Athena, though her mind had been full of Lestat and Logan only moments before leaving her and Logan's room, quickly readjusted to thinking to the extremely serious business that had become so apparent in her world— the world of the supernatural, and not the mutant one—that it could no longer be ignored. In fact, though Athena was happy to come to New York to visit Xavier, her brothers and uncle had highly advised her to do so, in order to investigate the meaning of the poetry, which had been left in blood at their door. Ever since she and her small family at Xaphania had found it, it had been swimming through her mind as a minnow swims through a river.

Crimson eyes hide crimson secrets

Deals and betrayals pouring out into the street

And those with power

Fill with doubt, with haze, with fear

Deals made in crimson craft betrayal

Crimson hate makes war, blood pouring down the street

Staining all the world for glory.

Athena gently knocked on Professor Xavier's door, a smile on her face as she thought of her kindly uncle working industriously at his desk.

"Come in," he said, putting down his pen as carefully as he could. He didn't want any of the ink from the fountain pen to splatter onto any of the documents on the table, which were important records he was keeping in regards to one of his student's progress in an English class—important considering the student was from China. However, Xavier put away his own work and focused entirely on his darling Athena, and what she had to say to him, or ask him. For Xavier also knew about Athena's painful past, and knew that she was very important in the community of the supernatural. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Athena smiled in a way that wasn't entirely pleasant, but more mocking. Clearing her throat and sitting down in a chair in front of Xavier's desk, she starts to recite the rhyme. "Crimson eyes hide crimson secrets, Deals and betrayals pouring out into the street. And those with power fill with doubt, with haze, with fear. Deals made in crimson craft betrayal; Crimson hate makes war, blood pouring down the street, staining all the world for glory." Xavier knew exactly what Athena had been talking about—he'd been aware of the scare that Xaphania had had recently with the poetry in blood. He hadn't known what poem had been written, but now he knew that Athena had come for that very purpose. "You still haven't figured that out?" Xavier said, which hurt Athena a little bit. She didn't like not knowing the answer to a riddle, and felt that Xavier was mocking her and laughing at her apparent stupidity. He really wasn't—Xavier was only worried for Athena's safety and well being, along with that of her two brothers and Lupin.

"Well, it hasn't been easy, considering that all of my father's books on black magic are here in upstate New York, and not back in London. The students at Xaphania are famously curious, and my father fears the consequences of one of them getting their hands on a dangerous spell—especially one that they don't know that's dangerous." Athena smiled smugly at Xavier, who smiled at her in return, happy to see that the cunning that had been apparent when he had first seen her had developed quite nicely, and in a manner that was appropriate to her station and status in life. "Very well, Athena. I'll give them to you. But I do hope you know who is behind this. This poem is not to be taken lightly— written in blood, and you being a vampire queen . . .. "

"I know who did this." Athena said curtly. "It was Siete."

Xavier suddenly flicked a switch that was hidden under the calendar in his desk, and suddenly a shelf of two rows of books bound in black, with the titles and volume of each one in gold embroidered letters and numbers along the spine. Athena was surprised that no house-elf had appeared alongside the two shelves—house-elves could be seen everywhere in supernatural London where people needed assistance. Athena certainly needed assistance with these books— though she had mastered almost all of the languages that magic could possibly be written in, there were only a few people who knew what each series of books on black magic were about. Some were on deadly hexes and death spells, some on history, and some on potions—and even then, there were so many books on history that it would take even someone as skilled with magic as Athena weeks just to sort them out in chronological order. To Athena's surprise, a little house-elf, albeit with extraordinarily ugly features, popped up beside the bookshelf. However, she knew better than to mistreat a house-elf; they were famous for their quick tempers and grudges that could last millennia, for no one was sure about how long most house-elves lived.

So, Athena, smiling, walked up to the house-elf barefoot, and said, "Hello, sweetheart. Could you possibly find me all the books you have that mention anything at all about Siete?"

"The Siete?" The little house-elf said, his horrid voice startling Athena, though she dared not show it. "Why should I do that for you?"

"Why, darling, you'd surely do it for the vampire queen, wouldn't you? I'm ever so tired from coming over from London." Athena's London accent was more apparent than ever, but the house-elf was still skeptical. "Show me proof that you're the vampire queen." He said, narrowing his eyes like a shrew would.

Remembering that this was for the greater good, Athena showed him the proof.

"Right away, my queen . . . " the house-elf said, nimbly beginning to work as the young--or elderly, depending on how you looked at it-- queen bid him.

Jean had already risen from her sleep, her mind seemingly healed by Athena's miracle potion. "My God, I don't think I've taken anything that made me feel quite so good." Stretching, she saw that Scott wasn't in their room, so she decided to go and find Athena, say thank you, and then find her husband. Smiling, Jean took a quick lukewarm shower to help her feel almost like a new woman, and then dressed in fresh, casual clothes. She wore a simple red t-shirt and some Capri's, as the day was becoming humid, as most days at the end of the spring became.

She knew that Athena had gone back to Logan's room to be settled in at the Academy. Feeling as though she were gliding on clouds, Jean walked over to Logan's room, and then knocked primly on his door.

Logan, wearing a black shirt and jeans, answered the door, having been sleeping-- and dreaming about Athena—only moments before. "Jean," Logan said in a surprised manner, "what can I do for ya?" Logan rubbed his eyes, a bit shaken and still in his dream of walking in a garden hand-in-hand with Athena.

"I was wondering if you knew where Athena went. I wanted to thank her for what she did earlier, and maybe help her get settled in, and . . I don't know. But do you happen to know where she may be?" Jean looked at Logan for an answer, as he rubbed his left eye in the same lazy way that a cat licks its fur. "She's not here right now—but I have no idea where she is. Try checking with the Professor. I know he and Athena are really close, so she may be catching up with him." Logan said, nodding as he made sure what he was saying was true, and not just something that his mind, clouded from his very pleasant dream, had invented.

"Ok, thanks, Logan," Jean said; now realizing that Logan had been asleep. "Sweet dreams."

"Thanks, Jean," Logan said, without looking at her and shutting the door as he went back to his clean couch to finish his dream.

Following Logan's advice, Jean went to Xavier's office, and when she was about to knock on the door, saw that the door was already half-open, and that Athena was indeed there. However, rather than enter and interrupt their conversation that was apparently very important, Jean decided to sit and wait outside the door. She didn't realize just how serious their conversation was until she started to hear them from the doorway, as she sat against the wall next to the door.

"So Siete's been behind this whole threat," Xavier said when the pile of books that the tiny house-elf had gathered was as high as Xavier's desk. Though watching this amazing house-elf work was intriguing, Xavier wanted to find about Siete and why he was writing poems in blood to Athena.

"Yeah. Apparently, he's still not over what I did to him so many years ago. He's still not over . . . the way things have to be. Charles, he's always been a creature of Chaos, and has always loved to kill. More so than is even normal for any vampire." Athena's voice was serious; she had only ever called him Charles a couple times since meeting him. She loved killing herself, to a degree; she loved killing for blood, and tasting her victim's sorrow and all of the experiences of their short life. She loved suffering and pain, and absorbing it into herself. It made her feel indestructible— but Athena, like the vast majority of vampires, had a limit to the amount of violence and death they liked. They only cared for it when they hunted, and lived without taking pleasure in the suffering of people they knew and cared about. But Siete . . . .he had always been a problem, among the millions of children that Athena had across the globe. Especially since he had never gotten over the simple fact that their world wasn't meant to revolve around him-- it was meant to revolve around Athena, though she would have much preferred keeping her happy life and family to ruling the world of the Undead. But it was Athena's destiny, and she wasn't about to give up something that was her destiny.

"I see. I know that he hasn't given up over your . . . forgive me, but I have no other word for it, but. . your betrayal of him. He's quite a fiery spirit." Xavier said, putting his hand on the arm of his wheelchair, readying himself for a long story from Athena's past, which he was expecting.

"The words 'fiery spirit' hardly describe him. He's much more than you suspect-- than any adult creature, living or dead, outside of Xaphania, suspects." Athena bit her lip, swallowing hard—blood-spit that was full of pain and sorrow, and growing thin. "He's my half-brother. And very much like me, though he has only my worst attributes."

"Tell me the story of what he calls your betrayal," Xavier said, almost like a father coaxing his daughter to tell him an intriguing story that she had been teasing him about. Athena smiled, and obliged him. Crossing her legs, knowing that this would be a long story, she began.

"A long time ago, though a relatively short time ago in the span of my life, when I was preparing to become the vampire Queen, and to ascend, I once met the woman who had changed me, and my Dark Mother—Akasha. She used to have a vast compound, before she died. Lestat took me there, since he was in love with my Mother. It was Lestat's fortune that used to pay for her expenses, but he became rich again after liquefying them—the buildings, and the profits from all her jewelry—after her Death.

Anyway, there were many other vampires that lived as well in the compound, and many of us became such good friends that we still call each other for support and love today. However, there was a great deal of competition, especially since we all were old enough to know that Akasha was old, and having to choose a successor soon, otherwise vampiredom would be left in shadows. Many people thought that they would receive the Crown—Akasha's royal blood—within them, which would make them the next Queen of King of the Damned. However, many people thought that Siete, who was also living at the compound at the time, would be chosen to receive the holy blood. I hardly knew Siete at the time, but I could tell that he wasn't like other vampires—he had a pure evil within him. However, I had a feeling that I would receive the honor, and this feeling was especially when Akasha, who I could tell was about to be killed by other vampires before that human year was to end, called me and Siete to her chambers. All of the young vampires who were living there knew the meeting was meant to choose a successor, since we could all feel the coming change—though in different intensities.

So, when she summoned me and Siete into her room, she kissed both of us." Athena smiled, remembering that day and moment as clearly as she could remember yesterday. "I can remember her exact words, said with the love and care of a mother.

'My most blessed children,' she said, her vampiric teeth protruding severely from her mouth. 'You both know that I have many children across the world, in many different nations, cultures, and religions. However, you two are the only young ones in the world that have my blood and touch in your veins. You are the ones who will make people remember my rule, with the seed of my blood that has pulsed through your heart so many times.' She looked upon me lovingly, and stroked my very black hair. 'You are my daughter, mortal daughter of Cleopatra, who I have loved and treasured from a distance— ever since the day I made you. You are strong, and one chosen by the goddess Athena to change the world.' Then looking at Siete, she held his chin and kissed his cheek like a mother would. 'And you are my dear son, son of Rasputin, the advisor of the last Czar. You are so much like me—more than any other of my children, and have stayed with me like a youngest son of a large brood of children.' She let go of us, and bit her lip, looking unqueenly for a minute, seemingly plagued with a decision, which I took note of immediately. We were both her favored children, made by her directly, and certainly her seeds in the next generation of vampires—she didn't know who to make her successor. I felt bad for her for a second; after all, she hadn't been responsible for my family's downfall. It had been Caesar's, that bastard's, fault. I held no hate towards Akasha, and listened patiently to her decision, when she seemed to settle on what her gut feeling told her. 'As you know, I grow old, and need someone to carry on the great line of the vampires.' I was shocked as she looked at me, but calmer when she looked at Siete afterwards. 'Athena and Siete, my darlings, you shall fight tomorrow in the great circle, in the throne room. The winner of the fight will be my successor, to carry along my legacy and create their own as long as they may live and choose to bear my Crown within their blood.' I knew immediately that I would win, though I hardly knew anything about Siete, except for that which Akasha had just told me. I was, after all, the mother of the matrixas, despite being a vampire as well. I was the mother of the race that was meant to succeed the Amazonian race of warrior. Combat was easy for me, and I told Lestat what had happened the first chance I had, sure that I would be able to win the Crown and make the suffering I had endured worth something.

However, that night, (for Akasha had told me the news during the day, when we had been inside), when all the younger vampires were out hunting, Siete accosted me when I was hunting alone, as I usually preferred in those days. He said, having just made a marvelous kill, the blood running down his chin, 'You're just a bitch that Akasha bit on a hunger streak. Nothing like me . . . a vampire made of dark and night, having suffered more than any here.' His pride shimmered out behind him, and I knew that beating him would be worth the minimal effort it would demand. He continued, 'You'll be wise to throw the match tomorrow. Otherwise. . .'

'Otherwise what?' I responded, as I disposed of my first kill of the night, a mother and her child. 'I imagine you don't know who I am, and what I am. I am not only a vampire; I am the mother of the matrixas. I'm afraid asking me to throw that match would be like asking a hen to stop laying eggs. I smiled wickedly, and expected him to back down from his rather dangerous request. But what he did instead was something I'll never forget, even if I live to the end of the world.

He only spat at me, and said, 'Bastard woman. You are not a full blood. . and should not rule, no matter what you can do. Only one made of dark and evil can rule correctly. . and Athena the goddess is made of light. Your vampire hood is corrupted by your light heritage.' His fangs drew forth, and he smiled in an ugly manner, saying, 'If you don't throw that match, you'll regret it for however long your miserable life continues.' And with that, he left my sight, and the next morning, and the match, more importantly, came more quickly than I would have liked."

Xavier sensed that the end of the long story was ending, and that the conclusion wasn't happy. He wished he could lean forward to put his hand on Athena's, but he decided that he would wait for her to finish before comforting her. Swallowing, he heard her gentle voice continue. "I won the match, and eventually ascended to become the Queen of the Damned. However, after all this time, he still hates me for what I am. I still remember what Akasha told me—the only advice she gave me before she died. 'Athena, my little princess, you are the rightful queen because you have both light and dark in your veins. You are both evil and good, and have just the judgment to rule justly. Siete is a good son to me: loyal, but nothing but evil runs in his veins. Vampiredom will descend into Chaos and Death if he is ever allowed to assume the throne. My love for him has blinded me from this truth, but I have to accept it if I am at all a good Queen. Remember this, for as long as you may reign.' She kissed me, though I knew her terrible fury lay near the surface of her affection." Athena said, carefully trying to finish the story and bring their conversation to the present problem.

"Since then, I have tried to rule as best as I could, using both my light and dark nature to be fair to all my Dark children. But Siete has always risen up in small amounts, trying to bring me down with small renegade armies. However, he has always been thwarted by those vampires who are loyal to me, and has never been such a threat to my status—until now."

"Why now, though?" Xavier said, his brow wrinkling in a nervous manner. "You must still have loyal followers. What makes now the time that Siete makes a strike?"

Athena sighed, feeling that she had failed in some way. "I am almost certain that he has help—help from the underworld. From the Devil himself. Or one of the Devil's followers, to be more specific. As a part of my ascension, I had to conquer and make the Devil my servant, so I doubt it's the Devil himself. But I'm sure that it's the Devil Loki's doing." Athena suddenly conjured a book by snapping her fingers. The book was unmarked, and bound with a black and red cover. "This book is a result of my interrogations of the Devil—it's all the information about Loki that the Dark Prince himself knows. I know of no better way of getting to know a Demon." Placing it on Xavier's desk, she looked at him, trying to reconnect with the reality around her, feeling lost in her old memories.

Xavier glanced at the document, but glanced back at Athena. "You're a brave girl, you know that? Questioning the Devil, even for one such as yourself, is nothing to be taken lightly." Athena and Xavier smiled gently at each other. Carefully directing his wheelchair over to Athena's side, now carefully hugged the royal vampire. Athena took comfort in the middle-aged man's comfort, so much like Lupin's. In truth, both of the men were like fathers to her. As Xavier hugged the young girl, he felt her weakness inside. He realized that she needed blood. "Athena, why didn't you tell me you needed blood? It's not good to get so weak, and still be without blood."

Smiling at his concern, Athena said, "That was the second thing I wanted to talk to you about. But I wanted to ask you—have any of your X-men been having any dreams that are demonic, or evil in nature? Lupin thought that Loki might strike here first, since so many powerful mutants live here, and Siete does seek to overtake the whole world. Especially considering the talent Loki has with creating bad dreams in the people that are in frequent contact with the mortal world."

Now, while the Professor had been thinking, Jean had heard the whole conversation between the Professor and Athena. She couldn't believe what Athena was— she hadn't even believed that vampires existed before overhearing this conversation. Jean, when she had first heard about what Athena was during the conversation, thought that Athena might aim to harm all of the X-men. However, hearing this girl's past, she knew that that couldn't be true—and that she had the answer to the question that Athena had just asked. So Jean, remembering her awful dream of lava and destruction, and summoning all of the strength in her legs, rose from the spot where she had been listening. She entered the room, approaching the Professor's desk until both Athena and the Professor noticed her. Athena was shocked and astonished—she had intended to tell the rest of the X-men about her eventually, but Athena knew that now was way too soon. But she was puzzled, as much as the Professor was surprised and shocked, to find that Jean only said,

"Yeah, I've been having those types of dreams."

"Jean?" Athena was finally able to say amidst her intense shock. "H-how much did you hear?" Athena swallowed and shivered with nervousness as she heard Jean say, "I heard everything-- the story, and . . . what you are." Jean pulled a chair close to the Professor's desk, right next to Athena's chair. "It's okay," seeing that Athena was extremely nervous about her secret. Putting her hands on the young girl's shoulders, in a soothing manner, Jean said, "I'll keep your secret. I know that you'll tell everyone else eventually, so I'll keep it." Athena managed to calm down and breathe as she heard Jean's kind promise. "Thank you, Jean." Smiling at her, Athena managed to swallow and continue, "You and Kurt—he knows too—are the best for keeping my secret here."

Jean's voice revealed a curiosity as she said, "How do you know Kurt, anyway? I hope it doesn't involve another long story." Jean aimed to get a chuckle out of Athena, and it worked.

"No, it doesn't. I met Kurt when I was in Germany. He's a friend of a German blood wine brewer whose company I was investing in. I still give him money and visit Germany, even though Kurt's been here for a while. Kurt and I go way back, even before mutants were known to humankind."

"Ah, here we are," Xavier said, getting over his own bit of shock and giving Athena a batch of synthetic blood that he had made for her. "Jean, thank you for keeping Athena's secret. It's more than I could have ever asked of you. And I promise . . . we'll get to the problem of your dreams soon. Probably when everyone is aware of this situation." Turning to Athena, he said, a fatherly tone in his voice, "Inject each one of those shots everyday; it'll keep you strong enough while you're staying here. I wish I could offer you real blood, but there are no sacrifices in New York, I'm afraid. There are thirty in there— that should last you the month. See me for more when you run out, or if there's a problem." Athena nodded, smiling a quick "goodbye" to Xavier, eager to feel whole and herself again. Jean and the Professor watched the young girl go.

"Thank you for being so understanding regarding Athena. She's been through so much . . ." Xavier felt a bit of the girl's pain, but Jean smiled back at him. "Someone once said, 'It is not the good things in life that are really good for our souls, but the bad things; in truth, suffering makes us stronger.'" Jean looked at the door that Athena had gone through. "We all have suffering and darkness within us. What matters . . . is how we handle it." Jean nodded at Xavier, saying, "I think I better go find Scott. I thought I heard him say something about eating dinner soon." Jean could see the day fading into dusk and night as she looked out the window, and the sun was setting. "See you at dinner, Professor," Jean said, waving goodbye to the Professor and leaving through the same door as Athena did.

When both women were gone, the Professor sighed deeply. Then noticing the gigantic pile of books that the house-elf had assembled a while ago, he realized, "I must send someone to bring those books to Athena soon." He noticed that she had already taken her own black book, and saw that he could finally relax. Athena would get better, and he could already feel a sort of friendship forming between Jean and Athena. Looking out the window, he knew he was more than ready for dinner.

Sighing, Xavier closed his eyes, saying to himself and no one, "I'm getting way too old for this."