Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Anya, yadda, yadda, yadda…

A/N: Short chapter but quick update so…enjoy! BTW, watch for the new character, he's going to be playing a large role in the story.

By the time Anya woke it was already dark out. Her head pounded with a killer headache and she felt her stomach roiling in nausea. She was lying in her own bed, her legs tangled in the sheets, as if her sleep had not been restful. What an understatement. She swung her legs over the side of the bed to get off, and almost had a heart attack. There in the darkest corner of the room, although it was light as day to Anya's new vision, sat Lucian himself. His eyes were watching her intently, it made Anya squirm.

"What are you doing here?" she tried to sound outraged but failed miserably. Lucian noticed and a corner of his mouth lifted slightly in amusement.

"I wanted to be here when you woke up," he said simply, his features calm and aloof as ever.

"Why?" Anya's heart pounded expectant for the answer. "You shouldn't be alone right now. The visions are overwhelming. It is my duty to see that you do not hurt yourself or those around you", and I wanted to watch you, he added silently.

"Oh, well how considerate of you," it was nice of him. Never mind her stupid disappointment. "But I'm fine as well you can see." A hot flush spread through her cheeks as Lucian gazed down her body with a knowing gaze.

"Indeed," was all he said. He rose fluidly from his chair, "I'll leave you then. One of my men will be posted just outside your rooms, ready to provide you with any assistance you might need."

"Thank you," please don't go, "You are being overly kind," stay.

"Not at all, I would do it for any one of my men," with that he briskly exited the room. A little dazed, Anya lay back down on her bed. What had that been? One minute he was undressing her with his gaze and the other he dismissed her as 'one of his men'.

"He's a lunatic," Anya said softly to herself. "An absolute lunatic."

…………………….

Selene's silver sword clashed clumsily against her opponent's. In a few deft movements Aleksandr disarmed her and made as if to stab her in the heart.

"And you're dead…again." Selene sat wearily on the cold floor. She panted heavily, thoroughly exhausted with the days training, while the handsome Russian smiled down at her. "I'm never going to learn," Selene despaired. She had been trying for days to learn to at least handle a sword and she was failing thoroughly. Aleksandr sat down next to her. His tall lean body folded into itself in one graceful move. His handsome face was patient and reassuring as he turned to his pupil.

"You are doing fine Selene," he spoke in a rich baritone. "Be patient, these things take time. Remember that as a vampire you have nothing but time."

Selene twisted her mouth. "I know. It just frustrates me to sit here in Ordoghaz doing nothing while you and the death dealers go out to hunt." She knew she was sulking but couldn't help it; she was impatient to spill Lycan blood. Aleksandr grinned rakishly at the lovely young vampire beside him.

"You'll be with us sooner than you expect, you're a natural." He meant it too. Her determination and focus in practice was zealous, bordering on obsessive. Selene was going to be as deadly as she was beautiful. Aleksandr was well aware of her looks, he had been attracted to the delicate looking female from he first time he laid eyes on her.

Selene at him with a sober gaze, "thank you, you are being very patient with me. I suppose you want to strangle me sometimes." Aleksandr grinned wickedly as he stood up and offered her a hand, "Strangling would do no good, but a good shove into a patch of sunlight on the other hand..." He was rewarded with a small laugh, and his features brightened at the sound. She really was enchanting.

"I thank you for your restraint then." Aleksandr only bowed with a flourish of his hand. "Anything for you beautiful," he said only half in jest. Selene's eyes sobered at that. She was not interested in men right now; her mission left no room for romance in her life.

Selene picked up her fallen sword and pointed it straight at Aleksandr. She looked him straight in the eye, a fierce determination on her face. "Again," and then she swung.