Chapter III

Selene

In revealing Sonja's betrayal to her father Kraven had gained much favor with Viktor, he had been promoted and gained lots more responsibility, however Kraven felt that this was not enough, the power he wanted was still just out of his reach. He knew why, the war, all of Viktor's energies were focused on two objectives; the first, eliminating Lucian and his Hoard, and the second, the prison. Following his defeat all those years ago Viktor and Amelia had locked William in a sarcophagus; however a new secure location had to be constructed. If Lucian or his followers were ever able to free William, their only Elder, then the Lycan would be unstoppable. Viktor had appointed an architect, a human to build this fortress, and now it was finally finished. Viktor had handpicked the best warriors in the coven to transport William there, to seal him away for all eternity; he had sent Soren, but not Kraven. Kraven knew Viktor was a warrior, he prized the ability to win in battle above all else, Kraven was not a warrior; he would need to find another way to gain Viktor's favor.

"Kraven" a stern voice called to him from the other side of his chamber door. Kraven got out of bed, and grabbing his sword went to see who was disturbing him at this hour of the day. Opening the heavy wooden door, he saw a death dealer in full armor waiting to greet him "Lord Viktor Desires an audience with you." The stern voice told him

"Of course" said Kraven nervously, he was angered that the Death Dealers showed him no respect what so ever, he would see to it that one day he would not have to rely on Death Dealers. As he walked through the bowels of Castle Viktor, towards his masters chambers, he felt ill at ease with the situation that was until he was stood in front of Viktor.

Viktor indicated for Kraven to sit down, while he remained standing, he was wearing his armor, as always, however he seemed anxious, he waited for the Death Dealer to leave before addressing Kraven.

"How loyal are you servant?" he asked menacingly

"I am completely loyal My Lord" he responded with a genuine conviction.

Viktor looked at him for a second before he began to nod "good… good" he began "Kraven I am faced with a dilemma"

"What kind of dilemma My Lord?" he asked

"One of conscience and duty" Viktor stated "As you are aware, William's prison has recently been completed. Tell me, what do you make of the architect?"

Kraven shrugged his shoulders "he seems like a good man, loyal there is no doubt he has done a good job."

"Then you think he should be rewarded?" asked Viktor

"No My Lord" Kraven began cautiously "I think he should be killed."

Viktor nodded in agreement "I'm glad you see things my way" he smiled

"He's too dangerous to be left alive" continued Kraven "If Lucian was to find him…."

"Needless to say it would not bear thinking about" interrupted Viktor "That is why I need your assistance Kraven"

"Anything My Lord"

"If the humans think we are going to kill everyone who helps us, we will be hunted down; we need to make it look like the lycans. I need someone with a certain… subtlety about them." Viktor spoke emotively, appealing to Kraven's ego.

"You can count on me My Lord" he bowed

"Good!" proclaimed Viktor "We leave tonight."

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Viktor and Kraven stood within sight of the architect's house; they had dragged the carcass of a Lycan with them, so that the humans who now ruled these lands would assume that the Vampires were the innocent party in all of this. Viktor had told Kraven to wait in the barn, to kill the horses and make it look like a Lycan attack. Kraven however was nervous, he followed Viktor into the house, he saw as Viktor killed the servants, silently, without emotion. It did not bother him, it had to be done. However when he saw Viktor approach another room, he felt something, a horrible sickening feeling, the rooms occupants, two little girls no more than six. He watched as Viktor approached them.

As Viktor leant over the first girl he felt a hand on his shoulder pull him back, he turned to see Kraven standing before him. "I told you to wait in the barn!" he quietly hissed

"My Lord they are just children" he pleaded

"They all must die Kraven." Hissed Viktor

"I am sorry My Lord" Said Kraven as he unsheathed his sword "But I can not allow it."

After an initial flash of rage Viktor allowed himself to smile "so there is some fight in you" he whispered "I will not tell you again Kraven, go and wait in the barn. As despicable an act as this is, it is necessary for the survival of our people."

Kraven hesitated for a moment before sheathing his sword and withdrawing, as he headed to the barn he felt a heavy weight in his heart, two little girls, was this price of power. Kraven closed his eyes in a gesture of realization and disgust towards himself, he had sold his soul. There was no going back now. He carried out his tasks, he had killed the horses and mutilated them, leaving the Lycan carcass in the middle of them; however he had not been quiet enough. He heard a voice scream at him "What are you doing! You animal!" He turned to see the architect and one of his man servants standing at the entrance to the barn; he again drew his sword and stood ready, looks like he was going to have to get his hands dirty tonight. However before Kraven had a chance to move, Viktor came out of nowhere; killing them both instantly he began to tear at the corpses with his teeth. "My Lord" he whispered "someone's coming."

"Hide" ordered Viktor as he threw the Lycan carcass on top of the architect, before retreating into the shadows of the barn. Kraven did the same on the opposite side of the room. They both listened to the quiet footsteps, and as they got closer, a slight whimpering could be heard "papa" a young girl whimpered "papa help me" Kraven could hear the girl crying, and then he saw her, a young woman, dressed in a white night gown, walking bare foot into the dark blood stained barn. Her light brown hair falling about her terrified face, she hugged herself with one arm, as her tear soaked eyes took in the carnage of the room. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on; her pain was the most horrific thing he had seen in his long life. He cast a glance over to Viktor, his master was mesmerized by the girl, he saw him mouth the word "Sonja", and his eyes were wide and close to tears. As the girl moved deeper into the barn she looked down to see the Lycan carcass Viktor had dumped on her father's body, its eyes were still open staring straight into the terrified girls. She let out a blood curdling, soul splitting scream, however before she had a chance to run Viktor leapt from the darkness and severed the Lycans head with his sword. The girl stood dumbstruck before Viktor, her terrified eyes surveyed her apparent rescuer. Kraven looked on as Viktor gazed at Selene with eyes filled with the love he had always reserved for his daughter. "Do not be scared my child" he spoke softly "You are safe now" He opened his arms and allowed the broken, terrified girl to fall into an embrace. As Viktor comforted the girl he nodded into the shadows of the barn, Kraven stepped forward returning his masters nod, and withdrew into the shadows. He watched as Viktor wrapped the girl in his cloak, and scoop her up in his arms "what is your name child?" he asked.

"Selene" she sobbed into the elders chest. "Selene" repeated Kraven, as he watched Viktor carry his new chylde off into the night.