Disclaimer: See chapter one

Chap. X

-0-

The group of seven strode down the dark street toward the two. Ethan examined them. They looked like they've been through hell and back recently. The fact that they are all on the open street like this told him that they've probably been through much worse. He then realized that he didn't really recognize many of them. The few he did recognize where only passing faces and trace scents; nothing really concrete. So we truly are being hunted to extinction. As these thought went passed through his mind, the three in front of the group stood up before them. Michael narrowed his eyes before widening them in recognition.

"Zhan."

The lycan in the middle nodded. He wasn't as tall as most of the others with him, but he was powerfully built. An evenly cut beard that frayed the lower part of his mouth and jaw was the only evidence of hair he had on his face.

"So it is true. You carry Lucian in you."

Zhan stood away from the three and proceeded to examine Michael, "Hm. You are the creature that battled with the vampire Elder? You do not look powerful." His nostrils twitched, "But you reek of vampire as well. Strange. I'm not sure if it's because of who you are or the fact that you've been around them so long. At least I'll give you credit by the fact that you're still alive."

Zhan's eyes next shifted over to Ethan, who had been standing there silently. "I don't recognize you. Where are you from? Who are you?"

"What are you all doing out in the open like this?" Ethan snapped suddenly, totally ignoring Zhan's question. The lycan blinked and stepped back a bit before growling back, "Who do you think you are to...?"

Ethan cut him off again, "Death Dealers could still be above watching for you. To move in a group like this out in the open is foolish and dangerous."

Zhan blinked again, visually angry but keeping it in check. "We don't have to worry about them for the time being. But..." His anger left him, "You are right. But this was the only way at the moment in order to find him." he finished, indicating to Michael.

"Why me?" he asked. There wasn't much more they could do to him now. He was already a hybrid. What more did they want?

Zhan lowered his head slightly, "After the battle that night, we were scattered around like dust in the wind. Some of us, me included, saw your fight with the vampire Elder and knew what Lucian had hoped for had come to pass. But we also learned that he himself was killed. He sacrificed his life so that you would give us a chance." Raising his head, "As Lucian's successor, we ask that you become our alpha."

Michael stepped back in shock. Alpha? They want me...to be their leader? Ethan looked at his shock with understanding. True, it made sense that they would choose him given his power and the knowledge and experience that his brother had passed on to him. But Michael himself wasn't a leader. He was a bit surprised that Zhan himself wasn't their alpha, but figured that Zhan must have been too focused in being a soldier that followed orders. The others must have felt that way too.

"Michael, wait." he said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I suggest you think about this before deciding." Looking at Zhan, "We can't stay here though. This place is vampire territory and we are in danger of being spotted, even in a time like this."

Zhan looked back at him, "Fine. Follow us."

The group disappeared into the shadows once again, unaware that a single pair of eyes had been watching them from afar. The figure growled after looking at Michael's form.

'Why can't you just die? I'll have to make sure the next time we meet, lycan.'

Mansion…

After she had been returned to her quarters, Selene once again took her position by the window. She didn't even know why she did so; it seemed automatic to her by now. There was nothing really to see. The clouds had covered the sky and the guards were moving about on duty. Still she remained, thinking about Marcus's questions. Why would he ask those things? It didn't seem normal or even strange to ask. It was more on the lines of bizarre. She shut her eyes in an attempt to dismiss the thoughts before they drew back to Michael, which they always did. 'What happened to the crypt?' she thought finally. 'Did he awaken while still in seal?' But that wouldn't have made sense. Without blood to revitalize him, he shouldn't have even awoken at all. So what happened?

The door unlocked from the outside, diverting Selene's attention to it. She was half-surprised to see that the visitor was Erika. The blond vampiress was holding a glass of blood in her hand and she walked up to Selene. Selene remembered the last time they met. It was in the same exact room no less. Erika had helped Selene escape in order for her to reach Michael.

"Why are you helping me?"

"I'm not. I'm helping me."

Erika placed the glass on a nearby table and looked over at Selene.

"You must be hungry."

Selene noticed that some of her usual energy was drained from her voice. It was obvious why. Kraven, the vampire she was infatuated in, was a traitor and an enemy to the coven. Much like her.

'No. Nothing like me.'

"The second coven will be here tomorrow." Erika continued, quite used to Selene's silence. "All the great covens will be under one roof."

Selene continued to examine her, under a veil of passive eyes. Strangely enough, Selene found that Erika was the only one besides the Death Dealers, Elders and Kraven that had any real contact with her. In a way, it was comforting. Although her motives are less appealing and her presense often annoying, it was nice to know someone who wasn't either a superior or a fellow soldier. 'But why was she here now? Why tell her about the arrival of the covens?'

"Why are you telling me this?" she decided to ask out loud.

Erika gave a slight shrug and sat down, "I don't know. I guess I felt that you should know. You are a part of the reason after all."

Selene nodded, waiting to see if the younger vampire would continue. Erika's eyes seem to wander about briefly on the floor before she refocused on Selene.

"So what about that lycan you brought here?" she said eagerly. "Michael, right?"

'Oh great' Selene grimaced inwardly. She had been trying to avoid thinking about him and now here it was back in her face.

"He was a cute one, even for a lycan."

Selene sighed. 'Might as well get this over with.'

"He's not a lycan anymore."

Erika gasped slightly. Apparently, this wasn't public knowledge yet. "W-what do you mean? I saw the bite..."

Selene cut her off, "He is both lycan and vampire."

The next gasp wasn't as slight, "But...how is that possible? I thought..."

"It's a long story. You'll probably hear about it at my trial."

Erika looked away again and Selene could see that she wanted to say something else.

"Why did you really come here?"

Erika looked up at the question before quickly shirking away from Selene's steely gaze. That surprised her as well. Erika had never been scared of Selene. Threatened perhaps, but never scared. Or rather, scared to say what was on her mind. Selene could just guess what it was. And she was going to regret it.

"Could you tell me...what happened that night?"

Selene couldn't take much more of her sidestepping, so she sucked her teeth and shot out fiercely, "Is this about Kraven?"

Erika turned her head side-to-side, "Yes...I mean no...I mean..." She stopped in her rambling and sighed, "I'm not sure. Everyone says that he was a traitor, but then that what some were saying about you. But you don't seem like a traitor and..." She stopped speaking again and finally, "I just want to know what happened."

Selene blinked inwardly. This was probably the first time the two of them where on the same page. Both were confused as to what was happening to their lives. But was it really that similar? Selene didn't want to think so. But this wasn't a situation where she could simply dismiss her like before. She wanted answers and Selene could help in part.

But would she be ready for them?

"Erika." Selene stared, realizing that she never said her name out lout before. "A lot of things happened that night. Things that if I tell you now, you may misunderstand them. When I am brought to judgment, I will tell everyone. Be there to find out."

The guard knocked on the door, signaling for Erika to leave. Erika arose from the seat and moved out. But before she exited, she turned and gave a small grin.

"Whether he's lycan or vampire, he's still kind of cute, don't you think?"

The door closed as Selene frowned slightly. 'Right back to Michael.' she fumed. But there was no getting around it now. With the other coven coming, she just hoped they would be too busy with preparations to search for Michael and give him a chance to hide and escape. With that in mind, she looked at the glass Erika left her. Tentatively, she reached for it and stirred in her hands. Sighing once more, she took a sip and looked out the window.

'Cute... Perhaps...'