. "According to my sources, it's authentic. The Crimson Tear—one of the original blood stones from the First Age."
I leaned forward, intrigued despite my exhaustion. "And the seller?" I asked. "What do you know about him?"
"Anonymous. Working through intermediaries in bison." Ervin flipped through his notes. "But the price is steep. Fifty thousand in gold, and that's just the opening bid."
