Chapter 8- Selene

Disclaimer- I don't own Underworld, any resemblance in the name of the characters is purely coincidental. (Lol)

The footsteps echoed down the plain dark hallway. Henderson loved the hallway because he could always tell when someone was approaching. The steps drew nearer and then stopped. Moments later, a faint knock sounded on the thick wooden door.

"Come in." Henderson called, not bothering to rise from his chair. The door swung open and a short but muscular officer stepped inside.

"You summoned me?" The officer asked, not questioning the fact that he had been summoned; but instead asking why. Henderson turned in his chair, examining the young officer. Seeing his ridged posture and the look of cold determination in his eyes.

"This meeting crosses a threshold of our policy. The superiors that be are growing impatient with our lack of progress." At these words, the officer twitched slightly and a look of anger flashed over his features.

"But sir, progress has been made." He replied softly. Henderson smiled coldly, examining the young man's reaction. A calculating disciplined exterior supported by a passionate and fierce interior. He remembered why he liked the boy so.

"Progress... maybe. But the military brass isn't looking for progress. They are looking for results."

"What do you need me to do?" The officer questioned.

"Ah... that's what I like about you. Surgical... to the point. That is why I selected you, Richardson. We haven't the time anymore for patience, or finesse. We need a living subject, a powerful one. Lycan or Vampire, it does not matter which." After Henderson finished, he handed a small folder to Richardson. "Here are the specifics." Richardson examined the photos intently and then closed the folder.

"The ship is heavily guarded. I suggest we wait for the passengers to finish up and go their separate ways before we attempt a kidnaping." Richardson cautioned.

"We haven't the time, Richardson. Scout out the ship and improvise, that's what you're best at, isn't it?"

"Is that all, sir?" Richardson asked, preparing to leave.

"Yes... the things not included on that packet are up to you. You can draw upon any resources you need that we have in this base." Richardson nodded and snapped a smart salute. Henderson returned the salute and watched Richardson exit his office.

"You better not fail Richardson." Henderson muttered to himself.

The room was silent as Corvinus and Lucian stared inquiringly at Gaius. Feeling the questioning gaze of the two men on him, Gaius faltered, then gathered himself.

"Every once in a while I would come into contact with an organization of American Lycans."

"Are you saying that this organization is responsible?" Lucian interrupted.

"They had a series of incidents recently, where dozens of their members had disappeared." Gaius continued, ignoring Lucian's question.

"And they believed death dealers to be responsible... didn't they?" Corvinus asked.

"Yes, as did I; but some of the abductions occurred during the day. This led me to believe that another organization was responsible."

"I can assure you that no death dealer excursions have occurred in America for quite some time." Corvinus added.

"Who else besides death dealers would have the manpower and training to abduct so many Lycans?" Lucian asked.

"An organization... a wealthy one." Gaius pressed.

"The U.S. government." Corvinus finished.

Selene awoke as a beam of sunlight fell upon her. She glanced quickly at the clock and felt Michael's arms wrapped around her torso. Ever since Corvinus had given Selene his blood she had felt a strong attraction to the sun. She was drawn to the warmth it provides and the bright radiance that it gives to everything. She lifted Michael's arm off of her tenderly, and slid out of bed. Not wanting to wake him, she moved with a cat-like grace across the room to the dresser.

When she first began to dress, she realized that she would need to choose something nice to wear. Selene began to leaf through all of dresses, but they seemed to all look alike to her.

Just as Selene was about to give up, a faint knock sounded on the door. Selene let out a sigh of frustration and looked through the eyepiece. Erika stood on the other side smiling back at her. Not concerned that she was wearing only undergarments, Selene opened the door.

"What do you want?" Selene demanded.

"Is that how you greet an old friend?" Erika asked innocently. Seeing Michael, Erika entered uninvited.

"What's going on here?" Erika asked with a smile. Selene blocked her way and folded her arms over her chest. "May I come in?" Erika asked.

"Fine." Selene answered coldly, heading back to the dresser and putting on a plain shirt.

"You aren't planning on wearing that to the meeting? Are you?" Erika asked, gawking at the plain attire. Selene said nothing and down in a chair next to the wall. She wasn't surprised to see Erika already rummaging through her drawers. Moments later, she picked up one of the dresses and gasped in giddy delight. "You must wear this one, Selene." Selene examined the small dress, it was much too provocative for her tastes.

"No." Selene answered bluntly. Selene was aware that Erika hadn't come to pick out a new dress for her. So far her true motives hadn't been revealed, but Selene was sure that they would be soon.

Erika found another dress and examined it thoroughly. "This one." She said enthusiastically. Selene examined the dress intently and nodded.

"It's fine." Selene answered, lacking enthusiasm. Erika turned, apparently deep in thought. Now her true motives, Selene though. Seconds passed and Selene began to grow impatient.

"Why are you here Erika? What do you want?" Selene demanded again.

"Does there always need to be a motive for you? Have you ever considered that maybe I came here because I care about you?"

"Care? The only person you've ever cared about was yourself." Selene retorted. Erika looked at Selene for a split second, tears visibly welling up in her eyes. She spun around and walked briskly towards the door.

"Erika! Wait!" She stopped at the door but didn't turn around. Selene stood in silence, and waited for Erika to begin.

"The night you got the news about Octavian, I came as a friend. No one ordered me to do it, I came to comfort you. And what happened later that night... it was perfect. I never felt so sure in my life that we were always meant to be together." Selene opened her mouth to say something, but couldn't formulate the words. "Then to wake up and have you gone. To try to find you only to hear that you were 'out hunting Lycans'. Then, when I finally saw you, you refused to acknowledge my existence. You avoided me. Not one word, not one sideways glance. Only after that did I pursue Kraven, and to have him keep me on hold for you..." She turned examining Selene longingly.

"What happened that night... was a mistake." Selene stammered. Erika advanced to Selene until only a few inches separated their faces. Seeing Selene look away, Erika grabbed her wrist to get her attention. Feeling the soft touch of her fingers, Selene jumped back as if she was shocked. This time the two held their intense gaze.

"Look into my eyes and tell me that it was a mistake." Erika said seductively. Selene found herself entranced by Erika's gaze. She tore her gaze away from Erika's eyes, only to find them resting on the soft skin of her neck. Skin that she so remembered rubbing against her own.

"It was a mistake." Selene whispered weakly. Moments later, Selene felt Erika's soft lips come into contact with her own. She moaned as Erika's hand ran it's way up her thigh. Selene returned Erika's kiss with renewed passion, and pressed her up against the wall. Glancing towards the bed, Selene caught sight of Michael and shoved Erika away, shaking her head.

"No." Selene stated resolutely. Erika quickly advanced again, narrowing the distance in seconds. Selene shoved her back again. "I'm sorry Erika, but I can't do this to Michael. Not after everything he's done for me."

"He's just another obstacle blocking us from being together." Erika said breathlessly, advancing towards Selene stubbornly.

"I love him." Selene shouted, shoving Erika back violently. Erika fell back and tripped over her feet. She fell and hit her head against the wall with a heavy thud. The noise woke Michael, who got up to a sitting position in the bed.

"What's going on?" Michael asked, motioning to Erika, who still lay on the floor whimpering.

"She fell." Selene replied coldly.

"God, she's bleeding." Michael exclaimed, wrapping the bed sheet around his bare lower half, and getting up to examine her. Selene sat back down onto the chair and watched. Michael examined Erika, who was still shuddering from the shock. "I think you have a concussion." Michael said soothingly. Michael got up and retrieved a few things from the bathroom.

"You have him?" She asked shakily.

"Yes." Selene replied. He came back moments later with a cloth and some other objects in his arms. He began to wrap the bandage around her head when he finally recognized her.

"You were the vampire at the mansion?" Michael asked.

"Yes." She answered.

"I don't think I ever got your name." Michael said with a smile.

"Erika." She whispered.

"Well... Erika you're all set." Michael said, patting her on the head. He helped her to her feet, and she walked to the door.

"I can see why you like him so much." Erika stated. As she left, Michael advanced towards Selene.

"Did you hit her?" Michael inquired.

"No." Selene responded. She waited for a few seconds, then advanced to Michael, kissing him passionately.

"Again?" Michael asked. Selene nodded and shoved him playfully onto the bed.

Octavian paced to the door of his room as he heard her faint footsteps approach, and opened it.

"Erika." He greeted cheerfully.

"Octavian." She replied.

"So what have you uncovered about our favorite vampires hybrid couple?" Octavian asked.

"Very much in love." Erika answered.

"Past infatuation?" Octavian pressed.

"Yes."

"Then it's going to be harder than I thought. I will find a way to get Selene to return to me. When that happens your free to 'comfort' Michael as he tries to pick up the pieces of his life." Octavian said, still smiling. "Now where were we?" Octavian asked, pulling Erika into her room by the waist. Erika resisted him and backed into the hallway.

"I'm tired of being second to Selene." Erika said angrily. She turned and began to walk away briskly.

"Erika!" Octavian called after her. She ignored him and walked down the hall without turning.

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