Pact of Blood
But even from a distance, she could see the unmistakable signs of intrusion: dark, writhing plumes of violet smoke coiled around the temple's pillars, poisoning the pristine mountain air.
"He's already there," Laura murmured, communicating through the silent, profound bond with the Black Dragon beneath her. The sovereign beast let out a deep, resonant rumble of agreement, folding its massive wings and diving steeply toward the high mountain plateau, breaking through the violet mist like a thunderbolt. High upon the wind-battered stone plateau surrounding the Temple of Spires, Vlad stood before a massive circular altar carved from primordial obsidian.