A/N: The next few updates are all part of the same chapter, but it would be too big to post all at once. While I'm at it I just want to say thanks to everyone who has reviewed, and to everyone who has followed my stories. Hope you all enjoy- The Cardinal Sin
Chapter XXIV
The Road to New Orleans
Part I: Amelia and Malachi
In the East wing of Amelia's estate Malachi walks solemnly along a dimly lit corridor towards Amelia's chambers, he was apprehensive, a feeling he was not accustomed to, especially when Amelia was involved. What would he say to her? How could he comfort his mistress and sire at a time like this? Her oldest confident, her fathers oldest friend had been slain; there is no comfort for such a tragedy. He never thought he would say this, but he was actually glad Viktor was here, someone to lead the war effort with a clear head, or as clear as possible for someone like Viktor. There were people walking past him, maids, nobles, Death Dealers, they would have to be told as well, a heavy burden to be sure. As he guided the silver point of his cane along the carpet he saw a familiar face, one he was glad to see right now. "Dimitri!" he called out
"Good evening… My Lord." He replied reluctantly.
"Don't be like that Dimitri." He said dismissively "There has been an incident."
"Ziodex?" Dimitri exclaimed "I had heard."
"Something else, they got the Viceroy, he's dead."
"What? When?" Dimitri asked in a concerned tone.
"About midday this afternoon."
"Is Amelia okay?" asked Dimitri
"I'm not sure" he sighed "I'm going to see her now, and then I'm going to have to send someone to DC to investigate."
"Who are you going to send?"
"I don't know" he said shaking his head "someone from the council"
"Would you like me to take care of it?" offered Dimitri
"That would be a big help, take a couple of my guys with you."
"Who else knows?"
Malachi shook his head a little "Just us and the Elders."
"Well don't worry" Dimitri reassured him as he placed a firm hand on his shoulder "I'll take care of everything."
"Thank you" Malachi nodded before resuming his path towards Amelia's chambers. When he finally got to her door he paused and took a deep breath "My Lady?" he asked gently as he tapped her door with his cane.
"What do you want?" Amelia sniffed from the other side.
"Can I come in please?"
"Do as you wish." She sighed.
Malachi opened her door to find Amelia sat at a vanity table with a defeated look on her face, her shoulders were slumped and she made no effort to keep up appearances. She had removed her hair pins and allowed her hair to flow over her shoulders. "My Lady… are you okay?" he spoke softly, unsure of what to say.
"Oh I'm just fine Malachi." She said dismissively "Was that all?"
"Is there anything I can do?" he asked her
"Have you readied my armour and my forces?" she asked coldly.
"As you commanded." He nodded
"Then no, there is nothing more you can do."
"My lady… I…"
"Malachi… just don't" she spat, losing a little composure "I have just lost my oldest friend… and now you come in here… clinging to courtesy, giving me reports… I don't need to hear it now."
"My Lady…"
"Damn it Malachi!" she spat "Do you have any idea how much that hurts me?"
"I don't understand"
"I have just lost Eli; it is time like this when I need you to be here for me. Not as a soldier or a servant, but as a… a friend. I do not want you to call me 'My Lady'… I want you to call me Amelia; I want you to be here for me."
"I'm always here for you" he pleaded.
"Then be here for me now?" she asked in a rare display of weakness. Malachi moved across the room to his sire's chair, standing behind her he crouched down slightly and wrapped his arms around her slender frame, she instantly relaxed to his touch and brought her cold hands to his, turning in her seat she rested her head on his chest and moved his hand so that it was resting on her hair "How I long for the days when it was just you and I." she whispered.
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London England-1902
A young man awakens with a start in unfamiliar surroundings; his tattered clothes a stark contrast to the opulence of the dimly lit room he awoke in. He jumps from the couch he had been laying on; it looked like the finest leather, a look that was echoed throughout the room, furniture of the finest Mahogany, solid gold fixtures, and the floor strewn with Persian rugs. How had he got here? He couldn't remember, he had woke up in strange rooms before, but they were usually holding cells, this was far from a prison. He was even more confused when he realised that someone had taken his jacket and shoes when they had laid him out on the couch, this was a little too strange, he reached into his pocket to take out his knife, it was gone; then it started to come back to him, the alley, those men, one of them had turned into something… a monster, he knew he had stabbed it, but why? The woman… that beautiful woman… she had bit him, some gratitude he thought to himself. Then something else occurred to him, he had been wounded, badly, he had seen wounds like that before, he should be dead, and yet he felt fine. The young man lifts his shirt to find his wound completely healed.
"You look confused child" a soft, haunting yet alluring voice spoke from the darkness. "Are you going to stand there all night?"
The young man quickly turned to face the voice, and was halted by what he saw, a beautiful slender woman, with eyes like emeralds emerging from the shadows. Her perfect figure complemented with the most exquisitely embroided gown he had ever seen, far more figure hugging than the fashion of the time, and her neck and fingers adorned with the most expensive jewellery imaginable. She must have been nobility, judging by her accent, Hungarian, maybe Czech. "Who are you?" he demanded, trying to feign confidence.
"Do not be afraid" she spoke gently as she approached the young man.
"Who are you?" he repeated as he backed up a little
"My name is Amelia" she smiled "Do you remember me?"
"You were in the alley" he nodded "Those… whatever they were, they were attacking you."
"And you tried to help me" she smiled gratefully as she repeatedly circled the young man standing before her "You said your name is Malachi."
"Yes My Lady" he nodded politely "Malachi Davenport. Why am I here?"
"That is going to be an awkward question to answer" she laughed a little "I am surprised though…" she began intently, as she examined Malachi "Most do not take to the bite so quickly… I can tell you are going to be a strong one." She smiled proudly.
"A strong what?" he asked nervously
"Listen to your mind" she whispered "What do you see?"
Malachi closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment, and in an instant his mind was flooded by a thousand memories that were not his, memories of war, of beasts and of centuries of night. He opened his eyes with a start and staggered back slightly "what the hell was that?" he demanded as he collapsed against a wall and sank to the floor.
"My memories" she said soothingly "You have tasted my blood."
"Oh sweet Jesus." He moaned as he made the sign of the cross on his chest "What have you done to me?"
"I have made you great." She whispered as she crouched down next to him "Do not be afraid… You are eighteen years old, you have no family and no future; I can give you everything you have ever wanted." Malachi said nothing; he just sat on the floor and nodded his head slightly. Amelia moved a delicate hand to Malachi's face and began to stroke his cheek "Such a beautiful boy."
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"Have you made arrangements to bring back Eli's body?" Amelia finally asked
"Of course" he replied soothingly "Dimitri's gone to Washington he'll take care of everything."
"I trust you are calling in more Death Dealers?"
"Of course I am" he smiled "Every Death Dealer nationwide is heading to Louisiana."
"Then everything is set?" she asked with a sad tone
"Yes My Lady, Eli was successful in his negotiations with the president. He has agreed to put pressure on the governor of Louisiana to give us the National Guard for the duration of the battle."
"Excellent" she sighed "You are aware that Viktor and I will be leading our forces jointly?"
"Yes" he smiled insincerely
"This is not a time for pride Malachi." She told him firmly "During this battle your place is at my side."
"There is nowhere else I would rather be." He smiled.
"Come on" she smiled back "I have something for you."
"What?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Amelia rose from her chair and walked to a small cupboard in the corner of the room. Bending down, she rummaged through it until her hands emerged carrying something wrapped in a velvet cloth. "Here" she said as she passed him the parcel.
Malachi placed the velvet cloth on the vanity unit and unwrapped it to reveal two solid silver daggers, about ten inches long, with gold trim handles. "They're beautiful" he told her, as he got a feel for them.
"My father was given a set of six, by the Holy Roman Emperor himself; he was presented with them just after the first of the Lycans began to rampage through our lands, long before Markus approached Viktor."
"What happened to the other four?" he asked, as he continued to get to grips with the daggers.
"My father gave two to Viktor and two to Eli, they used to wear one up each sleeve, so if they ever lost their swords, they would have something else. I know you favour your own blade, but it would mean a lot to me if you would take these as well."
"I would be honoured" he bowed gratefully.
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London England- 1902
"Very fetching" Amelia grinned as her new chylde stepped out from behind a screen "How does it feel?"
"Good" Malachi nodded as he stood before her in a suit custom made by Cavil Row's finest tailors "I've never had a suit before."
"Well you are going to need one now." She told him "I need my court to look their best." She pulled a wad of pound notes from her purse and handed them to the tailor "Thank you, I'll have my carriage take you back to the city centre."
"Thank you" The tailor bowed gratefully as he was led away by a maid.
"Thanks for the suit." Malachi nodded as he examined his reflection "It goes well with the fangs."
"You are welcome" she smiled "Come we have a reception with the King."
"The King…?" Malachi exclaimed in disbelief
"Yes" she grinned "I have yet to meet this Monarch, as leader of our people I get to meet a lot of dignitaries. And so will you."
Malachi paused for a moment and considered his words carefully "I've wanted to talk to you about that."
"About what?" She asked with a raised eyebrow as she led Malachi out of the reception room through her London Mansion.
"Do not get me wrong My Lady… I am grateful for everything you have done for me. But I am not much of a diplomat… the only thing I was ever good at… was being a marine… a soldier."
"Those days are over now Malachi" she assured him as she placed an affectionate hand on his arm "I have my own soldiers."
"The Death Dealers" Malachi sighed "Maybe they're not enough."
"Not enough?" One of the Death Dealers escorting them spoke up "You wanna put that to the test?"
"Anytime" he grinned, as he stood chest to chest with the Death Dealer
"Nathan, Malachi! That is enough!" Amelia snapped at them
"Forgive me My Lady" Nathan bowed
"I apologize as well." Malachi grinned insincerely
"You have too much aggression in you" Amelia spoke firmly "Maybe we should see how useful you are as a warrior. Send a message to the palace; inform the King I will not be meeting with him today. Now let's see what you can do."
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In a large empty room of the Vampires London mansion, a large gathering awaits the upcoming spectacle, surrounded by a circle of Death Dealers two men stand face to face. One of them Nathan, captain of Amelia's Death Dealers, the other Malachi, her new chylde. "This is not a fight to the death gentleman." Amelia spoke up from amongst her warriors "It is merely an exhibition."
"Does that mean I have to take it easy on him?" Nathan asked with a grin
"That will not be necessary." Malachi answered him
"Well then…" Amelia called them to attention "Begin!"
The two Vampires began to circle each other, waiting for the right moment to strike, Nathan was the first to make a move, grabbing the younger vampire by the throat and sweeping him to the floor. Malachi quickly regained his balance and again faced the older more experienced Death Dealer, who had served Amelia for centuries, even before Markus had sired her. "Are you sure this is wise My Lady?" Dimitri whispered to her "Perhaps you place to much faith in Malachi?"
"Wait and see Dimitri" she said coldly
Nathan again made a move at Malachi, this time striking at his face, the newly turned Vampire was able to block or dodge all of the Death Dealers strikes, everyone in attendance was surprised by Malachi's display, after being on the defensive it was now the young Vampires turn to attack, grapping Nathan's arm he twisted it behind the Death Dealers back, forcing him to his knees. His strength was phenomenal; it was everything Nathan could do to stop his arm from breaking. Malachi released the Death Dealer and began a furious assault, pinning him to the ground and striking him repeatedly.
"That's enough" Amelia called out, Malachi stopped his attack instantly and stood down.
"Help him up" she ordered him.
Malachi held out his hand and lifted Nathan back to his feet "Not bad" the Death Dealer choked as he wiped some blood from his mouth.
"Not bad at all." Amelia smiled "Nathan!"
"Yes My Lady?" he stood to attention
"Ready a Death Dealer escort, I think I will see the king after all."
"Yes My Lady" he bowed
"Thank you; inform Malachi when your men are ready."
"Malachi? My Lady, I do not understand."
Amelia turned her attention to her new chylde who was standing rather nonchalantly after his victory over Nathan "Yes" she smiled "From now on Malachi will see to my personal security."
"You honour me My Lady." He grinned widely
"Come along" she instructed, as she took her leave of the Death Dealers closely followed by Dimitri
"I must question your judgement My Lady." He said seriously "Is it wise to take away responsibilities from the Death Dealers and give them to Malachi?"
"Of course" she snapped at him "Malachi is my heir, my only Chylde, he is in a league of his own, he is as far from a Death Dealer as I am from you. Come on Malachi!" she called out
"I'm coming" he replied as he stood amongst the rejected Death Dealers "No hard feelings mate." He grinned sarcastically as he brushed past Nathan.
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"Do you think I have the Death Dealer's loyalty Malachi" Amelia asked coldly as she rested her head on Malachi's shoulder.
"Of course" he reassured her "You are the Elder."
"So is Lord Viktor" she sighed
"What do you mean?" he asked with a curious tone
"Viktor has never been one to take a back seat, when all this is done, only one of us can lead."
"You think he plans to seize power?" He asked angrily
"No of course not" she said dismissively "But one of us will have to slumber… and I do not want it to be me."
"And you think if Viktor commands the Death Dealers that will give him legitimacy to reign first?"
"It will" she smiled wearily "The Death Dealers are loyal and noble warriors, but after everything that has happened since my reign began over a century ago, they may prefer to serve Viktor."
"What do you mean?"
"I favoured you over them, I allowed Nina to empower Casper and his men right under my nose, and now I allow those men wearing Kraven's uniforms to stay in this house."
"The Death Dealers are of no concern to you My Lady, you have the full support of the Council, Ziodex and more importantly the nobles. If you don't want to hibernate, no one can make you."
"The Nobles" Amelia laughed "They are all to busy lounging around the house, drinking smoking and enjoying the opulence centuries of war have made possible."
"Even so My Lady, they are the people whose opinions matter, they are the people the Council represent, and it is their fortunes that keep Ziodex and our other industries running…"
"Thank you" she gently interrupted him "You always try and make me feel better."
"That's what I'm here for." He whispered as he leant over and kissed the top of her head.
She squeezed his hand in a gesture of gratitude and sat silent for a moment "How has Selene reacted to the Erika's arrival here?"
"Why?" he asked her
"Just curious"
"I don't think she has much time for Erika, besides… I think she's too busy trying to decide what she makes of Viktor."
"Ah yes" Amelia smiled "They have been spending more time together haven't they?"
"Yes they have." He replied, giving a disapproving look
"You do not seem too happy about that Malachi… Are you jealous?"
"Why would I be?"
"Because you brought her here to be your little ace in the hole; she had been through a lot and you took her in and offered her sanctuary. However you were getting something in return."
"Like what?"
"Lets be honest Malachi, Selene is the strongest of us. She has all of our strengths, and more. She has none of our weaknesses, and having her… working for you, was highly beneficial to you. But its more than that, you have always had a soft spot for Selene, and now she finds solace in Viktor rather than you, you preferred it when she was your little victim, am I right?"
"No" he said simply
"Of course not" she smiled "Here" she passed him his cane "We have a war to win, I want you to go to Lord Viktor try and work out a role for Casper's team and Erika's men."
"Don't you want to be involved in that decision?" he asked her
"Casper and his men are your responsibility, and I could care less about…"
"Alexei"
"Right, Alexei" she nodded "I could care less about his team. You take care of it."
"Very well" he bowed and headed for the door.
"Malachi…" she called after him "Thank you… for being here for me" Malachi nodded and left Amelia alone in her chambers "Alone again" she sighed bitterly.