Author's note. And now for the next installment of Hybrid War. I must say, this story has changed so drastically from what was planned, and I think for the better. I prefer how it's coming. And thanks for all the reviews! And statciradar and Astrik, thanks for the bugging on AIM and the muse cookies!! Now, I got a very interesting review, and I'd like to respond to it.

Heatherly: I agree with you about Lucian, to a certain extent. The Adam thing was spur of the moment, actually, but I felt that it fit, especially considering what was happening. But I must point out that he didn't fight a dirty war necessarily, considering the vampires truly started it, he did what he had to do for vengeance and justice. And as far as human consideration, it is stated that the vampires don't particularly care if their victims are willing or not, despite the laws. And they are killing simply to drink fresh human blood, when they don't even have to. Lucian was doing everything he could to save his species and avenge his lover. Also, while in the beginning of the novelization he seems like a villain, there are hints of more to it and when you find that out, you see he isn't as horrible as you've been led to believe. And the vampires did help bring this war upon themselves. But I'm glad you liked that I had him bite Adam. And as far as the sex starved college student part, I read the novelization first and fell in love with the character before seeing the movie. But I'm not going to deny that I find him quite sexy.

Thank you for the review, it was very interesting and certainly was appreciated. Made me think about some things. And as far as Sonja goes, I am simply trying to make her as believable as possible for me to do, which is hard since we have nothing on her except that she loved Lucian and was Viktor's daughter.

Thanks to all my other reviewers as well, I truly appreciate all of them! Hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I own only the characters not mentioned in Underworld the movie, script, novelization, or comic. Please don't sue. Savvy?

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CHAPTER 17: THE TOUGHT GET GOING

Michael led Adam to the roof of the complex in silence. He supposed he shouldn't be all that surprised or upset that Lucian had bitten Adam, making his friend a fellow hybrid. After all, he himself would have been tempted if Adam hadn't believed him, because Michael was certain that was what had brought on Lucian's act.

The alpha was in a strange, uncertain spot now, and he couldn't be blamed for lashing out somehow. At least he hadn't killed anyone.

Yet.

"So, I guess Lucian explained the situation," Michael stated once they were on the roof, and he moved to sit down on the concrete. "And I guess you didn't really believe him."

"No," Adam confirmed. "But I sure do now." He sat down as well, and the two remained silent for several minutes, trying to decide what to say. Adam spoke up first. "So, what's with you and that woman? I mean, I never thought you were the Trinity type."

Michael laughed softly at that. "She's hardly Trinity," he told his friend. "Trinity's a bit more open than Selene."

"Wow, ice queen, huh?" Adam asked.

"You have no idea She's a vampire, so she's cold by nature I guess. But she's not as closed off as she used to be," he explained. "She used to just give orders, like she was still back with her clan called the Death Dealers, Lucian told you about them, right?"

Adam nodded.

"Now she makes it sound like she's actually requesting, not commanding. And sometimes, she actually is. But I don't mind really. Besides, I think you type changes after you've been bitten by a lycan and then a vampire and turned into the first crossbreed between them to live," Michael said, and Adam couldn't help snorting.

"Man, that just sounds so frigging crazy," he said, and they both smiled. "I mean, if anyone heard us, they have the men in white coats here to lock us up in an institution!"

Michael nodded, smiling. "Yeah, they sure would. You wanted me locked up that day I came after Lucian bit me, remember?"

"Yes, about that, I'm sorry," Adam said, but Michael shrugged.

"I probably would have done the same thing. But I got to tell you, those two weren't police officers, they were lycans, trying to track me and take me back to Lucian. Did he explain that part too?"

"Yes, he pretty much covered everything. Including the fact that my other friend at the hospital, whom you were coming to 'retrieve', as he liked to put it, is somehow his supposedly dead lover, who was a vampire during the fourteenth century and that their love caused the war. Oh, and she's been kidnapped by a vampire that Lucian made a pact with but was betrayed two weeks ago by him."

Michael nodded. "Sounds like he got everything covered. Well, at least you don't have to worry about the sun," Michael joked, gesturing at the fiery star high in the sky. "You know, it should be lunch time within an hour. We'll probably stay at Leila's, um, Sonja's, until sundown. I think Lucian wants to head back to his old hideout after that."

Adam stood up. "Well then, maybe we should go back in. I think Leila, um, Sonja, has a deck of cards hidden somewhere. Still remember how to play poker?"

***

Marcus and Erika followed Kahn to the garage, the other Death Dealers that had remained loyal to the Elder trailing behind. Kahn was going to take the Hummer a group of Death Dealers had acquired while in America last year. Ziodex scientists had developed an experimental glass that supposedly kept UV rays out, they were about to see if the glass worked. They had never really had a need or chance to test it before, though Ziodex assured them it worked.

Well, time to find out.

Marcus turned to Erika. "You stay here," he whispered to her. "At least until we know it's safe," he told her.

Erika sighed and shook her head. "I will not, who knows what could happen! That Death Dealer already tried to seduce me once, what if he came down after us? You have no power here now, although I'm sure you could easily rip everyone in half," she said, smiling slightly. "Besides, I'm sure the glass works."

Marcus sighed, exasperated. "You are a stubborn little thing." His shoulders sagged slightly. "Fine, then let's get in," he said and they walked into the garage where Kahn was already getting into the driver's seat. Marcus and Erika got into the middle seat, while Mason sat in the passenger side and Alexis and the rest -which were three more - settled in at the very back.

Opening the garage door and starting the car, Kahn drove out of the garage slowly, the steel colored Hummer making its way out into the sun inch by inch it seemed.

Reaching over slightly, Marcus grabbed Erika's hand, which she in turned squeezed softly. But as they reached the sunlight, nothing happened, and for the first time in over thirty years, Erika was able to see what her skin looked like in the sun. She was even paler than she thought.

"Well, I suppose Ziodex really does have a bunch of geniuses in their labs," Marcus stated, and the others smiled wryly and nodded.

Kahn glanced at Marcus briefly over his shoulder as he pulled out of the driveway. "Where do you wish to go, my Lord?"

***

Selene looked up when Michael and Adam entered. She and Lucian sat at the kitchen table, her seat carefully moved out of the harmful rays of sunlight that managed to escaped the closed blinds. Lucian never even budged. She wondered if he even registered their return.

"Did we miss something?" Adam asked cautiously.

Selene nodded. "Kraven called. He wants Lucian to kill Marcus, and then he'll tell Lucian where to find Sonja. He also let Lucian speak with her," the vampire explained, and Michael and Adam grew solemn.

"You're going to do it, aren't you?" Michael asked, and Lucian finally looked up. Michael saw the steely resolve in Lucian's gray eyes, and he knew the hybrid would do anything and everything Kraven told him to do if it meant having Sonja alive again. "Why does he want you to kill Marcus? There has to be some reason, and whatever it is, it can't be good," Michael tried to tell Lucian, but he simply stood and walked past Michael.

"Lucian," Selene called out. "You can't just go to the mansion, there are too many. Wait until nightfall, if he was out last night hunting for Kraven and he didn't catch the coward, he'll be back tonight."

Lucian let out a reluctant sigh, his shoulders sagging and he nodded. "You're right," he admitted. Suddenly his claws formed and he tore through half the wall in rage, a low roar escaping him. He then turned and walked back to the table, sitting down beside Selene yet again.

"I'm still shocked that the police have come yet from all the neighbors calling about the racket," Adam said out of the blue. He then waked over to the TV cabinet and opened a drawer. Pulling out a deck of playing cards, he turned to his new family. "Anyone want to play poker while we wait for sundown?"

***

Sonja stared up at the ceiling. Kraven was taking a shower, leaving her mercifully alone in the small room. She closed her eyes, remembering the sound of Lucian's voice over the phone, his hoarse voice assuring her they would be together again. She tried to struggle out of her bonds, she knew Kraven would do something to spite them, and she couldn't bare the thought of him succeeding.

"Come on, just rip, the material isn't that strong," she kept whispering as she tried to break free. She whimpered in pain when her skin was pinched from the twisting fabric. But it seemed her discomfort was worth it, as she heard the delightful sound of cloth ripping and she struggled more. She nearly cried out in relief and triumph when the bit of sheet broke and her wrists were free.

Now just untie your ankles and get out, she told herself. She quickly removed the gag and freed her legs, then quietly slid off the bed and ran for the door.

But just as she got past the bathroom door, it opened and an arm snaked out and wrapped around her shoulders. She cried out as Kraven pulled up to him and dragged her back to the bed, throwing her down on it. She tried to move away, but he was on the bed now and held her down on the mattress roughly.

Glaring up at his sneer, she almost spat his face. But before she could do anything, his eyes were blue and his fangs elongated.

"I told you not to try anything," he hissed. "But you had to be the typical damsel in distress, didn't you? Had to valiantly try to escape from the villain's clutches in hopes to reunited with your heroic lover. Well, everything brings consequences, you of all people should know that," he told her darkly, making her shiver in fear.

She realized what he was going to do and she struggled fiercely to get away, to no avail. She was human, he was a vampire sired by an Elder. She never had a chance.

Kraven growled and bit down on her neck, his fangs piercing her skin. Sonja cried out in pain, now knowing what it felt to be bitten. He hungrily drank her blood, draining her of energy and life until she was barely conscious.

Getting up off of her, he sneered. "It looks like you and Lucian will have to be together as different races again," he muttered cruelly and grabbed his shirt, throwing it on.

Gasping, Sonja felt her body weaken and darkness overwhelm her. She knew if she did wake up again, she would no longer be human.

***

As Kahn drove into the city, the vampires stared out at the streets, most having never seen the world when it was daylight. Marcus looked at Erika, watching the way the sunlight seemed to make her glow. She was beautiful.

Erika smiled, and Marcus could almost imagine her blush under his gaze, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Playfully, he reached up and untucked it, making it fall back in her face.

She threw him an irritated glare, but he simply kissed her nose and turned to stare out the front window of the vehicle.

"We're almost there, my Lord," Mason informed them, and Marcus nodded. They had decided to go back to the deserted lycan lair, since the Death Dealers that patrolled it were all with Marcus. Marcus wondered if Lucian and his companions were there as well.

Oh well. It seems we might be on the same side now, he thought ironically. If you could only see me now, Viktor. How you would probably, what's the right word? Oh, yes. Freak. An Elder with lycan blood now running through his veins, yes, you would freak.

***

Lucian, Selene, Michael, and Adam all sat around the table in that order, playing their fourth round of poker. So far Lucian had won twice, Selene once. Michael and Adam were about ready to quit and just see which of the other two could win.

"Michael, pass me the chips," Adam requested, and the fellow hybrid did, passing the bag of sour cream and onion flavored chips. "Thanks," he muttered and then went back to concentrating on the game.

Lucian looked over at the bag. "Pass that to me, please," he said and Adam handed him the bag. The lycan hybrid tried a chip, then decided he liked them as well and ate a few more. He left the bag on the table near him, figuring he might as well eat human food if he couldn't feed normally.

Selene watched with silent amusement, carefully hiding the smile the males' actions were causing. She returned her attention to the cards in front of her. So far she had a fairly good hand.

Suddenly, they all heard a small ring and Lucian pulled his cell out of his pocket. He looked at it, and the rest waited to see if it was indeed Kraven yet again. But as soon as he answered it they relaxed a bit and went back to the game.

"Erik, how is everything there?" he asked softly. "Good," he said a moment later, and then gave a short explanation of why they would be late. It of course had nothing to do with the actual reasons. "So hopefully we'll be back by Monday," he said finally, telling Erik goodbye and hanging up.

"How is the pack?" Selene and Michael both asked.

"Good," Lucian replied, and they all returned to the silent card game.

Lucian ended up winning again. He had the sneaking suspicion they were letting him.

***

Marcus followed Kahn and the other Death Dealers as they led him and Erika through the tunnels, towards the abandoned lair of the lycans. It was deathly quiet in the underground hideout as they reached the room in which Viktor had fallen.

Erika scrunched up her nose as they waded through the water, but Marcus picked her up before she could step in it. She smiled at him, slightly embarrassed, but hardly upset about being carried. Nor was she upset about the fact that after they were past the water, he made no move to let her down.

When they finally entered what Kahn said was probably Lucian's room, he let her down and they looked at their surroundings. The room was sparse and filled only with weapons, UV ammo, blueprints of the mansion, and a bare desk.

Erika shivered. So, this was the legendary leader of the lycans' room? She never would have expected it to be so, so, so bare. But then, Lucian was a lycan. She supposed they didn't require quite the same living conditions as vampires.

"It's already three o'clock, my Lord, the sun will be done in only a few hours," Mason informed them. "Do you wish to hunt down Kraven still?"

Marcus nodded. "Yes, I believe he could prove useful now."

***

Lucian, Selene, Michael and Adam walked out of the apartment. It was well past six and the sun was set. Time to head back to the old lair, from which Lucian planned on leaving to hunt down Marcus. Selene and Michael were unsure if they would join him or not.

They all stepped into the elevator, than out and towards the exit once they reached the ground floor. They headed for Adam's car, Lucian in the passenger seat yet again.

Of course, Adam didn't mind so much this time, since Lucian had ended up losing to Selene in the tie-breaker. After the sixth round and nobody but those two winning, Adam and Michael had just quit. So, Selene had won that round and they had decided to call it quits on poker for the night. After watching the news and hearing about the incident at the hospital, they had decided to leave since the sun was down finally.

"Anyone want to listen to the radio?" Adam asked, but everyone shook their head. "Good, cause the stations here suck and I can't always understand them anyway."

Michael grinned. "I can't understand them at all," he said and Adam laughed. "Yeah, I know."

***

They walked through the tunnels, the four of them. Selene, Michael, and Adam had decided that all would go and help Lucian hunt down the vampire hybrid. Selene had already accepted long ago that it would most likely come to this, and Michael had too much of Lucian in him to object. Adam had no idea who this Marcus was, but he knew that he had been causing trouble for Michael and his new friends, and that was enough.

Silently making their way through the labyrinthine underground terrain, they were at complete attention, tense and prepared to fight if they came across any Death Dealers. As they entered the room where the ladder leading to the bunker was, they heard voices coming from the lair.

Lucian stiffened. "Marcus is down there," he whispered. The others glanced at each other, wary, but ready to fight. Leading the way, Lucian walked straight for the ladder, quickly descending it. Michael followed suit, then Selene, and then finally Adam.

The voices were coming from the room Lucian had used, and he strode towards it briskly, stopping when he finally came to the large doorway.

Six Death Dealers, a female vampire, and the Elder hybrid looked up at the unexpected arrival. Lucian smiled grimly.

"Hello, Marcus."