CHAPTER 49: Pawns

Alex saw the pain. It took a moment for what he was seeing to register; but the instant he understood, a myriad of emotions flew across his face. In the end, the pain won out. She wished she could have spared him the grief. But, she was proud of him. He didn't break. In fact, it didn't take long for the pain to be pushed aside and for anger to take its place.

She knew, maybe even before he did, what he was going to do. One moment he was still, not even seeming to breathe; then he was fury personified. He made a partial change and, in less than a second, charged towards Markus.

Lucian was strong, stronger than anyone she knew. But Markus was scary, maybe even crazy; and crazy'll win every time. Doing the only thing she thought would help, she aimed both guns at Markus and unloaded both clips into the last remaining Elder as she ran towards him.

She watched as the bullets ripped into Markus, she saw them penetrate his skin. But it barely fazed him. He dropped to his knees just as Lucian reached for him. The Lycan leader grabbed the vampire by the throat and threw him across the room. Alex managed to reach them as Sonja was knocked down. She went to the woman's side pulling her out of harm's way. Lucian was oblivious to anything but destroying Markus. Markus wasn't having any of it. The two titans fought, tearing up the room and each other as they went.

Ignoring Sonja's sobbing, Alex knew what needed to be done. "Raze, Valerian," Alex called out to both men. "Come here." When the two men reached her side she said, "Both of you take Sonja out of here. Valerian, keep her safe and Raze watch over both of them and take them somewhere that Lucian can find them when this is over."

"Alex, Lucian needs me here," Raze argued.

"No Raze, he needs you to protect his wife until this is over," Alex countered. "And Valerian will be with you because I know he will protect Sonja with his life. Isn't that right?" She asked the vampire guard.

"Yes," he answered solemnly.

"Nooooo," Sonja screamed frantically. "Let me stay, I can help!"

Alex had seen Lucian stumble when Sonja had cried out. That one momentary loss of concentration gave Markus an opportunity to strike. With a vicious swipe, he cut Lucian across the chest with a wicked curved blade.

"Get her out of here," Alex said between clenched teeth.

Both men took Sonja by the arms and proceeded to pull her towards the outer door. Sonja kicked and fought her guards trying to get loose, all the while calling out Lucian's name.

That was it; Alex had lost her patience. She stalked over angrily to the frantic woman, vowing not to slap her. When she got there, she grabbed Sonja by both arms and shook her hard. "Listen to me. If you want Lucian to live through this, then you need to shut up and go with these men."

Sonja stopped yelling and sobbing. She looked at Alex with tears still in her eyes and said, "I can't. One of you may need me."

That was the second time Sonja had mentioned being there for herself and Lucian. Alex didn't understand what she meant, but she knew there wasn't time for lengthy explanations. "Look, you are distracting him and any distractions of any kind will get him killed. Is that what you want?" Sonja shook her head no. "Then please go with Valerian and Raze. Once Lucian is done here, he will come find you."

"And you?" she asked expectantly.

"We aren't quite through with her yet," Marius replied for her. He had come up behind Alex, catching her unaware. A huge mistake on her part she knew as she felt a blade of silver slip between her ribs. It stung, but didn't burn. "Take her out now," she called out, turning to face her opponent.

Sonja began struggling again when she saw the knife sticking out of Alex's back. "Lucian, do something, they're hurting her! Please, don't let them hurt our baby!" she screamed loudly.

All movement in the room came to a halt. Alex was stunned. What the hell was Sonja thinking? The woman was undeniably mad! But if she had to admit it, it made sense in a crazy kinda way. She had said that Alex smelled like both her and Lucian, vampire and lycan. She herself had verified that Lucian sired her and had saved her. Sonja believed she had meant that Lucian had saved her when she was born. Boy was she wrong, and again her heart would be broken. Suddenly the silence was broken by laughter ringing out.

"Did you hear that Lucian. Your wife believes that your whore is really your child," Markus called out cruelly. "Isn't that a thought. There's nothing like keeping it in the family, so to speak."

Marius laughed harshly. Lucian grew more incensed. Alex on the other hand knew they couldn't afford any more disruptions. She reached around and pulled the knife out of her back. Turning on Marius she said, "You would know what that's like wouldn't you Marius? Have you found anyone to replace your precious Marina?"

The laughter died in his throat and a growl was heard as he lunged for her. He shot her in the shoulder as she threw the knife.

She hit him in the hand holding the gun. With a roar he drew a sword then kept on coming. His son, Mikhail too came charging at her. Drawing out her knives, she readied herself.

As Marius reached her, so did the members of her pack. Rhys and Taylor moved to stand on one side of her, Daniel and Sterling on the other. All four men had their guns drawn and were firing. Micca and Brandt ran for Mikhail, their guns blazing as well.

Both father and son were riddled with bullets. UV rays poured from their wounds as each vampire succumbed to their death. Alex whirled around to see Lucian and Markus had begun fighting again. Blood splattered against the wall as Lucian's vicious claws ripped through the vampire's torso. Markus roared in pain, raking his razor sharp nails across Lucian's right cheek.

"Three down, one to go," Alex whispered aloud. Looking to her pack, she asked, "Is anyone injured?"

"Minor injuries, nothing that won't heal," Yolanda answered.

Daniel, Sterling?" she asked looking to her two best friends.

"We're fine Alex," Daniel assure her. "It was you we were worried about."

"I'll be okay," she promised them. "Right now we need to concentrate our efforts on keeping Lucian alive," she said absently watching the battle taking place.

Taylor raised his gun to shoot at Markus, but Alex quickly pushed it aside. "No, you might hit Lucian!"

"Then how are we to help him?" Taylor asked in exasperation.

"I don't know, but I won't put Lucian at risk!" she answered sharply. "Look, you and the others go, see what else may need to be done with the coven. Better yet, check in with Selene and Khan. They may need help with the Death Dealers. "

When Taylor hesitated she forced the issue. "Go, I will help Lucian. Right now, the best place for all of you to be is helping destroy the vampires. When we're done here, Lucian will find you."

"And you?" Sterling asked quietly.

"Whatever else happens tonight, once Markus is killed, I plan on going back to the States. Those who want to come with me are more than welcome," she answered sadly. "Now go, quickly."

"Here, take these," Daniel said handing over two guns. Then with a nod, they were off. She was left alone with two battling warlords and piles of ash.