This chapter is dedicated to a real Nyssa, one of the readers of this story.

I already wrote this chapter prior to the review your friend posted. I reread it and wanted to dedicate it to a real survivor.

I hope I only bring happy tears,

Isabella

(aka Anthestria)

Reposted Chapter.

Chapter 13: Providence

Michael threw the file down with disgust. In all of the records, all of the history kept by the lycans, he found no evidence of deceit. He knew this was a good thing; they were loyal and protective. But this did not help their situation any better. Three lycan warriors, one of their commanders included, were somewhere in Montana and he knew not which one was the true Judas.

He pulled out his cell phone, checking it for the hundredth time that hour. Despite turning the ring volume up and picking the most obnoxious tone to alert him, he still wanted to make sure he didn't miss Selene calling him again. Last time they talked, she was an hour from the small village that preceeded her valley home. He asked about Nyssa, but from the soft rush of air, he told Selene to just keep her warm, safe and calm.

Finally too tired to keep his eyes open, Michael walked over to the bed. Kicking off his shoes, he laid down on top of the covers. He looked over and spied the soft purple blanket Nyssa curled up in the first night she arrived. He opened it up and curled into it. Selene and Nyssa's scents mixed together in the fabric and it soothed his wary nerves. He found sleep within seconds.

Selene threw the triple dead bolts on the door before going up stairs. Each window was shut and locked, the slats in the shudders allowing the setting moon to shine through. She absent mindedly rubbed her arms as she moved silently through the halls. The thick sweater cloak really wasn't necessary; the heat kicked on a few hours ago and the house quickly warmed. But it was a patch work of material common during her human lifetime and comforted her greatly.

She crossed her arms as she walked, biting on her knuckles as she thought. No great revelations or worries on her mind. In fact, mostly she thought of minor repairs that needed to be done to the house. A drafty window downstairs, a few loose tiles on the roof, the third lock on the back door that got stuck easily; all of the worries of a regular home owner.

As she entered the main bedroom, her mind halted completely. The blank, vacant stare of her daughter was now directed toward the plaster ceiling. Her chest rose and fell with long, equal breaths, the soft white nightgown fluttering slightly with each movement. Selene sat down at the end of the bed, watching silently before touching Nyssa's foot lightly as Michael always did. But, as had been the case for the last few hours, it garnered no response.

"I had a night gown like this," she told Nyssa. A sad smile crossed her face. "I wore something close to this the night Viktor attacked my family. It was after that I swore I would never wear a dress or gown of any kind again." The silence of the room dominated her attempts at calm conversation with an unconscious child.

She quietly rose from the bed, tucking the blanket down around Nyssa's feet much tighter. As she walked to her bags, she closed her eyes and felt the soft cotton brush against her bare legs. The cell phone sat on top of the few objects in the leather bag. Punching in the number, she turned and leaned against the bureau, gently toying with the ties of her night gown, one exactly modeled after the one Nyssa wore.

Michael's hands automatically grabbed the ringing cell phone and opened it. His brain didn't kick in until Selene's soft voice asked, "Hello?"

"Hey. You there yet?"

"Yes, we got here about three hours ago."

"No trouble?"

"No. I don't think we were followed from the safe house."

"Okay. How is she?"

"Eyes wide open, but no response."

"Okay, just gently close her eyelids. When she wakes up, her eyes will start burning because of being open too long."

"Fine."

"How are you?...Selene?"

"Michael...I...I really don't know. We were ambushed, my daughter slipped into a coma, I did nearly 150 on the roads to get away from Pest with her just laying in the back seat, I have no back-up, no help, and...and I don't know how I feel. I feel...I feel lost, Michael. I have never in nearly 600 years of existence felt so lost and alone. I want my daughter to wake up; I want to hear her voice and watch her smile again. I want her to be safe, to be loved, to feel loved. But instead, I'm dragging her unconscious body halfway around the world to protect her from her distant psychotic uncle who, for some reason, is hell bent on taking her away from me."

Michael wanted to reach out a wipe away the tears he knew fell down her cheeks.

"Michael, I need you here. I don't know anymore. And I need you to be here. She needs you to be here."

"I'm coming. I fly out in a few hours to Philadelphia, then to Pest. I'll be there soon with you. Selene?" She gave a soft noise of recognition, obviously trying to collect herself.

"You know what to do. I have never seen you falter in the face of danger. You have spent your entire existence battling against what always seemed to be fated and won. I know you and I know that nothing will get between you and our child. If, god forbid, I die, you and Nyssa will go on and become stronger for it. You both have strength in you to carry on and survive. Its in your blood and its in your soul. What needs to be done will come to you, just wait. You will not lose Nyssa and you will not falter. Hmm, I honestly think the world would collapse if you did." He paused, listening to her breathing as she absorbed everything he said.

"I love you, Selene. And I love Nyssa. And I know you both will triumph over any adversary or obstacle in your path. Now, try to get some sleep and hug our princess for me. She might not react, but touch is a powerful sensation and it will let her know you are right there. Sweet dreams, Selene."

"Michael?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. So much."

He changed quickly after his shower. The plane left off in less than 45 minutes and he would soon be enroute to Selene and Nyssa. He pulled his bag over his shoulder, enjoying the sound of four hand guns and several explosives clunking together. A rapid knock at the door caught his ear.

"Come in!"

Victoria bolted into the room, followed closely by Thomas. "Its Samuel," she panted, handing him a piece of paper. Michael quickly looked it over. It was an email address to Samuel from a midnitedancer:

The Dealers will be in place by tonight. Upon your arrival, exit the plane and step to the sides. Christian has a retrival squad and they get the girl. The first wave will take Selene and the crew out. They know your face and know not to harm you or your men. Report directly to Christian. You will be brought to the coven house with the girl as your prisoner, not the coven's prisoner. The money will be wired upon the successful transation of the girl. Be prepared to take measures against Selene; she will not go down easily.

Be safe, my nephew.


Erika

"Where did you find this?"

"Thomas saw that one of the tracers they developed was missing and linked it back to the one Selene found on Nyssa's shoe," Victoria said, finally able to take a deep breath after running through the house.

"I hacked his laptop," Thomas said, pointing to the email. "There were several others about rendevous points and times, but this one bluntly speaks of Nyssa. The others could be transmissions between the clan houses." The young lycan stepped back quickly as Michael's eyes flashed an inky black before going back to their vibrant blue.

"Pack a bag, both of you, and be out front in ten minutes. You're going to Pest with me."

A/N: I think this is one of the best pieces I've ever written. Just wanted to say that.