Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Underworld or it's characters, so don't sue. The other characters and subsequent storylines are mine, so don't infringe. Many Thanks.
Author's Note: Sorry it's taken so long to get anything new posted. Real Life has been intruding on me lately, lol. I've finally managed to write up a new chapter and I will have more soon! I also went through the preceding chapters and fixed a few errors, nothing major other than a small storyline snafu I noticed in Chapter 5. Happy Reading!
Chapter 9 - Family Reunion
"Please forgive the humble surroundings." Lucian rose as his guests were led in to greet him. "I'm afraid it's the best we can do for the time being."
Michael barely registered the dank cavern. "We've stayed in worse." He stared hard at Lucian, the person responsible for changing his entire existence, and unconsciously drew Selene closer to his side.
The motion did not go unnoticed by Lucian. "I assure you, she's quite safe here."
"Yeah, well, you'll forgive me for not quite believing that."
The tension in the vast chamber was so thick, Selene imagined she could slice right through it. "You have a human hidden away somewhere. Why?"
Lucian acknowledged the statement with a gracious nod. "I see your senses are as sharp as ever."
"Yes, they are." Selene stated simply. "So? What's the story?"
"If he says they keep humans around for midnight snacking, we're outta here." Michael whispered to Selene.
Lucian chuckled, a soft smile on his lips. "Don't worry, Michael. Rest assured the human we have here now is of great importance, not only to me, but to you as well." He gave an imperceptible nod towards the entrance and Raze disappeared. "You'll be meeting her in a few moments. Her name is Olivia and she's your long, lost cousin."
Michael's flesh pebbled and he felt Selene stiffen beside him. "What are you talking about?"
"So that's how you survived." Selene spoke quietly, "Her blood's the same as Michael's then?"
"Yes."
"I don't have a cousin named Olivia." Michael's confused gaze flew between them.
"You remember your Aunt Melissa?"
Brows drawing together, Michael answered, "Yes, but she died in some kind of accident when I was young. I think I only met her once or twice...and she didn't have any kids as far as I know."
"Correction. She had a daughter when she was sixteen. Unfortunately, her parents didn't approve of her...unwedded state. They forced her to give the child up." Lucian gestured, "And here she is. Olivia, come meet Michael."
Michael quickly found himself engulfed in a flurry of auburn curls and lithe limbs. His first reaction was to push the girl away, not sure if she meant him harm or not, but she had him locked in a bear hug. So, not knowing what else to do, he hugged her back.
"Olivia, let him breathe at least, will you?" Lucian's amused response to her display of affection had her letting go of Michael and taking a quick step back.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to get so excited." Olivia took a deep breath, then held out her hand to him. "It's very nice to meet you, Michael. You too, Selene."
"It's, uh, nice to meet you too..." He replied.
Selene was amused with the girl's sudden formality. At least, she was until she saw the look that passed between Olivia and Lucian. And the slight touch she gave him as she passed by him. Selene wondered what exactly was going on between the lycan leader and the human. Whatever it was, she hoped it wasn't serious. Things were fucked up enough without adding another of Lucian's failed relationships into the mix.
Olivia plopped herself into a half-rotted recliner, curling her bare feet up under herself. The springs beneath her groaned, the cushion sinking almost to the floor, but she seemed not to notice. Michael looked her over, noting that she looked like any other healthy human being. She was obviously not being held against her will. Olivia's skin had a rosy tint that suggested she'd been outside recently, she wasn't suffering from any malnutrition that he could notice...and she was staring at him with morbid fascination. Michael cleared his throat in embarrassment.
"So, how much did you tell her?" Selene broke the awkward silence, turning to face Lucian.
"Uh, hello?" Olivia crossed her arms over her chest, "I can speak for myself, ya know."
Lucian recognized the defiant tilt to Olivia's chin and moved to stand behind her. "I've told her everything." He shrugged his shoulders, "I thought she had a right to know."
Olivia narrowed her eyes, looking back at Lucian. "Am I not allowed to speak or something?"
"Please, by all means," Selene said sharply, "If you have something important to say, feel free to jump in at any time."
"Selene..." Michael began, looking at her confusedly.
"Piss off!" Olivia moved quicker than Lucian had anticipated, jumping to her feet.
"No, you piss off you bloody, little human!" Selene retorted.
Olivia took a step towards the vampyre, eyes narrowed dangerously. "What the fuck is your problem?" She demanded, throwing off the restraining hand Lucian had placed on her shoulder.
"Wait a minute..." Michael tried intervening, confused by the sudden animosity between the two women, but Selene waved him off.
"My problem is this." Selene made a disgusted gesture towards Lucian and Olivia. "Have you forgotten, Lucian, the last woman you loved? And the consequences of that union?"
"What does my marriage to Sonja have to do with anything?" Lucian questioned calmly despite the turmoil raging within him.
"You started the whole, bloody war! And now, here you are getting all cozy with a human. Do you really think your lycan's are going to accept her? Are you willing to accept the bloodshed that will occur because of her?"
Lucian answered, "Viktor started the war, Selene. Not I."
"Yes and now he's dead..."
"And you killed him to save your own lover!" Olivia jumped in, "Or have you forgotten that?"
There was no warning. One moment Olivia was beside Lucian and the next, she was flying across the room. She landed on the cold, hard ground; a whoosh of air exploding from her lungs. Pandemonium broke out as lycan's poured into the room, coming to the aid of their leader. Lucian knelt beside Olivia as Michael stood his ground against the surge of lycan's, Selene shoved unceremoniously behind his back.
Olivia took a painful breath, checking for broken bones. Her anger had vanished the instant she'd found herself in the air, replaced by a paralyzing fear. Fear of the unknown, of these creatures she knew next to nothing about. She'd had no warning that Selene was about to strike. No chance to protect herself and now Olivia's limbs were shaking with the knowledge that everyone she was now surrounded by could kill her with nothing more than a flick of the wrist. And that knowledge didn't sit well with her.
Olivia glanced around, taking in the glowing eyes and fighting stances. Animalistic growling issued from nearly everyone as she shook off Lucian's concerned touch and stood to her feet. Tears pooled in her eyes and she swiped at them angrily. How human she was. And how completely un-human the man she loved was.
"Don't, Lucian." She whispered, not daring to look him in the eye and see the iridescence that marked him as being so different from herself. "Don't touch me right now, okay? Just go stop them."
Lucian fought a war within himself, wanting to kill Selene with his own hands. Tear her limb from bloody limb for daring to strike Olivia, but he knew Michael wouldn't let that happen and Lucian was no match for the hybrid.
Lucian turned from Olivia and the sea of lycan's parted before him as he walked up to Michael who stared at him with pitch black eyes.
"Call off your men, Lucian." Michael warned, fighting to keep control of himself.
"Enough." The word was spoken quietly, but an instant hush fell over the room. "Leave us now. Raze, escort Olivia to my chamber."
The lycan's grudgingly left one by one, only Raze staying behind. When the last of them filed out, he turned to the trio. "She's gone, Lucian."
"What do you mean she's gone?" Lucian questioned, alarm filling his eyes.
"Just that." Raze shrugged, "When I went to escort her, she'd already left."
Michael's voice was full of concern. "She's safe here, isn't she? Lucian, your men wouldn't..."
"Under normal circumstances, she's perfectly safe, but as things now stand..." Lucian spoke sharply, "She must be located quickly. There's too much bloodlust in the air right now." He said this last with a condescending look cast in Selene's direction.
Selene had enough grace left in her to look abashed. "I'm...sorry, Lucian. I'll help search for her. She can't have gone far."
"We'll all go." Michael headed for the exit, but Lucian stopped him.
"No. I'm afraid things are rather too tense for you two to be wandering around. Raze can escort you to your chamber...and stand guard while you rest."
Selene and Michael exchanged glances. He was disappointed with her, she could see it in his eyes. But that didn't matter now. All that mattered was finding the girl and bringing her back safely. Unfortunately, if Olivia had left the caves, then Selene couldn't help track her. They had managed to arrive just before dawn and now it was full daylight outside.
"Don't worry. I'll find her." Lucian said quietly. He knew her scent well and he would bring her back...or die trying.
