Chapter XVIII
Destiny
Kraven stood at the door of Markus's tomb; he was breathing heavily recalling the events of the last few days. "We have a serious problem" was right, ever since Selene had spoke those words to Kahn nothing had gone right for him. Lucian's existence had been exposed, Viktor had been awakened, Soren had been killed, the blood lines had been merged into an abomination and worst of all Selene had chosen that abomination over him. Kraven bit his lip in disgust at the way he had treated Selene, the look of pain on her face when he exposed the truth about Viktor, the hurt that had been in her eyes when he raised a hand to her. There was suddenly a cutting pain through his heart, how could he have struck his beloved Selene, she had been the reason for everything, he forcibly held back a tear as he tried to build the confidence to enter Markus's resting place. He took a deep breath to calm himself, there was still hope that his destiny could be salvaged; after all Viktor and Amelia were gone, and so was the Council, so was Lucian and everyone else who could stand in his way… except Markus, he alone remained his only real obstacle once Markus were dead and he controlled the resources of the Coven, the abomination would be of no concern, then he would deal with New York, and then when he had it all Selene would come back to him, not for the power, or the prestige of being his consort, but because they shared a love that had lasted through the ages, a love that could never be tamed.
"What are we waiting for sir?" asked one of the men standing behind him.
Kraven took a look over his shoulder to see two of his men and two Death Dealers standing ready, these four men, his only allies. "Is Erika away from the mansion?" he asked dryly, not making eye contact with any one.
"Yes My Lord" one of his men replied "Alexei is taking her to one of your safe houses."
"Good" he nodded "I've caused her enough pain. My weapon" Kraven held out his hand and took an assault rifle from one of his men, then with one final sigh he spoke confidently "Lets do this"
Kraven lead the four men into the Elders resting place, walking over Amelia's tomb, past the fallen body of the Lycan Singe to Markus's resting place. "Open it" he said anxiously. One the Death Dealers stepped forward to twist the seal, setting in motion a series of mechanisms that levitated the gold and glass coffin into sight. However much to Kraven's surprise, he found the coffin smashed, stained with blood and empty. He swallowed hard, what he wouldn't give to have Soren standing by his side right now. Then they felt it, a rumbling beneath the ground like an earthquake, all five men cast a worried glance at each other until the ornate marble floor finally burst open revealing a hideous form ascending to the air. The entire room erupted in gunfire; Kraven began to take a couple of steps backwards, as he had all those centuries ago when his men had been massacred at castle Lucian. He watched again as one by one this abominable form impaled his allies one by one, first a Death Dealer, then one of his men, Justin, then the second Death Dealer until it was just Kraven and his last remaining follower, Caleb. Something was wrong; Caleb was firing perfectly every shot hitting its target however the hideous creature was not phased, he impaled Caleb and tossed him aside, finally turning to the now solitary Kraven. He froze for a moment, terrified of his fate, however this time he would not drop his sword, in a roar of anger Kraven unleashed the fury of his assault rifle until the black spear like limbs had found their targets. Impaling Kraven through both shoulders and forcing him against a wall, Kraven was finally able to get a good look at the creature.
"Markus" he choked, instantly recognizing the elder in his decayed form, despite his new found abilities.
"The blood memory of this repulsive creature have shown me that your treachery knows no bounds." He hissed in a voice reminiscent of Viktor's.
"My Lord… let me explain" he pleaded in one last attempt to stay alive
"Why would I listen to your lies when the journey to the truth is so much sweeter?" demanded Markus as he leant towards Kraven. The regent felt an explosion of agony as Markus's fangs pierced through his neck and the elder began to suck the life force out of him. Kraven could feel his blood escaping from his body, with Markus showing no signs of mercy. Markus finally pulled away, and with the Regent's blood still dripping from his fangs, gave Kraven a look of disgust.
"Please My Lord" Kraven pleaded in a final desperate attempt to save his life "I can assist you."
"Oh you already have" smiled Markus
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Hungarian countryside
"Oh you already have" smiled Markus
Selene and Michael hurried through the trees, in a desperate attempt to make it back to the mansion before Kraven. They had been lucky tonight Michael had nearly been killed by both Kraven and Viktor, though Kraven had spared her life. She now had to make sure Michael was given sanctuary; she had to keep him alive. Suddenly her pace was halted by a tightness in her chest, she stopped suddenly as if a part of her heart had just stopped beating, as if she had just lost a part of herself.
"What's wrong?" asked Michael
"Nothing" she said with a heavy feeling in her heart "We have to keep moving"
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A Hungarian Highway
"Oh you already have" smiled Markus
A lone black Mercedes speeds along a road, its destination as far from the mansion and Budapest as possible until told otherwise. It's occupants, Alexei, a member of Kraven's private force who had been instructed to protect someone dear to Kraven, Erika. She had been sired by Kraven centuries ago, yet she had never had his love, could this indicate a change? "Where are you taking me?" she asked her driver who had been silent so far.
"Somewhere safe" he responded coldly "Lord Kraven doesn't want you in any danger during the final phase."
The blonde vampiress stretched out on the luxurious back seat of the Mercedes and smiled "He really cares about me" she beamed "Drive on Alexei, I can see a wonderful future for me and Kraven."
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"Please My Lord" Kraven pleaded in a final desperate attempt to save his life "I can assist you."
"Oh you already have" smiled Markus.
Then with one finally snarl of defiance Kraven felt the black spear like limbs that had massacred his men make contact with his neck and sever his head, he was amazed how many thoughts had rushed through his head in that split second. How close he had been, how many people he had betrayed, Viktor, Amelia, Lucian, Soren everybody. He briefly thought of Erika, he was glad she would be safe, she deserved some comfort form his after centuries of neglect, but there was one final thought that made the rest pale in comparison, an ivory skinned angel, with silky brown hair and eyes so blue they illuminated the darkness that was his death, as he felt his last moment of consciousness before darkness shrouded him he was glad this angel was the last thing he saw, and when those cobalt beacons that were her eyes also faded away he was glad he had time for one more thought "Selene" his mind gently whispered.
The End