- XXV -

Pale light illuminated the balcony where the Elders watched the full moon in silence. Marcus's gaze drifted towards Amelia and Viktor. He needed to choose his words carefully now, attempting a diplomatic approach with them.

"If the monk indeed speaks the truth, and we will find William tomorrow..." he paused, then focused on Amelia's eyes. "Will you kill him immediately?"

Before the female Elder could answer, Viktor approached Marcus.

"Of course!" he said. "Why would we hesitate any longer?"

"I had hoped we could catch him alive, so I can... study him," Marcus hurried to explain. "Among the soldiers there is a man who goes by the name of Istvan. He knows much about medicine."

Marcus neglected mentioning that he wanted to find a cure for William. Perhaps if he claimed to be attempting to understand the physiology of the werewolves, perhaps they would approve.

"But if we kill William, every werewolf on this earth will die, too, won't they? Just like we would if you were slain?" Amelia said, her brows furrowing. "So we are rid of the werewolf problem as soon as we eliminate your brother. Why should we postpone his death?"

Marcus clenched his teeth, staring at the floor. He hadn't considered that. Now his own lie came back at him like a blow to his heart. He had to prevent his fellow Elders from killing William, not just because he was his beloved brother, but to uphold his lie and save his own life, as well. His thoughts raced. What could he say to convince them?

"Because..." he began, then paused for a moment. "Because studying the wolves could help our own people. They are physically stronger and tolerant to sunlight. If we find out what causes those characteristics, and use them to our own advantage..."

While Marcus talked to them in an almost desperate tone, Viktor's mouth turned into a thin line and his eyes flashed in an angry blue.

"Are you suggesting we should mingle our pure immortal blood with that of filthy dogs?" he hissed threateningly, taking a step towards Corvinus.

Before he could harm him, Amelia interfered.

"Please, Viktor," she tried to soothe him, gently touching his shoulder. "There's no use in fighting over hypothetical thoughts. We must come to an agreement."

Viktor's eyes were still narrowed, but he stopped where he stood and focused on Amelia.

"If Marcus is able to make William surrender without a fight, we will capture him alive. If he attacks us, we will be quick with our swords," the female Elder proposed.

Viktor looked his lover deep in the eyes and seemed to think about it for a while, then nodded.

"Agreed," he said.

Marcus exhaled, suddenly aware of how he had been holding his breath.

The next night, an army of vampires marched through the Hungarian woods. The mortal monk led them along the edge of a cliff, then down a narrow path to the Danube. They had to wade the murky water near the riverbank for some time, and then, concealed from sight behind some large boulders, the entrance of a large cave could be seen.

Viktor ordered his soldiers to encircle the dark hole in the white rock. They would do the same to William's hiding place as they had done to every other wolf's lair. Burn it down and smoke out the vermin within. The ripples of brownish water flowing into the cave wouldn't bother them, for the experienced warlord knew ways to deceive the laws of nature: Greek Fire – oil spread over the surface of the water – would set the Danube ablaze like it was straw.

While the Elders watched the first flames lick the walls of the cavern, Amelia turned in her saddle to face Viktor.

"Do you think there will be a difference between William and others of his breed? Will he be stronger?" she asked.

"No, certainly not," Viktor answered, smirking, while he threw a glance at Marcus. "For I wouldn't exactly describe his powers as greater than ours."

Amelia couldn't help suppressing a small chuckle and as she waited for Marcus's reaction, but he wasn't listening to their conversation, still watching the burning water.

Would this finally be the night he would meet his beloved brother again? In the past he had been able to sense his presence whenever he was close. Now he had to concentrate. If the mortal was telling the truth, and William was in there, he needed to calm his brother down so Viktor and Amelia wouldn't attack him immediately.

Soon Marcus's eyes adjusted to the dark, his heartbeat quickening. There was something, a feeling, some kind of presence…

The Greek Fire kept burning for a while, but Viktor couldn't make out a sign of the original werewolf or of any werewolf at all. With a cruel smile on his thin lips, the warlord glanced down at Tanis, who was standing in the water next to the Elders' horses.

"I...I am certain, he's here," the scholar stammered, cringing under Viktor's piercing blue gaze.

He however didn't need to search for more words of certainty, for suddenly a terrifying howl echoed in the Danubian valley, louder and more bloodcurdling than any other werewolf's the Elders had ever heard.