The attack on Lord Feng's fortress happened at midnight.
Kieran, Wei, and six of her best fighters approached from different angles. Adrian stayed behind with Liu, watching through surveillance cameras Kieran had planted.
"This is better than television," Liu commented, eating popcorn as they watched Kieran slice through guards. "Your boyfriend is terrifying."
"He's efficient," Adrian corrected, unable to look away.
On screen, Kieran moved through the underground complex like death incarnate. His sword was a blur of silver, each strike precise and lethal. Vampires turned to ash in his wake.
"He's showing off," Wei's voice crackled through the comms. "Ashford, we're supposed to be stealthy."
"This is me being stealthy," Kieran responded, decapitating two vampires simultaneously.
"This is you being a dramatic prince."
"I contain multitudes."
Adrian smiled despite his worry. Even in combat, they bickered like old friends.
The assault took an hour. Lord Feng tried to escape through a hidden tunnel, only to find Wei waiting at the exit.
"Going somewhere?" the werewolf alpha asked, then shifted into her wolf form—a massive creature of fur and fangs—and tore out Feng's throat.
"Target eliminated," Kieran reported. "How's Ishida?"
Marcus's voice came through: "Handled. He's dust."
"Good. Regroup at the safe house."
Adrian exhaled in relief. Two down, two to go.