Disclaimer: See previous chapter.

Chap. IX

-0-

The doors of the mansion flung open and Marcus entered in. Behind him, a troop of Death Dealers followed him, all of them surrounding their once-respected brethren. As Selene entered, she ignored the glances of other vampire seated around. To her, they weren't all that different from the humans in that they really had little to nothing to do with this war. She was upstairs and into a room where she was promptly locked in. Her weapons where confiscated and the windows were locked as well. Looking out, she saw the usual patrol of guards outside, coupled with a set of guard just below the window.

Looks like they're not taking any chances this time. she mused. With nothing else to do, she grabbed a chair and sat by the window. A partial moon barely glowed through the thicket of clouds. Her thoughts slowly shifted to Michael. She almost felt sorry for knocking him out, but she had no choice. He wouldn't have let her leave and they both knew it. She also remembered being slightly impressed by Michael's stubborn determination. It reminded her of...herself. Unknowingly, she sighed and found herself wondering why she did. She didn't want to reflect on her feelings now, but given the circumstances, she had nothing else to do.

'Why does he occupy my thoughts so readily? Why am I so attached to him?'

Unconsciously, she licked her lips. 'And why does that kiss...linger with me?'

At that point, the locks on the door clicked and Selene stood up from her seat. The doors opened and two Death Dealers entered in. They motioned for her to follow and she moved with them. She was escorted down the hallway and lower down to the familiar Elder crypt. Entering the massive gate-like doors, Selene found Marcus seated on the throne in the mist of the room. What was different was one of the lower tomb-chambers was torn somewhat, as if an explosion of some kind blew it up. But there was no evidence of such an explosion. Interestingly enough, it was Marcus's tomb that was trashed. How did that happen? Her eyes quickly returned to Marcus and she knelt to him, with the other Death Dealers following suit.

"Leave us." he commanded.

The two guards lifted themselves up and left, closing the door behind them. Selene arose as well, but her eyes were lowered to the ground once again, much to her chagrin.

"We still have much to discuss." he started. "For starters, this...hybrid, Michael. Tell me about him."

She slowly raised her head, but her mind suddenly shifted gears. Something was definitely wrong here.

"I never..."

"Excuse me?"

Selene finally managed to look up at him, "I never told you his name. How did you know?"

Marcus half-blinked before an eerie smile formed on his face. "You pick up things fast, Selene."

Marcus arose from his seat and stepped forward. "When I awoke, I was completely confused. So much so that, as you can see, my crypt did little to hold me, even in my weakened state."

Selene didn't know how to take all of this. Why was he sharing all this information with her. Isn't he going to judge her now? And how did he know about Michael?

"You're probably wondering why I'm telling you this." he said while turning to the side. "This will not change how you will be judged. You were still in the company of lycans. But with things are as they are, specific knowledge will need to be revealed. I must know these things if we are to survive now, Selene."

Selene's brow narrowed, "I don't understand."

"No. I don't expect you to yet." he responded. Turning back to her, "Tell me something, and I want you to be honest." His eyes locked with hers.

"How do you feel about him? Do you care for him?"

Selene was taken aback by the question, but managed out a, "...Yes."

"Do you love him?"

This delivered an even bigger shock to her. It took her some time before she could answer again.

"I...I am unsure."

"Hmm. A pity." he said, sounding a little disappointed. Clapping his hands, he re-took his seat on the throne.

"You are dismissed."

The guards reentered the room on cue and Selene was taken away. But she was still quite baffled over Marcus's questions. If anything, they were personal questions. But whywould ask such things? Why would those questions mean anything? And why did he ask questions...that she have been asking herself?

"Here..."

Michael and Ethan had arrived at the old dim-lit building. Michael was in the lead, frantically turning his head in the hopes of seeing Selene. But she wasn't anywhere around. He growled in frustration.

"Don't let it get to you." Ethan replied from behind. "From the looks of it, we just missed them." His nose sniffed lightly, "A couple of them...and Marcus himself." He whistled lightly, "So he came after all." Looking back at Michael, "She's still alive."

Michael calmed down, but not by much. Then he remembered...

"The mansion. They must have taken her back there."

Michael quickly turned around and strode out of the exit. Ethan rushed up behind him while outside and grabbed his arm.

"Where do you think you are going?"

Michael turned to him and glared, "To get Selene."

"Are you crazy?" Ethan asked. "You think you can just waltz in there and get her back?"

"Let me go." came a silent growl.

Ethan stared in his eyes to make sure his point went across. "I don't know how strong you really are, but you will not stand a chance going into a vampire stronghold with several Death Dealers and an Elder and expect for either you or Selene to come out alive." He loosened his grip on the hybrid. "Besides, this is what she wanted to do. Whatever happens, happens."

"Are you saying we should just leave her there?"

"Not at all." Ethan assured. "But we can't just barge in there and hope to rescue her."

"So you think we should wait?" Michael snarled.

The lycan nodded, "Yes, that's exactly what we should do."

The blond young man seemed to glare daggers at Ethan, but Ethan continued, "Michael, listen. We should wait for two reasons. One, because we don't have a feasible plan or idea as to what is actually going on with her. Barging in like hounds would only endanger everyone. I've learn that patience in cases like this is more beneficial than anything."

He stared at Michael intently, "And two...you. You're not in the right frame of mind right now. I thought it was because of Selene, but that only part of the problem." He stopped for a moment to take a breath, "Michael, when was the last time undergone the Change?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're current anger is probably because of your lycan blood. Young lycans are often more aggressive when they hold in their transformations. Your power, your instinct, your aggression is flooding your senses and it's causing you to act the way you are now."

"That doesn't..." he started in a near roar. But at seeing his rapid rise of anger, he paused and checked himself. Finally, "Perhaps. I do feel...a little antsy."

Ethan place a hand on his shoulder in understanding, "Come on. I have..."

Suddenly, he stopped talking and his head snapped off in another direction. His head wavered in various directions, looking down the dark alleyways and streets. Michael looked at him strangely for a moment, before he turned his head as well, moving in the same directions.

"I was beginning to wonder." Ethan muttered darkly.

As he said this, a group of people came out of the alleys and down the street. They were all dressed messily, but they stood with a stature that can only identify them with one thing.

Lycans...