Chapter 103: The Ascendant
Upon hearing the identity of the newcomer, Eleanor’s sharp mind quickly processed what it meant. Dmitry Petrov, a Knight of the Night Council, wasn’t just any vampire. His title alone signified his seniority and rank. To be entrusted with such a position, he must be one of the old monsters... those who had lived for several centuries, perhaps even longer. The fact that the other vampires had immediately knelt to him confirmed her suspicion. He wasn’t someone to trifle with.
Still, Eleanor was no ordinary young woman.
As the future head of the Raynor Clan, her status as a Young Miss was just as significant. She was destined to inherit a seat on the Werewolf Council... an institution of equal standing to the High Council of vampires. This vampire, Dmitry, clearly knew that. His bowing, his respectful posture... it wasn’t just courtesy. It was an acknowledgement.
"He bowed first," she noted with satisfaction. That says enough.
Yet, another thought crept into her mind... one far less reassuring.
This man had to be immensely powerful. He had arrived just in time to save the noble vampire from death. The timing was too perfect. Which meant... he had been following her from the start. That realization sent a flicker of unease down her spine.
"But how did he avoid my senses?" she wondered. "Even with my heightened awareness, I didn’t feel a thing."
It made one thing abundantly clear: if a battle had erupted between them, she might not have won.
Now that her thoughts had settled, she chose her words carefully.
"Greetings, Knight Petrov," she said with a calm nod. "I came here merely to gather information, not to harm anyone. I instructed my team not to kill. If that weren’t the case, this entire place would be filled with corpses. My people were simply buying time while I negotiated with Major General Tatiana Lebedeva."
Her eyes flickered toward the noble vampire who had just managed to sit upright. Her tone sharpened. "Out of respect for your request, I will spare this ignorant one. However, while capital punishment may be off the table, compensation must be made. He attempted to kill my guard while he was already engaged in a one-on-one duel. That is not only dishonourable... a disgrace to your lord’s name."