Okay, so this chapter is a lot of Marcus and the lycans. I just need to get them out of the picture for a bit so I can get on with my main plotline. My regular readers will also notice I changed the name of the story. I wasn't sure where it was going when I started the story and now I think the old title didn't make sense.
Reviewers:
Marcus Lazarus: You would indeed be correct about that. From what Giles said about vampires origins in Buffy, I figure they are older than the Underworld Vampires. Glad you like.
Julie: Thanks dude. LOL
Chapter 8. Realizations
Marcus was restless. He wanted to go out. He had a ton of pent up energy and he wanted to get some excersize. "I feel like a bloody fledgeling. " He grumbled. Elders were supposed to be calm and reserved; but Marcus was practically bouncing off the walls. He fidgeted for a few moments before summoning Erika.
When she appeared he voiced his wish. "Erika my child, please send for a car and a driver. I wish to go out."
"Yes my lord." Erika didn't know what the others would think of this; but it was not her place to question Marcus.
Fifteen minuets later Marcus stepped into the waiting car. He had refused to be accompanied by any of the death dealers, and he could tell they weren't happy about it.
"I only wish to test my limits." He assured them. "I am stronger now. I want to know how much."
They reluctantly went back inside the mansion and the driver pulled away from the curb. Marcus directed him to go inside the city and park somewhere unobtrusive. He waited impatiently while they drove. When they reached the city, the driver found a deserted parking lot beside a bank to park in.
"Just stay here and wait for me. He said. "I'll be back in an hour or two."
The driver nodded and Marcus got out of the car. He sniffed the air experimentally. He could sense so much more now. This was good.
He smelled humans and lycans and vampires. Old ones. He shuddered. The old ones were strong. He had no wish to meet up with one. They were everywhere however. The demons had no reservations as to the kind of people they infiltrated. Evil creatures.
No, he was looking for a lycan. Someone to fight. He needed to gauge his powers against someone he knew would be weaker than he was before he tried to do anything rash.
He followed the freshest scent and was rewarded with a younger lycan. He was in a park area watching some humans. His head shot up when he sensed Marcus. He turned around, and growled uneasily.
Marcus found himself growling back, and not in a meanacing way. He was startled. The lycan side had taken over! It saw this creature as a brother! The young lycan cautiously approached him. Marcus felt no urge to change or fight. He merely watched the young one come up to him.
"You reek of power." The young man said.
"I am Marcus. Leader of the vampires,and hybrid apparently."
The young lycan stiffened. "Michael is the only hybrid." He said defensively.
"He is not." Marcus replied calmly. "Viktor killed a lycan in our sleep chamber. His blood awoke me and made me a hybrid." He carefully changed to prove it.
His vampire side was screaming at him. What the hell do you think you are doing?!?! He was wondering what the hell he was doing; but the lycan in him told him that this was a friend and a brother.
The lycans' eyes widened when Marcus changed. "You ARE a hybrid!" He breathed. "I am Cole . I will lead you to our master, Amadillo if you wish to speak with him."
"He would know why I am changed?" Asked Marcus.
"Yes." Answered Cole. "Yes he knows."
"Take me to him."
Cole set a fast pace and Marcus enjoyed every minuet of it. This was wonderful. He had to hold back, of course, to stay behind Cole; but this was what he had needed. The run was stretching muscles long unused and it felt euphoric.
He was dissapointed when they reached the den. Cole led him in. The place was nearly deserted at this hour. They were all hunting. Marcus didn't find this prospect nearly as disgusting as he used to. In fact he was very hungry. He didn't wish to kill humans though. He hoped blood would satisfy him as it always had.
The place was noxious though. It offended his olfactory senses. He wrinkled his nose in distaste. ' These lycans need a better place to live.' He thought to himself. Then he shook himself. 'What the hell am I thinking? I'm going to get the information I need and kill these dogs! Right?'
Marcus wasn't sure anymore. His lycan side was telling him these were his kin, and his vampire side was yelling at him to kill them and get the hell out of there.
He followed Cole, totally at ease on the outside. The few lycans in the den stared openly at him. They could sense the power radiating from him as it had from Michael. They whispered to each other. Could it be so? Another hybrid?
Cole stopped in front of a room cut off from the rest with a blanket. He called out, "Amadillo, there is an important visitor to see you!"
"Send them in,then." Came an eloquent voice from inside the room.
Cole held back the blanket for Marcus and entered after him.
Amadillo stiffened at the sight of Marcus. "Elder!" He growled. He turned to Cole. "You dare bring a vampire elder into our very den?!?!" He shouted.
Cole flinched; but steadily replied, "He is a hybrid Amadillo."
This gave the lycan leader pause. He had been about to set up an alert. "What?" He asked.
"It's true." Said Marcus. "Would you like me to demonstrate?"
"By all means." Replied the flustered lycan.
Marcus willed the change and watched in satisfacton as Amadillos' face grew slack in astonishment.
"What would you have of me?" Aked Amadillo when he regained his voice.
"I would merely know why I am changed. Why did the blood of a lycan transform me into this creature?" He was careful to keep his voice only curious and not angry.
"Please sit and I will explain. " Amadillo indicated the chairs in front of his desk.
Marcus willed himself to change back and took a seat. Amadillo collected his scattered wits and began to explain. Half an hour later Marcus understood fully why he was a hybrid. It was his very own DNA that prompted the change! His Corvinus blood allowed him to become part beast!
Amadillo watched Marcus warily. He still didn't trust this man. He was sure Marcus only came for the information and now that he had stupidly given it he wasn't sure what to expect.
Marcus realized he had no wish to kill these creatures now. This was entirely Viktors fault. It had started even before he had murdered Sonya. It had started when vampires assumed they were better than lycans. It had started when they were enslaved.
Marcus looked at Amadillo. "I wish a truce between our species." He said. "We have both lost many of our numbers. I believe a bargain can be reached. If I can persuade the others."
Amadillo looked entirely at a loss for words. "You, you are serious?" He asked after a moment.
Marcus nodded. "Entirely." He replied. "This war is disgusting. We are cousins. Viktor was a tyrant and a fool. We could have co-existed quite well without any hierarchy." He said.
Marcus was still reeling from the realizaton himself. He had been a sheep, following Viktor in blind faith. He had been younger than Viktor and had always Idolized the man. Now the wool had been pulled from his eyes and he was furious with the dead elder.
How could he have killed his own flesh and blood for loving a lycan? Marcus had been sad and sorry then; but now he was seeing from the other side of the fence riteous anger was added to the list.
"We will meet in two nights if I can coax them." Marcus said. It was posed as more of a question than a statement,and Amadillo nodded.
"That sounds fine." He replied. "Where should we meet?"
"There's an abandoned warehouse near the docks." Marcus suggested the first thing that popped into his head.
"I know the place." Replied the lycan. "Allright. I'll send one of my men there tomorrow night to meet one of your men to confirm the meeting."
Marcus nodded. "Acceptable. I must go now. I'll need time to talk to the others. They've been living this way for a long time. It could take time to persuade them to my way of thinking."
"I'll see you in two nights." Replied Amadillo. All this was beginning to sink in,and he was kind of numb.
Marcus left by himself and had a nice run back to the car. It was paced his way this time and he was there in less than two minuets. He was astonished at how fast he was.
He directed the startled driver to go back to the mansion quickly. The man could smell the lycans on Marcus and he hoped that for the moment the man thought he had been fighting.
An hour later Marcus' directive was known to the coven. They were all present to discuss it. He didn't want to just order them to do it. He wanted to make them realize how stupid the whole war was and how much Viktor had controlled them.
It was almost daylight when it was decided that they would try a truce. The Death Dealers were surprisingly in favor of the plan.
"But if they make a wrong move, it's all over."Cautioned the oldest one, Van. "I won't be lulled into a false sense of security. "
"Very well." Marcus replied. "Someone must go to the warehouse tonight to confirm the meeting. Anyone want to volunteer?"
"I'll go." Said Erika. She needed to call Kraven and let him know the heat was off for awhile. They had discussed Kraven and decided he was priority number two. He would burn for his sins, yes; but for now he had a little extra time.
"Thank you, Erika." Replied Marcus.
She nodded respectfully.
Marcus sent them all to bed. They were all worn out and he himself was actually tierd for the first time since becoming a hybrid.
His last thought before falling asleep was, "Damn you, Viktor."
A.N. WHEW!!!! That was rough. I hope it was okay and I apologise if it was slow. I am trying to get this stuff out of the way so I can get back to Michael and Selene. I think the next chapter will be the meeting and a little of Kraven and Erika and then I'll be free and clear to get to Selene and Michaels activities. Thanks for reading! Please review!
Reviewers:
Marcus Lazarus: You would indeed be correct about that. From what Giles said about vampires origins in Buffy, I figure they are older than the Underworld Vampires. Glad you like.
Julie: Thanks dude. LOL
Chapter 8. Realizations
Marcus was restless. He wanted to go out. He had a ton of pent up energy and he wanted to get some excersize. "I feel like a bloody fledgeling. " He grumbled. Elders were supposed to be calm and reserved; but Marcus was practically bouncing off the walls. He fidgeted for a few moments before summoning Erika.
When she appeared he voiced his wish. "Erika my child, please send for a car and a driver. I wish to go out."
"Yes my lord." Erika didn't know what the others would think of this; but it was not her place to question Marcus.
Fifteen minuets later Marcus stepped into the waiting car. He had refused to be accompanied by any of the death dealers, and he could tell they weren't happy about it.
"I only wish to test my limits." He assured them. "I am stronger now. I want to know how much."
They reluctantly went back inside the mansion and the driver pulled away from the curb. Marcus directed him to go inside the city and park somewhere unobtrusive. He waited impatiently while they drove. When they reached the city, the driver found a deserted parking lot beside a bank to park in.
"Just stay here and wait for me. He said. "I'll be back in an hour or two."
The driver nodded and Marcus got out of the car. He sniffed the air experimentally. He could sense so much more now. This was good.
He smelled humans and lycans and vampires. Old ones. He shuddered. The old ones were strong. He had no wish to meet up with one. They were everywhere however. The demons had no reservations as to the kind of people they infiltrated. Evil creatures.
No, he was looking for a lycan. Someone to fight. He needed to gauge his powers against someone he knew would be weaker than he was before he tried to do anything rash.
He followed the freshest scent and was rewarded with a younger lycan. He was in a park area watching some humans. His head shot up when he sensed Marcus. He turned around, and growled uneasily.
Marcus found himself growling back, and not in a meanacing way. He was startled. The lycan side had taken over! It saw this creature as a brother! The young lycan cautiously approached him. Marcus felt no urge to change or fight. He merely watched the young one come up to him.
"You reek of power." The young man said.
"I am Marcus. Leader of the vampires,and hybrid apparently."
The young lycan stiffened. "Michael is the only hybrid." He said defensively.
"He is not." Marcus replied calmly. "Viktor killed a lycan in our sleep chamber. His blood awoke me and made me a hybrid." He carefully changed to prove it.
His vampire side was screaming at him. What the hell do you think you are doing?!?! He was wondering what the hell he was doing; but the lycan in him told him that this was a friend and a brother.
The lycans' eyes widened when Marcus changed. "You ARE a hybrid!" He breathed. "I am Cole . I will lead you to our master, Amadillo if you wish to speak with him."
"He would know why I am changed?" Asked Marcus.
"Yes." Answered Cole. "Yes he knows."
"Take me to him."
Cole set a fast pace and Marcus enjoyed every minuet of it. This was wonderful. He had to hold back, of course, to stay behind Cole; but this was what he had needed. The run was stretching muscles long unused and it felt euphoric.
He was dissapointed when they reached the den. Cole led him in. The place was nearly deserted at this hour. They were all hunting. Marcus didn't find this prospect nearly as disgusting as he used to. In fact he was very hungry. He didn't wish to kill humans though. He hoped blood would satisfy him as it always had.
The place was noxious though. It offended his olfactory senses. He wrinkled his nose in distaste. ' These lycans need a better place to live.' He thought to himself. Then he shook himself. 'What the hell am I thinking? I'm going to get the information I need and kill these dogs! Right?'
Marcus wasn't sure anymore. His lycan side was telling him these were his kin, and his vampire side was yelling at him to kill them and get the hell out of there.
He followed Cole, totally at ease on the outside. The few lycans in the den stared openly at him. They could sense the power radiating from him as it had from Michael. They whispered to each other. Could it be so? Another hybrid?
Cole stopped in front of a room cut off from the rest with a blanket. He called out, "Amadillo, there is an important visitor to see you!"
"Send them in,then." Came an eloquent voice from inside the room.
Cole held back the blanket for Marcus and entered after him.
Amadillo stiffened at the sight of Marcus. "Elder!" He growled. He turned to Cole. "You dare bring a vampire elder into our very den?!?!" He shouted.
Cole flinched; but steadily replied, "He is a hybrid Amadillo."
This gave the lycan leader pause. He had been about to set up an alert. "What?" He asked.
"It's true." Said Marcus. "Would you like me to demonstrate?"
"By all means." Replied the flustered lycan.
Marcus willed the change and watched in satisfacton as Amadillos' face grew slack in astonishment.
"What would you have of me?" Aked Amadillo when he regained his voice.
"I would merely know why I am changed. Why did the blood of a lycan transform me into this creature?" He was careful to keep his voice only curious and not angry.
"Please sit and I will explain. " Amadillo indicated the chairs in front of his desk.
Marcus willed himself to change back and took a seat. Amadillo collected his scattered wits and began to explain. Half an hour later Marcus understood fully why he was a hybrid. It was his very own DNA that prompted the change! His Corvinus blood allowed him to become part beast!
Amadillo watched Marcus warily. He still didn't trust this man. He was sure Marcus only came for the information and now that he had stupidly given it he wasn't sure what to expect.
Marcus realized he had no wish to kill these creatures now. This was entirely Viktors fault. It had started even before he had murdered Sonya. It had started when vampires assumed they were better than lycans. It had started when they were enslaved.
Marcus looked at Amadillo. "I wish a truce between our species." He said. "We have both lost many of our numbers. I believe a bargain can be reached. If I can persuade the others."
Amadillo looked entirely at a loss for words. "You, you are serious?" He asked after a moment.
Marcus nodded. "Entirely." He replied. "This war is disgusting. We are cousins. Viktor was a tyrant and a fool. We could have co-existed quite well without any hierarchy." He said.
Marcus was still reeling from the realizaton himself. He had been a sheep, following Viktor in blind faith. He had been younger than Viktor and had always Idolized the man. Now the wool had been pulled from his eyes and he was furious with the dead elder.
How could he have killed his own flesh and blood for loving a lycan? Marcus had been sad and sorry then; but now he was seeing from the other side of the fence riteous anger was added to the list.
"We will meet in two nights if I can coax them." Marcus said. It was posed as more of a question than a statement,and Amadillo nodded.
"That sounds fine." He replied. "Where should we meet?"
"There's an abandoned warehouse near the docks." Marcus suggested the first thing that popped into his head.
"I know the place." Replied the lycan. "Allright. I'll send one of my men there tomorrow night to meet one of your men to confirm the meeting."
Marcus nodded. "Acceptable. I must go now. I'll need time to talk to the others. They've been living this way for a long time. It could take time to persuade them to my way of thinking."
"I'll see you in two nights." Replied Amadillo. All this was beginning to sink in,and he was kind of numb.
Marcus left by himself and had a nice run back to the car. It was paced his way this time and he was there in less than two minuets. He was astonished at how fast he was.
He directed the startled driver to go back to the mansion quickly. The man could smell the lycans on Marcus and he hoped that for the moment the man thought he had been fighting.
An hour later Marcus' directive was known to the coven. They were all present to discuss it. He didn't want to just order them to do it. He wanted to make them realize how stupid the whole war was and how much Viktor had controlled them.
It was almost daylight when it was decided that they would try a truce. The Death Dealers were surprisingly in favor of the plan.
"But if they make a wrong move, it's all over."Cautioned the oldest one, Van. "I won't be lulled into a false sense of security. "
"Very well." Marcus replied. "Someone must go to the warehouse tonight to confirm the meeting. Anyone want to volunteer?"
"I'll go." Said Erika. She needed to call Kraven and let him know the heat was off for awhile. They had discussed Kraven and decided he was priority number two. He would burn for his sins, yes; but for now he had a little extra time.
"Thank you, Erika." Replied Marcus.
She nodded respectfully.
Marcus sent them all to bed. They were all worn out and he himself was actually tierd for the first time since becoming a hybrid.
His last thought before falling asleep was, "Damn you, Viktor."
A.N. WHEW!!!! That was rough. I hope it was okay and I apologise if it was slow. I am trying to get this stuff out of the way so I can get back to Michael and Selene. I think the next chapter will be the meeting and a little of Kraven and Erika and then I'll be free and clear to get to Selene and Michaels activities. Thanks for reading! Please review!