Chapter X

Nina

The corridor in which Amelia and Malachi had been fighting Markus was now a battle ground, Markus looked certain to achieve victory over the elder and her loyal protector, until the arrival of Nina, Malachi's paramour and the dozen Death Dealers she brought with her. As soon as they arrived the Death Dealers knew what had to be done. Three of them engaged Markus directly, firing automatic weapons at him. Four of the Death Dealers ran to Amelia, and rushed her out of the corridor to safety, two of them recovered the fallen Dimitri, who had lay fallen since Markus's attack began, the others stood guard over Nina and Malachi. With Amelia out of sight Markus decided it would be better to live to fight another day, he outstretched his massive spear like limbs and unsheathed a magnificent set of wings, with one almighty bound, he leapt through the ceiling of the corridor to the next floor, and exited the Ziodec facility through a window.

Nina helped Malachi to his feet, the two stared into each others eyes for a time, Nina's bottom lip began to tremble as she gently wiped the blood from Malachi's face "I can't let you out of my sight for five minutes can I?" she whimpered. Malachi managed a slight laugh and buried his head into her shoulder.

"Leave us" she told the remaining Death Dealers, as the last man left the two sunk to the floor in an embrace.

"What took you so long?" he joked

"I couldn't find the right outfit" she replied "Are you okay?"

"Well my dear" began Malachi "In the last thirty six hours, I've fought with a pack of Lycans, been left for dead, stole a car, sat helpless as Amelia lay in a coma, witnessed the results of a horrific massacre and arson attack and had my ass kicked by an elder who has managed to combine the bloodlines and turn himself into this weird bat thing, but apart from that, yeah I'm good."

Nina sat silent for a moment taking in her lovers rant "Well at least you've been keeping busy." She said in a serious tone. The two looked at each other for a second and began to laugh. Malachi rose to his feet and held out a hand to Nina, "come on angel" he said "I've got to check on Amelia." The two walked hand in hand down the blood stained, bullet riddled corridor, to check on their leader.

New York 1988

A young girl walks through the streets of lower Manhattan, no more than seventeen, she has just come from college, her raven black hair falls about her shoulders, she's wearing torn jeans and a Cure t-shirt. She goes about her business, not bothering anyone. She is a shy girl, aware of the looks a lot of men are giving her, she keeps her head down, so as to avoid the attention that is being projected her way, she only wants to get home so that she can complete the assignment she has just been given. In a just world she would be able to do that, however the world is far from just, following this girl is a tall man dressed in black, it had just got dark, his favorite time of day. There was something about her, something about the innocence he sensed in her, he could not resist. Just as she walked passed an alleyway the man in black made his move. He jumped a whole fifty feet to catch up with her and forced her into the alley way, before the poor girl had a chance to scream, he had struck her in the face, she fell to the ground, and before she could react she felt a heavy weight on top of her. She tried to cry for help, but was paralyzed with fear, through the panic she managed a slight whimper "please don't" she cried, however her attacker paid no heed. She began to cry silently as the abnormally strong man began to tear at her clothes, she was powerless. She choked a cry of pain as the man entered her, almost tearing her apart as he did, she had always waited with boys, she wanted her first time to be special, instead it was torture, she lay there, hating herself until he stopped, and just when she preyed for death, she felt it, the bite and a strange sensation she had no idea how to comprehend, and then a single act of mercy, she was able to drift into unconsciousness "good bye my dear" the man said, kissing her roughly, and then he was gone.

Nina and Malachi entered an office like room on one of the lower levels of the Ziodec facility, Amelia sat in a room being tended to by a man in a white coat, opposite her sat director Holtz, whom she had been talking with quite intently, surrounding them were a group of Death Dealers.

"My Lady" began Malachi "I am relieved to see you are alright."

"Thanks to you, as usual" Amelia smiled "If it were not for you Markus would have killed me."

"As long as I live, so will you my lady" Malachi reassured her

Amelia smiled and turned her attention to Nina, "We must thank you as well, were it not for your arrival who knows what might have happened."

Nina dropped to a knee at this complement "I am your loyal servant my lady" she said humbly.

"Rise Nina" began Amelia "You do not need to bow to me."

"You are both owed a debt" interrupted director Holtz

Malachi turned to the Director in a moment of anger "Oh and where the fuck was you when all this was going on?" he demanded

Holtz looked nervous "what do you mean?" he asked sheepishly

"You're a vampire!" yelled Malachi "you could have been helpful while your Lady was being attacked by an abomination of the covenant."

Holtz hesitated for a moment "when my guards realized we were under attack they confined me to a safe room until the all clear was given."

Malachi began to advance on Holtz "Don't tell me you had armed men with you as well! And you still stayed out of the battle?"

"That is enough Malachi!" Snapped Amelia "Director Holtz did the right thing, what is the use in all of us dying"

Malachi was a little hurt by the fact that his sire had not sided with him, especially after what he had just been through to help her, "Forgive me my lady" he bowed. There was clearly an uneasy atmosphere in the room, until it broken by a voice "How is Dimitri my Lady?" asked Nina

"He should be fine" said Amelia "Director Holtz's doctors say he is suffering from the shock of the attack."

"Vampires can suffer from shock?" Exclaimed a surprised Malachi

"Apparently so" responded Holtz, the two Vampires exchanged a slight glance and began to laugh a little.

"Do you have any whiskey or anything here Mr. Holtz?" asked Malachi rubbing a wound on his forehead.

"What for? Your wounds?" asked Holtz.

"No I just feel like getting drunk" Said Malachi dryly.

"I don't think that's going to help" Interrupted Amelia

"Of course not my Lady" he said rolling his eyes.

"Will you all leave us please" Amelia commanded, at this Holtz, his medical staff and the Death Dealers exited the room. "You as well please Nina" Amelia added.

"Oh, Okay" The Vampire said, casting a glance a Malachi before she left, it was obvious he was not happy that Amelia had asked his paramour to leave. He gently stroked her face before she took her leave,

"I'm sorry about that" Amelia began, "and I'm sorry I sided with Holtz, but this is a stressful time for me."

"I know my lady" sympathized Malachi, "But I only want to help you."

"Oh Malachi, I know that" sighed Amelia "And I am sorry if I hurt you."

"No apologies necessary my Lady," He Said.

"Don't be like that" Amelia pleaded

"My Lady I nearly died trying to protect you tonight." Said Malachi

"I know" said Amelia rising from her seat, she walked over to Malachi and stood just in front of him "and I am eternally grateful for everything you do for me" She then proceeded to tip toe and kiss him on the forehead, before wrapping her arms around him in an embrace. It had been decades since his sire had shown him such affection; he returned the embrace, craving some affection form Amelia. She gently pulled away; "I'm going to check on Dimitri" she told him "You should go to Nina"

"Of course my Lady" he bowed.

As he exited the room Nina was waiting outside for him, "Have I upset her?" She asked nervously.

"Of course not" Said Malachi as he put an arm around her.

New York 1988

Malachi entered the throne room of Amelia's Estate; he bowed before both the council and his mistress, as he took his usual seat to the left of her throne opposite the ancient Eli. "You wanted to see me my Lady?" he asked.

"Yes" began Amelia "Have you been keeping up with the news?"

"Yes my Lady"

"Then I take it you are aware of the recent spate of killings" She asked

"I am. My lady." He responded "Are they of any concern to you"

"They look Vamparic in nature" Amelia continued "That is very disturbing to me. I have not allowed a rogue vampire to operate in my city since I have been here, I do not intend to start now"

"Are you sure it's a rogue?" asked Malachi

"What do you mean?" Asked Amelia in response

"Are you sure its not one of ours?"

Amelia looked at Malachi with scorn "Are you suggesting there is a murderer in my coven, and I haven't noticed yet?"

"Of course not my Lady." He assured her "I just think it would be wise to consider all possibilities."

"I want you to go hunting tonight" She told him, ignoring his last comments, "there is a killer in my city and I want you to stop him"

"It would be my pleasure" he smiled

"Try to be discreet Malachi" Amelia told him

"What do you mean?" he asked

Amelia shook her head "Malachi" she sighed "You wear clothes worth more than most humans' cars, you drive a car worth more than most humans' houses, you carry a cane and speak with an English accent. You stand out. Any Vampire will spot you a mile off."

"Good point" Malachi conceded "I'll be discreet" at this he bowed slightly to Amelia and turned to take his leave.

"Good hunting" She called after him

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Malachi walked through one of the poorer areas of New York, where the murders had taken place, homeless people mostly, society's forgotten, easy targets. He had taken Amelia's advice, no cane, no suit, and no car. He wore black jeans, a black shirt and a long black over coat; he stuck to the back alleys, the run down areas with abandoned buildings; the sort of places someone would go for an easy meal. He talked to the homeless and the hookers who occupied these streets, nothing but a series of crazy and disjointed stories. Then he found the clue he had been looking for, a bloody hand print, at the entrance to an abandoned building, a factory or something. He went in to look around, all the windows were covered up, there was sign of life a bed, some books and to his surprise a teddy bear. He was not sure what to make of this, it must be the lair of the Vamp he was looking for, but there was no sign of it, and this place looked more like a child's bedroom than the lair of a killer. Then he heard something, a noise he jumped up into the rafters and kept an eye on the door. He was expecting something very different to what he saw, he had expected a large male, due to the savagery of these attacks. Instead it was a girl, she was hunched over, her mouth and lips covered in blood, her hair all knotted, she moved slowly as if in pain, she almost looked malnourished yet how could this be? After all there were enough corpses in the newspapers to sustain a coven, let alone a single vampire. He watched from the shadows as she skulked across the bare factory floor to the make shift bed area, despite her tired appearance there was something about her, she was beautiful. He watched as she crawled into the make shift bunk, cling on desperately to the teddy bear, and curl up into a ball. Malachi instantly felt sympathy for this girl; however he had a job to do, he knew what had to be done. With a cat like silence he dropped to the ground and approached the bunk. "You've been very busy haven't you?" He spoke calmly.

The girl jumped to her feet "Get away from me!" she screamed

"I can't do that." Said Malachi

The girl began to cry a little "You don't want to do this" she said her voice trembling "I'm different to you."

Malachi flashed his fangs at the girl "Not so different"

The girl flew into an emotional rage and flew at Malachi trying to claw and scratch at him "You bastard!" she screamed "He sent you didn't he?"

Malachi grabbed the girls wrist "I don't know who he is Miss, but you have been killing a lot of people!"

"I haven't killed anyone!" she screamed "I stopped before they died! I couldn't help it! I just couldn't stop myself!"

Malachi released her wrists, "Miss, do you know what you are?"

The girl wrapped her arms around herself and shied away "A monster.." She choked "He made me a monster!"

Malachi reached out to place a hand on her arm "You are not a monster" he reassured her

"Don't touch me!" She spat

"I'm sorry" he said taking a step back "I'm just trying to help you"

"Why did you say I've killed people?" she whimpered, her eyes full of tears

"Because, a lot of people have died in these parts, and it looks like a vampire is responsible."

"Vampire?" she croaked

"Come on Miss" he encouraged her "The teeth, the thirst, I assume you've had some problems with daylight?"

The girl stared at him in disbelief. "Why me?"

"I honestly don't know Miss" he told her "But I need to know how long you've been like this."

"Days" she mumbled "I've been so scared"

"How did you cope with the thirst?" he asked

"I didn't, I bit those men, I drank there blood" The girl walked away from Malachi crying, she felt uneasy around him and he realized. She was trying to cover herself up where her clothes had been torn. Malachi moved behind her, and removing his great coat wrapped it around her shoulders. The girl stopped as she felt the warmth of the jacket, it surrounded her like a quilt, and was the first comforting thing she had felt for days. She turned to Malachi and looked up at him.

"I only want to help you" he said warmly "I can keep you safe. You don't have to be afraid anymore, you don't have to be alone anymore."

The girl looked up at him, she didn't know why, but she trusted him, she felt warmth coming from him, looking into his eyes her bottom lip began to tremble "He did things to me." She sobbed. Malachi felt the girl's pain, and opened his arms in gesture of affection; the girl hesitated for a moment but finally moved forward into his arms and buried her head into his chest. Malachi gently stoked her hair, as she cried into his chest. "What's your name?" he whispered to her.

"Nina" she sobbed

"Nina" he repeated, he moved away ever so slightly so he could see her face without losing physical contact, gently wiping a tear from her cheek, he softly spoke "lets go home."

Malachi and Nina stood in the doorway of one of Ziodecs medical rooms

"Feeling better are we?" Asked Malachi

The man he was speaking to quickly turned around "Yes my friend" he smiled "Thanks to you I hear."

"Not a problem Dimitri" Malachi answered "I trust you've been summoned as well?"

"Yes" began Dimitri "Do you think Amelia has a plan?"

"She always has a plan" stated Malachi, with full confidence in his mistress "now come on, we don't want to keep the Lady waiting.

Amelia sat at the head of a table in director Holtz's board room, surrounding her were Malachi, Nina, Dimitri, and the Director, as well as the Death Dealers and some of Holtz's men. "The last couple of days have been very difficult for us all" she began "as you know we have lost the entire council, an unacceptable amount of men, Lord Viktor, and most disturbingly the entire Budapest Coven. Now our problem is made worse by the treachery of Markus, and the betrayal of the covenant, we are working under the assumption that the other abomination described by Markus is very real. Now it will come as no surprise that I have chosen you four to act as a temporary council until we are able to return to New York."

"You honor us my Lady" Said Nina

"What are we going to do about Markus?" Asked Malachi

"You're going to kill him" Answered Amelia

"How my Lady?" asked Malachi "The two of us couldn't do it, you expect me to do it alone?"

"You will have Death Dealers with you" She answered him

"Even so my Lady, It's quite a task" he told her.

"The first encounter was different" she began "We had no idea of his abilities or what he was. But now we know what he can do, we know what he is, and more importantly we know where he'll be."

"Where my Lady?" He asked

"A prison, built centuries ago, he is going to free his brother."

"His brother?" Asked Nina

"William" answered Amelia "A Lycan, the first Lycan, the Alpha, the Patriarch"

"Why was he allowed to live?" Asked Nina

"Because it was believed that if one of the sons of Corvinus were killed, then it would mark the end of the immortal line, however that is a risk we must now take. You are to go to the prison, lay in wait, and when you know the time is right, you are to kill Markus, destroy his body and ensure, William is not set free."

"That's brilliant" smiled Malachi

"That's suicide!" interrupted Nina "You want Malachi to lead a team, to destroy the first Lycan, and a Hybrid?"

"Yes" said Amelia simply

New York 1988

Malachi stood inside a phone booth with the receiver to his ear, he was calling for someone at Amelia's estate to come and collect him and the recently sired vampire he had just encountered. As he was talking he glanced outside the booth to see Nina standing there. Despite the connection the two had established in that old factory she was still extremely uneasy, not fully comprehending what was happening to her. She was still wearing his huge over coat, though it completely enveloped her petit delicate form she still wrapped her arms around herself for extra protection, the wind outside was gently sweeping the hair from her face, he could see the vacant look of pain in her eyes. She was staring through the glass of the phone booth desperately trying to maintain eye contact with this kind stranger, who whether she liked it or not was the only source of security she had in her life right now.

The two waited in near silence for their ride to what Malachi had described as her new home. Though he had tried to strike up conversation with her she had not seemed interested in speaking. Instead he just stood there and allowed her to rest her head on his arm. After a half hour or so of waiting a Mercedes limousine and two escort vehicles pulled up to the corner they were stood at. "This is us" he said gently

She turned slightly to look at him "This is your car?" she asked him

"No" he smiled, "My boss's" at this a young looking Death Dealer got out of the passenger seat and opened the rear door for them. "Thank you Matthew" said Malachi, as he helped her into the car, he turned and whispered something to Matthew as he got in.

"Who are you people?" asked Nina as the cars sped back to Amelia's estate.

"I told you" he began "We're Vampire's, we're your friends."

"What's going to happen to me when we get to wherever it is we're going?"

"Your going to be safe" he assured her "you'll be protected, Lady Amelia will see to that."

"Who's Amelia?" she asked nervously

"Our leader"

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When the cars finally arrived at their destination Malachi guided Nina through the halls of Amelia's great estate, he could see she was overwhelmed. When they got to the throne room two Death Dealers opened the great doors for them, Nina hesitated for a moment until Malachi gently took her hand "Its okay" he told her. The two of them headed into the hall, past the great table where the council was sat and to the foot of the stair case which lead to Amelia's throne. She sat there with an air of authority about her looking as elegant as always. Eli her viceroy for all those centuries was at his normal seat to the right of Amelia's throne.

"My Lady" he bowed "This is Nina" Malachi went on to explain what had happened, her story how she had survived on her own. Amelia looked genuinely concerned "You poor child" she began "you must have been so scared." She clicked her fingers and a maid came running to the center of the room "Yes my lady" the girl bowed.

"Bring some blood for our guest" she ordered "Do not be alarmed Nina, you are among friends here. But I need you to describe the man who did this to you."

"Um…. He was tall" she began, her voice shaking, "short dark hair…..dressed in black um… he had an accent….. German or… something… I don't know. I was scared" she cried.

"It's alright child." Reassured Amelia "I know this must be hard, but think, anything else?"

Nina wiped away a tear and began to think, "a scar" she whispered "he had a scar"

Amelia's eyes widened "What kind of scar? Where?"

"Um… it was on his face, the left side….it um… went from his eye down to his neck"

Amelia's head snapped round to face Eli

"It can't be him" my Lady he coughed "He's been dead for centuries."

"Who?" asked Malachi?

"His body was never found" Amelia continued

"Whose body My Lady?" Malachi asked, in and almost demanding tone "I haven't been in the Vampire club as long as the rest of you. You have to fill me in."

"Galen" sighed Amelia

"Who?" asked Malachi

"Galen" interrupted Eli "A very dangerous Vampire

"How dangerous?" asked Nina

"That is not for you to worry, my child" said Amelia softly "I give you my word he will pay for all that has done to you"

"What about the police?" asked Nina?

Amelia smiled "The rulers of this land allow us to live by our own rules. Now come child you must be tired, Malachi and Zita will show you to a room." She turned to Malachi and Zita, the maid who had brought the blood for Nina "The guest quarters in the West Wing."

"Of course My Lady" Bowed Malachi

"Um… Thank you" Said Nina

"You are one of us now child" she said "There is no thanks necessary"

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Malachi showed Nina to her room, he opened the door to what can only be described as a palatial suite, incredibly decadent and luxurious.

"This is mine?" She asked

"Yes is it" Smiled Malachi as he began to point to the rooms features "These shutters on the window will protect you from the sunlight; you've got an en-suite just through there, if you need anything press zero on the phone and you'll get through to Zita or one of the other maids. And this right here is your panic button, if you feel afraid, if you feel in danger at all press this and they'll be a couple of guys with you in seconds."

"What about you" she asked "where will you be."

"I'll be alerted as soon as you press the button, but my quarters are near Amelia's it will take me longer to get here. If you want to talk to me at all just ring extension number 117 on your phone."

"Thank you" she said "for everything"

"Get some rest" he told her, gently stroking her arm

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Malachi stood before Amelia in the great hall "I need to know everything about this Galen, my lady."

"Very well" Amelia began "Following Lucian's rebellion, the coven was left without our daylight guardians, Viktor fearing attack from the paranoid peasants that occupied our lands turned to someone for help. A warlord named Galen. The deal was Viktor would make Galen immortal and his human army would offer us protection. However Galen was a maniac, it quickly became apparent that this deal was not desirable; Viktor began a war with him as well as the Lycans. However Viktor's reign was coming to an end, and so it was left to me to clear up his mess. My men and I destroyed his army, his supporters and his castles, however his body was never found, and we never heard anything of him again."

"Until now" Said Malachi

"Until now" repeated Amelia "I want you to find him, and I want you to kill him."

"Alone my Lady?" he asked

"Yes, you're the best hunter I've got, if I have the Death Dealers sweeping the city it will attract to much attention. He's t0o smart for that. Can you do this Malachi?" She asked

He thought for a moment about the pain this Galen had put Nina through "It would be a pleasure my Lady." He sneered