Chapter 7 – Subtlety

Iris peeked around a corner, her eyes darting from side to side, and slowly stepped out into the corridor. When a door slammed open, her heart leaped into her throat, and she turned wild eyes on a flaxen-haired maid servant. "Luka!" The vampire lady-in-waiting looked up at her, still slightly shaken from several nights ago; finding her fellow maids with their throats torn out. Despite being Lycan, she did not believe they deserved the terrible fate that had befallen them.

She breathed out slowly, approaching the girl. "What are you doing? I thought you said you didn't get lost anymore…" Iris used to wind up anywhere in the castle, prompting Sonja and Luka on a manhunt for her, whenever she was missing for more than several hours. But, two weeks ago, she had convinced them both that she knew her way around now. Obviously, she didn't.

"I don't! It's just…Well…" Iris frowned. "I'm evading someone." The maid nodded, slowly, understanding. It was no secret to her – Sonja had informed her – that the young girl was the reason for the Lord's sudden fragile state the last two nights.

"Where are you trying to go?" Her eyes darted around, listening for footsteps.

"Lady Orsova's, it's up the stairs and to the right…Right?" Luka nodded.

"Be careful though, Lord Viktor might be starting his evening rounds soon." Since the 'massacre' of that night, he had been more on edge, and had taken to patrolling the winding corridors every one or two hours. Luka herself had once stumbled upon him, huddling in one of the alcoves with her head bowed till he passed.

The Elder seemed not to even notice her, so lost in his own thoughts, and with that angry mark still touching his features. It was no doubt healing, and would not scar, but for some reason it was taking longer than expected to fade away…Leaving him looking demonic…Well, more than usual, anyway.

"Thank you Luka!" She darted up the corridor, leaving the maid to return to her duties…

L-I

Iris knocked on Orsova's bedroom door, waiting patiently in the hallway, and sighed when she failed to answer for a moment. She put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. "Great…Now what?" The girl threw her hands up and started walking…Till she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps. Iris's breath hitched in her throat, and she turned fearfully to look at the corner.

Don't just stand here you fool! Move! But her feet were sealed to the floor, her legs locked. Just go, there is no sense to linger, but don't run… Iris turned, but the figure had already rounded the corner, and she could feel the eyes…

"What are you doing?" The monotone voice lowered her heart rate, and she turned to smile at the Death Dealer. Except, this time, he wasn't in his armor. His angular face and black eyes were fully exposed in the dim light, and his dark hair was slicked back into a pony tail, held by a crimson bow. Iris smiled, noticing that – despite his lack of armor – he still had his blade strapped to his waist.

"I was waiting for Lady Orsova to open the door so I could start my lessons, but it appears she isn't here." The girl put her hands behind her back, tilting her head to the side. "I notice you're not…steel plated." He managed a half smirk at her comment, looking at the Lady's door.

"There is a council meeting tonight; something tells me it will be a long one as well, Coloman has the floor once more, and Lady Sonja is absent…As are you." His face fell. "Lord Viktor's wrath is harsh; the Lycans that remain suffer for it, as does the rest of the court."

She closed her eyes, wincing, and bit her lip. "I…I know." Iris looked away, rubbing her hands together. "I did something that…wasn't very smart."

"I am well aware." Soren growled, "Furthermore, you are evading him."

"Do you have a better plan? Because so far, the only way I can survive is if I don't see him." Iris crossed her arms, glaring at him, and he stood, still expressionless. The Dealer shook his head.

"Nothing will be resolved this way."

"That's why I'm hiding, if I just…Don't see him, maybe this whole thing will just be swept under the rug."

"A vampire's memory is both long and unforgiving." He warned, black eyes flicking for a moment. "It would be wise to find a course of action, rather than letting things become worse."

"Worse?" She let out a humorless, bitter laugh. "I don't think things could get any worse, Soren!"

"Things can always become darker, I assure you." He warned, turning his head to the sound of another, coming up the hallway behind him. Iris bolted, not even waiting to see who it was, whether it be Orsova or Viktor. She took several turns, grumbling to herself, and stopped only when she heard another coming around the hall. And every time it was not the Elder.

Get a grip Iris, it's not like he's stalking you or anything! The girl almost turned her head; catching herself she smacked her forehead. I must be out of my mind… The castle was large, with winding pathways that led to inner sanctums and some rooms that hadn't been touched in…well, centuries. Iris started wandering, sometimes muttering to herself, and actually lost track of where she was going.

The hallways became darker until there was no light at all, and she stopped, her vampire eyes not even needing a second to adjust. Ever since she had become an immortal, her vision had become acute, and she could see things in the distance with complete focus. "Wonderful…I think I really am lost this time." She stepped forward, silently cursing her dress when she stumbled, and looked down to see that she'd hit the clawed foot of some random table.

Iris looked around at the large, circular room, and frowned. Pillars spanned to the ceiling, random pieces of furniture sitting around, and everything was covered in at least a foot of dust. She hopped on top of the surface of the piece she had tripped on, before jumping off, and studying the other…'Occupants'. There were carved chairs, tables, ornate book shelves, and also broken pieces that lay in scattered messes all over the floor.

There were remains of what looked like a carcass in the back, and Iris actually had to cover her nose with her arm to escape the foul stench that perfumed the gloom. She gagged and quickly moved away from it, swiping her hand before her face, and stuck her tongue out in disgust. Clearly, this chamber had seen better days, and had probably several better uses than the junk room it had become.

With nothing better to do with her immortality – at the moment – no company, and evasion of a certain Elder on her mind, she set to her task. Iris stepped back out into the hallway, finding a small room that was virtually empty; she started picking up chair legs and broken stands, throwing them listlessly into the cram space. It took maybe an hour, but she eventually had it all jammed inside. She smashed into the door, locking it closed, and clapped her hands together. "Well, that went well…"

Left with only the intact pieces, she started arranging them, despite having nothing in common. Some of it was mahogany, others were pine, hell, she even found one that was made out of stone! And what a royal joy that was to move… Iris pushed her shoulder into it, her feet skidding over the floor as she tried to move it several feet to the left. Her dress nearly sent her to the floor during her organization, but she quickly found her balance again.

How in the nine hells half the ladies of the court stand this, I shall never know. Iris set up chairs and left the center of the room open. If I put a few rugs in here and lit the place up, it might make a rather nice sitting room…despite the slightly mismatched décor.

She'd done her best to separate the different styles, while meshing them all together into the room. Iris put her hands on her hips, eyeing the one thing that simply had to go…The corpse. She wasn't even sure what it was exactly, but the smell alone would be enough to kill some living things.

Perhaps she could just leave it there and then seek Tanis's assistance later? That might work… Iris patted out her dress, spying a piece of wood that she had missed. She stepped over, kneeling down to pick it up, her fingers grazing along its edge, but something sounded behind her. Her hand jerked, the wood slicing across her palm, and she hissed. "Damnit!" Iris didn't even know what happened, the next thing she knew she was being hoisted into…well, it felt like a wall.

Her hand flew to her waist, where she found another arm, clothed in black with jewels along the cuff, and her eyes widened. A pale hand gripped her hip, the talons almost slicing the velvet of her dress, keeping her firmly pressed to the 'wall' behind her …The gems of his coat dug into her spine, his chest glued to her back. There was a thundering behind her, the fast tempo of a heartbeat, and course, almost ragged breathing, sounding close to her ear. Iris's senses took a long moment to catch up, unsure of what happened, but…Someone was holding her.

She knew whose arm it was around her waist, who currently had her wrist trapped in a lethal vice…Yes, someone was holding her wrist, trapping it in white talons that dug into her flesh. And there was also pain, needling where the points dug in, flourishing around the thin bones there as they grinded together.

This is…

Her whole form was almost shaking as she turned her head, brown eyes wide as she took in the demonic visage over her shoulder. She looked into his eyes, flinching away from the maelstrom that hid within, a burning blizzard… His pupils were dilated, face unreadable, and the neon blue orbs seemed to pop out of his skull. The scar across his features was slowly fading, but the veins that bulged out around it told the story of his quickening pulse… Iris's heart thudded against her ribcage, hurting her chest, and she leaned away from him as far as she could, whilst trapped against him.

"…Viktor?" Her voice sounded small, not high pitched, but tiny and soft. His mouth opened and her gaze froze on his extended fangs, his own stare shifting to her hand. Blood was dribbling into the cracks of her palm, starting to trail down to her wrist, and he… His eyes followed the fall of it over her pale skin. The hand at her waist dug in, forcing her tighter against him, and she trembled in his clutches.

The Elder brought her bleeding hand closer, as if inspecting it, but he brought it too close. Her jaw dropped in terror as his lips fastened around the injury, and she could feel his tongue scrape across the wound, licking it. His lips felt cold against her palm, the unmistakable feel of his saliva making her almost wretch, and his tongue…Oh god, it actually felt somewhat warm. His breath brushed her damp skin, making her shiver, the chilliness of it a cold contrast to that muscle. There was no pain from the contact, no, maybe there was, and she was just too mortified to feel anything…

Iris inhaled sharply, terror setting in as he ran his tongue along the rest of the crimson that stained her hand, and growled. The rumble vibrated through his chest, feeling like an avalanche across her back, and the girl's fingers twitched. "Viktor…" Her voice quaked, sounding high pitched. His eyes were half-lidded as his stare shifted to her, but he wasn't really looking into her eyes, the Elder's gaze focused on…her neck.

She couldn't help the fear that gripped her; the hand that held her wrist squeezing, and she could feel the bones grinding against one another. "Viktor, stop it…" Iris scrambled for words, her throat tightening and heart pounding – or was it his? – as he pulled her off the ground.

She tried to turn in his grasp, afraid to tug her wrist and bring more blood, and squeeze out of his hold. But the Elder threw her down, dazing her, and she tried to scramble back. He was upon her before she had time to move back even an inch, pinning her wrists beside her shoulders.

The gargoyles outside no longer did the visage of his face justice, the wound that marred his features healing, and the veins starting to fade back into his pale skin. She could see the beating of his chest in tune with the quickened pace of his heart, the very noise reaching her ears, and she inhaled sharply.

I'm going to die…This is it…

Her own chest was heaving, her heart hurting the very bones of her ribcage as it continued to pound them, as if trying to escape, and she couldn't feel the blood flow in her hands anymore. His chest pressed to hers, his legs locking her to the floor, and she blushed…

Iris whimpered, her courage abandoning her at the mercy of the Elder as he leaned down. Tears pricked her eyes as he looked into them, the azure pools reflecting his own. And then he slowly moved, sinking down, and his form shifted against hers, settling between her legs.

"Viktor!" Iris cried out once more, trying to snap him from his blood haze, his glassy eyes finding her pulse point, mouth opening, poised to strike like a cobra…

"LORD VIKTOR!" There was a screech of rage from the doorway, and there stood Orsova, her blue eyes wide on the Elder who had pinned the young girl to the floor. She looked horrified herself, but more by the sheer audacity that it looked like he was trying to perform on the poor child, who looked at her with such fear. A wave of instinct overcame the council woman, a protectiveness overwhelming her as she inhaled sharply, and squared her shoulders.

Viktor seemed to have come back to himself, if only just enough to pull back, freeing Iris. The girl scrambled back, bolting, stumbling several times to stand behind Orsova. She gripped the council woman's arm, her legs shaking under her, and she pressed her face to the back of her black dress. Iris inhaled, taking in the subtle perfume that she always wore, and it was…reassuring. Tears pricked her eyes as she whined, the Lady's form quivering as well, but hers was with barely contained wrath.

The Lord of the room collected himself, barely suppressing his own tremors, for some reason, and he moved forward. But there was something wrong with him, his eyes still glowing out of his gaunt face, their predatory glint never leaving the girl that was poised behind Orsova, ready to bolt. Viktor's very gait was slow, steady, as if he were treating them like prey, like a wolf...

He stood before the woman, her livid eyes glaring at him, and he had barely opened his mouth, before she slapped him across the face. Viktor's head snapped to the side, four red scratch marks appearing on his cheek, and the Lady virtually snarled at him. "I had not thought, even as a warlord, you could possibly be so…so disgusting!" She was practically spitting, turning in a flurry of obsidian jewels, and grabbed Iris by her wrist, tugging her away.

Orsova's strides were long and hurried, and Iris struggled to keep up, as badly as she was shaking. She stumbled behind the Lady, the woman unrelenting until they reached her chambers. She slammed the doors open, and almost threw the girl inside in her rage, before slamming them shut and locking them. Iris sat on the edge of the bed, shaking, and her eyes were still wide with an eerie blue.

The council woman turned to her, quickly walking over to look at her. "…Are you alright?" Her own voice was shaky and Iris shook her head, tears falling.

"No…" Orsova sat down as well, hugging her, and sighed. She started to sob, shaking, and the Lady eyed the door, as if waiting for Viktor to come through, so she could slap him again. She pulled away, looking at Iris.

"What happened?" She stared at her, and the girl took a shuddering breath…

I-V-O

Orsova was currently guiding Iris to Sonja's quarters, glancing around corners as the child trailed behind her, weary of seeing a certain Elder. But they saw no sign of him, as they entered her rooms – without knocking – to which the Lady sat up, staring bewildered at the council woman…Before going immediately to her friend's side upon seeing her distressed. "What's going on? What has father done this time?"

"We have a problem…A large one." Orsova turned to her, the troubled expression on the elder woman's face stunning Sonja.

"Why, what is going on?"

"The girl is…Her blood…It's…special to him." Her face was enough to tell her the truth behind the statement, and Sonja inhaled sharply, trying to hide her sorrow in front of her charge.

"Are you certain?" She kept her voice from shaking, staring at the other Lady seriously.

"If the child's story holds true…"

She turned her gaze on Iris, who looked at her with a frightened expression, and she was…pasty, not ivory like before. "What did he do?"

"I…I slit my hand on a piece of wood and…I didn't see him but…I don't even know what happened, but he…He licked my hand." She held it up, displaying the freshly healed cut. Sonja's eyes grew wide, leaning away in shock, and she put a hand over her mouth. "And then, I tried to get away…He threw me down on the ground, pinned me there…Orsova came in though…She thought he was – He…He never got to…" Iris put her hand over the side of her neck, over her jugular, as if Viktor were there and about to bite into her. She even looked ready to be ill, gaze falling to the floor.

Sonja put her arm around the girl's shoulders, steadying her, and turned back to the other council woman still in the room. "This…complicates things." Her jaw clenched, tensing.

"There can be no doubt of that." Orsova crossed her arms. "He already wants to kill her, this latest revelation will be no help to her, you know this." The younger woman nodded grimly, as Iris stood beside her, still too shaken to speak.

"And she is a vampire…"

"What does that mean?" Iris looked up at them, her gaze darting between the two of them.

"It means you are a refillable goblet." Orsova answered blandly, arms still crossed, and her face expressionless.

"Lady Orsova!" Sonja cried, trying her best to not frighten the child, who tore herself from her side to stand before the window.

"Do you wish me to be truthful? There is no point in lying…"

"Neither of you has even told me what is going on…" Iris turned to them both, highlighted in the jade of the window by the silvery moon. "Why…What happened to Viktor?"

Sonja turned to the other woman, sighing, and put her hands on her hips. "It is…difficult, to explain."

"You know that we feast on animal blood…" Iris nodded as Orsova continued. "Animal blood is water to us; we live off of it, a sustenance that is required. While human blood is like fine wine, it must be savored." The girl nodded once more.

"…And my blood?" She asked after a long pause. "What is so special about me?"

"You aren't so much unique to others…It's just Lord Viktor."

"How? Why? What makes me so different?" She looked out the window, taking in the courtyard with Kosta screaming at some Lycans, Soren doing his paces, and the other Dealers patrolling the wall.

"Sometimes, there comes a human that is…exceptional to an immortal. Their blood is…addictive." Sonja murmured, picking up where the other Lady left off. "Supposedly, this human may never be even seen by the immortal, they have to be willing, and in all the centuries that vampires have existed only a handful have ever found such a blood."

"And you're telling me, out of all the people in this world, I am this…this person to your father?" Iris asked, turning to look at Sonja over her shoulder, her arms still wrapped around herself.

"It seems so…" Orsova trailed off, looking into space, and sighed. She turned her gaze onto Lady Sonja. "If I hadn't been walking down the hall and heard her cry out…" The sentence was not finished, but the idea sunk in, and Iris clutched at her neck again. The girl remembered how Viktor had held her down, his icy eyes freezing her and burning her soul all in one go.

"But…No, I've bled around him before!"

Orsova's brow furrowed. "When?"

"When Kosta bit me, in the training yard my fangs nicked me!" She snapped harshly.

"Your fangs nicked you inside of your mouth; he could not smell it there. Furthermore, as I'm to understand it, he went down long after you were turned…Meaning the blood was dry." Orsova said knowingly, and Iris realized grimly that she was right. It could have happened at any time, she'd just been lucky…

"What do we do?" Iris looked to them both, the fear in her eyes returning, and Sonja was honestly speechless. Even that night in the woods, she had not seen this sort of terror, this…Fright.

"We could…" Orsova trailed off, seeming to think on her own idea for a moment, before she spoke once more. "There is another fortress across the sea, we could send her there…" Sonja turned to her sharply.

"You are not serious?!"

"Do you have a better alternative?" The elder woman shook her head. "There isn't one. Before, we could have waited for this whole thing to disappear, to blow over like a storm, but now…Now he will search for any means to get what he wants." She eyed Iris, who looked taken aback at the wording.

"My father has more restraint than that!" Sonja snapped, her eyes turning blue in offense, and despite her sire's dire mistakes as of late, she was quick to defend him.

"Clearly you don't know him as well as you think you do!" Orsova snapped. "Or must I remind you of the human noble, Janos?" The younger Lady took a step back, turning her gaze on the girl in the room. "Viktor will stop at nothing until he is able to drain her dry, you have not seen what this sort of addiction is capable of doing, and being an Elder?!" She shook her head. "No force on this world can save her from him, nothing except the span of an ocean."

"He'll kill me…" She whispered, and Sonja quickly covered the distance between them to bring her into a comforting embrace.

"No…" Orsova frowned. "As I said before…You are 'refillable'. Being a vampire you could recover from being nearly drained, if fed quickly after he drank from you. But that may only fuel his need further."

"So…You're saying I should go?" Iris whispered, trying to keep her voice from becoming hoarse. "That…If I do…I won't have to hide anymore?"

The council woman nodded. "The fortress across the sea is in Buda. There, you can be free to roam, become a warrior, and continue your training as a Lady."

She had to add that last one, didn't she?

"Sounds nice…But I can't see any of you again, can I?" She looked up at Sonja, who smiled sadly down at her.

"At the turn of the century, Lady Amelia may cross over to that hold." Orsova added. "Castle Corvinus was always more Viktor's domain, as well as Marcus's, but never the Lady's."

Iris nodded.

It sounded like a plan…

I-S-O

Orsova and Sonja flanked each other, moving quickly for the council chambers, Tanis beside Iris as they navigated the winding halls. "Do you all honestly think this is going to work?" The girl looked between each of them, Sonja only casting a glance back to her at the question.

"It's possible…He is not completely without reason…" But Iris could hear the frown in Orsova's voice. "Lord Viktor will send you across the sea if he knows what is best for himself and the coven; he cannot let himself fall prey to distractions."

"Note: The 'distraction' doesn't like being the distraction!" She called and Tanis rolled his eyes with a smirk.

"I don't think anyone would like to be in the position you are in." The scribe chuckled, and the girl elbowed him for his cheek.

"Not unless they are sick masochists." Iris added. Orsova threw her a scolding glance, which she shrunk under, frowning. "I'm only saying…"

"Hold your tongue while we present our proposal." She stopped, as did everyone else outside the council chamber doors. "Do not speak out at all, stand firmly, and hold your head high." Orsova tugged gently at Iris's clothing, straightening out seems that weren't really there, calming her own nerves.

"What about Coloman? Does he know?" Iris couldn't stop herself from asking, and although she had disliked him in the beginning, it was imperative that they have him on their side.

The council woman nodded. "I have informed him of the situation, he will stand with us when the time is right. And although you doubt his intelligence," she gave Iris that look again, "he has the best interest of the coven at heart."

"I never said I questioned his loyalty!" The girl defended. "I just questioned his sanity." Orsova cuffed her.

While Iris was rubbing the back of her head, scowling, Sonja turned to the other Lady. "How are we going to present this exactly? I need to know…Father will not be pleased when I stand against him, but this must be done for Iris's safety." She would go to the ends of the earth to protect the girl she thought of as her little sister, even if it meant facing her father's wrath for it later.

"A repositioning of troops, we must defend all of our borders, and some of the aristocracy would like to see home again."

"That is our stand?"

Orsova sighed. "It is not the best one, we know, but it is the one we are forced to make in this dire situation. Besides, not even Lord Viktor could pass up the opportunity to move in more soldiers; not only that, but he gets to send a substantial number of the nobles west." She frowned. "We now need only hope that he is not too far gone."

All of them passed glances to each other, seeing them ready; Sonja nodded, and opened the chamber doors. The usual murmurs and whispers that transpired when one opened the room's doors were…absent. It was utterly silent, the whole place seemingly frozen in time, and Iris felt her jaw clench.

Coloman was standing off to one side of the circular floor, his eyes darting to them as they entered, and when he saw her…Iris could have sworn she saw something resembling pity cross his features. His eyes did not stray for long before they found the head of the room again, almost returning there out of fear. The girl turned her head, taking in the visage of the Elder, poised in his throne, and had to suppress a flinch.

He was staring at her, his neon blue eyes turning obsidian at the centers, and erupting out like a black sun. She almost felt naked; the need to run from the very chamber welling up in her stomach, but courage stopped it before it reached her legs. His eyes froze her body, but seared her soul like the harshest sunlight, daring her to flee from him…

It would only make it more gratifying when he caught you… She realized grimly, her nails biting into her palms, still weary enough about the repercussions of drawing blood.

Stubble ran along his jaw, and there were actually two strands of hair touching his temple. The scratches Orsova had inflicted were long gone, and the mark Iris herself had left was fading rapidly.

But his gaze was unwavering, and although his head never moved, his eyes remained steadfast on her form. Her hands clenched together before her, unable to tear her eyes away from his unrelenting azure. His claws dug into his throne, body tensing, as if ready to strike, and she actually jumped back, bumping into Tanis.

The scribe grabbed her shoulder in a death grip, keeping her locked in place, and he leaned down to whisper: "keep your heart rate down." He moved away to take his usual spot at Viktor's side, wearily eyeing the Elder, who never stopped staring at Iris.

Worst. Advice. Ever.

Sonja touched her shoulder, and she nearly flinched when she did, pulling her back to her usual place at the Lady's feet. She turned, still feeling his gaze, and quickly crossed the room; when she looked back he had not moved, thankfully…As much as seemed to kill him not to. She knew what it was like for a predator, for their prey to turn their back, and yet…not be allowed to strike.

When Sonja took her seat, so did Iris, slowly lowering herself into the chair, but she was still tense, ready to move if the Elder even so much as twitched. Viktor leaned back, his shoulders squared, and jaw clenched…She could see the veins jumping along the skin of his neck and temple, throbbing with suppressed adrenaline. He wanted to hunt.

"Milord…" Coloman started, trying to keep his voice steady, and stay relaxed himself. But the tension was too strong, virtually reaching a pinnacle that would be the end of them all, and he realized all too quickly that the Lord was not going to look at them for anything. "We come to you with a…proposition." He had to pause to keep himself from shaking, his fists balled at his sides, as Orsova stood beside him. As reassuring as her presence was, and that he was doing right by the entirety of their species, he began to question if this was the best idea.

We should have waited for him to at least let the blood sink out of his system…It might have been easier to get through to him then. He turned his head slightly, looking to his fellow council member, and noticed that she looked paler. Perhaps it was just the dimness of the light? No, none of them had ever seen Viktor this far gone…He was amazed the girl was still alive, or that the Elder had restrained himself this long. Coloman chanced a glance at Iris, her wide, fearful eyes stunning him, if even for a moment.

Before, she had seemed so fearless, so full of courage, ready to face any opposition or challenge. Now…Now she was a shell of her former glory, practically clutching at Lady Sonja's hand like a frightened child. Not to mention, Lady Sonja herself looked distressed, her gaze locking with his, an almost silent plea that said: 'do something'.

No one deserves to be at Viktor's tender mercies...At least, not one of our own…Not a child. Coloman turned his attention back on his Lord, finding a bit of courage in himself. "We are asking for a re-division of troops, as some of the aristocracy has grown restless, and wishes to relocate to Buda."

Viktor did not move for several moments – moments which felt like eternity – and Coloman truly began to wonder if he had heard him at all. He opened his mouth to speak once more, but Orsova gripped his arm, halting him…So, they waited. The entirety of the room sat in silence, waiting with bated breath as he finally spoke.

"And why," his voice was a rasping growl, one that made some of them actually wince, "would I waste resources on something so…frivolous?" He sounded as if he was dying of thirst! But he knew this not to be true, had he not watched the Elder pour several goblets of blood down his throat before this very meeting?! Coloman steeled himself, the monotone rumble catching him off guard, and confessed to himself that he had actually jumped when he'd first heard the Lord speak.

"Milord, have you not been wishing to bolster the defenses of the castle since the latest attacks?" He asked, steeling himself as he treaded further into dangerous waters, Orsova still right behind him. "And even you have recently confessed that the cries of the nobles are growing tiresome, as is their constant bickering. Would it not be easier to send them off and bring in more Death Dealers?" Coloman held up his hands, as if weighing the invisible force, trying to hide the ache of his jaw from where he clenched it so tightly.

"Indeed, milord." Orsova came out from behind him. "You yourself must admit that the proposal holds merit over…previous ones." She stepped delicately, least she insult him, and he thanked her with a glance. That still left his idea open; should the time – at least a few years from now – ever arise where he could bring it forth once more.

Viktor still was not looking at either of them, his virtually black orbs transfixed on the girl across the room. "Perhaps…" His voice trailed off, the gaunt features of his face sharpened in the lack of light, and Coloman found himself using his vampiric vision to see in the gloom. Had it grown darker? Yes, it had, virtually leaving them in total blackness.

Coloman stood in his place, time spanning once more before them, wasted. An idea struck him, and he nearly backed away from it, but there was little else he could do. He slowly, ever so quietly, made his way across the floor to stand in the field of Viktor's vision…Between him and Iris. It was a very terrible mistake.

The council man almost toppled to the floor, risking embarrassment rather than staring into those desolate, hungry eyes. Although he had only seen a werewolf a few times – always from a distance – there was that same…glint in them, that the Elder now had. It was terrifying, truly dismal, and he felt his nails actually draw blood in his palms.

What have we done? This is not Viktor… No, this was some starving gargoyle bat that had taken his place, staring down from his roost at prey ready to flee. This whole plan was a farce. And while he stared into those eyes…He knew the Elder knew. Viktor knew what this was all about before it even started, and yet…He did not care.

Viktor did not care if he went mad with bloodlust. He did not care that he would doom them all to get what he wanted. He did not care then, if the girl was the closest thing his daughter had to a younger sibling. He was willing to damn everything, to make a scandal out of all of them to get what he wanted. Why? Because he was Viktor. He was the Hungarian warlord that was meant to be feared and revered, never questioned. He would conquer. And Coloman realized with even more grisly truth that there was no escape for the child. Because Viktor was Viktor, he did not care…He would have submission. She would give him what he wanted, or she would die.

He did not care.

Coloman bowed his head, unable to withstand the intensity anymore, and fought down the urge to be ill. Orsova suddenly grabbed his arm, gently tugging him to stand out of that burning field of vision. He was grateful, and although he had not sweat in centuries, he could have sworn he felt the trickle of perspiration on the back of his neck.

The girl has no hope…My gods'… Silently, he was amazed that she had made it two feet into the room without fleeing in fright. Perhaps her courage – as worthless as it was now – was not completely forgotten. "Shall we…put it to a vote then?" Coloman found his voice, his gag reflex working against him at just the simple words, and he had to put a hand over his mouth to stop the bile that rose in his throat.

A chorus of 'aye' came throughout the room, only paused by one or two, and when it came to Lady Sonja…Even she said yes. But Viktor did not seem to notice this betrayal of his kin, his eyes still focused on Iris. She was looking at her lap, her hands rubbing together, a nervous habit. He wondered rather morbidly if she had seen what he had…Perhaps that was why she looked so resigned.

"I will…take your suggestion…under advisement." His voice could cut steel, and Coloman nodded his thanks. Viktor sat still, the perfect statue of the demon everyone saw him as in that moment. The Lady Sonja and even Orsova escorted the girl out, the scribe quick to follow, and Coloman exited out the opposing passage with the other members.

He chanced a glance over his shoulder; eyeing Viktor…He had not moved. His hawk-like gaze never left Iris, staring at the door she had left through, even after she was long gone. Seeing no reason to linger, and suddenly feeling rather parched, he hurried out of the chamber.

Leaving the Elder in the darkness…

I-S-C-O-T

So…That happened. Iris is now stalked by Viktor. Oh, joy…I promised Kosta would make an appearance, but it didn't seem to be the right time. Now, next chapter, things take a turn for the worst… (Orsova scored so many badass-ry points in this chapter for slapping Viktor.) This was… a very long chapter. I don't think it's the longest. Maybe it is, I don't know, but it's got second place if it isn't the longest.

Oh, and, if you enjoy the story… PLEASE, READ AND REVIEW. It keeps me going.

Edit: More detail added, some words taken out, you know the drill. One more chapter to edit and then it's on with the show!