(An extra chapter for Brother Frostfang's Claw, 4/5)
Murphy left the house.
He took the bottle Jade had given him, containing "Daylight Potion" meant specifically to inflict weakness on vampires, and swore to join Jade's group in the struggle for the Blood Eagle Clan's remaining power.
However, Jade didn't truly trust him. Murphy could sense it. The man was merely treating him as a spare move, tempting him to betray his current friends with the promise of future power.
That was only natural.
Especially in traditional vampire society, it was absolutely impossible for one vampire to trust another completely.
The stuff flowing through their veins wasn't some lowly thing like blood. It was a deadly poison, made by mixing scheming and malice in equal measure and letting it ferment through the night.
Touch it and die; a single drop of blood and it was all over.
Several dozen minutes after Murphy left, the door opened again.
This time, Maxim walked in.
He had his hood pulled down over his face and was carrying a bottle and seven stemmed glasses.
Finding such impractical luxuries in Cadman City these days wasn't easy. Fortunately, Lord Murphy's warriors were talented scavengers, and Mirian had a large stockpile of supplies.
"Have a drink, my lord."
Maxim poured the deep-red liquid from the bottle into a glass and handed it to Jade. The weakened vampire's throat bobbed as he took it, no longer able to maintain his false courtesy.
In that moment, he threw his head back and gulped down the blood like a vulgar drunk downing wine.
"Mmm..."
The blood passed his lips and became genuine strength, flowing into his parched body. Jade let out a long groan, as if he'd drunk the finest nectar. The age and wrinkles on his face visibly smoothed away.