Ace in the Hole

Summary: [Sequel to Celtic Aurora's Dark Ripples in Blood] When an arcane necromancer offers his allegiance and powers to help him defeat the vampires in the grisly war, Lucien cannot refuse. With Kraven as an unpredictable factor in the game, he needs an ace in the hole to win. [LucianxSonja & other various parings]

III: Death Dealer vs. Succubus

Text:

"Speech"

Thoughts

Flashbacks

Music/Poems/Sonnets:

"Ghost Opera" by Kamelot

"The Phantom Agony" by Epica

Disclaimer: Come on, people, do you really think I'd be writing this if I owned Underworld? Viktor would have gotten a much more agonizing death than just simply having his head sliced in two. Also, I woefully do not own Catherine Van Helsing, Celtic Aurora is merely loaning her to me for this story.

"Welcome all to curtain call
At the opera
Raging voices in my mind
Rise above the orchestra
Like a crescendo of gratitude
This is my song.

Like the dead
I am on the other side
They're howling in my head
There's no remorse and no redemption."

-Ghost Opera, Kamelot

The fragile wooden door easily crumbled against the impact of her kick, swinging wide open for Selene to easily storm into. Gun poised in the air, all she met was a vacant room pitched in blackness. Resisting the urge to huff, Selene scanned the small apartment room with her usual apathy, browsing through his effects for any clues. A pocketful of pictures came into view and seizing them, the distant Death Dealer methodically flipped through them, lingering only at the ones that contained the American doctor Michael and the nameless woman who was smiling right next him.

A brief, searing pang shot into Selene's heart, the name Jarek echoing in the recesses of her mind. Furiously ridding her head of the painful image of her late lover, Selene discarded the pictures back into the draw and shut it hastily. Just as soon as she did, her keen ears detected faint footsteps coming in her direction.

Leveling the gun to her face, Selene dove for a darkened corner and hid behind it, startled momentarily to see two glossy onyx spiders with dull yellow spots scuttle out of her way. Shrugging the strange encounter off, Selene plastered herself to the wall, waiting patiently for the young, unsuspecting doctor to come home.

Long, smooth legs skilled with a natural, graceful stride sashayed over to a quaint, broken-down flat, long burnet tresses blowing majestically into the crisp evening wind. Her sensuous snowy white gown was a pure beacon in the middle of the night yet she moved with such stealth and speed she was barely noticed to the untrained eye.

Approaching the list of tenants in the flat, Clarissa trailed one finger down the names until she came across Corvin, Michael.

"This is almost too easy," she muttered silkily, her clear, melodious voice a treat to any man's ears, "Blanca could have done this with no trouble at all." She continued her merry way into the apartment complex, the niveous skirt of her unblemished dress flaying outward with every step. Suddenly, she jerked her head up, there to witness two tiny spiders with marigold dots painted on their backs lowering themselves down to her by a single, gossamer thread. Rosy lips curling into a wicked grin, Clarissa lifted her pointer finger out to them so the creatures could land safely.

"Hello there, my pretties," she cooed, rubbing their small heads with a finger, "Is the little doctor in his room?"

The two spies chattered noiselessly to her, reporting of an intruder and how she smelled of leather and vampires. Michael, they added, was about to enter his room, unaware of the danger that lurked in the shadows for him. Clarissa arched one elegantly shaped eyebrow and frowned slightly at this disturbing news. Michael wouldn't be alone–there was someone else inside, a Death Dealer no doubt.

I wonder…does she know what Lucian wants with him?

"Get the others, Egan and Adara. We must keep our little vampire friend busy." she instructed them maternally and with an inscrutable nod, the two spiders climbed back up on their thin, silk rope. Clarissa resumed her gait but this time, her strides were more quick and brisk. She had to get to Michael before that Death Dealer abducted him or worse, killed him. She had never failed the Master once and she didn't intend to start today. Besides, her failure would reflect badly on Master and his alliance with Lucian.

The hairs on the back of the succubus's neck stood up and her body quivered with anticipation for the impending battle. Clarissa licked her lips, oh how she could sense the tension in the air, churning her blood around eagerly for a little brawl. She had briefly heard of the prowess of the infamous Death Dealers and she, along with the rest of her peers, longed to test her skill on one of them.

Looks like I'll finally get my chance.

"Why are they after you?!"

The thundering demand of a female echoed in Clarissa's ears and she simpered, keeping her steps light and silent as she crept towards the door. She felt Ambika stirring nearby, the giant tarantula impatient to assault her next prey.

"Go, Ambika," she whispered, "The Death Dealer is yours."

"Why are they after you?" hollered the mysterious woman at him, her damp, dark hair framing her face like an inky, ominous curtain. Lightening flashed forebodingly at her words, reflecting eerily off her unnaturally pale visage. Never had Michael ever seen someone so white before, it was as if sun had never touched her skin.

All these thoughts swarming in his head, Michael tried to open his mouth to speak, to explain he hadn't the foggiest idea what she meant, and hopefully get this situation all under control. He couldn't call the police, his co-worker just told him over the answering machine that they were after him for the shot-out on the subway. Come to think of it, I think I've saw her before…at the subway station.

Ere he could do or fathom anything else, an enormous, obscure shape loomed in his doorway and his eyes widen considerably at what was lingering near his door. His baffled expression must have alerted the hostile woman for she whirled around what alarmed him so. As soon as her head snapped around, the gigantic figure lunged at her, knocking Michael out of her grasp. Glancing back, Michael froze in shock for moment to witness the woman wrestling with a monstrous spider. The tarantula looked like it just crawled out a horror film: hairy, thick legs, several beady eyes, and razor-sharp talons that were probably coated with lethal venom. Having no desire to become spider fodder, he darted out of his room, determined to get the hell out of the apartment and—

"Michael Corvin?"

The lyrical, dulcet voice shattered his terror, causing his insides to go numb and weak with its delicate, velveteen cadence. Rotating his body fully around, Michael was faced with the most beautiful woman on earth, standing right before his confound eyes. Long, silken waves of shimmering brown flowed from her heart-shaped countenance, resting neatly around her sensuous hips. A long, provocative dress with a color that could rival snow clad her voluptuous physique and just staring at her Michael felt himself harden and already his mouth was dry.

"Yes?" he rasped out, his mind foggy and in a daze she approached him salaciously, her hips swinging about hypnotically.

"I've been looking everywhere for you, darling," she drawled out with a sigh, her full, coral-pink lips forming a cute pout as she wrapped one arm around his head, fingers playfully dancing on the nape of his neck, "I'm so glad I found you. I need you to come with me, it's very important."

"Why?" he murmured drowsily even those his legs, having a mind of their own, were already moving forward and happily being lead by this arcane yet enchanting lady who could win hearts every man in the world with simple, wanton smile. She tilted her head back at him, peering up at him through her eyelashes. That was enough to nearly produce the American doctor to a pile of human putty.

"It's a secret," she replied mischievously, winking coyly at him, "But since you're being such a good boy, I'll grant you a reward." He didn't have the time to ask what she meant by a 'reward' for in an instant she framed his face with her hands and ardently covered his mouth with hers, slipping her tongue in so he could fully experience the delicious nectar she had to offer. Mere seconds ticked by but to Michael, the molten kiss lasted hours. He was drowning in a whirlpool of pure bliss and fervency, he couldn't get enough of the passion brewing between them. Much to his dismay, she withdrew from the searing kiss and led him away again.

"There's more where that came from," she purred, her golden eyes twinkling with sexual promise. Michael's throat tightened, when did he become so amorous all of a sudden?

Series of gunshots reverberated into the night and to the surprise of them both, a slender, black form back-flipped in front of them, blocking their path. Dread pooled inside Michael's stomach, it was the same woman who broke into his room. How in hell did she get pass that tarantula? The stranger lifted her gun up at the seductive female and a violent urge to protect her from any bullets surged through Michael's very being, ensnaring his mind and poising his body for any action.

Yet his companion seemed unconcerned that gun was being pointed directly at her face. Tossing her head back, a jovial yet sinister laugh escaped her mouth and she brought Michael closer to her so he wouldn't be out of her sight.

"Ah, one of Viktor's precious Death Dealers comes out to play," she stated drolly, curling a lock of his dirty blonde hair around her finger, "Sorry, but you're too late. He belongs to us now." As if to amplify the last sentence, she ran her lips around Michael's exposed neck, sending ripples of frissions down the young medic's spine.

"Who's 'we'?" snarled the other woman, finger hovering over the trigger. Another mocking giggle answered her and Selene was sorely tempted to shot her now and drag the Michael human out of here. But she had to see if she could pry any information out first… why was this siren working for the lycans, if that's who she meant by 'we'.

Placing a finger to her lips, she replied, "That's for me to know and you to find out." Prior to Selene could pull the trigger and release a shower of bullets onto her unknown foe, spiders of all shapes and sizes rocketed out towards her from all directions, blinding the vampiress briefly.

"Come, we must hurry," Clarissa whispered to Michael, "I don't know how long my dears will hold her off." Michael gapped incredulously at her.

"Your dears?"

"Yes," she answered sweetly, honey dripping from her voice, "Those are my pets, little, faithful comrades of mine." Unable to shake off the spell she had placed him under with her unearthly beauty, Michael nonetheless follower her, gun fire blaring in his ears.

One bullet struck Clarissa in the shoulder and warm blood trickled down her arm, just missing her pristine dress by a fraction of an inch. Scowling, Clarissa spat out to her spiders, "Eat the bitch!" before bringing the frightened American doctor to a sleek, suave Mercedes that was blacker than any starless night.

"What are you?" he finally asked her as she opened to door to him and nudged him inside. He could barely move, he felt so discombobulated and perplexed that he vaguely could recall how he first wound up with this alluring lady.

Sending him another playfully wink, Clarissa responded, "Why, darling, I'm a succubus. Ever heard of us before?"

Just then, Michael's world went pitch-black.

Grinding her teeth in frustration and sheer rage, Selene raced after the seductive female and Michael Corvin, firing at the remaining spiders who dared to follow her and try to make a meal out her. She saw him get into a car and quickened her sprint, fiercely resolve to prevent that car from leaving the vicinity. Grabbing her other pistol, she sent volleys of silver bullets at the car, denting its smooth coating and windshield. Abruptly, an equally vicious round of ultra violet bullets were delivered right back at her, tripping the adamant, hell-bent Death Dealer up a bit yet she pressed on, mercilessly shooting at her adversaries in the Mercedes, which was rapidly driving away, out her sight and range.

A string of curses exploded from Selene and just to ebb some of the ire off her, she clamped her boot down the last spider inching towards her. The splat sound of its demise offered some level of grim joy as she placed her guns back into its holsters, briskly walking back to her car.

She had to find Michael Corvin some other way, she had to learn where that spider-summoning demon was taking him and if she worked with the lycans or not.

But I can't do this alone, I'm going to need some help and back up for precautions.

"Kahn," she murmured, eyes alight at this immediate epiphany, "I'll get Kahn."

"Why must you always insist of me meeting you this late? Really, Zael, some of us aren't nocturnal like you!"

The said female uttered nothing but smirked slightly as she raised a cup of coffee to her lips, icy blue eyes glittering with everything and nothing in between. "And yet, you always have impeccably managed to be fashionably late, Bristol."

Her companion, Bristol, scowled darkly before taking a seat across from Zael, setting her bag down on the table. "A witch is never late, Zael. Nor is she early. She arrives precisely when she means to."

Zael rolled her eyes, setting the porcelain cup down. "I always found it rather irksome when you quote lines from movies." Bristol's scowl was swiftly replaced with an impish smile.

"I couldn't resist, Zael. Really I couldn't." Her friend waved her hand away in dismissal.

"Whatever. So, are you sure of everything you told me over the phone? Is that all you Saw?"

Bristol nodded vigorously, her jocose demeanor fading into a more serious, professional one. "I'm positive. The future is looking up for us, Zael, and if we play our cards right, we both can achieve what we desired for so long."

Wordlessly, Zael tossed a dossier at Bristol, who caught the tan folder with ease. Even though her friend's face was blasé, there was no mistaking the eager glint in her wintry azure eyes. "I want you to scry for her, Bristol," began Zael impassionedly, "I have no doubt in my mind she'll help us." Bobbing her head in response, Bristol glanced down at the file of the person she was going to searching for with her magic.

"Catherine Elizabeth Van Helsing," she murmured, memorizing the image of the young woman in the picture, "Has two kids, is currently married to Edward Orenstein—wow, he changed his name instead? That's a novelty."

"Bristol." The clear, glacial tone of her partner's tone snapped the vivacious witch back in gear. "Focus."

"Yeah, yeah. Okay, what's so crucial about this Catherine lady? Does she know Viktor or something?"

"And Lucian," Zael added casually, sipping again from her coffee cup, "Find her and we find Lucian. Understand?"

Her grin widening, Bristol nodded and slipped the dossier into her bag, nerves tingling with excitement and anticipation. "So while I go off to find Mrs. Catherine, what will you do in the mean time?"

A dark, conniving look fell upon Zael's light features, manipulative orbs wavering from cloudy cerulean to electric blue in a matter of seconds. "I'll be paying Viktor's coven a little visit. You know, to see the groundwork of the area and how everyone is holding up."

Bristol smirked at the meaning of Zael's words. "Say hi to Markus for me."

The blonde exchanged the brunette witch a black grin, the devious glow never leaving her arctic eyes as she spoke. "Don't worry, I will."

"The future doesn't pass
And the past won't overtake the present
All that remains is an obsolete illusion.

We are afraid of all the things that could not be
A phantom agony."

-The Phantom Agony, Epica

Color Glossary:

Burnet- dark brown

Niveous- snowy white

At last, I have finished yet another chapter of Ace In the Hole!

Clarissa: A rather nice one, I may add. You got that Michael guy going all lovey-dovey on me. Then again, no man can resist me.

Right… Okay, I know some of you are thinking, "What is this? Why didn't Selene totally school Clarissa's ass?!" Number one, Clarissa is a succubus and since Selene has only been trained to battle lycans for most of her immortal life, facing a strong succubus like Clarissa caught her off guard and let's face it, battling and wrestling with gigantic and little spiders isn't a walk in a the park. Yet I'll admit when it all comes down to it, Selene could take Clarissa down to the ground so no arguments there.

Clarissa: -snorts- We'll see about that.

Furthermore, I would like to note that after some collaboration with my good friend Celtic Aurora, my story is officially a sister fic/sequel to her Underworld story, Dark Ripples in Blood. My character Edward derives from that story as well so more of his past and why he's helping to aid Lucian will be explained in her story. But in a few chapters (I'm just not sure when) you'll learn a little more of Edward and Catherine's ties with Viktor and certain dastard vampire whose name means 'coward' in old English…

Clarissa: You mean Kraven?

Well, I was trying to be subtle but yes, that is who I meant. Ere I depart, I would like to graciously thank: Celtic Aurora, vamplady101, keili77, Crystalyna du Starrvan, and Vesper chan! Thank you all for reading and reviewing, it really makes my day!

Clarissa: And to wrap this little, trivial author's note up, review, critic, fave, ect but flamers will sent to Jacob. I heard that bloke is looking for a new toy…

Can't say I'm at all stunned. Readers, I bid you all adieu!

:SpeedDemon315: