CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: Enemies Make Strange Bedfellows

Humans

He had been in Budapest for two days; the four remaining operatives had been there even longer. And, other than Agent Douglas' attack, there had been no sign of either the lycans or the vampires. William figured his luck must have changed, considering he happened to hear the lycan in the tunnels and then finding their hideout. Now, he just needed to find a way to access that entrance, and his problems would be solved.

He was almost out of the tunnels, when he literally ran into someone standing there in the dark. He took a step back and immediately began ranting at the individual that he needed to watch where he was going. He was so caught up in his own superiority that he hadn't given much thought to the fact that no one should be down there.

When the man didn't apologize or even say a word, Sir William tried getting a good look at him. It was pitch black, without any lights to help illuminate the area. So, William couldn't discern any features or characteristics.

"See here now", William said, "I realize manners are no longer the thing, but you could at least move so that I may pass", he informed the stranger in a very condescending tone of voice.

"You would do better to watch your tone, old man", came the arrogant reply.

With that, the stranger stepped closer to William, and the council member immediately noticed the bright blue eyes and fangs. He was a vampire. The man grabbed William by the throat and pushed him up against the wall.

"And just where do you think you're going?" asked the vampire.

Sir William couldn't answer; his windpipe was closed off. Breathing was very difficult and his face felt hot. He struggled, trying to pry the vampire's hands from around his throat, with no luck. Just when he thought he was going to die, the vampire let him go, dropping him to the ground.

"What are you doing down here", the vampire asked him.

Coughing, and trying to catch his breath, Sir William looked up and sputtered, attempting to answer. The vampire grabbed him by the arm and pulled him up, using excessive force. William cried out, thinking his shoulder might be dislocated.

"I asked you a question, human", the vampire said, spitting out the words between clenched teeth.

"I'm trying to answer you", Sir William said nervously. "I was looking for someone, and I thought they may be hiding out down here", he evasively replied.

"Who are you looking for", the vampire asked.

"A.. um.. a…woman, someone that used to work for me", William stammered. He was afraid of this creature. He had never had close dealings with the vampires. They were unpredictable at best and deadly.

"I want details, little man", the vampire warned him. "And if I don't get them, I will kill you."

"NO!" screamed Sir William.

The vampire, unhappy with this response, grabbed William by the shoulders and pulled him forward, mouth open, ready to sink his fangs deep into the man's throat.

Desperation filled William as he realized he was going to die. Frantic, he knew he needed to do something or he would be breathing his last breath. Then inspiration struck him. "I know where the lycans are," he yelled.

The vampire paused, "Do not lie to me."

"I'm not, I swear to you. I know where they are", William promised. Then realizing this was possibly his only chance of surviving this encounter, he scrambled to bargain for his life. "I can take you to them", he said pausing, "If you will kindly refrain from draining me dry."

The vampire looked closely into his face. "I can find the lycans without your help."

"I'm sure you could", William replied, confident that he was going to come out of this all right. "But, with my help, you could find them faster."

"Who are you?" asked the vampire.

"You can call me William", he said, purposefully leaving out the fact that he was with the Council. He was fairly certain the vampire would not be pleased with that detail.

"Again, I want to know why you are here and who it was your looking for?" the vampire questioned him.

"Look, we don't really have time for all this. Suffice it to say, the woman I am looking for is with the lycans. But I can't get to her by myself. Now, you can easily get into their lair, but you don't know where it is. I propose we align ourselves, even if it's just for tonight", William suggested.

The vampire thought about it. This odd, little man could help him get vengeance upon Michael and Selene. He knew that if he could find the lycans, he would find those two. It didn't take long for him to make his decision. He would take William up on his offer; and once he served his purpose, he would kill him.

"May I suggest you get some reinforcements? We wouldn't want to be ill prepared against the lycans, now would we", William suggested.

"I want proof, that you know where the lycans are hiding", the vampire growled.

"We are wasting precious time", William argued, convinced he held the upper hand.

"I will not have you make a fool of me, human. I require proof, then, and only then, will I gather up a force in order to deal with the lycans", the vampire stated.

"Fine, come with me", William acquiesced reluctantly, making his way back into the tunnels. "But once I show you, I would like to act quickly. I want that woman found."

"I don't care what you want. We will do this my way, and if you're lucky, I will spare your measly, pathetic life", the vampire warned him yet again.

The threat stopped Sir William in his tracks. He couldn't forget the vampire would keep him alive only if he served a purpose. He needed to make sure he did just that. He couldn't out muscle the vampire, he was definitely out of his league. He would have to outthink this creature.

"What assurance do I have that, once I show you where the lycans are, my life is not forfeit?" he asked the recalcitrant vampire.

Anxious to find Selene and Michael, the vampire lashed out, throwing the human against the tunnel wall. "I could kill you now where you stand; don't forget that!" he spat out.

" But, I have other enemies to deal with right now. So, show me your discovery, and I will allow you to live long enough to find the human woman you are searching for. Once we have exacted our revenge, then we will renegotiate your existence", the vampire told him.

Knowing this was perhaps his best chance at finding Alexandra, William had to agree to the plan. He just hoped he would prove himself useful to the vampire; either that or maybe the lycans would kill the arrogant creature. Either way, he would have to worry about that later. Right now, he had been given a reprieve; he would take it.

"What should I call you", William asked as he began moving back into the tunnels.

The vampire waited a moment before answering, "I am called Kraven."