Marcus had no patience for weaklings. He licked Kraven's blood from his lips with a longing lust for the pleasure of the flesh. Wiping the rest of the crimson-red stains off his face, he contemplated hunting Selene and this Michael but he knew he had to first deal with his Coven.
He retracts his wings and groans in delight.
What a meal. Now how to get out of here.
He walked towards the elevator leading out of the gray, dull chamber. Knowing he has slept for centuries, he was a novice to the advanced technology of his present time. But he was not worried.
The blood he drank from Kraven's body contained all of the memories its previous owner had experienced including what he had learned from guns, computers, phones, and all what Marcus had no exposure to.
So this is an elevator, eh? Impressive.
He extended one clawed finger to push the up-button. Ding.
The party at the Coven was about to die. For a couple of days, the ceremony had some unexpected twists. First, a vampire allowed a human to roost in the mansion and Kraven has been the subject of rumors concerning treason. None of the guests were amused, anticipation was all but gone. Indeed, nothing went right.
The house of Ördögház served as the home of the Old World Coven for centuries near Budapest. For those who happened to pass by the gated mansion, they assumed it belonged to a politician or a rich businessman. It was no different than the grand, Hungarian palaces though it was small. The gray stone architecture gave it a chilling, foreboding aurora, a good reason for regular townspeople to avoid it.
Inside it, however, was a warm yet quiet atmosphere. The interior was black or gray save for the marble floor decorated with radiating patterns of red and yellow. The blood-red sofas and oak tables spread throughout the lobby under a grand oak staircase leading to mazes of corridors.
Female vampires donned in black or red silk dresses conversed with the gentlemen in fine long-sleeves with like colors. One daring couple were flirting with each other and touching each other suggestively though mindful of spilling their blood-filled glasses. Some snoozed on the cushions, tired of waiting for the return of Viktor.
The oak double doors flew open.
It was Marcus. Every being in the room in jumped up and stared at the monstrosity before them. Marcus grinned.
Erika did not care for the party. She was only thinking of Kraven shoving and dismissing her hours ago. Confined in the large blue, quarter where she let Kraven drink from her neck hours ago, she laid on the green couch and cried into the pillow. He rejected her.
Then the sounds of screams from downstairs startled her.
The lycans!
Instinct took over reason and she darted under the master bed. She had no means to fight. After what seemed like a minute, the screams stopped.
The door opened. A figure entered. It sniffed.
"I'm here for you, Erika," proclaimed the voice, "I am your Elder, Marcus. As your master, I give you my word no harm will come to you."
She rose from under the majestic bed with hesitation. Indeed, she was as beautiful as he saw her in Kraven's memories. Her white, snow skin contrasted elegantly with her black blouse and tight, skinny pants. Her blue eyes were quivering as they bode the monster before her. Tentatively, she brushed her blonde hair.
"Come, my child," he commanded.
She did not question him. Erika trembled before the gray Elder and kneeled in reverence.
"My lord," she uttered.
Kraven extended a clawed finger under her cheek.
"Rise."
Erika knew Marcus killed the rest of the Coven. But she was confused why he left her alive.
"My lord Marcus, I beg of you. Kraven never involved me in his plot against you and the Elders."
Marcus started to circle her, eyeing her figure in delight.
"But you were willing to follow him to the end? Become his lover as he fled those who would hunt him for his betrayal."
Erika looked deep into his eyes.
"But he did not run…my lord. If I may be so bold to guess," she gulped.
Marcus smirked. She had an amusing spunk compared to the worm she cared for.
"Not that it matters. He will never run again."
Erika fell to her knees.
She began to shudder "He's…dead?"
Marcus felt a small pity for this delicate creature but he had to be forward. He has her figured out.
"Why should you mourn this coward? He mistreated you, did he not," he spat. "Saw you as a toy to be used and discarded whenever he felt like."
Erika hotly rose up and croaked, "How do you know?"
"I drank his blood. You were a significant part of his memories"
Anger and sorrow overwhelmed Erika. Even though she may deny it, she knew it was true.
"Did you love him for who he was or for his power," goaded Marcus.
Erika swallowed hard and looked into his monstrous face.
"I did lust for power but I loved him," she choked.
Tears started to pour down her eyes. Marcus put both his hands on her shoulders and pierced her gaze with his black eyes.
"I am your King now," proclaimed Marcus. "And I want you to be the first to experience my power. It's the start of a new age of vampires."
