Selene was leaning against the corner, legs and arms crossed as though to block herself from the whole occurrence. Still, she had a cocked gun in her right hand. It gleamed where it rested on her shoulder. Michael was sitting on the ledge where they had had their earlier discussion, face stoic as he stuck the hypodermic needle into his own arm and proceeded to draw a vial of his own blood. He was in no mood to bite anyone. Due to the fact that he was so recently changed, still in his infancy, his human aversion to biting another human being was still in place. He had to be especially careful, not knowing what he would do to someone if he passed his disease along. Selene winced as he gasped. Ironically, she still maintained an almost human distaste for needles. Her hair hung across her eyes like a veil while she half-watched the proceedings, ready to intervene of things became dirty.
Together, Raze and Michael had hauled in an old autopsy table and doctored it with lengths of chain to restrain Raze during the test. Lukan had been posted at the door, while Catarina looked on, grim-faced, as Michael removed the needle and walked with a measured pace to where Raze braced himself. "If you die, it will not be in vain, as a Vampire lab test. It will be proof that only the Corvinus line can exist as Hybrids." Raze met his gaze, unwavering. "But if it works…" Michael swabbed Raze's arm as he spoke, "hang on for the ride." Selene was no longer feigning disinterest. Her eyes were on Raze now, watching his every move as Michael stuck the hypodermic in his arm and slowly squeezed his blood into Raze's muscular body.
The effect was almost instantaneous; the metal of the table groaned in protest as Raze strained against the chain and began to convulse violently. Everything happened in slow motion from that point on. Fascinated, Selene watched as Raze's dark skin took on a hue of violet, rib cage expanding to allow more room for his racing heart. His face elongated, then retracted into a more human visage, eyes shining black as obsidian as his mouth opened in shock, pointed teeth dripping. He hands opened and closed, fingers flexing as they elongated and his nails extended to razor-sharp points. His clothes fell in tatters around him, barrel chest heaving as his leg muscles expanded until the sinews stuck out like cords. All became deathly still. His breath was hoarse and uneven. Selene moved from her nonchalant position to stand in front of Catarina, who opened her mouth to scream. She slapped a hand across the girl's mouth, eyes never leaving Michael as he changed easily into his Hybrid form to restrain Raze. The two oddities eyed one another with wary respect. Realization filled their empty eyes, and before long, they were returning to their more human forms, face-to-face. Selene let Catarina go, approaching the pair. "I think that would be a success," Michael remarked.
"I want to go to the lab and rescue my family," Raze growled. It was clear instinct was taking over, and the electrifying energy involved in the change had sent Raze's heart racing.
"Caution, Raze. We're going to need to get inside first. We're going to need a plan, and a good one. Although I dislike the Coven, they're not fools." Selene was in one of her brooding states, pacing restlessly like a feral cat back and forth across the ledge.
"She's right, you know. We can't just go in, guns blazing. That would be too Selene." Michael was mocking her, but it wasn't far from the truth. Her lips parted in a vampiric grin.
"I've grown up a bit. Fifty years on the run change a person. Not to mention that going in guns blazing was my job." She seated herself on the ledge, drawing one knee to her chest. "Lukan says he escaped. I say we pick him for all the information he knows before we go in blind. I'm not for surprises. The last thing I need is Kraven showing back up." Michael coughed heavily, lowering his eyes. He had unchained Raze, who had resumed his pacing that so irritated Selene. Catarina had chosen to explore deeper into the tunnels and see what she could do about converting the space into a better center of operations. It was obvious to Selene she was still in shock.
"Tomorrow night," Lukan coaxed. "We'll go in tomorrow night, Raze. Selene's right. I'll tell you anything you want to know." It seemed that Selene's need to be in Michael's arms would not be addressed this night. She resigned herself to a night of militant tactics and forcing herself to listen. Michael compromised, seating himself beside her and resting his hand on her knee. She was very much aware of his touch as she attempted to focus on what Lukan was saying. She absent-mindedly stared off at the wall. It wasn't at all like her to forget herself where briefing was involved. She was a Death Dealer born and bred, and although she had left that life behind her, she still couldn't forget the training she had received. Although he was right beside her, Selene pictured Michael in the mansion, backed up against a wall and locked with another Hybrid. Her best guess was Marcus, as this Hybrid looked nothing like Raze. Fear gripped her belly. 'I'm losing my nerve over nothing,' she chided herself.
"What do you think, Selene?" Michael's voice brought her back to the present. "Selene?"
"I'm sorry. I'll let you two plan and then you can run it by me for suggestions. I have to rest." A slender hand to her forehead, she wandered dumbly down the hall and around the corner to a makeshift room Catarina had created with old privacy curtains from one of the third floor recovery rooms.