'Chapter 18: A New Face'

' ' ' ' (Thanks Adalon for my fishy idea)

They struggled to keep out of sight of the Death Dealers. Michael clasped his hand in Selene's, despite her constant refusal of help. Both Charli and Michael watched Selene with amusement as she walked around as if she were one of the many drunken men that walked the streets of Budapest during Happy Hour. Charli whistled a bit of songs she remembered from her days in the States.

Suddenly, Charli went very quiet. Michael looked at their 'leader', not understanding what the disruption was. He followed Charli's gaze to the tops of the buildings. He looked for a bit more not seeing anything. Then he saw it. Black shapes wisped by like a silent black raven in the night.

"Go," Charli whispered so low that Michael could barely hear it, even with his sensitive hybrid ears. He stood unmoving in the middle of the cobblestone street. Charli looked down at him. "GO! I'll meet you back at the den!" She tried to keep her voice as low as possible, but kept a sense of urgency in her voice.

"No," Michael responded in the same stubborn voice, "I won't leave you alone!"

"Michael, be sensible. Selene needs medical care, and if you can't do it, then a doctor at the den can! Michael, I need you to save her, and you need it too! Go now and don't look back!" Charli amazingly kept her voice low.

Michael took another look at his friend and whizzed past her with speed neither vampyre nor lycan could surpass, now carrying the drowsy Selene in his arms. All Charli heard from him was a small rustle of littered napkins and other garbage. He did not look back.

' ' ' '

1 hour ago

Riea grunted at Marcus. "Right. And hell's frozen over; Marcus, you couldn't make a successful plan to destroy the lycan clan with all of them blindfolded."

Lucian grunted and smiled. Marcus, however, scowled. "You will be destroyed once this silly lycan race is gone, mark my words."

"Oh, I mark them well. With a purple sharpie, I mark them well." Both Riea and Lucian held back a snigger.

Crack!

"You will never speak to our Lord like that ever again!" The Death Dealer holding the whip boomed through the dungeon with fury, and he lashed out at her with the whip.

Marcus gave his servant a quick warning glare, but he did not vent his anger on him. He did not want to kill Riea.

Riea's pale hand rose to her neck and ruby blood poured from the wound. Lucian, who was behind Riea, could not see the wound. Riea stood stock- still.

She removed her hand from the wound, and dropped it. She felt the blood drip down her hand and part like veins. It continued down her fingers and paused in a moment at the tips, as though the droplets were deciding when to fall. Then she felt the release of the blood onto the stone floor of the underground dungeon. Her eyes brimmed with tears at the pain, but she would burn in hell before she would let Marcus see her cry. She turned around to Lucian, and bent down next to him.

He tried to comfort her. It pained him to see her hurting. She accidentally placed her bloody fingers on his lips to silence him. She grinned, "Sorry." She quickly removed her finger. "I'll be back for you. I promise on my immortal life." Lucian tried to get her to leave him, but she was as stubborn as they come.

"It won't be long." Riea turned again to Marcus. Her voice rose. "I'm sorry, milord. It was my mistake to speak like I did. I will no longer be able to stay here." "No. I have been something of an idiot. You are forgiven, but not condemned. You shall be sent to your chamber straight away."

This hadn't been what Riea had been planning. Whatever she was going to do would have to wait. She nodded reluctantly, "Yes milord." She stormed out of the chamber.

"Make sure she doesn't leave the room. We don't want any of our enemies knowing about this." Marcus smiled, and watched the three Death Dealers leave.

"You're a disgusting fool." Lucian spat.

"And you are a mangy dog."

"She trusted you." Anger seethed through Lucian, "Charli trusted you with her life. The first thing she said to me after I found out who she was, was that she needed to see you, so you wouldn't worry." Lucian trembled at the mention of his daughter.

Marcus's gaze pierced into Lucian's, and for a split second Lucian saw sadness in his eyes. Marcus turned and walked out without another word.

' ' ' '

Riea looked around for her clothes. She heard the Death Dealers come up and lock her door. She knew that that would not be a possible exit. She searched in her drawer for a more suitable outfit. Unfortunately, in these times, you could not go running about draped in beautiful gowns of purple and gold without notice. She exchanged the Arthurian dress for black leather pants, and a black tank top. She buckled her black boots. She ended the costume with a thick leather belt surrounded with pouches made to hold bullets and knives. She stuck her sais through two of the loops that were on this belt. Her father had given the outfit to her for her fiftieth birthday. It came equipped with two other daggers, a pair of Nighthawks and enough bullets to take out a group of vampyres.

She tucked everything safely into her belt, and grabbed Charli's cloak lying on her chaise and she walked across her room to open the window. It had started raining again. What's new in this country? She put one foot on the panel of the steel window. She looked down, and then ahead of her, she saw the tall black gates. Marcus could try to keep her confined in her own room, but that did as much good as trying to keep a chicken alive in a fox's den.

She threw herself over and landed gracefully on the muddy lawn. She heard the Dobermans bark loud, but at the sight of Riea, they backed down. Too bad the Elders had set her to take care of the dogs. Four of the six left her side to return to their handlers. The other two sat next to Riea. She hadn't thought of bringing treats down with her, though she wished terribly she had, now looking at the Doberman's puppy face.

"I'm sorry, boys. I don't have anything for you." The older one whined and quickly walked away to scout out more enemies who might walk on the vampyres' grounds. The youngest of the Dobermans stayed beside her, as loyal as a lycan. She spoke to her favorite, "No, Tiger, you can't come with me." The dog whined, but stayed put. Riea looked at her pup. He was only a year old, but he acted much older, and was much more loyal to her than he ever was to the Death Dealers. Maybe it was because his handler was her father.

She started to walk off towards the gate, hoping to go unnoticed. No had followed her. She didn't bother telling the dog off. It wouldn't matter. He had made up his mind.

She was disgusted at how easy it was to escape the mansion. She walked pensively towards the city. Hopefully, she would find Charli, and find the lycan den. For once, she was glad to have a partner on the way. She held her bag close to her and hugged Charli's cloak tighter against her body as she made her journey through the city.

Riea had only been gone for five minute when she heard footsteps behind her. They couldn't have realized I'm gone already, could they? She thought to herself. There was nowhere to hide. She would be spotted at once. Damn! She pressed herself against one of the old brick buildings, hoping she wouldn't be discovered. Fortunately, they were traveling on rooftops, so if she prayed hard enough, hopefully they would miss her. Tiger suddenly realized what was going on as well. He crouched low to the ground at Riea's feet.

Thank the Elders! Riea silently thought as she watched her blood kin race across the buildings like horrific shadows. Tiger whined, barely audible amidst the sound of rain. "We don't trust them anymore, boy." Riea spoke hushed to the dog when the threat disappeared. She knelt to the dog and scratched his ears reassuringly. Tiger was smart. He understood that he was with Riea from now on. "But they knew where they were going. If they weren't searching for me... Where were they going? What are you up to Marcus?" She asked no one. Riea stared in the direction the Death Dealers had taken.

Tiger sniffed the air and bounded down after his ex-handlers. Riea looked confused for a moment, but put her faith in the dog and ran after him. It seemed like a good twenty minutes of flat out chasing before Tiger slowed. He halted and emitted a low, deadly growl. Riea followed his steely gaze. There she saw her old friend, Charli, standing stock still. She was gazing up at the lethal vampyres preparing for battle atop a Budapest bank.

"Charli!" Riea yelled, trying to make her voice heard over the thunder and pelting rain.

The brunette turned her head and smiled a white-toothed grin. She yelled across the street, "It's about time! I thought they may have decided to make you an Elder and you would end up sleeping for the next century!"

Riea ran to meet her friend, her companion at her feet. "That'd be nice." Riea still yelled, "I wouldn't have to see Marcus's bleeding face every night."

The vampyres looked unmoved by Riea's arrival, until her rude comment was made. They growled in anger flashing toothy fangs and cocking 9-11's pointed at the two enemies. "Ready to roll?" Charli asked, as though it was an everyday question.

"You know it!" Riea grinned. She suddenly felt a longing for this. To be side by side with her friend fighting for the greater good. She suddenly felt that this is where she belonged.

The vampyres jumped the wall. A total of six Death Dealers. Three each. It would be a piece of cake. "Hm. Strawberry shortcake?" Riea asked.

"Mm. Bloody Raspberry Cheesecake." Charli grinned, licking her lips.

"Sounds good. As good as New York cheesecake at Armando's?" Riea asked. Before they would battle, Charli and Riea would call their enemies cakes. If they won, they celebrate with that cake. If they lost...

"Never as good as his, but I know a few good places."

"Good."

The vampyres didn't allow the pair to go on, interrupting them with a stream of bullets. The noise pulled Charli and Riea to attention and they quickly leapt into action. Charli went to the left, leaving her weaker side to Riea's stronger side. Charli immediately pounced on the Death Dealer closest to her. He was taken aback by her promptness and dropped his gun. Charli took out her jeweled daggers from the leather sheaths around her waist. She didn't bother with boots, but she did have two small blades hidden in an ankle pocket of her cargos. She didn't worry about being unarmed in her army cargos that were given to her while she was in the army. She still, to this day, found new pockets and new uses for the indestructible pants.

She held the daggers, their weight familiar in her palms, and struck at the Blood in front of her. He pulled out another set of guns and began firing in her direction. Adrenaline shot through her like a drug and Charli ran, trying to avoid the bullets, and letting one of the daggers fly from her hand. It flew easily, in a practiced throw. It landed squarely in the vampyre's forehead. He fell heavily to the ground as his companions began shooting with a mad rage. Charli once again was obliged to run from the sharp aim of flying bullets. Her path took her past the fallen vampyre and she grabbed her dagger, standing erect in his forehead, as she ran past, barely slowing as she stooped and jerked the dagger free. She turned back towards the vampyres, ignoring the bullets and hoping she wouldn't get shot. The dagger, already covered in blood and brain fluids, flew through the air again. Her target dodged at the last second and the blade embedded itself in the vampyre's firing arm. Grimacing in pain, he grabbed the hilt and pulled it free, gritting his teeth against the pain. He dropped his now- useless gun as he felt some pain dissipate. He lunged at Charli, knocking her flat. She gripped his wrist, holding her dagger away from her neck long enough to regain her balance and throw him off, getting quickly to her feet.

Riea pulled her sais from her belt loops and twirled them in her hands, checking the balance. Her mind raced through the memories she had of her training with her father, as was her personal custom before battle. Her canines elongated into fangs as adrenaline filled her. Her eyes seemed to come into focus, as though she had put glasses on. Her pupils dilated and her senses focused on one of the vampyres in front of her, intent on her target. It was Droven, a well-known Death Dealer, who stood in front of her, slightly behind the other two members of his team. He knew that Riea was a good fighter, and he knew that his teammates would not last, yet he would allow them to fight. The other two members of Droven's team were unknown to Riea. I hate newbies, Riea thought darkly. She swung the sais warningly to warn off her attackers. She failed in keeping them at bay, but succeeded in scratching them countless times with the pointed tips. If she had to kill them, she hoped it would be quick. Although the vampyres in front of her were her enemies, they were her blood. They had once been her family.

' ' ' '

Michael finally made his way back to the lycan den. Selene was once again unconscious in his arms. He was afraid she might have a concussion. Some of the lycans were still wandering about the entrance room. None took notice of their leader coming home. He went through a familiar door in search for the medical room. As he walked down the hall, he ran into Gavin.

Gavin was sweating a bit and he didn't look normal at all. His face was pale and clammy, and Michael bet his life that if he made contact with the lycan's skin it would be ice cold.

"Where is she?"

Michael knew he was straightforward when it came to Charli. He also knew that Gavin was the reason Charli was in a bad mood. During the time they spent up in the tower during the daylight hours, she had told him the story. Michael looked at Gavin.

"Please, Michael. I need to know."

Michael sighed. He might as well tell him. He seemed to care enough, even if Charli would be mad at him afterwards. "We were stopped by vampyres. She forced me to take Selene back here for medical attention."

"So she's out there alone?" Gavin could have screamed his lungs out, but his voice was almost gone.

"I wanted to stay with her, Gavin, but she wouldn't let me." Michael countered, but tried to understand Gavin's anger.

"You don't get it, do you? She wants to get caught!" Gavin found his voice and was now yelling. Michael looked at him questioningly. Gavin heaved a sigh, "That's how she'll visit Marcus, but now Marcus wants to kill her."

"No. He wouldn't."

"Times have changed Michael. Marcus has seen the truth of this war. He's seen what will happen if this war is over. If he gets the chance, Michael, he will kill her." Gavin said trying to calm himself. He walked past his leader, and ran out the door.

Michael shook his head and muttered under his breath and left to find the replacement for Singe.

' ' ' '

Charli took the dagger and oscillated her direction every so often at the vampyre, hoping confusion would be her trick. The vampyre caught on quickly and with super senses, grabbed her armed hand and put it above her reach. He used the stolen dagger to cut her arm which made her arm burn with pain. She tried to swing a clenched fist into his face, but the other vampyre latched his own hand onto hers. He held her against the brick wall. She heard the first vampyre whisper things to her.

"You are a disgrace, Hybrid. Using the blood of a vampyre to which you have no right. If I am to kill you, at least I will make you suffer for it!" He growled with a ferocious look.

Charli glared at him, "Well a decent vampyre would at least let me defend myself." The vampyre paused mid way in his cutting exercises to think about this offer. He took the other dagger and released her.

"Fine."

Charli smiled, "My pleasure."

The vampyre tossed the daggers to his partner, and stretched his fingers out as if they hadn't been used in a long time. It took almost a good twenty minutes to wrestle Charli remotely close to the ground. Another ten minutes passed and the vampyre flung his body on top of her. His weight was almost twice hers, so she was kept pinned to the street. He smiled maliciously, his blue eyes piercing into hers. His fangs glinted in the moonlight and he struck her across the head. Her head went from the blow of his hand to the top of the curb with force. She could feel the back of her head bleeding, but she used all her strength to keep awake. He pushed himself forward and in total surprise pulled her leather jacket off and bit her at the corner of her neck and jugular. She felt unbearable pain as he drank her blood. The adrenaline that kept her alive for the past half hour was now vanishing along with her blood. Her veins went hot and then freezing cold in a matter of seconds. She let out a scream that was soon drowned out.

Her eyes turned black; she felt it. She saw a light flash before her and her body was pushed over the edge, and somehow she was deep inside herself. You're going mad more and more everyday, Charli. Look at yourself. You're seeing a bloody white light. You're dying. You're dying and you've never said goodbye. You didn't say goodbye to Riea, who helped you every step of the way. You never said goodbye to Marcus, who held you while you cried. You never said goodbye to your father you just met. You never said goodbye to the one you loved.