Cover Art by Alison Hunt

There really isn’t much to say about this one.  It’s an encounter I’ve been wanting to do since the first book.  In War of Nytefall: Savagery, we finally get to see a familiar face make their presence known.

Clyde and Lost trail behind Gregorio as he walks down a hallway that has walls of cobwebs in their path. As the trio continues walking, the song becomes louder and the thick layer of dust beneath their feet gradually dissolves. They pass under an arch of bronze ivy to emerge into a star-shaped room that has a broken circular table in the center. Narrow windows are at each of the points to let in enough light to illuminate the edges of the chamber. The tattered remains of long, black curtains sit beneath the slits, the frayed fabric still possessing a hint of its original sheen. Seven crystal orbs have been attached to the ceiling, but all of them have been cracked to the point where they are unable to reflect the beams that manage to reach them. Faded images are on the walls, which give off a soothing warmth and a dull emerald glow whenever they are touched. Leaning as close as he can, Clyde makes out the picture of a vampire’s face, which has a serpentine tongue and jagged ears that curve like fangs. It is only when he sees Gregorio go down on one knee and Lost follow suit that the Dawn Fang progenitor realizes that they are not alone.

Sitting next to a black unicorn on the far side of the room, the raven-haired man practically blends into the shadows. It is only because of his pale face and a few beams of light bouncing off his ebony armor that the trio can be sure he is not part of the faded mural. A fancy sword is on the stranger’s hip and his hand taps at the hilt as if daring the Dawn Fangs to give him a reason to draw the weapon. Stepping around his friends, Clyde sees that the song is coming from the man’s lips, which move very subtly. He reaches the middle of the room and stops when a wave of raw power washes over him. The lingering pain in his body grows to the point where he falls to his knees, which is when the agony finally disappears. Wiping a dribble of blood from his chin, Clyde growls at having been forced to the ground and stands with his fist clenched. The amused and smug smile of the stranger aggravates him to the point where he bares his fangs, but he stops when a ball of wind strikes him in the back of the head.

“Greetings, Gabriel the God of Destiny,” Gregorio says, his eyes locked on his son.

“It has been many years, Roman,” the deity states in a musical voice. Patting his steed on the nose, he walks without making a noise and stops within reach of Clyde. “This meeting has been a long time coming. The Law of Influence has prevented me from getting involved, which has been rather frustrating. Even when your partner robbed my favorite temple, which was entertaining to watch, I could do nothing. I have to say, I imagined you would radiate more power in person. Then again, you recently suffered the greatest loss of your life. Who could blame you for not being at your best?”

“It would be bad for me to read your mind,” Lost nervously interrupts.

As if seeing the girl for the first time, Gabriel approaches her and tenderly touches her silver hair. “I find that those with such a color are destined for greatness. Pain as well. Now, I know all of you are curious as to why I am here. The gods tend to ignore vampires, especially the Dawn Fangs. I hold some sway over your destinies, but it is very minimal. The exception being Clyde himself who I have never had an influence over. For that reason, I feel the two of us are kindred spirits. If I was allowed, I’d have met with your earlier to get your opinion on where the Dawn Fangs should be in this world. After all, you are a people that were never meant to exist in the first place. Fortunately, or sadly, we now find ourselves in a situation where both of our creations are in danger.”