Chapter 9
The following days and weeks the whole community was drilled in a way no one of them had ever encountered
in their immortal life span. Lucien taught them how to operate with weapons, silver weapons he ordered to be
crafted by the finest jewelers the Communities possessed. All the Communities were contacted and some of
them sent observers in order to pick up certain information that might prove useful if some of their enemies
showed up in other areas.
Suddenly, the door to the Dragon opened and a young, handsome and bearded man entered. Natalie was sitting at
a desk, preparing and polishing silver bullets, recognized him instantly. It was Nick. He looked at her for a
second, only to avert his eyes in a way that told Natalie more than she ever wanted to know. There was shame in
his eyes, but it was a different kind of shame. He felt ashamed for her instead for him.
She continued polishing the bullets, pretending that she did not recognize him. He approached Lacroix, who was
showing some of the younger members how to use a gladius, including that insolent whelp who had attacked him
some days ago.
Lucien turned around and stared at him, his eyes cold as diamonds.
"What is it that brings us the divine pleasure of your company?" he asked with a stony face.
Nicholas' eyes held a similar expression as he answered. "My Community wishes me to participate in order to
obtain the necessary information." There was no warmth in their greeting.
"You are aware that it is quite possible that the foe is preparing as well. Indeed, it is most likely that they will
summon their forces. If they win this battle, no other Community will stand in their way ever again. There is
much at stake, and I am not interested in being distracted by any of your actions."
"It is not my wish to distract you, General," Nicholas stated flatly.
"And it is understood that observing is not an option. One has to participate or to leave. Your conscience is not
valued here."
"I will keep my inner turmoil out of the matters at hand. I promise that much. And I brought this..." He
unwrapped the parcel he was carrying. His own sword was revealed, the one he had used during the crusades.
"It contains enough silver to be of serious damage to our enemy."
Lucien nodded in approval.
"I accept you allegiance for the time being."
"I am offering nothing but an allegiance for a limited time," Nicholas stated with a cold and distant voice.
Natalie witnessed the gap between the two men. They were friends for centuries, father and son, brothers. How
could anything lasting so long be destroyed? It grieved her more than her own disappointment.
She put the bullets away and approached the two men.
"Nick! How are you?" she inquired softly.
Strangely, she did not feel any anger. She felt sorry for him, for the loss of his family, for the estrangement with
his father.
Nicholas had difficulties facing her, but suddenly he looked up and tried to smile.
"Hello, Natalie. How are you?"
What should she say? Thank you, Nick, I feel fine....despite your lack of restrain or solicitude. She heard herself
answer, " Thank you, Nick, I'm fine, just peachy." But her words had a faint echo of acid buried deep inside. He
heard the silent message and blushed ever so slightly.
Nick drew in a deep breath and tried a different approach.
"What are you doing here? I have heard you found a cure for the werewolf infection. So you are still interested in
the scientific examination of my kind."
"Nick, keep Natalie out of this. She is here because she wants to," Lucien intervened.
"She is mortal!"
"Before you left Toronto, you had a different opinion concerning mortals. Now I have changed my mind and you
argue again. I am sick of your stubborn behavior. Natalie is here because she will provide medical assistance in
the upcoming battle. You might call her our Red Cross service."
Natalie watched the two men arguing again. She was unsure why she stayed with this Community. It was really
none of her business. But leaving them to their fate? Garn and his son? That stubborn youngster with more heart
than brain? Or Weng, who was still sitting at the bed of his recovering son? Or the others? Vampires and mortals
were so much alike. Their lifespan was longer, but they had the same feelings, they spilled the same tears, even
though blood red, when one lost a loved one. And there was Lucien. She started to learn more about his kind
than she had learned in all those previous years with Nick. Lacroix hid nothing from her. He answered all her
questions. Maybe there was a way for a mortal and a vampire to be together. Maybe they could build a bridge
between her world and his.
They talked when he guided her home every morning, mostly about the work ahead of them. He avoided any
emotional subjects.
Lacroix glared at Nick, at his stubbornness, his attitude. When had Nicholas started to hate him the way he did?
Was the day Nick lost Alyssa, the day that had lain the foundation for the decay of their relationship? Was is
only Nicolas fault or his as well? They had argued for so long, it seemed like a bad habit. And what of
Natalie...? Did she still love Nicolas? Lucien was unsure. She was angry at Nicolas but even a lover can be angry
at the one he or she loves. Love and hate never excluded each other completely. Quite the opposite. They were
like siblings, coming from the same mother. Very different but also very much alike. He could never be Natalie's
husband the way she deserved him to be. And there was this little girl. She reminded him so much of his little
sister, but it was impossible that she was his daughter. And daughters brought only pain to him. He remembered
Divia far too clearly. Divia, his beloved daughter. Maybe he should stay away.
Every time, when he escorted Natalie back to her home, he told himself that they had no future, that he should
quit trying to nurture hope in both of them, but when she looked at him, he could not force himself to say
goodbye without the hope of seeing her tomorrow.
And again they were walking home, through that little park, and talking about the organization of everything,
carefully avoiding any personal matter. Suddenly, Natalie turned around.
"Lucien. We talk a lot about the battle. But what will happen after the battel. Will you go away?"
He knew that the day would come when she asked the one important question.
"Natalie, what sense is there in us being together? You have a daughter who needs you, a daughter who needs a
mortal mother that loves and cherishes her. She does not need a pale shadow that can only live in the night. She
needs a mother who walks with her in the sun. And I have never been a very successful father."
"Lucien, you could be such a wonderful father, if you'd only allow yourself."
Lucien winced.
"Natalie, I had a daughter. She was a monster, even by my standards. I do not wish to experience the same
disaster ever again. It is better we part after the battle."
There, it was said. Lucien swallowed hard.
Natalie looked at him. His pale eyes glittered in the night.
She did not need male support. She would go on without Lucien. He was not important to her life. She could go
on without him.
"Very well, Lucien. Then we will part after the battle."
"Yes, Natalie. I think it is the best for everyone."
Natalie nodded calmly. His words contained some truth.
And this evening he did not ask her if he should meet her tomorrow again.
Molly was preparing a little snack when Natalie arrived.
Natalie was leaning on the door to summon her strength when she realized that Molly was still up.
"Natty, my god. You are out nearly every night, and you come home, looking tired. Child, what is it?"
"I am helping in some Community work. Lucien needed some help," she explained.
"Community work? That guy does not look like the type of man that is interested in public welfare."
Natalie grinned at that remark.
"Well, Molly, you misjudge him greatly."
"Why does he never come in for a coffee or such?" Molly inquired.
"He does not think it proper."
Molly murmured something and guided Natalie to the couch in the living room to get some rest.
"Are you in love with him?" the elderly woman inquired softly.
Natalie stared at Molly. Was she in love with Lucien? She did not know. She loved Lucius, his pride, his attitude
towards life, his pitch black humor. But Lucien was a different man. One second, he was cold as an ice cube, and
in the next moment, he was exploding like the Vesuvius. And Lucien was a vampire. What should she tell Molly
in answer to her question? She was unsure.
Lucien Lacroix walked slowly back to the Dragon. He witnessed young couples exchanging gestures of their
affection. Suddenly, he envied their innocence. Since Fleur, there had been no real love in his life. No woman he
felt close enough to to exchange his inner being. He shoved his clenched fists deeper into his pockets. There was
a battle ahead. Thinking about emotional trivialities was a waste of energy. No, after the battle there would be
enough time to come to terms with emotions and possibilities.
Tomorrow would the next full moon grace the dark skies. Tomorrow the hounds of war would cry for their
prey....on both sides.
How often had he experienced this feeling in his mortal life, the evening before a battle, the rushing of the very
last preparations? The anticipation, the scent of fear and adrenaline?
The following days and weeks the whole community was drilled in a way no one of them had ever encountered
in their immortal life span. Lucien taught them how to operate with weapons, silver weapons he ordered to be
crafted by the finest jewelers the Communities possessed. All the Communities were contacted and some of
them sent observers in order to pick up certain information that might prove useful if some of their enemies
showed up in other areas.
Suddenly, the door to the Dragon opened and a young, handsome and bearded man entered. Natalie was sitting at
a desk, preparing and polishing silver bullets, recognized him instantly. It was Nick. He looked at her for a
second, only to avert his eyes in a way that told Natalie more than she ever wanted to know. There was shame in
his eyes, but it was a different kind of shame. He felt ashamed for her instead for him.
She continued polishing the bullets, pretending that she did not recognize him. He approached Lacroix, who was
showing some of the younger members how to use a gladius, including that insolent whelp who had attacked him
some days ago.
Lucien turned around and stared at him, his eyes cold as diamonds.
"What is it that brings us the divine pleasure of your company?" he asked with a stony face.
Nicholas' eyes held a similar expression as he answered. "My Community wishes me to participate in order to
obtain the necessary information." There was no warmth in their greeting.
"You are aware that it is quite possible that the foe is preparing as well. Indeed, it is most likely that they will
summon their forces. If they win this battle, no other Community will stand in their way ever again. There is
much at stake, and I am not interested in being distracted by any of your actions."
"It is not my wish to distract you, General," Nicholas stated flatly.
"And it is understood that observing is not an option. One has to participate or to leave. Your conscience is not
valued here."
"I will keep my inner turmoil out of the matters at hand. I promise that much. And I brought this..." He
unwrapped the parcel he was carrying. His own sword was revealed, the one he had used during the crusades.
"It contains enough silver to be of serious damage to our enemy."
Lucien nodded in approval.
"I accept you allegiance for the time being."
"I am offering nothing but an allegiance for a limited time," Nicholas stated with a cold and distant voice.
Natalie witnessed the gap between the two men. They were friends for centuries, father and son, brothers. How
could anything lasting so long be destroyed? It grieved her more than her own disappointment.
She put the bullets away and approached the two men.
"Nick! How are you?" she inquired softly.
Strangely, she did not feel any anger. She felt sorry for him, for the loss of his family, for the estrangement with
his father.
Nicholas had difficulties facing her, but suddenly he looked up and tried to smile.
"Hello, Natalie. How are you?"
What should she say? Thank you, Nick, I feel fine....despite your lack of restrain or solicitude. She heard herself
answer, " Thank you, Nick, I'm fine, just peachy." But her words had a faint echo of acid buried deep inside. He
heard the silent message and blushed ever so slightly.
Nick drew in a deep breath and tried a different approach.
"What are you doing here? I have heard you found a cure for the werewolf infection. So you are still interested in
the scientific examination of my kind."
"Nick, keep Natalie out of this. She is here because she wants to," Lucien intervened.
"She is mortal!"
"Before you left Toronto, you had a different opinion concerning mortals. Now I have changed my mind and you
argue again. I am sick of your stubborn behavior. Natalie is here because she will provide medical assistance in
the upcoming battle. You might call her our Red Cross service."
Natalie watched the two men arguing again. She was unsure why she stayed with this Community. It was really
none of her business. But leaving them to their fate? Garn and his son? That stubborn youngster with more heart
than brain? Or Weng, who was still sitting at the bed of his recovering son? Or the others? Vampires and mortals
were so much alike. Their lifespan was longer, but they had the same feelings, they spilled the same tears, even
though blood red, when one lost a loved one. And there was Lucien. She started to learn more about his kind
than she had learned in all those previous years with Nick. Lacroix hid nothing from her. He answered all her
questions. Maybe there was a way for a mortal and a vampire to be together. Maybe they could build a bridge
between her world and his.
They talked when he guided her home every morning, mostly about the work ahead of them. He avoided any
emotional subjects.
Lacroix glared at Nick, at his stubbornness, his attitude. When had Nicholas started to hate him the way he did?
Was the day Nick lost Alyssa, the day that had lain the foundation for the decay of their relationship? Was is
only Nicolas fault or his as well? They had argued for so long, it seemed like a bad habit. And what of
Natalie...? Did she still love Nicolas? Lucien was unsure. She was angry at Nicolas but even a lover can be angry
at the one he or she loves. Love and hate never excluded each other completely. Quite the opposite. They were
like siblings, coming from the same mother. Very different but also very much alike. He could never be Natalie's
husband the way she deserved him to be. And there was this little girl. She reminded him so much of his little
sister, but it was impossible that she was his daughter. And daughters brought only pain to him. He remembered
Divia far too clearly. Divia, his beloved daughter. Maybe he should stay away.
Every time, when he escorted Natalie back to her home, he told himself that they had no future, that he should
quit trying to nurture hope in both of them, but when she looked at him, he could not force himself to say
goodbye without the hope of seeing her tomorrow.
And again they were walking home, through that little park, and talking about the organization of everything,
carefully avoiding any personal matter. Suddenly, Natalie turned around.
"Lucien. We talk a lot about the battle. But what will happen after the battel. Will you go away?"
He knew that the day would come when she asked the one important question.
"Natalie, what sense is there in us being together? You have a daughter who needs you, a daughter who needs a
mortal mother that loves and cherishes her. She does not need a pale shadow that can only live in the night. She
needs a mother who walks with her in the sun. And I have never been a very successful father."
"Lucien, you could be such a wonderful father, if you'd only allow yourself."
Lucien winced.
"Natalie, I had a daughter. She was a monster, even by my standards. I do not wish to experience the same
disaster ever again. It is better we part after the battle."
There, it was said. Lucien swallowed hard.
Natalie looked at him. His pale eyes glittered in the night.
She did not need male support. She would go on without Lucien. He was not important to her life. She could go
on without him.
"Very well, Lucien. Then we will part after the battle."
"Yes, Natalie. I think it is the best for everyone."
Natalie nodded calmly. His words contained some truth.
And this evening he did not ask her if he should meet her tomorrow again.
Molly was preparing a little snack when Natalie arrived.
Natalie was leaning on the door to summon her strength when she realized that Molly was still up.
"Natty, my god. You are out nearly every night, and you come home, looking tired. Child, what is it?"
"I am helping in some Community work. Lucien needed some help," she explained.
"Community work? That guy does not look like the type of man that is interested in public welfare."
Natalie grinned at that remark.
"Well, Molly, you misjudge him greatly."
"Why does he never come in for a coffee or such?" Molly inquired.
"He does not think it proper."
Molly murmured something and guided Natalie to the couch in the living room to get some rest.
"Are you in love with him?" the elderly woman inquired softly.
Natalie stared at Molly. Was she in love with Lucien? She did not know. She loved Lucius, his pride, his attitude
towards life, his pitch black humor. But Lucien was a different man. One second, he was cold as an ice cube, and
in the next moment, he was exploding like the Vesuvius. And Lucien was a vampire. What should she tell Molly
in answer to her question? She was unsure.
Lucien Lacroix walked slowly back to the Dragon. He witnessed young couples exchanging gestures of their
affection. Suddenly, he envied their innocence. Since Fleur, there had been no real love in his life. No woman he
felt close enough to to exchange his inner being. He shoved his clenched fists deeper into his pockets. There was
a battle ahead. Thinking about emotional trivialities was a waste of energy. No, after the battle there would be
enough time to come to terms with emotions and possibilities.
Tomorrow would the next full moon grace the dark skies. Tomorrow the hounds of war would cry for their
prey....on both sides.
How often had he experienced this feeling in his mortal life, the evening before a battle, the rushing of the very
last preparations? The anticipation, the scent of fear and adrenaline?