Author's note: Ok, I'm really sorry about the double posting of certain parts last chapter, I'm not quite sure how I missed that. I've fixed the problem, though. Anyway, here's the next chapter, I hope ya'll enjoy it!! Next installment should get us to the meeting between Lucian and Leila. As always, please review, and thanks so much for all the reviews so far, they mean a lot!!!! And to those who asked about my mom, she's doing well now and thanks for your concern!!

Disclaimer: Look at one the earlier chapters, ok? I don't feel like typing another one up. Savvy?

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CHAPTER 12: PLANS IN ACTION

Kraven let out an impatient sigh as he sat in one of the uncomfortable hotel chairs, waiting for Anya to call him. He had not been pleased last night when she had called to tell him - after he had already arrived at the small shop they were to meet at - that she couldn't come until the next night. She couldn't explain then, so she told him she'd call this afternoon.

She hadn't yet. And he didn't like waiting. Especially after all the waiting Lucian had put him through.

He sighed again and got up, pacing as he waited for the phone to ring so he could get some answers finally. Why did he always end up being the one in the dark when it came to deals and plans?

Nearly jumping when the phone finally did ring, he rushed over and picked it up. "What the hell has taken you so long?!" he demanded. I've been waiting all day, since I have nothing else to do, thanks to your backing out last night!"

Anya's sly smile could be felt through the phone practically as she laughed softly. "Kraven, dear, you really should calm down. I'll explain, just sit down, and take a deep, calming breath."

Kraven was not amused.

***

Lucian and Michael walked back into the fortress, Lucian heading for his chamber, while Michael headed for the room he shared with Selene. It was time to get ready, they would leave for Moldavia within the hour, as the sun was nearly set. They needed to get ready for the trip back to Budapest.

Stopping to talk to his nephew, Lucian smiled wistfully as Michael went on to his lover. He then turned back to Rudolf.

"I will be placing you in charge while I'm gone, I trust you can handle that?" Lucian asked him. When Rudolf nodded, Lucian went on. "Do not leave the fortress, even for food. We have enough food supplies for a few days, and I will make sure to bring back more upon our return here."

"I understand," Rudolf replied. "Go on and get ready, you don't want to make yourself late," he mock-chided. "everything will be fine here, we'll all be careful."

Lucian glared at his nephew then turned and headed towards his room to gather the few things he would need. Including his newly acquired replacement blade for his sleeve. He'd been needing one since the old one was broken after stabbing Kraven. Lucian chuckled slightly at the memory. It had certainly been worth it.

I wonder if that scumbag is still alive. Knowing him, he probably is. Just barely.

***

Marcus entered the small room the Death Dealer Brian, who had been guarding Kraven's room, slept in. The Dealer was young, younger than Selene, and was of Black Irish descent. Fortunately not the same bloodline as the treacherous Soren. His eyebrows were high and almost always looked raised, though Marcus couldn't tell if his eyes were green, gray, or hazel. Probably all three. He was thin, almost lanky, but rigid as he sat, guilt on his intense features.

Taking care not to get too close to any of the vampires, since he was unsure how strong the lycan scent was now, he approached the Death Dealer.

"What is my punishment?" Brian asked, his head bowed.

"I do not have enough information to punish you, yet," Marcus told him. "Tell me everything you can, and then I will decide your fate."

Brian looked up for a moment, then nodded. "After taking Kraven to his assigned room, the other Death Dealers left, while I stayed to guard the door. Only moments after the other were gone, someone rushed up and grabbed my neck, hitting certain spots so as to knock me unconscious. It worked. When I woke up, I was here, me hands and feet bound with chains. That's all I know, my Lord," Brian explained swiftly.

Marcus nodded. "I see. Kahn," he called the Death Dealer to attention, "get a group of eight Death Dealers together, we're going hunting for Kraven. Brian, since I do not find your part in this sufficient for punishment, you will be spared. However, you are now to take position in the security booth, make sure no one trespasses or tries to sneak off. I am to be informed of every departure and arrival," Marcus instructed the two Dealers, who nodded as they received their orders. Marcus then turned to Alexis. "I'm placing you in charge of the remaining Death Dealers, I trust you're up to the task?"

The female Death Dealer nodded curtly and followed Kahn out of the room. Brian quickly put on his coat and headed off for the security room. Marcus strode out, heading for his chambers. He wondered if Erika had gotten dressed yet. Knowing his luck tonight, probably.

Oh well. Don't have time to do anything anyway, he grumbled mentally.

***

Selene looked up as she heard Michael enter, his hair falling in his face. He brushed it back and looked at her, smiling softly. Hesitantly, she returned the expression. She moved towards him, stopping before she came within arms length. "I've already got everything we need packed in your small shoulder pack," she told him. "Where were you?" she asked before she could stop herself.

Only care about him, you only care about him until the war is over, remember that, Selene.

Michael shrugged. "Outside, talking to Lucian. I couldn't sleep any longer," he replied. He stared at her intensely, and Selene wondered if he'd had an extra painful or passionate, or both, memory. He reached out to stroke her cheek, but she bowed her head, causing his fingers to tangle in her hair.

Why? Why was I the one to follow in Sonja's footsteps? Why do I still have to fight her ghost as she still haunts Lucian, the part of Lucian in him?

She didn't want the result of a foreign passion, of a love Michael experienced in his dreams.

"We should go see if there's anything Lucian needs us to do," Selene stated and walked by, her hand brushing his unintentionally. At least, that's what she told herself.

She heard Michael turn around and follow her out of the room, picking up his pack as they did. She suppressed the urge to stop and turn around, let him touch her. She knew he was warm with the sun's heat, burning and scalding heat, and a part of her wanted it. But she simply walked on.

When they reached the main room, many of the lycans had already turned, as they liked to give in to the moon when she was full, despite being able to just as easily ignore her pull. She noticed Zahra and another lycan, one from England that bore a slight resemblance to Lucian, in one corner talking quietly.

Xander and Avery were together in another part of the room, but Selene had a sneaking suspicion that as soon as she and her traveling companions were gone, the pair would swiftly leave to find some privacy. Near them stood another pair, also from the English pack. She looked around for Lucian, but the alpha was nowhere in sight.

"I'm sure he'll be here soon, why don't we just wait here for him" Michael said loudly to be heard over the crowd as he stood beside her. "Since he wants to leave as soon as possible, I have a feeling he's simply going to come in here, tell everyone goodbye, announce who is in charge while we're gone, and then head off."

Selene nodded in agreement. Even if Michael didn't have a part of Lucian's psyche inside his own mind, most anyone who had been around the lycan ruler would be able to figure that out really. He certainly wasn't one for stalling.

"I hope that since both of you are out here, with a bag, that means you're ready to go," a familiar voice stated from behind. Lucian's eyes sparkled with the smile he managed to keep off his face. At Selene and Michael's in synch nod, he walked past them, shouting for the pack's attention.

Selene and Michael stayed behind him, though they both bowed their heads in lycan fashion as he spoke to the crowd.

"It is time, Michael, Selene, and I are leaving for Budapest, and will return as soon as possible. While we are gone, Rudolf," Lucian gestured to the appointed lycan with his hand, "will be in charge during our absence. Do not leave the fortress, unless you have no choice. There is enough food for everyone for a few more days, and we will bring more supplies back with us. Do not light more fires then necessary, we do not want to attract attention to the ruins." He looked around at everyone, his expression grim. "Take care, and be on you guard."

As he turned and walked out, all the lycans in wolf form howled softly, bidding their leader goodbye. Many came and said goodbye to Michael, Xander and Avery coming saying goodbye to both Michael and Selene. Zahra and Rudolf nodded in their direction, but stayed at a distance.

Michael turned to Selene. "Well, we had better run or we might lose him."

***

"So, how did it go?" Anya asked Brian as he made his way towards the security room. With a sigh, he turned to face her, his eyes met with her cruel, black pair. "Seeing as your walking around just fine and without an escort, I take it everything went perfectly.

Brian managed a smile. Of course, it was a blatantly sarcastic and unhappy smile. He hoped Anya realized that. "It did, more so than you planned I imagine. I've been placed in the security room," he explained, sickened by the look of delight and triumph that came to his sire's face.

"Why that's absolutely wonderful, " she whispered. "Don't let me keep you, go, get to your perfect post," she told him, shooing him away with her hand.

Thankful that he didn't have to look at the snakelike grin on her features, Brian turned and briskly walked to the security room. He hoped she would leave as soon as possible. Of course, she'd probably stop by the security room first, to make sure he knew to go and play with Erika.

A genuine smile crossed his mouth. At least he would get a nice payoff.

***

Marcus entered his chamber, and saw that Erika had indeed gotten dressed. But he quickly decided it wasn't such a bad thing, as she looked stunning in her lacy blouse and form fitting slacks. She was sitting in one of the large chairs, but she stood when she heard him enter.

No, definitely not a bad thing. Down boy.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" she quietly asked, though Marcus had the feeling it wasn't much of a question. "Be careful."

A playful smirk came to Marcus' lips, and he approached her slowly. "Are you giving me an order, Milady?" He then reached out and grabbed her arms, pulling her to him. "And here all this time I thought I was the coven leader."

Erika grinned slyly. "You are, but someone has to keep you in line." She then leaned into him, kissing the top of his chest that was exposed before grazing her fangs across the skin. She smiled against him when he groaned, and male pride told him to grab her and turn the tables.

The rest of him though, told his pride to shut up and let her do what she wanted. Because it felt quite good.

Leaning down, Marcus began to whisper in her ear. "You are making it quite difficult for me to finish preparing to leave."

"That's the point, dear," she whispered back, and lightly kissed his ear, then moved to his neck, kissing and nibbling, her fangs sometimes brushing against his skin. He felt the bloodlust running through him, but he resisted. He wouldn't take any chances on her. "I don't want you to leave."

Finally, he somehow managed to pry himself away from her, though the pout she gave him nearly made him simply dive at her and rips her clothes off then and there. Again, down boy.

"As much as I would love, and believe me when I say I would love to stay, I have to go. I have to lead the Death Dealers on the hunt for Kraven," he told her. He cupped her cheek, coming close to her and kissing her fiercely. "I will come back, I promise nothing will happen to me. I swear it."

Erika stared up at him, her dark blue eyes meeting his. "Go, hurry back."

Marcus smiled at her, amused slightly by her refusal to say goodbye. "I will, love, I will." He kissed her forehead and walked to where his sword, much like his fallen peer's, then left the room, meeting Erika's gaze one last time before closing the door.

"Goodbye," he heard faintly, her voice barely a whisper. He smiled softly. If not for his newly heightened senses, he wouldn't have heard her.

***

Anya watched from the shadows as Marcus and the Death Dealers assigned on the mission left, most of the other vampires standing in the light of the main hall. She sneered in derisions at the pet, Erika, as she watched the group leave forlornly. Apparently, the little tramp didn't want Marcus to leave.

How sad. Not.

Oh, how Anya would enjoy seeing the young vampire fall out of Marcus' favor. Even if it was rape, Marcus would hardly want spoiled goods. Though it was quite clear Marcus had spoiled her. Many times. Everyday.

But that was different. He was doing the spoiling. Besides, Erika would hardly want him to touch her that way after her traumatic experience. And then he would figure it out, he wasn't stupid, and she would become shamed. Publicly, too, since Marcus was the Elder and she was officially his consort. Even if not, Ordoghaz would be infamous for its gossiping residents, if anyone outside the mansion knew about the goings on.

Revenge was quite sweet. Like fresh, pristine blood.

***

Lucian, Michael, and Selene entered the Metro station that would take them to the one near the hospital. They were going to go and "retrieve" - as one lycan had put it - Dr. Deneuve before anything else, as long as they didn't run into any Death Dealers.

Fortunately, it seemed that the Death Dealers numbers were not as great in the city. Hopefully they would be able to avoid any trouble.

Lucian stood a few feet in front of the pair traveling with him, though they seemed to be trying their hardest not to look like the lovers they obviously were. Ten feet away from one of them and you could still smell the other's scent all over them. He assumed the distance was because of Selene, since Michael seemed as happy about the silence as a puppy would about being ignored.

A smile came unbidden to Lucian's features at the comparison. Yes, Michael did remind him of a puppy around Selene. A big puppy who wanted nothing more than attention, but was quiet even when he didn't get any. Chuckling to himself, Lucian glanced back at them.

Michael was throwing glances at Selene every so often, and the female vampire was reaching over to take his hand.

Lucian's smile grew. So, the ice queen wasn't as cold as she tried to make everyone believe her to be. Good.

The three bought their tickets, and headed into the train that had just arrived at the station. If only everything would be this easy, he thought to himself. But somehow, I have the feeling it won't be.

***

Not long after that, as the three of them exited the train and turned towards the stairway leading out to the city square. And that was when they caught it. All three, though Lucian was the first to begin sniffing, the pair behind him following suit.

Death Dealers.

And another scent. Like Lucian's and Michael's. Hybrid.

Lord Marcus Corvinus.

Lucian looked around, spotting a tall figure in dark robes. Then another not far away. And then he spotted the familiar light blond hair of the Elder himself. The vampire turned hybrid faced the three, his icy eyes meeting Lucian's.

"Hello, slave."