'Before the two of you start, I made up my mind.'
'You cannot do this. You cannot risk your life like this anymore. You are an Elder.' David started. 'You need to look after the coven.'
'Can we discuss this in private?' Michael asked.
Selene moved toward their own chambers and left David in her office. Before she closed the door, she saw the furious look on his face.
'How can you do this?' Michael had his back towards her. It was getting serious.
'We need to find the person who is threatening the coven.' Selene said calmly. 'Michael, I would never forgive myself if I didn't take the risk.'
'Screw the coven!' Michael raised his voice and turned around. 'They might be able do without you, but I can't! I won't! Have you even considered me? Have you considered Eve? Have you taken a second to think about anyone else but you?'
As soon as he spoke, Selene saw the regret in his eyes. She knew he didn't want to hurt her, he was just angry. He wanted to open his mouth again, probably to say sorry, but Selene stopped him.
'You do not have to apologize. Although part of this is indeed for the coven, my main reason is for you and Eve. I cannot live in a world in which I didn't do everything in my power to protect you and our daughter.' Selene explained. She walked up to him and placed her hand on his face. 'I have to protect my family.'
Selene looked him the eyes and saw the sadness. She knew he understood why she had to do this, he just needed a minute.
'I know, but why do you have to risk your life? Can't someone else do it for a change?' Michael pleaded as he put his hand on hers.
'They are after me, so I will give them what they want. They just get it on my terms. If there is another way, I would gladly do it.' She didn't like the fact she had to risk her life, but there simply was no other plan.
'There is no other way.' Michael sighed.
'You and Connar will be there to keep an eye on things. You have my complete trust.' Selene tried to reassure him.
'What about Eve? Should we inform her?' Michael asked.
'I am not sure if she can handle another trauma. But I don't want to have secrets for her in case something happens. Eve is a strong young woman, but she already saw me at the brink of death. She might not recover from a second incident.' Selene sighed
'We need to tell her, but she will not be in the room to see her mother die.' Michael stated.
'I won't die.' Selene stated. 'Are you sure you are ok with all this?'
'I am not, but there is no other choice. I do promise to do everything in my power to make sure you survive.' Michael said. 'I will look for Eve, it's your job to convince David. He seemed quite pissed about his precious coven.'
Selene kissed her Michael. 'Thank you. And please don't speak about the coven that way, it's our coven too.' She winked at him.
Selene watched Michael leave the room. She straightened up and called David in.
'I am sure you have been listening in on our conversation, so you know we will continue with the plan.'
'I can't say I haven't been listening.' David admitted. 'But I do need you to reconsider. We can continue with the plan but let someone else volunteer. There are more, let's say, expandable people who can help.'
'Expandable? You cannot be serious.' Selene was surprised by his use of words. He was right, there were people in the coven which were said to have lesser functions, but they were needed to keep the coven running as much as they needed elders. Even Selene would not dismiss these functions.
'You do understand what I am trying to say. You should not risk your own life.' David responded. 'As an Elder you can order someone else to do it, you are needed here.'
'According to you and previous Elders, the role of an Elder is to protect his or her coven. That is exactly what I am doing. The plan is final, and I would like to advise you to get on board or leave the room before we start.' Selene stated.
She didn't like pulling rank on David. He was a blood heir to the throne, but people saw her as the ultimate elder due to her hybrid status. Even though Selene had tried to encourage David to step up, he gladly let her do it. She now knew why. It had been a tedious job and she hadn't seen much action anymore. Which might have been the extra push she needed to actually go for this plan.
'Understood.' David said in an official tone. 'How can I assist?'
'Go to the infirmary to see if Varga and Connar need help. I will see you in an hour.'
When he left the room, Selene fell back in a chair and sighed. It had been a couple of interesting weeks to say the least. With everything going on, this was the first time Selene was truly alone with her thoughts.
She had missed the adrenaline rush during battle. A real battle. Fighting recruits, David or even Michael in the arena was different. There was no life-threatening danger. The fights got her heart pumping and let her blow off steam, but it felt different.
Selene smiled at her own thoughts. She would never admit it out loud, but a small part of her loved this risk she was taking. Varga didn't even need to convince her or list the dangers of Black Dusk. She had listened to his proposal and let him continue, but she already decided from the start she would say yes anyway.
Still, her rational side did battle the irrational side. Michael and Eve would suffer because of her decision. Although their lives weren't directly at risk, they would have to live with the consequences of her actions.
Selene put her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. The silence around her helped putting her thoughts in order and make sure she was making the right decision. After emptying her mind, the first thought that popped up was punishing the one responsible and preventing this from happening to anyone of the coven, especially her family. With that thought, she opened her eyes and knew she made the right decision for the right reasons. It was a good thing she figured it out just before Eve stormed into the room.
'Is it true?' Eve exclaimed. 'Are you really going to be injected with Black Dusk? Voluntarily?'
Michael had followed Eve into the room with a guilty look on his face. He silently mouthed a sorry.
'Eve, what has your father told you?' Selene asked gently.
'I have read the journals. I have read what those physicians have done to people. They suffered a great deal and now you want to do the same? My own mother? Why?' Eve exclaimed.
'Please let me explain.' Selene tried to come in between.
'We just got you back! I beg of you, please don't continue with this!' Eve was in tears now.
Selene walked to her daughter and did the only thing she knew would work. She hugged Eve. Eve tried to break free, but Selene wouldn't budge. She looked at Michael for help, but he held his hands up in surrender. Once Eve relaxed in her arms, she let her go.
'Sweetheart, I have to do this. Not only the coven, but mainly for you and your father. Both of you are at risk here. If there would be any other way, I would gladly change the plan right now.' Selene explained.
'I don't want to lose you.' Eve whispered.
'Do you trust me?'
'Yes, but…'
'Do you trust Connar and your father?' Selene intervened.
'Yes, but…'
'Then you won't lose me.' Selene said. 'They will monitor everything and act when needed.'
'Actually, only Connar will act as medic this time.' Michael hesitated.
Both Selene and Eve turned their heads to Michael for an explanation.
'After last time, Connar and I decided that I cannot treat my own family anymore.' Michael explained. 'Both your health and mine will be compromised when I do. Connar will be in charge this time.'
Eve turned back to Selene. 'Do you really have to? Can't you order someone else to do it for you?'
'You are the third person to ask me this question. I can order someone to do it, but that wouldn't be ethical. Whoever they are, they are after me. This way we can catch the people on our terms.' Selene sighed. 'I am not trying to hurt you or your father. Do you understand why I am doing this?'
Eve sighed. 'I do. Just don't ask me to like it.'
'To be honest, I don't like it myself.' Selene said. She knew it was only half true, but her daughter didn't need to know that. She hugged Eve again. Eve had calmed down, but there was still quite some anxiety in the room, Selene's included.
'You seem anxious. What's wrong?' Michael suddenly asked.
'I was thinking about you not taking the lead. How come you have decided this?' Selene wondered.
'Do you remember what happened during the last, uhm, surgery I performed on you? I was sleep deprived and forwent feeding for too long. Although not willing to admit it at that time, I had no idea what I was doing and should have stepped down and leave it to Connar. After that incident, I had to promise Connar I would step down when my family is involved.' Michael explained. 'He even has the power to relieve me of command.'
Michael sighed the last part and Selene felt his reluctance. He probably knew it was for the best, but it was hard to accept. Selene also had her doubts. She always saw Michael as the primary physician of the coven. Connar had more elaborate training over the years, but he too had let Michael taken over in an instance due to his royalty status.
'Will you at least be in the room?' Selene asked.
'No, he will not.' Connar answered while walking into the room with Varga right behind him. 'No family allowed this time. That means you too Eve.'
'But…' Eve started.
Connar held up his hand to silence her. 'No discussions and no family this time. Please follow me.'
'Yes sir.' Selene replied.
'We will set up in your chambers, see you in a minute.' Varga offered.
'No David?'
'I think he felt dismissed.' Varga smirked. 'He told me to say he had council meetings to attend to.' Varga left the room to give them some privacy.
'Are you ready?' Michael asked.
'Ready as I'll ever be.' Selene kissed him. 'Don't worry too much, we have been through worse.'
Eve hugged her again but didn't say a word. Selene made the hug last a bit longer. Connar had gotten impatient and stood in the doorway to her room. She nodded at him and let go of Eve.
She walked up to Connar and entered the room.
'You can wait here if you want.' And with that, Connar shut the door.
'You're in a mood.' Varga said.
'I just want to get this over with before I change my mind. It's not every day you try and inject an Elder with poison.'
'That's the spirit.' Varga said sarcastically.
'As much as I love to listen to the two of you bickering, I too, would like to get this over with.' Selene intervened. 'Is there something I need to know before we do this?'
'As a matter of fact, there is. Please sit.' Connar instructed. 'In the journals, the physician described one very bad side effect in all surviving vampires. They got a terrible headache.'
'Well, I have dealt with those during multiple council meetings. I'll live.' Selene replied.
'Not like these.' Varga sounded worried. 'One of the test subjects died because of the headache. He crushed his skull with his own hands to stop the pain.'
Selene knew there would be side effects, but she couldn't help to be quite shocked. She had no idea survival wasn't the only thing to strife for as she was quite positive she would survive the Black Dusk. If normal vampires could survive, her strength and healing power would made sure she would. But maybe her strength would work against her in this case. If the pain would be too much, Varga and Connar would not be able to stop her.
'Selene? Selene?!'
'Sorry.' She shook her head.
'Did you hear what I said?' Varga asked
'Yes.' Selene turned to Connar. 'I know you have new rules for Michael, but can you promise me you will get him if you cannot restrain me? Your combined strength might not be enough.'
'I promise.' Connar stated. 'If you are ready, lay down and please roll up your sleeve.'
Selene took a deep breath and laid down on her bed. Varga gave her a reassuring smile and stepped back to give Connar some space.
'I will be injecting the Black Dusk in a vein in your arm. After a few seconds you will feel its effect and pass out. If you can, try to describe what you are feeling.' Connar said.
Selene nodded in reply. Connar took a syringe and her arm. She watched the needle pierce her skin and the fluid enter her system as Connar pushed the plunger. She immediately felt a weird kind of cold spreading through her arm.
'It's cold…' She managed to say before the world turned black.