"Let's begin," he says, and the meeting starts.
The intelligence is grim.
"Lord Dmitri's people intercepted communications," Ethan says. "Konstantin's been coordinating with his forces since we left the Whitley. He's not waiting anymore."
He pulls up a display showing the city's perimeter. Konstantin's forces have been gathering at three locations. Movement patterns, estimated numbers, likely approach vectors. The picture he paints is one of coordinated assault, multiple breach points, overwhelming force.
"He's not testing us anymore," Marcellus says. "This is the real thing."
"Timeline?" Maximus asks.
"Best estimate: tonight. Tomorrow at the latest." Ethan pulls up another display. "He's moved too many pieces into position. Holding them there without acting risks exposure."
The room absorbs this in silence. I see the weight of it settle onto shoulders, tighten jaws, sharpen focus. These are vampires who've survived centuries, who've fought wars and weathered crises. But this is different. This is an assault on their home.
"Defensive positions," Maximus says. "Julian, take me through the compound's vulnerabilities."
Julian moves to the map and begins outlining entry points, sight lines, choke points. I listen, filing away information, building a mental picture of the battlefield. The compound is large. Multiple buildings, extensive grounds, too much perimeter to defend without spreading thin.
"The east wing is our weakest point," Julian says, indicating a section of the map. "Limited sight lines, multiple approach routesthrough the gardens. If they're smart, that's where they'll hit hardest."
"Then we reinforce the east wing," Nadia says. "Pull resources from…"
"From where?" Marcellus interrupts. "We're already stretched. Pulling from one position just weakens another."
The debate continues. I watch Maximus absorb the arguments, his expression revealing nothing. But I can see him calculating, weighing options, preparing to make the call that everyone will follow.
"What about the underground approach?"
The words are out of my mouth before I've fully decided to speak. Every head turns toward me.
"Explain," Maximus says. His voice is neutral.
"The underground fighting circuit. That's where I was for three years before I was turned." I stand, moving toward the map. "You've said Konstantin pulls soldiers from those rings. If that's who we're facing, I know how they think. Practical. Efficient. No glory, just winning. They don't care about dramatic entrances. They care about what works."
Julian frowns at the map. "So they wouldn't hit the obvious weak point..."
"They'd let you think that's where they're coming," I say. "Then hit somewhere that actually hurts."
"The medical wing," Maximus says quietly. His eyes meet mine across the table, and for a moment, the room falls away. "Less defended, higher impact."
"That's how I'd do it," I agree.
"The medical wing is secondary priority," Marcellus says. "Our main defensive line is…"
"The medical wing is where Elena coordinates the donor network," I interrupt. "It's where your clean blood supply is stored,where wounded would be treated. If Konstantin's smart, and he is, he knows that taking out your medical capability cripples you even if he doesn't breach the main compound."
Silence.
I feel the weight of their assessment. These are ancient vampires, warriors who've been strategizing since before I was born. And I'm a fledgling who's been part of this world for eight months.
But I know what I'm talking about. I spent three years in that underground world. I know how those fighters move, how they think, what they prioritize.
"She's right," Nadia says finally. "We've been thinking about this like a siege. They're not laying siege. They're running an operation. Different tactics."
Maximus hasn't looked away from me. The intensity of his gaze makes my skin prickle. "Recommendations?"
"Split the reinforcement. Make the east wing look fortified. Visible presence, obvious strength. But keep a mobile reserve near the medical wing. Fast response, minimal footprint. When they hit the service entrance, we're ready."
