Chapter Three: Everday Screening

Not a single window in the Everday Tower was lit. Still, it stood out against all of Linlan. The blood moon hung above its roof, and the glass façade folded its red light inward until the building resembled a black bone driven into the night. More than a thousand newly manifested citizens waited outside for screening. The three lineages occupied separate sides, leaving deliberate strips of empty pavement between them. Zhou Ye parked two blocks away. “Once you're inside, eat nothing, accept no gifts, and never give your full name.” He handed Jianyue a folding knife. “For vampires, invitation is the door, blood debt the rope, and a true name the lock. Owe them one mouthful and they can follow you anywhere.” “You're not coming?”