Victor vs. the Hopping Dead: A Vampire's Hong Kong Misadventure

The following evening, the team reconvened at Selina's tea house. The scent of freshly brewed jasmine filled the air as everyone gathered around the large wooden table, their expressions a mix of determination and weariness. Victor leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching Mei as she carefully mapped out the ley lines on a large piece of parchment.

"Here," she said, pointing to a dense intersection near the waterfront. "This is where they'll move next. The energy flow is strongest there."

Leo frowned. "The docks? That's going to be a nightmare to navigate. We'll stick out like sore thumbs."

"Not if we plan it right," Selina interjected, her voice calm yet firm. "We'll need to set up our own counter-rituals to disrupt their efforts. It'll buy us time."

Victor's gaze lingered on Mei as she explained the finer details of the ritual. There was something captivating about her focus—the way her brow furrowed slightly when she concentrated, the faint smile that played on her lips when she solved a particularly tricky problem. He shook his head, forcing himself to look away.

"Victor," Mei said suddenly, catching him off guard. "What do you think? Do you agree with Selina's approach?"

He straightened, clearing his throat. "Yes, it makes sense. But we'll need a distraction. Something to keep their attention away from the counter-ritual."

Maximilian, lounging in a chair nearby, raised a hand lazily. "I volunteer as bait. I've always wanted to test how much these robed weirdos can handle."

"Very noble of you, Max," Victor replied dryly. "But try not to get yourself turned into a jiangshi. I'd hate to have to stake you."

The room chuckled, the tension easing slightly. Even Mei allowed herself a small laugh, her eyes briefly meeting Victor's before she returned to the map.

The docks were a labyrinth of towering shipping containers and narrow alleyways, dimly lit by flickering lamps. The team moved silently, their steps muffled by the constant hum of the waterfront. Victor stayed close to Mei, his senses on high alert for any sign of danger.

"Stick close," he murmured, glancing at her. "This place is crawling with hiding spots."

"I can handle myself," Mei replied, her tone teasing but confident. "You're not the only one who knows how to fight, you know."

Victor allowed a small smirk. "I'll keep that in mind."

As they rounded a corner, a sudden noise froze them in place. From the shadows, a group of robed figures emerged, their hands glowing with dark energy. Behind them, a line of jiangshi hopped forward, their movements jerky but unsettlingly synchronized.

"Well," Maximilian quipped, stepping forward. "Time to shine."

Before anyone could stop him, he lunged at the nearest robed figure, his movements a blur of raw strength and precision. Victor sighed. "And here I thought we had a plan."

"Plans are overrated," Mei said with a grin, pulling a small dagger from her belt. "Let's go."

The battle erupted in a chaotic flurry of light and sound. Victor and Mei moved as a seamless unit, their actions complementing each other in a way that felt almost instinctual. At one point, Victor caught sight of Mei disarming a jiangshi with a well-placed kick, and despite the situation, he found himself genuinely impressed.

"You weren't kidding about knowing how to fight," he called out, dodging a blast of energy.

Mei glanced at him, a glint of humor in her eyes. "And you weren't kidding about being hard to impress."

As Maximilian fought nearby, he shouted, "Are you two flirting mid-battle? I feel left out!" Victor rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small grin.

The tide of the battle began to turn as Selina and Master Zhang completed their counter-ritual. The air shimmered with energy, and the ley lines pulsed briefly before the dark magic collapsed. The robed figures faltered, their power fading as they fled into the night.

Maximilian, covered in dust but grinning, sauntered over. "Not bad for bait, wouldn't you say?"

Victor rolled his eyes. "I'll admit, you're surprisingly useful when you're not talking."

Mei joined them, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "That was too close. If Selina and Zhang hadn't finished in time…"

"But they did," Victor interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. "And so did you. You held your own out there."

Her smile softened, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "Thanks, Victor."

He hesitated, then added, "It's good having you on our side."

Back at the tea house, the team regrouped, their spirits buoyed by the victory. Mei sat on the edge of a worn couch, her head tilted back as she caught her breath. Victor approached, holding out a cup of tea.

"You were impressive tonight," he said simply, his voice low.

Mei took the cup, her fingers brushing against his briefly. "Thanks. So were you. For a guy who claims not to trust easily, you make a good partner."

Victor hesitated, then sat down beside her. "I've had a lot of practice. But tonight… you made it easier."

A comfortable silence settled between them, the sounds of laughter and conversation from the others filling the background. For the first time in a long while, Victor felt a sense of connection—not just to the team, but to Mei. He wasn't sure where it would lead, but for now, it was enough.

"Victor," Mei said softly, breaking the silence. He turned to look at her, and for a brief moment, the chaos of their world seemed to fade. "Thanks for trusting me."

He nodded. "Thanks for proving I was right to."

The moment lingered, neither of them moving to break it, until Leo's voice rang out from across the room. "Hey, lovebirds! We've got a lead for tomorrow!"

Victor sighed, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he stood. "Duty calls."

Mei chuckled, shaking her head. "It always does."

Leo added with a grin, "But don't worry, we'll save the romantic finale for after the apocalypse."

The room erupted in laughter, the tension of the night melting away as the team prepared for what lay ahead. The docks had been a victory, but everyone knew the battles yet to come would only grow more dangerous. And as Victor glanced back at Mei one last time, he realized that this fight, for once, felt personal.