Author's Note: First off, thank you to Jess and Kristen. Thank you for your wonderful fics and for bugging me into writing this. It probably wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you two. And now I have some great ideas for it. ^_^ *tackle hugs* Thank you to everybody who reviewed on my other fics. I appreciate it more than you know.
Disclaimer: This is a continuation of both "What Dreams May Come" and "In the Darkness". You'll probably want to read them first. They could come in any order before this story. Just take your pick. ^_^ I don't own anything. Nothing at all. If I owned something, do you think I'd be sitting here writing fic about it? Not likely. ;) I will, however, own the original characters which will show up eventually probably. This is an AU, which means that stuff changes. Because it's my story and I can do that. Reviews and constructive criticism are most welcome. Flames will be used to burn one of every matching sock in the flamer's house. :P
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THE OTHER SIDE OF PARADISE
Kraven was too close. Lucian could feel it. Kraven had been like his shadow for the past few weeks. And the swell of Sonja's stomach was growing with the life inside her. She couldn't hide it under the folds of her gowns forever.
Kraven knew. Somehow he knew. Or at least Kraven thought he knew something. Lucian couldn't be sure of what or how much. And if he wasn't sure, he and Sonja and their unborn child were not safe in Ordoghaz...
* * *
Kraven paced quickly back and forth across the stone floor of his spacious quarters. What were that lycan and deceitful vampiress hiding? It vexed him to no end that he hadn't found anything incriminating as of yet. He was a Death Dealer! Lycans were just brainless beasts. How had this one particular lycan managed to outwit him thus far? It just didn't make sense. Perhaps there was nothing out of the ordinary to find? No, that couldn't be. There was something! He knew it. He could feel it. He could practically see it written on their faces, he just couldn't quite understand the writing.
"Hell fire!" he hissed as he swung his hand across a nearby table, knocking things everywhere and sending shards of glass flying. He looked at his hand and watched the blood run down his palm to his wrist and drip onto the floor below. He was too frustrated to even feel the pain.
He clenched his fist as the wound healed over, the final drops of blood falling to the ground to join the crimson puddle that had gathered there beneath his feet. He sighed in frustration as he tried to decide the best plan of action. He put a hand to his forehead and tried to calm down, but thoughts and suspicions clouded his mind. He had to know what it was they were hiding. Sonja was meant to be his, and yet she rejected him. She treated that lycan with more respect and adoration than him, a powerful and handsome Death Dealer.
Kraven sneered as he threw open the door to his room and went in search of that devious wench and her dog.
* * *
Lucian laid in Sonja's bed, his arms wrapped around her, and worried. What would they do when Kraven got closer? He was too close for comfort already. He glanced down at the swell of her stomach and couldn't help but grin. He wondered what their child would look like. He knew he needed to protect Sonja and their child, but the only way to truly protect them was to leave Ordoghaz, the only home they had ever known. Forever.
Sonja's eyes fluttered open. She smiled as she saw Lucian still watching over her, but she couldn't help but notice the sadness in his eyes. She could read him like a book. He was thinking the same thoughts she had for weeks now. Her life and the lives of the two who mattered most to her were in grave danger. If their secret was discovered it would mean death for them all. She snuggled closer to Lucian, trying to rid herself of the chill that thought brought over her. She knew they had to leave. She didn't want to leave her friends and family, but it was too late. The damage was done, the cards dealt. The child which she loved unconditionally, even though it had yet to enter this world, would never be accepted. It was hard to believe that her father would really punish his own daughter for loving Lucian, but the cold look in his eyes when he spoke of lycans told her all she feared. They had to leave. And they would be hunted as long as there was breath in their bodies.
Lucian stared into her bright green eyes. The other lycans here were like his brothers, but he had no connection in Ordoghaz as deep and important as this one. It wouldn't pain him to leave, but Sonja would be leaving kin behind. He pulled her closer to him and kissed her forehead. They hadn't said a word, and yet the base plans for their escape had already been laid.
That was when Lucian heard footsteps.
* * *
Kraven stormed through the halls of Ordoghaz, a look of fury and determination on his face. Lycan servants were quick to get out of his way, as were fledgling vampires. Kraven was quick-tempered and dangerous to cross on a good day. This was obviously not a good day.
His footsteps echoed through the halls, as if announcing his arrival. Treacherous wench. Whatever she was hiding he would find out. No one dishonored Kraven of Leicester in such a fashion and got away with it.
His pace quickened as he rounded a corner and the door to Sonja's quarters came into view at the end of the hall. His eyes glowed with uncontrolled rage as he slammed his hand into the door, sending it flying back. Sonja gasped and spun around from her bed to face the door. Alone.
* * *
"Kraven!" Lucian hissed as he jumped from the bed. He could smell the vampire nearing the door.
Lucian threw himself against the corner walls just as the door flew open. He stiffened as the door stopped just inches away from his face. Lucian pressed his back into the dark corner of the room and closed his eyes as if by not seeing the scene he himself wouldn't be seen. The door of Sonja's room was the only thing between him and discovery. He wished he could become one with the wall or turn invisible. He knew Kraven was too close!
Lucian bit his lower lip in hopes of quieting his heavy breathing. He heard Kraven enter the room, stepping toward Sonja and passing mere inches from his hiding place.
* * *
Kraven entered the room, temporarily thrown off guard by the empty state of Sonja's bed and room. He thought for sure he would find that dog here. But a quick sniff of the room spoke volumes to him. "You insolent wench!" Kraven thrust a hand at Sonja's neck, capturing her and roughly pushing her against the wall, his face inches from hers. "Where is that filthy dog? Your room and your body reek of him!"
Sonja spit in Kraven's face. Just as she did, the back of Kraven's hand found her cheek with a sickening thud. A single tear slipped down her cheek and she could taste her own blood, Kraven's ring leaving a gash across her face.
* * *
Viktor sat dressed in his Elder's robes, high collar framing his face and a large gold pendant shining against his chest. A goblet full of fresh blood sat on a table at his side. He sat watching the young vampire wenches attending to the dignitaries in the parlor. He searched the crowd for his daughter. It seemed she was nowhere to be found. Kraven was missing as well. He gestured to the vampire at his side. "Go and fetch my daughter. I wish to speak with her." The servant vampire nodded and went in search of the absent vampire princess.
* * *
Lucian heard the sound of Kraven's hand finding it's mark on Sonja's cheek. It was more than he could take. He lunged from his hiding place behind the door directly at Kraven. He wrapped his powerful hands around Kraven's neck, slamming him into the wall. Sonja fell to the floor with the force of the blow. Kraven's head hit the wall, his windpipe closing with the strength of the lycan's hands. He stared in shock, his eyes wide, at the lycan holding him to the stone. Then he slumped down in Lucian's grip, loosing consciousness. Lucian let him fall and immediately went to attend to Sonja. Her cheek was bleeding and she was slightly dizzy. "Sonja? Sonja, love? Look at me."
Sonja's green eyes met his. "I... I'm okay." She shook her head and stood with some aid from Lucian's strong arms. He put an arm around her waist and held her as they both looked down at Kraven, laying on the floor. "Is he dead?" Sonja asked carefully and quietly.
"No. He's still breathing." Lucian couldn't move his eyes from the raven-haired Death Dealer on the floor. What had he done? "We must leave. Now." He looked at Sonja and wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. He grabbed her hand and they went as quickly as they could through the dark halls of Ordoghaz, as if the devil himself followed behind.