Disclaimer: see chapter 2 and 5

A/N: WOOT, exams are done! Celebratory Post! Thanks to those who have reviewed, I just was getting a little worried that people weren't reading. I hope you all like this chapter, and please keep reviewing.

Chapter 12: Memories

Felicite waited for a call from Selene before going back and finding her a new book. So that was how it began going, each two week meeting her somewhere, to hand off books so that Selene could hopefully find the origins of both species. Her hope was to find a link that would stop the bloodshed, a truthful reason that both sides could see and understand, ending the war. However even with this link, almost a thousand years of hate would not be so easily scrubbed away. That is where she hoped her child would come in. If Lucian and Sonja, and Michael and herself could love each other enough for both couples to create children, is it not possible for both species to get along?

Selene set down the book she had been skimming, and rubbed her temples and neck. This was how she spent most of her time anymore, since she was little help in training Michael. He wouldn't lay a finger on her in the arena, so she had left it to Kaza to push Michael to become the warrior he would need to be to protect, and help end this war. If she could not find a link as she hoped, the only way to end the war would be through bloodshed and battle. Selene did miss the feeling of her Berettas firing in her hands and the smell of the gunpowder. She missed the adrenaline rush she received from a good bout of hand to hand combat, but she new that was not an option. Talon had labeled her as having a 'high risk pregnancy' so extreme physical activity was out of the question. "If you pass out merely sitting in a meeting, I don't even want to imagine what would happen if you were hit hard," Talon had said, when she had gone to see him last. She could not argue because she knew he was right.

She got up from the desk. This was the seventh book she had tried to find something in and yet again it was a flop. Even though she was unsure exactly what she was looking for, she knew she was yet to find it. She was now a good four and a half months pregnant and was gaining weight. It bothered her, even though she knew it was normal. She had never allowed herself to be out of shape, but now she had no choice. With a sigh, she decided to take a walk, to clear her head. She didn't know where she was going she was just going. By the time she though to look around, and figure out where she was, she was in the training area. There were weapons lining three of the four walls and there were mats covering most of the floor. She had been here many a time, and knew exactly where to look to find Kaza and Michael. She walked just inside the archway and sat on the floor, deciding to watch Michael's training. But she began to think back to her first real interaction with the lycans in their new home.

Four monthish ago:

The cars that the lycans had acquired over time had been packed with all of their weapons, equipment, and population had been loaded up and moved to their new home at Castle Covinous. Selene and Michael were put in the back of one of the trucks with a group of lycans. Selene sat abnormally close to Michael. She wasn't afraid of them, but didn't trust them. They eyed her the entire time, neither side trusting the other. But Michael didn't complain about his the close proximity to her; in fact he reveled in it. She could tell by the smile on his face. Everyone else looked positively depressed, but he was smiling uncontrollably, making Selene want to do the same, but she didn't. She didn't wanting to seem like a weak, star-crossed lover, who would be no help in this fight.

The cars came to a screeching halt, throwing Selene even more onto Michael, as the sun was about to rise. Selene could sense it, as could Michael. "I guess you should go straight inside," he said, as all the others were getting up and pilling out the door.

"I guess so," she replied, finally rising after everyone else was out. She grabbed their small bags and began towards their new home. It was huge. An outer wall surrounded the whole colossal building and enclosed a courtyard, with nothing but a drawbridge to leave or enter. She looked out and noticed the only way up to the entry way was by a steep, thin path that lead up to precipice, where the castle sat, creating a natural defense and a need for the drawbridge.

Turning from the outer wall, she walked towards the castle itself. The courtyard was huge and had cobblestone paths going in all directions. To the far left, were empty stables. The developer had refurbished them in hopes of keeping horses for trail rides.

All around there were dormant fountains and polished statues of various forms, such as people, animals and that weird modern art stuff. Above the door was one of the many stone disks with Celtic-like decor, creating an X. It was one of the vampire's favorite decorations and the developer tried to keep much of the original structure, making it logical to charge more. Selene had seen the same design all over at Ordoghaz, but most prominently in the tomb, just above the exit. It pained her to see it, being reminded of the home and family she left behind. Pushing the feelings and memories aside, she forged onward into the actual castle, the daylight nipping at the heels of night. The first room was a lavish entry hall. It was not overly inviting but lavishly decorated. There were magnificent paintings and more, smaller statues. The floor was covered in a long, Oriental rug that had to have cost a fortune due to its size and detail. Selene did not stop to admire too much of it, knowing that she had to check the rooms while night still held her enemy at bay. She went straight to the second floor, and stopped curiously before a large room. Above the large, metal door, a decorative S carved into a stone much like the V's around the castle. "I see the developer didn't change the lock. Guess no one should stay in there, if no one can lock it," a voice said from behind her.

Selene noticed that the lock was not like anything she had seen before. Instinctively, she touched the pendant hanging from her neck. "But I can," she answered, removing the necklace from its resting-place and placing the pendant in the abnormal lock. It fit perfectly, as she had suspected. She removed the pendant and returned it to her neck before turning to the person beside her. "May I ask who you are?"

"Felora, one of the council," the woman introduced. Selene nodded at the woman before entering the room.

The ancient fire had not touched the room it seemed, since the furniture, looked like the original pieces. A queen sized canopy bed came towards them from the far wall. There was s dresser and full-length mirror to the left while many painting, hung around the room. Selene immediately placed her bags on the bed and went to shut the think, protective, iron shutters that had kept out the sunlight for the one before her. "It must have been untouched by the fire, due to the metal door. Viktor must have been pretty paranoid to lock her into a room with a specialized lock and door, made entirely of metal," Selene commented to no one in particular. However Felora heard and was intrigued by her comment.

"How did you know of Sonja? I thought you were relatively young," Felora inquired.

"Michael spoke of her, from Lucian's memory," Selene answered, unsure what else to say. Felora raised an eyebrow at the vampiress, but said. Selene stood and watched as the lycan woman wandered around the room, obviously entrance by it. "Did you know Sonja?"

"Are you implying I'm old?"

"I guess," Selene answered bluntly.

"I did know her. I was one of her servants. She was one of the few vampires that ever look at a lycan. The others looked at us, but never really saw us. She saw you, talked to you, when no one was around of course. We were more than just animals or slaves to her," Felora responded, deep in memory. "Well, I will leave you to unpack."

"Why are you letting me stay in here?" Selene asked. She was no fool in thinking that she had control over anything within the pack. In retrospect, they should have killed her on the spot, and not given it a second thought. If it weren't for Michael, she probably would have. She was the low dog around here, as hard as that was for her to fathom.

"You did what Sonja could not, escape the bureaucracy and oppression of the coven. You will finish what she and Lucian started. You belong in this room," she said turning to leave. "Plus, you have the only key."

Selene gave a smile at her last comment. 'I guess she's right,' she thought, touching the key to her room. She then turned to unpack the few things she had.

Not to long after Selene had begun to unpack, Michael entered the room. He looked around Did you see the lock, really weird. Do you know how we are suppose to lock it?" he asked.

"With Sonja's pendant, since this was her room," she said, turning to face him, closing the drawer she had finished placing clothes in with her foot.

"Oh, well then, I guess… does it seem at all weird to be in here for you?"

"A little, but it will work well, most of the old iron shutters were removed, but this room still has them," she said, looking at the closed window.

He nodded, not needing more. She was safe here. Plus with her being the only one with a key would make it safer for her, if any pack members got any ideas. "Hey look a canopy bed. I always thought if I had a daughter, she would get a canopy bed," he said, walking over to the bad and placing his bags on it.

"Nice to know," she said, walking over to join him.

"We did it you know. We are safe, and can find a way to end this war, together," he said, looking at her. She gave him a small smile, trying to hide her worry, but she couldn't do that from him. "I know we will find it," he said, kissing her lips to comfort her. After pulling apart, she fell into his embrace, being comforted by his touch. She couldn't help but forget all her worries when in his arms.

Now:

A loud thud pulled Selene from her memories. Looking over she saw Michael on the ground, lying uncomfortably on his back. She couldn't help but give a small laugh at the look he gave Kaza, almost a pleading not to have to do it again. He never gave her those looks. She assumed her didn't want to show her weakness, but didn't mind showing it to Kaza obviously. "You have to use the power that we know is in you. Now come Michael get up and fight," Kaza taunted. Michael grudgingly rose from the floor, still not wanting to fight. Selene watched with amusement, as she knew he wouldn't really hurt his friend. But a wave of nausea washed over her and she shut her eyes and gritted her teeth in hopes that it would go away. A hand touched her shoulder as Michael asked, "You okay?"

"What are you doing over here, you are suppose to be training?"

"And you are suppose to be relaxing in our room, not down here," he countered.

"But I'm not doing anything strenuous, I'm fine, now go back over there. I'll leave," she said, getting up.

"Are you sure you are okay?"

"I'm fine, although I think Kaza is still stunned," she said, looking over at the bewildered lycan.

"Michael, you have no excuse for being slow anymore, that was insane," he yelled. It was true, when it came to real worry or anger Michael could unleash his full power. Selene smiled at Michael, a reassuring smile that told him to return to his training and that she would be okay. With a silent nod he turned from her and went back, but tracking her movements with his heightened senses.

Shaking her head, she left the room, knowing she probably shouldn't have come down there, because he wouldn't likely become refocused for the rest of the night.

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