Breaking the Covenant

Chapter 2: Don't Dance with Strange Men in Clubs

Elizabeta sipped on her absinthe as she watched the crowd of dancers in the club. She wished that Selene had come with her. The vampiress needed to unwind, but she was focused on figuring out why the lycans were following a human. Elizabeta had to admit that she was curious about it too, but she also knew when to unwind from work before she became too intense and wore herself out. She would check in on Selene when she went back to the manor and see if she had learned anything new.

Lucian stepped into the club and made sure that his disguise was in place. His dark hair was tied back in a bun and he wore a black button up shirt and jeans. He recognized a few other lycans, but they only nodded their heads at him in reverence. His eyes scanned the club looking for a suitable dance partner. He needed to unwind after being trapped in the sewers and the best way was through dancing with a beautiful woman. He didn't see a suitable partner on the dance floor, so he started to scan the bar. His eyes landed on a woman sipping on a drink. Her long black hair was mostly down and the rest was pulled up in a small bun at the back of her head. She wore a tight latex dress and platform heels. He could tell that she was naturally petite and had to resort to such high heels to seem taller. He crossed the club towards her and she finally looked towards him. Her eyes were a beautiful shade of green and he felt his heart nearly skip a beat as he took in her angular features. She was utterly gorgeous. He hadn't seen such a beautiful woman since Sonja.

Elizabeta watched the man approach her. She took in his height and set her drink down on the bar counter. She leaned back slightly to appear relaxed and ran her eyes up and down him. She noticed he had left some of his shirt undone, so she could get a glimpse of his chest. He appeared strong, but also lean and she found that she appreciated it. He leaned against the bar next to her and pretended to look around. Elizabeta waited for him to say something and hoped that her makeup looked okay. He finally looked over at her and smiled.

"I haven't seen you here before. Do you come here often?"

Elizabeta smiled and shook her head.

"No, I just came into town today. I do plan on coming back though. I quite enjoy the absinthe."

He grinned and leaned in closer to her just ever so slightly.

"Are you much of a dancer?" he asked.

Elizabeta nodded and downed the rest of her drink.

"I've been waiting to be asked to dance for a good twenty minutes now."

"And no one has approached you?"

"No. I suppose it's my resting bitch face."

The man laughed and smiled at her once more.

"What's your name?"

"Elizabeta," she said, "And you?"

"Lucian."

Elizabeta flinched slightly at the name. It was the same name as the lycan that started the war centuries ago. But it had to just be a coincidence. Lucian was long dead. Or at least that's what Kraven claimed. She smiled to cover her discomfort.

"A nice name for a handsome man," she said.

Lucian took her hand and led her out to the dance floor.

The DJ started a new song and most of the dancers had cleared off of the floor to take a break and chat. Or go off and fuck each other's brains out. Whatever suited them. Elizabeta recognized the song and couldn't help but grin. She loved dancing to this song. From the smile on Lucian's face, he knew it too.

"I didn't expect to hear Eisbrecher tonight."
She laughed and began to move to the beat.

"Well 'Tanz mit Mir' is perfect for dancing to, don't you agree?"

"I have to agree with you there."

They danced to the German electro-metal and Elizabeta made sure to use her best moves.

Lucian admired the way Elizabeta's hips swayed and the way she moved her hair around. He grabbed her waist and pulled her close to him and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They locked eyes and Lucian felt the overwhelming urge to kiss her hard.

Elizabeta felt her heart pounding in her chest as she gazed into Lucian's dark eyes. She ran a hand down his chest and played with one of the buttons of his shirt. It had been a long time since she had felt so giddy and happy. She certainly knew that Kraven would be seething with jealousy that this stranger could make her feel like that while he couldn't. Fuck that pompous vampire anyway. All that she could think about was the handsome man standing in front of her. She considered convincing him to run away with her, so she could escape all of her problems with Kraven and her mother. She wouldn't mind spending more time with this man.

Lucian desperately wanted to find somewhere private, so he could spend some "quality time" with Elizabeta. However, he doubted that she would be okay with the sewers where he spent most of his time. By the look in her eyes, she wanted the same thing he did.

Elizabeta was struggling inside about where she could take Lucian. She couldn't bring him back to the manor. If she brought a human back with her, they would assume that he was her pet and Kraven would most likely have him thrown out immediately because he was that kind of petty. Her mother would also find out about her tryst and no doubt be furious with her.

Elizabeta didn't even wait for the song to end before she started dragging Lucian off the dance floor by his arm. She didn't care if her vampiric strength was showing either; she had to get him somewhere private. Lucian didn't seem to mind being dragged around. In fact, he started dragging her towards the exit. He seemed to have the same idea as her. He led her behind the club and pressed her up against the brick wall. His lips crashed down on hers and she pulled him in close by his shirt. He crushed his body against her, but she didn't mind. She wanted all of him.

Lucian felt his lycan tendencies fighting to get out. He was tempted to make love to her right up against the wall, but knew that she deserved better than that. He deepened his kiss and felt her wrap a leg around his waist. He could feel her heat against him and couldn't suppress the growl that ripped through his throat. Lucian thought that it would frighten Elizabeta, but she either didn't notice or didn't mind. It only made him desire her more. Perhaps there was a chance that she would accept him for what he was.

Elizabeta felt her resolve falling apart. She had thought that she had been joking when she told Selene that she'd elope with a random man, but she found herself sorely considering it. She didn't want her time with Lucian to end with tonight. She wanted to run away with him.

Lucian wondered what Elizabeta was thinking. She had a far off look in her eyes. He pulled away from her lips and panted for breath. Her green eyes gazed up at him as she gasped for breath. He ran a hand down her thigh and leaned in close to her.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

She nodded her head.

"I'm just considering running away with you."

Lucian laughed and held her closer to him.

"Are you running from something?"

"An asshole," she answered, "Who won't take 'no' for an answer."

Lucian's eyes hardened.

"Do you need help?"

"Just let me run away with you and everything will be fine," she said with a smile.

He was sorely tempted to and the pleading look in her eyes only made him want to whisk her away more.

"There's only one way that I can take you with me," he said.

"I'll do anything!"

"Close your eyes."

Elizabeta shut her eyes and Lucian leaned into her neck. He felt his teeth lengthening and growled deeply. It would be a quick bite and she would be his forever.

Elizabeta heard a wolf-like growl vibrate through Lucian's chest. Her eyes snapped open and she immediately shoved him away as hard as she could. Lucian slammed into the wall opposite her and looked at her in surprise. Elizabeta was horrified at what she saw. She saw long, wolf-like teeth and bright blue eyes. He was a lycan! Elizabeta couldn't stop her fangs from lengthening and she hissed loudly at him as a defensive measure. Lucian stared at her dumbfounded to learn that she was a vampire. He could see anger boiling in her bright blue eyes and immediately tried to figure out how to calm her. It'd been a while since he had dealt with an angry vampiress.

Elizabeta's nostrils were flooded with the smell of lycan. How could she have been so stupid?! She had let her lust get the better of her and she had broken the Covenant! She would be murdered if the coven found out!

Lucian tried to approach her, but she hissed angrily at him and raised her claws.

"Elizabeta," he said soothingly, "calm down."

She snarled and pointed a clawed finger at him.

"You," she hissed, "You will get me killed! Not even my mother can save me now!"

Lucian realized the root of her anger and felt anger rising within him too. If she was a part of Viktor's coven, she would no doubt be killed as soon as they smelled his scent on her.

"I'm sorry," he said as she shook her head angrily.

"Stay away from me!" she shrieked, "If I see you again, I'll rip you the fuck apart!"

Lucian couldn't deny the pain he felt at her words. Elizabeta lifted an empty wooden crate and threw it at him with a shriek. He dodged it and the crate smashed into splinters against the wall behind him. Elizabeta stormed off, her heels clacking on the pavement as she went. He watched her leave and knew that he had to make things right with her. Even though she was a vampire, he felt an attraction to her that he hadn't felt in centuries. Her story also made him want to save her. He had to help her escape from whoever was after her.

Elizabeta snuck into the manor and immediately hopped in the shower. She had to get the lycan's scent off of her before anyone, let alone Kraven, smelled it. She scrubbed her skin raw and stood under the scalding hot water to make sure she smelled like her natural scent. When she was satisfied that the lycan's scent was gone, she got out of the shower and dried off. She heard a knock on her door and felt her heart skip a beat. Not now!

"Who is it?" she called from the bathroom.

"It's Selene."

Relief flooded over Elizabeta and she let out the breath she had been holding.

"Come in."

Selene entered the room and raised an eyebrow.

"What is it with you and rubbing your skin raw?"

Elizabeta shook her head.

"Don't ask. Do you need something?"

"Kraven's looking for you."

Elizabeta groaned and angrily flopped down in a chair.

"Tell him to fuck off," she spat, "I've had enough of him for tonight."

Selene grinned.

"I wish I could, but you know how well he takes being cursed at."

Elizabeta groaned again and buried her head in her hands.

"What does he want now?" she sighed.

"There's no telling with him."

There was another knock at the door and Elizabeta jumped. She knew that knock. It was Kraven! Selene stiffened and looked at Elizabeta.

Lucian climbed the fence of the manor that Elizabeta had gone into and dropped silently to the grass. He quietly made his way across the grass before a dog came barreling at him. He snarled at the dog and flashed his fangs, causing the dog to whine and back off. He made his way towards the manor's exterior and began to climb the stony exterior. He saw a light coming from a window on the third floor and climbed towards it. He dropped onto the balcony and saw two women talking in the room. One had short black hair while the other had long black hair. Lucian strained his ears to hear their conversation. He recognized Elizabeta's voice and knew he had the right room. A knock interrupted them and both women looked surprised.

"It's Kraven!" Elizabeta hissed.

"Do you want me to refuse to leave?" the other woman asked.

Elizabeta shook her head.

"That'll only infuriate him even more. I already upset him before I went out clubbing."

"I could tell. You better get dressed before he gets even angrier."

Elizabeta got out of her chair and Lucian realized she was only wearing a towel. He immediately averted his eyes to the night sky. Something about watching her change didn't sit right with him.

The knock was louder and more aggressive this time.

"Just a minute!" Elizabeta called.

Elizabeta hurriedly put on silk pajamas and tied a robe around herself. Selene was about to open the door when Kraven angrily opened the door, causing it to slam into the wall. Elizabeta jumped and looked clearly flustered.

"I'm sorry about the wait," she said, "I had just gotten out of the shower."

Selene's jaw was rigid as she stared at Kraven. Kraven sensed her gaze and turned towards her.

"Leave us," he ordered firmly.

Selene looked at Elizabeta before reluctantly walking out of the room and shutting the door behind her.

Kraven turned his angry gaze on Elizabeta and crossed the room towards her.

"What makes you think that you can speak to me like that?" he hissed.

"I'm sorry, but I had no choice."

Kraven brought back his arm and slapped her soundly across the face.

Lucian nearly busted through the window in anger to attack Kraven. He had never liked the vampire, but now he had a new reason to dislike him. He figured that this was the asshole that Elizabeta had referred to.

"You had no choice? You had no choice?!" the vampire spat.

Elizabeta touched her cheek and looked at him angrily.

"You weren't going to let me leave!" she retorted, "I had to remind you of my rights as a guest!"

"I am well aware of your rights! It was you who decided to parade around me dressed like that!"

"I wasn't aware that dressing a certain way allowed you to touch me without my consent!"

He grabbed her by her hair and she cried out.

"You are going to be my queen," he hissed, "And you will do whatever I say."

He forced her down to her knees and yanked her head back.

"And I say that you owe me an apology for disrespecting me."

"I'm sorry!" she cried out.

"I didn't mean that kind of apology," Kraven said with a grin.

Lucian couldn't take it anymore. He took a brick out of the wall and hurled it as far as he could across the yard. It smashed into the fence and an alarm sounded. He hid in the shadows as he heard Kraven swear and rush towards the window.

Elizabeta grasped her tender head as Kraven looked out the window. He swore again and rushed towards the door.

"Stay put," he ordered before throwing open the door and rushing out into the hall to see what was going on.

Elizabeta sighed in relief and clutched her body tightly. She felt tears in her eyes and sobs shake her body. She would be stuck with his temper for the rest of her life. Her mother wouldn't believe her if she told her what Kraven had done to her.

Lucian heard Elizabeta's sobs and felt his heart break for her. He watched as she rose to her feet and shut the door and locked it. He quietly opened the window and snuck in. He crept up behind her and covered her mouth with his hand. She squealed and he turned her around quickly.

Elizabeta was stunned to see the lycan from before standing in her room, but her surprise was quickly replaced by anger. She shoved his hand away and glared at him.

"What are you doing here?" she spat.

"Saving you it seems," he said, "I'm assuming you still need help escaping from him?"

She crossed her arms over her chest.

"What does it matter to you?"

"I don't want to see you suffer. No one deserves to be stuck with him for the rest of their life."

Elizabeta watched him carefully.

"But you barely know me," she said.

"Let's just say that I know Kraven very well. Perhaps better than I would like."

Her eyebrows furrowed together in confusion, but she nodded for him to continue.

"Do you know the story of the Lycan War?"

She nodded her head.

"Kraven killed the leader of the lycans, Lucian. Or at least that's what he told Viktor. He even took the brand from Lucian's arm to 'prove' that he was dead."

Elizabeta understood where he was going and her jaw dropped.

"He lied?" she asked.

Lucian nodded his head and rolled up his sleeve. A circular, jagged scar was on his arm where it looked like a piece of skin had been removed.

She covered her mouth and shrieked. She had kissed the leader of the lycans?! She was the ultimate traitor to her kind!

Lucian grabbed her shoulders gently.

"I want to help you escape from him," he said honestly, "I will protect you from him. I promise."

Elizabeta bit her lip and felt her eyes fill up with tears again. She didn't expect any kindness from him after she threatened to rip him apart.

"Why do you want to help me?" she asked.

"I watched the vampire I love be killed because she was carrying my child," he said, "I won't let you be endangered because you ran into me. Kraven will definitely find out. You won't be able to hide it from him forever. Especially if he marries you like he plans on doing."

Elizabeta didn't need to be reminded of that. She took a look back at the door and then looked back towards Lucian.

"Just get me away from here," she pleaded softly, "I will do anything you ask."

Lucian grabbed her bag and threw her clothes that were lying on the bed in the bag.

"Let's go," he said, "Follow me."