A/N: Thank you so, so, so much to the lovely people who have reviewed! You don't know how good it makes me feel. I've written a lot of fan fiction before (and deleted it all!) but never have I worked so hard on a story, so it makes it's all the more worthwhile to hear what you guys think! So thank you, so much! Here's a longer chapter for you. Hope you enjoy it!

In two small hours Lucian went from being respected in his kind to hated. Sweat rolling from their brows and their backs aching from the heavy tools and the whip lashings, the Lycans watched Lucian walk through the gate with naught but a small scratch on his arm and a vampire comfortably by his side and the whispers began. He was a traitor, good for nothing and never to be trusted again. Only a few, the older Lycans, the ones who knew Lucian, disagreed and stood up for him. But even their faith in their leader wavered as they wondered if he really had betrayed them. He already had a reasonable job and comfortable living conditions, they had to wonder how he'd gotten those. What would stop him going further, maybe even plotting the entire race's demise?

Lucian, himself, couldn't help but feel slightly irritated. Didn't they know he only ever thought of them and their freedom? Could they not simply conclude that something was going on until they received more information, not just immediately assume the worst of him? Nazar gave him a parting glance before leaving for the castle. Lucian's eyes flickered to Sonja's window. How could he have not thought about her for two whole hours? And now he could see her silhouette in the dark green window and almost feel her watching him. Did she assume the worst, too? He didn't think he could stand that. Ignoring, as best he could, the whispers and pointing, Lucian returned to his workshop, picked up hammer and blade and continued working like nothing had happened. He worked hard, concentrating on each strike of the hammer, each turn of the blade with intensity to keep the thousands of thoughts from his mind. He could feel them waiting, like a clump of darkness in his mind, staking out in the corners, waiting for him to let his guard down.

Ten minutes of solid work later, Lucian heard footsteps approaching.

"You left with Nazar today," Sonja stated, disapproval clear on her face.

Lucian sighed, "Yes, we were-"

And then he stopped. He hadn't thought about Sonja when he swore himself to secrecy. He knew he couldn't tell anyone, but surely Sonja didn't count as anyone? Besides, given they had just started to trust each other, Lucian figured a secret would not be particularly healthy for their relationship. But looking into Sonja's face now… As different as she was, the was no denying her lineage. She was Viktor's daughter, member on the council, Death Dealer and in line to be the next Elder. Could her loyalty to her family and her kind not permit her to keep such a secret?

"-training," he finally decided. It stabbed a hole in his chest to lie, but the risk was high in telling her. So he wouldn't tell her. Yet.

"I know," Sonja said, "My father told me,"

He searched her face, wondering what she wanted him to say, but she said the next words.

"You seem to have changed your attitude towards him. The way you walked by him now I could have sworn you were the best of friends," she said, a bitter sarcasm in her words.

"Sonja, we were training. Whether he bailed me out of the castle to do it or not, all we did was fight. You're making a deal out of nothing," Lucian reasoned, trying to sound calm and on her side.

"Oh, am I?" she muttered angrily, looking away for a moment before meeting his eyes again, "So Nazar is letting you fight?"

"Yes, he's working on convincing Viktor," Lucian half lied. Nazar was letting him fight, but Viktor had nothing to do with it.

"Well won't that be nice," Sonja didn't bother masking the anger, and Lucian understood why. She was frustrated at not being able to fight. Be it any other circumstance, Lucian would agree that she should be allowed to fight, but in this one he wasn't sure he wanted to.

"So if you're not fighting, where will you be?" he asked.

"Fighting, of course," Sonja said, "Just because Nazar says I can't fight with the Death Dealers doesn't mean I can't fight at all,"

Lucian had been hoping for a different answer.

"Sonja, I don't think you should fight," he said carefully.

Unfortunately, Sonja took it the way he hoped she wouldn't and looked scandalised, "So you think I'm incapable, too?"

Lucian shook his head firmly, "No, I don't. Sonja, I'm just worried for you,"

Sonja's furious face softened considerably, "I've fought many times before and survived,"

"Not with odds like these," Lucian contradicted. He wished more than ever that he could tell her why exactly he didn't want her anywhere near the castle when the Atralis hit.

"True, but I'm a very capable fighter." Sonja's chin raised slightly. She wasn't budging.

"Meet me in an hour," Lucian said after a defeated pause, "On the cliff,"

Sonja smiled slightly, "Fine. I will see you then,"

She turned her back and slipped out of the workshop swiftly. Lucian sighed. She was so recklessly headstrong, a quality he loved normally, but this was serious. He would have to find a way to get her away from the castle at the time of the fight, by any means possible. A half smile broke on his face as he imagined kidnapping her and taking her away, perhaps tying her to a tree if she wasn't going to listen to reason.

It took Lucian a minute to realise the courtyard outside had suddenly gone silent, except for two voices. He stepped outside, wondering what was so astounding. The second he saw them he understood, and sighed deeply. Nazar and Sonja stood a good five metres apart, glaring at each other with fists tightly clenched. It was obvious from Sonja's smirk and Nazar's grimace that she had just insulted him greatly.

"Please, don't tell me you still hold a grudge for your little embarrassment when I first arrived? That has to be one of the saddest things I've ever heard," Nazar seemed to recover quickly, and it was Sonja's turn to hiss.

"You can waste your time abusing me and showing off all you want, but this coven is in more danger now than before you took charge. We will be extinct within the first five minutes, the way you're going," Sonja accused. Lucian cringed, oh if she knew the very truth behind her words.

"This coven will fall even before the battle if there is not a capable man in charge," Nazar retorted coldly.

Sonja's eyes were almost the colour of ice as she growled, "Go ahead, play your 'male card' again. It will only get you so far in the eyes of the Death Dealers. What they really need is results, which you are failing to produce. How are we any better protected, you have taught them any new strategies, you've just stripped them to their basic fighting techniques,"

Realisation dawned in Lucian's mind as Sonja spoke. Of course, it all made sense why Nazar was teaching to Death Dealers so poorly, although he clearly possessed master skills himself. He fought back a knowing laugh, it mightn't have looked appropriate. And then all the humour left his mind. The way they stood, they were prepared to battle, and Lucian couldn't help but think this was fate's way of telling him that in the end he would have to choose. And his mind, again, spun into a web of arguments. It almost hurt to think of choosing, turning his back on either his kind or Sonja. He was so absorbed, he didn't notice Viktor's presence until the Elder spoke.

"That's enough," he barked, furious menace leaking from each word, "I grow intensely tired of this rivalry,"

The crowds parted, clearing the fuming man to stand in between Sonja and Nazar.

"Father, don't you see what he is-"

"Do not even try it," Viktor interrupted, leaving Sonja looking bewildered, "I don't want to hear it, and I will not have another fight between the two of you while I am in power,"

"He is ruining everything the Death Dealers are!" Sonja protested boldly, making Lucian cringe. Too daring, Sonja, he thought.

"He is saving us! Do you question my judgement as an Elder? Do you question how I run the Death Dealers?" Viktor bellowed.

By this point, father and daughter's eyes were almost silver in their rage. Sonja's voice was apologetic and respectful, but Lucian noted her chin raise in the slightest.

"No, Lord Viktor, I do not question you. I merely question Nazar's idea of an efficient attack," Sonja shot Nazar a seething glare. Nazar had stood behind the pair looking mildly bored through their feud, but now he looked angry.

"I would not say that, if I were you, harridan. You have seen nothing of an efficient attack, yet," Nazar hissed, almost inaudible to the crowd around him.

Lucian cringed, praying Nazar wouldn't loose his temper and give away the whole plan. Nazar, however, seemed in control as he stepped back and shut his mouth.

"Enough," Viktor ordered again, "Sonja if you question either of us another time you will regret it. Don't forget who hired Nazar. In questioning him, you question me,"

Sonja's lip curled slightly, "The Death Dealers' plan secured safety for at the very least you and the other Elders, but now even you won't stand a chance,"

The second after it happened, Lucian realised he'd seen it coming. Sonja's insults flowed like an flood, and Viktor's arm raised like a dam. And then it fell, striking Sonja's cheek and forcing her head to the side. And every sense in Lucian's body sprung forward, ripping Viktor to pieces, sweeping Sonja off her feet and running away from everything bad and harmful. But no, he just stood there like he couldn't care less about Sonja's half surprised, half pained yelp and felt disgusted by himself. A sinister hush fell over the crowd and everyone, Vampire and Lycans all, watched for the next move. Viktor's mouth moved, though he was speaking too low for anyone but Sonja and Nazar to hear. Lucian focused on Sonja's expression. It changed rapidly from fury to shock to disbelief, and then back to fury.

"Fine," she finally said, "I suppose you are free to make your own mistakes,"

Viktor looked like he might strike her again, but Sonja had already moved away. Toward the gate. Lucian, and collectively the rest of the coven, frowned in confusion.

"Gate master, open it," Viktor called across the courtyard, "Sonja is leaving,"

And then she was gone, with not even a parting glance.

It took a long time for Lucian to regain motor control. He couldn't believe what he had witnessed. From what he'd heard, and seen on Sonja's face, he gathered that Viktor had cast her away. His own daughter, for defying Nazar. Could she really be banished for thinking freely? Of course there was no denying she went a little far with her words, but being a respected fighter for the coven and councillor surely gave her some rights?

"She won't be gone forever, Viktor told her to return when the fight is over,"

Lucian turned to Nazar and nodded slowly, though all he could manage to say was a simple, "Oh,"

"I suppose you blame me for it?" Nazar suggested.

Lucian frowned, "Why would it matter to me?"

Nazar laughed dryly, not one ounce of humour in the sound, "Please, Lucian, I am not a fool. I see the way you watch her. You care for her,"

He took in Lucian's expression and continued, "Don't worry. Nobody else knows, I'm sure of it. I only found out because I've been particularly interested in you lately. Oh, and the look on your face when Viktor hit her was a bit of a giveaway, but I can assure you that nobody was watching you at that point,"

Lucian nodded again, thoughtfully, then said, "Well, in that case, yes I do blame you. Sonja has a temper, there's no denying it, and you were baiting her,"

Nazar smiled, "I don't suppose you would believe me if I said that it was all part of the plan?"

Lucian frowned questioningly, but said nothing.

"Yes, that's right. Viktor had told me recently that he wanted Sonja out of the way for the fight, to keep her safe. He cast her away mostly out of anger just before, but the thought only crossed his mind because he cares about her. I knew what I had to do, and I made it happen. So that Sonja would be safe, not for Viktor, but for you," Nazar explained.

Again, Lucian's mind made a satisfying click as several pieces of the puzzle put themselves together and he smiled gratefully.

"I'm sorry I doubted you," he said sincerely, "And thank you. Sonja is safe now and we can focus on the attack,"

"Good to know your mind will be completely focused now," Nazar smiled broadly, "Things are going a little off plan. Viktor does not believe you need to leave the castle for any more training, but I need to take you back to my people for more planning. But no matter, you will simply need to sneak out. During the day, so that nobody will see you. Unfortunately, I won't be able to help you, as I will burn in the sun. I'll have Anya wait for you in the forest to guide you, and I will be with the people, awaiting your arrival,"

Once again, Nazar was gone before Lucian could put in a word. An anxious noise caught Lucian's attention, and he strode over to where the large, black creature was tied. He ran his hand's down Zephyr's neck in a repeated, soothing motion.

"Missing her already?" he murmured, "Yeah, so am I,"

Oooh! Bombomboooooom! Alright, I'll settle down. Anyway, what do you think? Please let me know, and I'll have a new chapter up as soo as humanly possible! Love you all!