CHAPTER FORTY-ONE: Tying Up Loose Ends

The Subway Tunnels

Kraven observed Theo as he threw the pathetic human up into the lycans' lair; it had amused him. If things went as he had planned, William would be but the first to die. He had given his men very specific instructions, they were to kill all lycans, and then bring Selene and Michael to him.

He watched his men as, one by one, they disappeared into the entrance overhead. He planned on waiting out this little farce there in the tunnels. It wasn't necessary for him to put his own life in jeopardy; he was going to be important to the new regime. After all, Marcus was the only elder left, and he would need strong leaders at his side. This was a golden opportunity and he meant to take advantage of it.

None of the remaining vampires had any real knowledge of his recent alignment with the lycans. Those that were aware of the situation were either dead, or had a price on their head. He hoped this skirmish would take care of those loose ends.

His train of thought had momentarily distracted him, but his attention was soon brought to the present when gunfire could be heard ringing throughout the tunnels. It sounded as though a minor war were taking place up above him. Even from his position, the screams of the dying could be heard as they cried out with their final breaths. He was well pleased with the way things were turning out.

He leaned back against the wall of the tunnel, waiting for his team to return. They would be bringing to him his biggest mistake to date: Selene. That bitch should have been proud to be his. She would do no better, this he knew. He could have molded her into the perfect companion. But no, Viktor had been too lenient with her, allowing her the freedom to become head strong and belligerent. Now, he would have her and her boyfriend at his mercy. She would watch him bleed Michael dry before he killed her.

Smiling in anticipation and reveling in his moment of glory, he had no idea he had company.

Lucian stood there in the shadows, watching his one time partner gloating over his supposed triumph. He was oblivious to the situation above.

"You seem quite pleased with yourself", Lucian said, not bothering to hide the disdain he felt.

Kraven looked up in surprise, trying to find the source of that familiar voice. It was unfathomable; it just wasn't possible. Lucian was dead. He had seen the body lying on the floor, with his own two eyes. He himself had filled the lycan with enough silver nitrate to kill four shapeshifters. But there, stepping out of the darkness was the source of his greatest nightmares. Lucian stood there, gun in hand, ready to destroy all he had worked for.

"Do you not ever die?" Kraven asked vehemently.

Smirking, Lucian answered, "I seem to find many reasons to keep returning from the dead. Thwarting the vampires seems to be my favorite."

Kraven's gaze had become frantic as it darted to the opening his men had gone through not five minutes earlier. He was hoping to be rescued.

"I wouldn't put much faith into your men coming back any time soon," Lucian advised as he began walking around Kraven, towards the tunnels. He wanted all means of escape to be blocked.

"So it was a setup," Kraven muttered through clenched teeth.

Lucian grinned. "We were prepared if that's what you are asking," he told the vexed vampire. "But you're newest partner in crime had no inkling we were ready for your attack," he assured him. "In fact, I bet if you were to ask him, he would tell you he was quite surprised to find a room full of lycans and council agents waiting for him."

"Where is Selene?' Kraven asked. "Are the lycans hiding her and her…shapeshifting boyfriend?" he spat out in disgust.

"Believe me when I say, that I haven't exactly been able to search out each and every lycan that has disappeared since the battle in the tunnels," Lucian answered evasively.

"Give her to me, and I'll leave the lycans alone. You can keep Michael, you won't ever see us again." Kraven said, trying desperately to bargain for his life.

"You are in no position to ask for anything," Lucian calmly reminded him.

Showing a bravado Lucian knew he didn't possess, Kraven stepped closer, pushing the lycan leaders gun, up to his own heart.

"If you're going to kill me, go ahead and do it", Kraven taunted.

As Lucian dropped the smirk, a look of deadly intent took up inhabitance on his face. "I have other plans for you, my friend," Lucian informed him.

Then he lashed out, catching Kraven across the face. His blow sent the vampire flying across the room and into the concrete wall on the opposite side. Kraven hit the wall hard enough to embed himself into the cement. Lucian walked over to him and pried Kraven's unconscious body out of the wall. Then he threw the vampire over his shoulder and made his way to the entrance of his new home. He jumped and easily cleared the fifteen-foot distance from the ground up to the lair.

Once inside, he saw that the small battle was over. The vampires were obliterated, and it appeared that though there were injuries, there were no lycan deaths. Michael was busy tending to the wounded, while Selene diligently helped. Thankful, he looked around for Alexandra and her council friends.

He located the agents, seeing four of the men; but saw no sign of Alexandra. Concerned, he wanted to find her, but knew he needed to dispose of Kraven before he went looking. He walked over to the lycans, where Raze and Taylor were moving the wounded men over to Michael for assistance.

"Raze," Lucian called out, hailing his second in command.

The big lycan came over to his leader, taking note of the unconscious vampire slung over Lucian's shoulder.

"Would you be so kind as to make the necessary preparations in order to ensure out newest..guest, doesn't leave us anytime soon," Lucian requested throwing Kraven's comatose body to the ground.

Raze smiled when he heard the vampire groan as his body connected with the hard concrete floor.

"Not a problem," he assured Lucian.

Lucian watched as Raze bent over and grabbed Kraven's leg. Then he silently enjoyed the vampires' degradation as the much larger lycan began pulling him across the floor. Lucian viewed this procession until they had exited the room. Then he went over the council agents, intending to ask them about Alexandra's whereabouts.

As he neared the group of men, he realized they were gathered round a table. As he drew closer, he caught a glimpse of a body lain before them. Panic squeezed his heart, believing Alexandra was the still form lying on the table.

He rushed over anxious to see how badly she was hurt. When he broke through their circle, he saw that it wasn't Alexandra, but the Hispanic agent that had nearly caused the riot. Relief coursed through his veins, the minute he realized Alexandra was safe; but he still needed to know where she was.

Unable to contain his need for an answer, he looked over to Aaron, "Where is she?"

The elder council member glanced at the anxious man standing before him. Was this the man his Alex had been waiting for? He seemed quite capable of allowing Alex her freedom while still keeping her close to him. If he was whom he claimed to be, then the creature before him was truly an extraordinary man. And that was exactly what Alex needed in her life.

"She went in search of William," he admitted, somewhat reluctantly.

"Alone?" Lucian demanded.

Grief, guilt and remorse flooded him, leaving Aaron little patience with anyone, himself included. "Yes alone," he retorted. "She was always capable of taking care of not only herself but everyone else on her team. That was before her change. Now, she's exceptionally capable of capturing one fifty three year old human male," Aaron told Lucian flatly.

"Fine," Lucian ground out, clenching his teeth to keep from growling at the man. "Which way did she go," he asked attempting civility.

"I can't answer for everyone, but I know I was pretty occupied when she took off," Malcolm answered. Sterling shook his head, concurring with his team leader

"I truly have no idea," Aaron responded regretfully.

Lucian noted that the Irish agent, Daniel, hadn't offered up his opinion. "Do you know where she went", he asked the quiet man.

Sighing, Daniel looked up and Lucian could see the tracks of tears streaming down the man's face. "She looked around in here for a while, but when she didn't find him, she took off that way," he said pointing down the hallway Raze himself had disappeared down just moments before.

"Thank you," Lucian replied sincerely. Then he left the four humans behind as he went in search of Alexandra.