Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Note: Happy days, i managed to pull out a chapter in less than a week. In other exciting news, i got tickets for Wicked 2day :D
Elfvamp & Apathetic Sorceress, i owe chapter 10 to you. I appreciate you're procrastination encouragement.
Please read and review etc etc, it makes me :)
10
The car ride lasted mostly in silence with a few exchanges being made between Tanner and Selene regarding weaponry and defence.
"Don't worry Selene, you and Michael will be in no danger. The mansion is practically a fortress"
"It had better be" she replied sharply.
Tanner merely smirked, "I have heard tales of you, even seen you from afar on occasion. I must say you're every bit as vigilant and intimidating as I was led to believe"
"You don't know the half of it" Michael began suddenly before hastily cutting himself off.
The unexpected comment appeared to amuse Tanner highly but Selene's outrage was evident. If looks could kill, Michael was certain he would have met his end right there. Selene glared at him intensely for what seemed like an eternity and even appeared like she was about to say something, before being interrupted by Tanner.
"Maybe you're more fearless than you believe" he directed light-heartedly at Michael, who seemed glad of the reprieve from Selene's icy stare.
Selene for the most part now seemed more interested in the things passing by as she settled for looking out the passenger window.
"How far is the mansion?" Michael questioned, trying to break the palpable tension.
"Maybe an hour or so more from here"
"And who lives there exactly?"
"Exiled vampires, vampires of my making and few who decided to leave the coven over time. Also lycans of various origins, obviously"
At this Selene turned to look at Tanner, seeming almost distressed by the comment but remaining silent. Like Michael, he also seemed to detect this slight change in her countenance.
"They are of course nothing to worry about. We have been co-existing in this way for decades, centuries even. As I'm sure you know, Lucian and Sonja are not as unique a commodity as the coven are lead to believe. We believe in existence as one immortal race which is why your help is so imperative."
"You think one union of the bloodlines will be enough to end centuries of hatred and bloodshed?"
"I understand your reservations Selene but you'll see, others will join us. Afterall you're here aren't you and I'm not sure anyone would have anticipated that turn of events, considering your background"
"I was loyal to a cause I believed to be just" she retorted defensively.
"Forgive me, it was not my intention to insult you. I was merely suggesting that perhaps this is your chance to make it right"
Selene seemed to digest this as the car began to approach a towering wrought iron fence.
"Excuse me a moment" Tanner said opening the car door as he indicated to the electronic keypad on the gate, "We don't quite have the facilities of the death dealers yet"
"Comforting" Selene bit sarcastically as Tanner closed the car door behind himself and approached the keypad.
"You know, we don't have to do this. Not if you don't want to" Michael stated softly, gaining Selene's eye contact.
"Do what Michael?" she returned in an uncharacteristically soft tone matching his own.
"Any of this this"
She smiled briefly as Tanner returned to the car, the gates now slowly opening in front of them.
"I'm afraid we do Michael" she finished quietly.
As they approached the mansion it became increasingly clear that Tanner had infact not been exaggerating in terms of security. Michael counted at least 20 armed guards patrolling the area, although it was unclear to him whether they were of vampire or lycan descent.
As if reading his mind Tanner began, "Vampire guards patrol during the dark hours, changing with lycan guards before sunrise."
"Just like old times" Selene stated sarcastically.
"Not quite" he replied, disregarding her comment.
The mansion was not unlike Ordoghaz in appearance, perhaps lighter in colour but of equal stature and presence, with many roman-like columns surrounding it. As the car pulled to a halt parked in front of the building, Michael could see blackout curtains begin to descend covering the windows. Which made sense he supposed, considering sunrise was just over an hour away.
As they exited the car and began to make there way inside Tanner signalled towards a guard situated close to the entranceway.
"This is Alexander, head of our night patrol team"
Alexander was tall and refined in appearance, with soft brown eyes and cropped dark hair. He raised his hand first to shake with Selene sensing her apparent unease, before turning to Michael.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both"
"And you" Michael replied politely as Selene remained silent and seemingly on guard. Hard to break the habit of a lifetime he thought somewhat sadly.
"Any weaponry queries either of you should have, this is your man" Tanner said jovially patting Alexander on the shoulder as he passed.
"What about hand to hand combat" Selene queried entering the mansion following Tanner.
"You stole the words right out of my mouth" he replied, moving into the elaborate foyer "As I was about to say, in regards to hand to hand combat, Luca our head of day patrol is responsible. It is he who will begin Michaels training."
"Training?" they asked in unison. Selene glared slightly at Michael for doing so.
"Michael needs to learn to harness his power. His hybrid state is volatile at the moment and we can't have him as a risk, we need him as an asset. Luca will train him in the strength and power of a lycan. Alexander will teach him a vampires agility and prowess in weapons training"
"No I demand to teach him about weapons myself" Selene retorted angrily.
"That will not be beneficial Selene. You are too close. His training needs to be in a controlled environment. It is best if it's left to Alexander"
"Do I have no say in any of this?" Michael shouted angrily "It's my life after all isn't it?"
Michael thought he saw a flicker of concern show on Selene's face but it was gone just as quickly. However she did unconsciously take a step closer to his side.
"My apologies Michael but you must understand the gravity of the situation we are in here. Our time scale is limited and I fear that I alone cannot protect our people any longer should my father attack. He is much stronger than he once was."
"I just… need time to think" Michael started in almost a whisper, "It's been a lot to take in, you know".
"Of course, I understand. It is almost sunrise, I think we could all benefit from some rest. I'll have someone come show you to your room. We can continue this at sunset."
"Thanks" Michael finished as Tanner began to disappear down the hallway to the left.
"You don't have to do any of this you know" Selene said quietly, lightly brushing Michael's left hand with her right.
"I'm afraid we do Selene" he replied echoing her earlier words, intertwining his hand with hers.
"You think we can make it through this?" she asked almost to herself.
"I know we can" Michael replied lightly, squeezing her hand.
Marcus paced his room back and forth furiously. How was it possible that Tanner survived the fight? He was beyond certain that he had slain his son that night, at least he thought he was. He drove his very own dagger into Tanner's heart and watched himself as his chest rose and fell for the last time. Had it not be for the impending arrival of the lycans Marcus could hear off in the distance, he would have stayed and burned the body. He should have.
"Damn him" Marcus roared, lifting a wooden chair and tossing it easily across the room.
He knew on some level Dallin was right. The death dealer numbers had dwindled significantly in the battle, coupled with the loss of Selene and Kahn. Two of their finest. True Marcus was strong, but he was not simpleminded. Without knowing what he was up against, fighting alone was not an option. Lord knew if Tanner had managed to recruit the traitor and her pet. Marcus knew there was only one avenue he could take, recruit more death dealers. Sire new vampires. Of course this was not a task he could do himself. He was unsure of the transformation going on throughout his own body, never mind transmitting it to someone else. Even if they did survive the bite, a power struggle was not something Marcus could risk. The coven was weak as it was. Instead he would instruct Dallin what to do. He may have lacked the ruthless capabilities Marcus preferred in his death dealers, but he was adequate and could do the job sufficiently.
Favouring rest, Marcus slept in the knowledge that come sunset his plan would come into action. The death dealers would be informed and vampires would once again feast as nature intended.
Dallin continued to fire round after round accurately into the target boards placed in front of him as Gage, a death dealer roughly 100 years his junior approached.
"He has been disposed of, what will you have us do now sire?"
Dallin looked at Gage carefully, war wounds still evident on his battered face from the battle in the lycans den. He looked weary and bore the scars of many a battle.
"Rest" Dallin resigned.
"Rest? But what about Lord Marcus. Are we not to train for what is coming"
Dallin smirked ruefully, "If only we could".
"Are you certain that this is best?" Gage questioned carefully.
"I'm sure everyone has been through enough tonight. You will reassemble here before sunset, ready for Marcus inspection. That is my order."
"Sir" Gage tipped his head before hastily exited the armoury, the thought of rest clearly appealing.
Dallin once more settled his gaze on the beretta gripped in his hand and doubted any amount of training would prepare him for the battle ahead. Selene alone was a huge threat but coupled with the hybrid and now Tanner, Dallin was unsure there was even a fighting chance of making it out alive. He wasn't even certain any longer that he wanted to survive. The fighting had grown long and arduous, lies had been exposed and the list of traitors grew longer. In many ways, he longed for the mortal life he once had. Immortality definitely was not all he was promised.
Switching the gun to safety and placing it back in its casing on the wall of the armoury, he decided to ascend to his own chambers and rest until his imminent meet with Marcus.
Approaching swiftly from the recess Tanner has disappeared into, a youthful looking blonde woman - vampire- Selene had distinguished, dressed in a black tailored skirt suit complete with red silk shirt made her way towards the couple.
"My apologies for the delay. If you care to follow me, I'll show you to your room. It is my understanding that you have travelled far, I'm certain that you must be tired"
"Yes thank you, we are" Michael replied casting a glance towards Selene who appeared to be carefully scrutinising the girl.
"Selene…" he encouraged softly.
Breaking her scrutiny of the attractive vampire, she turned back to Michael.
"If you'd just like to follow me up this staircase" the woman began pointing to the staircase behind them, "Your room is to the left".
Michael and Selene wordlessly fell inline behind her, following her up the stairs until they reached the double door of what he assumed to be their bedroom.
"Tanner will send for you before sunset. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask, you can contact me using this number", she said pushing a piece of paper with a number scribbled on it, into his hand. "You'll find a telephone in your bedroom, I'm Emily by the way" she finished smiling.
After saying goodbye politely, she began to disappear back down the staircase as Michael opened the door of what was to be his and Selene's bedroom. He was taken aback by the size. Tanner had not exaggerated when he said they would find it adequate. Against the wall was a luxury four poster bed, decorated with red and black satin sheets. The room also contained a black leather chaise longue at the end of the bed, a desk with the telephone and an ensuite bathroom. Michael grinned widely, closing the door behind them.
"Can you believe this" he exclaimed.
Apparently she could. Selene appeared decidedly less impressed. He surmised this to be as a result of her life back at the vampire mansion, Ordoghaz as she had called it.
"I'm going to change" she replied tiredly lifting a t-shirt from the bag they had brought with them, entering the bathroom and closing the door behind her.
Michael sat down on the chaise yawning as he waited for his turn of the bathroom. About 40 minutes later, Selene suddenly opened the door, hair still wet and appearing in a thigh length black t-shirt he recognised to be his.
"What?" Selene questioned somewhat impatiently.
"Nothing" Michael answered quickly, "You just look beautiful, that's all"
"Don't be so ridiculous" she retorted passing Michael and pulling down the sheets, climbing into the right side of the bed.
"You know I'm right" he said lifting himself from the sofa and approaching her side of the bed, placing a chaste kiss on her lips before turning towards the bathroom himself.
She said nothing but smiled faintly as he turned his back to her walking towards the bathroom.
When he returned he could tell by the faint difference in her breathing that Selene was now asleep, with her back towards him. Quietly he switched off the light and climbed into the left side of the bed, turning and placing an arm lightly over her waist.
Next time: I know i promised Kraven in this chapter, but the timing didn't quite feel right. Maybe next chapter...
High fives to anyone who reviews, i love you most :)