Disclaimer: See chapter one

AN: Sorry for the long delay

Chap. XI

-0-

The gates of the mansion opened as a trail of four limousines strolled in. Each of them contained a group of the representatives of the second coven. The members, twelve in all, gathered together before the mansion before entering. In the lead was a dark-haired woman with usual pale skin and sharp eyes. Her hair was tied in several ponytails that trailed down her back. Inside, they found the lines of vampires that stood awaiting their arrival. The twelve continued walked through the building and toward the crypt/throne room where Marcus sat waiting. The twelve bow to their lord before arising. Marcus gazed at the woman in the front.

"Welcome, Octavia."

"Lord Marcus. It is good to see that you have awakened."

"Unfortunately, the circumstances of my awakening have been far less joyous."

She gave a solemn nod and Marcus's attention focused on them all. "In over a millennia, the great covens had never had to come together like this. But because of the events that have occurred prior to my awakening, it has come to this." He sighed deeply, "Amelia is dead. So is Viktor. A plot forged by the lycan Lucian has brought this about."

"But...how?" one of the other asked from behind. "I thought Lucian was dead."

"So did I. But because of treachery within our ranks, we have lost both Elders."

"What of the traitor?" another asked. "Who is he?"

"The traitor is Kraven." Marcus answered tonelessly. "He has fled."

"Kraven? How can this be?"

"We shall find out." He stopped to recollect his thoughts, "Also, another situation has presented itself before us. In the midst of all this chaos, a new creature has been born. There now exists a lycan-vampire. A hybrid."

The twelve muttered among themselves and Octavia voiced out, "But that's impossible. No mortal or immortal could have the genes of both species."

Marcus silenced them and answered her, "Despite that, it exists. And he is the key to all the conflict."

The group all stopped at his command and realized that he must have had some course of action for them.

"We await your orders, my lord." Octavia answered.

Marcus nodded and stood up from the throne, "For now, we must learn more about what happened. We have in our custody another key. A Death Dealer who was also in the middle of the conflict."

"Another traitor?" came a low snarl from behind.

"That is what will be decided."

The Underworld hadn't changed much since the great battle that had taken place there within. A battle that the outside world at large would have no knowledge of, yet contained great significance. Michael and Ethan were led by Zhan and his group of lycans underground. Though his visit was brief, Michael didn't recognize any of the areas around. But given what had happened, it's only natural that the lycans would move to another den. They soon entered an abandoned train station. Decade old tracks were lined on the floor and rusty train cars were lit up with light and movement.

Michael seemed to frown a bit. 'I would never move them in a place like this. The possibility of discovery is greater.' Michael then shook his head as he realized that those weren't his thoughts, but Lucian's 'I don't know how I can deal with this.' The group continued on, approaching a car that was in the center of the station. Around them, other lycans were scattered around. Some looked at him with wonder while others with admiration. 'I'm obviously popular here.'

"You have brought him."

The group focused their attention a single person that was approaching them from inside the center car. It was a woman, with coppery hair and dark skin. Her equally dark eyes gaze over the group quickly before it resettled upon Michael.

"You are the slayer of the Elder?"

Michael gave a somewhat shy expression, "I fought him, but I didn't kill him."

The woman simply smiled, "The fact that you are still alive is more than a miracle." She was about to invite him when her gaze fell to Ethan and her eyes widened.

"Ethan? Is that you?"

"It's been awhile, Sisera."

Sisera was one out of the three remaining female lycans left. The reason for that was that woman could no longer survive the strain of a lycan in their DNA any more. But in the past, women were stronger and could make the change. Sisera lost her mate long ago and mourned for him ever since. Because of that, she couldn't take another mate, nor would another lycan even try.

"You're still alive." She exclaimed while giving him a tight hug. Backing away, "I didn't even recognize your scent now. Where have you been all this time?"

"Away." he replied simply.

Sisera got the hint and nodded solemnly. Ethan waved a hand to the hybrid. "This is Michael."

Sisera looked at him again, "His scent is...different, yet familiar."

"Lucian...sired him in part." Changing the subject, "What has been going on?"

Zhan suddenly growled, "We don't take orders from you."

Sisera and Ethan turned to him, but Michael growled just as equally, "And I don't have time for this. I have to get to Selene."

Sisera looked puzzled, "Selene?"

Ethan gave a half-sigh, "The vampire who sired him. He wants to charge into the vampire's domain and get himself killed."

He then turned to Michael, who he noticed was now breathing hard, "Michael, I know your blood is rushing into your head like a freight train, but you must calm down and get it under control." He placed his hands on his shoulders and looked him in the eye. "Use him to help you. Use Lucian."

Michael shut his eyes, trying to relax his mind though Lucian. Through his memories. Through his experiences. Although he still felt turmoil, he was visibly more relaxed and calm.

Ethan nodded, seeing that he had gotten himself under control. "Now if you want Selene back, we need a plan."

"Who do you think you are to give orders?" Zhan grumbled.

Ethan turned to him irritably, "I'm not giving orders. I'm talking to him." Turning back, "Michael, we have to find a way inside unnoticed. Is there a way?"

"I don't know." he answered. "I didn't stay there long enough to find out. And the dogs there would find out anyway." he grimaced at the memory of that.

"Well there has to be something."

Sisera decided to intervene, "We've discovered a lot of activity in the area. It appears that the second vampire coven has arrived as well."

"Great. Just what we need. More bloods." a lycan said from afar.

"You have surveillance on the vampire's mansion?" Ethan asked.

Sisera smiled lightly, "Of course."

"Is there anything we can use to gain entry?"

"Uhhh...No." She folded her arms, "At least, not that we know of."

"We're going to have to wait there and see for ourselves. If what you say is true, things are just calming down. If that's the case, then security will be reduced. Listen Michael." he continued. "We can look for an opening in the mansion. But until then, we can't barge in there. And if we can get in, it has to be kept quiet. If you want get to Selene, then that's the only way."

"...Okay." he answered tonelessly. Ethan frowned inside. 'I have a bad feeling about this.'

Deep below the mansion, a circled hall was shrouded in darkness. A single beam of light shone from above, showing only silhouettes of the people that have gathered. Within the light beam, a throne also resided and the vampire Elder moved out from the shadows and stood before it. He kept his eyes forward briefly and then looked into the darkness at the vampires who all became silent in the semi-darkness.

"Great covens, hear me now." he called out in a powerful voice. "I am Marcus, descendant of Corvinus and reigning Elder of the covens." He sighed mentally. 'Sole elder now.' Out loud, he continued.

"It is time to address the issues that have plagued us during this time. Much has happened to us that will change the history of all vampires for all time. In the midst of treachery and deception, our beloved Elders, Viktor and Amelia, have been lost. A traitor still lives on and will be brought in for punishment. But before that, we must know all of what happened in order to end the confusion. To that end, we will call in a Death Dealer, one our warriors, who was in the midst of these events."

Marcus motioned his hand and two Death Dealers appeared, one of them being Victor. In between him and the second Death Dealer was Selene. Her head was leveled, but her eyes were lowered. The three moved into the light beam and stood still. Selene's eyes arose to face Marcus, although it was still troubling. But she wouldn't let that stop her now.

"Tell us everything, Selene."