Hope you all have found the time to get Van Alen Legacy and read it. There was a lot to take in. Lots of information! But well worth the wait and read! And that last chapter...let's just say it made me very, very happy.
Chapter 35 - Uprising
Mimi felt like she was betraying Dan. She could not cry for him. She just sat there on the wet grass, staring out. She knew it would be a good idea to get moving. How else would she explain herself if she was found at the scene of plane crash as the soul survivor?
She fixed the collar of Dan's shirt and combed her fingers through his blood-dried matted hair. There were no words as to how much she hated the Silver Bloods. She even considered it more than she despised Schuyler Van Alen. And that was when it all made sense to her. She wasn't going to cry, not like some pitiful human. She could do one better, she'll exact revenge.
"Madeline, I'm sorry my dear." Mimi recognized his voice, the one she called father.
"Michael." She turned around, choosing his formal name over his current alias.
Charles Force looked uncomfortable, his eyes moving from Dan to Mimi, looking like he was about to say something fatherly. She nearly scoffed, not wanting to hear it.
"Sorry if I sound frank, but where the hell have you been?" Her tone was even, but the look her eyes was all business.
Anger flashed in his eyes, he wasn't happy to be spoken to like that. "Regrouping. Where are the others?"
Mimi shrugged. "I don't know, London? We've been running around Europe. And to be honest, I'm getting tired of it."
He nodded, "Come with me, I've garnered us a safe-house. Let the Red Bloods take care of this mess."
Despite the sick amusement his current tormentor had with him, Oliver had been relatively left alone in this cramp over-sized closet they deemed worthy as his prison cell. But despite being left alone, he still had not been sleeping very well in said, cramped closet. The building they were in creaked and moaned throughout the day, giving a clue as to how old it was. Loud creaks from the wooden floor taunted Oliver's sleep deprived sanity.
The tiny room was his windowless hell. And having stayed in this solitude for god know how many days, he was well acquainted with every nook and cranny of the room. His only indication of time were the faraway, melodic birds chirping. Every dawn, they sang their song and Oliver's hope fell deeper into a dark, bottomless, chasm.
Oliver attempted his nervous pacing again, hoping to work some feeling back into his numb legs. He only managed to get out three steps before having to turn around and repeat the process. A noise outside his door halted his movement, fear freezing his limbs in place.
He guessed it had been almost three days since his new playmate came to visit him. Something was keeping his pal busy, it was keeping them all busy. Oliver strained to eavesdrop on any muddled conversations coming through the walls. Whatever it was, the Silver Bloods were on edge. And it had to be good sign if it was keeping them off his own back. And while it was nice to be left alone. It also meant the bucket they gave him to be used as a toilet had yet to be cleaned out.
It fell dead silent again. He was waiting for the tell-tale sign of birds chirping, marking another morning he would be spending in here. And in this silence, his stomach took the opportunity to remind him how hungry he was. He uncorked the jug they left for him filled with water and took a swig. It still smelled of red wine, and the water tasted of it too. Oliver slouched down, giving up on his attempted exercise and closed his eyes. Maybe he'd be able to get a nap in.
Given his bad luck streak, he had expected to be interrupted when he had gotten to edge of unconsciousness. But what surprised him was who had decided to pay him a visit.
"Dylan." There was a hint of surprise in Oliver's voice, and later on he would admit a little bit of hope.
The tall Silver Blood quietly walked in, closing the door behind him. "We're moving again. Something's come up."
Oliver took a moment to register what Dylan had meant. Then he pressed his luck for a location. "Fine, where to?"
Dylan frowned, taking in the dismal looking room. For a second, Oliver thought he wasn't going to answer him.
"You won't be coming with us. Plans have changed."
The statement shook Oliver to his core.
When Charles mentioned safe-house, a dirty looking, nondescript building came to mind. And that was exactly what Mimi saw as they pulled up to the building, a fairly well sized brick building on the east side of Murray Hill. But once inside the studio, it looked the complete opposite. While the interior decorating needed a little help, it was still pretty decent. It would have been more than enough for a middle-class family.
Watching her pretend-father walk into the studio, placing his keys on the kitchen counter was weird. Mimi could never imagine Charles living anywhere but the lap of luxury. And he seemed so at-home, walking through it like any other day. Mimi followed him in, stopping just short of the threshold, taking her surroundings in. She noticed there were others in the studio.
Three Blue Bloods were situated through-out the studio, busying themselves with whatever vigilante vampires do during a war. Mimi didn't recognize the first two, but the third was Mrs. Van Horn. The older Blue Blood made her way over to Charles to greet him. Mrs. Van Horn pulled at the sleeve of her dark gray tweed jacket, fidgeting. Charles leaned into ear to whisper in her ear. Mimi saw a flash of grief come over Mrs. Van Horn, but it was gone before Charles pulled away. She may not have been Dan's real mother, but it didn't make the years raising him any less meaningful.
Mrs. Van Horn looked up just in time to catch Mimi's stare. After acknowledging Mimi, Mrs. Van Horn walked away into another room, solemnly pulling out her phone and closing the door.
"Such an ephemeral quality of life. Quite contradictory for creatures like us." A fourth member of Charles' band of fighters emerged from the room Mrs. Van Horn retreated into, her voice as angelic as her features.
Mimi nearly stumbled upon seeing Allegra Van Alen. She reigned in the impulse to drop her jaw and worked to keep her expression blank.
"Azrael." The feminine voice floated into air, sweet like honey. "It's good to see you are alive and well."
Yeah, I'd bet. Mimi nodded, forcing a meager bow and kept her tone even. "Likewise, Gabrielle."
"I suspect my daughter and your twin are in some kind of trouble."
Mimi shifted uncomfortably. The subject those two broached would always be a sore spot for her. She wasn't sure how much of their story Allegra knew, "I wouldn't know, I was too busy trying to keep from burning alive after my plane crash landed. Were they attacked?"
Charles cleared his throat. "We would assume so, if the Silver Bloods were willing to take out a whole lear jet just to get you. What were you all thinking?" Not surprisingly, he was upset they didn't heed his orders to stay in hiding.
Mimi fought the urge to bark back at him. She brought them up to speed with their great adventure across Europe, about Dan and Vanessa, and Lee and Rachel. She could have sworn there was a hint of pride in his eyes as he heard about their survival.
In turn, Charles explained his side of the story. When he had left them, he went on his way to securing Allegra Van Alen. The Silver Bloods had had their sights on the leaders in the Blue Blood community. And they were smart to do so, taking advantage of the chaos and picking out any of the stronger opponents. Charles understood this and had to keep Allegra out of Silver Blood hands. No matter what his past history was with her, Allegra was still a prominent player in this vampire war. All the while, he had a hell of a time getting her out of her coma.
He had been unlucky until a couple days ago. Even with the blood they forced into her system, Allegra fought the effects. What changed Allegra's mind, Mimi could only guess. And the powerful Blue Blood sure wasn't going to divulge anything to the likes of her.
The next part of Charles' plan was what excited Mimi and had her little trip to this studio better ten-fold, a plan of attack.
"Finally!" Mimi breathed. "It's about time we go on the offense." Mimi reveled in it, her limbs already began to tingle with sensation.
Charles nodded and chanced a glance at Allegra. Allegra stared out at the wall behind Mimi for moment before returning his gaze. "I'll do this for you Michael, but as I said, you must promise to do something for me."
Charles stared back. For a second, Mimi thought they were telepathically conversing. But that would be impossible as they're bond was broken. The memory of such started a pang in her heart, but it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be.
"And as I said, I agree and will stick to my vow." Charles nodded.
The awkward silence between them was heavy, the two ex-lovers continued to stare each other down. So Mimi broke through it, with a little pep in her speech, "That's settled then. So, who do we get to kill?" Her dark grin felt good on her lips.
With Allegra awake and teamed up with Charles, they could reinvigorate the Blue Blood community. And now that Mimi had joined their ranks, lending them her incredibly large appetite for destruction. They could fight back and they would be a force to be reckoned with.
Dylan wasn't exactly a man of many words. And when the Silver Blood stepped closer to him, Oliver said a little prayer. Dylan's face was unreadable as we walked toward Oliver, completely blank. His hand disappeared behind him and came back out with a familiar looking gold dagger. The dagger hovered above his head, barely glinting in a streak of light from outside his cell.
And just when Oliver had prepared for the dagger to take his life, Dylan flipped it, hands catching the dagger by the blade, offering the hilt to him. Oliver blew out a breath he didn't remember holding.
"When they come for you, do what you need to do." Dylan shook the dagger impatiently when Oliver didn't accept it right away.
Oliver blinked, thinking it was too good to be true. "Is this some sick game? Dante likes it when his food fights back?"
Dylan rolled his eyes. He grabbed Oliver's hand and shoved the dagger into it. "Listen up. If Dante comes back, he is going to kill you. Bliss will give him the green light today, and he's going to go balls to the wall crazy for it."
Oliver gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously with fear. "What's going on." The question came out quieter than he would have liked.
Dylan sneered, apparently finding his changed in mood amusing. "Somethings happening in New York. The Blue Bloods have gotten their act together and are retaliating. And we believe Allegra has risen."
Oliver sat there stunned.
"Schuyler is going to need this. Don't lose it." Dylan put extra emphasis on the latter part about the dagger.
It looked like Dylan wanted to tell him something else, but he was fighting it. He looked away, "There isn't any saving her." .
He was meaning Bliss, Oliver assumed. But before Oliver could say anything Dylan quickly turned around and left the room without a word. Oliver looked down at the weapon in hand, and noticed there was dried blood crusted where the hilt met dagger. He hid it behind him, tucking it in the waistband of his pants.
Oliver got a good hour of sleep when the shouting woke him up. The nap rejuvenated him a little, as he bounced up onto his feet. He strained to hear the commotion, it sounded like a maniac was coming for him. And just as Dylan predicted, Dante burst through the door with a smile that was reminiscent of Hannibal Lector.
"Looks like you've outstayed your welcome." The unbalanced Silver Blood announced.
Oliver backed into the corner. "Looks like."
Dante lunged for him, fangs aiming for his neck. And what Oliver could only assume was a fight or flight reaction, he swiped the dagger out and plunged it into Dante's neck. A wet gurgle was breathed into his ear and Oliver could feel warm liquid running over his hands. With the upper-hand, Oliver shoved Dante back. The Silver Blood gurgled, pain streaked across his face. Before anything else could happen, Oliver pulled the dagger out. Wincing as he thought about what he had to do, Oliver hesitated. Dante had gotten close enough to nick Oliver in the cheek and neck with his twin fangs.
Dante could see the hesitation in Oliver and lunged forward. Knocking Oliver back hard enough to knock his head hard on the wall behind him. Oliver saw stars, his head throbbed painfully, and he struggled to get to his feet. With a fistful of his shirt, Dante pulled Oliver forward with a growl. Before Oliver could register what was happening, Dante sunk his teeth deep into neck and he howled in horror.
With the dagger still in hand, Oliver stabbed the Silver Blood in the heart. Kill or be killed, Oliver forced the dagger in deeper. With a lifeless sigh, Dante's clamoring stopped. Oliver shoved at him and he fell back with a thud.
Oliver grabbed his neck, feeling an unnatural amount of his blood coating his hand. He didn't realize how violating that had felt when it was forced on him. Using the dagger to cut off a piece of Dante's long sleeve shirt, he pressed the cut fabric onto his neck and made a break for it.
It was fairly warm for today, Schuyler thought. Her footsteps scratched against the pebbled sidewalk, kicking up debris as she fought the need to drag her feet. She was tired, both mentally and physically.
They had avoided the cathedral. It was obviously a trap. But they also had been doing three days worth of reconnaissance, checking out the surrounding area for signs of Silver Bloods and came up with no leads. Nothing was more frustrating than that.
The cathedral was a last resort, she knew it and Jack knew it. His decision-making was always muddled with it came to her. And while it showed he cared, it wasn't helping with saving Oliver. Jack wasn't going to agree with her plans, not if it meant endangering themselves. But Schuyler could not seeing any other solution.
To be fair, she was worried about Jack too. Bliss wanted Jack dead more so than Sky. The Blue Blood community looked up to Abbadon, he was a major threat to Bliss and her plans. So this was the conclusion she came to, she had to go check out the cathedral alone. They wanted Jack, not her. Jack wouldn't want to come here anyways. All she had to do was check it out, she wasn't going to march in and demand Oliver's release or anything as reckless.
Schuyler continued to reassure herself this was a good idea as she reached a hill overlooking the estate. She crouched down on the hill and she spotted the cathedral on her left. As if on cue, two Silver Bloods came towards her on a dirt road on her right. The Silver Bloods continued down the road and did not turn toward the cathedral.
Curiosity getting the best of her, she got in closer. Sneaking in and out of sight, she managed to follow the Silver Bloods undetected. Jack would be throwing a fit if he knew what she was doing, but she pushed the thought back and continued on. When a large manor came into view, she nearly tripped over herself.
Schuyler scurried away, hiding deeper into the woods surround the manor and dirt road. With her vampire speed, she made a beeline for the manor on the far left, avoiding the Silver Blood walking away to the right. Adrenaline pumping through her, she zipped through an unkempt garden, hopped over a wrought iron fence, and continued running toward the manor. She gulped a deep breath as she reached the red brick wall of the manor. Ever so quietly, she peaked into a nearby window.
She realized she was looking into an office. It was sparsely furnished and no Silver Bloods were inside. This would be a perfect sneak-in point. Satisfied with her solo recon mission, she decided not to push her luck. Rounding the corner, she honed her senses to check for any Silver Bloods. Unfortunately for her, one was headed her way. Maybe she wasn't as stealthy as she thought. With no other escape route, she backtracked and tested the office window. It opened like a door, swinging out, the rusty side hinges making a tiny squeak. Pulling herself up, she hopped over the window ledge, landing with a light thud in the office.
Before any Silver Bloods came into view, she shut the window and ducked down in hiding. She held a breath, adrenaline coursing through her vein. She had just very effectively trapped herself in a building that was most likely filled with a dozen or so Silver Bloods. Maybe her solo mission wasn't such a good idea after all.
Jack...Even in her mind, Schuyler knew she sounded like a petulant child. It was a stretch that he would be able to hear her calling him, but it was worth a shot.
She still hid under the window, feeling relatively safe. She pressed her body against the wall as if she would disappear into it. Just when she thought she could get up, clawed hands broke through the window, shattering glass and it rained down upon her, a piece nicking her on the temple. Thinking quickly, she ducked and slid out of the Silver Blood's grasp. Left with no other option, she bounded for the door.
The Silver Blood crashed through the rest of the broken window. He grabbed her by the hair just as she made it out the door. forcing her back in the office. Schuyler swung as hard as she could hitting him square in the face.
When he didn't let go, she turned her head and bit into his forearm, her fangs descending a split second before. The grip on her hair loosened, so she took advantage of it and pulled away. Tripping out the door, she hastily picked a direction and ran. The blood from the Silver Blood had spiked her senses and colors seemed sharper for moment.
Reaching the end of the hall, she noticed a candlestick holder sitting idly on an end-table. She snatched it up quickly and continued bounding down the hall. Observing it as she ran, she pulled the tall, pale, candle off, revealing a long and sharp needle that helped hold the candle in place. And in her case, it would help save her life.
Sliding to a halt, the young Blue Blood hid around the Silver Blood appeared moments later and turned the corner. Schuyler swung out and aimed for his heart. The Silver Blood fell flat on his back, losing to gravity and momentum. Reaching for the candle stick holder bobbing in the air, he gasped in pain. With utter shock on his face, he tried to pull the candlestick holder out, the veins in his neck strained. But it was no use. He wasn't getting back up.