Fangsome Foursome

[Luna_Wolf72]

People have an annoying tendency to not really see her. Not her love, of course. He sees her, very well. He knows when she has been pushed past the point of endurance. And these things, these so very old, things were stepping in ways that should not have been allowed. That dark bitch. Touched her love and drew his precious gift from beneath his skin. Not to be born. But he stepped to her side and whispered to her that she had to take it, to maintain the peace. And so Ondine takes it. But she absolutely hates it.

'I will kill her.' 'No. Karena loves her.' 'Then Karena should tell her to not touch what is mine.' 'She is old. Strong.' 'I am not sane...and she WILL die.' 'Yes.' 'Wait for it...the time.. will come.'

The group, rag tag, walking together, leaves Ondine with a bad taste in her mouth. A hint of despair that builds and builds and threatens to overwhelm her. She knows she can't allow it. Not for her family's sake. She will not embarrass them. She will NOT. So she makes herself focus on putting one slipper clad foot in front of the other, ignoring the fading scent of Jericho's blood, ignoring the pitch perfect melody that Vincent hums, ignoring Karena's attempt to control the one she calls Darya.

Soon enough, they are within the cavern and hurrying through the dimness. Ondine wants to go back outside. Away from the stench, the utter loathing this place causes. There are too many secrets here and she can FEEL them, whispering in the corners of her mind. There is a scent, something there and gone...that matches another scent, but she can not connect the scents together.

'We will' 'I know.'

Soon enough they are in the main part of the cavern and her eyes latch on to the others. This coven of old world blood drinkers. This mess of monsters, who makes their family appear to be...the good guys. A small smile. After all, she is crazy and what does she really know? 'Nothing.' 'Except..I will kill that dark bitch.' 'Yes, I know that...' 'That is more than enough to know.'

Finally the group, the two elders, the family stop...and face the king of their bloodline. Lucien. He doesn't look like much. But he doesn't have to. He caused them to be reborn...without ever doing anything but making Karena. He runs them...'For now.' 'Yes.'

Silence in her head...and so she looks up, allowing her face to appear vapid. She is the crazy one...but she knows her job. Listen. Learn. WATCH...and protect what is hers. She does her job...and it isn't difficult, while there is danger on every side...to hold it together.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Jericho and Lucian

Darya and Salvador led the four of them inside the old fallout shelter. Jericho kept close to Ondine as they walked down the entry corridor, his hand holding hers. He knew somehow that she would not like this place-Hell he didn't either. It made his skin crawl and stunk of fear and desperation, and unless he was the cause of it, it was not a pleasant experience.

They passed a kitchen, what looked like a karate dojo, and bunk rooms. The concrete walls were covered in age-old tapestries and paintings of exquisite historic importance. And as they walked deeper inside the bunker the artwork began to change. They became portraits of the same man in a variety of styles and historic periods. One of the man tearing down the emperor's statue during the sack of Rome, another of the Bolshevik revolution, releasing plague rats on Venice, the spanish inquisition, the salem witch trials, at a ku klux klan rally, at Auschwitz-he knew because underneath each one was a brass plaque droning on about the master's evil deeds.

They reached a large assemby hall filled with other vampires of Lucian's coven lined in orderly rows. At the end sitting in a comfortable looking wingback chair sat the man from the paintings.

Darya and Salvador departed from them. Jericho and the others approached the man sitting in the wingback chair.

He regarded Karena as they came up to him, "Children, rejoice," He announced, "For our prodigal daughter has returned to us."

The others repeated in coordination. "We welcome you our sister."

He got up and approached her pretty much ignoring the other three of them. "Karena," He said running a hand over her cheek, "When I first saw you your hair reminded me of the sunlight. Something I had not seen in millenia. Turning you was like capturing the sun and mastering death itself." His hand brushed her hair back revealing the side of her neck. Lucian bent his head baring his fangs. He traced one pointed tip up her neck to her ear and whispered, "I told you when you left you would tire of your young stallion and come crawling back to me in less than a century."

"Ha," Jericho laughed, "You got out of touch here in this mausoleum to your own so-called greatness, old man, she's been out and about for more than two centuries."

Lucian didn't respond he only pulled back and stared into Karena's eyes. "How thoughtful of you my child. You brought me a new court jester." His hand shot out in a blur. Fingers clamped over Jericho's windpipe. Jericho was not a weak man but Lucian was deceptively strong. He was forced down to his knees hands feebly trying to wrest Lucian's fingers from around his larynx. "And after I broke my last one too." The fingers began to squeeze his throat closed.

 

[Last_Rider]

"So what have you done to my sister this time Vinnie?"

"Nothing she didn't thank me for later Darya."

Vincent grinned, his grin exceptionally evil. He'd never really had anything against Darya, other than her obedience to Lucien. Judging by the look burning under Ondine's eyes he wouldn't have to worry about her when the time came. People should really learn to be much more careful with things Ondine cared about. Ondine was very strong, the strength of insanity and the ability to completely throw herself into a fight.

His ice blue eyes moved around the rooms in this shelter, Lucien tried to keep things organized. Of course there were the obligatory paintings, Lucien was one of the few vampires who actually missed his reflection. Darya and Salvador left them as they entered the main room. Lucien was seated in his chair, with a bunch of good orderly drones around him. It would be sad if they weren't so pathetic.

"Children, rejoice, for our prodigal daughter has returned to us."

Like good sheep the assembled group replied in unison. Vincent rolled his eyes, a slight shake of his head sending his black hair waving. The more things change the more they stay the same apparently.

"When I first saw you your hair reminded me of the sunlight. Something I had not seen in millenia. Turning you was like capturing the sun and mastering death itself."

That one bit of words reminded Vincent of everything he needed to know about Lucien. He needed to be in control, to exercise his will over everything. He needed Karena because she had been his personal trophy over the sun, and he'd been so angry when she left. Vincent hadn't even really stolen her, she'd willingly walked away from Lucien and his life.

Of course Jericho had to make a crack, though this one brought a soft smile to Vincent's lips. Much as he and Jericho had a friendly rivalry the kid had a sense of humor. Then Lucien flashed a hand out and gripped Jericho by the throat.

The first thing Vincent did was rest a hand on Ondine's shoulder. He'd said before that no one quite understood him the same way Ondine did. He had more time together with Karena, and the two of them played the most delightful games. But Ondine seemed to know his mind at times. He applied no pressure to her shoulder except to let her know it was him. She would understand.

Vincent stepped forward, drawing Lucien's gaze from Jericho.

"Ever think that you'd break them less if you stopped snapping at every little thing? I mean I bet you told your last jester the joke you wanted him to recite then killed him because he didn't do it right. You break so many things of yours Lucien."

Vincent moved closer, resting one hand on the arm that gripped Jericho. No pressure at all, just something else for Lucien to think about. The reality was that Vincent wouldn't attack him here, too many others and Lucine was probably expecting it.

"I don't see a little girl or hear a violin, I bet you broke your last Joy too."

Karena had told him about that, Lucien's eternal quest to harness the music and keep it here with him. Laughable really, especially given how Lucien lived.

"Besides, Jericho was right. You were off in your estimation. If you killed everyone who said something that was accurate that you didn't agree with your flock of sheep here would be greatly diminished. Plus you're wrong again, Karena hasn't returned here to live with you again."

The reason would have to come out, but Vincent couldn't keep the same tone in his voice. He'd long ago learned how to manipulate people, vampires, demons, whoever and whatever he chose to. It was so much more fun to hurt them, to give them hope, or break them down little by little. He'd started early, the way he'd broken down his father. If he closed his eyes he could still taste the exquisite grief of Holt as he held his wife's body, sobbing uncontrollably next to the pile of ashes that had been his daughter.

"Much as I hate to admit it, we need your help. Karena was poisoned, a nasty drug called Momento Mori that apparently you're the only one to have survived."

A stroke to Lucien's ego now would be more than enough to get him to release Jericho.

"Plus if you damage him I can't tell you why you can't keep a Joy for very long."

 

[Asa]

Karena

Karena felt Lucien's touch and smiled softly more just the contact than who made the contact. Then hearing Luciens words to Jericho she forced herself to stand tall her eyes leveling on his as she grew cold.

You will NOT harm those that are MINE Lucien.

Her eyes closed as the room spun a little. Never liking that feeling she hissed slightly and then looking to Lucien again watching Vincent step in as well but knowing Lucien might respond more to her.

Release him Now Lucien... NO harm will come to those that are mine... NOR will any of mine harm our family here... Unless there is no other course for peaceful settlement of problems.

She fell back into her "expected" coldness in this place quickly though her fangs were bared as she spoke the hunger slowly winning over the strange little drug from the Hippie.

Darya... You may have an expected place here but in my presence and with Mine you will know your place little sister and never touch one of mine again. Nor will they touch nor threaten you... unless your temper gives no recourse then... I... will... deal... with.

Her words halted her ire at this place and the troubles it always brought and the distance it seemed to keep between she and Vincent brought out more anger and her hunger did little to stop it. There should be nothing closer than the childer to their sire but her childer yes was close... closer to her than most but there was something that marred that... Her sire the one she should be close to but their differences kept something between them part of which was her childer.

It has been over 2 centuries and it will be many more if EVERYONE does not behave properly and that INCLUDES you Lucien! Darya... Bring me a blood doll.

Her eyes seemed to glow her face transforming into the dark hunger that consumed them all in some form or another.

Darya

She could not help but want to smirk hearing Karena's words to Lucien. She was the only one that could have ever gotten away with it. She also called him Lucien from time to time but always Father in front of the others. Karena never cared who heard her and he never stopped her that must have been something from their relationship before herself and Vincent.

She knew her sister was ill but hearing that was wrong she tensed. Father had to heal her she would not lose her sister... she couldn't... "losing her" to her leaving with Vincent was one thing but the poison... No that was another entirely. She looked to Lucien hearing Karena's demand for a blood doll and knowing that she should not feed she simply looked to Lucien for his instructions instead.

She protected the childers of others in her little family as if they were her own... just like she had always protected her... Maybe she was wrong about these three with her sister but only time would tell.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Ondine~broken not bowed

Everything seemed to go from quiet calm to whirlwind fast. She had forgotten how Lucien reacted to being corrected. His temper, always off at the best of times, was even worse when he was caught out on something stupid.

'That's because he is crazy.' 'You don't say?' 'How do you know?' 'Like calls to like.'

It didn't matter that Lucien was the many times great grand Sire of everyone present, not once he placed his hand on her love's throat and began to squeeze. All thought ceased for Ondine. Only a raging red mist was left. She was utterly SICK of these impertinent animals touching what was hers. They had to learn. Crazy didn't mean less violent. It meant much MORE violent. Her small hands clenched.

She felt her Sire touching her. Vincent. The mist slowly rolled away, leaving her even more empty than before. He could soothe her with a touch, with a thought, with a word. He had always been able to do so. Ondine stood stock still and said absolutely nothing. Not while the bastard spoke and squeezed, not while Vincent placed one long fingered hand upon the Master's arm, not while Vincent poked that monster's sore points with exquisite care.

She had even fought the urge, the NEED, to correct Karena's claim of "MINE." Jericho was NOT Karena's. Jericho belonged to, and with, Ondine. No one else. Never any one else. Jericho was hers! 'FOCUS!' 'YES! Please.' 'We KNOW. THAT is enough.' 'Okay. I will focus.'

Karena had pointed out obvious points~that they would not stay, that she would handle things, that it was up to her to keep the peace, in her way. None of that really mattered. The dark bitch had touched her love and drew his essence. The Great Grand Sire had touched his pale throat, crushing it, squeezing it. All of this was not to be borne. It would not be...'YOU have to bear it.'

That voice spoke truth. Truth that she did not want to hear. Truth that she could not avoid. Karena was the eldest of them. It was her place to control this meeting, as the eldest. It was her place to protect them from these fucking malevolent bastards. Sick or not, she was not doing her job.

'BE QUIET!' 'NO!'

Ondine spoke then, quietly. Deferentially. Sweetly. The trace of Orient meets London, a vague burr.

"I do not care for who does what, who owns what, who claims what. I am crazy. What do I know? What I do care about is that the very next person to touch what belongs to my family? I will spend the rest of my unlife, even if it is very short, plotting their demise. We came to you for help." Here, she curtsied, deeply, gown spreading blood stained, around dainty feet.

'Our Sire is hurting. She is not well. She is part of your coven. Therefore we come to you for help. Laws of hosting say~no abuse of one who comes with a need. YOU wrote those laws, Greatest of Grand Sire's, yet you abuse what you shouldn't. Hurt where you shouldn't. It is not to be borne."

Ondine knelt and moved close enough to place herself between the other three and the rest, her almond shaped eyes glittering a demonic red that utterly belied the sweetness of her voice, of her expression. Of her plea.

"You have survived what our Sire has. You have gained strength and knowledge from it. And that is good. So why don't you try putting your knowledge to use?"

Head turned to capture Darya in the red gaze.

"You can not provide a human morsel, not to our Mother. Feeding hastens the poison. You have already hurt one of us with your lack of care. Do not do so again."

Red brown eyes drifted away from the dark bitch, returned to the spot at the juncture of the Eldest Monster's thighs. Her voice retained it's measured pace. It's sweet, dulcet tones.

"I am the crazy one...but even I know that harming those that Karena loves...if you want her to stay? Would be detrimental to your cause. So what say you, Sire. Shall we start over?"

'I will not stay bowed for him!' 'We are NOT bowing for him, we are bowing, groveling, for our family.' 'Oh.' 'Wait.'

 

[Veroe]

IC: Lucian

"How thoughtful of you my child. You brought me a new court jester, and after I broke my last one too."

His eyes never left Karena's as she said, "You will NOT harm those that are MINE Lucien."

His eyes narrowed at that. She dared to be so insolent to him. He had made her, brought her up from nothing but a frail and dying human speck of nothing....how dare she...

He forced himself to calm down. listening to the impertinent jabbering of Kerena's young paramour, Vincent-as if this gnat could ever wound Lucian's pride, and then the reasoned pleas for mercy from the other girl in Karena's family, Ondine. "I am the crazy one...but even I know that harming those that Karena loves...if you want her to stay? Would be detrimental to your cause. So what say you, Sire. Shall we start over?"

Vincent mentioned, "Much as I hate to admit it, we need your help. Karena was poisoned, a nasty drug called Momento Mori that apparently you're the only one to have survived."

His eyes left Karena's for the first time regarding Vincent then moving to Ondine. His fingers loosened and raised to pat the coughing Jericho on the head. "Ah, the recklessness of youth," He smiled a patronizing smile to him. "Go run along now, little one. This is adult talk."

He turned back to Karena taking her by the chin. Yes he could see the fire in the eyes dimming from the hunger. The torment must be unbearable. "One does not survive the Momento Mori one defies it, overcomes it, conquers it utterly."

He glared at Vincent, "Tell me did the one who has done this to my Karena suffered for this?"

"Your incompetence hardly matters," He turned away from Vincent. "Darya, child," He nodded to his faithful childer, "Take Karena's family to some guest rooms." He scooped up Karena in his arms. "I shall treat my wayward daughter in private."

-----------------x

IC: Jericho

That self-righteous son of a bitch. His hand rubbed at his throat and pained weak breathing passed through it. Jericho was going to...to...well it would be something so bad even he'd have nightmares about it.

He watched as the son-of-a-bitch picked up Grandma K.

He'd bide his time, oh yes, until the mother fucker cured Karena. But that son-of-a-bitch was going to die before they left. Jericho didn't care how big and bad everybody said the bastard was, he would never be big enough, would never be bad enough to stop Jericho from ending him.

 

[Last_Rider]

Vincent did his best to keep a straight face. Lucien wasn't going to be manipulated so easily as that, but every little bit helped. Besides, distractions and diversions were always welcome in situations such as this. His eyes drifted to Ondine and he smiled. She always knew how to handle things, people didn't give her nearly enough credit. He turned as Lucien picked up Karena.

Of course, private treatments. Lucien would never want anyone else knowing his secrets. He could insist that he be with Karena... Vincent briefly considered how that scenario would play out. Not to his advantage, for the time being best to play along. He could feel the rage coming off of Jericho, good. Now they all knew what they were up against here. He let Ondine tend to him, the damage wasn't even close to serious it was more his pride, and Vincent was the last person who should try and mend feelings.

"Lead the way Darya."

Ice blue eyes followed the slender figure who was to lead them to their quarters. Lucien hadn't changed at all, not really. That was good, it would make him predictable when the time came.

 

[Asa]

Karena

Feeling Lucien lift her up her eyes tried to focus on his face... if only he was still as he was when they met. Not this shell who demanded all the hiding like rats. She tried to speak once they were away from the others.

Lucien... you can not harm them... none of your family minions or associates Ever or you will lose your sunlight... forever.

Her mind again assaulted by the burning feeling and the hunger winced and her mind falling back deep into the past once more repeating...

won't... die...

With that her eyes closed her strength slipping.

Darya

Nodding to Lucien she smiled a sweetly sarcastic smile and motioned for them to follow her...

Right this way children of our beloved sister...

Once deep in the corridors away from the others she looked to Vincent first.

If she does not survive... your protection from her family fades with her.

Glancing to Jericho with a smirk...

You really have nothing to worry about... Father isn't into little boys...

She glanced to Ondine where the other two could not see her eyes or expression.

You stood to father for Karena's safety... it is... good to know she has such a caring family with her when she is not with us.

She quickly looked away muttering something in her native tongue... the words would not be known but there was a pain and loss behind them that none had ever picked up on before. She missed her sister and was in honesty fearful that Lucien would let her die this time. Her jealousy had made her alienate those that could help her and she knew it at least for now but maybe just maybe she could win them back over to help her escape this place with her sister this time... once Karena was capable to leave again.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

'Good.' 'How?' 'If he is tending to her, she will get better. 'Good.' 'Yes.'

The chain of conversation was difficult to follow. It required a bit of concentration that Ondine just didn't have. So, she followed along when the dark bitch led them away from the main hall, trying like hell to get back into the mind set that would allow her to think. She needed to think. Because her intuition was screaming at her that something was very, very wrong.

'That scent.'

But she just didn't know WHAT.

She would figure it out, though. 'Told you.' 'That scent!' 'Remember it?'

A voice interrupted her reverie. Darya. Speaking. To her? Ondine attempted to play back the words that had passed. Ah, a threat, a joke...and a statement?

"You stood up to father for Karena's safety... it is... good to know she has such a caring family with her when she is not with us."

The words meant something, even those that Ondine couldn't understand. How to respond? Obviously, this monster wasn't just a monster. So, how to respond. 'Tell her the truth?' 'Which is?'
'We are young...but not weak, not stupid...' 'And we protect each other.' Ondine nodded to herself, her slanted eyes gazing at the other until the woman turned her head enough for their eyes to connect.

"We are all family, Darya. And what hurts one of the four? Hurts us all. She is our rock. We would fight and we would live...but it would not be the same."

A shrug, then, before Ondine drifted back a few steps to match her steps to that of Jericho's. Her small hand came up and touched his cheek. She wanted to say something sweet. Something loving. Instead what came out was completely unexpected.

"There is a scent here, my love, that matches a fading scent I caught the night Karena was poisoned."

Ondine stopped speaking, her own shock at the idea of it, evident. Was that true? Were the scents the same? The not scent and the scent here, in this place?

 

[Veroe]

IC: Lucian

His children opened the doors for them to his private sanctum. They would stand gaurd and keep any of the riffraff from interfering with his work.

"Lucien," His sunlight said weakly. He hated seeing Karena like this weak and frail and small and...........human.

He shook the disgusting thought away as the irrelevent nonsense it was.

"You can not harm them," She continued, "None of your family minions or associates."

"Shhh," He said laying her body down on the couch of his study, "Conserve your strength, my child." He took hold of her hand. "You will need it for what is coming."

She didn't respond to that she stammered on tossing her head, "...Ever or you will lose your sunlight... forever."

He frowned at that. No one took what was his. No one. If they did they would suffer until they begged for his forgiveness, and he would show them none.

"I will prepare you a potion similar to what you have already been given, Karena." He told her running his hand over the side of her face. "It will be far more effective for short periods of time. However, its withdrawal from the medicine will make you wish for death. Beg for it even." He bent down kissed her forehead. "I wish there was some other way."

"Won't... die..."

She fell into fitful sleep then and he raised back up. "No, Karena." He whispered, "You won't die, but you will suffer."

 

[Veroe]

IC: Jericho

, "Take Karena's family to some guest rooms." The son of a bitch said to the dark skinned one that had scratched Jericho's cheek outside.

He watched Lucian leave scowling. He was going to get that son of a bitch.

"Lead the way Darya," Vincent said to her.

With an expressive gesture she said, "Right this way children of our beloved sister..."

She led them outside the audience hall and into the corridor proper of the old fallout shelter. Deeper where there were fewer renovations and signs of habitation.

Jericho ran his hand over his neck red marks from where Lucian's fingers had squeezed and crushed the muscles of his throat. He was a vampire and didn't need to breathe to survive of course. Lucian hadn't wanted to kill him just shut the young pup yapping at his feet the hell up. God damn that son of a bitch to hell. However just because he didn't need to breathe didn't mean it was an activity that he didn't enjoy doing. Nor was the constant nagging pain each subsequent breath now caused was what Jericho would call a pleasant experience.

"If she does not survive... your protection from her family fades with her." Darya mentioned.

That riled him, and with pain tinging each word he grated out gravelly, "Wrong, if Grandma K. doesn't survive, precious, your protection from us will fade with her."

To that she merely glanced at him with an arrogant smirk. He supposed coming from someone she just saw get so easily strangled back into the playpen or kiddie table of the room would foster such unenlightened overconfidence at just how Jericho and the other two of their group could make good on that threat.

Their own fault really. They should've left more survivors on their travels, horribly maimed survivors-since survivors who weren't horribly maimed would just feel left out of the carnage-but survivors nonetheless. That way their reputation for mayhem and slaughter would've proceeded them even here.

He'd look forward to showing precious here just who was the big bad wolf they were fucking around with here, and that son of a bitch Lucian too-especially him.

She smiled with laughter in her eyes. "You really have nothing to worry about... Father isn't into little boys..."

Why that little bi....

Turning back around to look at Ondine, Darya said softly, "You stood to father for Karena's safety... it is... good to know she has such a caring family with her when she is not with us."

"We are all family, Darya." Ondine answered, "And what hurts one of the four? Hurts us all. She is our rock. We would fight and we would live...but it would not be the same."

Jericho nodded at that. O. was a stark raving lunatic at times but others she was the most insightful person in the room. One of the reasons Jericho loved her so much-well that and her penchant for savagery, blood, chaos, and fucking the shit out of him whenever the mood struck her.

As if summoned by his thoughts of her she fell back to the line to him. A hand ran along the side of his cheek. Jericho Hand rose and claimed hers.

"I'm okay, love," He croaked, "Only hurts to talk. It's Vince's dream come true. No back talk from me for awhile."

"There is a scent here, my love," She whispered, "that matches a fading scent I caught the night Karena was poisoned."

"Someone from here was there," He said eyes rising up before narrowing as the locked suspiciously on Darya. "Stay alert, O., and tell me or Vincent if you even suspect you've locked on to that scent here."

 

[Last_Rider]

Much of the bunker system was familiar, Lucien liked little more than the familiar. Darya led the three of them through the tunnels, Vincent watching everything. Every little bit of information would be helpful if the time came for a fight or a hasty escape. His ears listened for clues, hints, anything that could be helpful. He heard Jericho's words and smiled before half turning.

"Jericho dear boy, I assure you my dreams have very little to do with you."

He winked, then resumed following Darya. Darya had always been an odd vampire, she cared deeply for Karena, but was terribly emotional and could swing wildly along the emotional spectrum. The reality was she could be an asset if used correctly. That was assuming Ondine didn't eviscerate her first for scratching Jericho. But really, either outcome was OK with Vincent.

When Ondine mentioned a scent, something like the night Karena was poisoned, Vincent did everything in his power to not react. Not with Darya still here, once she was gone maybe. Then again Lucien could have bugged their room, they'd need a safe place to talk. Still, his mind was already working.

There weren't any other vampires around that night, they were sure of that. Holt had shot Karena, and Holt would never work with a vampire. So, a human that smelled like here? Lucien didn't keep humans around, some vampires did, but not Lucien. Was Ondine mistaken?

Vincent half turned again, his eyes finding her face.

No. She is certainly not mistaken. So what does that mean? It means someone here isn't nearly as loyal as Lucien thinks. Well, maybe. The problem is Holt, he's the one we don't know enough about right now. We know it was him. So where did he get the poison?

Vincent was thinking too much, there were too many tangents, too many legitimate options. More information was needed. Mostly which thing here had that scent, that would be more telling than anything else. Until then they would need to be on their guard, but not too hasty. A mistake here could be fatal.

"Darya, does Lucien still have a public library?"

Lucien would keep the best books for himself of course, but he'd also just taken Karena into his personal area. Odds were he could get some kind of information out of them eventually. For now though, he'd have to make do with what he had.

 

[Asa]

Darya held no ill thoughts towards Ondine and perhaps not even really Jericho but Vincent... He was to blame for her sister leaving... leaving her here... He was the focus of her anger and hate... no... hate was too strong...

I am happy to hear she means so to you Ondine. Perhaps we can... Thinking on her words for a moment... Swap stories about Karena.

She actually smiled to her. Darya rarely smiled to anyone in any sincerity but this smile seemed sincere. Her attention turned sharply at Vincent's question as her eyes returned to that grave cold stare the smile gone before her eyes met his as she spoke in that ruthless tone.

Father keeps many things that Karena loved just as they were including the library.. Why?

She showed Ondine to a room seeming designed for a welcomed female guest in the guest corridor

I do hope you like the room Ondine these two will have rooms a little further down the hall.

Nodding to her she turned and showing Jericho and Vincent to rooms further along guest corridor. A welcoming enough room for each with more dark and "male" design clearly something that Lucien probably had done to help get other in line with his dark nature.

Here you go try not to anger father too much Vincent... He does not need to be distracted from healing My sister to put up with you or your boy Jericho... Okay.

There was that smirk...

A truce for Karena's health and sake?

It was as much of an olive branch as she would offer the one that took her sister away but it was more for Karena than him. Perhaps being nicer to them might get her sister to take her away from here next time as well. Her help with anything they might need of information about father and the family would be given at a price as always.

Now I have other matters to attend to... farewell.

Turning she walked away to Luciens door knocking doubting father would prevent her from sitting with her sister for a time.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

The others were thinking, thinking and Ondine could feel it. That meant she was no longer alone, with her worries, with her thoughts, with her doubts. That scent? This scent? The same but she couldn't get it localized. Didn't matter. Jericho and Vincent knew now. She didn't need to think, anymore.

Until Darya spoke again. 'The dark bitch.' 'She loves Karena, too.' 'Fine. Fine.' 'Darya.'

"I am happy to hear she means so much to you, Ondine. Perhaps we can swap stories about Karena."

Ondine gave a small nod, a smaller smile. And then, the woman turned her attention to Vincent's question, speaking with an abruptness that completely hid the smile she had graced Ondine with. Was the woman insane? Or did she just not like Vincent THAT much? She tilted her head, allowing the abyss to swallow her up. Slanted eyes became glazed, sparked red. Gone.

"I do hope you like the room, Ondine. These two will have rooms a little further down the hall."

Dark rough honey voice brought Ondine up, back to the surface. She glanced into the room, almond shaped eyes glittering with awareness. Then she nodded and stepped inside. The guest room was beautiful in a dusty, old world kind of way. Furniture and tapestries were heavy, dark. Wall sconces flared, guttered. All in all, it was pretty. Soothing. With nary another thought, Ondine glided into an old fashioned wing back chair and sank into it's depths.

Finally, she was alone.

The abyss beckoned.

She fell into it.

'Been too long.' 'Yes.' 'Come and play.' 'I will.' 'Good.'

 

[Veroe]

IC: Lucien

The Hecate's tears extract bubbled when Lucian poured into his cauldron. It reacted violently to the sprinkling of hellfire ash he had already dropped into it. Now all that was needed was a bit of tincture of newt, boiling it down to a thick unappatizing syruppy consistency, and the incantation to the goddess to activate the mixture's supernatural components.

He had learned the practice of witchcraft when he himself had been poisoned with the vile Momento Mori. He had found a high priestess of the goddess Hecate herself. It had taken months of torturing the proud woman to learn the secrets of her order and her mystical arts, and several more months just because torturing her had become a part of his daily routine.

Eventually she had killed herself, so Lucian had used the forbidden taboos of witchcraft and brought her back as a zombie, just to deliver that final torment to her.

He placed the little cauldron over the hotplate he used instead of an old-fashioned wood-fire chuckling as he remembered her horror at what her final student had done, and to her. Lucian had buried her alive-well living-dead-in a box that was far too small for her somewhere, he had long-since forgotten where. Her feet hands and tongue were in glass jars over on his shelf covered in the dust of centuries of neglect.

It was the final torture for a woman so proud-to be forgotten completely.

He opened his copy of the rites of Hecate reading over the incantations and invocation of the goddess's power over all things botanical and supernatural.

A knock came at the door. He glanced over at Karena still slumbering on the sofa. Sighing he put down the dustcovered book putting his Dennis the Menace bookmark inside to keep his place.

He crossed over to the door and unlocked it. It swung open revealing the one who had done the knocking.

"Darya," He said running his fingers over the side of her cheek, "Has Karena's family been settled in?"

He turned and allowed her inside. She was as attached to Karena as he was, and obviously had come to see her. "Karena had fallen asleep and should not be stirred until the remedy is prepared," He told her quietly he sat down in his chair.

He patted his knee to her. "Come tell me your impressions of the three of them, my child."

 

[Veroe]

IC: Jericho

"Someone from here was there," He said eyes rising up before narrowing as the locked suspiciously on Darya. "Stay alert, O., and tell me or Vincent if you even suspect you've locked on to that scent here."

Vincent had overheard them but looked thoughtful. He was thinking through it-which was fine with Jericho he was the brains afterall-he'd figure out who the god damned son of a bitch was and then Jericho would do what he did best for the four of them-spill blood on clean floors.

Once Darya left he stopped the door from closing leaving just a crack open. Through that crack he spotted Salvador standing at the end of the hallway.

"Hey," He whispered over to Vincent, "Your pal Sally-boy is our jailer today, Vince." He smiled mischeviously, "Why don't you go distract him and I'll slip out and do some snooping around."

Ofcourse what he meant by "distract him" was pick a fight with him. Wouldn't be too hard since Sally-boy over there really really wanted to kill Vincent.

-----------------------------X

IC: Alexander Holt

The four of them weren't nearly as smart as they thought they were. He had placed a tracking device underneath their car and despite their efforts to maintain security had failed to find it. It led him to this out-of-the-way valley in the mountains and what looked like an old bomb-shelter.

He parked his Jeep in a cut off of the dirtroad their SUV had taken, and began assembling his gear. He would perform a few reconnaisance sweeps.

It troubled him why the foursome had come here. This was off the beaten path and not matching their usual SOP. They preferred going from town to town staying in houses or hotels not a cave. Had him poisoning Karena really made them change tactics so drastically? They were too arrogant to react so cowardly.

It wasn't long when he discovered why they had retreated to this valley. There was a nest here, and a big one too. Also it was well established with shaded and hidden dugouts throughout the valley where sentries stood watch.

He returned to his jeep to gather up the gear he'd need, some of his tear-gas grenades and his trusty custom sniper rifle. They thought they'd have safety in numbers. So did sheep. He took the rifle and headed into the forest looking forward to culling the flock.

 

[Asa]

Darya

Smiling feeling his fingers brush over her cheek she walked into the room looking to her sister.

Yes they have been shown to guest quarters.

Her eyes closed as she turned away and hearing him speak once more she opened her eyes walking over to him she curled up on his lap thinking for a moment on his question...

Jericho seems to be the most arrogant of them but no one to really worry about I do not think. I believe if Karena told him to stand down he would. Perhaps for her or perhaps for Ondine.

She smiled...

Ondine I truly think cares for our Karena and might possibly be the one who could be made to understand what Karena means to us as well.

That left Vincent for her to talk about... the one that originally took her sister away she knew he in his own way protected her sister and hell he brought her back here to Lucien to be cured... that did speak volumes unfortunately to her about his love for her sister but there were other issues but they were of little import.

Vincent as always loves her father we know that and we also know he will not wish to be here long past her being healed and well enough once more for travel. She loves to travel so much and he gives her that...They are a family and while we are her family as well... I feel sure if any harm came to them while here or she knew it were ordered from you or the rest of us... I fear we would lose her forever. Befriending them and winning them over or being more lenient and understanding of them might go a long way to mend the rift between Karena and the rest of us. They are loyal to her and in that loyalty and all she has taught them father they would make far better allies than enemies.

She glanced back at her sister.

I feel very certain that they would each kill for each other. I know your determination but we much be careful with this... For Karena... for us.

She curled up as she watched her sister sleep and felt something she did not like... Helpless... she wanted to help her sister.

She will survive Lucien... right?

Karena

Her sleep turned fitful as her mind began playing over various memories of Lucien long before and Vincent and her family and her sister... Her mind kept returning to her sister.

 

[Last_Rider]

Vincent

There was no stopping the small smile that spread across Vincent's face when Jericho mentioned distracting Salvatore. It was a favorite thing of his to do, and more importantly he was absolutely sure he could take Salvatore if necessary. Al just wasn't that smart, or that fast.

"Don't do anything stupid, we don't need too much trouble."

It was Vincent's usual warning before they split up, since "don't do anything stupid" let Jericho plenty of room to have fun. Vincent wanted to see the library, something was nagging at him right now. He didn't doubt Ondine one bit, which meant someone here was working with Holt. An interesting concept, but there were too many questions to make a conclusion right now.

Vincent pushed the door open and walked out, instantly drawing Salvatore's attention.

"I'm wondering Sal, you've got talent, so why are you stuck here watching us? Lucien really that worried?"

The big vampire walked forward, eyes burning. Vincent leaned idly against the wall, his ice blue eyes marking the progress of his foe.

"Alright big guy, easy. I just want to see the library."

The words seemed to have no effect on Salvatore, who stopped within easy striking distance of Vincent. The blow was fast, Sal had clearly been practicing since he and Vincent last had words. Vincent ducked and slid along the wall, the vampire's fist compressing half an inch into the concrete where his head had been. Definitely practicing.

"Hey, have you lost a step or two?"

Vincent moved carefully, backing up, drawing Salvatore away from the door that Jericho would be slipping out of. He moved enough to avoid the blows, watching the way Salvatore moved. He'd forgotten how good Salvatore was, and the big vampire was clearly mad enough to kill him. Instead of stepping back this time, Vincent stepped forward and the two of them grappled for a few moments.

Real fights don't usually last long, and aren't much like what you see on television. Vincent had tripped Salvatore up before slamming his head into his chest and knocking him off balance. The only reason it worked was how unexpected it was, but it worked, which was the relevant part.

Salvatore thudded back into the wall and Vincent hopped backwards, hands up in a mollifying position.

"Alright, I'll find it on my own, sheesh."

As Vincent turned and moved down the tunnels he smiled again. He needed information, but so far things were going well enough.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Ondine~Trip into the Abyss

The blackness, blankness, was absolute. No noise, no thought, no movement or warning. Nothing but the thing staring back at her from a distance. Her good self. The pure one. Gone into the mists of time. Lost but not forgotten. Only pushed far away so as to keep the insanity at a manageable level.

Not now though. In the abyss, the purity was still there, the strength of her human seeming still able to be reached. Felt. Longed for. Only in the abyss. Only when she was alone and safe. Only when no one could be harmed by what she felt, what she saw.

Silence. And then whispers.

'The human has found them.' 'Two have fallen beneath his ire.' 'Should we tell?' 'Who would believe us?' 'Jericho.' 'Yes, he would.' 'We don't know where he is.' 'Find him...'

A scene then. Male. Silent, deadly. Eyes cold. Blazing like a super nova of hatred. agony. Pain. Wrapped in black. Foot falls leave no trace. There are trees surrounding the place. A vampire guard is taken out. Methodically. With precision. Circles closer. A cave. THIS cave.

'Wake up!' 'Tell Vincent.' 'Warn my love.' 'Our love.' 'Karena may die.' 'Get UP!' 'Focus!!' 'He is HERE!' 'I know.'

Screaming. She can hear it. Is it herself? Some one else? Pure blackness fades to gray and then to brilliant white. Her pure human self...tainted...screams out.

"WAKE UP!!"

Red eyes open. The arms of the wing back chair are broken. Crushed beneath strong hands. Fear. Ondine rises, jerkily to her feet. She knew something. Someone was here. Someone was coming. 'Is coming!" There needs to be a warning given. She needs to tell somebody. She just can't remember who. She just doesn't know how.

She stalks the room. Back and forth. She has to tell. She needs to tell. Who does she tell?

 

[Veroe]

IC: Lucien

He patted his knee to her. "Come tell me your impressions of the three of them, my child."

She walked over and sat upon his knee saying, "Jericho seems to be the most arrogant of them but no one to really worry about I do not think. I believe if Karena told him to stand down he would. Perhaps for her or perhaps for Ondine."

"That one has the bluster of youth, like the wind, ultimately empty and toothless despite its howling." He nodded, "If I had a schoolhouse for every wild young buck like him I've broken in I'd never go hungry again. What of the other child, Ondine?"

Darya continued with a fond smile, "Ondine I truly think cares for our Karena and might possibly be the one who could be made to understand what Karena means to us as well."

"She seemed unusually perceptive," He told her, "Be wary of any endearments you form with her, my dear child. You may be forced to kill her to keep our Karena here where she belongs." He ran his fingers over her cheek and down her neck. "And should I bother asking for what you think of Vincent?"

"Vincent as always loves her father we know that and we also know he will not wish to be here long past her being healed and well enough once more for travel."

A severe look came to his eyes as Darya continued.

"She loves to travel so much and he gives her that...They are a family and while we are her family as well... I feel sure if any harm came to them while here or she knew it were ordered from you or the rest of us... I fear we would lose her forever. Befriending them and winning them over or being more lenient and understanding of them might go a long way to mend the rift between Karena and the rest of us."

"Do not waver, Darya," He said in a tight whisper exerting his authority, "These three must not be allowed to take Karena from where she belongs again. They will do just that if you allow them the chance."

"I fear we would lose her forever. Befriending them and winning them over or being more lenient and understanding of them might go a long way to mend the rift between Karena and the rest of us. They are loyal to her and in that loyalty and all she has taught them father they would make far better allies than enemies."

The severe look intensified. "They come and steal what is mine and you would have me accept these theives into my house among my children as brothers and sister....I...I will not abide it...They will suffer and die long agonizing dea-" He stopped looking up to the far wall. No, beyond the wall and down several corridors to where one of their three houseguests slept and dreamed.

"I have overlooked something, yes." He thoughtfully ran a finger over his bottom lip. Eyes closing as he stretched out his own senses. "Yes, a seer and a natural talent for it too, not one cultivated by torturing lamas and sages and mystics for their secrets like me. Even now she lifts up the veil and sees the truth within the void."

He looked over to Karena smiling deviously and he told Darya, "Our Karena has found such a treasure among the rubbish." He lifted a finger and seductively ran it over Darya's bottom lip. "Vincent will be flayed alive and staked out to face the sunrise. The little rat terrier making a ruckus and nipping at our heels shall be dismembered and his pieces scattered. His insolent tongue I will place in a jar on my shelf. The both of them will serve as examples to anyone who even considers taking what belongs to Lucien."

His fingertip pushed past her lips to taunt and tease her tongue. "But the seer, Ondine, she I will accept into my family." His fingertip traced the outline of her fang. "My dear, you will go to her. Tempt her. Seduce her. Drive wedges between her and Vincent and between her and the annoying terrier. If she will not accept my will..." He pulled out his finger from her mouth and held it up. "...destroy her slowly and painfully for denying me."

 

[Asa]

Darya

Simply nodding to his words she detested the way he did her. She had endured enough of his treatment but the consummate actress and "perfect of thought" she agreed with him that there were reasons the others needed to die but there were ways they could "live"

I will speak with her after I speak with Karena. Get a little more info on her from Karena...

Her hopes of her sister waking soon for now was all that was within her mind. She would not be denied speaking with her sister once she awakened. Karena was one person that no one crossed her about with how close they were. Maybe that closeness was why Lucien crossed her instead of allowing Karena to do so.

Karena

Her mind registered the words around her but refused to grant her consciousness just yet... Lucien was still being his insufferable childish self that was a major factor between them. He had changed grown darker more self absorbed... simply... different. Not like he was before they left Nepal. Time perhaps or his age or something had turned him into this rat in the darkness scurrying about and hiding. She would not let that self absorbed shell of the man she once knew kill her family... She had her own plans and agenda to fix what she realized had become a very large problem... or he would force her hand and she would kill him. For now time to wake

Slowly her eyes struggle to open... lips moving as if words should be falling from them and beginning to stir. Catching the attention of her little sister she felt the air about Darya shift and hearing her stand from where she had clearly been within Luciens grasp perhaps his lap it would not surprise her. Her eyes finally nearly open she fought to focus...

Da... Darya...? Lucien...?

I... I will speak to my sister in private Lucien and I do mean Private... keep your mind and ears out of this room...

She tried to push up some to add emphasis to her words but laid back once that was done.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Jericho and Alexander Holt

Jericho had slipped past Vincent and Sally-boy as they tangled, and it wasn't until he was around the corner and down the hall that it struck him. How in hell did Vincent get a good fight going and he was stuck sneaking around like a fucking ninja? Vince always got to do the fun stuff, the bastard. He probably didn't even finish it off right. Jericho knew they didn't want Salvador dead-not yet atleast, but damn it, how the hell did Vincent get a nice round of violence and he got shafted.

He felt the need to cause some damage to someone, anyone like a weight on his shoulders. Violence was good for the soul-if he still had one that was.

Maybe he could at least punch the first person he came across in the face.

His explorations were showing nothing. No clues whatsoever save the fact that Lucien had alot of paintings and statues with his face. Jericho had some fun ripping them or knocking them over to shatter on the floor. His kiddos were in their barracks sleeping through the day, and the security here was a total joke. He slipped into another corridor. Fuck, this place went on forever. He wondered how deep under the mountain they were.

"Barstocke acknowledge." Someone was in the room two doors down. "Bunker to watchpost 4. Gimme a status report. Marley come in. Someone answer me damn it."

Jericho sneaked over the door's edge peeking past it. Inside was a woman at an old-timey desktop radio set. Obviously Lucien's security control center. One person? He nearly laughed out loud. Lucien and these punks didn't have a clue in their stupid little mausoleum up here in the mountains.

"This is Patel in post 1 over."

"Patel?" The woman frowned. "You weren't given sentry duty this week? What the fuck are you doing out there?"

"I was taking Martel and Diego's supper to them," Patel answered, "They're dead."

"What happened to them? Who could-"

"There's a hole the size of my fist in their heads. Someone shot them. A sniper with a fucking powerful rifle to do that to them."

Jericho's blood turned cold in his veins. He knew who had shot them. They had led the mother fucker straight to these losers. Holt was becoming more annoying than amusing now.

"Patel, Get out of there...Now!"

"I'm already out the do-" There came a loud resounding crack and the wet smack of a body hitting the floor.

Jericho grimaced. Stupid fucking coward always killing at a distance. What good was murder if you couldn't see the light leave their eyes, their blood wasn't staining your sleeves, and you didn't stretch out every last agonized breath from your victim. Holt offended him to the core every time he thought about the pathetic fucker.

"Patel? Patel?" The radio operator panicked gripping the mike.

The radio squealed and popped for a moment before a calm even tone Jericho instantly recognized came over it. "I am the man who just shot the last of your security outside the compound."

"Mother fucker, You don't know just who your messing around with. We'll find you and then we're gonna rip your-"

"To do that you'll have to leave your bunker through the only door over ground I've littered with landmines. Even then you won't find me."

"Who the fuck are you?"

"The man who doesn't give a rat's ass about you or your nest," Holt continued, "Last night you took in four vampires looking for safe harbor. You will no longer afford them that safe harbor. Boot them out your door and leave them to their fate."

Damn, he had to go back and tell Vincent Holt was here. Jericho turned and slinked back down the hallway the way he came back to their rooms.

 

[Last_Rider]

Vincent

It didn't take Vincent too long to locate the library, Lucien was nothing if not consistent in how he had his little caves set up. It was also deserted, another thing you could count on. The vampires here would either already have most of the knowledge from these books, or weren't meant to need the information in them. Lucien was very discerning that way.

Vincent moved quickly through the shelves, he knew automatically which books would have the information he'd need. A few minutes later he closed the last one and set it aside. There wasn't anything of real use in there, not that he'd had that much hope there would be. Lucien understood the value of knowledge, and he controlled it accordingly. Vincent re-shelved the books and sat in a far corner.

"The only one with any knowledge of this poison is Lucien, and he overcame it. He's the only one to have done so. He also seems to have been one of the last to be afflicted with it. He probably has all of the information, and had the rest destroyed. Anything that hurt him that badly he'd need to destroy, to dominate totally."

There was a chance Lucien had this room bugged, but their personal rooms almost certainly were, and sometimes you just needed to hear things out loud to really get your head around them.

"The knowledge of it, and how to make it, will therefore be closely guarded."

The chances of Holt getting that poison from anywhere but someone in this compound were extremely slim. Holt did research of course, and Vincent was proud that he was starting to desire suffering instead of just death. It took most a lot longer to slip into that mental state. Holt was coming along nicely in that regard. So the question now was, who was helping Holt?

"Not Darya. She's smart enough, but she wouldn't cause Karena pain. Me probably, but Holt shot Karena, and he doesn't usually miss."

That left almost no one here. Salvatore didn't plan that far ahead, and Lucien probably didn't trust too many others here besides those two. Lucien.

The thought stopped Vincent, could Lucien be behind this? He was smart enough, had the knowledge, and the desire. The thought that Karena was anyone's but his would drive him to distraction. His sunlight, out there with Vincent. Ondine was sure someone here smelled like something from the night of their ambush. They'd been close to Lucien, she would have said something if it was him.

"Unless..."

Holt was smart. If he had any reason to believe he was getting help from a vampire he'd kill him. Whatever game Lucien was playing at, it was dangerous and very clever. That fit Vincent just fine, those were his favorite kind of games. And he was very good at them. It was certainly going to be interesting.

Vincent moved back down the halls. He wanted to be in their room before Jericho was back. He needed to prepare a few things before the next move was made.

 

[Veroe]

IC: Lucien

His fingertip pushed past her lips to taunt and tease her tongue. "But the seer, Ondine, she I will accept into my family." His fingertip traced the outline of her fang. "My dear, you will go to her. Tempt her. Seduce her. Drive wedges between her and Vincent and between her and the annoying terrier. If she will not accept my will..." He pulled out his finger from her mouth and held it up. "...destroy her slowly and painfully for denying me."

"I will speak with her after I speak with Karena. Get a little more info on her from Karena..."

Lucien nodded. Darya was a capable lieutenant when it came to simple matter like running his house but she lacked the drive, the cruelty, to be trusted with anything more. What a pity.

He let her get up and crossed the room to the sofa Karena was stirring awake in. He knelt down over her peering into her eyes to see if she was capable of focusing upon him. Momento Mori attacked the mind, altering what you perceived with your eyes. Karena was strong though, within a moment her irises dilated and fixed him with a weak but unshaking look.

"My dear child," He said stroking fingers over her cheek and he watched her eyes shift over past him to focus on Darya.

"Da... Darya...? Lucien...?" She said weakly, "I... I will speak to my sister in private Lucien and I do mean Private... keep your mind and ears out of this room..."

He got up and crossed over to the cauldron of the potion he had been boiling down for her. He hid how hurt, and angry, and jealous he was of Darya for the simple act of recieving Karena's attention-as well as the impossible rage directed at Karena herself for holding such an effect upon him. He was Lucien. He stalked the earth as Cain slew Abel, he recalled the price for a mackeral on the wharfs of the lost city of Atlantis, he danced and reveled and debauched as Nero burned Rome to its foundations. Who was she counting life in a bare handful of centuries compared to him. Why should he care whom she loved even if it was not him?

Being without love was a fair trade for power and eternity. He had been a fool to hope that coming to him to save her pathetic vagabond existence with Vincent would change her mind about him. Love, hope, what useless annoyances. Those were emotions for lesser beings. He was Lucien, uncaring and unrelenting.

But he did care, curse her forever to the deepest pit of hell. And because he cared she would watch as those that recieved her love suffered for it-even Darya.

He schooled his expression to a nuetral banal mask and came over to her handing Darya a flask of the dark liquid. "Have her take all of this. It won't cure her but it can stabilize her." The phone on the far wall rung. "After an hour she will need to drink her sire's blood to strengthen and nourish her. I will return then."

He crossed the room to answer it. "I said I wished not to be bothered."

"Father, but you didn't say that," A woman's voice, which one of his children was it: Asher, Archer...he couldn't remember. He did remember that this woman was assigned to the security control center within the bunker.

"Then you should've anticipated that I did not want to be disturbed," He growled.

"But father," She said with a suitable quiver of fear in her voice to appease him for the moment. "We lost contact with the watchposts in the valley and the human who says he is responsible wants your guests to be banished from the compound."

He hung up on her. He had overlooked how resourceful and tenaciousness his good friend was. Now he was a loose end he'd have to rid himself of unless...perhaps he could still be of use to Lucien's aims if...yes, yes...that is exactly what he'd do.

He crossed the room heading for an unmarked door, large, steel, and strong enough to give even a well-fed Vampire pause. "Make certain no one disturbs me for any reason, Darya. I will be done to feed Karena by the end of the hour."

He opened the door and quickly slipped within his innermost sanctum beyond it. If either were quick with their eyes they would be able to see past him into the sanctum with a white chalk pentagram marked on the floor and against the wall a hat stand with a heavy black cloak that gave off a distinctive pungeont scent.

 

[Asa]

Darya

She knew Luciens hurt at Karena choosing to speak with her first... She felt that way every time she wanted Lucien or Vincent or any of them over her. For once in a rare time he can see what others feel. Not that it will matter to him in the slightest. No she knew better NO matter how many childer he embraced whatever was left of his dismal soul belonged to Karena. So much he had stifled her and she had run... Why had he quit wanting to travel around with her why feed that passion of hers only to just stop.

She thought long and hard while talking with her sister who seemed faintly distracted it must be the toxin or so she thought. Brushing out Karena's hair she talked with her listening as usual to Karena wanting her to give Vincent Ondine and Jericho a chance. How she had missed her and various other ramblings as she just listened and smiled to her.

Karena

She wanted time with Lucien but she also wanted to see her sister... she had never had a sister in life and out of all of the random embracing Lucien had done over the years Darya was the only one she really felt close to. It was nice to simply talk to her for a moment she knew that even ill Lucien would be affectionate and far too hands on for the moment.

Her mind was still in a bit of a spin from the toxin's affect and then this drink Lucien wanted Darya to get her to drink. Once she had finished the potion sat up a bit with Darya's help She watched the time feeling a little better and glad that Lucien went into his inner sanctum and not to harass her family. She truly hoped he realized if he ever did anything to them he would in fact lose her... He had never lost her he had just stifled her. She would send Darya away once that hour was over and she was there with Lucien and enjoy some time with him and see what he might just let slip and tell her. She got different things from Lucien and Vincent but neither seemed to understand that nor did she think they ever would.