Chapter One: After Midnight

The werewolf boy looked more frightened than predatory. The silver-eyed nurse had moved in front of him. The faceless creature watched only the windows. The ceiling vampire was the sole passenger advancing on her. “Who claims her?” the vampire asked. “No feeding on public transport after the midnight threshold.” The nurse's voice sounded doubled, as if two people spoke through one throat. “Third article of the Linlan Night Code.” “The Covenant is broken, Tideborn. You're still reciting laws?” “The law may be broken. The rules remain.” The vampire grinned. Releasing the ceiling, he landed lightly in front of Jianyue. Beneath the smell of liquor lay the odor of cold blood. “Look at me,” he said. She did not move.