The air in Vince's study hung heavy with the scent of old paper and the unspoken burden of centuries. He stood, a statue of ancient power, gazing out over a world that seemed determined to unravel. Vampires were dying, not naturally, but at the hands of a hidden enemy, and the weight of his species' survival pressed down on him, a familiar ache he'd long grown accustomed to.

He was the unofficial king, the silent guardian, and though he yearned for respite, there was no one else. Not Jacob, too easily distracted by earthly pleasures. Not Elijah or Matthew, too caught in the webs of formal rule. And certainly not Courtney, whose shadow work was now overwhelmed. His sister, Jessica, forever young and free, was out of the question.

“I want you to get in touch with the rest of the Primordials,” Vince commanded his butler, his voice a low rumble. “A meeting will soon take place. Tell them to get ready.” The butler bowed deeply, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes, before retreating into the vast, echoing halls of the castle.

Vince turned back to the window, the old weariness settling deeper into his bones. He had fought countless battles, endured endless nights. What was left to fight for when there was no one to truly share it with? Just as the thought solidified, a sudden, familiar presence materialized in his study, cutting through the silence like a sharp blade.

“What is this I hear about a Primordial meeting, Vince?” Jacob's voice, laced with its usual irreverence, announced his arrival. Vince merely sighed, already anticipating the familiar dance of their friendship, a small anchor in his ancient, lonely existence.