AN: As requested, The Last Word is expanded. Enjoy.

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CHAPTER 2

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"Helen." He says. "I think she's back."

My blood runs cold for a moment before I recover. "Who?"

What he says turns my blood to ice. "Afina."

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"What do mean she's back? She can't be. I thought you said she was standing next to the map when it exploded?"

I absently notice Will seems to be panicking slightly, I can't blame him, but as yet I can't find the words to reassure him either.

"Have you seen her? I mean actually seen her?"

A good question. I snap back to reality.

"What actually happened Nikola?" I ask. Silence falls.

"Well, you know how you faked your death and blew up the sanctuary?"

I roll my eyes at the tone of the reminder.

"Well since everyone thinks you're dead, others have been filling in the gap. Understandably, occasionally one or two have contacted me to lend a hand." Behind me Will snorts. Tesla shoots him a glare and then continues. "The last job was at a dig of sorts and at first the location didn't mean anything to me."

"The Praxian-turned-vampire stronghold."

"No."

He must have noticed my expression if the look on his face is anything to go by.

"It was nearby but not there. No, later the dig headed that way but that was after."

"After what?" Will.

I didn't notice before but now I see the whole room is enrapt by the story.

"There was a group of us, two of the SCIU scientists- yes Helen, SCIU. They've got their fingers in everything now you're apparently out of the picture. -A couple of the finder's people and me. We were investigating a site, nothing particularly special. I'd just noticed the markings, little things that indicated vampires, when we were attacked." He paused.

"They caught us by surprise. And yes, they were definitely vampires. Unsurprisingly I was the only survivor."

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We're following Tesla towards another suite. He's taking us to see Gerard, the owner of the yacht and a fan of mine apparently.

"If Afina continues her campaign against humans, now that Praxis is gone we'll be done for."

"No need to state the obvious Junior."

"I agree it will be bad, Will, but I don't think it will be that bad. I mean the vampires have been defeated before and we are much more advanced now whereas the vampires, Afina, have been suspended since before their species downfall." I reason.

My words don't seem to ease Will much.

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I notice Will is eyeing up the bottles on the shelf. Vodka, Gin, Brandy, nothing weak. He looks a little green.

"It's the responsibility of every citizen of this planet."

"That means little in the long run." I argue. "It is just words."

Gerard sighs. "This argument is unending. We should both cease in our attempts to persuade the other of our own ways merit."

"Agreed."

Gerard gets up, walks over to the drinks, begins pouring a glass for himself, another two glasses empty beside his own. "Brandy?"

"Sure." Will nods after a breath.

I shake my head. "Not for me thank you."

"Ah, yes. The lamia. So sad." Gerard says sadly, returning to his seat with the two glasses. He hands Will his and then leans back into his chair.

"I suppose you'll be wanting to deal with that soon."

I nod. "Of course. Although this takes priority."

"Of course."

...

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"You should consider enlarging the sanctuary network again."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Should we fail to deal with Afina your sanctuaries may be our only viable option."

"You mean like Hollow Earth?" Will asks leaning forward.

"Yes. It worked for them. We have to face the truth, perhaps a precautionary defensive measure is the wisest course of action."

I consider his words carefully.

"True, however the vampires know the tactic and will most likely be prepared for such a move."

"A decoy perhaps?" He sips his glass. "Forgive an old man his naivety. You and your people are much better prepared for the coming war than anyone else still of this world."

We sit in silence for a while, the men nursing their drinks.

"How did the humans from before defeat the vampires?" Gerard asks suddenly, a contemplative look on his face. "Or was it just an anomaly? Would it be unwise to repeat?"

"Probably." Will mutters into his glass.

"I'm not aware of the details but perhaps it would be wise to make our own plans rather than repeat history. I have no doubt that, despite not occurring personally to them, some of the vampires Afina has available will be able to discover more details than us and thus be prepared for the possibility."

Gerard nods. "As I thought too. Perhaps a more political approach?" He offers.

"What do have in mind?" I ask, although I already suspect.

My expression must give me away because Gerard simply smiles.

"What?" Will asks, looking between us.

"Tesla." I answer.

"What?"

"It is something to consider." Gerard confirms.

Will looks aghast. "No. That's- Remember everything he's done." He finishes, turning on me.

"Will." I say comfortingly. "Against Afina, I would happily give Nikola power." I turn to Gerard. "But it would be beneficial to look at all avenues before settling on one. As Will says Tesla has a tendency to go too far sometimes."

"Understatement." Will snorts. "We don't even know for sure it's Afina."

"That's very true." I say. "We have nothing to confirm that this is Afina. It does seem unlikely that she would survive a blast designed by Hollow Earth scientists specifically for vampires. No, I think there's a very good chance we're dealing with the remnants of her army."

"The vampires lower in the caves?"

"Yes. It is believable that part of that group not only survived but were woken by the blast."

Gerard nods agreement, even Will seems to agree with my theory.

"So, not quite as bad."

"Well, no, because if Magnus's right, we don't know anything about their leader, if they have one." Will says.

"Agreed. Gerard, your suggestion of a political approach does lend itself to both situations. I'll talk to Tesla later."

Gerard nods. "Thank you." He stands. "Now, I'd rather be a better host but I have to ask if we can call it a night for today. I feel my age nowadays. Guest suites have been prepared for each of you."

I nod standing. Beside me, Will gets up too.

"Mal will show you where they are."

"Thank you."

We leave Gerard and I head to the lab.

"Now?" Will asks as I enter. "Right, yes, it helps you think." He taps his temple and starts to turn. "I'm going to find Mal. Night Magnus."

"Night Will."

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AN: Tesla has a nickname for Will doesn't he? I think he does but I can't remember it. I've had to use 'William' instead.

I think, maybe, there will be 4 chapters in total.

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edit 28/10/13: 'William' is now 'Junior.' Thanks to lilliant456 for the suggestion.