CHAPTER THREE: Temporary Refuge

Budapest, Hungary

They had somehow managed to find an abandoned building before the sun had risen. The building was two stories high and housed empty office spaces. She had picked a small inside room on the second floor. No windows to cover and only one door to worry about. They were tired, hungry and injured. Selene knew she needed blood, but other than Michael, none was available. And she wasn't sure she wanted to drink from Michael, just yet.

She looked over and watched him move a filing cabinet in front of the door. "I know it won't keep anyone but humans out", he said as if he read her thoughts, "But I'm hoping that if someone should try to get in, it will give us enough time to prepare ourselves."

"Good idea", she replied. Michael walked over to her and gently grabbed her by the shoulders. "How're you holding up", he asked noticing the vacant look in her eyes? Pulling away, she walked to the other side of the room. Hurt, he just watched her pace.

"I'm fine Michael", she said beginning to walking the length of the small room. "I've just killed a man I have loved like a father. The death dealers are surely gearing up to hunt me down and destroy me; oh and Kraven has probably escaped unharmed and unsullied in this hell he has managed to create for everyone else", she said, each word getting louder and louder until she was virtually screaming. Not wanting to intrude on her pain, Michael leaned against the far wall and just listened and watched her in all her furious glory.

Still pacing, Selene continued, "And you Michael, what are you? Will you need blood to sustain you as the vampires do, or will you still be able to eat solid food? Can you walk in the light of day or will the rays of the sun burn you as they do me? I'm starving, if I drink of you, what will I become? Will I end up a cross breed like you or would that only happen if you were to bite me? The only person that could possibly answer these questions is lying in a chamber underneath the subway. Dead Michael, just like you and I will be", she said with a small whimper, sliding down to sit on the floor

She was hiding her face from him; ashamed of the tears she now shed. She was embarrassed by her lack of control. She had always been called the Ice Queen. She was never one to show her emotions, nor to let anyone bother her. To let Michael see her like this, showed weakness not strength.

What she didn't know, as that Michael thought she was the strongest person he had ever met. He knew she wasn't really mad at him; but, she was hurt and furious with Viktor, Lucian and every other vampire and lycan left alive. "What do you want me to say Selene", he finally asked? She looked up and he saw tracks of tears running down her porcelain skin. Unable to stand the sadness engulfing her gaze a moment longer, he walked over and sat down beside her. He took her smaller, but oh so competent, hand in his and he just held it; offering her comfort and solace, nothing more.

She watched his thumb as it rubbed absently across her skin. Finally able to answer, without tears choking her throat, she said, "I don't know what I want. Pausing just a moment, she quickly reiterated, "No, that's not true. I want to go back to being the same person I was before I noticed the lycans tracking you in the subway."

"Selene, that's not possible. And even if it were, would you really want that", he asked? "You now know that Viktor was responsible for the death of your family, not the lycans. Maybe the lycans are not the monsters you've been led to believe. Even if they are, it's better to know the real reason behind the lycan / vampire conflict and no longer be manipulated by a man you loved and trusted." After pausing a moment, he quietly added, "If I could, I would undo the pain you've had to endure the last couple of days."

She looked into his eyes and saw he was sincere. She brought her free hand to his face and caressed his cheek. They were all they had now, just each other. It was important for them to stay together; that was the only chance they had at surviving.

"I know you would", she said, leaning forward and capturing his lips with her own. Then feeling the sun begin to rise, she stretched out with her head in his lap; and, let the day sleep overtake her.