Nathaniel wasn't the last ancient vampire to recognize what Adrian was.
Over the following weeks, more appeared—vampires who'd been alive for thousands of years, who remembered the earliest days of their species. They approached carefully, reverently, treating Adrian like he was sacred.
"This is getting out of hand," Wei observed after the fifth ancient vampire made contact. "You've become a vampire celebrity. The First Generation vampires are treating you like a religious figure."
"I'm not religious. I'm just old. Or my soul is." Adrian rubbed his temples in frustration. "I don't know what they expect from me."
"Guidance, maybe? You carry memories of Cain, of the original vampire code of conduct. These ancient vampires—they remember a time before the Accord, before modern vampire society. They might see you as a link to that past."
"Great. No pressure."
Kieran was less philosophical about it. "They're potential threats. Each one who knows about Adrian's bloodline is another who could betray that information to Asmodeus or other enemies."
"Or they could be allies," Marcus suggested. "The First Generation vampires are among the most powerful in existence. Having them on our side might be exactly what we need."
"Or it paints an even bigger target on Adrian's back."
The debate was interrupted by a formal request—the First Generation vampires wanted to meet Adrian officially. All of them. Together.
"How many are we talking?" Adrian asked.
"Thirteen," Marcus reported. "Thirteen vampires who were transformed directly by Cain in the first century of vampire existence. They're the oldest, most powerful vampires alive."
"And they all want to meet me?"
"They're calling it a Gathering. It hasn't happened in two thousand years—the last one was before the fall of Rome." Marcus's expression was grave. "This is significant, Adrian. The First Generation doesn't gather without serious reason."
"The reason is me," Adrian said. "They think I'm connected to Cain."
"You are connected to Cain," Kieran pointed out. "Your soul was literally there at the beginning."
The Gathering was set for one month out, in a location kept secret until the last moment—security protocol, to prevent enemies from crashing what would be the most powerful assembly of vampires in recorded history.
Adrian spent the month training harder than ever. If he was going to face the thirteen most ancient vampires in existence, he needed to be ready.
"They'll test you," Kieran warned during a particularly intense sparring session. "The First Generation respects strength, knowledge, and cunning. They'll want to know if Cain's ancient companion is worthy of their attention."
"What happens if I'm not?"
"They might dismiss you. Or they might kill you to prevent your bloodline from being exploited."
"Super encouraging. Thanks."
Despite the danger, Adrian found himself curious. These were vampires who'd walked the earth for five thousand years. They'd seen civilizations rise and fall, witnessed history firsthand, accumulated knowledge and power beyond imagining.
What would they be like?
The location was finally revealed—an island off the coast of Greece, uninhabited except for ancient ruins. They traveled by private boat, Wei and a small pack of her wolves accompanying them as security.
"The First Generation doesn't usually allow non-vampires at their gatherings," Marcus noted. "The fact that they're permitting werewolves suggests they're serious about security."
"Or they're planning something that requires witnesses," Wei muttered darkly.
The island was beautiful in a desolate way—all white stone and blue water, ruins of a temple that predated Classical Greece scattered across the landscape. As they approached the main gathering area, Adrian felt power radiating from the assembled vampires.
Thirteen figures waited in a semicircle, each one ancient beyond measure. Adrian could feel their age, their power, the weight of millennia pressing down like physical force.
Nathaniel stepped forward as spokesman. "Lord Ashford. Consort Chen. Thank you for accepting our invitation."
"Did we have a choice?" Kieran asked coolly.
"Not really." Nathaniel smiled slightly. "We needed to verify something. To see if the rumors were true."
He gestured, and Adrian stepped forward, feeling all thirteen vampires' attention focus on him. It was like standing under a spotlight made of predatory instinct.
One of the thirteen—a woman with dark skin and eyes like liquid gold—moved closer. "Show us," she commanded. "Show us your blood."
"Elena is our eldest," Nathaniel explained. "She was Cain's first child, the first vampire he ever created. If anyone can verify your connection to him, it's her."
Adrian looked at Kieran, who nodded slightly. Taking a breath he didn't need, Adrian bit his wrist, letting black blood well up.
Elena leaned in, inhaling deeply. Her expression shifted from skepticism to shock to something approaching awe.
"It's true," she whispered. "This is First Blood. Undiluted, original vampire blood. But how? He's only five years turned—"
"His soul is ancient," Nathaniel said. "We believe he's a reincarnation of one of Cain's original companions. His soul carries the memory of First Blood, and his transformation awakened it."
The thirteen began talking among themselves—rapid conversation in languages Adrian didn't recognize, probably dead languages from civilizations long forgotten.
Finally, Elena turned back to Adrian. "We have questions."
"I'll answer what I can."
"Do you remember the Garden?"
"Fragments. Pieces. Not a complete memory."
"Do you remember Cain?"
"I've seen him in visions. He's spoken to me."
That caused a stir. "Cain reached out to you?" Elena's expression intensified. "When? Where is he?"
"I don't know where he is. He came to me in a vision, told me I was connected to him, that my soul was waiting for his return."
"His return," another of the thirteen repeated. "So he does plan to come back."
"He said when he was needed, he would return. When the vampire species required him."
The thirteen exchanged glances, some excited, others worried.
"This changes everything," Elena said finally. "If Cain is planning to return, if he's watching through you, then we need to prepare. The vampire world is not what it was five thousand years ago. His return could cause chaos."
"Or salvation," another argued. "We've strayed from the original path. Cain could guide us back."
"Or destroy us for our failures," a third countered.
The debate continued, and Adrian felt increasingly like he'd stepped into something far bigger than he'd anticipated. These weren't just ancient vampires. They were Cain's children, the foundation of vampire civilization. And they were seriously considering what Cain's return would mean.
"What do you want from me?" Adrian asked, cutting through the debate.
Elena studied him. "We want you to be our eyes and ears. To tell us if Cain speaks to you again, what he says, what he wants. In return, we'll protect you. All thirteen of us, united. No demon, no ambitious vampire, no one will touch you without facing the First Generation's wrath."
"You want me to spy on Cain for you?"
"We want you to help us prepare for his return. There's a difference." Elena's expression softened slightly. "You're valuable, Adrian Chen. Not just because of your blood, but because you're a bridge between the past and the present. Between Cain's original vision and what we've become. We need that bridge."
Adrian looked at Kieran, their blood bond humming with silent communication. This was dangerous—getting involved with the First Generation meant more politics, more attention, more risk. But it also meant protection from Asmodeus and others who'd exploit Adrian's connection to Cain.
"I'll do it," Adrian decided. "But on one condition—my mate is included in all discussions. Kieran and I are bonded. What affects me affects him."
"Agreed," Elena said after a moment. "Lord Ashford is respected among our kind. His presence will be... acceptable."
The Gathering continued into the night, the thirteen sharing stories of the ancient world, of Cain before he disappeared, of the early days when vampires were few and powerful. Adrian listened, absorbing history that had been lost to all but these thirteen immortal beings.
By dawn, when they had to retreat from the sun, an accord had been reached. Adrian would serve as liaison between Cain and the First Generation. In return, he'd have their protection and their knowledge.
"You've bound yourself to the most powerful vampires in existence," Wei observed as they returned to the boat. "I'm not sure if that's brilliant or insane."
"Can't it be both?" Adrian asked.
"With you? Usually is."
Back in Shanghai, exhausted from the intensity of meeting the First Generation, Adrian collapsed onto their bed. Kieran joined him, pulling him close.
"You've positioned yourself at the center of vampire politics," Kieran said quietly. "The First Generation's protection is invaluable, but it also makes you a symbol. A figurehead. Others will see you as Cain's representative, whether you want that role or not."
"I know. But what choice did I have? Asmodeus won't stop hunting me. Other vampires will keep trying to use me. At least this way, I have the most powerful vampires alive protecting me."
"And using you too," Kieran pointed out gently. "Don't mistake their protection for altruism. They want access to Cain through you. When he returns—if he returns—they'll expect you to advocate for their interests."
"I'll advocate for what's right. For balance. For the Accord." Adrian turned to face him. "Isn't that what we've always done? Try to maintain peace between species?"
"Yes. But you're playing at a different level now. The First Generation doesn't think in terms of years or decades—they think in centuries, millennia. Their plans and schemes operate on timescales that make my thousand years seem brief."
Adrian sighed. "I miss when our biggest problem was Viktor's resurrection ritual. That was simple. Clear enemies, clear goals."
"Nothing about our existence has ever been simple," Kieran said with a smile. "But we've survived everything thrown at us. We'll survive this too."
"Together?"
"Always together."
They made love that night with desperate intensity, both of them acutely aware of how much more complicated their lives had become. Adrian's connection to Cain, the First Generation's attention, Asmodeus's continuing grudge—the threats were multiplying faster than they could address them.
But in each other's arms, those threats faded. There was only the blood bond humming between them, only the love that had survived a thousand years of separation and five years of chaos since reuniting.
"I love you," Adrian whispered against Kieran's skin. "No matter what happens, no matter what role I'm forced to play—that doesn't change."
"I love you too," Kieran replied, his hands gentle despite his vampire strength. "And I'll stand beside you through everything. First Generation politics, demon grudges, Cain's return—all of it."
"That's a lot to promise."
"I waited a thousand years for you. Everything else is easy by comparison."