Vance swallowed.
He did not need to examine the wounds closely to understand that this was not the work of a starving civilian or an inexperienced vampire who had lost control.
Rhen had done this.
The blood around the torn throat retained faint warmth in the cold night, suggesting the killing had happened recently. A trail of disturbed leaves and frightened canine tracks disappeared deeper into the forest.
Vance backed away and opened the guard communications screen secured to his wrist.
Human fatality near the eastern tree line. Possible clan involvement. Immediate attendance required.
He directed the message to Malakai.
Several seconds later, shadow gathered beside the trees and released him onto the perimeter path.
The scent of blood reached Malakai before his gaze settled upon the corpse.
He crouched and studied the wounds, the crushed ribs, and the careless position in which the human had been abandoned.His expression did not change, but tension hardened the line of his shoulders.
Malakai rose and faced Vance.
Rhen.
Vance nodded.
“What do we do?”
Malakai looked toward the forest. Rhen had left no visible trail beyond the disturbed ground, but Malakai knew his brother’s methods well enough to recognize the withdrawal for what it was.
Rhen was not hiding the killing because he feared discovery.
He was leaving consequences for the rest of them to contain, and the stronghold was already carrying more fractures than its walls could show.
He simply did not care who found the evidence.
We contain it.
Vance glanced toward the body.
“You want me to report it?”
Not beyond the perimeter guard.
“But if someone finds out—”
If the council or the civilian clans learn one of Sule’s brothers is leaving drained humans on our land, they will use it against the entire stronghold.
Vance’s mouth tightened.
“He’s spiraling.”
Malakai’s gaze remained on the corpse.
Rhen does not spiral. He decides that consequences no longer matter.
That was worse.
Malakai pointed toward the maintenance path.
