A/N: Here we go again... this one is a little less action packed than previous chapters but there is a bit of bloodshed at the end for your enjoyment.
XI: Fade
Takaga Café
Maya picked out a table away from everyone else and secretly activated the white noise generator in her pocket. Even if NERV was trying to listen in on the conversation she would soon be having, they would fail. Of course, every cellphone within 30' also became inoperative, but that was the nature of the machine. Within minutes of her sitting down a man in a business suit walked up to the table.
"Hello Maya," he said in a friendly tone. "Glad to see you again."
She looked up and smiled. It was Kaga Tsugaru, one of the Japanese low tier members of the order. Under normal, less public circumstances, he would address her quite differently as she was an inner circle member. But here, he would have to be more casual otherwise arouse suspicion. Maya was ok with that though, she didn't like to stand on ceremony.
"Good to see you too Kaga," she said cheerfully. "What news have you?"
"Helsing has found out that the Steel Jaws have moved a heavy mercenary unit into Tokyo-3 to deal with the so-called 'Destroyer'."
"No surprise," she said though she hated the news already. "Everyone they've sent so far has been defeated by Rei and Asuka. Things have become a bit more complicated though. I just found out that Commander Ikari's son is a Shadow Mage… and a very powerful one at that."
His face grimaced at that. "I thought Shadow Magic was forbidden."
"It isn't, just restricted… and Shinji Ikari is not an individual that has been cleared to use the power. He controls himself rather well though, so I don't think he's going to be a concern. The problem is, his enemies likely know of his capabilities."
"They're going to step up their efforts then," Kaga concluded. "Not good."
"It gets worse," she continued. "The vampire Rei Ayanami is now being hunted by the Shadow Consul."
"Why?"
"She killed some of their turned."
"Fuck!" Kaga said softly but with emphasis. "Who is this girl anyway?"
"Someone we know fits into NERV's more nefarious plans. She's also the reason I need to set up a face-to-face with Lord Helsing."
"Obviously not my department," Kaga replied. "If you want, I can get the message to him."
"No need, I have a secure phone."
"Ok then. So what do you need me to do now?"
Maya thought about it. "How are your research skills?"
Kaga chuckled. "I can find anything you need. Just name it."
"Dig up everything we have on Steel Jaw and the Shadow Counsel, and then see what you can pull up on the Instrumentality Committee."
Kaga frowned on that. "You think their might be a connection?"
"Almost certain of it," she affirmed. "There was a whisper of some secret society that is connected to the Instrumentality Committee… something called SEELE."
"Sounds ominous," Kaga noted. "Give me twenty-four hours."
"You got it," she said. "I knew I could count on you."
He smiled. "Always ready to serve," he replied.
NERV
With hands folded, Gendo sat in silence. The situation was not too his liking in the least. Section-2 reported sightings of individuals not registered to Tokyo-3 and they were suspected of packing heavy heat. Factor in Section-2's apparent breach, and Gendo could only conclude that whatever was going down, it was something big. He wasn't certain what it was but it could be anything from a mob hit to an attempted takeover of NERV by an outside agency. Neither prospect was something he was ready to deal with.
One thing did bother him more though. If this was an attempted hostile takeover of NERV, why start with Section-2? Certainly they would have an easier time pushing though other Government agencies for a forced shutdown… even get the JSSDF involved. But Gendo realized that if this indeed was a hostile takeover, that wouldn't be their best move… not while the Angels were still a threat. Instead a quite internal takeover would be needed, one that would leave the facilities intact and key personnel still active to deal with the Angel threat. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed likely they would use Section-2 for this purpose.
If that were so… why haven't they made their move yet? Certainly, they realize they've been discovered. That being the case, perhaps a takeover is not on their agenda. Perhaps it is something more specific… an individual perhaps?
"Rei," he whispered to the empty room. It was her apartment that was destroyed, and still no information as to how it happened. DNA evidence showed that there were at least 4 individuals other than Rei in that apartment before it burned down. Of the four, only two were identifiable as Section-2 Personnel. One was unidentified, and the last was still being crunched by the MAGI. He doubted an ID would come up on that one either. The DNA collected was from the ashes of the building.
Only one problem… The room next to Rei's room was mostly intact yet there were piles of ash and bone in the room… two to be specific, and these ashes were from two other Section-2 agents. Bodies are difficult to burn and their should have been more scorching in the room if they died there. Unless they were burned elsewhere and their ashes deposited in the room prior to the fire, this couldn't be explained easily… unless you knew what Gendo knew.
Rei bothered him the minute she entered his room, but he couldn't put a finger on why she did. And Gendo knew that there are only two ways a person could be reduced to ash; be burned in a superhot cremation oven, or be killed as a vampire.
As he pondered over this, the door to his office opened and Ritsuko entered the room.
"You have the results of Rei's Physical," he said. It wasn't a question.
"Right here," she replied, placing a folder on the desk.
Gendo immediately opened it and began examining everything. He made no sound and his expressions did not change as he read over the information. When he was finished he closed the folder and returned his hands to their normal, comfortable position.
"Are you certain?" he asked.
"Absolutely," she replied. "I verified it with my own eyes. She's perfectly fine. The only thing that brought any concern was the fluctuation in her Alpha and Beta graphs. It may be the cause of her sudden synchronization increase."
"Have you confirmed this with the MAGI?"
"I have. The MAGI agreed that there was at least a 77 percent probability that the shift in her Alpha and Beta waves caused the spike in her Sync scores. Honestly though, she hasn't changed at all that I can see. She's as deadpan as ever."
"Very well… I want you to conduct another back up of the Dummy Plug tonight. There is a potential risk to Rei from the outside."
Ritsuko was expecting that. "Very well, I'll get started at once." And with that she left. A moment later Fuyutsuki entered the room with a folder.
"We may have a problem, but it may only be a red herring," he stated as he placed the folder on his desk.
"What are you going on about old man?" came his sour reply. He really didn't want anymore distractions today. He opened the folder and saw photos of one of his bridge crew speaking with a businessman.
"It seems Lientennant Ibuki is having liaisons outside of NERV. We never noticed anything like this from her before. It seems too coincidental that the breach of Section-2, the report of possible mercenaries in the city and this would all happen within 24 hours."
"Indeed," he replied. He looked though the folder and seemed confused. "Where is the transcript of their conversation?"
"There isn't one. That restaurant on Takaga Street is infamous for being impossible to listen in on conversations. The engineers are still working on a way to get around it, but the sheer amount of cellphone activity and its placement make it a veritable dead zone… even for a parabolic microphone."
Gendo frowned. "I thought the problem was fixed," he said sourly.
"We thought it was. Apparently the engineering team has more work to do."
But Gendo didn't buy that at all. One of the individuals at that café must have had some form of White Noise Generator on their person, perhaps even Maya herself. He really couldn't see the normally squeamish bridge bunny involved in some external take over plot though, she was far too mousey for that… or perhaps that was what his enemies would want him to think.
"This is inconclusive," Gendo replied. But he didn't say it in a "I don't believe you" kind of way. He said it in more of a "We need more evidence" kind of way.
"We are doing our best," Kōzo replied. "Though this is probably irrelevant, I can't see her as a traitor, she doesn't have the scruples for it."
"Which is precisely why they would have chosen her…"
Elsewhere
Shinji stood in one of the NERV hallways, waiting for his father to call for him. He knew it was only a matter of time now. While NERV personnel occasionally gave him odd looks, he paid them no heed. Father was the only one who concerned him now.
And honestly, he wasn't too overtly concerned. His powers had only increased since he first began working with magic and he found he had quite the skill with Shadow Magic just as his mother did. He never bothered to question it, just accepted it, flowed with it… and as a result, all but mastered it. If Gendo tried to do something foolish, Shinji would simply call forth some mind sphere magic to alter his perceptions and turn the situation in his favor. Gendo wouldn't even realize it was happening.
Not long ago, the thought that he could do something so drastic with hardly a thought scared him… now it didn't. Was his mindset changing? Could the darkness he controlled somehow be controlling him? He didn't even give such thoughts considerations. It only seemed natural to him that he had that kind of power at his fingertips.
Sure enough, within a few moments he was called to his father's office. It was time to see just what father had to say…
Minutes later he walked into the dark lair of The Commander. The Sephirothic system displayed on the ceiling would be alien to anyone who saw it, but as occult knowledge was part of his training, Shinji understood it all too well. As he stepped towards the desk, Shinji wondered why his father would have something like that displayed in his office.
"Pilot Ikari, report."
Shinji smiled slightly. "Well hello to you too, father," He said almost sarcastically. "I'm in one piece thank you very much."
"What were you doing last night pilot," he said without emotion.
"I'm sure Rei already told you. We were out for some unwind time and got a little carried away. So we crashed at Maya Ibuki's house."
"You will refer to her as Lieutenant Ibuki."
"No, she's Maya when off the clock and that is precisely the capacity we met her in. You really need to loosen up."
Gendo looked slightly annoyed at his son's attitude. He wasn't expecting this at all… Shinji should be afraid of him and at the same time, trying his damnedest to please him, not talk to him in a condescending tone like he was one of his friends.
"You would dare disrespect me pilot?"
"See, there's that word again… pilot. Did you just conveniently forget I was your son… oh right! I forgot… how stupid of me. I haven't been your son since you ABANDONED ME!" The sudden flare up of temper from Shinji actually took him aback. He never expected this level of rage from his son and on some level it was actually a bit disturbing.
"Calm down or I'll have you thrown in the brig!" He snapped as he slammed his hands down on the desk and stood up.
Shinji waved a hand as if dismissing him. "You will do no such thing."
Suddenly, Gendo's posture relaxed and he dropped back into his chair. He felt Shinji's will push into his mind and he tried to block it out.
"Wha… What are you doing?" he called out as he grabbed his head.
"So… you are stronger of mind that most," he said, ignoring the question. "I was almost hoping for this. The more you struggle, the more this will hurt." Shinji's aura glowed dark for a moment as he redoubled his efforts. "You will not call for back up."
"I…" Gendo struggled against his son's power but couldn't resist him. "I… I will not call for back up." Commander Ikari ultimately lost the war for control of his own mind. Shinji's eyes turned dark and he smiled almost sadistically.
"You no longer need to investigate the children."
"I no longer need to investigate the children…" Gendo repeated everything he said as if in a trance.
"Everything… is alright," Shinji suggested.
"Everything… everything… is alright."
Shinji realized he had a perfect opportunity here, but now was not the time. It was only a matter of moments perhaps before Kōzo returned, already he can sense the old man approaching, and he didn't have to knock in order to enter.
"Rei is safe in my hands, I will protect her."
"Rei is safe in your hands… you will protect her…" his voice trailed as Shinji retracted his influence.
Fuyutsuki entered the room and walked next to the desk. Gendo was already back in his normal relaxed posture… the infamous 'Gendo Pose'.
"Am I late?" he asked.
"Not at all," Gendo replied. "I won't need to keep the children underground as I originally thought."
Kōzo looked surprised at that. "Oh? I thought the risk was too great."
"My son has become… quite the warrior. I'll be releasing Rei into his capable hands."
Kōzo leaned closer to Gendo. "Are you sure this is wise?"
"Trust me Sensei, I know what I'm doing." His tone was one of finality. "Do you believe you can handle this Pilot Ikari?"
"Absolutely, father. I'll make sure nothing happens to her."
"Good, then the matter is settled. Dismissed."
Shinji bowed and left the room, happy with himself.
Once he was gone Kōzo was free to speak his mind. "Ikari… this is unlike you."
"I have my reasons Sensei," he replied. "My son has proven himself to be an asset to NERV and the scenario. A little praise and more responsibility will only make his role in this so much easier. You don't approve?"
"It doesn't matter what I think," he replied. "If you're certain, I trust your judgment. You haven't been wrong yet."
"I had a good teacher," he replied. Kōzo was uncertain as to whether that was a compliment or not.
NERV Geofront, Temporary Housing
With a grunt of barely contained anger, another piece of furniture was thrown across the room. Ryoji Kaji stood against he wall with his arms crossed waiting for his current temporary roommate to calm down.
"Feeling any better yet?"
"NO!" Asuka yelled. "That baka doesn't even see what's happening to himself. Always playing the martyr… Oh Shinji is so wonderful! He can do anything he wants. Hell he'll even let the woman he loves fuck another girl just because he's too much of a pussy to drop the dead weight!" She kicked another chair across the room. Though it didn't break, it damaged the wall. Kaji didn't care, he barely stayed here as it was… not to mention he could fix the damage himself.
"Tell me again about Rei," he asked calmly.
"That fucking vampire," she growled, letting some of her more animalistic characteristics come to the surface. "I'd kill her if I thought I could get away with it!"
"Just because she's a bitch doesn't mean she deserves to be called names like that," he replied.
"Not in a figurative sense Kaji, she's a fucking nightcrawler… damned parasite! And she's got complete control over the baka to the point that he doesn't even see what she's doing to him anymore!"
Kaji's mouth tipped in surprise. "Are you serious? Rei Ayanami is really a vampire?"
"Yes, she's a vampire… a fucking Kindred bitch-whore who deserved to have her throat ripped out!"
"Who did she cheat on Shinji with?"
"That lesbo bridge bunny Ibuki! Stupid girls deserve each other as far as I'm concerned."
Well isn't this interesting… Rei gets turned to the darkside… literally, and Ibuki is cavorting with vamps. There may be some truth to her having liaisons with individuals outside of NERV after all. I wonder how Rei's managed to keep her nature hidden from the commander for so long… unless Rits is in on it too.
That was quite the revelation. NERV is slowly but surely turning against the Commander. If both a bridge tactical officer and the head of Project E were working with Rei that means there may be some other force at work here that's trying to prevent everyone from initiating Third Impact. That was actually good for him, despite his status as a Triple Agent.
"Ever think that you're barking up the wrong tree on this one Asuka-chan?"
Using a term of endearment made her stop, and back out of the transformation. Kaji was always the person who knew what was best so if even he had something to say that was counter to what she thought, she knew maybe she was being a bit judgmental.
"You're not going to give the excuse about vampires being passionate are you?"
"Actually, I was going to say something to that effect yes. Female vamps especially are prone to Nymphomania, and they usually have few inhibitions against same sex relationships if it keeps their sexual appetites sated."
"Verdammnit," she whispered and dropped to the floor in a sitting position.
Kaji said a few words in a mystic language and the damage done to the room repaired itself around Asuka.
"Now if you're quite done destroying my apartment, why don't we start at the beginning… it seems there is a lot you haven't been telling me young lady." He sat next to her prompting her to lean against him.
"I know… things have been so crazy lately Kaji-sama," she said sweetly.
Darkness
"This internal security crisis needs to be taken care of quickly Ikari," SEELE-01 (on Audio Only) said with conviction. "We can ill afford wasted resources and time. The scenario must stay on schedule. We can tolerate no delays."
"Fear not Chairman," Gendo replied. "In less than two days this mess will be easily sorted out and the perpetrators liquidated. I too have little tolerance for delays and we will stay on schedule."
"What guarantee do we have that this will be handled swiftly?" SEELE-06 asked.
"I have my best men on this and we are now very close to determining the perpetrators of this incident."
"You'd best deal with this quickly Ikari," replied SEELE-09. "No more delays will be tolerated… anymore and you won't like the result… I guarantee." SEELE-09's Monolith disappeared.
"We are done here then," SEELE-01 agreed. All other Monoliths disappeared leaving just Gendo and 01 in the darkness.
"Something more Chairman?" Gendo asked.
"You know how the game is played Ikari," he replied. "I'm sure we don't have to explain where to look for the perpetrators. I myself am all too familiar with potential attacks from the inside."
"Indeed," Gendo acknowledged. "I meant what I said chairman… the perpetrators will be found and dealt with. However I can't help but wonder if someone within the committee wasn't behind it."
"What makes you say that?"
"It's too perfect," he explained. "Someone would only go though this much trouble to take NERV intact though Section-2 if they needed it that way to deal with future angel attacks. Not to mention of all times for this to happen, it is in the lull between angels… only someone with knowledge of the angels appearance according to the Dead Sea Scrolls would know when such a time to attack was… that means one thing."
"It must be someone in the SEELE Consul… excellent deduction. At the same time, we have to assume that a 'staged' take over is also possible which could potentially implicate you. You have seen the scrolls as well Ikari."
"Indeed, I am not immune to scrutiny any more than any other consul member, but I have the least to gain by staging a takeover."
"And what do you think any of us on the consul have to gain by it?"
"More control over the scenario… perhaps even enough to pull the plug on it."
There was silence from 01, and Gendo knew he had struck something Keel didn't think about. What if someone in SEELE was backing out of this and wanted to end the scenario for reasons unknown? Perhaps their conscience was getting to them….
"I'll investigate the others and see what I can come up with," SEELE-01 responded.
"Thank you for your time Chairman."
NERV, Western Side
Rei leaned against the edge of the window looking out over the Geofront. In the distance she could see a few buildings hanging upside down on the roof, and if she focused her eyes just right, she could see the distant watermelon garden owned by Kaji.
"Hello my angel," came Shinji's voice.
"She turned to him and smiled, watching as he made his way down the hallway. He briskly walked up to her and pulled her into a kiss. Though Rei was taken off guard by the surprise display of affection, she wasted no time joining in. He always knew how to make her heart flutter without her commanding it to.
After the kiss they held each other. Though Shinji was in a good mood, there was a hidden worry in his face that betrayed him. Rei looked concerned.
"What is it?"
"Rei… I need to ask you something about your creation," he asked.
"Ask. You know I won't hold anything from you."
"I saw the Sephirotic System in father's office. Why were you created?"
Rei's face took a serious and worried look, she looked around but heard Shinji activate a white noise generator. No one was around.
"Have you ever heard of SEELE?"
"No," he replied.
Rei nodded. "I didn't think you had. Few know of their existence. They are the hidden benefactors of NERV, where most of the money comes from, but that is because they are trying to do something terrible."
"They're trying to initiate Third Impact aren't they?" he replied.
Rei nodded. She wasn't surprised that he figured it out on his own, knowing far more about the occult than most children his age should. "You remember when I said I was half-angel and half-human?"
"Yes," he replied.
"The angel I was cloned from was Lilith."
"Lilith? Adam's wife?"
"Exactly. SEELE is going to use mass production EVA's along with 01 to initiate Third Impact on their terms. That is the truth behind instrumentality."
It struck Shinji as insane. They were trying to start what the angels themselves were trying to do. But to what end, would they try to control it? Turn Third Impact in their favor?
Possible but difficult… so what was Rei's stake in this, why would father create her. Was he planning on hijacking Third Impact for… some…wait…
Shinji looked into Rei's eyes and she could see his wheels were turning. He was figuring it out on his own.
"Father is trying to hijack Third Impact for himself… to bring mom back…"
"How did you come to this conclusion?"
"Adam and Lilith are the only Angels that can do it… so by creating a proxy that was half Lilith and half mom… he could call her spirit back in the process of Third Impact… sacrifice the entire human race for one soul… barbaric!"
"He's obsessed with getting Yui back," Rei clarified. "He's beyond reason."
Shinji shook his head. "We've got to stop him… but how to do it without causing NERV to collapse in on itself?"
Rei grimaced. "I'd hate to say it, but if Gendo is killed now, SEELE will step in and take control. They'd be better equipped to deal with people like us."
"I know," he replied. "And we still have to worry about the Shadow Consul and the Steel Jaws and their merc allies Steel Dawn… not to mention The Angels themselves."
"Asuka," Rei whispered. "I have to contact my former sire. Kenjiro would know what we could do, or at least give us some options."
"Well, I secured it so that we can return to the surface at any time. My father, being a manipulator himself was difficult to convince but I at last did."
"What if it's only temporary?"
"Then our lives will get very interesting later…"
That Evening
Maya sat down at her table in a silk robe drinking tea with her laptop opened in front of her. Research notes were opened on several windows… her friend Kaga came though faster than she had anticipated.
What she read disturbed her greatly. It seemed that SEELE was definitely behind NERV's financing and may be at least on some level connected to the Shadow Consul. She couldn't believe that was possible, a vampire was on the Instrumentality Committee.
"What is the consul up to?" she wondered aloud. When she read what SEELE's actual goals were she nearly spit tea onto her computer. "WHAT? Are they insane?"
She didn't know how Kaga managed to come up with this information but after tracing his source locations she realized that what he was suggesting was something he himself determined based on the facts. SEELE was known to have possession of the Dead Sea Scrolls. According to religious texts, it was part prophecy and part timetable. It outlined the events that would happen after Second Impact in chronological order including when the angels would appear.
The information contained within was also mentioned to be connected with something called the Red Earth Ceremony. Kaga was able to determine that the Red Earth Ceremony was a process by which humanity would evolve into a new god… the problem was it involved the death of every human on the planet, merging their souls into the new god.
Based on this, Maya came to the same conclusion. Though there was nothing here that expressly stated that SEELE was trying to enact Third Impact themselves, there was little else that could be done with the material other than that.
"I don't believe it… I have to warn Helsing."
"You won't be doing that," came a voice. She turned in time to see a man in black take aim with a weapon. Maya's quick reflexes allowed her to flip out of her chair as it went off. The bullet missed her by mere centimeters. He tried to take aim again only to have a throwing blade knock the weapon from his hand. Instantly, he drew an awl. As Maya closed within melee range and swung only to have the attack blocked. Maya planted a strong upper cut into his jaw nearly breaking it and sending him off his feet.
She quickly dodged again as another gun went off behind her. Again she was missed only barely. Another knife flew from her hand and hit the man in the arm forcing him to drop his gun. He growled menacingly and ripped it out as his form shifted into something more sinister.
Maya watched as the second assailant grew to larger proportions, sprouted fangs, an elongated muzzle and razor sharp claws. He lunged as soon as the transformation was completed. The moment his feet left the ground Maya took a shallow dive sideways and spun rolling under his lunge and out the other side. With a quick spring, she was on her feet heading for her room. On the way she was assailed by another man, but she dodged his punch and broke his arm. His cry of pain betraying the fact that he was human, Maya threw him over her shoulder and kept running as the Lycan was gaining on her.
In her room she slammed the door, though this would only stop him for a moment, she grabbed her silver edge Wakazashi as the door was ripped off its hinges and spun to face her attacker. The lycan sprang the moment he was though the door and Maya leapt over and onto his back. In the same motion she drove the blade though the back of his head and though his bottom jaw. It cried out in pain and thrashed around, ejecting her onto her own bed as it tried to get the blade out. But within seconds the monster fell dead.
Sensing no more enemies afoot she ripped the blade out of the slowly reverting Lycan and found the third assailant writhing in pain on the floor in her hallway. She grabbed him by the front of his outfit and dragged him into the kitchen. She threw him against the counter and pulled out a carving knife. Before he could react his shoulder was punctured with the knife and the tip sank deep into her countertop. He screamed in pain as he was effectively pinned down.
"Now that I have your attention," Maya said sounding furious, "I have questions for you."
"Fuck you bitch," he grunted out. Maya pinned his other shoulder in response causing him to cry out again. The puncture points shut down the nerves along his arms so he couldn't move them.
"You attack me in MY house and then you lack even the simple courtesy of answering a question? Tisk tisk, where are your manners?"
"Fuck… you…" he said between breaths. Maya responded by pulling out a metal shish kabob spike and driving it straight though the sciatic nerve on his left inner thigh. The scream he let loose was louder than anything Maya had ever heard before. Inwardly she wanted to stop this, but she knew she couldn't. Months ago, she couldn't hurt a fly, but too many lives were on the line for her to be squeamish now. With resolve she pulled another one and held it near the sciatic nerve on his other thigh.
"Ok! Ok! Fuck! I'll talk!"
"Better," she replied. "Who sent you?"
"Consul Seat Member Korgan."
"And why does he want me dead," she asked.
"He said you were just as much a busy body as your grandfather..."
"Grandpa…" Maya whispered. "Korgan had him killed didn't he?"
"Yeah," the man admitted. "That's what they tell me at least."
"Why was there a Lycan with you?"
"Korgan uses the Silver Claw Clan as slave workers. They're all bound to him and will do whatever it takes to get his dirty work done. Not to mention they hate the Steel Jaw Tribe."
"So Korgan isn't happy with just wiping out the Steel Jaws, he has to turn other Wolf Clans and Tribes against them too… Where's Korgan."
The man hesitated. "I don't know."
Maya didn't like that answer and stabbed the man in his other sciatic nerve. He screamed loud and almost passed out from the pain. Maya reached over to her sink and pulled her dish spray head, turned the water on cold and spayed him awake, going so far as to nearly shove the nozzle up his nose to force his gag reflex to make him conscious.
"Hey, wake up, I'm not done with you yet," she complained.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck me! Goddamnit your crazy ass bitch!"
"Flattery will get you killed, now answer the damn question! Where is Korgan!"
"Barcelona…"
"Spain?"
He nodded. "He's looking for they one they call the Reina De Diamantes."
The name meant nothing to Maya but she figured that Helsing knew more. He always seemed to know.
"Well I guess we have nothing more to discuss."
"You… you're gonna let me go right?"
"In a manner of speaking," Maya said as she pulled another knife out and ran the man though the throat with it. He gurgled for a few seconds before the last wet breath escaped him. Maya grabbed her phone and dialed a number.
"Yeah," came a voice.
"Code 2," Maya said immediately.
"On our way," the reply came and hung up.
She looked around at the condition of her home and frowned.
"I need a new home…."
End of Chapter 11
Sanguis meus fervidus est,
Sanguis meus avidus est,
Sanguis tuus suavis est,
Sanguis tuus iucundus est
A/N: There, that wasn't so bad, got some more of the story out of the way. Next chapter should be a bit more action oriented.
Review Responces
gunman: All good points. Korgan is a fool but he's at least smart enough to keep his head on his shoulders. He saw the death of his childe as a personal attack more than anything, the bullshit of him being pissed off about having to start over with a new heir was just a way for him to justify his actions. And even vampires that are meant to take important positions have to have their fun time. Hell, half the vamps Rei killed at the gallows end were the heir's bodyguards. Much like Star Trek Federation Security Teams, they were full of fail.
NefCanuk: Asuka is still in a phase of her life where Kaji is the ideal man. Once she starts looking for fresher meat (ie Shinji), there will definitely be blood in the proverbial water.
Greenfang: I like Maya! I've always like Maya, but so few stories use her as anything more than either window-dressing or as a fuck-toy for another character (normally Doctor Akagi). I didn't want that in this one. I wanted to show what potential her character actually had. This chapter showed a darker side, but its not that she's changed so much, its that she's learned to shut down her normally dainty persona and do what has to be done. She understands how much is riding on her.
All Readers: Thanks again for reading my stories and I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter.