EPISODE 4: THE COVENANT ## CHAPTER 1: THE SUMMONING The summons came three nights after Elena's meeting with Cassius. A formal letter, sealed with black wax bearing an ancient crest, delivered by a vampire courier who vanished before Elena could ask questions. The message was brief: The Covenant Council of New Orleans hereby summons Elena Vasquez, Fledgling of the House of Cross, to appear before the assembled Elders on the eve of the new moon. Failure to attend will be considered an admission of guilt. "Guilt for what?" Elena asked, showing the letter to Adrian. "That's what they'll tell you when you arrive. It's theater—the Covenant loves its rituals." He studied the seal. "Helena's doing. She's forcing a confrontation." "Should I be worried?" "You should be terrified. But you don't have a choice. Refusing a summons is death." Elena had spent the past three nights reading Cassius's evidence. Financial transfers between Helena's accounts and shell companies in Eastern Europe. Photographs of meetings between vampires from different factions who supposedly hated each other. Communications encrypted but decoded, revealing discussions of "the great unveiling" and "the time of dominion." It was damning. If true. "If I go to this hearing and reveal what I know—" "You'll be destroyed before you finish your first sentence. The Council is packed with Helena's allies....