For the Loved: Part 3
Nikola Tesla was speeding down the street on his way to Hyde Park, his mind whirling at the possibilities of what Dana Whitcomb could be doing to his children. Lillian sat beside him, her hands in tight fists in her lap. She hadn't said anything to him since they left, and he knew she would need some time to get her head around this. After all, he had just informed her that he was a vampire, and the supposed dead Serbian Scientist.
"Jonathon…Nikola" she corrected herself, "What does this woman want with our children?" Her voice was quivering as she stared out the window into the passing scenery.
Nikola sighed.
"She doesn't want anything with them. Well, that I am aware of. She wants my brilliant; one of a kind vampire blood so that she can re-create the greatest race that ever existed." He told her.
She laughed humorlessly, but said nothing and he had to look over to see that she was still there.
Soon they were pulling into a parking spot on the street and Nikola all but jumped out of the car, rounding to where his wife was climbing out. He started across the street, aware that the Cabal was most likely watching their every move, but Lillian grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
"I need you to tell me something." She said softly, her eyes glistening with un-shed tears.
"Anything."
"All along, was this just an act? Do you really love me or was it faked?
"I am hurt! You believe I would lie…" He stopped himself, realizing that he had in fact been lying all these years and the real reason he had married her came back to him, pounding at his head until he had a headache. Come to think of it, it hadn't all been an act. "No, it wasn't an act, Lillian. I Love you, and I love our little offspring. We will get them back, I promise." He kissed her gently, and she didn't pull away, which was a good sign. He was telling the truth; he did love them but he hadn't been selfless when he married Lillian and it hadn't been fate that had them meet in the first place.
Nikola pulled away.
"Promise me that whatever I tell you to do, you will do it, Lillian. No matter what happens, you have to obey me, please." He said as an afterthought.
"I promise."
Nikola held out his hand which she accepted and they made their way across the road to Hyde Park.
He could smell them everywhere, the putrid scent of the Cabal all around him, but he tried to focus in on the familiar smell of his two children. He quickly found himself in his vampire form, and Lillian felt his claws against her hands, and it took all of her will power not to pull away.
The wind blew and Nikola caught the scent he was looking for, mixed with the scent of expensive perfume and water coming from a fountain to his right.
He made his way over, Lillian with him every step and as they approached the fountain, Nikola spotted the woman he was searching for standing next to the water. Dana Whitcomb stood with her arms folded across her chest, her red hair blowing in the gentle wind. She wore a knee length black skirt and a white blouse with a black coat over top.
Nikola couldn't see his children anywhere.
"Well, well. We meet at last, Mr. Tesla." She took a few steps forward, holding out her hand to Nikola who looked at it in disgust.
"Oh, you're waiting for me to drop myself at your knees and surrender my blood to you? Well guess what, ginger, that's not going to happen." Nikola said, his tone harsh but it didn't seem to faze Dana, who just smiled and retracted her hand. Her eyes scanned over him briefly, before turning to Lillian who was glaring at the woman.
"Ah, you must be the wife. It is a pleasure to-" Dana was cut off when Lillian's hand connected with her cheek.
Nikola forced back laughter. It was something shewould have done too.
"I want my children back, and I don't care for your pleasantries, Miss Whitcomb. So if you would like to tell me where my children are so that we can leave, that would be nice." Lillian snarled and Dana chuckled, cradling her cheek in the palm of her hand, more with hurt of her ego then of the actual slap.
"I think not, Mrs. Harris. Or should I say Mrs. Tesla?" She taunted, and Nikola was afraid if he didn't step in, he might have to step in to separate them from the catfight that was sure to happen; and while it would be entertaining, and Dana would get what she deserved, Nikola knew that his children needed them.
"Dana, I am here, so hand over the children and I'll leave with you." Nikola said.
"Jonathan-"
"Very well, Mr. Tesla," Dana nodded to someone over Nikola's shoulder, and soon they could hear footsteps approaching, two sets being smaller and lighter than the others.
Nikola spun around, seeing Nick and Jess being led towards them. He heard Lillian sigh in relief behind him, letting out a quiet sob.
"Mummy, Daddy!" The children squealed in delight, tears staining their pale, fear ridden faces.
Nikola and Lillian bent down to meet their children, Nikola hugging his daughter to him, Lillian doing the same with their son.
Nikola had never felt so relieved. His children were okay, unharmed and he could now deal with the Cabal.
But he couldn't. He was to get his family out of here, then go with the Cabal. He would figure a way out later, but right now, his priorities were focused on his children and wife.
Dana clapped, stepping towards the embracing family.
"How cute. The Tesla family is re-united. That's all good and well, but we have a deal, Nikola. You for them."
Nikola held Jess to him tighter, before kissing her thick black curls, and standing.
"Fine. I am yours, Dana." He turned his head to Lillian, never breaking eye contact with Dana. "Lillian, get the kids out of here."
He saw her hesitate.
"You promised me. Now, Lillian." He said forcefully and she nodded, taking both children's hands.
"Let's go." She said softly, leading them through the park towards where Nikola had parked the car.
The vampire turned back to Dana, his jaw set hard.
"I can't tell you how looking forward to showing you to my bosses I am, Mr. Tesla. They will be extremely pleased with me." She said, gloating and Nikola decided he really hated her gloating..
"Too bad that's not going to happen." Nikola said, watching as a look of confusion crossed her face.
"We had a deal." She exclaimed.
Nikola smiled and shrugged.
"What can I say? Never trust a vampire." He grabbed Dana by the throat, his nails drawing blood. She gasped for air, a small smile appearing on her face.
One of her followers snuck up behind him, and dropping Dana to the ground, Nikola swiveled around, clawing the man's face. He yelped in pain, falling back into the fountain.
Nikola took out another three men who ran towards him, laughing as they even went as far as to shoot him. Of course it didn't stop him, just made him more agitated.
"I was hoping to do this without anyone getting hurt, Nikola." Dana yelled, and Nikola turned to face her, and for the first time, she caught glimpse of his vampire side.
"The only one getting hurt are your people, Dana." He snarled.
"Unfortunately, that's not true. Listen."
And for some reason, he did. Through the wind, and the quiet groans of the Cabal soldiers, Nikola heard his children crying, and only two heart beats coming from the car. One quickly disappeared and Nikola's heart leapt into his throat.
"No…" He whispered, and started running towards his car, trying to focus on the one heart beat left that he could hear, but he couldn't seem to find it. Panic took over him.
The car interior light was on, and the windows were fogged, making it unable to see anything inside.
Nikola yanked the door open, and immediately spotted Nick looking wide eyed out the windscreen from the backseat; for a moment relief swept through him, but it quickly disappeared when he noticed the blood surrounding the child. The three year olds eyes were glassy, and there was a large hole through his tiny chest. The same applied for Jessamine who laid on the floor of the car, curled into a ball, a 9mm bullet through her heart. As for Lillian; his wife held Nick close, blood slowly seeping from a bullet wound in her head.
Hurriedly, Nikola pulled the children from the car, laying them gently on the side walk, and then turned his attention to Lillian, cradling her as he laid her body next to that of their children.
"No, please. This cannot be happening." Nikola whispered, his eyes filling with tears.
But he knew that this was real. It was happening. And he made a vow as he kissed his wife and children goodbye, before walking away, that he would get revenge on Dana Whitcomb once and for all.