Chapter XII

Strange Bedfellows

Selene awoke with a smile on her face, she knew it was nearly nightfall and that she would have to get up soon, but she could have happily stayed in bed throughout the night. She could not remember the last time she had felt like this, feeling like a teenager again she slowly rolled over onto her side and went to wrap an arm around the man she had shared her bed with. However, as she reached out all she found was an empty bed, her lover was not there. She sat up in bed, and wrapped her naked body in the Egyptian cotton sheets, she looked around the room only to find it empty, she slumped her shoulders and her beautiful cobalt eyes showed a sense of desertion. "Malachi?" she called out, hoping for a response, she got none, "he just left me" she mumbled. Just then her chamber doors opened and her lonesome expression turned to a happy grin, Malachi strode in through the door, he was already dressed, in well fitted black trousers and a matching waist coat, and a white shirt. In his hand he carried a tray, with a bottle of blood, two glasses and single red rose "Breakfast" he smiled, placing the tray on the bed.

"Why didn't you wake me?" asked Selene, as she picked up the rose and breathed in its scent.

"You looked too beautiful sleeping" he told her, as he perched on the side of her bed, "I couldn't bring myself to wake you" he said gently as he stroked her face. The two finished their morning blood, and Selene sank back into her bed "What's wrong?" asked Malachi

"I don't want to get up" she moaned "Do you ever get tired of the endless hunting?" Selene asked him "Do you ever get tired of just hunting down Lycan, night after night?"

"No" Malachi stated emphatically "I live for it"

Selene considered what he said for a moment, and something clicked inside of her, she was the same. The hunt was all she truly lived for, even the few moments of content she experienced, the passion she and Malachi had shared, it all paled in comparison to the thrill of the hunt, then it dawned on her, she was not a woman first, she was not even a Vampire first, she was a Death Dealer. "So do I" she said confidently "I live for it as well."

Malachi leaned over her, and after a second's hesitation gently kissed her full lips "I have to go" he whispered

"Right now?" asked Selene

"Yes" he sighed "I'm supposed to be meeting with Kraven, and I can't keep him waiting now can I?"

Selene pouted a little "Okay" she sighed. At this Selene threw back the covers and got out of bed, Malachi's eyes widened as he took in the sight before him. Selene's naked form stood confidently before him, her pale seamless skin was flawless "There's nothing here you haven't already seen" Selene remarked.

"Even so" said Malachi as he gently took her arm and pulled her close to him, Selene smiled mischievously as she held her supple ivory body close to his, Malachi allowed a hand to slip down onto one of Selene's buttocks, as he traced her neck with his fangs. Selene placed a finger over his mouth and stopped his advances "You have to go meet Kraven she teased" as she pulled away.

"You can't be serious" Malachi exclaimed almost pleading.

Selene shrugged her shoulders and walked over to a wardrobe pulling out a PVC cat suit, Malachi looked on, his mouth slightly open, as she slid effortlessly into the skin tight garment. She then pulled on her knee high boots and slowly zipped them up before donning her leather overcoat. Picking up Malachi's cane she tossed it to him, "Lets go" she said calmly as she headed towards her bedroom door.

Malachi and Selene walked together through the endless maze of halls and corridors of the mansion, Malachi's Death Dealers were following them at a respectful distance, however there path was blocked as they turned a corner, by Kraven and a group of his men.

"Hello Kraven" Malachi impatiently greeted him

"Leave us" he hissed at Selene, glaring at her.

"You can't talk to me like th…" She began before being cut off

"Viktor has left me in charge, and you will do as I say!" he demanded

Selene cast a glance towards Malachi who was looking less than impressed with the Regent, "I'll see you later" she told him, as she barged her way past Kraven and his men and continued up the corridor.

"You better have a fucking good reason for speaking to her like that!" Malachi threatened his voice full of a cold hostility.

"I make the threats in this house" Kraven hissed "You come here, undermine my rule and seduce my future bride?"

Malachi grinned a little "You're not man enough for her mate"

Kraven stepped forward and hissed, displaying his fangs at the younger Vampire "Do not test me boy" he warned

Malachi returned the gesture, by displaying his own fangs and advancing on Kraven "Come on regent" he goaded him, waving his cane around slightly "Lets see what the slayer of the mighty Lucian can really do."

Kraven lunged at Malachi, however Amelia's heir easily sidestepped him, he then used his cane to sweep Kraven's legs out from under him, and held its solid silver point to the floored regents throat "Pathetic" he said in disgust. Some of Kraven's men stepped forward to help their regent however their advance was stopped by Malachi's Death Dealers. "Stand down!" Malachi ordered, fearing the situation was getting out of control, he then held out a hand to Kraven and helped his counterpart to his feet "Now now" he began as he fixed Kraven's collar for him "Lets not forget that we're all friends here, there is no point in fighting, after all the Lycan is the enemy."

"Of course" Kraven agreed insincerely

Malachi took a deep breath "I think I've seen enough here Regent, as of now my inspection is complete."

"So soon?" Kraven remarked sarcastically

"You will make arrangements for my departure" Malachi demanded

"Will I?"

"Yes" said Malachi coldly as he and his men took their leave of Kraven and his forces. "You should have done him some serious damage" one of his men remarked

"Don't be silly Matthew" Malachi began in a patronizing tone "If I do anything thing to Viktor's golden boy, Amelia will have bollocks for earrings."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

The main doors of the mansion swung open, as Selene returned from another successful nights hunting, she didn't bother to give a second look to the lone figure standing on the stairs. "I'm sorry about earlier!" Kraven called after her "I did not mean to snap at you." Selene just rolled her eyes and continued walking "He doesn't care about you Selene" he said in an attempt to draw her attention. It had worked; Selene had stopped in her tracks and turned to face him.

"What are you talking about Kraven?" she sighed

"Your new lover, he doesn't care about you"

"And what would you know?" she spat

"He leaving tomorrow, as soon as it gets dark again."

"What?" asked Selene, as she felt a dull ache inside.

"That's right" Kraven said with a large grin on his face "He's got what he wanted from you, and now he's leaving."

"You're lying" she said shaking her head.

"Go and see for yourself" he dared her

Selene stormed off towards the quarters Malachi had been assigned, she had a bitter taste in her mouth, it had only been two days, but he had been so sweet to her, she felt a genuine connection with him, had it all been a lie? Had he just used her? She smashed open the ornately carved oak doors of Malachi's room, and was stopped in her tracks by what she saw, Malachi and two of his Death Dealers were packing up his things, they were leaving.

"Selene…" Malachi begun as she stood in the doorway, visibly hurt by what she was witnessing.

"So it's true?" she said flinching slightly at her own words

"Matthew, Christian give us a minute will you?" he instructed his Death Dealers, as they left the room he approached Selene, and placed a hand on her arm. She immediately pulled away and turned her back to him "Selene, I wanted to tell you myself"

"Tell me what?" she laughed to herself "That I've made a complete fool of myself?"

"No" he said soothingly "Look, me and Kraven have already come to blows over this, I cant risk upsetting the balance of the covens. I've got to go back."

Selene turned to face him, and for the first time in centuries allowed someone to see her vulnerable side "Did it mean anything to you?" she asked nervously.

"Of course" he pleaded as he took her in his arms and held her tight "Of course it meant something."

"I thought we were going to have more time together" she said sorrowfully.

Malachi sat down on the edge of his bed, with Selene still in his arms, he gently stroked her hair until he felt her relax against him "You could come with me" he told her

"What?" asked Selene, sure she had misheard him

"Come with me to New York" he told her

Selene smiled at him warmly and moved a gentle hand to his face "My place is here" she sighed "With My Lord Viktor"

"Viktor slumbers" Malachi told her

"It doesn't matter" she smiled "It wouldn't work anyway, like you said we live for the hunt, we could never make each other happy."

Malachi nodded in agreement "I guess some things are just not meant to be" he sighed

Selene nodded, she then lay back on the bed, pulling Malachi down on top of her, gently kissing him she looked into his eyes and whispered "We'll just have to make the most of tonight then won't we?"

………………………………………………………………………………………………

The next night was as rainy and miserable as the two previous nights, a convoy of black Mercedes were once again parked outside a rarely used train station, once again the hulking black train that occupied the station platform burst into life, erupting clouds of steam into the rain soaked air. Kraven watched as the last of Malachi's Death Dealers boarded the train, leaving only Malachi standing by the convoy. "Well" said Kraven, as he held out a hand "I hope you have a safe journey."

"I'm sure you do Kraven" responded Malachi as he shook the regent's hand in a vain attempt to keep up appearances.

"Give my regards to our lady" said Kraven as he wiped some rain from his face.

"Oh I'll be sure to" smiled Malachi as he made his way towards the train. Selene walked by his side, and Kraven looked on through gritted teeth as the two shared an intimate moment on the platform.

"When will I see you again?" asked Selene

"I don't know" replied Malachi "Maybe you could come and visit me?"

"I'd like that" said Selene, as she watched the rain bounce off his face.

"You look beautiful in the rain" smiled Malachi as he handed his cane to one of his Death Dealers standing in the carriage doorway.

"Thank you" smiled Selene, as she moved towards him and kissed him goodbye "I'm going to miss that" she blushed slightly

"You're not the only one."

Selene glanced behind her for a moment, and saw a seething Kraven looking on, "One more?" she teased "for the road"

Malachi cast a glance over her shoulder to where Kraven and his men were standing, he could see the rage in his eyes, and could almost smell the venom in the air, this was by no means over "Selene" he said softly as he ran a finger over her silky white cheek "why do I get the feeling you are going to be the death of me?"

The two shared one last kiss before a drenched Malachi finally boarded the train. Selene stood silent as the heavens opened on her, and watched as that leviathan of a train sped off into the distance, leaving Selene only with only the refreshing kiss of the rain and the ever watchful gaze of Kraven for company.