Months had passed since Roberto and Mandy joined the team.
Life was finally falling into place — requests coming in, monsters being hunted, and the trio… becoming something dangerously close to a family.
But that night… something was off.
Kim was sprinting across rooftops, her boots gripping the concrete as if gravity worked in her favor.
Her crimson eyes slashed through the darkness, locked onto the figure ahead.
The vampire's mouth still dripped with fresh blood — a recent victim.
He turned suddenly, fangs bared, lips twisted in a manic grin.
"You… can stand in the sunlight?" he hissed, the words slipping out like a secret he shouldn't have spoken.
Kim raised a brow, caught off guard.
"And if I can?"
"The Night will devour the Sun…" he panted, feverish eyes widening.
"And when it does — WE WILL ALL WALK THE DAY…"
He lunged — fast, monstrous — but Kimberly didn't flinch.
She spun low beneath his swipe and drove her stake clean into his heart.
The vampire froze.
His eyes stretched wide as if he still had something vital to say.
"The circle… closes…" he whispered — before turning to dust.
Kim exhaled slowly.
She wiped the blood that splashed across her cheek… but then stopped.
A sharp burning spread through her chest.
She tore the fabric aside — and there it was:
A black mark seared into her skin.
A circular symbol… with three points converging toward the center.
"What the… hell is this?"
For a second, her breath caught.
A flicker of fear — one she refused to admit existed.
Back at Blood's Bar, Roshi stared at the mark, worry darkening his eyes.
Roberto and Mandy exchanged anxious looks.
"That's the Mark of the Night Circle," Roshi finally said, tone heavy.
"I've heard of them… back from my hunter days."
Kim crossed her arms, pretending to be unbothered — though her hand trembled slightly.
"A cult? Like some lunatic vampire fan club?"
"Much more than that," Roshi replied.
"They believe humans and monsters should be enslaved… They've spent centuries hunting for that power."
Roberto swallowed hard.
"So they want… you? Your ability?"
Mandy clutched her jacket, nerves twisting her expression.
Kim shrugged, feigning confidence.
"If they wanna play with me, let them come. I'm not running from a bunch of fanatics."
Roshi sighed, clearly hating that response.
"Kim… this isn't a joke. They will come for you."
She pushed his hand away.
"They can try."
But deep inside, she knew:
That mark wasn't a warning…
It was a hunt — and she was the target.
Days went by.
More jobs came.
Routine continued… but the air felt heavier.
Roshi dropped an envelope onto the counter.
"New mission. A vampire killing young men outside a nightclub.
Looks… nastier than usual."
Kim lifted her head, snatching the papers.
"A party vampire? Sounds easy."
She grabbed her gear and waved at them.
"I'll be back before sunrise."
Roberto forced a grin.
"Hey… be careful, okay?"
Mandy waved, hoping that was enough to keep her safe.
Kim walked into the night — unaware that her next step…
would change everything.
Then end.