Somewhere in Wyoming
Jacob furrowed his brow as he studied the map laid before him. After 40 years of hunting, he still had trouble interpreting mystic runes.
"Having trouble."
Jacob now looked up, smiling as his wife 20 years approached with coffee in hand. "You could say that Nina," he replied in a raspy voice. "You would think I would be better at interpreting these things. I mean I've been hunting since I was 10 years old."
"Hunting dear," Nina stated. "Not practicing magic. You know your family was never big on magic." Jacob simply chuckled, grabbing his mug before squeezing his wives hand.
Jacob Moreland was the latest in a long line of demon hunters. For centuries his family had hunted demons, vampires, witches, and all manner of magical and supernatural things that had threatened humanity. "True," he said. "But we know enough. Why do you think I'm so worried. You remember what happened. The supernatural invaded the world before vanishing. All anyone remembers now is Covid. Something serious happened and I think I've finally tracked it down."
Jacob now pointed to a spot on the map that seemed to glow with an unnatural light. "I've traced what ever happened to here," he said. "It must have taken some serious mystical arts to conceal what happened."
"But not so serious that we don't remember what happened," Nina added. "Good thing for those protective runes your family has gathered over the years."
"And you wanted to sell them," Jacob teased. Jacob now rubbed his eyes, stretching as he gazed at his wife. "You realize we're probably not the only ones that noticed. Guarantee darker forces are making their way there."
"Which means we're moving," Nina sighed.
"Sorry hun," Jacob said quietly. "It also means I'm going to need the boys help."
Ninas eyes went wide, she had gotten used to her husband risking his life. The idea of her son now joining the family business worried her greatly. "Are you sure Jacob?"
"Hea been training his whole life," Jacob stated. "I'm not getting any younger here. Trust me, the boy is ready." Nina sighed, gazing at the map. Whether she liked it or not the Moreland family would be moving to this small town, Gloria's hometown.
*************************
Beneath a blood moon, in the realm of the vampires, sat the castle of Dracula. While the original lord of the vampires may be gone, it didn't mean his castle sat unoccupied. The 600 year old grandson of Dracula, Miro, now scowled as he gazed at his generals.
"My lord what are your orders?"
Miro lazily gazed at his general, a hulking vampire named Hannibal. The vampires had largely escaped unscathed from Villars war, their numbers actually able to increase as their rivals lost. Liches, mummies, and especially the Lycans had been greatly weakened by the war. Now was the time for the Vampires to ascend to a place of power.
"It appears the rumors were true," Miro stated to his court. "There is a community of wizards located on the East Coast of the United States. They appear to be the ones responsible for the state of the world."
A murmur now rose among the vampire ranks as Miro slowly stood. "For too long our kind has lived in the shadows," he said. "We have watched as others have grown in strength. Now, thanks to these wizards the power balance has shifted. It is time to take back our rightful place as the apex predators of the world."
"But the wizards sir," a smaller vampire named Donovan cried. "Their power was able to turn back the dark forces. The Liches, their numbers were reduced. Not to mention their ability to conceal their actions from the mortal world."
Miro nodded, yes the wizards were powerful. Perhaps stronger than the entire vampire nation. That strength though could be taken. The wizards were human afterall and humans could be turned, if the vampires were smart.
"We will strike quickly," Miroslav stated. "Turn the wizards, use their strength as our own. Now prepare to depart. I've always wanted to see America."