Sam climbed the rain-slicked stairs and pushed open the front door.

It let out a bone-shivering shriek and he walked through, a ball of light dancing in his hand.

He’d come here on a mission, and he was deeply regretting that decision. Vampires were the worst kind to deal with.

The mansion was large and at least a few centuries older than Sam, though by how well it was taken care of, you almost couldn’t tell.

A large staircase stood in front of him, and hallways on either side led into oblivion. He chose the stairs. It gave him the high ground.

In the light, it was a magnolia-white and bloodred stairway, with gold lining.

Sam was sure he heard a creak somewhere, which caused his pulse to jump.

He fought off the urge to turn back and kept climbing. He finally reached the landing, which branched out into a balcony above the first floor.

From behind a door with a music note, he heard the sound of something closing, a soft thud.

He swallowed hard and pooled his magic at his wrist.

It wasn’t even half a second and he was pinned to the wall by his throat, the toes of his boots barely scuffing the carpeted floor.

His ball of light had drifted to the side, and both of his hands were gripping the wrist in front of him. He tried to gasp.

His vision blurred and swam.

“Stop!” Sam managed to scream.

Next thing he knew, he was on his knees, coughing until his throat was raw.

“You’re a human.”

Sam looked up slowly. The man’s hair was coppery and tied behind him in a braid. His eyes were a fresh shade of spring and seemed to tear through Sam’s flesh and into his very soul. His mouth was quirked in disgust.

His voice was smooth as silk and carried an accent Sam was having trouble identifying.

Sam’s magic was still coiled around his wrist, but he wasn’t sure his throat would work long enough.

The man crouched and leaned in. “I can smell it.”

Sam pressed himself against the wall. “Wait. Hold on.”

The man’s frigid gaze swept over his clothes and his pupils narrowed. “You’re from the Guild of Scalinia.”

“No, no—”

The man let out a bitter laugh. “You think that you, a fragile mortal, can kill me?”

Sam’s panic was climbing higher. “No, listen, I’m here—”

“Shut up,” the man said, his voice sharp. “I’ve seen your kind before. They think they own the world, but they’re like the petals of a flower. You squeeze a little too hard, and they die.”

Sam’s mind whirled with solutions.

The man’s hand found his throat again. “So, let’s see if you’re like them, ay?”

“I’m in love with you!” Sam blurted.

Oh, Scalinia, what was he thinking?

“That’s why I came. I needed to. . .tell you?”

The man’s face twisted with surprise. “You, in love with me?”

Sam nodded vehemently. “Yes. I wish to proclaim my undying love to you.”

“You say you love me,” the man said. “Prove it.”

Sam was irritated and scared. “How do I do that?”

The man’s lips curved in a cruel smile. “You must know something about me, since you claim to love me.”

Sam thought back to the file for this case.

The vampire’s name was Haruko Adverchi. He was twenty-seven in physical age and at least one hundred and thirty-nine in regard to how long he’d been alive. His fangs released some kind of pheromones, which was unusual for vampires. Yes, that was it!

“Your fangs release pheromones, which is unusual for vampires,” Sam said.

Haruko’s smile turned sharp. “Not enough. But, you amuse me, mortal. So, if you give me something in return for your life, I shall let you live.”

Sam swallowed. “What should I give you?”

Haruko leaned in closer, his eyes cutting into Sam. “Your blood.”

Scalinia, what had he gotten himself into?

“Of course,” Sam said. His voice shook. “Anything you ask.”

Haruko gave him a warning, and his fangs pierced Sam's skin. It hurt, and then Sam was fisting his hands, fighting to keep from groaning.

Haruko took and took and just when Sam thought he might die tonight, he pulled away.

Sam let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. His vision was blurred and swimming, and his body was weak.

His thoughts started to bleed into each other, and before he knew it, he’d passed out.