Chapter III Change of Plans

As the train hurtled towards Budapest, Malachi made his way to the front carriage, knocking the door open with his cane.

"Sir" A death dealer stood to attention.

"Report" Enquired Malachi.

"Every thing is on schedule sir, there has been a slight change though."

Malachi's head snapped round "What kind of change? Why was I not informed earlier?" His voice was unusual; there was an obvious sense of anticipation in it, something that made the Death Dealer nervous.

"The Council did not think it necessary to inform you sir." He replied nervously.

"What has changed Matthew?" Malachi snapped, growing impatient.

"We are no longer being met by Khan Sir. Kraven called Nathan; he's sending his own team. We are to rendezvous with a guy named Soren."

Malachi's look of anticipation turned to a snarl of hatred "Soren" he hissed.

"Sir?" asked Matthew

Malachi took a moment to look around nervously "Very good" he nodded "Where is Nathan?"

"He's with the driver sir."

"Right then…" Malachi hesitated for a moment "I want both of you with the council until we get there. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir." Said Matthew, standing to attention, and turning to carry out his task

"Oh and Matthew…" Malachi began in a some what patronizing tone "arm the driver; I have a bad feeling about this." Turning to leave, Malachi muttered under his breath "I hate this fucking country."

Sitting in a quiet corner of one of the carriages Malachi's thoughts began to drift, he began thinking about why the hell they were here. He remembered back to two weeks ago, when the received the final arrangements for the Awakening……

"So is every thing clear?" Asked Dimitri, Amelia's envoy, "Any Questions?"

"Just the one." said Malachi sarcastically. "Amelia is one of three elders, correct?"

"Of course" Replied Dimitri, somewhat baffled by the question.

Malachi nodded and continued "And being one of three elders, if anything were to happen to her it would throw the entire chain into chaos, correct?"

"Yes Malachi" Sighed Dimitri "But your missing the po…"

"Well then!" Shouted Malachi, interrupting Dimitri "Why in Amelia's name have you agreed to send not only our lady, but the entire council, on a little jaunt across the world by plane train and automobile, with only two Death Dealers for protection! It's not the best idea you've ever had! Is it Dimitri?'

Malachi remembered how Dimitri looked, as if he were going to be swallowed by the Great Hall. The Great Hall of Amelia's New York mansion was a grand sight. A huge room which could comfortably hold the entire coven. At one end of the hall sat a large number of circular tables organized into three rows, all made from antique pine. During Gatherings low ranking, and non-active members of the coven sat at these. After these three rows there was a great oak table that stretched across the remainder of the room. This is where the Council, Death Dealers and other high ranking Vampires sat. It was from this table that Dimitri was giving his speech. At the foot of this great table there was a small stair case, with claret carpet and a brass hand rail running up the middle of it. An armed Death Dealer stood at either side of this stair case, as it led to the most important feature of the hall, an eight by ten foot platform that housed Amelia's throne. An ornately carved golden structure, emblazed with her seal. This is where Amelia looked over court, on either side of her throne sat two smaller chairs. On the right sat Eli, the oldest member of the coven besides Amelia herself, and on the left sat Nina. Paramour of Malachi, whose relationship with Amelia's favorite had earned her considerable power within the coven. These chairs however, did not face out over the coven, instead they sat slightly in front of Amelia's throne, facing each other, so that Amelia alone could benefit from their council. And of course stood just behind Amelia's throne, was as always, Malachi.

He recalled the blank look on Dimitri's face after he belittled him over the security arrangements. "Well?" He demanded again "Only two Death Dealers?"

"Two Death Dealers, and you." Was the cold response he received. However it had not come from Dimitri, or the council, it had come from the platform. He looked slightly to his left to see Nina rising from her chair. She gave him a cheeky smile. "With your permission my lady?" She asked Amelia with a slight curtsy. Amelia's response was a slight nod of her head. "Thank you Dimitri." Nina Began " The arrangements are satisfactory."

"What!" Spat Malachi.

Nina turned and glared at him. "Sshh" She hissed. Rolling his eyes Malachi retook his place behind Amelia's throne. "Everyone out." Ordered Nina.

As the coven filed out of the great hall Malachi turned to Nina. "What the hell are you thinking!" He demanded in a half growl.

"Ah" she pouted "Your so cute when your mad at me." Before he could respond she tiptoed and kissed him on the nose. Malachi looked at his paramour. She was a petit creature, with a curvaceous figure, her raven black hair flowed down her back, and her eyes were the bluest he had ever seen. She wore a black Basque exposing her cleavage and a flowing black skirt that reached the floor. Though her clothes were not as ornate or extravagant as some of the women in the coven, it was a style he preferred. He placed both hands on her shoulders feeling the perfect texture of her porcelain white skin, then placing a finger on her deep red lips, he sighed "I'm not going to win this argument am I?"

"No. No your not." She responded smugly.

Defeated, Malachi turned to Amelia "My lady I do have genuine concerns over your security."

"You always do Malachi" She sighed "But you know how I hate to be surrounded by the Death Dealers. Anyway, there will be plenty of reinforcements waiting for us in Budapest.

"Of course my lady" Bowed Malachi in defeat.

"Besides" Smiled Amelia "If you can not defend me from whatever's out there, what will a few more Death Dealers do?"

"The Boys right" coughed the old Vampire sitting to Amelia's right "You may be an Elder my lady, but you are not Viktor. This could be dangerous for you." The Vampire looked a lot older than Amelia, this is because though an immortal he was not a pure bread Vampire, and he was thirteen hundred years old.

"Thank you for your concern Eli" Said Amelia placing a hand on his ancient shoulder "Your council is always invaluable to me. However the arrangements have been made. Now if the three of you do not mind, I will retire."

The three bowed their heads to her. "You need to apologize to Dimitri as well." Commented Nina.

"Me!" Was Malachi's startled response.

"Yeah you!" The beautiful paramour chastised "You were very mean."

"Fine! I'll do it now." He moaned.

"Thank you baby." She smiled sweetly.

"You'll do it later" Interrupted Amelia.

"My Lady?" Asked Malachi with a raised eyebrow.

"Walk with me."

Opening the double doors behind the throne Malachi held the door for his mistress. "You always let her win don't you." Amelia commented as she passed him.

"Pretty much" He admitted. He then hurried down the corridor to keep pace with the elder, leaving the door to close Nina and Eli.

As Malachi snapped out of his thoughts he gazed out of the window. Still feeling uneasy he whispered to himself "I knew we should have brought more Death Dealers."

"I'm sorry sir?" He heard a voice say.

Gripping his cane he turned round to see Matthew standing there. "You said something sir."

"Oh.. Don't worry" He said shaking his head "What's wrong?"

"Nathan says we'll be there in ten minutes."

"Excellent" Malachi nodded coldly. "Get the council ready, I'll get Amelia." Cane in hand Malachi headed to his mistress's private quarters to inform her that in ten minutes her reign was coming to an end. Soon she would have to awaken Markus and condemn herself to two hundred years of slumber.

Standing at the door to Amelia's carriage, Malachi took a deep breath and used his cane to knock lightly on her door.

"Who is it?" Amelia asked coldly.

"Me my lady." He spoke softly.

"Enter."

As Malachi entered the room Amelia was standing to greet him. She looked beautiful, her lightly shaded dress complete with exquisite embroidery complemented both her flawless Vanilla complexion and her perfect figure. She wore an ornate golden collar that covered her whole neck, it was a Celtic design, a gift from Malachi which she had received a life time ago, and the golden sapphire earrings that she had worn the night she sired Malachi, the only other Jewels more beautiful than these were the precious crystal gems that were her eyes.

"You look beautiful my lady." The loyal servant told his mistress "Its time."