Author's note: Ok, now don't expect all updates to actually come this fast, it's just that my muse is being very generous for a little while. I've already started on chapter 4, which will bring Lucian back into the story, but I'm not sure how long it will be before chapter 5 gets written. So it might be a while. It might not. I'll shut up with that now. Anyway, thanks SO very much for all the wonderful review!! They've been so nice to read and have really helped me get into the mood for writing this!! Also, I'd like to explain about Kahn: since we aren't shown his actual death, and since it did seem like he might could have made it, in my opinion, I brought him back. I liked him, and since I couldn't bring Raze back, I figured why not Kahn? So, that's why he's in this. Well, hope ya'll enjoy this and please review!!
A/N2: One more thing. I do have actors picked out for the original characters in this. I thought I'd let you know who'd play who (like Nightslash did with her story, which you should read if you haven't already). Here's the list:
Anya: Famke Janssen
Zahra: Iman Bowie
Xander: Orlando Bloom
Dominique (who is actually a character briefly mentioned in the novelization): Keira Knightley
Katharine: Isabella Rossellini
And that's it for this chapter. Still no clue who would play my version of Marcus, but that's ok. Anyway, enjoy and please review!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anybody except for Anya, Zahra, Xander, and Katharine. I mean no copyright infringement, I only want to play with the characters a bit. And write my own sequel, since it's doubtful Lucian will be in the actual one. Please don't sue me, it isn't worth it.
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CHAPTER 3: PLANS
Xander knocked on the door to Zahra's small room. "Zahra, Michael has returned, he wants to see you." Xander backed away as the female lycan stepped out of her room.
Zahra was a tall, slender woman of Moroccan descent. Strong cheekbones and black eyes made her striking, full lips and smooth skin helped make her beautiful. She was lithe and toned and carried herself like a queen. Her eyes now held a sadness to them, ever since she had been told of Raze's death. A lycan always had a sadness to them if their mate died.
"Tell them I'll be there shortly," she instructed, her voice low and throaty.
***
"Erika, what are you doing?" Dominique asked in a scolding tone as the blond vampire entered the servants quarters. "You should have been here nearly fifteen minutes ago!"
But Erika barely paid the slightly older servant any attention. Her thoughts were still on her brief interlude in the hallway. With Marcus. An Elder. The last one. A descendant of the first immortal. And he had touched her, spoken to her.
And nothing was mentioned about Selene or any other woman.
With a schoolgirl smile, she went to her own room and began to get ready for her rest. But how on earth could she rest after the meeting with Marcus?
"What in the world has you in such a good mood?" Dominique asked curiously. "I don't think I've ever seen you that happy. It's like your daydreaming or something."
"That's the best part," Erika abruptly said. "I'm not!" She grinned and plopped down on her bed. "I'm not at all!"
"Ok, spill, now!" Dominique ordered and sat down beside Erika. She grinned, eager to hear what could make her friend so happy.
"I was in the hallway, looking out one of the windows and about to come back here," Erika began, just as eager to tell the cause of her smile. "And as I turned, there was Marcus." She held up a hand to keep Dominique from making any comments. "So of course I was startled and tried to bow, I probably looked like an idiot. But Marcus spoke to me, and told me not to do so in his presence."
Dominique's hand flew to her open mouth, shocked and excited over Erika's news. "And Elder said that? My stars Erika, you have no idea how much of an honor that truly is!"
"Oh, I think I do." Erika grinned. "I think I do."
"Would you two be quiet!" Katharine, the head of the servants, said harshly as she stood at Erika's doorway. "Some of us would like to rest." She glared with pale blue eyes at the younger pair. "I would suggest you both do the same. Tonight we must prepare for Marcus' first venture beyond the grounds. There will of course be a small celebration beforehand. So if I were you, I would go to sleep for a while."
With a final, withering glance, Katharine walked away.
"I have no chance of resting, not now," Erika stated with a sigh. "But you should go, before the witch comes back again."
Dominique nodded and rose from the bed. "I'll see you later. Do try to rest though, remember," she gave Erika a playful smirk, "you'll get t see Marcus again."
Erika smiled and shooed her friend away. As the door closed, she lie back down on her bed, her eyes closing. Tonight was going to be interesting, she was sure of it.
***
Marcus entered his bedchamber fighting back more memories that threatened to overpower him yet again. He walked over to his bed, the lush blankets and sheets smooth velvet and silk.
"Hello Marcus," a sultry voice said from behind him.
Without turning, he spoke to the vampire behind him he had known about before even entering. Partly because of the lycan senses he now had. They did have a much stronger sense of smell. And hearing.
"Get out, Anya."
He felt slim, cold hands slide up his arms to his shoulders. "And why should I do that?" came her seductive reply.
He whipped around and grabbed her wrists. "Because I said so. You are stupid to risk my anger, Anya," he hissed. "I wish to be alone. And if I did want company now, it would most certainly not be you."
The youthful looking vampire glared at him, her brown eyes flashing blue. While almost the whole male vampire population would have given anything to have Anya in their bed, Marcus despised the viper. While she was beautiful, her eyes held a poison and her fangs were venomous to him.
"So, does another have your eye?" she asked slyly, her eyes calculating. "A younger, more naïve vampire you wish to bed?"
Another hiss escaped Marcus' lips. "I am not so cold. But yes, there is. A servant even," he stated, gaining satisfaction from the look of insult that passed over Anya's face. "Yes, that bruises your pride, doesn't it?"
Anya swallowed and shot him a sickeningly sweet smile. It was as disgusting and as sugar-rich blood to him.
"And just who is it that is worthy of the attention of an Elder? Katharine, Nicole, Dominique? Or have you now switched and are gazing at males these days? She questioned icily.
"None of the above. I would prefer to let you find out later. When everyone else does," Marcus declared.
"So you do plan to take a mistress. But a servant? How have you sunk so low? It's degrading," she began, but Marcus grabbed her by the throat.
"I am the last of the Elders, and the ruler of the covens. Do not evoke my wrath, Anya, for you will regret it for all eternity." He brought her face closer, staring into her eyes with his own incensed pair. "And I know how to keep you barley alive for that long, my dear. I know the art of torture quite well."
Letting go of Anya, he walked to his door and opened it, staring at her expectantly.
Finally realizing she did not have any chance of changing his mind, she rushed out of the room. Her fists were clenched in anger at the humiliation.
Marcus slammed the door closed as soon as she passed. That was when another flashback came over him. Clutching his head, he stumbled over to his bed. It would take all his strength to go against the lycans tonight, and he had to rest yet again.
***
Michael stared at his lycan pack, the clan he now ruled over. Reluctantly. He breathed in deeply, though it was unnecessary, and gathered his thoughts.
"Earlier, as Selene and I went to fetch more medical supplies, I had to think over our next course of action, what we needed to do, what would be our best defense against the vampires at the moment. When we returned, I still did not know, but now I do." He sighed. He wasn't crazy about the idea, but they had little choice.
"It's time we move yet again," he told the pack. "We must leave the city for now, we have very little supplies, and the vampires have many. They may not outnumber us, but they are more prepared. And with them being so quiet, with Marcus keeping them back, we have no clue when they will strike. We have no inside source," he spat the last part out, Lucian's memories of Kraven mixed with his own making him angered, "but we will survive. We will head to the ruins of Lucian's fortress in Moldavia. Before we leave, we must send word to the others in England of what has happened."
He stared at the lycans, taking another unneeded breath. He felt that part of him, the little piece of Lucian, take over as he informed the pack of the plan. Off to his side, Selene stood, watching him and his people.
"Go and gather up only what is needed, for we leave before sunset. The vampires must not know of our departure."
They lycans bowed their heads slightly and left the main room, heading for their own small chambers and shared quarters. Zahra though, stayed behind.
"Michael," she called and came towards him and Selene. "Are you sure this is wise, leaving the city? Now could be our best time to strike." She met his eyes for a moment, then lowered her again. "But if you feel it is best we leave, then it is best."
Selene stared at the female lycan. One hundred and twenty-seven years worth of instilled hatred made her wary of any and all lycans, but she forced those thoughts away. Michael had been right earlier, the lycans would not go against their leader.
Michael nodded. "I understand that it may seem like now is the right time, but it isn't. While it may be unexpected, we would be too ill-prepared with our lack of weapons. If Singe were here, we might have been able to make enough UV bullets, but he isn't." Michael laid a hand on Zahra's shoulder. "We will avenge him, I promise."
Zahra nodded and walked away towards her own chamber. She would trust her leader's judgment, just as she had said.
"You see, you can be a leader," Selene stated. She turned to walk towards the lab when Michael reached out to stop her. She looked down at his hand holding her arm.
"I know this has to be hard on you," he spoke softly. "And I'm sorry about those things I said earlier. Obviously, vampires can be loyal, even if not to their own kind. You have proven yourself loyal, to me," he said. "Thank you."
Selene met his eyes. "We need to get everything together."
She walked off, and Michael followed, knowing that he had gotten the closest thing to a "You're welcome," from her. He was satisfied with that.