Chapter XIX
Resolutions
Amelia turned to see Nina standing in the middle of her chambers; she had a cold, blank expression on her face, Amelia took a moment to take in this sight. The innocent, delicate creature of the night that Malachi had adored was gone, replaced by an emotionally crippled shadow. She stood before Amelia, wearing an expensive looking black suit, her skirt reached just below her knee, however due to the long boots she was wearing no flesh was visible. Her hair was tied up in a bun, like Amelia's. She looked so different; Amelia had always seen her looking like some kind of gothic portrait, though there was still some sign of that, she looked so authoritative, like Malachi. However her new wardrobe was the least of Amelia's worries, for in her right hand she carried a small pistol, and in her left, Malachi's cane.
"Nice touch" smiled Amelia "You plan to kill me with my Chylde's weapon?" Her question was met only with silence, and the same cold piercing stare from those sapphire blue eyes. "You've come alone." Amelia observed "Where is Lord Duval, where are his men?" she asked cynically.
"They are my men now" Nina finally spoke "And they're not here, I have to do this alone."
Amelia could not help but let out a slight laugh escape "Oh Nina" she began, as she took a step towards her, she stopped in her tracks as Nina raised her right arm level with Amelia's heart and released the safety. "Very well" said Amelia, maintaining her position "We'll just talk for a bit longer"
"There is nothing to talk about" said Nina, in an ice cold tone.
"Oh I think there is Nina" she sighed "Or would you rather I addressed you as Lady Nina?"
"I don't care anymore" sighed Nina "And soon neither will you"
"Think about this" began Amelia "You have never thrown a punch in your life, and now you wish to challenge me? I am an Elder, I have survived for centuries, I have battled Lycan, Vampires, humans and a Hybrid, and you think you can come here armed with a handgun?"
"This handgun contains the same ammunition that…."
"That what?" interrupted Amelia "That killed Malachi? How do you hope to avenge him when you can't even bring yourself to except the fact that he is gone?"
"I plan to avenge him by killing all of those who are responsible for his death. Starting with the one who ordered his suicide mission, then the hybrid, then Selene."
Amelia shook her head in disbelief "You have no idea what your doing, you poor child" she said with genuine sympathy in her voice.
"I am not a child" scorned Nina
"Really?" Amelia smiled "Then tell me once you pull that trigger, and I die what then? You honestly think you and Duval will be able to rule the coven?"
Nina shrugged her shoulders slightly "Why not, I have a controlling interest in Ziodec, which can buy a lot of protection, I already have enough men to put up a good fight against the Death Dealers and with you gone more are bound to join us."
Amelia again shook her head "And you say your not a child" Nina looked at her curiously as Amelia continued "You seem to be overlooking the fact that I am completely healed now, and that I could leap across this room, and take that pistol off you before you even blinked."
"Then why don't you?" asked Nina nervously
"Because you have absolutely no intention of killing me" she smiled confidently
"Yes I have" said Nina
"No child" said Amelia in a soothing tone "You're not a killer, you're too human" Nina's arm began to tremble slightly "You were Malachi's angel from the second he saw you. I offered him immortality, riches beyond measure the opportunity to live like a prince, and he did, he was my chylde, my dark knight. But then you came along, and suddenly he had what he wanted all his life, he had humanity, you gave him something that I never could, not even with all my power. And he worshiped you for it."
"…stop it" choked Nina
"It needs to be said child" Said Amelia, who began to move slowly across the room towards Nina.
"…don't move" she said quickly wiping a tear away with the back of her left hand
"You carry so much pain don't you? Malachi went on a thousand missions for me, most of them dangerous, you don't really blame me, do you Nina?"
"…I have to" she sobbed "I have to make the pain go away"
"It will never go child" Amelia said "But it may become bearable in time. Let me help you, let me be there for you as I always was for Malachi."
Nina shook her head, as her arm began to shake uncontrollably, Amelia now stood mere inches from her "here" she said steadying her arm "Pull the trigger, if that is what you really want" Amelia stood with arms wide open offering no resistance. There was a moment's hesitation from Nina, it seemed like an eternity. Nina threw the gun to the ground and fell into Amelia's arms, as she began to cry hysterically. Amelia embraced the poor vampress and stroked her hair, and then Nina released her vice like grip on Malachi's cane, and as it dropped to the floor, so too did Nina drop to Amelia's feet.
"Oh my Lady!" she wailed "Forgive me, I loved him so much, and I want him back"
Amelia looked down at Nina; she was on the floor before her feet, pulling at Amelia's gown. "I am so sorry My Lady!" she continued to cry "I am so sorry! Forgive me!"
Amelia crouched down beside Nina "sshh" she hushed her, Amelia placed a finger on Nina's chin and gently guided her face so that the two were looking at each other "I am so sorry" she said again, her tear filled eyes looking into Amelia's. "All is forgiven child" she said gently wiping a tear from her face, "will you give me your loyalty" asked Amelia holding out a hand, Nina took it immediately and kissed it "for all eternity."
Amelia again hugged Nina, offering the girl some resemblance of the comfort she felt with Malachi. "Then your loyalty will be rewarded Nina"
"I do not understand My Lady" she sniffed
"In my heart, and in the eyes of the covenant, you are now my chylde Nina."
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Hours passed, and Amelia had finally been able to calm Nina down. They had spoken at length about where they would go from here; Amelia had forgiven Nina, and welcomed her as a family member. The two then began to reminisce about times past, and Nina opened up for the first time about how she felt.
"Do you remember that time Malachi was tracking a Lycan through the sewers?" Nina asked with a slight laugh "God, he smelt like crap for a week, he was so mad"
Amelia smiled "Yes I do, it wasn't even the first time that had happened"
"What do you mean?" she asked with a grin
"In London" Amelia began, "He was chasing a Lycan, it was one of his first hunts, I was following close behind to make sure he was okay, he finally caught up with the beast and lunged for him, but he overshot and landed in a cesspit."
"He never told me that" laughed Nina
"That's because he always wanted to impress you"
"Tell me more My Lady" asked Nina
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything" she pleaded "every story, every little detail"
"Nina he was with me for my entire reign, it's a long story, I wouldn't know where to begin."
"Start form the beginning My Lady…. Please"
Amelia thought for a moment, "well" she began "The world I awoke to was infinitely different to the world I left behind……"
