Yuri appeared in a sh of light in the teleportation room, her husbands appearing behind her a split secondter.


    As usual, the room was brightly lit with giant lights pointed straight at the teleportation spot. This was a tactic generally used to disorient visiting vampires.


    The room would either have bright or dark lighting, usually chosen randomly. If you had to take half a second to adjust from the change in lighting, this would give the defenders enough time to be ready for you.


    Yuri nodded at the waiting vampires, each one bearing the mark of their allegiance to the towering figure that ruled this part of the city. Count dimir.


    "This way, Countess." The leading vampire bowed slightly.


    "Very well." Yuri and her entourage were led through the corridors of dimir''s mansion, a route designed to impress visitors by means of thevish disy of wealth and power that could be seen on every wall and corner.


    Eventually, they arrived in front of the heavy doors leading into dimir''s study.


    The two guards on the sides of the door opened it silently at their approach, and Yuri entered alone as agreed upon.


    The study was a vast room with shelves of books climbing towards the high ceiling and arge desk made of dark wood dominating the space. Seated behind the desk was Count dimir.


    Standing at seven feet tall, his presence was asmanding as his reputation. His suit, tailored perfectly to his muscr physique, strained as he stood to greet Yuri, his movements speaking of controlled power and lethal grace.


    "Yuri, what a pleasure to receive you." dimir''s voice boomed in the quiet of the room, his smile broadening as he approached.


    "The pleasure is mine, dimir." Yuri responded with a nod.


    dimir gestured towards a small table set with two sses and a decanter filled with blood wine. "Please, have a seat." He offered, pouring the wine into the sses with practiced ease.


    Yuri epted the ss, the rich aroma of the wine filling her senses as she took a seat across from him.


    dimir raised his ss with a smile. "To your health, Countess."


    Yuri clinked her ss with his before sipping the wine, her eyes never leaving dimir. "I imagine you''re curious why I''vee." She started, cing her ss on the table. "Theing war with Count Solomon is no secret."


    dimir chuckled in amusement. "True. And am I to assume you''vee here to check my intentions? To see if I''ll stay neutral or pick a side? To see if I''m also after the Ascension well?" He leaned back in his chair, a smirk ying on his lips.


    Yuri''s eyebrows rose on her face. She hadn''t expected him to be so straightforward. She took a sip of her wine before answering.


    "In part, yes. I''m here to offer you a deal, dimir. Stay neutral in this war, and in return, I grant you limited ess to the Ascension Well."


    The smirk on dimir''s face deepened. "A tempting offer, Yuri. But I''m not in a hurry to arm my subjects with such... divine gifts. Simply put, I am not interested."


    "I see." Yuri leaned back in her chair. The refusal was a setback, but she wouldn''t havee herself if she would be deterred by a simple no. "Then let me go straight to the point. What is it you want, dimir?"


    "A lot of things. In fact, I''m having trouble deciding." He stood, walking towards the window, looking out over the bright lights of the city with a thoughtful gaze. "You know what? I''ll contact you when I decide there is something I want." he said without turning to face her.


    Yuri stood. dimir wasn''t willing to y ball. Her mind worked rapidly as she prepared to leave. "Very well, Count dimir. I hope when that timees, we can find mutual ground."


    dimir escorted her to the door, his stance courteous yet distant. "I''m sure we will, Countess."


    Yuri gave him a final nod and rejoined Ivo and Armand outside the study. Together, they were escorted back to the teleportation room. A minuteter, they were back home.


    "What was dimir after?" Ivo asked as Yuri walked slowly to her throne.


    Yuri paused, silent as her mind raced through the implications of their meeting. "He''s waiting." She finally said, her voice steady. "Waiting for Solomon and I to weaken each other. To bleed our forces dry. Then, he ns to swoop in and im victory from whichever remains."


    "I see." Armand stood, nodding before he smirked. "And what is our n?"


    "Simple." Yuri''s smirk was cold, all warmth disappearing from the room. "We won''t allow it. We''ll bring the fight to him, whether he wants it or not. dimir will not sit this war out, not if I have anything to say about it."


    *********


    The quiet hum of the teleportation room was disrupted as Count Solomon appeared in a sh of light. He had chosen toe alone, a strategic choice to disy both confidence and a hint of vulnerability in the presence of his fellow vampire aristocrat.


    Sometimes, one has to show weakness to attain strength.


    Solomon straightened his clothes, a finely tailored suit that spoke of his status. He wished he had a mirror to check out his golden hair but there was no time for that.


    The waiting vampires bowed to him, not low enough in his opinion, and led him out of the room. As they walked, Solomon admired the sights, appreciating the disy.


    This was what he expected from a peer, not some bare walls and mock humbleness. This was the mark of someone he knew he could convince.


    When they reached their destination, the door opened to reveal the man himself standing by arge window that overlooked the sprawling estate. He turned, his expression one of mild annoyance mixed with curiosity.


    "Count Solomon. To what do I owe the pleasure... or should I say, the audacity of this visit?" dimir asked.