Cain's laughter still echoed faintly in his own ears when the ground beneath the Blood Tower trembled.
At first it was no more than a vibration underfoot, like distant thunder rolling beneath the earth instead of across the sky. The chandeliers above rattled softly, crystals clinking together with delicate chimes that did not match the growing tension in the air.
Several vampires frowned.
"Did you feel that?"
"It is only someone releasing mana again, perhaps."
"No… this is different."
The floor shook harder.
A deep rumble rose from below, low and violent, as if something massive dragged its body across stone foundations buried far underground. The pillars lining the hall groaned, dust sprinkling down from the high ceiling in thin pale streams.
Confusion spread like wildfire.
"What is happening?"
"Is this an attack?"
"Who dares to assault Moonshade territory?"
