It was a cold rainy night of January, in the city of Budapest, Hungary. A bitter wind was blowing above the town, as she could recall, and the raindrops were biting to the touch. Thick grey clouds were covering the entire sky, and absolutely no stars were apparent. As far as she could remember, this cold night was the worst she had ever experienced… or so she has once thought.

If I tell you, will you listen?

Will you stay?

Anyanka was standing in the middle of Viktor's wide lodgings, as her Sire was giving his back to her, looking out the window, always the same stern expression on his aristocratic features.

"You have sent for me, my Lord?" Anyanka had asked gently as she had always spoken to him.

Viktor slowly turned around to face the young Vampress he had taken care of for more than seventy years. His features slightly softened when he laid his cold eyes on her. "I have, my dear," he said softly, "for I have something very important to put you aware of."

The edge of Anya's heart-shaped lips curled into a slight smile. "Of course, my Lord," she said. "I'm listening."

Will you be here forever

Never gone away

Viktor stepped towards her and stared into her eyes. "Anya," he began smoothly, "I know that what I'm about to tell you may be hard for you to acknowledge," Anya's big blue eyes narrowed slightly at what he said. "but I want you to know that I am not willing to hurt your feelings."

"Why would you, my Lord?" Anya asked sceptically. She knew that something was wrong, and she could feel that Viktor somehow felt bad about it, whatever it was.

Viktor paused and looked away, another stern look on his pale figure. "Amelia's Awakening is set to occur tomorrow night," he slowly began. "And as you know, Anya… it is part of the Covenant that only one of us three Elders is to rule during a full century." He turned his head back to Anya and saw that the latter was gazing at him in confusion.

Anyanka knew perfectly what he was talking about. The Covenant, the Awakening, and the one hundred years slumber… Viktor had taught her everything when he had brought her back to the mansion.

However, Viktor continued, always in a stern voice, "Therefore, tomorrow night, I shall return to slumber. For the next two hundred years," he said dimly.

Anya could still remember how she felt when Viktor had told her that he would be gone for two centuries. Actually, she couldn't feel anything; she was numb, frozen in front of him, not believing what he had announced her. Of course, she knew about the Awakening and the one hundred years slumber, but never had she thought that this day would come so soon. It's only a few moments later that she would actually react to what Viktor had declared.

Never thought things would change

Hold me tight

As for Viktor, he knew exactly how she felt; he had always known how she felt, since he had first laid eyes on her. He also somehow knew that she had feelings for him. It was in fact quite obvious, by the way she had always spoke and looked up to him. Furthermore, only Viktor himself was able to make a smile appear on her beautiful features. And Viktor was perfectly aware of this fondness he had himself taken for Anya. But was this soft spot becoming a real passion he possibly could be feeling for her? 

A slight sigh escaped Anya's throat as she managed so say something, despite the shock. "You're leaving…" she said, rather disbelievingly. Her own words of truth made her beautiful blue eyes fill up with tears. She looked away, fearing that Viktor's own stare could cause her threatening tears to shed.

Viktor's cold expression softened as his saddened eyes looked down at Anya. "I'm sorry, my sweet," he said. He brought his hand to her chin and raised her head up so he could look into her pretty face. "But I have no other choice." He saw that her eyes were now watery.

Swallowing back her tears, Anya looked back at him. "I know you don't, Viktor," she started weakly. "but after all these years… I can't believe you're leaving," she looked away. "Leaving me," she sensibly asked, almost whispering.

Viktor looked at her, almost heartbroken. "I won't be leaving you, Anya," he said as he brushed the side of her pale face. "Never will I leave you, my dear." And so he had pulled her towards him and had taken her into his embrace.

Please don't say again

That you have to go

Anya closed her eyes, but in the process caused one crimson tear to flow down her cheek. She still hadn't come to believe that Viktor was truly leaving, for two hundred years of their immortal lives. He, who had taught her everything, who had helped her forget about her cruel past, and who had always been there to guide her through the years. How was she going to live without him?

Viktor looked down at his favourite while he was stoking her beautiful hair. He could sense that she felt good in his embrace. And so did he. And even though it was difficult for him to admit, deep down inside, Viktor wished he could stay with her for another century. Perhaps he did love her, in the end. In spite of that, he knew his pride wouldn't allow him to spend any more precious time with his beloved, so he unwillingly pulled away, yet still holding her by the arms.

Viktor gazed into Anya's eyes and wiped her tears away with his fingers. "Don't cry, my darling," he said smoothly. "I don't want you to be in pain during my absence."

Anya swallowed a sob as she looked down. She wished so bad that Viktor could stay with her forever, but she knew that the Covenant wouldn't allow him to do so. It is true, that for two whole centuries, she had to go on without him, and the least she could do was to show him that she was strong and willing to keep on training, and become the best of his Death Dealers. But still… she didn't want him to leave.

A bitter though, I had it all

But I just let it go

"Alright," she almost whispered. "I will not fail you, my Lord." She paused and gazed back into his eyes. "Promise me you'll be back soon, Viktor."

Viktor brushed the side of her face again, and said truthfully, "In two hundred years, we'll be back together, my sweet. I promise." And so he had gently placed a kiss on her forehead and looked into her eyes. "Goodbye, Anya."

He slowly turned around and started to walk towards the door, leaving Anya behind, speechless. Although Viktor didn't show it, he really was saddened that he had to leave her behind. He slightly sighed to himself, showing that what he was doing was against his will.

Hold your silence

It's so violence since you're gone

As for Anya, she stayed silenced for a short moment, pondering about her close future without her Sire and mentor. She could still remember how she thought she was going to be nothing with him gone.

Swallowing another sob, she followed him to the door. "Viktor, wait…" she called almost in distress.

Viktor turned around to face her, his cold mask back on his pale features. "What is it, Anya," he more stated than demanded. Of course, he knew what was wrong.

Anya looked into his pale eyes as another tear went down her cheek. "I… I don't want you to leave, Viktor," she admitted openly. Viktor looked back at her as his expression yet again softened. "I want you to stay with me. After all these years, you have thought me how to fight, you have guided me through everything… you have always been there for me." She paused. "If you're not here with me… how am I going to make it? How am I going to live without you…" Another tear.

Viktor looked down at her, unsurprised by all these confessions. So many of her features reminded him of his lovely wife he had lost centuries ago. Same deep blue eyes, same soft skin, same lovely lips… Viktor pulled her towards him as to kiss her, but then stopped himself. He deeply stared into her eyes, and so did she, perhaps taken aback of his act.

All my thoughts are with you forever

Till the day we'll be back together

"Anya… I can assure you that you'll be fine without me." Yet again, he wiped her tears away. "I want you to promise that you'll wait for me," he almost whispered.

Anya stayed silent for a second, staring into his eyes, but then swallowed another sob and quickly nodded. "I'll be waiting for you, my Lord. I promise." She paused and looked away, but then looked back at him. "I will miss you, Viktor."

Again, Viktor gently brushed the side of her face, and down to her neck. "I know, my darling," he said softly. "I will miss you too." He paused for a moment, still looking into her blue eyes, but then he slowly turned around.

And so he had opened the door and had left his quarters, leaving his beloved alone in his own lodgings. Anya stood still for a moment, frozen to the spot, but it hadn't been ten seconds he was gone until she had broken into tears. Anya fell to the floor on her knees as she brought her pale hands to her beautiful face. Viktor was gone, and all she could do was to wait until he comes back.

I will be waiting for you

 

Anyanka could still remember the awful pain and sorrow she felt that night, when Viktor had gone to slumber.

If I had told you

You would have listened

You had stayed

She opened back her eyes and sighed languidly, passing these memories over and over again through her weary mind. Yet again, another sleepless morning. Nevertheless, she had absolutely no idea why, for the fact that Viktor was alive had greatly soothed her thoughts. But one thing Anya knew is that she will know no rest until the day Selene will be definitely dead.

She had spent the entire evening gazing out the window, for the sun and completely disappeared to make place for the silver moon.

Infuriated that she couldn't get some sleep since three whole days, Anya sighed again and closed her eyes. Which was a big mistake, because as soon as her eyelids blocked her sight, unwilling visions invaded her mind. Anya brought a hand to her temple and groaned in slight pain as she frowned.

Standing in a huge room, she could sense an unusual chilliness surrounding her mortal body. He kept on walking towards her, his tall figure towering above her thin silhouette. She could feel his cold hands on her warm arm and on her waist, but she somehow knew that there was nothing to be afraid of. She didn't fear anything at this moment; the only emotion she felt was sorrow and mental pain.

Her eyes widened and her muscles became tense when she felt his fangs sinking into the warm flesh of her neck. This night, he had made her a Vampire, and had by the way granted her of immortality. Warm crimson blood flowed down the now cold skin of her neck and shoulder and her eyes flicked opened, discovering bright blue vampiric orbs.

Outside her door, Viktor was standing stiff, his cold blank eyes fixed on her elegant figure. He had waited all morning to have a moment alone with Anya, and since Marcus was now busy with their prisoner, the perfect moment had come.

Although Viktor's feeling for the young maiden were still vague, he knew that he owed her some considerate diligence, for she had allowed him to come back to life after his demise. And furthermore, he had always been there for her, in the past.

Viktor took a few steps into Anya's bedroom. The more steps he took towards her, the more he could feel the warmth of her cold body's presence get to him and melt his frozen heart of stone.

She was quietly roaming through the filthy sewers of the Underworld, the humidity surrounding her giving the impression of suffocating. Although it seemed to be silent, the atmosphere wasn't, for the sound of her light, anxious steps, the drops of water leaking from the many pipes and dripping into the puddles, and the weary and smothered whispers of the dead souls were plaguing her head.

She knew she shouldn't have gone there, for when she saw his dead body lying in front of her, she dropped to her knees as her warm crimson tears flooded her frail hands.

And the truth came to her. Swearing to herself that she'll avenge him, a sharp dagger drew a wound in her palm and crimson fluid flowed down onto his grave.

Anyanka suddenly felt cold hands on her bare arm and neck. It had done this to her many times in the last two days, but only this time, it was real.

You would be here forever

Never went away

She dryly opened her eyes and sighed languidly. "I have somehow sensed your presence," she said faintly.

Viktor raised an unsurprised eyebrow. "I have always admired your instinct," he told her softly.

Anya slowly turned around to finally face him and her cold eyes lightened up. "Viktor… you have no idea of how much I've missed you," she said. "All these never-ending years I've spent without you had been so empty and lonely."

Viktor stroked the side of her pretty face. "I am very pleased to see you again, Anya," he said. A smile gradually appeared on Anya's face and Viktor smiled back at her. "You were not sleeping, as I see," he stated.

"I couldn't," Anya replied, as her smile gradually disappeared. "Truth is that for the last two days, I haven't closed my eyes." Her cold stare left his.

Viktor arched an unsurprised eyebrow. "And why is that, tell me," he more stated than asked.

Anya turned her head away from his stare. "It's because of these visions that have been plaguing my mind," she confessed. "Visions of a past long ago forgotten… cruel events…and visions of your very own death, my Lord," she said as her eyes once again locked with his. Her heart still ached when she thought of that.

Viktor's eyes saddened as he saw the shattered expression in her eyes. "And do you have any idea of why these visions have been transmitted to you?" he demanded gently.

"You are my Sire," she said consciously. "Other than this, the only thing I know is that my life had literally stopped when I saw you dead, Viktor."

Viktor's heart ached when he identified the pain in her voice. "Don't worry, my darling," he took her hand in his and quickly examined the dim wound in her palm. "Everything is over now, Anya." He stared back into her eyes.

It would never had been the same

All our times would have been in vain

Because you had to go

"I'm so delighted to see you alive, Viktor," Anya continued. "You can't imagine the pain I felt when Mason had proclaimed your demise. And when I saw you dead myself… my world had tumbled down. I have shed endless tears during entire days and nights."

Viktor stroked her beautiful hair and brushed the side of her face down to her neck. "I know, dear. I've seen everything," he said to what Anya arched a suspicious eyebrow.

Anya was confused. There was something strange in what he had said. "You've seen everything? I don't understand," she said, puzzled.

His cold hand always on her neck, Viktor pulled her more towards him, as his other hand left her palm and went up her bare arm. "Anya," he started, almost whispering. "These so-said visions you've had, the memories coming back to you, the blood leaking from your hand…"

Anya's eyes widened and she frowned. She looked at the hand that she had found bleeding two nights ago. She could still feel the warmth of her precious blood flooding her skin. This fact, she couldn't explain it. But then, she knew.

She looked back into Viktor's eyes and said, almost disbelievingly, "You were alive." She suddenly went pale as she remembered.

She pulled a sharp dagger out of her belt and traced a gash deep into her palm. Blood started to leak and she turned her hand upside down, pouring her very own essence of immortality onto his dead body.

She had absolutely no idea of what she has just done.

Anya's heart made a single jump and her eyes locked back with Viktor's. "I have awakened you," she said almost incredulously.

The sweetest thought had it all

Because I did let you go

A sly smile slightly appeared on Viktor's aristocratic features. "You have, my darling," he said. "And for this, I'd be forever thankful to you." Again, he pulled her towards him as to give her a kiss, but was interrupted by the sound of footsteps outside the door.

All our moments keep me warm

When you're gone

Viktor suddenly turned his head away from Anya as his usual stern expression was back on his features. He turned around and walked to the door, leaving Anya behind. The latter was still rather in a haze, whether it was because of what she had just learned, or because of Viktor's advances.

Viktor came out of Anya's bedroom and saw that Mason and two of his other Death Dealers were strolling down the hallway, rifles in hands and in direction of the Elder's own quarters. Viktor raised a suspicious eyebrow, wondering what in the world was wrong now. "Mason!" he called as he started to walk towards the Dealers.

Mason turned around at once when he heard Viktor. "My Lord," he said professionally. The two Vampires met half way of the corridor and Mason bowed down before his Lord. The other warriors arrived behind their captain and did the same.

Viktor shot him a glare for interrupting his encounter with Anya. "You may rise," he said sternly. "May I ask what's wrong, servant?"

Mason stood up before Viktor and sighed. "My Lord," he began. "The traitors have been located."

Viktor's cold blue vampiric eyes widened as his expression darkened. He felt another presence behind him and slightly turned his head to see that Anya had joined him. "The traitors," he said at the attention of Mason.

"Selene and the Lycan, my Lord," Mason added. "It has been reported to me by a Death Dealer on mission that he had seen them roaming through the streets of the town."

Anya's eyes widened in abhorrence, but then a sadistic smirk gradually appeared on her beautiful features. The only thought of herself choking Selene to death was enough to please her. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Viktor's grave voice.

"Well then," the Elder began. "I can assure you that they won't be wandering around for any longer," he said cruelly. "You shall send off your best Death Dealers to the streets and keep contact with the one who's already there."

"May I suggest, my Lord, that perhaps Lord Marcus should be put aware of this," Mason said.

Viktor's cold eyes seemed to stare into emptiness when he thought of the other Elder. And the thought of Marcus being an abomination only made him rage even more.

Viktor's eyes yet again met Mason's. "Do as you wish, Mason, but keep something in mind," he started. "I will take care of Selene myself," he said solemnly. "Now we shall leave at once." He made a step foreword as Mason and the other Death Dealers left. 

Anya's features lightened up. "I'm coming with you," she said suddenly. If Viktor was to dispatch Selene himself, Anya's only wish was to assist her demise. 

Viktor turned his head to face her. "You aren't, dear," he said firmly.

Anya was taken aback of his reaction. She had always thought that Viktor would be glad if she could assist him in a duty. "What… why?" she asked, surprised.

Viktor turned around and started to walk, as she followed him from close. "You can't come, Anya, so put it this way," he said in a grave voice. "It's too dangerous."

Anya couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Dangerous?!" she exclaimed. "How can it be dangerous, I'm a Death Dealer, and I know what I'm doing--"

She interrupted herself when Viktor completely turned around to face her, towering above her. "Listen, Anya," he started. "I can't afford you to go walk around when an abomination is roaming somewhere through these streets. I don't want this thing to harm you."

Anya looked back into his hardened blue eyes. "And I don't want anything regretful to happen to you, Viktor," she said sincerely. "If ever the same thing was to happen again… I won't be able to go on."

All my thoughts are with you forever

Till the day we'll be back together

Viktor's featured softened. "Nothing will happen, Anya," he said reassuringly. "I'll be back. Now I want you to wait for me here."

Anya looked into his eyes as she remembered the last words he told her before going to slumber, a century ago. She swallowed and sighed. "Alright," she said dimly.

I will be waiting for you

Viktor stroke the side of her face with his hand and stared into her eyes before turning around to leave. Anya stared at him while he was strolling down the hall, and disappearing into the darkness of the night. Her cold blue vampiric eyes hardened as she frowned.

If Viktor thought she was patiently going to wait for him at the mansion while he was going to be battling the hybrid and choking Selene's life away from her, for once, he was in the wrong.