Chapter XX
A night of confrontations
"I am here for the one called Malachi!" The words of Daniel echoed through the grounds of Amelia's mansion. From their spot on the roof Malachi and Amelia had a perfect view of the unfolding events.
"Well then" Malachi said casually as he got to his feet and picked up his walking cane "I wouldn't want to keep him waiting would I?"
"No!" Amelia told him firmly, as she grabbed his arm "You are not to fight this man."
"Why, he's just a Lycan?"
"Malachi you can not win." She said firmly
A look of defiance swept across Malachi's face, "we'll see" he grinned, as he stepped off of the roof, and dropped to the ground. He started to walk towards the gate, unsheathing his blade and disregarding the cane's shaft. Amelia had also dropped to the ground and began to follow her chylde "Malachi, I command you to stop!" she yelled after him.
Malachi paid no attention to her warnings, instead he picked up a little speed and leapt over the gates, landing just behind this mysterious visitor "You must be very brave Lycan…" he spoke in a patronizing tone "… or very stupid."
"No talking" Daniel told him "I have not come here for conversation."
Malachi turned to face his face his opponent, as Amelia watched on in horror "Good" he smiled. At this Malachi leapt at the Lycan, swinging his blade with an unbelievable speed; despite his skill the Lycan was easily able to block his attacks with the axe he carried. Feeling the fight was not going according to plan Malachi hurled his blade at the Lycan, piercing his hand causing him to drop his axe to the ground. As Daniel let out a cry of pain Malachi flew at him, delivering a kick to his head, and sweeping him to the floor, he sat atop of Daniel and delivered a series of blows to the Lycan, then recovering his blade, Malachi drove the solid silver point straight through the Lycan's heart; Daniel stopped struggling.
Malachi stood over his fallen enemy, and took a couple of steps towards the gate, where Amelia and the Death Dealers were gathered "See what did I tell you?" he grinned at Amelia "Just a Lycan, nothing to worry about."
Amelia nodded her head and returned her chyldes smile. "Yes, well done Malachi…" she began sarcastically "Look behind you."
The smile disappeared from Malachi's face as he cautiously turned; Daniel stood up right, with Malachi's blade sticking out of his chest "Impressive" the lycan hissed as he removed the blade without so much as flinching "My turn"
"Oh shit" Malachi cringed as the Lycan flew at him.
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Viktor sat alone atop of the stone throne in the cold burial chamber that he been constructed for Amelia, this room was no where near as luxurious as the other throne room he had seen, but he preferred it, this was the lair of a warrior. He had been sitting here for hours following his discussion with Malachi, he was unsure where he stood in this New World coven, though he was wrapped up in his thoughts he soon came round when the heavy doors to the chamber began to slide open. The ancient Elder was surprised when he saw who was on the other side of the doors "Selene…"
The leather clad vampiress made her way over to the throne "I've been thinking about what you said… about forgiveness."
"And?" Viktor asked with a gleam of hope in his voice
"I don't know" Selene answered him with a stone face expression "I need you to prove to me that you are sorry."
"Anything my chylde"
"Michael's body" she stated "Where is it?"
Viktor hesitated for a moment "I have… destroyed it."
"I see" she nodded, loosing some of her composure "Then if you want to make amends, you will allow me to burry the remains I have, in a dignified fashion, I would like somewhere to mourn."
Viktor's eyes flashed with rage for a moment, how could she have feelings for such an abomination; he resented her for the fact she cared more for her own feelings than the well being of her own people "Very well" he nodded "But something discreet. I do not want his presence being made too obvious."
Selene was unsure how to respond to Viktor's complete lack of emotion, she had to resist the urge to snap his neck, and yet part of her still longed for him. Seeing her vulnerability Viktor rose from his seat and walked over to Selene "You look so lost child" he spoke softly as he brought a hand to her face, at first Selene pulled away in disgust, however Viktor persisted, he gently cupped her cheek in his hand, causing Selene to relax a little. Despite the hatred she felt for her sire, he was all she had left. Viktor looked at Selene and opened his arms, "There, there my child" he spoke gently "You are safe now" the words rang in Selene's ears, the words he had spoke to her when he found her, in that blood soaked barn, with tears running down her face she reluctantly stepped into the Elders embrace, as she had six hundred years ago. As Selene buried her head in Viktor's chest, the Elder allowed a smug grin to creep across his face, everything was coming together. He had cheated death, found Chastity, recruited Alexei and Erika, he had killed the Hybrid, and now whether she knew it or not Selene would serve him as well. Selene felt nothing but shame as she allowed herself to be comforted by Viktor, the faces of her loved ones haunted her, as she took stock of her current position she was reminded of something Kraven had told her a long time ago 'Dancing with the Devil, is warmer than you might think."
The heavy doors to the chamber slid open once again, "My Lord!" Chastity called out in an excited tone "Oh…" she said, with a hint of jealousy in her voice when she found Selene with Viktor "I'm sorry… I thought you were alone."
"What is wrong Chastity?" Viktor asked
"There's a fight" she told him
"What kind of fight?" he asked with a raised eyebrow
"Malachi's fighting some Lycan outside."
"What Lycan?" asked Selene
"His names Daniel apparently" she smiled
Viktor's eyes widened "Daniel" he hissed "Does Amelia know?"
"Yeah, she's out there to."
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"Oh shit" Malachi cringed as the Lycan flew at him. When Daniel made contact, Malachi felt like he'd been hit by a freight train, the lycan began a lightening attack on the vampire, after the first couple of punches Malachi could hardly block. He jumped away from the Lycan to try and buy himself some time, however Daniel stayed on him, thrashing away until Malachi could smell and taste nothing but his own blood. He was so wrapped up in trying to defend himself that he hadn't noticed the crowd gathered on the other side of the gate. As well as Amelia and the Death Dealers, Casper and his own team had joined them, along with Lord Viktor and his chyldren. "How long has this been going on?" Viktor asked Amelia.
"A few minutes" she cringed
"And your boys still alive" Viktor smiled "Impressive"
Malachi finally went back on the offensive, delivering an uppercut to Daniel's jaw, the Lycan staggered backwards allowing Malachi to tackle him to the ground, his emerald eyes seemed to glow with aggression, he bore his fangs and went for the Lycan's throat however Daniel grasped a claw like hand around the vampire's throat, forcing his head back, the Lycan was able to muster enough strength to hurl Malachi into the steel gates, the Vampire stumbled forward only to be met with a right hand that sent him to the floor. The silence of the on looking vampires was deafening, and was finally broken by the sound of Casper and his men cocking their weapons. "No…" Malachi choked as he struggled to his feet "I don't need your help." He again flew at Daniel, this time managing to deliver a knee to his ribs, he could feel the bone cracking as the Lycan let out a gasp of pain, grabbing a handful of Daniel's long blonde hair he forced the Lycans face into the ground a couple of times; that was until Daniel, stretching his arm to the point that he thought his shoulder would dislocate he reached out and recovered his axe, swinging it with all his Lycan might, he smashed the axe through Malachi's chest, causing him to spit up a little blood, Malachi sank to his knees and brought a hand to the gaping wound in his chest, before finally slumping to the ground.
"no…" Amelia whimpered as Daniel stood over Malachi, clutching his side, as the defiant Vampire again struggled to his feet
"Stay down boy" Viktor called out "There is no shame."
"The hell with this" Casper told his men "Someone shoot that son of a bitch!" Before Daniel could deliver another blow he was met with a hail of silver bullets, forcing him back. He had been shot before, but there was something different about these rounds, with a roar of pain, he turned and leapt off into the night.
"Open the gates!" Amelia almost screamed as she saw Malachi lying on the ground, she ran to him, and cradled his fallen body "Talk to me!" she pleaded
"I'm… fine." He choked "Just… a… lucky… shot."
"You and your pride" she spat "You could have been killed."
"Don't… be…silly…" Malachi smiled warily "He's… just… a… Lycan."
Amelia allowed herself to smile through her worry as Malachi drifted into unconsciousness. "Get him to the infirmary" Amelia ordered the armed men around her.
"Amazing" Viktor nodded to Amelia, as Malachi was carried back towards the mansion "In six hundred years no Vampire has ever survived a battle with Daniel. For a moment I almost thought he was going to win."
"What should we do?" asked Amelia
"I thought this was your coven Amelia" Viktor told her firmly "You should know what to do."
"I am asking for your advice Viktor" she spat venomously "You're the warlord here."
"I think, you should see to the boy, we have a unique opportunity here. Daniel has been off of our radars for centuries. No Elder has ever been able to track him down in time; but now we know where he is going."
"What do you suggest?" Asked Amelia
"I think it is about time I involved myself more directly in this war. I am going to take our forces to the Lycan ground, and kill them all."
"When?"
"As soon as Erika gets here."
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Nina lay next to Malachi on the infirmary bed; the axe blow had shattered some of his ribs and damaged the heart and lungs. Regeneration would not be a problem, but she still worried, Amelia had told her to free up some funds; that they were going to war, she didn't really care. "Are you awake" she whispered
"Hmm" was the moaned response she received
"How do you feel?" she whispered gently as she kissed his cheek
"Like shit" he muttered
"Can I get you anything?"
"No…" he mumbled "But you go… get some rest or something…"
"I don't want to leave you" she moaned
"I'll be okay"
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Nina walked away from the infirmary, followed by one of her guards, as she made her way back through the corridors of the mansion a single figure blocked her path "And where were you during the fight?" the figure asked her.
"Chastity…" Nina began in an impatient tone "What can I do for you?"
"You could start by answering my question, where were you when Malachi was getting his ass handed to him."
"I was in here" she replied
"Hiding?" Chastity goaded her "Behind your guards?"
"Rather that than under Viktor's coat tails." She snapped back "Now why don't you run along little girl? I've got grown up things to do." Nina looked down at Chastity and resumed her journey.
"Don't you dare speak to me like that!" Hissed Chastity as she grabbed Nina's arm
"Get your hands off of her now!" The guard said firmly
"It's okay Caleb" Nina spoke calmly "She is of no consequence. Let's go."
"Of no consequence?" Chastity repeated, as she unsheathed her sword "We'll see."
Nina allowed herself to laugh at Chastity's display "Not even on your best day little girl" she grinned "You're not in my league."
"Why?" asked Chastity "Because I haven't managed to sleep my way to the top yet?"
"Oh no you didn't…" spat Nina
"Vampire Princess?" she laughed "You're nothing but a whore." Chastity sneered at her
"Now… Now you have crossed the line" Nina said coldly
"Would you like me to get rid of her My Lady?" her guard asked
"No Caleb" began Nina as she took out her earrings, "I'll take care of this myself. Hold these." She dropped the earrings into Caleb's hands and approached Chastity.
"Come on" she goaded Nina as she swung her sword about, she made a swipe at Nina, slicing her cheek slightly, after an initial wince of pain, Nina moved forward and grabbed Chastity's wrist, she wrenched the sword out of her hand and threw her against the wall.
"I think it's about time you learnt some respect" Nina hissed as she brought a hand to the younger Vampire's throat.
"Respect for you?" she choked, before breaking free and delivering a punch to the side of her head "Why?" Chastity continued her assault on Nina, delivering punch after punch, until eventually she was punctuating her words with blows "Why should I respect you, you have done nothing for our people. I was hand picked by Viktor, trained by him to fight for our cause, I've bled for our people Nina, killed for them." She delivered another blow to the Vampire Princess, this time sending her to the floor. "And what have you done?"
"What have I done?" asked Nina as she rose to her feet and wiped the blood from her mouth "What have I done?" Nina flew into a rage and punched Chastity square in the jaw "While Amelia was hibernating, and while your precious Viktor was sleeping with the fishes, I was the one running things." She delivered another series of blows to Viktor's chylde forcing her against the wall "Now you listen to me you little bitch" she hissed as she wrapped an iron grip around Chastity's throat "This is my house, you think you can come in here and intimidate me? Why? Because Viktor's given you a sword and a few moves? No, you think you're so much stronger than me don't you. You think that because you solve your problems with a sword rather than your brain that you are better than me. Well let me tell you something, you have had things easy! You gave yourself willingly to Viktor. Me I never had a choice, I had immortality thrust upon me. I was dragged into an alley and turned, while the sickest son of a bitch to ever have a set of fangs used me as his play thing. So don't you ever think that I haven't earned everything I have; and let this be a lesson to you… just because I don't fight, doesn't mean I can't fight."
Nina allowed the now bloodied Chastity to fall to the floor, "You… bitch" she choked as she crawled across the carpet towards her sword.
Nina placed a single foot on the blade so as to stop Chastity from retrieving it, she brought a hand to her lips to find that she was bleeding, and seductively licked the blood from her fingers before delivered a final kick to the side of the fallen Chastity's head "That's Princess Bitch to you." She smiled, as she stepped over her fallen form, "Come on Caleb" she clicked her fingers and causally went about her way.