The headlights of the acquired car, carved though the dark as Eliza took the corners too fast, tyres hissing against the slick tarmac. AJ slumped in the passenger seat, one hand pressed to the side of his head, a faint smell of ozone still clinging to his jacket. The world outside blurred into sodium and shadow.

“Do you need stitches?” Eliza asked, not taking her eyes off the road.

“Nope. New brain, possibly.”

“That can be arranged,” she said dryly, then softened. “Hold on, we’re almost there.”

“Where’s there?”

“A Vesperate Haven, one of ours in Kirkstall. They can hide us, Maker knows they owe me one.”

AJ let out a humourless laugh. “You got a loyalty card for this place?”

“Something like that.” She glanced in the mirror. The street behind them was empty, but her jaw stayed tight. “Radha won’t cross a Vesperate threshold. Not openly. We’ll be safe for the time being.”

The city lights began to thin as they turned onto a narrower road, old brickwork closing in on both sides. Eliza parked the car with a stomach-churning lurch, almost hurling AJ through the windscreen.

“Next time I’ll drive.”

“Don’t be sexist.”

“I’m not. Where did you learn to steal a car?”

Eliza stayed quiet, carefully getting out of the car.

“Don’t touch the door handle.” She walked around the front of the car, opening AJ’s door and helped him out. Closing the door with her hip, she supported him on his left side to the pavement.

“I think I’m alright,” he said.

“Good, because we’ve got to walk a few streets over.”

“Why didn’t you just park outside?”

“And leave the stolen car on the doorstep? What are you? Twelve?”

“Sorry, Gran,” AJ chuckled. “We probably got caught on some cameras in town anyway.”

“Absolutely. But it will just look like I’m kidnapping you.

“Oh. Good.”

They walked as briskly as AJ’s fatigue and injury allowed to a building that looked like an old church, missing a spire. Eliza walked up to the door and bit her hand. A drop of crimson welled on her hand, the deep redness a stark contrast to her pale white skin. She pressed her palm up against the door. It sizzled for a moment and evaporated, like water on a hot stove.

The lock sighed and released.

“I need to get one of those for the flat…” AJ quipped.

They walked over the threshold and were greeted by dark hallway,

“This way,” Eliza said, walking down the corridor. The darkness parted to reveal a stone staircase going downward. They descended, their footsteps echoing against bare walls, until they emerged into a cavernous candlelit chamber below.

“If anyone asks, you’re my Vessel,” Eliza whispered to AJ.

“You what now?”

“Shush!” she hissed,

“Eliza…” a voice cut through the dark. It came from a young looking man.

Although in this game that probably means he’s a million years old - AJ thought.

“Keeper.” Eliza said curtly.

“Please, we’ve been through far too much together, you and I. Use my real name, I insist.”

“Lyle.” She bit out, her voice like a door slamming shut.

“And who is your… guest…” Lyle’s metallic eyes pierced the candlelit haze, settling on AJ.

“This is my Vessel.” She replied, with all the charm of a dead cat.

“Vessel translation: portable lunch with paperwork that may or may not need medical attention.”

“I need sanctuary, just for one night. We’re being chased,” Eliza spat.

Lyle’s smile cut through his chiseled face like a knife. “You always did bring the most interesting problems to my door, my dear.”

“Urgh, please don’t call me that,” Eliza groaned. His smile didn’t falter.

“It is, of course, in my power to grant you sanctuary, however I need you to ask nicely.”

He folded his arms, eyes returning to Eliza. Her fingers flexed once, like she wanted to hit him but couldn’t afford the politics

“Kee… Lyle, come on, what do you want here?” she sputtered.

“You forget whose blood keeps the lamps burning down here, Eliza.” His tone turned as if a switch had been flicked internally. “Courtesy is not optional. Now ask.”

What a prick - AJ thought, his hand instinctively going into his pocket. His fingers curled around the smooth black cylinder of the UV flare. As if Eliza sensed what AJ was doing, she squeezed his arm in warning.

“K… Lyle, please, I’m asking you, can I have sanctuary, for one night?” she asked through gritted teeth, the words tasting like rust on her tongue.

“Oh, Eliza, of course, my dear!” his arms opened wide in a mock gesture of welcome. “Come through, I have some fledglings who would love to meet the Praetor's right hand!”

He beckoned her towards the door on the opposite side of the chamber.

“Your… Vessel… will have to wait here though. House rules, you understand.” They stopped in their tracks.

“Since when?” Eliza probed, a look of anger washing over her face.

“Oh I can’t remember,” Lyle waved a dismissing hand. Eliza swallowed heavily, attempting to douse her anger.

“Lyle, please, he’s injured, I… I’d owe you a favour.”

As if the key to the city had clicked in Lyle’s lock, his impossible grin seemed to grow wider as he let out a mocking bow.

“A favour. Most excellent. Of course, please do come through.”

Ass. Hole. You should’ve just let me nuke him - AJ thought, prompting another squeeze from Eliza.

He noticed the faint taste of copper in the air as the inner sanctum unfolded before them like a macabre dinner theater. Crystal glasses caught candlelight across tables draped in crimson damask. Silk banners rippled from the vaulted ceiling, while servers in pressed black attire poured dark liquid that glinted too thickly to be mere Cabernet. At one table, a vampire in tattered evening wear lounged beside another whose pressed suit betrayed not a wrinkle. As Eliza entered, conversations faltered. Heads turned, eyes narrowed, and mouths bent close to whisper behind pale hands.

“You some sort of celebrity?” he whispered to Eliza. She shushed him with her lips, an imploring look following, which meant one thing. Be quiet.

Lyle's voice announced them.

“Eliza of the Argent Court and Vessel,” he bellowed. The room went silent as they continued walking.

“Let's sit here,” Eliza pulled out a chair for AJ at a table near the back of the room. He obliged and sat down, Eliza taking the seat next to him. Lyle, only a step behind, caught up and sat on the other side of her.

“Now then, let us discuss this favour…” he turned his gaze to AJ, “alone.”

A pang of jealousy rose inside of AJ's chest. Sensing it, Eliza put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“No one will harm you here, Havens are just that. Violence of any sort is forbidden,” she said.

I'm not scared of anything, I just don't like this cu… - AJ's thought was interrupted by Lyle’s sickly sweet tone.

“You have my personal guarantee that no harm will come to you under my roof, Vessel.”

Fantastic. Where's the bar?