The morning sun burnt through the fog and warmed up the day. Jake McCloud watched it rise with the satisfaction of being the only vampire in the city capable of seeing such a thing. Perhaps the only vampire in the world. Unconsciously he twisted the ring on the middle finger of his left hand. He had meetings to attend today, not all of them by appointment, and his presence during the day would be a surprise for many.
Even though it was daytime he dressed completely in black. A tight turtle-neck over crisp jeans and thick buckled boots. When he stood he noticed the stare of a passing jogger and offered him a killer smile sans fangs. The jogger stumbled and Jake laughed to himself, looking away from the poor wretch. He headed away from the park and into the shelter of shade provided by tall city buildings, because the heat of the sun's rays was a great deal more powerful than he remembered. His skin felt like it was sizzling but at least now he would get a nice tan.
Jake worked his way through the city streets on foot, heading west. The footpaths were filled to brimming with people squashed together, marching to work. He was overwhelmed by the daytime smells; people, food, pollution. Nighttime in this city was still bustling, but nothing like this. Everything was a hundred times more potent and possessed a vivaciousness of life.
Halen's sacrifice would not be in vain. Again, Jake twirled the ring on his finger, careful not to remove it by accident. What a ridiculous way to die. He thought about the dragon's secret, revealed as they'd both fought against the Sabbat when Jake had taken his concerns about the growing army near the city's border. Halen had taken the threat seriously and brought fifty Mimics with him. They'd underestimated the number of their enemy and Jake had barely escaped with his life... but not before seeing Halen turn to dust in the sky above, overwhelmed by his many wounds. He'd gone on a suicide flight, kamikazeing into the crowd of Sabbat, blasting fire as he went.
The ring had been the only thing left, and Jake had taken it without realising its power. Upon returning, he'd been assigned the position of Luminary by the Mimics, who swore fealty to him. The Oligarchs had no choice but to shift their allegience to him because of his demon army. A journal in Halen's penthouse had revealed the secrets of the ring and so now, with the position of Luminary under his belt and a powerful artefact on his finger, he was almost untouchable.
He spent the day speaking with those who might rise against him, demonstrating his power. They'd reacted with fear as he'd hoped they would, and they bowed to him, as they should. After a long day, he watched the sun set from the penthouse balcony of the Oligarchy Chambers building and then went inside just as the landline started ringing. Someone needed his attention.
He answered the phone. "Luminary McCloud speaking."
Oh, but didn't he love the sound of that?