Selene arrived in the city of Brussels, she had been here since hundreds of years ago before it was made into the city it was today. Humans were everywhere walking, talking, playing on their phones. She had been secluded in the castle for the past year, being among them felt so different now.

"Have you seen a Vampire!? What about a Werewolf!? Call us now! We track down all mythical creatures! Call 011-834-2221 now!"

Selene turned to the TV in the airport lounge, it was a cheap commercial about some want-to-be bounty hunters. This had been a problem since the humans had discovered the existence of both species. Not only were the humans completely incompetent when it came to these matters but they also acting rashly, letting their fear control them. When news reached us of the massacres that had occurred to drive out Vampires and Lycans it reminded the Elders of the witch trials. Much like those incidents in the past, the humans had only slaughtered their own people. Lycans had been extremely diligent to avoid those mishaps and most Vampires outside the coven had been in hiding for years without detection.

It didn't surprise Selene that even though humans had just discovered a different species living among them, their first thought was to eradicate them. She had lived so long that the cruelty humans had shown felt normal and it was what she had come to expect from them. Who knew when humans would actually learn of their true home and the Elders would have new foe, but she had a feeling that day was very far off.

Selene moved through the crowd like a leaf in the wind, gliding through the massive crowds without so much as brushing shoulders with another. She was focused and nothing was going to come between her and her daughter. She carved a path towards the Triumphal Arch, the monument she had visited in Valissa, nearby would be the very school where she had seen Eve. Her plan was simple, she would break into the school if necessary and find Eve's file and therefore her address. Selene knew humans were a paranoid species and it would be unlikely she would get this information without proof of knowing Eve.

That was another piece of Eve's life weighing on Selene's mind as she zipped through the streets: Who was this uncle? What strange man had found her? Why did she go with him? Was she that scared? So alone and afraid that she fell into a stranger's trap? What vile things had he done to her?! Selene pushed past the tourists, her fears turning to anger as she imagined sinking a bullet into this stranger's skull. If he so much as raised his voice to her, he would feel her wrath in its entirety.

She could see the arches in the distance, she was so close! It was one of these streets she needed to turn down, she hated how they all looked the same to her. She followed her gut instinct and broke away from the main street, looking for all signs of familiar architect. In Valissa she had been so focused on Eve's voice that she paid no mind to the where it led her.

THERE!

She took a sharp right and approached the front of the school. It looked eerily similar to the recreation in Valissa. How could the Sacred World even know of this place? Selene looked at the iron gate for a minute before walking away, lingering outside the school would only draw attention to herself. Selene could not keep her heart from racing, she found this place sooner than expected, school was still in session. She wouldn't even need the break in, she could get to Eve as she left for home.

She rounded the corner, looking up to the surrounding buildings for the perfect place to lay low without detection. She rounded an alley, scaling the side of the building until she reached the top. Selen brushed her hair to the side and didn't spare a second glance to the new skyline of the expanding city. She nestled into the corner of the roof, peering over the side to glimpse down to the school below.

Inside was her daughter. A child born without her knowledge. A child that was part her and part Michael. A piece of Selene still raged about how Antigen must have cut the child from her very womb as she slept. They raised her as some experiment, she never knew about Selene or Michael. Selene stared at the school and wondered what life would have been if the past was altered. How would Selene have found out? Would she have had those common symptoms of early pregnancy? How would she have told Michael? Would he have wept tears of joy and clung to her? Kissed her with a smile? What would their lives have been if they had raised her?

Selene sunk into the corner of the roof and closed her eyes. She knew dwelling on the past was worthless, but she couldn't help herself at times. She realized that it was only this that she seemed to be stuck on. She never thought about her old family in the country. She never was drawn back to thoughts of Viktor and all of his lies, or the war that continued as a result. All her days as a Death Dealer stayed locked away, remaining untouched after all this time. But when it came to her heart, to Micheal or her daughter, she would often wonder what would be different.

Selene's eyes fell without her notice, maybe being an Elder had caused her to lose her edge. She woke with a jump, swinging forward at an imaginary threat. She was alone on the rooftop with the sun fading in the horizon. She lurched to the edge, but the school was empty, and lights were off. She wasted no time jumping down, landing with a thud and making a course for the front door.

David sat in throne room drumming his fingers against the golden arm of his chair as Cassius droned on and on in front of the council. All of this was just for show these days, the council's power had dwindled after the years of corruption. The Elders had talked of disbanded it, but it would only lead to more strife within their ranks. Many of them had been on the council for so long it was all they had to contribute to their society at this point.

"Lycan numbers are on the rise in North America and we have yet to set a date for the Founding," Cassius paused his eyes sliding to meet David's.

The Founding was an old tradition of Vampires to create a new generation when numbers were low. It had not been initiated in centuries, but now with the Vampire population at a perilous low, Cassius had been the biggest advocate. This was all a big ploy on Cassius' part, he must have been excited to hear Selene and Lena were leaving to seize the opportunity. The motion had been mentioned several times, with the Elders delaying the inevitable. Selene and Lena did not want to force humans into the everlasting life just to die as pawns on the battlefield.

"I know the Elders have been opposed to such a ceremony, but Jolene is building her pack. She has numbers and strength while we all sit safely behind the walls of this palace. We would be fools to think she would not bring the fight to our door."

"How many would need to be converted?" a separate council member asked.

"To stand a chance against the Lycans, we would need near a thousand," Cassius replied.

Outrage spewed from the council members, transforming a thousand humans would only ignite a new war against the humans.

"Come now," Cassius silences them. "We would only take a handful from separate locations around the globe, the humans would never be able to piece it together. We could do in small increments and even find warriors to strengthen our own army."

There was a murmur of agreement among the council members and now David had to step in.

"A date has not been set because there will be no Founding," David leaned forward in his chair. "The Elders have made this clear."

"Yes but now Elder Selene and Elder Lena are gone," Cassius swiftly continued on. "The Lycans have no knowledge of Var Dohr, so the northerns are safe in the winter fortress... but the Lycans know of us. We are the ones at risk."

"Our numbers grow steadily," David countered. "Just this past year we have had two pureborns birthed."

"Two children, Elder David? Is that all we need to defeat a Lycan army?"

"We all know that new converts are reckless and unmanageable. Founding a thousand of them would be an impossible feat, Cassius," a council woman rolled her eyes. "Where would we house them? Who would train them?"

Cassius cleared his throat," I was hoping to nominate Elder Selene for the role. She still teaches combat and her pupils show tremendous protentional to benefit the entire clan."

"Elder Selene is taking care of pressing duties in Var Dohr," David mentioned.

"Ah yes," Cassius nodded. "She and Elder Lena are both gone in the North, do we have any idea when she might return from these... pressing matters?" Cassius could barely hide his smug grin.

"She will return once she has finished her duties as an Elder. It seems to me that our dear Cassius is curious about the duties of an Elder, more so than his original title," David paused and let the smirk fall from Cassius' face. "Are you curious about the duties of an Elder, Cassius?"

"I only yearn for the continuation of our kind, my lord. And for that we must be able to defend ourselves from Lycans," Cassius scoffed. "Listen to my words," he shook his head. "We live here in fear of the Lycans... US! Once the rulers of the world! We now spend our nights hidden behind these walls for the sole purpose of terror. We know the Lycans still carry the feud in their blood and they have even gone so far as to alter their species," Cassius nearly spat in disgust. "Disgusting vermin! Who knows when they arrive what new changes, what monsters they will devolve into and fresh hell they will lay upon us."

Fucking Cassius. David fell back into his chair with a light sigh, what the fuck was he trying to pull now?

"Perhaps the Elders should reconsider the idea," a council member turned to David.

Fear. That was Cassius' goal. These vampires have survived for hundreds of years, seen their friends and leader slain and now are scared to share the same fate.

"You seem worn out, my lord," a different council member mentioned with concern on his face.

David could not let this go.

"I am fine," he said sternly. " I am only tired of hearing this nonsense repeated."

"But is it not wise to strengthen our numbers?"

"This is not a debate for the council. This is for the Elders to decide," David voice was louder than he anticipated.

"But you are the only here!"

"This meeting is over, everyone leave," he demanded.

The council members did not argue with their Elder and Cassius gave one backwards glance before shutting the door. When David was alone, he let his muscle relax and he slouched into his throne. What a nightmare. How did the old Elders do this all alone? It was exhausting to have everyone expect everything from you. It's been less than a week and David was already wishing Selene and Lena were back here with him. Selene had his back, and she would never have tolerated that disrespect Cassius was displaying. Lena would have been able to counter the idea with something else to distract the council and make them feel at ease about the situation. Why was he struggling so much being alone.

David looked up at the stone ceiling," I wish you'd both come back," he whispered to himself.

He then thought of Selene alone out there with only herself as she looked for her daughter. He worried about her safety and what upset it would cause in the coven if she were to die. David knew Selene would take any risk to get her daughter, even now as an Elder of the coven with real responsibilities and everyone watching her closely. David wondered for a moment if he should've insisted on an escort... but who would Selene trust enough to take this venture with her? Who in the coven would keep this secret and not twist it for political gain?

David stood from his throne and waved away his personal guard as he exited the castle, the outside world was complete contrast to the inside of the castle. The halls were dim, barely lit at all hours casting dark shadows on the walls. Outside the sun was shining to nearly blind him, it was a blessed gift that Selene had given him. This was his one place of freedom from everything. He walked to the garden and shed his jacket; it was far too warm for such attire. He eyes wandered to the purple Asters guiding the pathway and his mind fell back in time.

He had found Lena crouched beside the Aster one morning, gentle stroking the delicate petals and whispering to them. She had smiled when he approached her, how his heart had raced with every step. He could not wait a moment longer and kissed her, pushing her onto the flower bed and she giggled into his lips. Their secret rendezvous had been fresh, it was exciting and passionate... but even now he would gladly roll in the flowers with her.

"Lena...," he plucked an Aster from the ground. "Come back to me."