Blood Inc.
Chapter Seven
tiffany aka basketcase

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To my Blood Inc. readers,

Chapter 7 is out and ready to be read. Although chapter 7 is a short chapter, it is pack of action. I hope you all love it.

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"I can't believe Grandfather never told me about this," Serena muttered under her breathe. Pulling her heavy coat closer to her body as Switzerland was much colder especially when winter was around the corner. Her gloved hand stroked her beloved katana.

It had been three days since the coffee shop conversation, and now Serena was dragged halfway across the world by Jonah to check out her grandfather's vault in a Swiss Back. At first, Serena thought Jonah was joking when she saw him smirking. But she felt the rush of realization when Jonah and her marched through the airport security when she had her katana as carry-on. Jonah jinxed Serena's katana and other weapons in her luggage to be undetectable through x-ray.

Shortly arriving in Switzerland, Jonah had arrived a car to pick them up and take them to their hotel to sleep out their jetlag before setting off to the bank the next day.

"Your grandfather told me that when you start feeling negative about children between you and Endymion, then I have to take you to your grandfather's Swiss Bank."

"Just like Grandfather to think ahead," Serena mumbled. "So do you know what my grandfather have hidden in his account?"

"Not a thing."

The taxi came to a smooth stop. The driver leaped out of the car and helped Jonah and Serena out before driving off. The driver gave Serena a cheesy grin as he gazed into Serena's beauty. Her spine shuddered as the driver's perverted feeling touched her inner core. She decided to gaze into another beauty: the bank. The architecture of the bank captured her attention easily. As she gazed at the architecture, she fastened her katana onto her back.

Jonah noticed the lust in the driver's eye when he got out of the taxi. As soon as he put on a black backpack, He eyed him, casting minor shock spell on the driver. The driver yelped and sped away in his taxi as soon as he jumped into his taxi. Most of his life he had been protecting Serena and it was like second nature to something like that.

"Is he gone?"

"Yep." Jonah replied as he watched the taxi made a right turn at the corner. Then he turned to her. He couldn't tell what was going in her mind. In all his life, he had known Serena to be a very private person, and she had shared all her secrets with him but at only as the level of a friend. But since Serena entered Altima Manor, he had found her to be livelier, expressive especially when Endymion was around. Jealousy had flared out when he witnessed it firsthand but he knew he had achieved confidential level as much as the status of her best friend and he was content about that.

Jonah led Serena into the back. The bank's security looked up. Some reached for their gun when they noticed the katana on Serena's back. But because of a miracle or Jonah's magic, the katana became a circular container, an illusion only.

Some in the bank's security have weird gleam in their eyes as if they were sending a message. Serena's body tensed when she sensed eyes were following them. Jonah, someone's watching us.

Receiving Serena's mental message, he looked around, pretending to be interested with the bank's interior design. But what Jonah was doing was trying to be more aware of their surroundings, sensing the bank's atmosphere. Although the atmosphere in the bank looked serene, it was quite the opposite. The atmosphere, the air, was crackling on a microscopic level, only the skilled air Wiccan can only sense.

After they got through metal detectors and frisked by security after metal detectors went off, a bank associate, in his late 30s, appeared before Serena and Jonah, dressed in a black pinstriped suit. "Monsieur, Mademoiselle, how may I help you?"

Serena glanced at Jonah who was still preoccupied, was still sensing their surroundings. She pulled out the three-prong key out and handed it the associate. "This. I like to see what is hidden in this account."

The associate looked at the key intensely but his eyes told another story. He was amazed because he had never seen it up close, only in the bank protocol manuals. "This key was of our older bank system, about 30 years ago. Do you see these inscriptions, Mademoiselle?" The associate pointed the tiny inward dots spaced unevenly on the prongs on the key.

Serena nodded, only noticed the dots for the first time.

The associate continued his explanation, "These dots, you see, are similar to binary dots. They were part of an analogical system when the former president constantly refused to upgrade to computer mainframe to keep track of accounts. But since the current president took over, he had every aspect in this bank to be digitally logged and transferred to a much safe and secure digital mainframe.

Now this prong key belonged to the previous system. Every vault has a lock that was custom made and a pronged key that goes with the custom made lock. These pronged keys have never failed us before because of the dots. Technically we do not use that system anymore, and this key is somewhat useless since all the accounts from the previous system were transferred to the new digital mainframe. But under special circumstances like this," the associate said, waving the key, "When the client did not claim the account from the previous system, which I presume he or she didn't, the old system is still in place and use until the client returns. Now whose name did the account belong to?"

Serena smiled, "How do you know it doesn't belonged to me?"

The associate chuckled, "You, Mademoiselle, do not looked a day over twenty and this key is much older than you are."

Serena, in turned, smiled warmly at the compliment, "Thank you. Um, it was belonged my grandfather, Zeus Lumiere."

The associate nodded, "Is your grandfather here, Mademoiselle?"

"No but I do have his death certificate," Serena pulled out a death certificate out of her coat pocket and handed to the associate.

The associate skimmed the death certificate then he smiled sadly to Serena, "I am sorry for your lost, but please follow me, Mademoiselle and Monsieur."

The associate started walking. Serena was about to follow but she realized that Jonah still wasn't paying attention. So Serena had to elbowed him in the ribs. She whispered harshly, "Let's go."

Jonah cringed when Serena elbowed him. He glared at her, rubbing his sore ribs, growled, "That hurts, Serena."

"Sorry," Serena smiled meekly.

Serena and Jonah was lead past an opened vault where other associates and bankers leading other clients in and out with safety deposit box. The next thing Serena and Jonah knew, they were lead underground. There was a series of smaller vaults. Before the associate take them to Zeus's vault, the associate accessed a computer. He typed in Zeus's name.

A map appeared on the computer screen, along with the vault number. Then he touched the screen and a box popped out. The associate typed in his identification number and password. The associate placed the death certificate on the scanner by the touch screen computer and scanned it to the bank's database. He handed the certificate back to Serena who placed it back in her coat.

"Now since your grandfather had pass away, his account in the bank is now yours. May I have your name, address, and status, Mademoiselle?"

Serena nodded. She understood it had to be done even though she didn't want it. "Serena Chase Lumiere. The address is the same: Dione Manor at 372 White Foresta Lane…"

"That's the secondary address," Jonah butted in.

Serena glared at him. Don't you dare, Jonah.

"Her primary address is the Altima Manor at 464 Styx Channel Way, New York. And she's married."

The associate acted surprised. He shook Jonah's hand, "Congratulations, Monsieur, to marry such a beautiful Mademoiselle."

"It's not him," Serena snapped.

"Oh, sorry, Monsieur, Madame," the associate apologized, "May I have your husband's name then, Madame? In case for withdrawal by spouse."

Serena's eyes widened as if she was caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She didn't think that she needed to give Endymion's information to the bank nor she wanted to. Serena was still a bit mad at Endymion for not returning her calls. And why she was stuttering was that she didn't know Endymion's last name.

"It's Endymion Harker," Jonah answered. Jonah pulled out a piece of paper out of his coat. He handed it to the associate, who skimmed it.

"Good, good," the associate said. He placed it upon it on a scanner and scanned it into the bank's database. Then he handed it to Serena instead of Jonah.

Serena read the piece of paper and was surprised as hell to discover it was hers and Endymion's marriage certificate. Exhaling a heavy sigh, she glanced at Jonah with accusing eyes. How come I didn't know about this? And where the hell you got my signature?

Jonah shrugged. Although it was he and Donovan's lawyers did all the paper works before the Bonding Ceremony. He stole her signature during the process.

"Madame, your passport please," the associate asked, his hand held out to the Hunter.

She folded the certificate in half and shoved it into her coat pocket. Afterwards she pulled out her passport and gave it to the associate.

The associate took it and did the same thing to the passport as he did to both certificates, then handed back to her. The associate touched the screen, activating the printer to print. When the printer finished printing, he gave it to Serena. "This will be your new account numbers to 'your' vault."

Both Serena and Jonah jerked up. They asked at the same time, "Vault?"

The associate didn't replied. Instead, he led them past unknown number of same vaults. Serena followed the associate while she folded the piece of paper and passport, and placing them in her coat pocket. Taking a moment, Jonah glanced at Serena and noticed that Serena have calmed down from the marriage certificate incident.

The associate stopped in front a vault marked '78373DS-ST2343- 8923432'. He grabbed Serena's hand suddenly, making her glaring at him. But she softened when Serena realized that the associate placed the metal key in her hand.

"Please do the honors, Madame," the associate said, releasing Serena. He stepped aside to allow Serena the full view of the vault door.

Serena eyed the door, studying the complicated design and strength of the steel vault door. In the middle of the vault door, was a keyhole made for a three-prong key. Not wasting another second pondering what behind the steel door, Serena slid the prong key into the keyhole and turned it. The sounds of the lock unlocking were unmistaken. The clanking and ticking of the gears was turning within the steel vault door.

Serena took a step back when the door clanked for the last time, very loudly, and opened by its self.

Both Serena and Jonah had preconceived that the account or vault would be packed with Grandfather Zeus's weapons or valuables or even knickknacks. But what they saw was a surprise to the both of them. Inside the vault was one lonely safety deposit box sitting pretty on a steel shelf.

Casting a nervous look to Jonah, Serena was kind of afraid to find what her grandfather hid from her and her parents. In fact she was stalling and she knew that. But she doesn't have the time to waste. Both she and Jonah were anticipating the Wiccans to appear any minute.

Not wasting another minute, Serena pulled the deposit box off the shelf out. She froze as shock invaded her body when all she found in the deposit box was two antique, leather bound books.

Serena breathed in disbelief as her fingers run down the spine of one of the books, "Is this it, Grandfather?"

Jonah grabbed Serena's hand roughly, snapping her out of her shock. He unzipped his backpack and held it open for Serena. "We're running out of time, Serena."

"Fuck." Mentally hitting herself in the head, she shoved the books with little care into Jonah's backpack.

The sounds of heavy beating footsteps echoed outside the vault and it was getting louder at every step toward the vault.

Reacting to the footsteps, Jonah grabbed Serena's wrist and pulled her out of the vault.

"Wait…" Serena whispered harshly, her inner core pulsing with warning, but she wasn't quick enough. They were spotted the second they stepped out of the vault. Serena pulled out a small grey ball from her coat pocket and threw it on the floor. Grey smoke filled the hall. Before the wiccans dressed in black suits could react, Serena and Jonah bolted down the hall, away from wiccans.

Wiccans dressed in black suit shouted 'stop' but, at the same time, choked on the grey smoke. One of them was an Air Wiccan; with a wave of a wrist, a small gust of wind dispersed the smoke.

They were able to find their way out of the vaults, having couple unpleasant and bloody run-ins. Then they found themselves exiting the bank through the back.

It was still snowing and it laid a freshly thick layer, covering the concrete.

Jonah was out of breath as Serena was perfectly fine. Running was natural for Serena as she had trained hers body be used to any speed and length of time. At the moment, adrenaline was pumping through their veins but Jonah felt sick about it.

Adrenaline was still pumping, and even Serena hated the feeling. She hated the way it felt. She hated the feeling of her heart like it was going to burst or that her hands were shaking. Also it was that her mind was thinking at a million things at once, and with her unexpected pregnancy, she was having a hard time controlling her mind and body.

As Jonah was catching his breathe, Serena scanned the back alley. Although there was no one around in the back alley, Serena wasn't able to relax. Multiple of blank emotions were hidden in the alley, waiting for their prey.

At the corner of her eye, those dark emotions belonging to men and women dressed heavily in black clothing emerged from shadows, surrounding them and blocking their exits.

Jonah stopped fidgeting with his breathing and stood in front of Serena. "Leave quietly or you will regret it."

One warlock in particular took couple steps forward, revealing he was the Wiccan superior in the group. "We have orders, Jonah, and we will never go against our kind like you did, traitor."

Serena drew out her katana. She couldn't help but fear for herself. Although she knew her odds were slim to none but with her pregnancy, she was scared but not for herself. That thought, alone, scared her. She doesn't want to die yet. She wanted live to the fullest with Endymion, no matter how abusive he would to her feelings.

Jonah summoned his own spirit, a puff of light blue cloud named Dahlia, and it was ready to defend its master and the Hunter. "Dahlia, shed." Jonah ordered.

Dahlia shedded its premature form and transformed into a magnificent hawk. Dahlia cawed loudly, showing its wiliness to fight.

After Dahlia cawed, the wiccans summoned their spirits that changed into animals. The wiccans' spirits charged toward Jonah and Serena.

A Wiccan's spirit was natural force of the world that taken an animal form of the Wiccan's element. Despite any size, the spirit was as strong was their Wiccan master. The spirit connected through the Wiccan's soul. And the only way to kill a spirit was to kill their Wiccan master.

And that was Jonah and Serena was aiming at. It was becoming a messy bloodshed. But the Wiccans showed its strength by casting spells and fought almost in packs, greatly out-numbering Serena and Jonah. But Serena evaded the Wiccans, their spells, and spirits as she was slashing through her enemies easily. The spirits that got slash kept going but when their master wiccans got killed, they turned to ashes. The Wiccans and their spirits were having a hard time targeting her.

But it was hard for Serena to fight against the spirits. She had to be careful, one wrong move could cause death to her and the baby. She couldn't sensed them because whatever the spirits were feeling originated from their Wiccan master. And all she sensed was the Wiccan.

However one spirit, in a form of an earthen dragon that belonged to the Wiccan superior, managed to trip Serena and dropped her katana. It quickly wrapped its tail around Serena, and dragged her on the snow, almost suffocating her. Jonah and his spirit weren't able to help her because he was greatly out number.

The Wiccan superior smirked as his dragon spirit had Serena in his grasp. "Cromwell, you captured the prey. Lets leave." The dragon slithered toward his master, leaving the fight.

Help… Her silent cries of help reach deaf ears. Jonah was knocked unconscious when two spirits, a water salamander and an earthen rat overpowered Dahlia and it disappeared.

Many of the wiccans followed the Wiccan superior but a small group of wiccans formed around Jonah. A witch smirked evilly as she raised hand. Dark lights swirled in her raised hand as she mumbled a curse. She was about to mumble the last few words of the curse but the air have gotten colder.

Then that small group was slaughtered in seconds and their spirits screeched in pain and disappeared as their ashes were spread by the wind. The Wiccan superior and wiccans didn't get far when the screams of death reached their ears.

At the other side of the alley were Endymion and a small group of vampires dressed warmly in dark colors. Endymion's eyes were glowing red in anger. His guards were baring their fangs and their eyes were glowing, itching to shred the wiccans into unrecognizable pieces.

It didn't take long for Endymion to find Serena; he could sense his blood in the pendant she always wore. In his eyes, she was glowing ethereal although it was more like a shimmer. Serena had been glowing since the day he first laid eyes on her. At first he had thought it was a quality to a Hunter and under the moonlight, the glow was stronger. After being bonded to her, Endymion had spent many hours in the library, looking for an explanation to her glow. But Endymion came up with no explanation.

"Release my mate, bastard," Endymion growled. His voice was low and it was dripping with hatred and anger.

The other Wiccan cowered behind the superior Wiccan at the sound of his Endymion's voice. Spirits found their way back to the real world after sensing fear from their Wiccan master.

Although the superior Wiccan stood tall, in the inside, he was shaking with large amount fear, almost to the point of pissing in his pants. "My queen wants the Hunter alive."

Both side stood still. Jonah was still unconscious, lying in the snow on his side. Serena was still in Cromwell the dragon's grasp, little conscious but almost blue in the face. As snow was still falling from the sky, a piece of paper drifted into the alley. The piece of paper was a poster to a play in town. It was drifting toward the snow-covered ground in the high-tension air. The minute the paper touches the snow, the guardian vampires charged toward the wiccans, bypassing their spirits, and tore their limps of one Wiccan and of another.

Endymion didn't bother himself with the small fries; his focal point was the dragon holding his mate as hostage. He smashed the superior Wiccan into the brick wall, smashing the warlock's head into pieces. The warlock fell to the snow lifelessly, blood seeping into the snow. And in a puff of ashes, the dragon wailed and disappeared. Endymion caught Serena before she hit the ground. Breathing heavily, she held tightly onto Endymion's hold.

The fight was over just like that. The once-white snow was now dyed in blood and littered with lifeless bodies and ashes. The vampires couldn't help but fed on the blood left in the body. Serena want to stop them but Endymion's grip on her was like steel.

"What are you doing here?" Although Endymion sounded angry, his eyes showed a different story. His eyes have returned to his normal midnight blue but it wasn't projecting anger.

But Serena didn't answer him, instead she asked a question, "It's day, how are you able to survive?"

Endymion looked up instead of answering her. Serena followed his eyes and noticed that the clouds hid the sun. The sun left an eerie glow on the grey clouds. Endymion returned his gaze to the blond Hunter who was still eyeing the grey clouds. Feelings of sadness returned when the memory of Serena almost suffocating in the dragon's grasp.

Serena didn't say anything else but faint in Endymion's arms, and causing Endymion into a silent frenzy.

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Chapter 7 is done, done, and done. And it wasn't a long wait, right. Anyway since chapter 7 came out a bit early than I have thought, chapter 8 will be out a little after the New Year. I need to focus on finals and my other story, The Clash of Fate and Destiny [TCFD].

And chapter 8 of TCFD will be out a bit after Christmas. I will be in Mammoth, CA for some snowboarding fun and won't have time to write or publish anything.

Please review, I love to hear you thoughts on this.

-tiffany aka basketcase

EARLY HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!