Chapter XXXXIX
A Drop of Rain
"The Capital is in shock today, a United States Senator has been assassinated. New Jersey Senator William Cain II, was found murdered in his office in the Capitol Building, in the early hours of the morning. A congressional spokesman released a statement confirming that the Senator's death was murder; messages of condolence have been sent to the Cain family by the President, as well as many other international dignitaries.
Although very few details have been released we can confirm that the Senator's cause of Death was a broken neck. Although terrorism has not been confirmed, Congress has not ruled it out either. The Senator's Secret Service Security Detail was also murdered in this attack, and the President has sent his condolences to their families. Although no official statement has been released, there are rumors that the Senator's security personnel all had their throats cut. This raises the question, just how did an assassin, or assassins breach one of the most heavily guarded buildings in the world, and murder a member of the United States Senate.
On behalf of everybody at CNN we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to, the Senator's son William III, the entire Cain family, and to the people of New Jersey, who will no doubt be mourning the loss of this great man. For CNN I'm…"
The TV clicked off as Amelia placed the remote on the arm of her chair "Amazing is he not?" She smiled widely
"It is certainly impressive My Lady." Dimitri bowed "However I am sure you are aware, that the humans will demand retribution for this. What would you have me tell the President?"
Amelia pondered for a moment "Tell him… that Malachi infiltrated the Capitol Building without breaking a sweat. Does he really think the White House will be a problem?"
"That may not be wise My Lady." Dimitri warned her.
"I was not asking for your advice Council." Amelia chastised him "The humans are of no consequence to us… they are weak and corrupt. Their President is nothing more than a paper tiger. Now pass me the phone." Amelia casually dialed a number and waved Dimitri out of the room.
"My Lady?" Malachi answered
"Congratulations." She told him warmly "I am so proud of you.
"Thank you My Lady."
"Where are you now?" She enquired
"We just landed in New York, it's probably best we stay here until it gets dark."
"I agree." She nodded "Will you be coming back to the mansion tonight?"
"No." He answered her "I'm going to send Chastity back to pick up Abigail, and then we'll be going to Seattle… I'm going to sort out Mandrake and the other Cain brother."
"That is what I like to hear." She told him "Do not be too long."
"Missing me?" He teased her
"Always." She smiled sincerely
"Me too. I better go."
"Take care" She whispered gently as she hung up the phone. Amelia sank back in her chair and bringing her hand to her chest let out a contented sigh.
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La Guardia International Airport- New York
"Right… it'll be nightfall soon." Malachi told Chastity as he handed her a set of car keys, "Take the car, and go pick up Abigail."
"You got it boss." She replied eagerly
"Oh and Chastity… bring Casper and a couple of his guys back with you. I doubt the Chairman of Mandrake will be too impressed with me killing his brother."
"But… Amelia said that Casper was supposed to be stripped of responsibilities."
"She won't mind." Malachi assured her
"You're not going to tell her, are you boss?" Chastity asked, shaking her head
"No… No I'm not."
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Chastity had left about half an hour ago; Malachi had been sitting in the departure lounge, until he heard it. The gentle patter of rain… no one else in the airport noticed, too busy rushing about, catching flights, buying souvenirs or screaming at their kids. But Malachi heard it. He grabbed his cane and made his way through a door, that was clearly marked "Staff Only" he didn't care. He slipped through the back of the airport onto one of the runways. He took a deep breath as he stepped into the cool night's air; the rain had thinned into a delicate veil of drizzle. He half smiled to himself as the gentle breeze blew his coat around. He stood tall as he made his way across the tarmac, tapping the point of his cane as he stepped. He strode elegantly towards a dull grey looking building, it was a hangar for one of the passenger jets; probably a 747 he thought to himself. His pace quickened as he approached the building, until like the planes around him, he took off from the tarmac and landed on the roof of the hanger. He knew Chastity would be a while, he needed time to think. And what better place than up here, he had committed many sins recently… he liked to think the rain washed them away for him. The delicate veil that had previously enveloped him began to fall heavily. He liked it up here, he closed his eyes… everything seemed to make sense up here… no distractions. Or so he thought. Malachi opened his eyes and shook his head slightly "Oh good…" he sighed insincerely "…you're here. Trust you to ruin a perfectly good moment." Malachi turned to see his companion on the hanger roof "I don't suppose you want to piss off for a week, cos I am really busy?"
"I'm afraid this can't wait." A cold female voice answered him.
"Alright then…" he exclaimed with a fake enthusiasm "…and what can I do for you Selene?"
"You lied to me." She told him in an ice cold tone "You let me go off and find Kraven some peace, when you knew full well where his head was. Where was it? Ziodex?"
Malachi shrugged his shoulders slightly "The Estate." He answered her
"You bastard." She spat
"Oh come on Selene" Malachi said in a frustrated tone "You know how it works, he was a traitor."
"And Chastity?" Selene asked him "You send one of Michael's killers to keep an eye on me?"
"Alright I'll give you that one." He conceded
"God Malachi…" Selene said in a disgusted tone "…Is your life that empty you have to ruin mine? Or is that frigid little ice queen you share a bed with so boring you just cant bare to have me out of your life."
"You need to watch your mouth Selene." Malachi smiled
"Why don't you come and close it for me?" She taunted him
"Doesn't sound like a bad idea" Malachi nodded "After all… we've always been waiting for this moment."
"What do you mean?" Selene asked him
"Oh come on darling!" Malachi encouraged her "Ever since the moment we laid eyes on each other, ever since our first words, our first kiss… every time we shared a bed… it's always been there hasn't it? The question. The question we never answered…"
"Who's better?" Selene spoke up
"Who's better?" Malachi nodded "Viktor's blue eyed Princess, Death Dealer leader and the scurge of European Lycan's. Or me. Amelia's best. The question that has always been there."
"And is that all we've ever had Malachi?" Selene asked with hooded seductive eyes "Just a question."
"Oh no…" Malachi replied softly, as he began to slowly walk over to Selene "We had other stuff. There was lust, attraction, kindred spirits… love."
"Love?... Only for one of us." Selene scorned him
"Oh now that hurts." Malachi smiled as he continued his advance
"Okay Malachi, back to the question… you MAY, and I do mean MAY have been able to hold your own against me when we were both Vampires. But now I'm so much more, I'm stronger, faster and more powerful than any Vampire. And I've already killed you once before."
"Stronger… faster, that doesn't mean better Selene." Malachi grinned "And as for killing me? Well, you're in my city now… my Underworld. Face it Selene maybe I'm just better cut out for this."
"What are you talking about?" She mocked him
"You are weak… you have spent so long playing the stone cold killer, that you can not cope with change. I mean how long have you had these powers now? I bet you still don't know what you can do." Malachi stopped a few feet from Selene, she did not answer him "But it's more than that… you can't let go of anything. You rely on others, you couldn't kill Viktor, even though I handed him to you, and you can't let Kraven's memory rest. Face it… once you let people get close… they're with you forever." Malachi again approached Selene "Like me" he whispered, as he stood mere inches from her. He dropped his cane and watched as Selene relaxed slightly, he leaned towards her and cupped her cheek in his hand, "You see?" He whispered "You see how close we are?" Selene nodded, as Malachi moved his hands to her back, "You always let me get close" Selene allowed herself to become lost in his touch as his hands moved down over her backside to her thighs. His hands stopped just above the low slung holsters where she kept her twin Beretta's, suddenly his dead brown eyes glowed green "Too close" he hissed, as he delivered a head butt to Selene. As she staggered backwards he grabbed the twin Beretta's from her holsters and took several steps back. Before Selene had a chance to regain her balance he began to unleash several bursts of auto fire from the guns.
Selene winced in pain as the bullets pierced through her leather and latex garments. Malachi watched for a second, his cold emerald stare fixed on her wounds, and then it came… a glowing blue fluid leaked from the gun shot wounds. "UV ammunition" Malachi said to himself "You came here to kill me."
Selene tried to get back to her feet, however Malachi continued to empty the pistols into her…when one fell empty, he tossed the other off of the hanger roof, and waited for Selene. "This time…" Selene spat "They won't be able to bring you ba…" She did not get to finish her sentence; Malachi came flying out of nowhere and delivered a shot to her face. She fell again, he unloaded several kicks, he was so strong… so cold. She finally managed to sweep a leg out from under him however before she could capitalize he regained his footing. He delivered a kick to her head, and then to her mid section. Selene could not muster any offensive. Finally she flew at him… he side stepped her, and watched as she flew past him, off the edge of the roof. Malachi watched her land perfectly and gracefully dropped down to meet her. However he was met with a kick to the chin. As Malachi fell to the ground, Selene jumped into the air, landing knee first into his midsection. Malachi let out a dull groan, as he kicked Selene off of him. "I'm already healing." Selene laughed at him.
"Then let's finish this." Malachi said coldly. The two flew at each other matching the others strike move for move. Selene became frustrated as she threw punch after punch at the man she perceived to be weaker… why hadn't she beat him yet? Malachi smiled at her "Your moves are like your perfume." He hissed, knocking her off balance "They haven't changed in decades."
"Oh really" Selene hissed back as she jumped at him with a vaulting kick, only to have Malachi grab her leg.
"That's one of mine." He grinned
The two began to fight up and down the tarmac of La Guardia International, eventually the sound of sirens came, and the two paused for a moment as two airport police got out of a car and pointed shot guns at them "Freeze!" One man shouted. Malachi rolled his eyes and jumped into the air, he landed just behind the policeman, they turned and pointed the shotguns at him, grabbing the barrels of both guns, he leaned towards the men and hissed. They both let go of their weapons and ran away across the tarmac. "Alone again." Malachi told Selene, however his response was a barrage of heavy silver throwing stars. "Shit!" He screamed as the jagged metal tore through his flesh. And then it was Selene's turn. She appeared in front of him; grabbing his throat she hurled him across the runway. It was a blur for a while as Malachi struggled to defend himself against the cyclone of fists and feet coming his way. Finally he forced a hand through Selene's onslaught and gripped her throat, he lifted her into the air and slammed her down onto the tarmac. Selene let out a dull moan, as she got up and delivered an uppercut to Malachi. She sent the Vampire flying through the air, and crashing through the roof of the abandoned police car. She paused for a moment, something caught her eye, her pistol, the one Malachi had thrown off of the roof. She ran to it, ejecting the spent magazine she placed a fresh glowing blue clip into the gun.
A groggy Malachi came to in the wreckage of the police car; he staggered out back onto the tarmac, only to see Selene pointing a gun at him. "Fuck" He whispered as he dived behind the car. He sheltered behind the vehicle as UV rounds slammed into the door.
"You really think you can beat me Malachi?" Selene yelled at him "UV doesn't kill me, Silver doesn't kill me. What do you think you are going to do?"
Malachi thought for a moment before he saw something that made him raise an eyebrow, the shotguns the policemen had dropped; he quickly reached out to grab one, barley dodging one of Selene's bullets. "No Silver? No Sunlight?"He hissed, as he cocked the shotgun "How about decapataion?" Malachi leapt from the safety of the car, fifty feet into the air, Selene could not get a clear shot, she waited the two seconds it took for Malachi to land before taking aim, as soon as his feet made contact with the tarmac she aimed the gun at his head, however Malachi quickly span round and Selene froze as she felt the led barrel of the shotgun pressing against her chin. At this range she knew her head could be taken clean off. And so they stood there, Malachi with Selene's gun pointed right at him, Selene staring down the barrel of a shotgun. The two stood there, eyes locked on each other. Selene had come here to kill Malachi, he had been ordered to "tie up" the loose end that was Selene. They had just fought an epic battle, yet now they were stood at the other end of each others gun neither immortal could bring themselves to pull the trigger.
"Not bad" Selene breathed heavily
"Not bad yourself." Malachi acknowledged
"You attacked first." Selene observed "I didn't think you had it in you."
"I don't want to die again." Malachi told her honestly
"You didn't have act like that before Malachi… touching me the way you did…"
"It hurts doesn't it Selene, when someone you care about attacks you. How do you think I felt when I knew it was you who put those bullets in me?"
"What makes you think I care about you?" Selene asked him
"Come on Selene…" Malachi sighed "…me and you have been through too much to be doing this."
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't I?" He asked her "Really… I know, that I don't want to kill you… I know that you've been afraid ever since Michael died… I know that you have been trying to get back some level of security in your life… and most of all, I know that you are feeling so alone right now, that if I were to put this shotgun down… and open my arms… you would step into my embrace rather than pull that trigger."
"Don't be so sure." Selene grinned
Malachi did not change his facial expression; he simply opened his hand and allowed the shotgun to fall to the ground, and after taking a moment to wipe a few drops of rain from his eyes, opened his arms. Selene tensed her finger around the trigger and pushed the barrel against his forehead. She looked into his emerald eyes, as they reverted to their autumn brown state "Fuck" She sighed, as she dropped her gun. She looked at Malachi for a moment, her former lover, friend and comrade, with his arms outstretched, and walked into his open arms. Malachi waited for a moment, he felt Selene burry her head into his shoulder, and wrap her arms around his torso. He finally closed his arms around her and rocked her slightly.
"It's alright" he told her as he began to gently stroke her hair "You're alright now."
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Malachi and Selene sat on the roof on the hanger they had previously been fighting on… both vampires allowing their legs to dangle over the side. "Where's the head Malachi?" She finally asked
"I honestly don't know" Malachi told her "It's been stolen, I don't know when, I don't know who."
"Where do we stand now?" Selene asked him
"Ah you'll always have me Selene" he told her as he wrapped an arm round her and pulled her close to him "Like I told you, fate always seems to throw us back together."
"What happens to me?"
"From what I hear, you are a woman of money now. You should enjoy it. But Amelia's gunning for you; you better get out of New York."
"What will you tell her?" Selene asked intently
"I'll think of something." He said reassuringly "Just tell me one thing…"
"What?"
"When we were up here earlier, before the fight... you wanted me to kiss you didn't you?" He teased her.
Selene gave him an embarrassed smile and a playful punch to the leg "Get over yourself."
Their attention was soon drawn to the approaching sound of cars and dogs barking "Great" Selene sighed
"Go on" Malachi told her "You get to wherever it is billionaires go… I'll handle the police."
Selene nodded, as she looked off into the distance "See you around?"
"I reckon so."
"Goodbye Malachi"
"Goodbye Selene"
Selene was about to drop down from the hanger roof before she paused, and leant over to him, placing a kiss on his cheek, she gracefully dropped to the ground. Malachi watched as Selene disappeared into the distance, only to be interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone "Hurry up Chastity" he answered the phone "This has been a fucked up evening."
