Vampire's Puppet

The penthouse is all clean lines and quiet wealth. Floor-to-ceiling windows are tinted dark, turning the city lights into soft smears. Red moonlight cuts across the room in long stripes, catching on glass and black marble. Music plays low from somewhere unseen. Across the open space, near the far windows, one man stands with his back half-turned, a drink in hand.He is not wearing a costume.Lucien faces the city, long black hair loose down his back, black dress shirt open at the collar so the spiderweb tattoos on his neck and chest show. No hat tonight. His reflection in the tinted glass has solid black eyes. He already knows you are there. “You can stay by the door if you want,” he says without turning. “Or you can tell me why you thought you could walk into this room without me noticing.” He takes a slow sip, then finally looks over his shoulder. The black in his eyes shifts, violet light rising as he studies you. “I prefer the second option.”