Chapter XIV

Remember

After receiving his orders from Amelia Malachi had put his plan into action, he had sent a team of humans to track down Selene and Michael, and report their location to him. He didn't really have much to do in way of preparation; just make sure he was ready at a moments notice. Amelia had been fussing over him all day, despite his confidence he felt that Amelia did not believe he was capable of carrying out this mission alone. Malachi knew that Amelia was in no shape to help him, and he was sure that if the Death Dealers could do their job and draw Selene away from Michael then he would be successful. He had been sitting alone for a while until Nina joined him, she didn't say anything; she just sat there next to him resting her head on his arm. Despite her loyalty to Amelia, Malachi knew she did not want him to go on this mission however it had to be done.

"I'm coming back" he told her "This freak isn't going to get the better of me"

"I know" she said

"In fourteen years, I've always come back" he stated

"I know" she said again, still sounding unconvinced "But I've always worried about you, don't you remember?"

"Of I course I remember." He said, kissing the top of her head.

New York 1988

Nina and a group of hand maidens were sitting by a window of Amelia's estate, watching the expensive cars come and go from the mansions gate. "How comes they're allowed to come and go as they please but we have to ask for permission?" asked Nina

"That's just how it is" said one of the maids, "Amelia thinks we need protecting or something"

"Well it's not fair" began Nina "Just because we're not Death Dealers or whatever."

"Why do you want to go out so badly any way?" asked another maid

"No offence Eve, but these clothes you've given me, there just not me. I need to go shopping" Said Nina Sarcastically

"Well then tell Malachi" Said Eve

"What do you mean?" asked Nina, blushing slightly

"Oh come on" spat the first maid; a young looking red headed Vampire named Christine "Everyone knows you're his favorite"

"I'm not his favorite" she said in an embarrassed tone "He's just a nice guy"

"Well he's never brought any of us a teddy bear" laughed Eve "Are you telling me you haven't noticed the way he is around you?"

Nina dismissed what had been said for a moment "You really think he likes me?' she smiled. The Maids began to giggle a little.

"I think that's a safe assumption" said Christine "Do you like him?"

Nina shrugged and smiled "I haven't decided yet"

"Really?" Asked Eve, not believing her.

"Really" she repeated, the attention of the maids was diverted by the sound of a BMW coming to a screeching halt as it entered the garage below the window the ladies were sitting at. "What's up with that?" Asked Nina

"I don't know" said Eve "Looks serious though"

"Stand aside!" A stern voice yelled "Make way!" The voice had come from Nathan, Amelia's lead Death Dealer, he was leading a group of four armed Death Dealers, standing in the middle of them was Amelia. The maids dropped to a knee as the elder passed, not even acknowledging them.

"This can't be good" said Christine. As she finished her sentence another Death Dealer rushed passed them.

"Matthew" Eve called out

"I can't stop" he said "I'm under orders"

"What's happened" Asked Eve

"We've got wounded" The young looking Death Dealer responded quickly

"So why's Amelia getting involved?" asked Christine

"It's Malachi" said Matthew

"Is he okay" interrupted Nina

"I don't know" said Matthew "But I really have to go"

"Can you.. um… can you take me with you?" she asked the Death Dealer.

Normally he would have said no, but he had overheard Malachi talking to Nathan, he knew he liked her "Okay" he told her, "but don't get in the way" As Nina followed the Death Dealer towards his destination Eve turned to Christine "Oh yeah" she began "she hasn't decide yet."

Nina followed Matthew down into one of the basement rooms of Amelia's mansion, it had been converted into an infirmary of some sort, "wait here" said Matthew as he entered the room; Nina had to stretch her neck slightly to see through the window of the door. She saw Malachi sitting on a bed while a man in a white coat was doing something with a scalpel, it looked like he was digging bullets out of his chest.

"Shit!" exclaimed Malachi

"Try to stay still" said the man in white, Amelia held Malachi's hand, "just squeeze if it hurts too much" she told him"

"Damn it" he said again, Nina had to turn away, as the doctor pulled out bullet after bullet. Amelia still holding his hand began to stroke his hair "My brave warrior" she said warmly "Is there anything I can get you?"

"Tequila" he said through gritted teeth, as the doctor dug out another bullet and dropped it in a trey "a bottle." Amelia nodded to a Death Dealer who immediately went to get the drink. As he left Amelia caught a glimpse of the covens newest Vampire, Malachi again flinched with pain "Ssshh" she said soothingly, still stroking her Chylde's hair "It looks like you've got a fan" she said nodding to the door. Malachi glanced over to the door, "How many more doc?" he asked

"Just one" said the doctor digging out the last bullet. The door opened again and a Death Dealer came in with a bottle of Tequila, Malachi took it off of him and took a large drink from it. Placing the bottle down he put his shirt back on "With your permission My Lady" he said nodding towards the door. Amelia looked through the window to see Nina still standing there.

"Of course" she said, gently stroking his hand "Lets go" she told her Death Dealers, as Amelia left the room flanked by her men she turned to Nina and said "He will see you now child."

Nina approached Malachi, who was still sitting on the bed "Are you okay?" she asked him

"I'm fine" he lied "Just a bit achy. "What brings you here?"

"I.. um… I was worried" she confessed "You've been so nice to me, you brought me here, looked after me, even brought me my bear" she blushed "I didn't want anything to happen to you."

Malachi looked at her for a moment, not knowing what to say "Do you wanna help me drink this?" he asked holding up the bottle of Tequila.

"I can't" she said shying away from him slightly "I'm not twenty one"

Malachi laughed, "You've got a lot to learn about being a Vampire"

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The next day Nina sat in the dining room of Amelia's mansion, with her usual companions.

"So what happened?" Asked Christine, with absolutely no subtlety

"I don't know what you mean" dismissed Nina

"Oh I think you do" exclaimed Christine "You and Our Lady's favorite, what happened?"

"We had a few drinks" she said shyly

"Then what?" asked Eve

"Then… nothing" said Nina "He walked me back to my room, he was a gentleman"

"Oh how sweet" sighed Eve.

"Everyone Upstanding!" called out a Death Dealer "All upstanding for The Lady Amelia" The entire room stood, as Amelia and her entrée age entered through an ornate door, and took their seats at the top table. Although the council were not with her, she sat at the magnificent oak table, with Malachi, her chief of security, Dimitri her envoy, as well as his mistress, her Viceroy Eli and Nathan her chief Death Dealer. Everyone waited until Amelia sat down, "You may sit" she said softly. Everyone bowed slightly and sat down. Malachi saw Nina from across the room, the two exchanged a few glances, and Nina began to blush a little. Malachi called over a Death Dealer and whispered something in his ear, the Death Dealer nodded and began to walk through the rows of tables over to where Nina and her companions were sitting. He stopped before her and bowed his head.

"Can I help you?" she asked

"Madam" the Death Dealer began "Your presence has been requested at the top table"

Nina looked amazed as she cast her glance towards the elite of the coven, she looked at her friends for approval. "Go" Eve encouraged.

"Okay" she said some what hesitantly

"Please follow me" he said, as he picked up her food and blood and lead her towards the top table. The rest of the coven began to stare and whisper as she was guided across the room. Her food was set down on the table, and her seat pulled out for her.

"Welcome Nina" said Amelia

"It's an honor My Lady" she said, she turned to Malachi and whispered "was this your idea?"

Malachi just smiled slightly "I wanted to spend more time with you"

"And is this the extent of your charm?" she whispered, not wanting to interrupt anyone else at the table.

"What else do you want?" he asked

"To go shopping" she said almost instantly "tonight… I want some new clothes"

"Okay" he said

"And I want my friends to come with me" she added

"Fine" Malachi agreed

"And I've never been in a limo" she said, almost testing him "I want to go in a limo"

Malachi laughed "You can have whatever you want" he told her "The worlds yours"

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Amelia watched over the weeks and months, as her chylde and the newest vampire became closer, her dining at the top table became even more frequent, Malachi had even brought her to meetings. There was something about her; it had been so long since there was a new member of the coven many of Amelia's subjects were drawn to he,r as she represented the outside world many of them craved. She had even begun to set trends in the coven with many of the younger female vampires copying her style, Goth or Punk or something she called it, something to do with the music she listened to. Curious. Amelia had no reason to dislike this girl, she had been nothing but courteous and she was having an extremely positive influence on Malachi, but deep down, Amelia hated her; she was drawing the attention that Malachi had always reserved for her. However it had been Amelia's choice to snub Malachi's advantage all those years ago, she would have to live with it.

Malachi and Nina sat in their secluded corner; still not saying anything, until their loving silence was broke by the sound of approaching foot steps. "Sir" a Death Dealer said. "Our team has located Selene and the hybrid"

"Where?" asked Malachi quietly

"They're underground sir, in a former Lycan den"

"Excellent" said Malachi "David I want you to lead this mission, lead Selene away, and lure Michael to the place I told you about. Go now."

"Yes Sir" he said walking away.

Malachi held Nina close to him, and gently kissed her "I love you" he said

"I love you too" she told him, returning his embrace "come back to me"

Malachi gave her a reassuring smile, as the two walked towards his car, Amelia was standing just outside her office, flanked by Dimitri and Director Holtz. "Good Hunting Malachi" she said holding out her hand. Kissing it gently Malachi said "I will not fail you"

Amelia smiled as the two Vampires headed off down the corridor "That is one cold blooded killer, you have there My Lady" Director Holtz said coldly.

"Like Sire, Like chylde" Amelia smiled coldly