The elevator of the Midnight Tower rose in perfect silence, suspended in a column of red-tinted light that cut through the City of Sin and Chains like a blade. Beneath its transparent floor, the entire metropolis burned — neon blood markets, floating shrines, vampire spires, ghost districts stitched together by glowing bridges and hell-lit clouds.
Ezio stood at the center of the lift.
Not because anyone told him to.
Because the space naturally parted around him.
Kayra leaned against the glass wall, sipping from a vial of violet liquor, fox-eyes reflecting a thousand city lights. Rosa was scrolling through shifting crimson ledgers that only she could see. Laura stood rigid near the door, hands clenched, chains faint beneath her skin. Luminous watched them all from the far corner, golden eyes unreadable.
For the first time since the auction…
No one was kneeling.
A chime rang.
The doors opened.
And the sky fell away.
The penthouse was not merely luxurious.
It was impossible.
A floating palace of black crystal and blood-glass hovered far above the Midnight Sect. The entire city spread beneath them like a living map — clubs glowing like embers, market districts pulsing, demon docks lit by hellfire, vampire towers rising like fangs into storm-clouds.
This was not a room.
It was a throne in the sky.
A long bar of obsidian and silver curved through the center, stocked with rare spirits, blood wines, and soul-infused liquors. Velvet lounges wrapped around low tables carved with arcane sigils. The far wall was pure transparent crimson glass, opening onto a balcony suspended over open air and lightning.
Ezio slowly exhaled.
"So this is what buying the world looks like."
Rosa's lips curved faintly.
"This is what owning the rules looks like."
Kayra whistled softly. "Foxes like high places. You can see who's stalking you."
Laura stepped forward cautiously, pressing her palm against the glass wall as if it might break.
"All of this…" she whispered. "You did this?"
Ezio nodded. "Tonight's profits."
Her eyes widened. "You turned panic into a palace."
Ezio smiled slightly. "Casanova said desire moves gold. Machiavelli said gold moves empires. I just connected the two."
Luminous watched him with quiet intensity. "You are becoming visible," she said. "That is both dangerous… and magnificent."
They moved into the space slowly, claiming corners, choosing seats, breathing the air of something that finally felt like victory.
Kayra claimed the bar immediately, mixing drinks with smooth hands. Rosa activated hidden panels in the glass walls — red-lit charts of assets, blood contracts, market shares, and rumor streams flickered into existence. Laura stood near the balcony, staring at open sky like someone who hadn't known what freedom smelled like.
Ezio watched them.
For the first time since chains had been placed on him…
He felt something that wasn't strategy.
Belonging.
Kayra handed him a crystal glass. "Midnight Champagne. It's what vampires drink when they pretend they're civilized."
Ezio raised an eyebrow. "And tonight?"
"We pretend we're happy."
They clinked glasses.
Rosa joined them, her expression softer than Ezio had ever seen it. "Enjoy this. Calm is expensive in this city."
Laura approached hesitantly. "I don't trust quiet."
Ezio laughed. "Then you'll fit right in."
She paused. "Fit in where?"
Ezio met her eyes. "Here. With us."
The word lingered.
Us.
Laura swallowed. No one had ever offered her that.
They drank.
Laughter rose. Music drifted from hidden speakers. Kayra teased Rosa. Rosa corrected Kayra. Even Laura cracked a small, disbelieving smile.
Above the city of monsters, they felt almost human.
Almost.
Then Kayra leaned toward Ezio, eyes sharp.
"So… when are you going to tell them what your blood really does?"
The mood shifted.
Rosa looked up. Laura stiffened. Luminous's gaze sharpened.
Ezio set his glass down.
"They already feel it," he said. "I won't insult you by pretending otherwise."
Kayra nodded slowly. "Your aura changed. The city flinched."
Laura's fists clenched. "Changed how?"
Ezio took a breath.
"My blood can turn you," he said quietly. "Into Fallen Angel Vampires."
Silence.
Rosa's eyes narrowed. "Explain."
Ezio didn't rush.
"It doesn't make you my property," he said. "But it binds your Red Code to mine. Your fate, your growth, your immortality become part of my lineage."
Laura's voice was tight. "So I'd wear chains again."
Ezio shook his head. "No. You'd carry a crown that only I can break."
Luminous finally spoke.
"My blood created Ezio," she said. "His blood will create you. This is how dynasties are born."
Kayra looked at Ezio. "And if we refuse?"
Ezio didn't lie.
"Then you stay who you are. Mortal. Separate. Free."
Rosa closed her eyes briefly. "And if we accept?"
"Then you become something Heaven will notice."
Laura stared at Ezio, searching for a lie.
He gave her none.
Outside, lightning rolled.
Lucifer watched.
And Heaven listened.