Disclaimer: See previous chapter.

Chap. IV

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Selene and Michael quietly stalked through the dark streets away from Ethan's house. She still had no idea as to where to go, but she didn't want to stay. Despite what had happened over the last night, she still held no trust for lycans. Even if one saved her life. It was gratifying that Ethan seemed to share her disgust of Kraven though. He had been hounding her for years and in the end, had almost killed Michael. If Ethan had gotten to him, then so much the better. Provided she didn't get to him first.

"Selene. Where are we going?"

The dark-haired woman stopped. This is what she had dreaded. She was supposed to lead him through this; lead him to survive. But she didn't even know where to go. She was just as lost as he was. Michael moved to the side and saw the uncertainty in her eyes. She looked away, but he had already seen more than she wanted him.

"I know an old apartment house we can go to. I used to live there until I got settled. It's not much, but we can hold up there for a while if you want."

Selene blinked. My how the tables have turned. Yet, he was still relying on her for confirmation. He still needed her. And as strange as it sounded, she...needed him.

"Is it far?"

"It's in the lower district, but it's not too far. We can take the subway and get there in a few minutes."

Hesitation again. Selene was getting frustrated by that. As a Death Dealer; as a warrior, she should be so hesitant about taking action. But this was a new situation for her and she wasn't exactly in the driver's seat. But she had a reason for it this time. Going back to the subway would mean back into the underworld. She didn't want to be picked up by lycans or worse, Death Dealers. If anything happened, she might not be able to pull Michael out of whatever happens. It was a risk, but they would have to take it. They couldn't stay on the streets as they would most likely be sighted by Death Dealers from above.

"Let's go."

The train rolled though the tracks of the underground subway, carrying the two dark passengers with it. Because it was still early, a good amount of people packed the cars. Selene and Michael were seated together keeping silent. Michael because he was nervous and Selene because she was unsure. Being in such close proximity with Michael brought up more unusual feelings in her. Including the strange urge to lay her head on his chest. Selene grimaced. She had never had these feelings before in her life. She didn't want to admit that it was any more than just the need to take care of him, but that was because she didn't know what else could cause this. Or wanted to admit.

"Selene."

Selene slowly turned and faced him. Michael managed to hold his gaze for a few minutes before diverting them away. He seemed...tense. Michael struggled with his lips, but no words emerged. Selene continued to stare, finding out too late that she couldn't turn her eyes away. Michael's eyes refocused on her and they locked.

"I...never thanked you for saving me."

Selene blinked softly and for just a brief second, a ghost of a smile graced her pale features.

"You're welcome."

The train swiftly stopped at the station and the pair exited the train. They strode over the walkway and toward the stairs, but suddenly stopped. Selene held her hand out and her eyes swept the crowd. Michael looked at her in confusion and she suddenly grabbed his arm and dashed up the stairs. Moving outside, Selene quickly pulled Michael over the side of a building alleyway. Her hand reached into the side, ready to draw her Berretta. As she waited, a figure approached where they had moved to Selene quickly pulled out her gun and raised it.

"Not again."

Selene glared, "What are you doing here?"

The figure stepped forward, revealing that it was Ethan. Ethan sighed, "I have my reasons. But that'll have to wait."

His eyes darted upward and Selene took the hint instantly. Moving quickly, the three moved into the alley, away from the sight range of the tops of the buildings. Selene led the way and they emerged on another street. Unfortunately, three forms descended from the skies and before them. Death Dealers...

"Selene."

Selene faced the lead warrior, "Lucas."

Lucas looked over at the two she was with and snarled, "So you really are a traitor. First you killed Viktor and align yourself with this abomination." He said this while gazing at Michael and then his view fell upon Ethan, "Now you join with the lycans against us. Sunlight is a far too easy end for you, but when Marcus is at full strength, that is what will happen."

So Marcus had already awakened. Selene stepped forward, "Lucas, please listen. There's more going on than you know. Viktor..."

But Lucas didn't let her finish and raised his gun, "I can't believe you were one of us. You're a disgrace." Indicating to his two companions, "Take them." Looking at Ethan...

"Kill the lycan."

One of the vampires raised a rifle, but was unable to fire as it was suddenly cut in half. Ethan had swiftly unsheathed a katana sword hidden in his coat and sliced right through the rifle. The Death Dealer gasped in shock at his speed.

"Don't do something you'll regret, boy."

Selene and Michael watched in equal surprise, but Selene quickly snapped out of it, grabbed Lucas's arm, and raised the gun in the air. Then she hit him with a palm uppercut, dazing him enough for her to disarm him and for her to sweep him off his feet. The third, seeing his comrades in trouble, raised his gun to fire, but Michael had tackled him and the bullets shot up into the sky. Michael then slapped the gun out of his hands, grabbed his neck and held him up on the wall with one arm. His eyes had already changed to quicksilver black, but beyond that nothing else changed. Selene held her gun on Lucas's head.

"Don't come after us. Next time, I may not go easy on you."

Selene swiftly pulled her gun away and slapped it against his forehead, knocking Lucas unconscious. Meanwhile, Michael tossed the hapless vampire into a wall opposite of him and the vampire slammed into it hard and slumped to the ground, also unconscious. The only one left was the vampire held at bay by Ethan, who had the sword pressed against his throat. Selene and Michael moved to him.

"We are not the enemy. You have to believe me."

The Death Dealer growled, despite his situation, "I'm supposed to believe you? You killed an elder!"

Selene nodded, "That is true. But I can not explain it now. Just know what I say." She narrowed her eyes, "What is your name?"

"Victor."

If Selene was not Selene, she probably would have smirked at the coincidence. But then again, she was Selene. "Okay Victor. There are things going on that you or the others in the two covens are unaware of. I want everyone to know what happened, including Marcus."

She looked over at Ethan, who gently lowered his blade from the vampire's throat. Selene continued, "Tell Marcus that I want to meet with him and tell him what has occurred. After that, then you can judge me as you see fit. Just as long as you and everyone understands the truth."

Victor blinked at her elder Death Dealer, "How can I trust you?"

Selene half-frowned, "We could have killed you. I think that's enough."

Victor however didn't look convinced and Selene sighed, "Fine." Turning to Ethan, she indicated to his blade.

"May I?"

Ethan looked at her with slight confusion, but he raised his blade. Selene grabbed hold of the blade and quickly slid her hand across. Both Ethan and Michael looked at her in shock, but Selene kept her gaze on Victor. Her hand, now sporting a clean slash wound in her palm, was closed in a fist. Selene held it out and blood dripped to the floor.

"I make this blood oath. I only wish to explain the truth of what had occurred that night. I mean no harm to the coven."

Victor's gaze softened and he nodded in acceptance. Selene nodded back and moved away, "When he is ready, tell him to meet me in the city square tomorrow night."

"Will you come alone?"

Selene turned to look at Michael and then back, "Yes."

Michael blinked in surprise, but Ethan placed a hand on his shoulder, telling him that it was okay. Michael settled down and Ethan removed his hand. Looking at the Death Dealer, he gave an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry."

Before Victor realized it, the lycan had chopped him across the neck, knocking him out cold and causing him to fall to the floor as well. Turning to the others, "We better go."

The other two nodded and they made their way off. But they were unaware that another figure had been watching them from afar.

'Selene...you will regret that.'