Night fell over New Salem, covering the streets lit by witch lanterns and neon signs.
Inside Valentine's shop, the smell of incense and strong coffee mixed with the restless sound of Kimberly's footsteps as she paced back and forth.
"No rituals, then," Mandy said, leaning against the counter.
"So how are we supposed to track an organization that lives in the shadows?"
Valentine was tinkering with an old magical projection device — a glass orb wrapped in glowing runes and modern cables.
"You're thinking like hunters," she replied, tapping the orb.
"But the Circle of Night isn't just about magic or monsters. They leave traces. Small ones… but they do leave them."
The projection flared to life, expanding into a holographic map covered in blinking red marks.
"The Circle follows a routine," Val explained.
"They need resources, bodies, energy — and most of all, silence. They strike in isolated places, vanish, and by the time someone starts to investigate… the city's already doomed."
Kimberly crossed her arms, watching closely.
"Argun, Wadron, Seawraith…" she murmured, seeing the points glow.
"All of them had victims with the black moon mark."
Val nodded.
"And now there are new reports coming from four cities — Winterfall, Necropolis, San Riverbend, and Blackshore. Distant places, but connected by an ancient energy line."
"Energy line?" Roberto asked, curious.
"Lines of power." Val touched the orb again, connecting the cities with beams of light.
"The old warlocks used them as channels for magical flow. The Circle might be trying to reactivate them — to create a convergence point."
Kimberly frowned.
"And the center of that convergence would be…?"
Val looked at her, expression darkening.
"Salt Blake."
A heavy silence fell over the group.
"That's where it all started," Tory said, remembering the previous mission.
Valentine turned off the projection.
"If you want to find the Circle, follow the traces. Each city will reveal a fragment. But you won't find pure magic — you'll find human signs: disappearances, mutations, people infected by the mark. Follow those, and you'll reach the source."
Kim nodded slowly.
"Then that's what we'll do."
Mandy grabbed her jacket and sighed.
"I always wanted a hellish road trip hunting down a murderous magic cult."
"At least you're not going alone, darling," Val teased with a wink.
"And take care of my little redhead."
Kimberly gave a faint smile, but inside, the weight of the name Kramer still echoed.
She couldn't shake the thought — was Karmila's interest somehow connected to that?
---
Somewhere near the coast...
The ruins that served as the Circle of Night's base were shrouded in mist and the distant roar of the sea.
Inside the main hall, Karmila walked gracefully, the echo of her heels mixing with the murmurs of whispered incantations.
Trent, bound in chains, watched in silence — his dark eyes filled with both regret and fury.
Beside him, Drayfus sat upon his black throne — a towering figure with a calm, cold gaze.
"Lord Drayfus," Karmila began, bowing slightly,
"We have a new target."
Drayfus lifted his eyes.
"The hunter?"
"Kimberly Kramer," she answered with a faint smile.
"I felt her blood. The ancestral blood — the same mentioned in the ancient scriptures."
Drayfus rested his chin on his hand.
"The blood of the First."
"Exactly." Karmila stepped into the center of the room.
"With it, we can open the Primordial Channel — the lost seal that would let us control the monsters without the fragments."
Drayfus fell silent, considering her words.
"If her blood is truly what you believe… then bring her alive."
"And what about your plan?" Karmila asked.
Drayfus slowly rose to his feet.
"The plan continues. Highspire — the highest point of Salt Blake — will be our catalyst. Once the spell is complete, every creature marked by the seal will answer my command. Humans, monsters, hybrids… all of them."
The air itself seemed to vibrate with the force of his voice.
Karmila smiled.
"Then I'll let Trent serve as bait. Kimberly will come for him. And when she does… the ancestral blood will be ours."
Trent closed his eyes, silent, conflict written across his face.
Drayfus stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Your role isn't over, boy. True leaders always serve — even if it's as a sacrifice."
Trent clenched his fists, Roshi and Ryan's voices echoing faintly in his mind.
---
Back in New Salem...
Kimberly studied the map Valentine had drawn.
The lights of the four cities pulsed softly — like hearts about to stop.
"Blackshore, Winterfall, San Riverbend… and we circle back to Salt Blake through Necropolis," she murmured.
"If the Circle's active there, that's where we start."
Tory adjusted her backpack.
"And when we find them?"
Kim took a deep breath, steady.
"Then we find out what they really want with my blood."
The moonlight shone over the group as they gathered around the car.
The cold wind swept through Kim's hair as she looked briefly at the night sky.
"Ready?" she asked.
"Born ready," Mandy said, forcing a grin to hide her nerves.
"Leave the driving to me," Roberto added, starting the van.
The engine roared. The road awaited.
The hunt for the Circle of Night had begun.
To be continued...