(Please Review, and thanks to my new reviewers, VampyricAngel and Sarge1.
This is more of a Selene chapter, since the last one was Michael centered)
CHAPTER FOUR NEED FOR AN ALLIANCE
MICHAEL
"Now, start from the beginning," Simon said. Ricky shivered into her blanket.
Ricky never answered him, though. She just stared ahead.
"Ricky?" Michael asked. Still the girl said nothing. Finally, she swallowed and shook her head.
"It's all my fault," She whispered so softly, they didn't hear.
"What?"
"It's my fault!" She screamed. She looked at them. "I didn't mean for it to -."
"Ricky, where are the others?" Michael demanded.
"They're dead," She said.
"What!?" Simon shouted. "Damn it!" He kicked at Michael's desk.
"All of them?" Michael questioned?
"Well ... I don't know what happened to Kailyn. They took her," Ricky said.
"The twins, Nikki – are you sure?"
"It was silver nitrate, Simon! Of course they're dead!"
"Okay, okay. What did you do with the bodies?" Michael asked.
"I didn't. There wasn't any time. Derek was going quickly, and Dane was too busy crying about the twins. I had to get them back here."
"Simon, call someone to get rid of the bodies. We can't risk anyone finding them. Ricky, where are they?"
"Only a block away, in the alley."
"Take care of it, Simon," Michael instructed. Once Simon was gone he turned back to Ricky. "How did this happen?"
And so Ricky explained about how they had headed out to the movies when a group of six vampires showed up. Since they thought all the vampires were dead, they were unprepared to fight. The twins were shot quickly. By that time, they had gotten their nerves together. A fight erupted, but there was four to six. Dane managed to stab one in the heart with a wooden stake ripped off of a crate. A vampire had grabbed him and ripped his arm out of its socket, tossing him to the ground. Nikki had managed to shoot one with a UV ray through her tears before they shot her with a nitrate bullet killing her instantly. Ricky had attacked head on, pushing the vampires away by kicking and punching, accidentally cutting her knuckled on the building. Kailyn – though she was human – was trying her best to fight them off too. It was down to Kailyn, Ricky and Derek, and Derek was trying to defend the wounded Dane. The only thing left was to change. Derek and Ricky did just that, and they raced forward. Derek knocked a gun out of one vampire's hands before he could shoot at Ricky, who was still changing. They kept fighting, until suddenly, the vampires left. Too worried about each other, they changed back and looked around. The twins were gone, and so was Nicky. Dane was clinging to his shoulder, and Derek was bleeding in several places, Ricky with a cut lip that was quick to heal.
They had turned around, trying to find Kailyn. Only to see her struggling in the arms of a vampire. She looked pleadingly at them. Derek had run to try and pull her free, and the vampire had stabbed him in the gut with a sliver dagger. Ricky became frozen with terror, and the vampire told her he'd kill her if she took one step. A car pulled up and the vampire jumped in, pulling Kailyn with him. Only Derek, Dane and Ricky remained. Derek passed out almost to the door, and Ricky ended up carrying him in.
Michael shook his head in disbelief at the story. "I'm calling a lock down," He announced.
"Don't you get it?" Ricky asked. "They have what they wanted. They wanted HER, they wanted Kailyn."
"Why?" Michael asked, looking annoyed. He looked to the door where Simon stood, having come in during the middle of the story.
"She must have something that they want," Simon said.
"But what?" Michael wondered aloud.
SELENE
"Erika," She gasped, totally taken by surprise.
"I don't mean you any harm," She said.
Selene scoffed. "I've heard that one before," She stated as she bent down to pick up the pieces of the cup to show Erika she wasn't afraid of her.
"I need you help," Erika admitted.
Selene looked up with surprise. "With what?" She demanded, quick to regain her composure as she dumped the bits into the garbage bin, eyes never leaving Erika. She started back to the door.
"Can I come in?" Selene eyed her hesitantly and then pulled the door open further without a word. "Thanks." Erika stepped around her and then went into the tiny apartment. "I love what you've done with the place. It seems ... cozy," Erika said.
"What do you want, Erika?" Selene asked. She closed the door and then slowly made her way over to the nightstand in the corner.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Erika voiced, spinning around. Selene didn't move her hand from the drawer, but did stop to watch her. Erika pulled out a gun and pointed it at Selene.
"What happened to 'I don't mean you any harm'?" Selene mocked.
"I'm not going to KILL you," Erika said, laughter in her voice. "The gun's full of sleeping capsules. If you put up a struggle, I'll have to knock you out till you come to your senses."
"What senses?" Selene asked. She started to creep towards Erika, but the blond was quick to catch on.
"Don't move, either. I can't risk you getting to me." Seeing as there wasn't much of a choice, Selene sunk into the couch and rubbed her eyes.
"I'm not going back to Ordoghaz," She said defiantly.
"Well that makes two of us," Erika told her.
"What?" Selene demanded. Not moving the gun away, Erika took a seat across from Selene in a rocking chair. She fiddled with the cloth of the cushion and then looked around. A small smile crept to her lips.
"Where's your Michael?"
"Not here," Selene answered vaguely. Erika sighed, knowing Selene wouldn't talk unless she explained herself.
"I've left Ordoghaz. Or, what's left of it, I should say," She told her.
"What's left of it?" Selene asked, her eyebrows furrowed. Always the inquisitive one. Erika nodded.
"After what -," Erika choked on her next word. "- Kraven had done to Amelia, her coven came wanting revenge. Ordoghaz is entirely destroyed, and only the scared shitless stayed with them."
"That's an interesting way of putting it," Selene stated without a smile. "How did you find me?"
"By chance, actually. I came here too. Along with a few other vampires, that is. I was out at the party several night ago. The one out in the street." Selene nodded for her to continue. "I thought it would be a good place to get some food. I caught your smell passing through, so I followed you here. I had to wait a little while, but here I am."
"Without a good explanation," Selene added.
"I DO have a good explanation. I just haven't given it," Erika snapped.
"Do share."
"I want to join with the Lycans," She said, her head raised.
"What makes you think I can help you there?"
"I know you know where there are," Erika stated.
"Fine. What makes you think I'll tell you?"
Erika swallowed hard. "Kraven was killed about two months ago. Brutally ripped apart even after he was already dead. We first thought that it was a Lycan because they were furious at him for what he did to Lucian. But then the same thing happened to a Lycan. We thought that maybe the Lycan had betrayed them, or something."
Selene listened attentively, now interested.
"But it kept happening to Lycans and Vampires. Finally, one of ours managed to escape, and told us who was REALLY behind the murders. It was Vampires. The same Vampires from Amelia's coven who had been tracking us. They killed us because we left and the Lycans because they were Lycan. We managed to capture one – a Lycan, I mean. He told us that he was the last of the Lycans here. The rest had migrated to another Lycan clan because of the murders. He's now recovering with us."
"That still doesn't explain why you would think I would help you. For all I know you'll turn your back on them," Selene said
"You'll have to trust me, won't you?"
"Seven months ago I wouldn't have trusted you with my life," Selene said.
"And now?"
"Why do you seek out the Lycans? What's the real reason? Is it for protection?"
"We want peace," Erika told her. "They were right – Kraven and Lucian. The war has gone on for too long. And now that we know what REALLY happened, how the war truly started, we want to start over. Not with the Lycans as our slaves, either."
"Who's this 'we' you keep referring to?"
"Vampires from Ordoghaz who left with us. All of Markus's coven. I think there are two from Amelia's coven who were against the massacres," Erika said, unsure.
"Who's leading all these people?" Selene asked, surprised mostly by the fact that all these covens were working together. Erika shifted nervously in her seat. "WHO, Erika?"
"Selene, do you remember the Lycan that you brought into the throne room?"
"The doctor? That's impossible. When I left he was dead! Why would he lead a bunch of -." Selene stopped, and realization dawned on her face. "Markus? Your leader is Markus, isn't he? But why would Amelia's coven defy him? He's the only elder left."
"He's also a hybrid. They kicked him out, and in his weakened state he couldn't fight," Erika explained.
Selene stood, ignoring Erika picking up the forgotten pistol and pointing it at her incase she tried anything, and walked to the window. After a while of silence, she looked back at Erika.
"Take me to him," She instructed.
"You'll come?" Erika asked, relief showing in her face.
"I haven't agreed to everything, but I'll come," Selene told her. Erika tucked the gun into her belt.
"I was almost afraid you would blast me," Erika said.
"I never said I wouldn't." If it were possible, Erika's face paled more than it already was. Selene smirked. "Of course, I never said I would. Either." Erika scowled at her, and then marched to the door, holding it open for her.
"Let's get going," She snapped.
"Wait for me outside while I change," Selene replied.
Once she had changed into a black long-sleeved shirt and dark blue jeans she opened the door to see Erika glowering at the wall.
"Come on," She said, once she noticed Selene standing at the door.
So they started off to meet with the remaining elder, who had also now become a hybrid. They walked silently for a long time, until Selene spoke.
"So how did you feel about what happened to Kraven?" She asked, knowing that the girl had been in love with him.
Erika glanced at her, surprised at the compassion in her voice. "Kraven was ... he changed, since you last saw him," She finally said.
"Oh?"
"Yes. I don't know what happened to him within those few weeks he was on his own, but when we found him he was a completely different vampire. Changed for the better, I'll admit. He and I were engaged, actually," Erika said.
"He never talked about it?"
"It was one of the only things he wouldn't. Why do you care?" She asked, eyeing Selene with suspicion.
"I know what it's like to care for someone," Selene said simply quickly regretting showing a weakness. "I'll admit, I was surprised at how easy it was for you to talk about his death."
"I've accepted it," She said. "But you never told me. What of Michael?"
Selene stiffened. "He's gone, as I said."
"He left you, didn't he," Erika guessed, sounding as if she knew for certain that that was what had happened.
"Actually, I left him," Selene said. Erika waited for her to give details, but instantly realized she wouldn't.
"We're here," She said. She pulled open the door. Selene was surprised to see Markus sitting in a chair reading Reader's Digest. He wore simple brown slacks and a white shirt. His brown hair was cut to the modern style and gelled into short spikes. He appeared to be a normal twenty-five year old man. When he looked up, he frowned.
"There's only two of you," He stated. "I told you to take someone with you."
"I brought her, didn't I?" Erika countered, sounding irritated. The two glared at each other a moment, before Markus brightened.
"So she convinced you to join us?" He asked Selene. He put his book down and went up to her, holding out his hand.
"Actually, curiosity convinced me," Selene replied, not putting her hand in his. Markus pulled back and nodded.
"And what makes you so curious, I wonder."
Selene looked to Erika. "The Lycans. What will you do to them?"
"Erika did not explain to you?" Markus asked, surprised. "We want to become alliances with the Lycans."
"Alliance? Against what? Erika said that you just wanted peace between them," Selene snapped, now becoming angry.
"This is new, I'm afraid. There wasn't time to inform Erika. Also, I'm not sure you would have come if you knew."
"Knew what?" Selene inquired. She spun back on her heels to Erika, who was staring at Markus, avoiding eye contact.
"Amelia's coven was slaughtered yesterday. Not one vampire was left alive."
"I would think you'd be happy about that. Your vampires aren't being hunted any more. You can live in peace," Selene pointed out.
"No, you don't understand. Those responsible are worst than any vampire of that coven. We're up against something that doesn't care for vampires and Lycans, and wouldn't mind to have them all dead. I fear that the Creature has been awoken. There is a need for an alliance, and you are the one who will help us to get it," Markus told her.
CHAPTER FOUR NEED FOR AN ALLIANCE
MICHAEL
"Now, start from the beginning," Simon said. Ricky shivered into her blanket.
Ricky never answered him, though. She just stared ahead.
"Ricky?" Michael asked. Still the girl said nothing. Finally, she swallowed and shook her head.
"It's all my fault," She whispered so softly, they didn't hear.
"What?"
"It's my fault!" She screamed. She looked at them. "I didn't mean for it to -."
"Ricky, where are the others?" Michael demanded.
"They're dead," She said.
"What!?" Simon shouted. "Damn it!" He kicked at Michael's desk.
"All of them?" Michael questioned?
"Well ... I don't know what happened to Kailyn. They took her," Ricky said.
"The twins, Nikki – are you sure?"
"It was silver nitrate, Simon! Of course they're dead!"
"Okay, okay. What did you do with the bodies?" Michael asked.
"I didn't. There wasn't any time. Derek was going quickly, and Dane was too busy crying about the twins. I had to get them back here."
"Simon, call someone to get rid of the bodies. We can't risk anyone finding them. Ricky, where are they?"
"Only a block away, in the alley."
"Take care of it, Simon," Michael instructed. Once Simon was gone he turned back to Ricky. "How did this happen?"
And so Ricky explained about how they had headed out to the movies when a group of six vampires showed up. Since they thought all the vampires were dead, they were unprepared to fight. The twins were shot quickly. By that time, they had gotten their nerves together. A fight erupted, but there was four to six. Dane managed to stab one in the heart with a wooden stake ripped off of a crate. A vampire had grabbed him and ripped his arm out of its socket, tossing him to the ground. Nikki had managed to shoot one with a UV ray through her tears before they shot her with a nitrate bullet killing her instantly. Ricky had attacked head on, pushing the vampires away by kicking and punching, accidentally cutting her knuckled on the building. Kailyn – though she was human – was trying her best to fight them off too. It was down to Kailyn, Ricky and Derek, and Derek was trying to defend the wounded Dane. The only thing left was to change. Derek and Ricky did just that, and they raced forward. Derek knocked a gun out of one vampire's hands before he could shoot at Ricky, who was still changing. They kept fighting, until suddenly, the vampires left. Too worried about each other, they changed back and looked around. The twins were gone, and so was Nicky. Dane was clinging to his shoulder, and Derek was bleeding in several places, Ricky with a cut lip that was quick to heal.
They had turned around, trying to find Kailyn. Only to see her struggling in the arms of a vampire. She looked pleadingly at them. Derek had run to try and pull her free, and the vampire had stabbed him in the gut with a sliver dagger. Ricky became frozen with terror, and the vampire told her he'd kill her if she took one step. A car pulled up and the vampire jumped in, pulling Kailyn with him. Only Derek, Dane and Ricky remained. Derek passed out almost to the door, and Ricky ended up carrying him in.
Michael shook his head in disbelief at the story. "I'm calling a lock down," He announced.
"Don't you get it?" Ricky asked. "They have what they wanted. They wanted HER, they wanted Kailyn."
"Why?" Michael asked, looking annoyed. He looked to the door where Simon stood, having come in during the middle of the story.
"She must have something that they want," Simon said.
"But what?" Michael wondered aloud.
SELENE
"Erika," She gasped, totally taken by surprise.
"I don't mean you any harm," She said.
Selene scoffed. "I've heard that one before," She stated as she bent down to pick up the pieces of the cup to show Erika she wasn't afraid of her.
"I need you help," Erika admitted.
Selene looked up with surprise. "With what?" She demanded, quick to regain her composure as she dumped the bits into the garbage bin, eyes never leaving Erika. She started back to the door.
"Can I come in?" Selene eyed her hesitantly and then pulled the door open further without a word. "Thanks." Erika stepped around her and then went into the tiny apartment. "I love what you've done with the place. It seems ... cozy," Erika said.
"What do you want, Erika?" Selene asked. She closed the door and then slowly made her way over to the nightstand in the corner.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Erika voiced, spinning around. Selene didn't move her hand from the drawer, but did stop to watch her. Erika pulled out a gun and pointed it at Selene.
"What happened to 'I don't mean you any harm'?" Selene mocked.
"I'm not going to KILL you," Erika said, laughter in her voice. "The gun's full of sleeping capsules. If you put up a struggle, I'll have to knock you out till you come to your senses."
"What senses?" Selene asked. She started to creep towards Erika, but the blond was quick to catch on.
"Don't move, either. I can't risk you getting to me." Seeing as there wasn't much of a choice, Selene sunk into the couch and rubbed her eyes.
"I'm not going back to Ordoghaz," She said defiantly.
"Well that makes two of us," Erika told her.
"What?" Selene demanded. Not moving the gun away, Erika took a seat across from Selene in a rocking chair. She fiddled with the cloth of the cushion and then looked around. A small smile crept to her lips.
"Where's your Michael?"
"Not here," Selene answered vaguely. Erika sighed, knowing Selene wouldn't talk unless she explained herself.
"I've left Ordoghaz. Or, what's left of it, I should say," She told her.
"What's left of it?" Selene asked, her eyebrows furrowed. Always the inquisitive one. Erika nodded.
"After what -," Erika choked on her next word. "- Kraven had done to Amelia, her coven came wanting revenge. Ordoghaz is entirely destroyed, and only the scared shitless stayed with them."
"That's an interesting way of putting it," Selene stated without a smile. "How did you find me?"
"By chance, actually. I came here too. Along with a few other vampires, that is. I was out at the party several night ago. The one out in the street." Selene nodded for her to continue. "I thought it would be a good place to get some food. I caught your smell passing through, so I followed you here. I had to wait a little while, but here I am."
"Without a good explanation," Selene added.
"I DO have a good explanation. I just haven't given it," Erika snapped.
"Do share."
"I want to join with the Lycans," She said, her head raised.
"What makes you think I can help you there?"
"I know you know where there are," Erika stated.
"Fine. What makes you think I'll tell you?"
Erika swallowed hard. "Kraven was killed about two months ago. Brutally ripped apart even after he was already dead. We first thought that it was a Lycan because they were furious at him for what he did to Lucian. But then the same thing happened to a Lycan. We thought that maybe the Lycan had betrayed them, or something."
Selene listened attentively, now interested.
"But it kept happening to Lycans and Vampires. Finally, one of ours managed to escape, and told us who was REALLY behind the murders. It was Vampires. The same Vampires from Amelia's coven who had been tracking us. They killed us because we left and the Lycans because they were Lycan. We managed to capture one – a Lycan, I mean. He told us that he was the last of the Lycans here. The rest had migrated to another Lycan clan because of the murders. He's now recovering with us."
"That still doesn't explain why you would think I would help you. For all I know you'll turn your back on them," Selene said
"You'll have to trust me, won't you?"
"Seven months ago I wouldn't have trusted you with my life," Selene said.
"And now?"
"Why do you seek out the Lycans? What's the real reason? Is it for protection?"
"We want peace," Erika told her. "They were right – Kraven and Lucian. The war has gone on for too long. And now that we know what REALLY happened, how the war truly started, we want to start over. Not with the Lycans as our slaves, either."
"Who's this 'we' you keep referring to?"
"Vampires from Ordoghaz who left with us. All of Markus's coven. I think there are two from Amelia's coven who were against the massacres," Erika said, unsure.
"Who's leading all these people?" Selene asked, surprised mostly by the fact that all these covens were working together. Erika shifted nervously in her seat. "WHO, Erika?"
"Selene, do you remember the Lycan that you brought into the throne room?"
"The doctor? That's impossible. When I left he was dead! Why would he lead a bunch of -." Selene stopped, and realization dawned on her face. "Markus? Your leader is Markus, isn't he? But why would Amelia's coven defy him? He's the only elder left."
"He's also a hybrid. They kicked him out, and in his weakened state he couldn't fight," Erika explained.
Selene stood, ignoring Erika picking up the forgotten pistol and pointing it at her incase she tried anything, and walked to the window. After a while of silence, she looked back at Erika.
"Take me to him," She instructed.
"You'll come?" Erika asked, relief showing in her face.
"I haven't agreed to everything, but I'll come," Selene told her. Erika tucked the gun into her belt.
"I was almost afraid you would blast me," Erika said.
"I never said I wouldn't." If it were possible, Erika's face paled more than it already was. Selene smirked. "Of course, I never said I would. Either." Erika scowled at her, and then marched to the door, holding it open for her.
"Let's get going," She snapped.
"Wait for me outside while I change," Selene replied.
Once she had changed into a black long-sleeved shirt and dark blue jeans she opened the door to see Erika glowering at the wall.
"Come on," She said, once she noticed Selene standing at the door.
So they started off to meet with the remaining elder, who had also now become a hybrid. They walked silently for a long time, until Selene spoke.
"So how did you feel about what happened to Kraven?" She asked, knowing that the girl had been in love with him.
Erika glanced at her, surprised at the compassion in her voice. "Kraven was ... he changed, since you last saw him," She finally said.
"Oh?"
"Yes. I don't know what happened to him within those few weeks he was on his own, but when we found him he was a completely different vampire. Changed for the better, I'll admit. He and I were engaged, actually," Erika said.
"He never talked about it?"
"It was one of the only things he wouldn't. Why do you care?" She asked, eyeing Selene with suspicion.
"I know what it's like to care for someone," Selene said simply quickly regretting showing a weakness. "I'll admit, I was surprised at how easy it was for you to talk about his death."
"I've accepted it," She said. "But you never told me. What of Michael?"
Selene stiffened. "He's gone, as I said."
"He left you, didn't he," Erika guessed, sounding as if she knew for certain that that was what had happened.
"Actually, I left him," Selene said. Erika waited for her to give details, but instantly realized she wouldn't.
"We're here," She said. She pulled open the door. Selene was surprised to see Markus sitting in a chair reading Reader's Digest. He wore simple brown slacks and a white shirt. His brown hair was cut to the modern style and gelled into short spikes. He appeared to be a normal twenty-five year old man. When he looked up, he frowned.
"There's only two of you," He stated. "I told you to take someone with you."
"I brought her, didn't I?" Erika countered, sounding irritated. The two glared at each other a moment, before Markus brightened.
"So she convinced you to join us?" He asked Selene. He put his book down and went up to her, holding out his hand.
"Actually, curiosity convinced me," Selene replied, not putting her hand in his. Markus pulled back and nodded.
"And what makes you so curious, I wonder."
Selene looked to Erika. "The Lycans. What will you do to them?"
"Erika did not explain to you?" Markus asked, surprised. "We want to become alliances with the Lycans."
"Alliance? Against what? Erika said that you just wanted peace between them," Selene snapped, now becoming angry.
"This is new, I'm afraid. There wasn't time to inform Erika. Also, I'm not sure you would have come if you knew."
"Knew what?" Selene inquired. She spun back on her heels to Erika, who was staring at Markus, avoiding eye contact.
"Amelia's coven was slaughtered yesterday. Not one vampire was left alive."
"I would think you'd be happy about that. Your vampires aren't being hunted any more. You can live in peace," Selene pointed out.
"No, you don't understand. Those responsible are worst than any vampire of that coven. We're up against something that doesn't care for vampires and Lycans, and wouldn't mind to have them all dead. I fear that the Creature has been awoken. There is a need for an alliance, and you are the one who will help us to get it," Markus told her.