CHAPTER SEVEN: Watching a Dream Die
Lucian had lain near death, for hours. All around him, sounds of gunfire and combat could be heard. With every scream, he mourned the loss of another comrade. The confrontation had lasted longer than he had anticipated; but in the end, it didn't appear if many had survived. However, his lifelong dream had been realized: he had managed to cross the species. Now, if he could only find the strength to change, he may survive himself.
He had injected himself with Michael's blood, waiting for Raze to come back from the raid on Amelia's train. But that bastard Kraven, had turned on him and shot him before Raze had returned. He had all but given up, until his faithful follower arrived with the Vampire Elder's blood; blood which he needed very badly. He had managed to drink down several of the vials when he realized that Michael was no longer alone. Selene had found him and was letting him go. He heard Michael telling her of the real reason the war between their species was being raged, when in walked Kraven. He had attempted to take Selene with him, but his attempt was unsuccessful. That was then the impossible had happened.
Kraven shot Michael; and, he knew this was his last, perhaps only, chance to fulfill his destiny. He had used the last bit of his strength to pull himself over to Kraven and stabbed him through the leg. Then he had told Selene to bite Michael, knowing it would save his life. Then it no longer mattered that Kraven had filled his chest with silver, again. He had seen Michael change when Viktor had pulled Selene off of him. It had worked, as he knew it would. He only hoped Michael had made it out alive. Now, he patiently waited for death to claim him, as it had all the others.
He must have lost consciousness at some point and time, because the smell of humans suddenly permeated the air. Too weak to even open his eyes, he laid there in silence, and the smell grew stronger. Soon, several people had entered the chamber. They walked around, looking for signs of life, or danger. Several of the people moved out of the chamber further into the tunnels, when he heard someone speak. A man asked if he should stay, if the person staying would be okay in here alone. A woman responded, obviously she was in charge. She told him to go with the others and secure the rest of the chambers. The man left and the woman looked around again, then made her way to his side. She must have looked him over for a moment, because he heard nothing but the sound of her breathing. Then surprisingly, he felt her brush his hair aside.
Soon, he felt her hands moving along the buttons of his shirt, and after a small pause, she pushed aside the cloth and exposed his injuries. It had taken great control to stay absolutely still. He felt her graze his chest and wounds lightly with her fingers, and willed himself not to move. Her touch was gentle, almost reverent. Which made what he was about to do seem so dirty. But he was still alive, and he had decided to stay that way.
He opened his eyes and looked at the woman taking liberties with his person.
She wasn't what he had expected. She was quite beautiful, with high cheekbones and a full mouth. It was when she grabbed his shoulders that he caught a glimpse of the most amazing eyes he had ever seen. They were a deep violet color with long dark lashes tipped in gold. She was breathtaking. But he must have shown his surprise, because she suddenly looked down into his face in shock. Regardless of what she looked like, he could only think of what her presence might mean: a chance to see if Michael had made it out of the carnage, alive.
Without waiting another second, he grabbed hold of her and apologized, then brought her neck closer to his mouth. Her skin was so soft and as he pulled her close, he took a deep breath, inhaling her slightly spicy scent. Without knowing why, he placed a soft kiss against her neck before he sank his teeth deep into her throbbing pulse.