Chapter One: After Midnight

They're detaining everyone unregistered.” “Why?” “For our protection, they say.” His bitter smile showed prominent canines. “That's what they always say.” Jianyue thanked him, put on the raincoat, and left. First, she returned to the old apartment she shared with Zhou. The lock was intact, but someone had searched the rooms with meticulous care. Every drawer stood open. Books lay on the floor sorted by size. The computer tower was gone. A seal of black wax marked the darkroom door. Its emblem was a sun split by a vertical line—the same logo that crowned the Everday Tower. She did not touch the seal. A vampire could not enter a private residence without invitation.