Chapter IX
The reign of Amelia
Kraven and his men were waiting outside the elder's tomb, they had been for days. Amelia had not shown herself, she had not even allowed a member of the coven to tend to her. Kraven and his men were not alone; they were joined by the members of the coven favored by Amelia, her court. Leading them was a withered looking Vampire named Eli, he had been Amelia's viceroy before Markus turned her, and was her most trusted advisor. Dimitri, Amelia's envoy was also there, as was Nathan, her chief Death Dealer, and some of his men. Despite his new position he wondered how much power Amelia would allow him to wield during her reign; her last reign if all went according to plan.
After days of waiting the mechanism that opened the heavy stone doors of the tomb began to work, and the gargantuan doors slowly slid open. When they did Amelia came into view from behind the throne, and took a seat. She was wearing the same black burial skirt that Viktor wore, however hers had a tunic as well. She sat on what was now her throne, her youth fully restored and with an air of grace and authority that only she possessed. Everyone dropped to a knee "Rise" she commanded plainly.
"My Lady" the ancient Eli began "It is good to have you back, she gave him a regal nod and turned her attention to Kraven. "Approach Steward" she commanded
Kraven entered the tomb and bowed gracefully before her "Yes My Lady?"
"I am told that you are now a man of importance in this coven" she began coldly "that your title of steward has been upgraded to regent?"
"Those were Lord Viktor's wishes My Lady"
"I am well aware of Lord Viktor's wishes Kraven" she snapped at him, affirming her authority "Though I am surprised he chose you to look after his affairs I respect his wishes, you will be free to work as you wish, so long as you do not interfere with my plans."
"I would not dream of it My Lady" he responded in servitude.
"But of course you wouldn't" she smiled "Now I wish to change, I trust quarters have been prepared for me?"
"Yes My Lady" Dimitri interrupted "If you follow me I will show you."
"Thank you Dimitri" Amelia nodded "Eli, tell the Council I will speak with them soon, you are welcome to attend as well regent." Amelia then rose from her throne and gently glided across the floor, making her way to her chambers, passing Kraven without giving him a second look. When Amelia and her court were out of sight Kraven turned to Soren and sneered "I am welcome to attend" he hissed. "She insults me."
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Amelia and her viceroy sat in a room which was now her office; she was reading newspapers, trying to get a feel for this new world. "My Lady" a Death Dealer interrupted "Selene is here". Amelia nodded indicating for Selene to enter. Selene entered the room wearing all black, tight riding trousers, thigh high boots and a corset under a long black coat.
"Are you going fox hunting?" Amelia asked with a raised eyebrow
"You wanted to see me My Lady?" Selene asked coldly
"Yes, please sit down" Amelia took a moment to take in Viktor's chylde "Selene I have been awake for months now, and you have not said a word to me."
"I meant no disrespect My Lady"
"That is not what concerns me" began Amelia "Nathan tells me you have been less than co-operative in sharing your duties."
"That is because Viktor named me leader of the Death Dealers My Lady." Was Selene's cynical response.
"This is no longer Viktor's house Selene" the Elder chastised "Nathan has been my lead Death Dealer since before you were born, it would be a dishonor to him, to strip him of his powers on one of Viktor's whims. Do you understand?"
"Yes My Lady" Selene responded somewhat unfeelingly.
"Good, then let that be the end of the matter."
"Was there anything else My Lady?"
"Yes…" began Amelia, with a menacing coldness in her voice "Tell me everything you know about Kraven."
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Kraven lit a cigarette, he took a deep drag and turned his attention back to Soren "She doesn't respect." He commented "But she will"
"She is of no consequence My Lord" Soren reassured him, "in a century she will be gone, so will the Council, Viktor and Markus, and we will have it all." Kraven sat back in his chair and put his feet up on the desk "You like this office Soren?" he asked, allowing himself to smile "Because once I'm in power, it's yours." Kraven's jovial mood was interrupted by the sound of heavy knocking on his door. Soren answered the door, only to find two Death Dealers on the other side "Lady Amelia desires a word with you My Lord" he told Kraven.
"I'm on my way." Kraven replied
The Death Dealer turned his attention to Soren, "Alone" he affirmed
"Not a problem" he said nervously
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Kraven sat opposite Amelia, he was eyeing her chair, the chair that would one day be his, she had not said anything to him, and she just sat there, staring a hole through him with her emerald green eyes.
"Why am I here My Lady" he asked, finally breaking the silence in the room.
"Kraven what would you say are the two most apparent qualities of your personality?"
Kraven looked a little puzzled by the question, "Well…" he began "I would have to say strength… strength and loyalty."
Amelia nodded "Strength and loyalty" she repeated "I thought of another two"
"What were they?" he asked cautiously
"The first is ambition" smiled Amelia
"Not a bad thing My Lady. What was the second?"
"Incompetence" she said bluntly
"I do not understand?" Kraven said nervously "What have I done wrong?"
"Its what you have not done Kraven" she snapped, throwing a newspaper at him "The United States of America" Amelia said boldly "During my last reign this land consisted of a few minor settlements for the British and Spanish. But now it is one of the Worlds great nations. And the Vampires have absolutely no presence there. Why? You are supposed to be the one to advise Viktor on such decisions."
"Forgive me My Lady" he said with his head bowed
"Do you know who does have a presence in this country Kraven?" she asked sarcastically
"No My Lady"
"The Lycan" she snapped "Our Mortal enemy has an unprotected breeding ground, and no Vampires to stop it."
"What is to be done My Lady?" asked Kraven
"The world is changing Kraven, its time we did as well."
"How?"
"Two covens, one here, one in the new world"
"Who is to rule this coven My Lady?"
"I am of course!" she hissed at him "Do you think I would trust you with such a venture?"
"It will take some time to arrange My Lady" said Kraven
"It has already been arranged, we leave in a month"
"How many of you?" asked Kraven
"Half of the coven, as well as the Council of course."
"What of this coven?" he asked with a glimmer of hope in his voice
"This Coven shall remain under your guidance, regent" she said sternly "I will leave My Viceroy here, to ensure that you remember who holds the power."
"Of course My Lady" he smiled
"Kraven this is not a promotion" she affirmed "I am only leaving you here because I do not want you ruin this new venture; just see to it you do not lose us too much money here."
"I will prove myself to you My Lady." He smiled "Is there anything else?"
"Soren" Amelia said sternly "I am well aware that he is building a force of his own, loyal to you. He is to be kept in line Kraven, Selene is leader of the Death Dealers and as such outranks him in every way. Is that in anyway unclear Kraven?"
"No My Lady" he said sycophantically "Those men are your servants Princess Amelia."
"Do not forget it." She hissed
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Kraven and Soren looked on as the last of Amelia's followers boarded the jet black juggernaut that was Amelia's train. A black horse drawn carriage pulled up near to where they were standing, Kraven opened its door and offered a hand to help Amelia out of it. "Thank you Kraven" she said politely. She was followed out of the carriage by Eli and Nathan.
"I wish I could come with you Princess" he pleaded
"So do I old friend" she said sympathetically "But I need you to stay here and keep and eye on Kraven." The Old looking Vampire bowed slightly before his princess embraced him in a hug. Kraven was a little shocked, he had never seen Amelia show emotion before. Amelia left Eli standing by the carriage as she made her way to her train, flanked by Nathan and Kraven. "I will contact you when I get to Paris" she told Kraven
"Yes My Lady"
"Remember I want a weekly report by telegraph" she said sternly.
"Of course My Lady." He smiled
Amelia stopped at the entrance to the train and took a deep breath "Well" she began "Viktor has put a lot of faith in you Kraven, do not let him down, he does not tolerate failure. Neither do I."
"I will not fail you My Lady."
Amelia nodded and held out a gloved hand, Kraven took it and kissed it gently "Good luck regent" she said coldly as she turned to ascend the steps to the train.
"Thank you My Lady!" he called after her "Have a safe journey."
He smiled to himself as he watched Nathan close the door behind Amelia, and saw the train disappear into the darkness of the night. "It's mine now Soren" he said, almost in disbelief "It's actually mine."