Chapter One: After Midnight

“Authorized by whom?” she called through the door. A pause. “Mr. Pei Du.” Jianyue looked through the peephole. Three people stood in the corridor wearing identical black suits. None appeared to breathe. None cast a shadow. But they were still waiting for her to open the door. The rules were real. Jianyue raised the camera and aimed the lens at the lock. “I'm sorry,” she said. “I don't accept your protection.” The man outside laughed. “Then pray no other lineage finds you before moonset,” he said. “To everything out of control tonight, the blood of a Blank smells like freedom.”