(cough, cough) Ahem. May I have the drum roll please.
Muse: oh just get on with it!
Me: shut up! This is my big moment! I finally finished something I started! (shoves muse back in closet) Even if it did take me a while. :)
Well ladies and gents, faithful readers and reviewers. I cannot thank you enough for all the support I have been given. You guys truly have made this story. (bows)
So, since I've made you wait long enough. I'll shut up and let you read. It's along one guys. 23 pages, but enjoy it all.
And now, the conclusion of My Immortal.
Chapter Twenty-One: Humanity Restored
Tyran watched anxiously as the vampires flooded into the room. His sight, unfortunately was not as good as Michaels, but his eyes thought he knew the lead dealer. He looked to his left at the watchman perched over the door. Tyran's mussels tensed as he waited for the signal. He felt his mate calmly slip her hand into his.
And there it was. The lycan flashed him a thumb's up sign, compliments of Michael.
Tyran wasted not a moment. His hand made the move to release the chains, and in the next instant the cage was falling.
The Lycan's stashed on the ground moved and shut the heavy doors that had been installed, and barred them from the outside.
"Tyran look." Tamara pointed at one end of the cage. The chain had caught on a jagged edge of the cage and was managing to suspend the entire thing.
Tyran looked down as the vampires looked up at their impending doom. Quickly he stared at the dangling trap. He backed up and pressed himself against the wall. He gritted his teeth and forced the change upon himself. He growled in pain as his bones erupted and enlarged at an alarming rate. With in seconds he was full wolf. He let out a mighty roar as he launched himself off the ledge. He glided in the air as if flying, and brought his feet down to land mightily upon the cage. His weight jarred the chain and set it free. Clutching the top with his claws, Tyran rode it all the way down atop his enemy.
The lycanthrope stared from above at his prey. Saliva leaked from his jaws down into the squalling vampire mess. Then someone raised a gun and shot at him.
With a quick snap of his legs he was off the cage, and standing right next to his mate.
Tamara leaned in and kissed his furry cheek. A few moments later, his human eyes smiled at her. She wrapped him up in his coat and kissed him again. "Good work love."
He grinned and stared at the massive amount of vampires before him. He reached out and a lycan from behind handed him a large automatic rifle. He fired to rounds into the air.
"All right listen up!"
A vampire in the cage leveled his gun at him. Tyran shook his finger. "Uh, uh, uh. You think we'd be easy targets?" He looked up at the lycans still perched on the ledge. Each one leveled a gun and turned on a bright blue laser light.
The vampire's entire circle lit up with blue light.
Tyran grinned wickedly. "You're like shooting fish in a barrel my friends. Now," He motioned with his hand and several lycanthropes stepped forward. "My brothers here are going to go around with barrels and collect your weapons. Failure to comply with this order will result in, well" He pointed up. "Can't say the aim will be great, but I'm sure they'll hit something." He flashed them his fangs in a sarcastic smile, then turned to Tiernan. "Have your team round up any extras we missed. Try to keep them alive, but if you can't." He left it at that.
The vampires said nothing as the lycan's moved about the room, loading weapons as they were thrown at them. When the task was complete Tyran himself made a quick pass.
"You did very well my blood thirsty friends. Now just sit back, relax, and enjoy your stay at club lycan."
Selene waited patiently inside her room as the noise inside the hallway calmed down. Quietly she opened the door and looked around. No one was about, and no shadows seemed lurking. She moved gracefully into the hall, the tails of her coat whipping about her.
Her senses alert she walked the path she knew would take her to the throne room. How many times had I come to Viktor this way? She pressed herself against the wall as footsteps approached. She kept her gun raised and ready, but the voices soon turned and became faint again.
She moved silently across the halls until she stood catty-corner from the throne entrance. There were two guards, and one in the control room. She waited as several dealers strolled out of the heavy doors. As their footsteps led them straight for her she jumped and clung to the ceiling.
"Can you believe Markus is keeping us here?"
The tallest vampire shook his head. "It doesn't make since. Geren should have told us."
"Tommy, Geren hasn't been right since Amelia, you know that." Another spoke roughly.
They continued to talk amongst themselves and walked right beneath the hanging vampiress. Once out of sight Selene lowered herself silently down. She turned towards the guards and holstered her gun. As if she belonged there she strolled right up to them, grabbed the first one by the collar and jammed him into her knee. The second raised his gun but she knocked it out of the way, delivered a palm to his nose, then wrapped her slender hands around his neck and snapped it.
The first guard stood up just as she brought her foot to his head. Now, the vampire from the control room was out. She ducked as he lunged at her, and he flew head first into the first guard. Pulling her Beretta with a silencer she held it point blank to the control guard's chest and fired. She delivered another silent shot to the head of the first guard, and watched as both dissipated into ashes.
She kicked the remains against the wall, dragged the dead guard into the control room, and hit the button that would open the door.
Markus sat lazily upon his throne, looking bored as he stared at the ground. Suddenly, the doors began their rusty assent and reveled light from the other room. He looked, but saw no one. He sat straighter in his thrown, gazing into the incredibly bright light shining into his room.
A shadow slowly grew upon the ground, blocking the light from his eyes. He looked up and recognized the end of a gun barrel.
"Hello Markus. I don't think we've met before. I'm Selene."
Lily held on for dear life as Michael yanked the car around corners and turns. A whole band of vans followed behind him. Lily chuckled lightly to herself. Here we come to save the day! Then her face grew dark as she thought of her task. Or destroy it. She found that she couldn't bring her eyes to Michael's as he slammed the car to a stop in front of the main gate.
The vans came screeching to a halt behind him, lycan's and vampires jumping out before the tires even stopped smoking.
Michael stood wordlessly by her side while Mark walked nonchalantly to the front gate. He attached two devices around the lock then took a step back and plugged his ears.
Lily didn't even hear the sound of the explosion, or the massive amount of alarms that sounded as the gate to the Devil's house was blown to pieces. It was like a dream. Vampires rushed from the mansion, guns blazing, while Lycanthropes charged fearlessly into the mess.
The collision was reflected in her sapphire eyes. Lycan's and vampires massed in noisy battle. Guns blared, hisses and howls slashed at the sky. She stared motionless as centuries of hate came together in one final battle.
She felt a slight brush as the hybrid before her relieved himself of his jacket, and unleashed the monster that dwelt within him. In a flash he was gone, becoming just another member in the bloody mass in front of her.
She looked up at the mansion. And there my battle lies. Walking slowly she approached the main door. The battling warriors paid her no mind, and she slipped right past them.
Inside the place was desolate. There we're no vampires to be seen. Not maid, nor dealer, nor commoner, but she knew there was one. And she knew exactly where she had gone.
Steeling her nerve and drawing the gun from her side she climbed the stairs that would take her to the second level. Taking a second to look around she quickly walked into what appeared to be a broom closet, but was so much more.
She pushed aside the cleaning supplies and tapped on the back wall as the blonde vampire had shown her. It swung open silently and revealed a staircase that would take her to the recovery chamber of the throne room. Without hesitation the human stepped through the passage. Thank you Erika. She thought silently, and stepped towards her destiny.
The vampire clutched at the claws around his throat. He felt his windpipe cave in, and the hollow of his throat filled with blood. The last thing his eyes saw was the dripping fangs of the abomination.
Michael swung the body of the dead blood around and smacked the encroaching vampire behind him. He felt a bullet pierce his side. He slashed like lightening and spewed the contents of the vamp to his left.
Bringing his black eyes up the hybrid watched as more warriors poured from the mansion. The lycan's we're dwindling. Four or more bloods surrounded his brothers and quickly filled them with silver.
His eyes widened as the head of a fully morphed lycanthrope, exploded before him. He turned around, his sharp vision picking out the snipers on the roof.
----
Mark unloaded his blue ammunition into several death dealers. He held no pause as their bodies burned, wiped around, and took out two more. He aimed at a third, and his rifle clicked.
Dropping the weapon Mark hissed at his query.
The death dealer grinned maliciously and lowered his weapon. He slashed angrily at Mark's front.
Gracefully, the street vampire slid from his enemies reach, instantly grabbed hold of his wrist, and twisted his arm till the vampire fell to his knees. He reached down to snap the neck when blood filled his vision. He saw the lycanthrope fall as the shot demolished his head.
He turned around and saw the snipers.
Angrily he snapped the vamps neck and headed for the mansion. He picked up a rifle off a dead lycan and loaded the bullet. Taking aim, his vision perfect, he picked off the first one. Loading another glowing shell he shot the second. Like fish in a barrel.
----
Michael watched the shadow's upon the roof fall. Satisfied, he smashed the vampire that charged him. He sighed and looked back at his warriors. There are not enough of us. He thought helplessly. And Selene's still in there. He growled angrily and brought his head to the sky. The moon glared spitefully down upon him.
Suddenly, a new type of gunfire rung in his ears. Machine gun's...large ones, and they were blaring from the front gate. He gazed over the bloody wreckage and watch as a dark man the size of a bulldozer mowed through the attacking vampires. At least a hundred men followed behind him, each armed to the teeth. There wasn't much to their technique, except fill the creature in front of them with so much led they wouldn't be able to stand.
And then the hybrid caught the eyes of one man. He winced every time he pulled the trigger, but remained firm as he charged foreword. I know you. Michael thought momentarily.
----
Jacen aimed at the head of the nearest charging humanoid. He quickly unleashed his rounds and severed any remaining resemblance to a living creature. He could hear Odin yell at him over the first.
"Who are we shooting at Jacen!" He turned and aimed at a morphing lycan.
Jacen side stepped over to him, took the nose of his rifle, and pointed it at charging man, clad entirely in black. "Those. We shoot those. Not the wolves."
"Wolves!" Odin roared as he fired in a half circle in front of him. "What is this Jacen, a zoo?"
"Something like that." The young man yelled and tried to advance ahead, but he smacked right into a large, bluish creature.
Startled, the human raised his weapon.
The hybrid held up his hands and shook his head, then quickly, his bluish tint began to fade.
Jacen's eyes widened as he saw the human form of the man he'd help rescue at Lily's. "You!" He roared, and got right next to the man's face.
Michael took a few steps back and stared angrily at the young man. "Whose side are you on?"
Jacen glared at him. "Our side, the human side, and I've come to collect my human sister. Where is she?"
Michael glanced quickly to where he had left her. Not surprisingly, she was gone.
"You didn't think I'd let you rescue her without me did you?"
Michael's eyes snapped open as he turned toward the mansion. "She's in there." He said matter of factly, and motioned with his head. "And so is Selene."
"Selene?" Jacen gave him a questioning look, and then shook his head. Later. He told himself. Without another word he brushed past Michael and headed straight for the front door, rifle at the ready. His mind was so focused he didn't realize that the humanoid was following him.
"My life is up there." He said softly as the boy's eyes questioned him. "And so is yours, so let's go get them."
Jacen almost felt himself smile, but his eyes caught the movement of the shadow behind Michael.
Seeing the reflection in the human's eyes Michael whirled around and captured the end of the vampire's gun with his hands, and smashed him in the head with it. "Go!"
The boy paused.
"Go!" The human shouted one last time before letting the hybrid take him. He reached out a razor claw and sliced the pale skin of his enemy.
The vampire stopped and touched his fingertips to the crimson gash upon his face. Keeping his eyes locked on the hybrid he removed a pair of sunglasses from his pocket, tenderly placed them upon his face, and angrily ripped his coat off. A vicious grin peeled across his face as he reviled single, silver, ultra violate whip. With a flick of his wrist he ignited the liquid filled chambers, causing the silver rope to glow with a soft blue hue.
He hissed in triumph as he cracked the whip.
Michael's eyes grew wide. That thing is silver and uv. He didn't really know how that would affect him. Would a shot of both weaknesses be enough to take him down?
The vampire wouldn't have the chance. His back went rigid and the whip dropped from his hand. His blazing eyes rolled to the back of his head and with a loud thump his body dropped to the ground, a large axe protruding from his back.
"You weren't the one I made that for." Kahn said seriously as he removed his axe from the vampires back and wiped it clean. "So your Michael."
Tyran fidgeted anxiously with twisted hands. He watched as his lycan scavengers picked off the remaining vampires, but he wasn't concerned about the security of the lair.
"Pacing trenches in the cement love?"
Tyran turned around to see his mate staring strangely at him. "Any word from Michael yet?"
Tamara shook her head.
Tyran grumbled and began pacing again. "Something's wrong."
Tamara watched her mate as he furrowed his brow. He was frightened. Frightened and concerned for his friends in the middle of a war, and all she could think was how much she loved him.
"Our youngest boy changed by himself tonight."
Tyran stopped pacing and looked up. Her endlessly deep eyes glowed with soft pride.
"Back to human?" He asked, slightly amazed.
She nodded and chuckled lightly. "Strong willed monster you have there."
Tyran puffed out his chest and smiled pridefully when he realized what she'd said. "What do you mean "I" have?"
"Well where do you think he gets it from love?" She glowered playfully at him then stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Do what must Tyran. I know your nature." She whispered softly into his ear.
Tyran gaped at his mate for a mere moment then bent down and kissed her firmly. He stepped past her and out into the training room. He walked over to one of the guards and whispered. "Gather whose left, leave four guards to this room, two to the doors. My mate is in charge. Understood?"
The lycan nodded and headed to do his task. Tyran watched him go, released a breath and glanced down inside the vampire cage. Seated quietly against the side panel was a young blood, with very familiar eyes, staring right at him.
Tyran squinted and pointed at him. "You." He said firmly.
The vampire stood up and stepped to meet him. He met the lycan's gaze, eye to eye.
Tyran pulled the keys from his pocket and opened the door. Quickly he grabbed the collar of the death dealer's uniform and yanked him roughly through, slamming the door shut and locking it. He continued to hold him up by his throat until they were out in the main hall, where he dropped him like a sack.
"Geren you stupid vampire, what were you doing in there?" The lycan grinned with friendly fangs.
Geren shook his head and stood up. "Trying to help I guess." He exaggeratingly rubbed his tailbone. "You know Tyran, I don't think I'll be staying at club lycan again. Your accommodations are horrible."
Tyran's smile dropped and he furrowed his brow. "Are you making fun of me? A prepubescent vampire is making fun of me in my own lair?"
Geren smiled innocently. "Like I said, just trying to help."
The older lycan scoffed. "Help who, actually?" He said, a bit more seriously.
"Lily. I had to finish bringing the dealers down here so she could warn Michael."
Tyran inhaled sharply. "Good, then you can tell me all about it on the way to Ordoghaz." He turned and swiftly stormed down the halls.
Geren waited but a moment, then dashed to catch up.
"At least now I know where your attitude comes from." Tyran grumbled just loud enough so Geren could hear.
The vampire only smiled.
"Hello Markus. I don't think we've met before. I'm Selene."
The elder revealed his white fangs as he smiled sadistically. "Ah Selene, the most infamous traitor in the vampire clan." He rose from his throne and mockingly bowed. "It is a pleasure."
"It won't be for long." She stepped inside the chamber and let the door close behind her.
Again Markus grinned, as if he knew something she didn't. "So serious my dear. Viktor didn't have a sense of humor either." The elder let out a low chuckle, his grin widening. "I do hope he can appreciate the irony. Slain by his own dark daughter, the very replacement for the murder of his own." He chuckled a bit harder and licked his fangs.
"Enough." She growled through clenched teeth. Her fangs were digging into the sides of her mouth. She could taste her own blood. "Viktor deserved everything he got, as do you." Her fingers tightened on the trigger.
"Stop!"
A voice roared from the darkness behind the throne. Selene could hear the heavy footsteps of boots. She looked up and was met with blazing sapphire eyes, and the end of a gun barrel.
Markus looked over his shoulder and back at Selene. He laughed a deep rich laugh and glared at Selene. "How does it feel, to be betrayed by one of your own?"
Selene ignored the master vampire. Lily. She stared blankly at the girl, puzzled, but never doubting her loyalty.
The gun felt heavy in Lily's hands. It took everything she had to keep her hands held up. He palms were so calmly she feared the weapon would simply slip from her fingers. Then her brother flashed before her eyes. Her hands stiffened, her arms straightened and she aimed firmly at her foe.
Chestnut eyes caught hers. They looked at her with trust, with faith.
Lily blinked and pulled her head back. She tried hard to envision the monster that had killed her brother, but all she could see was the human standing before her. Lily remembered when she'd come back for her, when she'd saved her on the street, when she'd shared with her in the tower, and when she'd saved a little girl, and gave her everything in the shape of a necklace.
Steeling her nerve she walked down the steps, closer to Selene. She kept the gun aimed high and firm. The vampiress eyes followed her as she brought the gun within inches of her face. Lily smiled.
In a flash she whirled around and redirected her aim to Markus. "I am not going to let another member of my family be taken from me." She accented every word, firmly driving home exactly where her loyalties stood. She could feel Selene's prideful gaze, but could not meet it.
The smile quickly dissipated from Markus's face. His eyes narrowed to slits and Lily saw the familiar flash of black. "I anticipated this foolish human." With a wave of his hands, death dealers filled the room instantaneously. Lily wasn't even able to determine where they'd come from, but they forced Selene and Lily back to back.
Lily could hear Markus's laughter once more.
"Well." Selene said almost excitedly. "Are you ready?"
Lily grinned and readied herself. "Absolutely."
Jacen burst through the doors screaming as he blared into the mansion. When the sound of his own echo reached his ears he stopped and looked around the dark and empty room. He glanced at the wall in front of him. The large V cut into the stone blared at him. He turned quickly to his right and was met with a similar A, and to the left an M. Horrified, he took a step back and shut his eyes. He didn't want to think about the rest of this dream.
Before he knew it he was suddenly on the floor. Thinking he had once again woken from a dream he opened his eyes to see bright baby blue ones staring back at him. He blinked and focused on the blonde curls that hung delicately around her face. She was looking at him as if her were an insect.
He shook his head again, even pinched him self. But the beauty was still there. "Have I died?" He said seriously.
Erika scoffed. "Not yet." She yanked him up. "But you will if you don't hide."
Jacen shook his head. "Hide?"
The vampire placed her hands at her hips. "What foolish mortal enters the house of the dead and doesn't know it?" She grabbed his hand and led him down the hall, shoving him into a closet.
She stepped inside with him.
She reached across his stomach.
"Look," Jacen said modestly. "You're beautiful but..."
Her blue eyes angrily shot up at him. "You're not that cute human." She pulled a lever that was hidden just to his left.
The wall behind him slid open and she shoved him through. He looked up the staircase. "I'm cute enough to help." He retorted back.
Erika paused. "How do you know I'm not taking you to my chambers to feed on you?"
"Because that's not the look in your eyes." He smiled cheekily.
The vampire squinted at him, examining. "Who are you looking for?"
He didn't know what exactly it was, but he trusted the woman before him. He lost his smile and became serious. "Lily. I need to find her."
Erika exhaled. "All right. The top of the stairs, right will take you into the throne room. She's in there."
Jacen leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you angel." With a look of longing he turned and dashed up the stairs.
Erika watched him disappear, than followed, only to turn left at the top. "Foolish mortals." She said to herself, but couldn't help smiling.
Selene eyed the ring of death dealers that surrounded them. She leveled her weapon and, for what she prayed would be the last time, opened fire on her own kind.
Lily's eyes didn't even blink as she heard the sound of Selene's Beretta's. Her mind went numb as she squeezed her own trigger, not even registering as the line of dealers in front of her fell. She stepped in their ashes as she advanced, her gun glowing bright blue. After all, she thought bitterly. I came here to kill vampires.
Selene sank to her knees as she fired in both directions. The smell of blood filled her nostrils, and even as her mouth slightly watered, her stomach felt sick. She blinked it away and fired at two more death dealers directly in front of her. She caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and turned quickly to see a large man towering over the human, an unpleasant looking ax in his hands.
Dropping her guns she pulled out four throwing stars and injected them into his back before he even had time to blink.
There was a loud thump as he fell, and Lily turned around bright and doe eyed. She looked at the unconscious vampire, and back at Selene, a strange smile about her face.
Selene felt the strongest pull of protection. She recognized it immediately. She had felt it with her nieces. She smiled as Lily pulled the dagger from her boot, flashed white teeth, and turned around to slash the throat of the encroaching vampire.
Her aim was quick and direct. Speed would be Lily's strategy now. Her weapon was spent, but her dagger was sharp. She breathed heavily as she sized up her next target. Crouching low, he stared at her and laughed. She waited for him to strike, and then quick and cat like dodged behind him and slit his throat, spilling his lifeblood upon the already bloody tomb.
She swallowed hard and looked up. Markus sat lounging in his throne, watching the battle as if it were entertainment. Bloody bastard, you let them die for you.
She heard the whistle of the knife and ducked as it flew over her head. Quickly she dodged her way in and out of the vampire slaughter. Slicing as she went, but getting closer to the throne. She used the chaos as cover, and ever so silently slipped behind the throne. Without hesitation she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed the dagger into his flesh, spilling the tiniest amount of his blood.
"Stop!" She commanded as loudly as she dared. "Stop or I bleed him dry!"
The room grew quiet. There was a collective rustle as weapons were lowered and attentions were turned. She saw Selene's eyes and turned away from them.
She redirected her attention to the elder. "Now Markus, why don't you tell these soldiers what you really are?"
The elder's Adam's apple moved beneath her blade. "I don't know what you're talking about."
She pressed the knife a bit harder into his throat. "I've had enough of this bullshit. Tell them why your eyes turn black. Tell them how you can stand in the sunlight." She leaned very close to his ears, but continued to yell loudly. "Tell them what they die for, is nothing more than an abomination!"
Markus seethed beneath her hands. His muscles rippled as fury took him, fangs elongated, claws grew razor sharp, and before his transformation was complete he reached up and rammed his claws into the girl's stomach. With a vicious yank he threw her against the far wall.
Jacen burst through the door, the scenes from his nightmare replaying like an old movie. He couldn't hear his scream as he watched her crumple against the wall, blood spilling from her stomach. He could hear nothing as her voice echoed in his mind. "Will you be there when I need you?"
A rage deep with in him curled to the top. He raised his head and caught the eyes of the monster that had dared harm his sister. With a quick glance the beast launched itself through the ceiling and onto the roof.
Infused with a fury he strapped the gun to his back and pulled his rope that dangled at his side. Christopher had taught him well. You never left home without a good rope. He tied a broken stone to the end and swung it over his head. It easily wrapped around the highest beam, right below the opening.
With a strength he didn't know he possessed he flew up the rope, launched himself at the opening and caught the edge of it. Lily's crumpled body flashed in his eyes and he heaved himself up. Pulling his gun at the ready he faced the creature, and fired unmercifully into his back.
Selene stared at the body as if it were some kind of trick. She almost felt like laughing, till the metallic smell of human blood filled her nose. Her eyes welled with tears as she shoved her way to the body.
The room remained silent and filled with death dealers. They stood on the outside of the room, observing with wide, but passive eyes.
Selene knelt beside the girl, she was almost afraid to touch her. She looked down at the gaping wound and instantly covered it. She pressed her hand firmly, trying to hold everything back. There was a loud gasp and she redirected her eyes to meet dim blue ones.
"That wasn't exactly how I planned that." Lily choked and coughed blood into her mouth.
"What did you think you were doing?" Selene sounded angrily, tears streaming down her face.
Lily lightly coughed and smiled. "Saving the day. What else?" She closed her eyes and with all remaining strength reached up to her neck, and pulled the necklace from its resting place. She dangled it in front of Selene. "You can have this back now."
Selene clasped hold of the jewel and Lily fell back harder against her arms. The vampiress gaped at her. "You knew this whole time?" Her stomach tightened, but she held firm. "Then you know it was me. I killed your brother Lily." It hurt to say the words. She kept her mouth closed to keep her sobs from escaping, but she was glad she'd said it. No more lies, no more half truths. I owe her that much.
Lily stared at her a moment, and let her lips curve into a serene smile. "No one killed my brother Selene. It was his time. Simple as that." She sighed contentedly. "I just wish we'd had more time. You were my second chance, what I was waiting for." She looked almost wistful then shut her eyes gently and let herself collapse against the vampire, the human, her friend.
Michael stood staring at Kahn, as if the two were sizing each other up. The vampire had just saved him, but he now felt as if he were judging him.
Approval seemed to flash over his face, as he relaxed in the shoulders but an inch. A loud roar suddenly filled their ears. Both of them instinctively looked up and saw the small crouching shadow firing into the back of the beast.
Kahn's eyes narrowed as his vision keyed in on the scene. "That's Markus." He said flatly. "He's a..." He looked at Michael, and then back up. "He's a hybrid."
Michael growled in response, then launched himself onto the walls of the mansion. Effortlessly he scampered up the wall and onto the roof. He went to stop Jacen from firing when a vision through a hole caught his eye.
Selene was hunched over a body. He could smell her tears, and when she pulled back lightly to reveal the corpse's face, he felt her pain.
He turned angrily on Markus. The only one Jacen would be firing at. He stormed up to the boy, and picked him up by the shirt. He looked him directly in the eye.
"Help...her" A gruff voice sounded out through enormous teeth. Then he dropped the boy back through the hole.
Pitch black eyes met pitch black eyes. Cousin faced cousin. Michael swallowed and clenched his fists.
Markus pulled his bluish lips back in a wicked smile.
Tyran ran his car right over the mangled remains of the Ordoghaz gate. He kicked up mud as he slammed his breaks in front of the mansion. Both he and Geren flew out of the car, rifles aimed and at the ready, but no one attacked them. There were a few squabbles but most we're staring at the moon as if held by some spell.
Geren turned and followed their gaze. He saw the figures on the roof, the first battle of a new species. The sky decided to open up; rain flooded down upon them as if they'd summoned it.
Tyran looked up and prayed for his friend.
Michael stood face to face with his ancient cousin. He felt the rain pouring off his beastly face, and clenched his fists at his sides.
The hybrid before him let loose a ferocious roar, then lunged. He caught Michael straight in the chest and threw him to the ground. The hybrid pressed firmly upon Michael's throat with his foot.
Michael choked and gasped for air. He clenched his fang tightly. Not yet. He reached up with his hands and grabbed hold of the elder's ankle. With a vicious twist he snapped it and threw the creature off him.
Markus howled in pain as he fell to the ground. He retaliated instantly and rose, but Michael was one step ahead of him. The elder took a violent slash to his face, two, three times before catching his enemies blow and clawing at Michael's stomach.
Michael roared and used his strength to flip the hybrid over his head. They both came crashing down upon the roof. Shingles shattered and fell to the on lookers below, and the rain continued to drown them.
They both got up and charged. Then met with a loud clash. Fangs and claws ripped at pale blue flesh. Blood spattered both of them, yet they would not desist. Not until one, or both of them died. From below no one could tell who was who.
Michael's mind had gone blank. The only sound that filled him was the howling of the wolf inside him. His pitch black eyes gazed into the elder's. He breathed heavily, blood oozing from his wounds, and yet he could still smell the vampire. Markus was vampire first, but Michael had been a lycanthrope. Lucien's instilled pride would not let him loose. Michael went deeper, and his eyes got darker as he released himself to the feral state.
Michael roared in challenge, and felt fangs sink into his neck. With an unearthly strength he grabbed the neck of his attacker and yanked the feasting creature from his neck. He slammed the elder onto his back, and in seconds wrapped his arm around Markus neck and began to choke the life from him.
Selene felt the dead weight of the girl against her arms. Her body had gone limp, blood still oozed slowly through Selene's fingertips. She opened her mouth as if to sob, but nothing came. Ever so gently she pressed her forehead to the girls and let tears fall from her face. She held tightly for a moment, as the pain washed through her like waves of sunlight.
She had never wanted to be here again.
Pulling back she gently laid Lily's head down. Rain had begun to pour in through the roof, and droplets we're ricocheting off the vampire's face. It called to her, to wash herself clean. She stood beneath the opening, moonlight illuminating her pale features. She would not let Lily's death be in vain. She would finish what she came here to do. Mindless of the death dealers she strode over to the throne and removed the sword that hung from the wall behind it. With a click of her fangs she stood beneath the hole, threw the sword through it like a skewer, then leaped up to the lip of the opening, and effortlessly crawled up through it.
Her entire body was instantly wet from the downpour, yet she could not feel it. What reflected in her eyes was one hybrid choking another. They were almost identical, but Selene knew which one Michael was.
"Let him go Michael." She yelled over the pounding of the rain.
The top hybrid looked up and growled.
Selene slowly removed her long over coat and dropped it to the ground. Attached to her back was a pair of silver sias, which she removed and readied in her hands. "I said let him go."
The creature grunted and dropped his foe roughly to the ground. He kicked him once in the stomach and stormed over to Selene.
Without taking her eyes off the fallen enemy she spoke to Michael. "Tend to Lily. I'm not...not sure." She wouldn't continue.
The beast only nodded. He looked back at his cousin, then to his mate. There was no stopping this. He looked longingly at her one last time, the jumped through the hole down to Lily and Jacen.
Selene waited silently as Markus arose. She knelt down and picked the sword she'd thrown up.
The hybrid elder got to his feet and breathed heavily. Even now the wounds on his body were beginning to heal. He stared at Selene viciously.
Raising the sword she hissed. "Fight me as a vampire Abomination!" She jammed the tip of the blade into the stone. "I came to kill a pure blood, not a half breed!"
Markus roared angrily before the bluish tint of his skin began to melt back to its pale pink. "You ungrateful bitch!" He roared before his transformation was complete. "Viktor spared you and look how you repay him."
"Viktor spared me nothing." She ground out and tossed him the sword. "And as my tribute to him I will do the same for you." She ran at him blades held high in the air, she brought them down hard upon his sword, forcing him into a defense position.
Lily moaned softly and nuzzled her face into the familiar smell of her own sheets. She let out a contented sigh, never opening her eyes, and knew by the feel of the room that she was back home. She lay there for many moments, floating in and out of sleep like the tide, but soon the sun came to call and she could no longer avoid its annoying rays.
She cracked her eyes and glared menacingly at the intruding light. Sitting up and rubbing her eyes she looked around her tiny basement. Everything was as she remembered it: mismatched, cluttered, and cozy. A small rustling caught her attention and drew her gaze to the door of her brother's room.
"Chris?" She yelled instinctively, then felt the familiar stab of remembering his loss.
The rustling continued. Something was different this time. She got up and patted with bare feet to his door. Her hand halted for but a minute upon his door before turning and pushing it away with full force.
The door vanished and inside stood a boy, tall and slender, with a mop of light-brown hair, and a pair of green eyes that danced.
"Christopher."
Markus pulled his sword swiftly from beneath Selene's sias and swung it over his head. With lightening speed and force he drove the blade down upon her, but was deflected with a fierce grinding of metal and a faint hiss.
Selene brought both of her weapons back to her position and stared at the elder. "Is that the best you can do?" She mocked him, stroked the flames of his anger, and prayed to the goddess he would make a mistake.
His pupils flashed ebony as the moons rays shined through the rain behind him. With a quick grind of his fangs he halted his change, and attacked.
The movement was quick, so fast she almost missed it, but her trained reaction deflected the blade. Then he came at her. His sword wielded like an expert, was brought upon her blow after blow. Every attempt she met her weapon with his. They bounced off each other as if cast in rubber. Blocking with her left, then right until she caught the sword between both blades. With a quick flick of her wrist she locked the sias against his blade and yanked it from his hands.
Kahn, who watched the fight with stark eyes from below, gaped at his friend. He saw her move as if in slow motion. Saw her yank the sword from his hands, saw her body tip backward with momentum, and felt the pain as the elder took his moment and quickly connected his palm with her nose. She hadn't even hit the ground before he ran inside the mansion and towards his friend.
She flew backwards and dropped all three weapons at her sides. Blood poured from her nose, and her eyes instantly became electric blue. She blinked as red filled her eyes, and saw the outline of Markus as he lifted his sword and held the point at her chest.
"Time to die Selene" He said easily, as if it were his greatest pleasure.
The words sparked something in the vampiress, and her vision cleared slightly. As the elder raised his sword to strike her, her fingers found the hilt of one of her weapons. She clutched it tightly, waited for him to bring the blade to her, then slipped her own right beneath his.
Markus's smile disappeared the moment he heard the familiar scrape of steel.
Not wasting a moment Selene brought her foot up into his crotch and knocked him to the side.
The elder crouched in pain and growled angrily into the night. After a moment he brought his blazing dark eyes upon the rising vampiress. Fangs grew as he ground them together, claws extended while he clenched his hands. In an instant he felt the satisfying grip of his hand around her throat.
"How is it that you think a mixed blood like you could kill an elder." He growled inches from her face. "Let alone, a Corvinus hybrid elder."
Selene clutched at his clawed hands as she gasped for air. Even still her movements we're calm. She stared directly into his pitch black eyes. Despite their emptiness, she couldn't help but notice that they were nothing like Michael's eyes. His eyes shine, even in darkness. A small smile came to her lips. "Because I have something you don't." She rasped out in answer to his question.
Just then the sound of a familiar voice carried to her ears. The raspy accent filled her memory, and she heard him call again. "Selene, catch!"
The voice came from below, as did the object he threw and her hand was ready for it. She caught the dagger blade to the palm of her hand. It cut her instantly as she squeezed.
We're even now my friend. Kahn thought as he pulled himself back through the window.
Markus was so focused on his prey he heard nothing. He tightened his grip and lifted her off the ground, growing more furious. "And what would that be my dear?" He practically spat in her face.
"A human heart." She responded firmly, then brought a fast knee into his stomach. It released his grip on her just enough and she slipped through. As she fell to the ground she drove the dagger into his heart. Even as her knees touched down she rolled and grabbed her two sias. She turned around and brought the blades to surround his neck like an open pair of scissors, then cut her blades closed, and severed the last of the elders.
For a moment it felt like the world held her breath, then with the gentle beating of rain, slowly released it. Selene blinked at the bloody mass before her. She felt nothing, till slowly the pain in her hand began to connect. Her vision once again blurred as a throbbing ache came from her nose. She lifted her closed eyes to the moon and let the rain bathe her in the moonlight. Yes. She replied silently to the Goddess's question. I can feel that.Lily knocked her brother over as she threw herself into his arms. He laughed richly and clasped her close to him.
She cried softly into his jacket. "I've missed you so much."
He chuckled softly and rubbed her back. "I've missed you to Lils." He held her for a moment as she sobbed. He patted her back and gently pushed her hair behind her ears. Always keeping contact, letting her know he was always there. He looked at her proudly, but a sadness tinged his eyes.
"Lily." He whispered against her hair. "We don't have much time."
"What?" She sat up almost instantly.
He softly covered her lips with his fingers. "You've been given a choice Lily. A chance." His throat became dry, but he swallowed and continued. "I cannot tell you the reasons for my death, that's for you to decide, but I will tell you that you were not left alone." He leaned down and hugged her. "After all, he whispered. I couldn't leave my little sis alone." He squeezed her once more, then let her go.
Lily stared at him for a long moment. "Jacen." She muttered under her breath. "You left Jacen, and..." She hesitated.
Christopher smiled brightly. "There are pieces of me all around you Lily." He placed his hands firmly upon her shoulders. "You just have to look for me."
Perhaps it was his smile, or the way his eyes sparkled with truth, but she suddenly wasn't afraid anymore. She hugged him one last time, and knew she had to say goodbye.
"Time to make your decision."
Selene jumped easily from the hole to the bottom of the throne room. As she turned her once again chestnut orbs met Michael's. They stared at each other for a long moment, till a body slammed into her.
"You promised she'd be all right!" Jacen was streaming tears, his face red with pain and anger. "You have to do something!" He yelled into her face before clasping next to Lily's body. His movement forced Selene's eyes to follow.
Selene's chest seized as she stared at the girl. She looked back frantically at Michael, but before he could say anything the room once again filled with death dealers. They held they're weapons high, all though somewhat shaky. Selene neither noticed nor cared. She couldn't take her eyes off of Lily.
She didn't even hear the thick cockney accent of Kahn as he stormed into the room and ordered the dealers to lower their weapons. They had listened immediately.
Her mind had gone blank, no thought, no feeling. It was almost...peaceful, but Michael's voice sounded in the distance of her mind. She was drawn to it, as she was inevitably drawn to him. Suddenly, she could hear him, as if she'd been pulled back from the abyss.
"You can bite her Selene." He whispered urgently into her ear.
The vampiress looked strangely at him.
"She's knocking on death's door, but she isn't dead." He answered her silent question.
Selene registered what he said and quickly knelt beside Lily. She looked at the girl, and flashed upon her own turning. Would she damn Lily to the same fate? Too never see sun, nor day again? Or would it be a second chance? The words sprang to her mind as if planted there. She looked down and saw the child she'd once met, and then the girl she came to know. The decision was simple. Selene tilted the girl's neck back, lowered her head, and sank her fangs into the vein.
Lily clutched at Christopher as the house jolted beneath them. She opened her eyes to see that she held nothing, and that the very floor she sat on was crumbling below her. She stood up and yelled. "Christopher!"
But she knew he was gone. She ran into the main room, and nearly screamed as the scene from her nightmare stood before her. The entire room was crumbling, burning, disintegrating right before her eyes. She turned and ran to the door. It flew open as she flung herself outside and slammed it shut. She took a few quick breaths, and turned around. She could hear it, the noises from the alley, the screams. She knew what it was, and yet was still drawn.
Slowly she walked down the porch steps. She paused again at the sidewalk, and looked at the side that led to her brother's death. She halted for just a moment, then, as if it she'd done it everytime she had this dream, looked to the other side.
Selene was standing just behind the second porch. Her lips curved into a nervous smile as her eyes offered to Lily.
The noise from the alley startled her. She stepped back slightly and moved to turn around, but found she couldn't resist the pull to the woman in front of her. She knew she felt safe here, as she had with one other.
"Tell Jacen he better send in his stories, or I'll haunt him."
She felt the gentle touch of her brother behind her. "See you soon Lils."
His presence disappeared, but he was not gone. With a small smile Lily stepped foreword towards Selene...
She gasped for air as her body seized with cold fire. It burned from the inside out, and spread over her like thick fog. She gritted her teeth and didn't feel the pain as her freshly sprouted fangs punctured her lips. But she did taste the blood. Her eyes snapped open and we're electric blue. She blinked to clear her vision and suddenly saw everything in greater detail.
"I'm sorry Lily. You were going to die..." Selene's voice broke as she shook her head. She didn't know what else to say.
Lily stared at her a moment while realization hit her. Her hands brushed the area where her stomach wound had been, but it was already healed, closing up to be nothing more than a scar that would certainly disappear in a day's time. Keeping her head down, she slowly brought a hand to the side of her neck. She could feel them, two tiny holes, the mark of her sire. I've been reborn. She thought suddenly, and looked up at Selene. Silently, she moved over and wrapped her arms around the sulking vampiress. She hugged her tight and it felt like home. "Time for second chances." She said softly. "I'll be yours if you'll be mine."
Selene pulled away and looked Lily in her fading pale blue eyes. My eyes. She thought with a tint of pride. She reached into the pocket of her belt, and withdrew the necklace. She held it in front of Lily. "I suppose you'll want to keep this now." She smiled and dropped it into the girl's waiting palm.
Michael's heart swelled as he watched Selene and Lily. He smiled with pride at the girl. She'd succeeded in completing the circle. They gave back what they each had lost. Something I could never do. He realized. He was something new to the equation. He didn't give back, but brought more.
He didn't even have to look to know Selene was staring at him. He could always feel her eyes, and sometimes, if he was very quite, he could almost hear what she was saying. Tonight he heard nothing, and his thoughts we're distracted as Jacen ran from the corner of his eye and attacked the sitting girl.
"Lily you scared the shit out of me!" He squeezed her so tight she thought her eyes would pop out.
"Oh Jace," She inhaled weakly. "Lily can't breathe."
He pulled back lightly. "Sorry." He reached up and gently touched the two marks on her neck.
She watched his expressions closely, not sure how he would take it.
He snorted and shook his head. "Vampires Lily, honestly." He looked disapproving.
"Jace." She retorted right back, feeling stronger every minute. "When have I ever done anything by the book?"
He pointed at her. "When you were four! You used to be normal!" Then he laughed and hugged her. "I'm just glad you're fucking alive. For Christ's sake."
Lily grinned at him, new fangs and all. "Thanks for coming Jace." She said sincerely.
His lips curved into a soft smile. "You're welcome." He said slowly.
Lily stood up and offered her hand to him. He reached up and took it, and she yanked him up with unusual strength.
She grinned widely at him. "This is going to be fun. We'll talk about turning you later."
"Ha, ha." He said flatly.
Lily leaned in and hugged him one more time. She stepped back and looked at him with loving eyes.
It was all he needed.
She slowly walked foreword towards Selene, intent on finishing what they'd started, but something gave her pause and she turned back to face her second brother.
"By the way Jace." She said softly. "Chris says you better send your writing to a publisher, or he's going to haunt you." She laughed lightly, and walked towards Selene.
Jacen just stared at her. How does she...? He smiled then, already knowing the answer.
Selene turned and met Lily with hopeful eyes. She felt the urge to hug the girl, just to make sure she was real, but approaching footsteps distracted her.
"Selene." Kahn said softly as he came to stand beside her.
The vampiress turned to face him. "Hello Kahn."
He almost smiled. "You didn't hesitate."
She pursed her lips. "No, no I didn't."
"You did well." He said affirmingly. "You did very well."
She thanked him with her eyes, and he turned back to business. "There is a little matter." He said. "Of the coven being elderless."
Selene flashed a peculiar grin at him. "I know you can handle it Kahn." She placed a friendly hand on his shoulder and stepped outside the throne room.
Kahn stood speechless. He hadn't thought...then he looked around at the room full of awaiting death dealers. "Enough now." He muttered to himself. "Enough." He took a steadying breath and stood tall. "Listen up. There will be no more fighting tonight. Or any other night. This is the end."
Michael watched Selene's back as she walked away. She left without so much as a glance at him. He didn't blame her. He sighed heavily, not quite sure what do to with himself, when he felt a hand slide into his.
"Come on." Lily said with a tone of understanding, and led him out of the throne room. Kahn was more the capable of handling the rest.
Tyran saw Selene emerge from the front entrance, and for a moment he could only smile at her. Lily and Michael appeared behind her, and the three of them stood together before the devil's house, and all its occupants.
There was silence as vampires, lycans, and humans all stared at the three who'd brought them together. The rain ceased, as if commanded to do so, and the moons light illuminated them all. Bloody, battered, and broken the three races joined in their first collective activity, and cheered for the three soldiers before them.
Selene watched in amazement as vampires and lycan's alike cheered for the wars end. It didn't seem possible. She felt Lily's hand slip into her own and she squeezed it hard.
Tyran approached them with a strange smile. He looked first and Michael and tips his head reverently. Then he brought his eyes to Selene, and could only grin at her. Lastly he looked at Lily. "I brought you something." He said softly, and pointed across the yard to where Geren stood issuing orders.
Lily's eyes widened. "Geren!" With a shriek of delight she flew in his arms. He wrapped them around her and lifted her from the ground.
"I'm so glad you're safe." He whispered into her ear as he squeezed her tightly.
Lily motioned for him to put her down. She slide softly to the ground and smiled up at him. "I have a surprise for you." She pulled back the collar of her jacket and revealed her already healing bite marks.
Geren gazed at the marks, then at her sapphire eyes. "You mean?"
She nodded. "My choice." She reached up and brought his lips to hers and for the two of them the world stood still.
Selene felt a slight pang as she watched them. She remembered what Geren has said, how simple it had been for him. With a flutter in her chest she turned around to see Michael, but he had already slipped past her. Her eyes found him speaking with Kraven a few yards away. She watched in awe as he sliced his hand once more and paid his blood oath to the sleazy vampire.
"Kraven's going to take the street vampires and start a coven with them in Romania. Michael and I had worked out the details earlier. A cousin of mine is going to get him situated." Understanding her questions Tyran spoke softly, now standing next to the vampiress.
She could only nod, as her thoughts were not on Kraven. Her heart ached for Michael. She could feel it beating firmly in her chest. Undead or not, she could still feel things, and she longed to be beside him. Weather he had doubted her or not, it didn't erase all he had done for her or the things he had shared.
"Selene." A tentative voice sounded in her ears. He was unsure of himself, questioning if he had a right to be there.
Tyran moved from the porch and went about calming the lycanthropes.
"Selene." He stood tall before her, conviction poured from his eyes. "Selene I'm not going to let it end this way."
The vampiress shook her head. "I don't..."
The hybrid stepped closer to her. "No. You need to understand something. I love you Selene. With everything I have in me I love you. Do you know what that feels like? To have your entire existence wrapped up on one person."
Yes. She opened her mouth to say it, but nothing came.
Michael took her hand. "I won't let it happen again Selene. I lost my mortal life the day she died. I ceased to be, until I met you. You're my immortality Selene, my immortal. I won't let you slip away like she did. Without you there is no reason."
Selene gaped at him. Her mouth felt like the sands of time had flooded it. Her stomach twisted until she felt ill, and still she could not speak. It was as if there was a block, something stopping her from saying how she felt. Why can't I do this! She silently screamed to the Goddess shining above her.
Michael looked into her eyes and felt her pause heavily in his chest. He held his breath, and waited in vein. She said nothing to him, not so much as a signal that she cared. He suddenly couldn't breathe. He released her hand and slowly backed away.
Unsure horror racked his face. Selene wanted to reach for him, but couldn't as he stepped away from her. She watched in numbness as he turned away and began to walk towards the gate.
Lily released Geren's lips and practically purred as she breathed in the scent of him. Her olfactory senses were so intense now, and his scent was driving her mad.
She turned around and leaned against him as he wrapped his arms around her, with no intention of letting go. He watched as the commotion from the battle settled down. Each species was collecting their dead and injured. He could see Kahn and Tyran across the lawn each speaking with their underlings, each doing his part to mend the ancient feud. Squeezing Lily a bit tighter Geren dared to hope.
Lily would have been looking around, but her eyes had fallen on Michael and Selene. She watched while grinning with her new fangs. She was thrilled as her mind filled with images of her, Selene, and Michael. Finally. She thought. A family. Then she saw his face. Mighty Michael turned around and walked away as if he'd just had a stoke drove through his heart.
"What is that all about?" Geren asked against her neck.
Lily furrowed her brow and looked at Selene. She knew then. Without a word she took Geren by the hand and marched toward the vampires.
"Selene." Lily said ever so quietly over her shoulder. "Has it stopped spinning yet?"
The vampiress turned around and looked at her newest squire. She stared hard at the girl, remembering what they had talked about, and she realized. It does stop spinning. When I'm with him it stops. She turned back around frantically and without another hesitation dashed towards her hybrid.
"Michael!" She called out desperately for him.
Feeling like the world would drop from beneath his feat, her voice sent a chill through his spine. He whirled around to face her, trying not to let hope enter his already fragile heart.
"Michael." She came to stand inches from him. A moment ago her eyes had been cold and distant, but now they shined with something different. Something he had never seen before.
"Have you?" She paused, and looked directly into his eyes. "Moved on?"
He gave her a puzzled look, not sure what she was asking. Then it dawned on him. He remembered this conversation. Their first shared moment of anything resembling intimacy. She'd been like ice then, standing in that interrogation room, a thousand people looking for them, and yet it had been just the two of them. His lips curved into a small smile as he asked the question she was waiting for. "Have you?"
Her pale features seemed to light up as she smiled. "Yes." She breathed breathlessly and fell into his waiting arms. They had always been waiting. "I love you." She whispered ever so lightly into his ear.
He squeezed her so tight she thought she might stop breathing. She wouldn't have cared. When he kissed her, her mind went numb. She poured every once of love she felt for him into the kiss, and held onto him like she would never let go. At last, she was free.
(cries) it's over! I never, ever, ever thought I'd actually finish this. I'm still just amazed. I sooo hope I did it well. I wanted to give you guys a good ending. Thank you again! I got a ton of reviews for chapter 20, and I appreciate the hell out of them all. Every one. I usually do a review response, but I'm going to save them this time for my dedications and special recognitions pages. Just because there were a lot of people that helped me and deserve some special thanks.
But this is it! Let me know, please, please, please, what you thought. Lurkers, speak now or forever hold your peace. ;)
Muse: What makes you think you have lurkers?
Me: (glowers at muse)
Anyways, and if you all are real nice, maybe, just maybe I'll post the epilogue. Hee hee.
Muse: she'll post it anyway!
Me: shhh! Don't tell them that! blushes
Thanks again guys. I'll um...post that epilogue in a few days. :) thanks again to you all! Happy writings and readings to all of you.
---Lady K