Chapter X

An Unwelcome Visitor

Following Amelia's departure Kraven's seizure of power can only be described as meteoric, there were some initial bumps in the road he had to take care of; Amelia's viceroy was one of these bumps. When Amelia left it was obvious Eli was not going to allow Kraven the freedom her desired, he would have to go. He knew he couldn't kill him, so after a few decades of gritting his teeth he deliberately placed the viceroy in danger, so that Amelia would recall him to the New World coven. As soon as his chaperone was gone Kraven consolidated his hold on the coven, his personal security now equaled the Death Dealers, and his personal finances must be on par with Amelia's herself. This was indeed a good time for Regent Kraven.

"My Lord" Kraven looked up from his desk to see Soren standing in the doorway to his office, the small but menacing man, had the same cold stare he always had, his piercing eyes even chilled Kraven to the soul.

"What can I do you for Soren?" asked Kraven

"We have just had word from Amelia, she's sending an inspection" he told his master unfeelingly.

"Again" hissed Kraven "It's barely been four years since the last one!" The regent of the Hungarian coven hung his head back and looked at the ceiling "Very well" he sighed "tell her that I look forward to Dimitri's arrival and will give him every cooperation. When does he arrive?"

"One week from today My Lord."

"Ah" began Kraven with a raised eyebrow "That is somewhat inconvenient."

"Why is that My Lord?" asked Soren with the slightest hint of anticipation in his voice.

"Lucian" said Kraven in a bored tone "He desires an audience, he thinks things are moving too slowly. I was supposed to be in Moscow next week."

"I got the impression that Amelia wanted you to be here for Dimitri's inspection."

"No doubt she did Soren" Kraven paused a moment to ponder his current situation, he smiled and began to wave a finger at Soren "You are to go to Moscow."

"My Lord?" asked Soren

"Go to Moscow, take some of our men, and tell Lucian that everything is going as planned. I meanwhile, will remain here and meet with Our Lady's envoy."

"When shall I leave My Lord?" the loyal servant asked with his head slightly bowed.

"Tomorrow" Kraven ordered "Go and prepare your team"

Soren bowed and took his leave of Kraven, leaving the regent alone to consider the upcoming inspection. Amelia liked to send her envoy to the mansion every few years, just to make sure things were going well. It was of little concern to Kraven, Dimitri was of no concern to him, it was just the inconvenience Kraven did not like. There was enough of that in his life as it was. Still, he thought to himself, it was 1978, Amelia was more than three quarters of the way through her reign. Kraven could tolerate these inconveniences for now, for soon everything was to be his. He allowed a smile to creep across his face as he imagined Amelia and the Council begging for their lives before him. "Soon" he whispered to himself "Soon"

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Kraven stood underneath the jet black umbrella's his men were holding for him, it was raining, he hated the rain; there was no better way to ruin a good suit than standing in the rain. He stood by a convoy of Mercedes limousines that were parked outside of a rarely used train station. He was waiting for Amelia's envoy, he would normally sit inside the car, however Selene was with him. She seemed indifferent to the torrential downpour that was soaking the landscape around them. He watched as the heavy rain bounced off of her long leather over coat, he could not help but watch as the water trickled down from her angelic face onto her PVC cat suit that hugged every contour of her body. Definitely one of the better inventions of the previous decade he thought to himself. In the bleak harshness of the water drenched landscape her sapphire blue eyes shone out like beacons. They were standing side by side for the first time in God knows how long, he had instructed his men to shelter Selene with umbrellas as well, she did not show him any gratitude. Though in her defence the Umbrella's were not exactly doing much good Kraven thought to himself. "Where are they?" he hissed, wiping some damp hair away from his face.

"If its too wet for you, you could always sit in the car." Selene mocked, not even taking the time to look at him.

"I'll be fine." He reassured her, as the two fell back into their silence.

"Look" said Selene, pointing to a black speck on the horizon, a plume of steam was visible, illuminated by the back light of an engine glow; the speck grew larger, until a hulking black juggernaut roared its way into the station, bellowing out smoke as if it were hells hottest furnace. The rain fell hard against the jet black armor of the train's exterior; it was almost like machine gun fire. "He always has to make such a big entrance" muttered Kraven.

"Who does that remind you of?" Selene asked dryly

Kraven waited until the roar of the engine ceased, the steam surrounding the train had yet to dissipate, when the carriage door opened. A line of Death dealers exited the train and formed two columns of four on either side of the door. Kraven had an uneasy feeling, Dimitri never usually brought this much security with him. Kraven's eyes then widened as he saw another silhouette through the rain and smoke emerge from the carriage.

"No" he hissed "not him"

Selene was a little unsure what to make of the situation, Kraven never got this shaken by anything. What was more interesting to her was the fact that she had no idea who this man was, he was clearly a vampire, and he was very young looking, not that that meant anything of course. He was very well dressed, in a black three piece suit and tail coat. "He's very attractive" she said to Kraven, knowing it was the last thing he would want to hear. To her surprise Kraven had no response for her, he just stood sneering at the emerging figure. As the steam dispersed the young man became more visible, his hair was slicked back, perfectly groomed, his piercing green eyes were the image of Amelia's and he carried a cane. At first glance an elegant looking object with a handle shaped like an angel sitting atop of a pedestal; however it was obviously not for walking, for at the end of the canes black shaft was a solid silver spike. She watched as Kraven's initial look of shock turned to a snarl of anger, as the young man confidently strode towards them, stopping mere inches away from them.

"What are you doing here?" the angry regent demanded

"Hello Kraven" the young man spoke coldly with a refined English accent.

Selene could feel the hostility between the two of them, and she was aware that Kraven's men, and the young man's Death Dealers could sense it as well. "Are you going to introduce me?" Selene asked Kraven sternly, breaking the silence.

Kraven's eyes were still locked in a bitter stare down with the stranger "Selene" he began not breaking eye contact "This is Malachi… Amelia's heir."