Vampires Hunted

[4Chiri]

Veronica looked out the tinted limousine window with reluctance. Apparently there was to be a meeting between the Vampire Clans and the Demon hunters for some sort of peaceful resolution between the dead and the living.


She looked down at her slender, spidery fingers; in them clutched a small round compact mirror. It was old, foggy and cracked...no matter how many times she looked into it she could never see herself. It didn't stop her from hoping however...maybe one day it would work.


The lights from the city reflected in the night against her window and glinting her pink eyes and snow white hair. Lighting her soft pale skin with a strange ambience. She didn't have a good feeling about this. Considering peace was a lie..

 

[Lucyfer]

“So,” the younger of the two siblings spoke once they were in the back of limousine, and the partition cut them off from the driver, “How much of a warning are you going to give me before you jump the first hunter?”


Valence was grinning from ear to ear when his elder sister lifted her silver eyes to him. She arched a single, black eyebrow, before she shared in his smile. “None.” For to give warning would alert the hunters, too. “We must first assess who is leading them, though.”


Valence asked, “So, you’re not going to try for peace? Isn’t that what father wants?” They had the same sire. It was why they considered themselves siblings, even though Valence was from the 19th century, and Morrigan, from the 11th.


“Father would not have sent me if he wanted peace.”


Morrigan had a storied history behind her that the auburn-haired brother was only beginning to understand. What he understood was that Morrigan was well-known in vampire society as a slayer of vampires and humans alike—anyone who stepped out of line, really. Of the vampires who considered themselves nobility, their father was high on the list, and Morrigan enforced the rules he laid out.


Of course, most of the rules were shared by all vampires, so there was rarely a conflict of interest. “There is something amiss,” that seemed to be spoken more to herself than Valence. “I want you on your guard.”


Valence raised an eyebrow, but he nodded. “Okay,” he consented.


Soon enough, they pulled up to the hotel that had been bought for their stay here, and where all the vampires were supposed to gather. A meeting room had been claimed in the building. Valence exited the limousine first, and made a show of offering a hand to his sister. Her painted lips curved into a smirk, but she accepted it, and he helped her out of the limo.


They walked in, arm in arm, and were directed towards the meeting room. “Ah, Lady Delune, Lord Delune,” they were greeted by the Greek, Archimedes. He had arranged this meeting. “Where is your father?” He seemed genuinely concerned.


Morrigan broke away from her brother to approach Archimedes, “He will not be coming. I speak on his behalf.” Morrigan answered. Her eyes lifted then to the hunters who had congregated in one area of the room, as opposed to the vampires. She walked around Archimedes to where they were gathered.


“Hello,” several eyes shifted then, vampire and hunter alike, to the vampire who had dared approach the hunters in the room. “Morrigan Delune.” She did not offer her hand.


“Andrew,” one of them spoke up to greet her, blond. He did offer his hand, “I’ve heard of you. Good to meet you in person.”


She couldn’t even smile at what she imagined was a joke. She did take his hand, however. Her grip was hard enough to remind him that vampires had the strength to break bones, hard enough to hurt, but he didn’t so much as flinch. “Good to meet you. I haven’t heard of you.”

 

[4Chiri]

There seemed to already be so many other clans here...it made her nervous.


"Milady," spoke her driver. He slowly parked in the U-shaped driveway, in front of the lavish looking hotel. "all the clans are probably


already inside, you should hurry." He had short black hair, tinted glasses and a slick, black tuxedo on. He quickly exited the car and walked around, opening the door for her. Reaching down, he took her hand and she slowly exited, standing in the cool night. The shadows from her cloak kept her face hidden, only the glow of her pink eyes were visible.


"Good luck, milady," he said and got back into the car. She stood there, looking up at the large building quietly, a stoic expression on her face. The dim lights from the chandeliers broke through the tinted glass windows, creaking a hard, kaleidoscopic effect on the sidewalk below where she stood, throwing her shadow against the ground behind her; stretching off into nothing.


She was only told very little, but without more hesitation she slowly let herself in, ignoring everyone who looked at her. Her father, Lord Pagan, could not be here, as he had important business elsewhere. As was normal, the eldest child - being herself- would speak instead. Though she doubted at all that this would work and felt the hard, metal pommel of her rapier under her cloak, tied snugly to her outer thigh.


Hunters...other Vampires, some names she recognized, some she did not.


Catching a glimpse of Morrigan, another vampire...powerful, like herself...and the hunters. She could feel their glares against her, but she did not look at them and looked for her father's place where she would sit.

 

[Lucyfer]

Valence glanced towards the newest entrant, Veronica. He only knew of her due to her father, Pagan. Their father mocked him relentless when Lord Pagan wasn’t around. Valence didn’t know how he was to Lord Pagan’s face, though he doubted it was much different. Lord Kairos Delune was not a subtle man. He rarely felt the need to be.


Archimedes clapped twice upon acknowledging Veronica’s presence, “All right,” he spoke loudly, and Morrigan glanced away from the hunters then, releasing Andrew’s hand. “Everyone is here, so we can begin to discuss the matter at hand.”


There were no assigned seats, but people quickly began to figure out that the hunters were going to occupy one side, and the vampires another. Everyone except Morrigan, who had decided to take a seat at the end of the hunter’s side. Valence rolled his eyes at her audacity and took an appropriate seat near the center of the table on his side.


Archimedes occupied the head of the table.

 

[4Chiri]

Veronica sat down one seat away from Valence and kept her hands in her lap. She never once looked at him however and kept her glare to the table, expressionless. She remembered her father speaking of Archimedes, and how he arranged the meeting to take place. She thought it a waste of time really, rather, if it were up to her, she wouldn't be here...


She felt the mirror still in her hand however, reminding her of a mother lost. Reminding her that though she may not be able to see herself, she existed, and at least, in that, there was some hope; peace within herself. That's all she needed. Not these silly proceedings, meetings and discussions. It was a waste. The clans right now could be figuring ways to ascend themselves, rather than lower to the level of these mere hunters...the gall. A feeling of disgust welled in her gut as she glanced around the table. Something just didn't feel right. Why all of a sudden was this agreed upon? She wanted to leave, but decided to stay and see what would happen.


Hopefully something more interesting than stuffed dignitaries, so-called 'Lords' and their twisted words and lies. They were all demons at this table.


And Archimedes...she had a feeling he would speak through broken teeth. He was in too much control to be trusted to be conducting this meeting. Why not a neutral party?...this just wasn't right...


She had better things to do...like baking. A side note...though Vampires did not feel actual 'hunger' and would get sick upon ingesting anything other than blood...she had a terrible sweetooth and indulged it anyway. Thus, then wandering...where were the refreshments?


Perhaps it was better that there was none...probably would be poisoned anyway.

 

[Lucyfer]

Archimedes opened by saying, “We’re gathered here today to try and establish an understanding. In the past, it is true that we were a bit of…unorganized brutes,” Morrigan leaned back in her seat, a laugh escaping her at that. “You, especially.”


“Flatterer.” There was no humor in her voice. There was just murder. Valence shifted his hands into his coat, and found the cool metal of his gun.


Archimedes continued, deciding not to bait her. “As I’ve tried to explain to the hunters,” he continued, “even we brutes have changed. We have adapted our own laws to agree not to kill humans, and to feed from them as little as possible. With technology’s advancements, we are able to subsist on bagged blood.”


“The problem is, there isn’t enough to go around,” Valence pointed out. “Humans also require that blood to live through their surgeries. I’m not faulting them,” he raised his hands as several eyes fell upon him a glare, gun left behind, “But we need to have more campaigns for humans to donate more blood, so that we all benefit. The more access we have to blood, the less humans get hurt. We’re just trying to survive.”


“Perhaps if you lot weren’t so greedy, there would be,” Andrew countered. “I know some of you drink far more than you ought. And even if this is the case, your kind have not made it a crime to kill humans. It is just considered an understandable mistake.”


Others began to voice arguments, but Valence’s eyes drifted towards Morrigan. He saw that her brows had furrowed, focusing on something.


What she was focusing on was the fact the room smelled overwhelmingly of cinnamon. It was not a bad scent, but it was starting to become suspicious to her. “You humans gorge yourself on food, too, why should we not?” A vampire countered. “You kill cows and pigs as if it were nothing. At least we are trying not to kill you all.”


Andrew rose. “Are you comparing us to the likes of cows and pigs?” He sounded quite offended.


“No,” Morrigan spoke, “I’d say you’re more like tuna.”


Valence hit his forehead.

 

[4Chiri]

Veronica lightly covered her mouth due to an escaped chuckle. Her gloved hand fell gently against her lap again as she contained her glee. This was so entertaining. So many clans gathered here today to try and make nice with the humans...humans were brash...stupid...always have been. What would father say at a time like this? she wondered and her fingers crept along the hilt of her sword again, concealed and hidden. Every vampire had heightened senses...they should all be able to feel the tension that was the air.


She cleared her throat softly and spoke up.


"I am Veronica Victoria, from Lord Lucian Pagan's clan, I am honored, on behalf of my father that you would invite us here, Ser Archimedes, if I may?" she spoke smoothly, even and soft, but her tone had a hint of command.


"I hear us all trying to come to solutions, but it seems we're talking in circles around the same problem that has been for generations." she sighed. "why not try to secure our blood from where the humans care the least? As in human criminals? There are thousands of human prisoners, instead of killing them, why not donate their blood to the vampires as a place to start this truce?" she asked, glancing over the eyes of the hunters, and slowly to Archimedes.


"Instead of taking blood from their hospitals, which they value as much as we do, why not start small and work our way up to the trust required to do so? Humans are already disgusted by the fact that we need blood to sustain us, I doubt they would willingly donate specifically to us, so soon."

 

[Lucyfer]

Archimedes raised an eye at the ‘ser’ comment. He then blanched, as if disgusted by the term. He was. He was older than the term ‘ser’ and it was an offense to hear himself referred to as that, especially since he was hosting this meeting.


Not only that, he wasn’t allowed to give his permission. ‘Well, why ask then?’ He wondered, but he listened without interruption.


“I understand what you are saying, Veronica,” one of the hunters said, speaking as kindly as she could, “But we cannot just take blood from others, even if they are criminals,” she informed her, “We’ve had to deal with this already in our own society. It is why we do not experiment on criminals. Bodily autonomy is still theirs, even those condemned to death row.”


“That’s why we’re asking for more campaigns for blood donation in general,” another vampire said. “Humans will never know where it goes, we’ll secure it as we always do. You know my family operates plenty of the hospitals in this country,” he had already introduced himself, before even the Delunes arrived. “We know how to distribute things without causing a fuss. Just claim there’s, I don’t know, some sort of outbreak that requires more blood donations.”


“That won’t last. All epidemics die down.”


“Valence,” Morrigan’s voice cut through the air and the debates. Valence looked up. “Move over here immediately.” Valence rose, though he looked confused.


He asked as he started to walk, “Why?”


“The floor on that side of the room is covered in gasoline.” She had finally smelled it through the cinnamon.


Archimedes seemed to go whiter than he already was.


The risen Andrew was the first hunter to react, and he drew his gun and fired a shot in front of Valence, lighting the floor on fire and putting up a wall of flame before Valence could cross over to the ‘safe’ side. Much as the vampires had been allowed to bring weapons, as evidenced by Veronica’s rapier, so were the hunters.


Valence did manage to jump onto the table, but several other vampires weren’t so lucky. They went up like newspapers. Curiously, Morrigan did not rise from her chair, though she did kick back from the table and let it roll her over to the wall.

 

[4Chiri]

She wasn't one for rules...who cares? After this meeting she'd go her own way..already on bad terms with her own family. Just as the hunter shot the floor she jumped from her chair onto one of the banisters of the second floor.


"tch, humans...no subtly, always loud and predictable." she said, without the slightest bit of surprise. She ducked away from the skirmish, looking at some of the piles of ash that were other vampires, not so lucky. She chuckled to herself and turned, hurrying to find another staircase, to quickly get to the roof. Already with a plan to leave this place..if she could only reach the roof.


But for a point, bullets would ricochet, she had to be careful, even if a bullet wasn't aimed for her, she could still be shot. hopefully no one decided to trail her, but if they did, they'd be sorry.


"I guess she was right," Mauro mumbled and sat in the drivers side of the car. She had a feeling something was going to happen and when he heard the gunshot he knew he would see her any minute now. According to the plan she would escape from the rooftops to the secluded parking outback, where he waited in the shadows underneath some thick trees. He made it a point not to turn on the car until she got there, lest the noise and lights give him away ~ or so she told him.


There really wasn't a point...can't really hide a limousine anyway. Or maybe she told him to stay put because she would escape on her own. He never knew with her. Perhaps he would see her in the morning if she didn't meet up with him in the next few minutes. She always had a plan...always...


He shook his head. Poor girl nearly drives herself mad with paranoia.

 

[Lucyfer]

Morrigan’s eyes went up briefly when she saw Veronica jump, and then run. ‘Tch.’ Of course. Though, she supposed it was why she had her father’s view of Lord Pagan’s ilk.


Calm, despite the fire, Morrigan rose to her feet as Andrew leveled his gun at her. “Go ahead,” she dared him, looking him right in the eye as Valence jumped over to her side, drawing his own gun and pointing it at Andrew.


Andrew was given two seconds to react. When he chose not to, Morrigan ran right by him, and snapped the neck of a hunter that was reaching for a weapon. Valence shot another through the head. “Archimedes, you swore!” Andrew shouted at the vampire, to the surprise of Morrigan and Valence both.


Archimedes looked like a deer in headlights for a second. Then, he drew his own gun. Morrigan bared her fangs and rushed at him, but never quite made it to shove him into the fire like she planned. The dart he fired from the gun was laced with poisoned blood, and it dropped her the second it entered her veins—not unconscious, but immediately weak.


Valence rushed to get to her side, to get her out of there, but another shot forced him to dodge and move off track. He watched as a red-headed woman grabbed Morrigan’s arms and pulled her back up. ‘They’re not going to kill her.’ He thought, confused and concerned at once. A thousand possibilities ran through his head as to what could happen, and then a fiery beam fell way too close for comfort.


Morrigan would be pissed, but he had to flee. He had a feeling it would be better if he escaped, in the long run. He turned and ran, exited the building, and found what he thought was at first his own limousine. He paused near the driver’s side door, and knocked on it, “Hey, Nic—you’re not Nicholas.” This probably wasn’t his limousine, but paranoia had more power. Valence pointed his gun at the driver through the window. “Where’s Nicholas?” He wasn’t thinking straight. His mind thought this was some hunter who was trying to impede him further.

 

[4Chiri]

Mauro turned and looked. Well THIS wasn't part of the plan. with a sigh he unlocked the doors.


"I am not Nicholas," he stated. "I am Mauro, Veronica's butler." he said in a calm voice. He kept his hands firmly on the steering wheel, at any moment he may need to go, with Veronica or no.


"I am no hunter and if you need assistance, it seems as though my responsibility has fled from here, so if you must, get in. But do so quickly," he stated, but he glanced behind Valence and his face calmed a bit.


"Veronica, what took you so long?"


"Mauro, start the car and go," Veronica called, emerging from the dark from behind the building. she froze when she saw Valence pointing at him with his gun.


"Don't worry milady, just please, get in already." Mauro sighed. Due to Valence's hesitation, Veronica dashed forward at the sound of another stray bullet and yanked him into the car. Once the door slammed shut, Mauro sped off into the night, down the long road secluded by trees.

 

[Lucyfer]

Valence did hesitate, surprised by the butler’s calm nature and then by Veronica showing up. When he was yanked, though, he didn’t resist. He went with it and shut the door behind him.


He babbled immediately, “Archimedes was in on it,” he told Veronica once he got situated. He looked out the window, then back at her, “Do you have a safe place here?” Valence didn’t. He didn’t typically stay in the States, as his accent made clear. He was born in London, and he had been living there since his father did most of his business there.


A follow-up question came, “Do you know anyone here?” He didn’t want to have to call his father and tell him what happened. He’d come, of course, but he would be very upset for having to do that. Valence wanted to believe in the hope that the hunters could be taken down if he had vampires that were prepared to do so. And that somehow, Morrigan would be alive at that point.


Or that she’d murder them all. For some reason, that seemed the more likely possibility.


~***~


At the moment, Morrigan wasn’t murdering anybody. The vampires that had fled were either taken down, or allowed to escape after they got too far to pursue safely. Hunters moved about to secure the hotel, and the fire was put out. Morrigan was taken to a different room that didn’t reek of cinnamon or gas. “Archimedes,” her speech was a bit slurred from the poison. “You know when I get free, I’m going to drink you dry.” It was spoken happily. Morrigan had no problems drinking vampire blood, though others found the idea disgusting or offensive.


Archimedes just shot her a look. He was refusing to speak, now.


“You won’t be getting free.” Andrew informed her. He took a seat on a desk in front of her, one leg crossing over the other. He folded his arms on his legs and leaned forward. “You will die. How long it takes is up to you.”


“Oh?” She sounded amused, despite it all. “What is it you want then? I’ll give you anything to ensure I die faster.”


Andrew didn’t let her amusement bother him. “Which number in your phone is Kairos?”


Ah yes. All the names were in Gaelic. Morrigan just smiled at him. “Good luck with that.” So they wanted Kairos? That was a death wish. Even so, she wouldn’t tell them. They probably imagined they could trap Kairos, too, and she wouldn’t even let them attempt it.

 

[4Chiri]

She kept still, after straightening herself. It was clear that she was a bit...spoiled. She kept a haughty look towards the window and her hands folded neatly in her lap.


"...You couldn't tell?" she asked.


Mauro closed the partition between them and she opened a small, cooled compartment. She handed him a wineglass and poured him some fine, red liquid from a wrapped bottle. Then herself and took a small sip.


"...I do have a place to go." she said and sighed. "but I'll be dropping you off at the train-station downtown..."


She peered at the small clock at the base of the armrest between them. It was late...and dark, in the next few hours the sun would rise. She was dressed in old things. A leather corset, thick chiffon silk and ornately designed fabrics down her long, deep red dress, layered with laces. She wore a thick, black velvet and burlap cloak to protect against the sun and...to keep most of her skin covered, which was nearly as pale as paper. She took down her hood, releasing a wave of curly, white hair, surrounding her shoulders.


"I hope you don't mind. I didn't know much of the other clans...I never cared to. I keep my trust to myself. Nothing against you personally."

 

[Lucyfer]

Valence accepted the glass from her when it was offered. He didn’t bother to look shamed when the woman suggested his ignorance for not recognizing what Archimedes was. He was younger than many vampires. He was just fortunate to be part of the Delune clan—that name got him far.


It was when Veronica made it clear she wasn’t going to do anything (or it sounded that way to him) that he paused with the glass at his lips. “What?” He blinked his confusion and lowered his glass. He no longer trusted the liquid within. “You’re not going to do anything about what just happened?”


She lowered her hood and her words made it clear she wouldn’t know anyone. Didn't trust anyone. He wrinkled his nose and offered his glass back to her. “Never mind, just let me out here.” He didn’t want to go to a train station. He had to move to find out the vampires in the area and nearby. He had to let them know there were traitors in their midst, and they had to move to strike against the hunters. He might not care to trust strangers, either, but he needed to.


Clearly, Veronica was not going to help him. ‘Just as Kairos says….’ Some vampires didn’t deserve their high names, since they wouldn’t do anything. They just survived and had their names because of their long lives.


~***~


Andrew stared at Morrigan for a long time, as if it would change her answer. As the minutes passed, however, it became clear that it wouldn’t. “Very well. I’ll just have to start dialing numbers.” He pushed himself off from the table and motioned. The red-headed woman of earlier approached him and gave him the phone that had been looted from Morrigan. “Archimedes, drain her.”


“Ha!” Morrigan didn’t quite realize what was meant, until she saw Archimedes approach with a machine that looked a bit like hospital, IV equipment. She glared at it. Of course, it didn’t explode, but she could hope. “Draining me won’t help.”


Andrew gave her a smile. “I know how desperate vampires get when hungry. You’ll talk then.”


A hollow needle jammed itself into her arm. She hissed at Archimedes, and quickly tried to dislodge it by moving her arm, but the red-headed woman walked around her and held her still while wrapping more chains around her arm so that she couldn’t move even if she tried.


Andrew just started dialing the numbers in her phone.

 

[4Chiri]

Veronica hesitated. If her mother were here...she'd be angered. Her mother always wanted to uplift the Vampire race...and helping warn others of a traitor would definitely help. Even though she gave up on her people along time ago, she decided that if she would help, she would do it for her mother...for no other reason.


"Wait," she mumbled and looked him in the eyes. "Archimedes is no doubt telling those hunter's where each Vampire lord resides...to help murder them. Do you intend to race to each Lord and warn them? Or perhaps...conjoin them?"


she looked out the window, slowly they came to a stop at a traffic stop, then eventually continued on up an unfamiliar road, and soon, into another wooded area, away from the city noise...not the train station.


"...you must be young...it only makes sense for being so...ambitious." she nearly said in a whisper, looking Valence up and down.


Mauro opened the partition and spoke. "Milady, you have a call."


"Put it on speaker." she snapped.


"Veronica, it's me." said a male voice.


"Hello again, I'm on my way home now." she sighed.


"What happened?" he asked.


"...Archimedes is a traitorous coward...like I said before. He's sided with the hunters...and killed off some of the Lords that had attended the meeting." she explained in a breath. "...I have Valence Delune with me."


A hesitation.


"One of the Delunes' eh...Veronica...it's always something with you.." he chuckled. "I'll see you when you get here then."


Promptly he hung up and Veronica sighed.

 

[Lucyfer]

‘Well, yeah, I’m young.’


He was about to mention that Morrigan was about as ambitious as him, but he wondered what reputation the Delunes had if this was considered surprising. Then again, the woman already confessed that she kept out of the business of other clans. He sighed instead, but still didn’t drink what he had.


There was a call before he could say anything, and he remained quiet during it. When it ended, he said, “I’m not sure about all the lords, but I think those in America would have enough time to do something.” He didn’t care about the lords, though. He’d take any other vampire—it affected them all, and honestly, he didn’t care all that much about names. Merit and action meant more to him—it always had.


His own phone vibrated, and he quickly picked it up when he saw the name. “Hello, father.” This was not going to go over well. He leaned back in his seat, “Yeah? What call?” He knew it was rude to talk on the phone in the presence of company, but he wouldn’t hang up on his father, nor put it to speaker. “That would be accurate.”


The shout that erupted from the other end caused Valence to pull the phone away from his ear. “HOW DARE YOU RUN! HOW DARE YOU ABANDON HER!”


“I’m sorry!” Valence said, “They weren’t going to kill her, I could see that!” He explained quickly, “I’m going to mobilize here, I’m going to find a way to get her back before they kill her, I promise, you don’t need to come. That’s what they want.”


He responded. Then, he hung up. Valence groaned and set his phone aside. “Sorry,” he apologized, looking down at his lap. “So. What should I expect from that guy on the phone?” He looked up then to meet the woman’s pink eyes, “He didn’t sound happy that you’re traveling with a Delune.”


~***~


Andrew was fortunate. Though he reached several others before Kairos, he did eventually reach Kairos. “Hello there, Kairos. I’m afraid this isn’t Morrigan.” There was silence on the line for a few seconds, before a question was asked. “My name is Andrew. I’m a hunter, and I’m ransoming your daughter.”


“IT’S A TRAP!” Morrigan had enough strength to shout that, though each second that ticked by was draining her blood from her body and making her head spin. “ARCHIMEDES—” and of course, Archimedes backhanded her to keep her quiet. It was followed by duct tape. She growled.


Andrew let her shout, and let Kairos respond to it calmly. “Valence escaped, I’m afraid, but we’ll be tracking him down, too. Let’s talk cost.”


Cost wasn’t going to be discussed. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you where I am.” Whatever Kairos said next caused Andrew to stop his pacing. Hesitation and fear were readable on his features, and he hung up, then threw the phone out the window. “GPS,” he cursed it with his tone, then turned to the others. “We need to move locations.”


“Why?” The red-headed sounded irked.


“Money buys bombs.”


“He wouldn’t dare. Not with her among us.”


“I wouldn’t trust a vampire to care enough. Pack up, we can use another of Archimedes’s hotels. I’ll call ahead.” There were other hunters positioned about town.

 

[4Chiri]

She paused.


"His name is Saimere. That's all you need to know right now. I'm sure he would rather introduce himself, he does so with such flamboyance...it is most....amusing." she chuckled.


"Judging from your conversation," she said, uncaring that it was rude to listen into one's conversations...but they were in a car...what privacy was there really? "You have a large task at hand..."


Mauro pulled up a long, dark driveway, surrounded by trees. Secluded was a chiseled brick Manor, about three stories and very intricate. They pulled up in a marble driveway as the motion sensing lights came on to a dim brightness.


Mauro got out and opened their doors, of course, Veronica's first and grabbing her hand.


"This is one of my estates...I have a few...just in case. You can stay here for a while if you need to, but try not to use your phone...those are traceable." she said. "'tis why I only make calls in my car...it can easily be moved. I would hate it if my home was disrupted because of unsavoury characters." she said with a flick of her wrist and started up the stairs to the front door. It was large...mahogany.


Inside was even more decorative, however strange, there was not one piece of Pagan evidence anywhere. No family crests, no portraits...not even any family colors.


"Make yourself comfortable." she said and wondered off through the foyer into the sitting room to brew some tea.


though it would likely make her a tad sick, it didn't matter. She wanted tea. the taste of blood was rather boring after a while...


Sitting the middle of the marble floor was a white fluffy cat. It looked up at him, yawned and went back to sleep.

 

[Lucyfer]

“Morrigan’s the favorite,” Valence said with a shrug. He wasn’t sure if he believed it or not, but he knew for certain that Morrigan and Kairos had lived through much together. There was a strong bond between the two.


When they pulled up to the house, he exited after her and again shut the door. At the mention of the phone thing, he just turned his off. He knew that, but he never thought about it. The only one who ever seemed like they would track him, was his father, and he didn’t mind that all that much. “Thanks.” He could use this place as a base, though he suspected she wouldn’t appreciate that.


No, he’d find somewhere to stay tomorrow and organize there. She wouldn’t want the unsavories here. He followed her in, and did notice that there wasn’t anything Pagan, anywhere. ‘Huh.’ That was strange. Morrigan and Kairos both made their family clear in their own homes. They had them scattered about, too, just none in this city.


Valence still just had one, in London, his old family’s home. Mortal. He hadn’t really collected much for the Delune family, though he would. He had no issues with his family.


The sight of the kitty distracted his thoughts. His eyes immediately lit up, and he walked right over to it and knelt down to pet it. “Hey there, friend.” He liked cats. Cats were wonderful creatures, even if most of them seemed to hate him. The smell of tea caught his attention, but he assumed it was some human’s brew. Some vampires did keep humans around to tend to things in the day, or guard in the day.


~***~


Morrigan wouldn’t be moved until Andrew was certain she wouldn’t be able to escape. That gave him time to make a call to one of the other hunters. He dialed the number for him, and waited for the phone to be picked up, every now and then glancing at Morrigan.


She had grown quiet. More than that, she’d stopped moving much. There was no twitching. Her head was bowed, and she had ceased breathing—of course, it wasn’t necessary for vampires, but most still kept with the habit. It gave them the additional sense of smell, which Morrigan clearly liked using. Cinnamon. She’d smelled right through that.


Now, she wasn’t even trying. The strategy was working. At least there would be no worry that she’d have a burst of strength and break the chains any longer. The duct tape was wrapped tightly around, too, so there was no threat of her drinking from them when they started moving.

 

[4Chiri]

Veronica peeked around the corner.


"...her name is Molly," she said with a very, tiny smile. She too loved cats. She came around the corner with a small silver platter with a teapot and two ceramic, finely painted cups to match.


"I admit..I haven't entertained at all recently..I may be a bit...unfamiliar with it at the moment. If you would like some tea, I will set it here with sugar." she said.


Sugar to her...was her favourite. and for creatures that used so much energy it was important, whether through candy or other means.


She stared at him for a moment and sighed again, crossing her arms.


"So do you have some sort of plan?"


~~~


Saimere watched the phone ring for just a few seconds, until it was at it's last before voicemail and picked up. He liked bothering his 'higher-ups'.


He stood under the small roof of a bus stop, not far from the hotel. He could see the flames and hear the alarms over the ambience of the night. It would be raining soon he thought as he looked up at the cloudy dark sky. He was supposed to meet Veronica at her home...but eh...duty calls...literally.


"Saimere here," he answered.

 

[Lucyfer]

Tea. Now that was just, strange. He used to love tea, but now he eyed it as if it were poison. “Er, thank you, but I don’t…it isn’t good for me.” He looked up at her, wondering if the Pagan bloodline had some immunity to human food. Whenever he tried to eat it, he always ended up worshiping at the porcelain throne.


And usually, Morrigan or Kairos was there to laugh at him.


When asked about a plan, he said, “I’m guessing I should wait until I meet this Saimere before making any plans, right?” She had implied that he would be meeting Saimere, after all. “If he can’t help, then I’ll just run through my father’s American contacts and pull favors until I get an army here. Maybe entrance a few humans,” he continued to pet the cat, Molly, as he answered, content with the soft fur under his hands.


He should get a cat. ‘If I were home long enough to enjoy it….’ Alas, he rarely was.


~***~


Andrew didn’t hide his annoyance as he breathed out, “Finally,” when Saimere answered the phone. “Saimere, we need to move locations. Can you make sure we have a safe path to Archimedes’s other hotel?” It was in the next town. “We’re transporting delicate goods.” He shot Morrigan a look.


Yep, definitely not responding any longer. Archimedes had withdrawn the needle and someone had decided to put an Angry Birds bandage over the place it had entered. Andrew didn’t think there was a point to that, but sure. It was probably insulting to the proud woman. “We need to be out of here in about ten minutes.”


The red-head gave him a nod, agreeing that such was feasible with their numbers and weapons, as well as the new ‘delicate goods’.

 

[4Chiri]

She looked at the tea, a bit hurt. Perhaps...he had a harder time digesting it. all it did to her was cause nausea and maybe a headache. She quickly put it away, slightly embarassed at seeming inconsiderate.


"...He said he would be here...perhaps he was caught up. But he always keeps his word." she said quietly and stared down at Molly's content purring.


"...Do you have your own cat?" she asked, perhaps just to fill the awkward void with some chatter.


~~


Saimere sighed. 'Delicate Goods'...that usually meant a prisoner.


"I already have a trail of men positioned," he said casually. "you said to be prepared...remember?"


he kept a snide grin and shook his head.


"There's a series of roadblocks you can use, the citizens think there's construction, but it's been disguised as such for your use, should you need it. It get's you as close to the hotel as you can get, just a few blocks down the avenue." he described. "unless you need something...better..?"


Hopefully he wouldn't be asked to do anything more. Veronica hated when he was late...no doubt she'd scold him. And if anyone were to find out that he was playing the double agent, working for her, keeping her updated on the hunters...he would no doubt be killed.

 

[Lucyfer]

Valence saw the tea, and quickly said, “Sorry—maybe I’m just not old enough yet to manage human food well.” Perhaps it was something that came with age? There seemed to be plenty of advantages to it. He knew Morrigan could usually handle bullets easily enough—better than he could. Perhaps a better stomach for ‘bad’ food came with age.


At the shift of topics to the cat, Valence shook his head. “No. I did when I was human,” he said, sighed, “but since I’ve changed, I haven’t stayed in one place long enough. I don’t want to have a pet if I can’t take care of it.” That wasn’t fair to the pet in the least. “Is Molly your only cat?” He was surprised there was one here. He wondered if she had a cat in every manor, or if she brought Molly along with her whenever she traveled.


~***~


Andrew could hear the insulting tone, but he didn’t comment on it. So long as things were taken care of, he was satisfied. “Thank you, Saimere,” though the words were terse. “I should not need anything better. I do not believe we are presently being watched.” None of his hunters reported anything, anyway. “I’ll call you if I need you for anything. Good bye,” and with that, Andrew hung up. “All right, get everything to the vans. Archimedes, Helen, bring her along with us. Archimedes, you can set in the back with her, just in case.”


Archimedes gave a hesitant nod, and then began to unbind Morrigan from the chair, while keeping her hands still bound behind her back. He pulled her to her feet, and she stumbled against him. She was still conscious, but not at all happy about it. Morrigan wasn’t suicidal, but she’d much prefer to be unconscious right then. The pain of hunger was far more intense than she expected it to be. Of course, it had been centuries since she’d been starving.


“Come on,” Archimedes pulled her along, and Helen kept a hand on her back to direct her towards the path outside and keep her standing. Andrew called a few of the others who were out and about to let them know they were all moving and to start gathering their things up, and then he followed Archimedes to their car.


Morrigan was already buckled into the backseat, and leaning against the door, eyes half-lidded. Helen sat in the passenger seat, and Archimedes had scooted as far from Morrigan as possible. “You still act as if you’re afraid of her,” Andrew joked.


Archimedes just said, “I am.”


If anything went wrong, he knew very well that Morrigan would keep her promise to drain him.


Andrew rolled his eyes and started the vehicle.

 

[4Chiri]

She stared at him as if in disbelief.


"...you....used to be human?" she asked and she took a step forward. She was born with her fangs and need for blood. He must know how it felt to have a beating heart. For hers was still as stone..simply a tease. She cleared her throat quickly however and shook her head.


"I'm sorry for my surprise. You understand...I was never human." she started.


"My mother was a pureblood and so was Lucian...as old as the dirt we walk on, I assume." she sighed, addressing her mother with much more respect than her father Lucian Pagan. She tried to smile.


"hehe...considering that you should be able to drink this tea much, much easier than me!" she grinned. Mauro then came in with a bluetooth that was to the car.


"Phone call, madam,"


she took the small speaker and put it to her ear.


"Hello?"


"V, I'm on my way now...I was held up for a moment. I should be there in the next hour or so. Andrew and his men are transporting what I believe to be a captive to Archimede's alternate Hotel in the next town over." he explained.


Veronica hesitated.


"do you know any details of who they could be transporting?"


There was a pause.


"None, I didn't get a name. I'm a hunter V, i'm not THAT important to know all the details." he scoffed in a joking manner. "See you soon." he said and hung up.


Veronica looked back over to Valence, then to Mauro.


"Keep watch for Saimere, he's on his way."


He nodded and went back out the door.

 

[Lucyfer]

Valence hadn’t met many pureblood vampires besides his father, of course. He was actually surprised to hear that the woman before him was pureblood, enough so that his hand ceased petting the cat. At her joke, he managed a smile, but it held no joy. It was quite the opposite with him, after all.


No, all the things he’d enjoyed had been taken from him. He couldn’t even eat chocolate any longer without risking sickness. A phone call came again, and Valence waited for it to end. It seemed Saimere was finally on his way. “Ah, good,” his relief showed.


He withdrew his hand from the cat and crossed his arms over his knees. “You know, Morrigan was human, too.” He imagined that would come as some surprise, if she thought that he was pureblood. Had Morrigan pretended to be pureblood in the past? Valence couldn’t imagine it, but then, she had always seemed so proud of her humanity around him. She had claimed it was an advantage.


Then again, he actually got to know her. Vampires like Archimedes didn’t.


“I think we humans are punished worse than you. We humans turned vampire, that is, since we’re extending our own lives,” he looked to the tea, “We don’t get to enjoy the things we used to like anymore. We have to feed on what we once were. Bit twisted.” Not that he’d take it back. No, he had been asked, and he had accepted this, knowing full well what it entailed. He’d never take it back.


~***~


Andrew directed the vehicle easily through the construction paths, going as slow as necessary so as not to draw attention. The last thing he needed was some cop pulling him over and seeing the bound and gagged woman in the backseat. Explaining that to a cop would be impossible. He’d have to kill him, and that would just cause more issues.


Fortunately, they weren’t pulled over. Within half an hour, they made it to the hotel, and unloaded their cargo. Other hunters were there to greet them, and Andrew explained the situation to them as Archimedes was again the one told to deal with Morrigan.


Andrew waited in the parking lot until the others began to show up. He gave directions to them so far as securing the perimeter went, and then went inside to join the others.


Morrigan was properly bound again. “Remove the duct tape.” He instructed, and Helen went to it. As soon as the last strip was removed, Morrigan snapped at her arm. Helen barely had enough time to move her arm out of reach, surprised by the speed. She shot Andrew a fearful look.


Andrew didn’t look concerned. He stayed far enough away. “We have blood here,” he noted, “Archimedes needs it, you see.” Morrigan still refused to breath. Interesting. “I will allow you some if you will tell us the account numbers for your bank.” Money bought bombs, as he’d already declared. Money would also buy him more weapons, and the loyalty of more men towards the cause of eradicating vampires.


The Delunes were rich, too.


There was no smirk from Morrigan. No snide remark. Just, “No.” Hoarse, and deadpan.

 

[4Chiri]

She felt a little hesitation. how hard was it for him? he had to choose sides...his human side...his humanity or the demon that now swam in his blood...the vampirism.


"Then already you are more brave than I," she stated. "I admire you for living so justly with the darkness you were given."


she moved to touch his shoulder, but didn't. she wanted to show comfort but perhaps it was too early.


after a few minutes Saimere knocked and came in with Mauro, wearing his cloak with the insignia of the Hunters on the tail.


"Veronica," he smiled. and turned to Valence.


"Mr. Delune." he bowed over dramatically. "I am Saimere Zeil, a vampire hunter under the employment of this fair lass before you," he winked to her.


she rolled her eyes with a scoff.


"has she offered you cake yet? better yet, has she challenged you in poker...that's how you can tell if she--


She reached and yanked his ear. and with that he shut up.


"Valence, this is my contact and partner, he's my double agent to help me avoid the hunters."