Chapter 24

Tyrell felt as if he'd been walking for miles. The tunnel was dimly lit by odd torches which glowed a pale green color against the walls. At times they came across a cross road of tunnels and the Albino would confidently select a path. There were no distinguishing markings on any of the walls. Tyrell reminded himself that one of his strengths was memorizing complex mazes. While no other hunter could possibly find their way out of these tunnels, he remained strong in his confidence that he would be able to escape if necessary.

He could feel the power of the minerals as they grew closer. Finally, they reached what appeared to be a dead end. The Albino muttered something under his breath and the wall opened, revealing an large, open cave, lit by more torches. Hot springs bubbled in various pools from the ground and the smell of death lingered in the air.

There was a hissing sound and several dark figures emerged from the deep shadows. Tyrell sensed immediately these were all young vampires. Their eyes were glowing red and they all looked disheveled with gaunt faces.

And then a tall human came forward, wearing long blue velvet robes. He was middle aged from what Tyrell could judge as he had dark brown hair mixed with grey. Unlike the young vampires, he was well groomed with a neatly trimmed beard, and he wore various rings on his fingers. But it was the medallion he wore around his neck which caught Tyrell's attention. It gave off a glow he knew all too well. The minerals were pulsating with power, obviously controlled by this man.

Tyrell surveyed the vampires again, counting ten of them as they watched him closely. One bared his fangs, an arrogant challenge when Tyrell was an ancient.

"Back off Drake," snapped the man. The young vampire immediately obeyed, taking a step back as if in fear of being punished. The man turned and looked at Tyrell. "So, this the master vampire I've been told about. You are certainly the tallest one I've seen." He nodded at the Albino. "It's about time, Ramiro. I was beginning to think you failed."

"I told you he would return."

"Yes, well lucky for you. I still cannot believe you didn't force him to come with you immediately."

"It was a good test with the minerals given he appears more resistant. Most likely of course its due to his age."

"Hmm, he might be older than Ramirez. We shall see."

Irritated they were talking about him like a piece of property, Tyrell looked coldly at the man. "And you are?"

The man laughed. "I am a descendant of the wizard Javier."

"I never heard of Javier having any offspring."

"None he would formally recognize of course since he never married. But I assure you, he had various children around the world. I am called Sergio."

"And as a descendant of Javier, you claim to be a wizard?"

"There are very few of us left. We keep our whereabouts hidden quite well. But we continue our quest for immortality so our own children will benefit from our work."

"Including your work with Morrison."

Sergio gave a tight smile. "And what do you know of Morrison, ancient one?"

"Enough to know they are beginning to experiment on vampires."

"Morrison is a good ally, even though he still has no comprehension of the difference between Carpathian and vampire. It suits us well."

Tyrell narrowed his eyes. "You actually know the man called Morrison."

"Of course."

"And exactly how does experiments on vampires assist you?"

"The Morrison labs have developed quite a few formulas which are useful." Sergio raised his hand and tapped a finger to his forehead. "Strong enough to even block out a master vampire."

Unfortunately, this was true. Tyrell was unable to penetrate the mind of the Albino or Sergio. While he suspected this would be the case, it still set him on edge. He was now truly in the enemy's lair. Things could go badly if he was not careful. Still, he had not seen proof of other ancient vampires.

"Tell me," said Sergio as he began to walk around Tyrell and examine him, "just how long have you been a vampire?"

Tyrell remained still. "As an ancient, I cannot recall as to when my eyes were finally opened."

Sergio completed his circle around him and now regarded him with interest. "I've heard this type of logic from vampires many times before. The Prince only gives lifemates to his favorites. I take it you did not have a close relationship with Mikhail."

Surprisingly, Tyrell found himself speaking in a low growl. "I never served under Mikhail."

"Ah yes, it would have been Prince Vlad, correct?"

"I have no Prince."

"True, as I am your new master."

Tyrell couldn't help himself. "Really? I thought your Albino was my master. That is what he told me."

Sergio narrowed his eyes at the Albino who frowned. "Ramiro is a descendant from a long line of guardians which watched over the children trapped in time."

Tyrell smirked. "And he obviously did a glorious job. How many escaped? Thirty or more? I believe he lost several vampires to hunters that fateful day. And I seem to recall rumors of a band of vampires which attacked the Prince and Falkland twins. Apparently, the Albino seems to be good at destroying your army."

Ramiro's eyes flared with anger. "Rumors aren't always true, old one. And I have access to the minerals as well. Watch your tongue or you may find it ripped out of your mouth."

"The attack on the Prince was well planned," replied Sergio in a calm voice. "It was unknown at the time how the Falkland twins shared a female and could heal faster than any other known Carpathian." His eyes grew heated, obviously irritated with how he head to defend the failed attempt.

Aside from taunting the them, Tyrell was satisfied that neither seem to know he helped defend Mikhail and the twins from the attack. In fact, if it hadn't been for him, there was little doubt Pierce and Samuel would have died, while Mikhail would have been held captive.

Tyrell simply smiled. "Yes, I have heard of the twin lovers. Apparently the Prince became so desperate, he is now bonding two males to only one female. This only proves he is weakening."

Sergio's anger dissolved. "Perhaps, and it is time which has given us an advantage. We have been slowly building our vampire forces."

Tyrell glanced at the young traitors. "Ten vampires in the last five years. How impressive," he said in a mocking tone.

Ramiro crossed his arms over his chest. "You think this is all we have? Do you think we are foolish enough to keep all of them in one location?"

Damn. Now Tyrell had to actually give them credit for being somewhat intelligent. It also meant he may have a longer than anticipated challenge. His hope was to find out enough information to pass on to the hunters. But if he did not know where all the controlled vampires were hidden, his efforts would be useless. He also needed to find out if there were more minerals hidden. Tyrell could not let Morrison get a hold of something so powerful that it could control a number of males. They did not need humans to suddenly be announcing the discovery of vampires along with a way to command them.

Sergio conveniently changed the subject. "Ramiro, did you say he recognized you?"

Tyrell's chest tightened, but he kept his face expressionless.

"Yes, apparently he can see in color."

"Color?" Sergio raised an eyebrow. "Impossible for a vampire his age! Are you sure or is it that he simply recognized you? How do we know he only heard rumors? What if he has been here in the Carpathian Mountains for some time and witnessed our last attack?"

"I have lived in the United States for as long as I can remember," interjected Tyrell.

"Oh really. And you just decided to come here suddenly?"

"The children," he replied, quickly thinking, "It is rumored some are growing at a faster pace and may be coming of age."

Sergio gave an indignant snort. "Females. All vampires ever think about is finding a special female."

Ramiro gave a short laugh. "And yet when you find one, how quickly you dispose of her."

The vampires around them hissed. The one named Drake spoke in a rough voice. "Are you saying you found such a female? Only to kill her?"

Tyrell merely shrugged. "Humans are easily killed. The fault was hers, not mine."

"She could have been meant for one of us!" snapped another vampire. They were closing in, all of them aggressively targeting Tyrell.

Sergio chuckled. "Now look what you've done. Apparently they are not pleased with you."

Tyrell clenched his jaw. "Make them back off or I assure you, your army will be without a few more vampires after this night."

"Well, well. He is quite confident, isn't he," said Sergio to the Albino with an amused face.

"I told you," said Ramiro, "he has skills like we've never seen. He will be a powerful addition."

"Let us test him and find out."

Tyrell could see where this conversation was leading. And while he had absolute confidence in his abilities, ten against one wasn't exactly the best odds. "Test me, and you will find out those little rocks have only so much power they can hold against me."

He should have kept his mouth shut as Sergio became suspicious. "And why is that? Do you really possess such power in your old age for you to be that resistant? Let's find out." Sergio and Ramiro stepped out of the circle of vampires.

In his mind, Tyrell could imagine just how easy it would be to kill the Albino and then take the wizard hostage. The vampires would instantly back off, eager to see what Tyrell would do to him. Unfortunately, it would also mean Tyrell would not get far with Sergio. Sergio would need to be kept alive if he was to gain more information about the minerals and the remaining hidden vampires. Young vampires such as these would have little patience and probably rip the man apart. And if Tyrell wasn't quick enough to take control of the minerals now, Sergio could still command the vampires to attack.

Surrounded, Tyrell was not pleased with how he got himself into this situation. He could endure pain, but this was one battle he might not survive. Hopefully, the wizard would be wise enough to pull them back before it was too late. Before he attacked, a glimpse of Arianna passed through his mind. Regret welled up within him. His treatment of her was disrespectful with how many times he rejected her. Even when they came together physically, he'd only done so for his own benefit. Somehow, he needed to survive so he would be able to keep his promise and return to her.

He turned and attacked two of the young vampires head on, grabbing one by the neck and quickly breaking it before the vampire had any time to even react. He instantly turned to mist and reappeared behind the other vampire, breaking his neck as well.

By now, the other vampires transformed and flew into the air. A black hawk's talons cut into Tyrell's check, while a screeching owl clawed at his neck. Tyrell ignored the pain and transformed into a mole, dropping to the ground and digging beneath the earth. The young vampires howled with laughter, thinking he was simply running away…until Tyrell surfaced with lightening speed behind a vampire's foot and transformed into his human form. He grabbed the young vampire and threw him several feet into the rock wall.

The remaining vampires transformed back to human form and backed away as Tyrell reached for the two on the ground with broken necks. His hand punched through their rib cages with a single blow and he extracted their hearts. Tossing them aside, he slowly stood, both his arms covered in black blood.

"What are you waiting for?" screamed Ramiro at the remaining vampires. "Attack him now!"

But Sergio shook his head. "This is where young vampires lose their nerve. Which is why we will now test how he does with the minerals." He began to chant and the medallion on his necklace began to glow brightly. Tyrell could see the young vampires eyes turn from fear to anger. This was the moment Tyrell knew would be his undoing. With no fear, these vampires would sacrifice themselves if necessary to finally take him down. He could also feel the pulses of the minerals and knew Sergio was using them to instill anger also in himself. It of course would not work, but Tyrell had to play the part. He gave a low growl and made sure his appearance took on that of a vampire. His eyes grew red and his fingers turned into claws.

All of them attacked at the same time and a bloody fight ensued. Tyrell moved with blinding speed, striking each one as they dared to attack. Eventually it was not enough as he sustained a number of wounds, and Tyrell fell to the ground. But when Sergio pulled the emotion out of the young vampires, only three out of ten were alive. They fell to the ground, writhing in agony from the withdrawal of the emotions fed to them like a drug. Breathing heavily, Tyrell struggled with his body, but finally found the strength to stand.

"Quite impressive," Sergio said.

"He is fearless even without your control."

"Yes, almost too fearless." Sergio walked toward Tyrell. "How do we know for sure you are in fact a vampire?"

Tyrell was too weak to move. The loss of blood was wearing on him and he had no strength left to even argue.

But then a new voice came from behind the wizard. "I can assure you, he is in fact vampire."

Sergio turned and Tyrell raised his head to see a large, dark shadow of a figure glide forward. This was no mere fledgling as power clung to this vampire. He was not as tall as Tyrell, but he had a large physique with broad shoulders. His face appeared beautiful, a façade he carried off effortlessly. He had extremely long, black hair which he did not bother to tie back. Instead, it flowed freely, like strands of silk down to his waist.

"Ramirez, you've returned earlier than expected," said Sergio. The pitch of his tone had lowered, as if making sure the vampire who now stood before them understood who was in control.

"And I see you've been busy," he replied as he eyed the scene around him. Blood was everywhere, including the bodies of the young vampires who had fallen. "If you had simply waited for me, I could have easily confirmed this one is indeed a vampire."

"We were testing his abilities," replied Ramiro. "He is quite skilled. Perhaps more than you."

Ramirez smiled coldly. "This particular ancient has always been efficient when it comes to killing."

Sergio walked toward him, stopping only a few feet away. "So you knew him. How long ago?"

"Too many years to count."

"A typical vague vampire answer. I tire of your games." Sergio grasped the medallion in his fingers. "Shall I remind you of why you continue to return to me? "

Ramirez lost his smile and his eyes narrowed. "One day, I will find a way to be free of you. And you will know when your time has come to an end. It will be a very slow and painful death, I assure you."

"Good luck as I may be the one to in fact outlive you. Now, give him blood."

As weak as he was, Tyrell still managed to hiss. "I do not drink from other vampires."

Sergio turned back toward him. "No? And why is that? This is a master vampire, one who has the ancient blood you need."

"And let him track me? I think not."

Laughter echoed through the cave as Ramirez walked closer to Tyrell. "But our blood is already shared with each other. Long ago. Do you not remember me?"

Despite his pain, Tyrell focused more on Ramirez. There was something familiar about him, but when he tried to think, a sharp pain went through his head. Trying not to show his weakness, Tyrell muttered under his breath. "Perhaps I am far older than you to even remember."

Ramirez looked directly at him with serious eyes. "I think not…old friend."

"Friend?" echoed Sergio. "Since when are vampires friends?"

"Since before he turned vampire long ago." He studied Tyrell. "Do you not remember? She was yours to protect and you held her down just for me."

A brief flash of a memory hit Tyrell, sending him to the ground in pain. It was of him, committing an unspeakable crime. He thought the one who betrayed him long ago tortured whoever the woman was he was sworn to protect. But instead, he saw himself…giving her to Ramirez.

Author's note: Let's see...how should we kill Sergio at the end? Or maybe not Sergio, but Ramirez...any impressions on who you hate the most? lol -Anne