Vampires Hunted

[Lucyfer]

‘Justly? What, is that how the Delunes are known?’ He supposed he would take that, but it didn’t seem accurate. Not from what he’d heard, anyway. “Thanks, but you might not want to say that just yet.” Though, he supposed there were reasons his father had contacts everywhere, and reasons Valence felt confident he could pull favors.


The Delunes were, if nothing else, honest.


There was a gesture, but it never fully manifested. Valence withdrew his hand from the cat completely in the awkward moment.


Then, at long last, there was a knock. Valence rose to his feet and dusted his knees off before the stranger walked into their presence. He saw the Hunger’s sigil, all right, and he tensed. He almost drew his gun again, but he resisted the strong urge to do so. “I see,” he wasn’t amused. “And how many vampires have you killed, Saimere?” He wondered, was Saimere a hunter first, or a double agent?


How many did he have to kill to earn the Hunter’s trust?


~***~


Andrew did not think breaking Morrigan would be easy. Even so, he found himself increasingly upset with the fact it was even taking this long. He made a motion to Archimedes again, but this time, no words were necessary. Archimedes approached with a syringe, and he grabbed Morrigan by her hair and pulled her head back. The quick movement was enough to cause her mouth to open in surprise, and Archimedes let fall a couple drops of blood.


An agonizing reminder. Morrigan tried to crane her neck up to take the damn syringe in her mouth, but Archimedes drew way. A litany of curses escaped her, all in Gaelic. She couldn’t rock the chair she was in, but she did stamp her foot in frustration. “You know how you can have more.”


Morrigan just cursed him and then bowed her head, tried to stave off the anger and bloodlust that were mixing so powerfully to create such foul thoughts. ‘Just tell them. They’re not going to live long enough to do anything with the knowledge. Tell them.’ Inhaling was the wrong idea. She could smell the living, and she knew there was blood under the flesh. She held the breath and reminded herself not to do that again.


“No?”


No answer. “We’ll leave you with your thoughts for a bit, then. If you do change your mind, we’re right outside.” Andrew hoped isolation and desperation would work, that Morrigan’s thoughts would turn against her in the haze of bloodlust.

 

[4Chiri]

Saimere chuckled.


"I've killed hundreds of Vampires...even a lord or two." he shrugged. "also lots of humans too, you would say I have experience."


to that he rolled his eyes.


all this damn work, he was a near perfect assassin yet Andrew never saw his worth or gave him actual jobs that meant anything.


Veronica shook her head.


"what matters is killing Archimedes an killing the hunters." she said. "then our problems will cease."


"perhaps," Saimere started, "but you've got traitors in the vampire society...how do you know this one is trustworthy?" Saimere asked with a hint of distrust in his voice; motioning towards Valence with a careless flick of the wrist.


Veronica let out an annoyed breath.


"if he was a traitor, they wouldn't have attacked him at the meeting." she nearly growled.


Saimere scratched his head.


"oh."

 

[Lucyfer]

“Nor would they have taken Morrigan as a hostage,” Valence pointed out. Not to mention if he was a traitor he’d have set things up better so that his father was the one captured, if not killed. If he was really a traitor, the hunters would already have what they wanted in the form of Kairos Delune.


He didn’t trust Saimere much, the fact he had no issues killing vampires or humans was perturbing in a way. “Look, what can you tell me about the group that’ll help? I need to do a bit of a rescue mission,” if that weren’t necessary this would be a lot easier. He could just bomb whatever building they were in.


He had no idea that Kairos had been thinking something similar, and still was. “So I need to find a way either safely amidst their ranks, or find someone who can….” And then he trailed off, the realization striking him that Saimere might just be capable of that. “Can you get in amongst them easily?” That would just be perfect if so.

 

[4Chiri]

Saimere chuckled and Veronica rolled her eyes..


"here we go..." she mumbled.


"kid, you're talking to Saimere! I was once a triple agent, workin for three parties at once who were all trying to kill each other..." he bragged and paced around the room in an attempt at grandstanding.


"I'm like a breeze in a tornado, there...but you wouldn't even know it." he ranted.


"Saimere," she said...however..


"I am the sneakiness snook you ever knew. I could sneak into the vampire meeting without you even knowing."


he chuckled.


"Saimere..."Veronica said again.


"I'm so perfect, I--


"SAIMERE!" she snapped, her voice suddenly echoing throughout the place.


he stopped.


"just tell Valence and I what you suggest to help save this 'Morrigan' hostage of theirs,"


she huffed.


"you're a perfect little succubus...you're a demon, made that way for 'reasons'...why not walk up to Archimedes or Andrew and just wile them to death?" he laughed.


"Saimere now isn't the time!"


"you're so boring."

 

[Lucyfer]

The fact that Saimere made his name by being a traitor, did not inspire faith in Valence. In fact, it made him want to run the other direction. Mercenaries and their ilk were not meant to be trusted, since they could be bought. If Saimere didn’t have something stable to hold on to, some purpose or code of values, how could Valence trust him?


Fortunately, Veronica shut him up before Valence got it into his head to do so. He crossed his arms over his chest, and kept his eyes narrowed. “Thank you,” he let out a breath when Saimere was silenced.


He wanted to tell Saimere to just get Morrigan, but he couldn’t risk it. Not yet, anyway, “So then Saimere, what, exactly, do you value in this life? What do you stand for?” Though he was wary even as he asked, expecting Saimere might lie to him about that. He had to make sure not to get fooled by someone so skilled in the art of deception.

 

[4Chiri]

"would you believe me if I said I was in love with this beautiful succubus of a woman here?" he grinned and kissed her hand.


she gave a disgusted look and smacked him away.


"don't be foolish Saimere...you're a fool. simple as that."


she turned back to Valence with a sigh.


"I'm sorry for my...associate's behaviour" she scoffed. "don't worry, I don't completely trust him either."


"don't worry guys, I can help you get your little friend back...but not now, I've got a date with a woman named sleep." he said and headed away with a bow to some concealed room somewhere

 

[Lucyfer]

Would Valence believe? No, not from this display. When Veronica suggested that she didn’t trust him, either, his frown only deepened. ‘I shouldn’t have mentioned Morrigan.’ Fortunately, the man decided he needed to sleep. Valence knew there were still hours to the night.


He let Saimere wander off, and then placed his gaze on Veronica, “I am going to leave your place to make a few calls, but if it is still all right with you, I will return before sunrise.” He might not be able to get anything done that night, but he could get people moving and get people prepared for tomorrow.


Morrigan was just going to have to live that long. He believed she could, but he also could see a thousand different ways where she didn’t—she wasn’t an easy person to get along with, and he couldn’t imagine she was a good captive.

 

[4Chiri]

"Do as you must," she said after a moment's hesitation and turned, curtly, leaving to her own place deep in the building.


At least now she was alone...long enough for her to quench herself. She pushed through a thick curtain, concealing an archway leading to a dark staircase.


Descending quickly, she lifted her dress, as to not trip herself and momentarily reached a solid wooden door at the bottom, where the walls were concrete and the steps were cinder-bricks.


Easily, she pulled a long key from a hidden pocket on her person and opened the door with a creak, closing it heavily behind her. Making a point to lock the door, she walked further down the pitch black hallway, she didn't need the light to see...she could smell where she was going, her pureblood eyes glistening with their own luminescence. Her shoes echoed lightly, clicking, bouncing off the low ceiling, just touching the tips of her hair from the top of her head. Herself, being a simple 5'4".


Through another locked door she took in a breath and released it, a soft puff of moisture that was about the same temperature as the frozen air around her. It prickled her skin...the cold was good.


Large slabs of ice were lined around the room as Ceramic pots, all lined within the walls were filled with rippling blood. It wasn't as good as hunting, no...but for the time being, and during the day, it sufficed.


She removed one of the heavy solid lids from the oversized pot and ungloved her hand. slowly she dipped her finger in the red stuff; coating her pale skin and licked...delicious.


She wasn't sure if she was concerned if Valence actually came back or not. Perhaps if they'd been more subtle, as herself...they wouldn't be in such a predicament.

 

[Lucyfer]

Valence took off at a run when he was outside in order to gain distance from the place so he wouldn’t draw attention to it with his signal. When he was back in a populated area, he turned his phone on. The first person to call was his own limousine driver, Nicholas, who confirmed that he was all right—he had just fled at the sound of violence. Once that call was out of the way, he started to call the contacts he had numbers of.


Every conversation began the same. “Hello, I am Valence Delune, son of Kairos Delune, and I am requesting a favor.” Many of them became attentive. He explained the situation about the hunters and that Morrigan had been captured. He made sure they were all painfully aware of all the information Morrigan had, and how badly this could go since they were choosing to keep her alive. Though not all were able to guarantee help, a few promised it in various forms—some noted they would send childes, others would contact local vampires, and a few offered to serve in an ‘on-call’ status, to assist with technological issues or even funds.


It was then Valence was grateful for how well-known his father was, though he also knew he’d just put them in a debt of favors. Well, he’d see that they were all personally answered, when he was called upon to.


Once that was finished, he called Nicholas back and coordinated with him. He took a seat in the back of his limo, dug out one of the bottles of blood, and drank on the way back to Veronica’s. He hadn’t trusted her drinks enough, and only as the sun was preparing to rise did he realize that he was thirsty.


When they returned, he informed Nicholas to get a hotel of his own, and then he walked to the door as Nicholas pulled away. He knocked, rather than enter.


~***~


Morrigan hadn’t called once, and Andrew discovered why when he went into the room. Of all the possibilities, Morrigan had fallen asleep. He didn’t even think vampires could do that. A bucket of water woke her as it would any human, except her reaction was lax. There was no hissing or spitting, just a cold glare up. Clearly, she’d forgotten the pleasant taste of blood, and hadn’t been suffering from the reminder. “That normal?” He couldn’t help but ask, “Sleep?”


Morrigan shook her head. It wasn’t. She wasn’t happy for it, but it had at least been respite from the hunger pains. The water caused her to shiver, already deprived of what body heat she could create from the movement of blood in her veins. She suspected the reason—starvation could kill a vampire. Her body was trying to save its energy by shutting down as much as possible.


“The sun is about to come up,” he motioned towards the windows. “I don’t suppose you abnormally survive the sun, as well?”


Morrigan didn’t answer. Instead, she just let her head fall back down and she shut her eyes. It didn’t last. Andrew approached her and pulled her head back. She opened her eyes, “Do you want to die?”


‘Better die than tell you anything.’


The consequences of speaking would be much worse. He must have seen that on her expression. “Tch.” This wasn’t going the way he wanted at all. “Well, good luck sleeping when the sun comes up.” He let her go.


The curtains ought to keep the sun from killing her, they were heavy, and Archimedes had been capable of walking about that room—though he didn’t like—during the day. He didn’t have much faith that she’d reconsider death in this situation, and he wondered if she would be more useful dead or alive. Was Kairos more, or less, likely to come to America if his little girl was ash?


As Andrew walked out of the room, he sought his phone again and considered giving Saimere the chance to prove himself, at long last.

 

[4Chiri]

After a few moments Mauro, opened the door graciously and allowed Valence entry without hesitation.


"Sir," he began, "do you require anything? Will you be staying to sleep in the morning? If so I've a guest room prepared already." he explained. It came to be seen that Mauro was the only servant. As a matter of fact, he was everything. Servant, butler, driver, cook...there wasn't anyone else. How he kept the place spotless and was able to serve Veronica's every whim was puzzling at best.


He shut and locked the door tightly once they were both inside and he kept his hands at his sides.


"Miss Veronica has found herself in her study, should you need her, just down the hall there," he pointed.


"Also, should you have need of the powder room, there is one in each guest room, you will find that you have every possible accommodation to help keep you comfort,"


Mauro took a step forward. Though the manor was ornate in design and architecture, there wasn't much decor or color. Most things were a neutral tan or brass. No portraits on the walls and no colorful curtains, just plain black. The only thing with any sophistication was Veronica's clothes and even those had no family indications. All she had was her word, that she was of the Pagan clan.


~**~


And just as she stared out of the large window in her study between the empty bookshelves at the pale sky, she grinned. Every precaution possible to keep her connection to any family whatsoever had to be taken. This manor...if it came down to that, was expendable. therefore she kept no valuables here...other than a few hundred gallons of blood...which could be easily replaced.


Saimere stood in her shadow for a moment after having been awoken.


"Well?" he asked. "Are we gonna ditch this place, or no?" he asked, crossing his arms.


She took in a few breaths and shook her head. "I don't know yet."


After everything she just escaped from...after all the hiding...what reason did she have to stay now? Most of these vampires weren't even purebloods.


"Well whatever choice you make, you're gaining more enemies." He warned.


"Don't speak of enemies to me Saimere, I know what I'm doing."


"You said the same thing when you left New Zealand...and according to you that was over a few thousand years ago V, you can't hide forever!" he snapped.


She crossed her arms tighter against her chest as he took a step forward, but she turned in a whip and flashed a vile look at him.


"Don't you come near me Saimere."


"I've been helping you for years. You suddenly have this...boy, here! A delune!? What the hell are you thinking? He needs to go Veronica, because he's just going to make my job harder. His family is involved...his sister, Morrigan. No doubt Andr--


and his phone rang...


They stared at each other for a moment and he turned, answering...on the last ring of course.


"Saimere here," he stated. Veronica stared.

 

[Lucyfer]

There was little Valence could do when the sun came out. Were he in London, he could have mobilized humans to act on his behalf, but he did not have that advantage here. Sure, he would have that when night fell, and other vampires kept their word to him, but that was hours away.


‘Sleep.’ Valence actually smiled at the thought. He hadn’t slept since he was human. “No, just…if I could have some books to read to pass the time.” He would normally browse the internet on his phone, but he imagined he ought to keep that off. “I can still stay in the guest room,” he told Mauro, “I just don’t sleep.”


Did purebloods sleep? He had never seen Kairos do it. He wondered where Mauro got the idea. Perhaps it was something they could still do voluntarily. “Could you show me to the room?” He didn’t know where the guest room might be, and he didn’t want to intrude where he was unwanted.


~***~


Always at the last ring. Andrew let out a breath when Saimere answered, “Good, you’re awake.” Andrew needed to sleep, but he knew he wouldn’t. He was going to have to do a run for energy drinks. He wouldn’t sleep so long as that vampiress was here. “I know you think I don’t trust you all that much, so, I have a proposition for you.”


Andrew didn’t trust Saimere all that much, in truth. Perfect as he was at assassinating, there was something about the man’s cheerful disposition that bothered Andrew. “I can’t quite open the box that the delicate goods are in without breaking them,” so many other vampires didn’t even require starvation, but most spoke in that state. “I want your assistance in this matter.” He hoped he wouldn’t regret asking this of Saimere.


Though, he imagined the only thing that could really happen at this point was that they’d get the information out of her, or she’d die—and that latter was going to happen anyway. He’d be back to square one…but then, Valence was here somewhere.


Already, his mind was plotting ‘plan b’ if Saimere messed up.

 

[4Chiri]

"Follow me," Mauro said and began down one of the long halls at a quickened pace. "No vampire really sleeps," he began, "it's what they call it respectively though,"


He turned right down a thin hallway lined with doors. But kept going. "Simply resting, falling into a meditative state to regain lost energy is all." he eventually stopped in front of one of the tall wooden doors and opened it for Valence.


"In here should be a desk and a few books..." he spoke. "if you need anything, just yell." he said and left.


~**~


Saimere paused as his eyes met with Veronica's, for a second...speak of the devil.... "Every box has a key, sir." he said.


Valence came to mind. Of course if these two cared about each other this much. Through his head shifted a few ideas...though not many. He was surprised Andrew actually considered him for something, instead of calling someone else.


Whenever they met, the looks Andrew gave him, made him wonder...he's probably gonna have him killed one day just for being a pain in the ass. By this point everyone was playing a dangerous game, he included.


"I have something that could work...but you'll need to be patient, sir. As it may take me some time to procure it."


Veronica crossed her arms. Her thoughts drifted around other things she could be doing right now...like resting. She moved away from the window as the sun would - in the next hour or so - rise.


Not only did all the mortals want her species dead...but so did nature..apparently..

 

[Lucyfer]

Valence had still never seen Kairos do that. He always seemed busy, occupied with something, usually one of his many businesses. He kept in touch with his human contacts during the day, and seemed to always be on the phone. ‘Well, he wouldn’t let you disturb him if he was…sleeping.’ Valence supposed. He’d have to ask.


They came to a door, and Valence stepped into the room to see the desk and how it was set up, “Thank you,” he said, and let Mauro go.


He walked to the desk and found the books. None were terribly appealing, but it was better than nothing. He took the stack with him to the bed where he sat down and began to read the first one, some novel about a horse.


~***~


Andrew couldn’t help but mouth Saimere’s words about boxes and keys, though he didn’t actually vocalize the mocking. He was about to ask whether or not Saimere could be useful, but Saimere spoke before he could.


Andrew smiled, just a little. “Call me when you’ve done so.” He stated, and the hung up without so much as a farewell.


He looked to the nearby hunters, and noted, “Shift up the guards, get your rest. I’m heading out to the store, so if anyone needs anything, call me.” He was going to buy all the energy drinks.

 

[4Chiri]

Saimere sighed as Veronica took a few steps around him.


"...What did he say?" she asked.


He thought a bit and crossed his arms.


"...He wants me to help him get information out of Morrigan without killing her. Any ideas on how to do that?"


She laughed, insultingly.


"I've been helping you with all of your assignments...you should be thanking me by now Saimere...for if it weren't me, you'd still be trying to join up with the damn hunters."


His face turned a shade of cherry and he spat.


"Just give me a suggestion," he grumbled.


She looked at him for a moment, then a thought came to mind.


"Valence wants to save his kin. Tell him to give Andrew false information in exchange for the package. You and him will find a meeting place with Andrew and Morrigan."


"that's a stupid plan." he said, dismissing it and turned away from her.


"...it's better than your plan...oh....wait," she chuckled again.


"Bite my ass princess." Saimere walked over to the window as the sun began to peek over the horizon. "besides, even if we did meet up somewhere, the sun is out...they'd die."


"It would only make the ruse more believable wouldn't it? Unlike Archimedes who lied in the safety of his own hotel. He was easy to dissect. Whereas, if you and Valence travel in the day...you would make him look more...desperate...no?"


She explained.


Saimere hesitated. It could work...but Andrew was a smart man...He wasn't sure he wanted to go through with Veroncia's plan.


She kept her eyes locked onto his with a vile grin. He couldn't tell if she cared or not...it didn't help with the trust he was trying to build with her.


He knew that if anything went wrong, she and Mauro could leave...with no traces. She had no connection to anyone here...not even to this manor she claimed was hers.


It made him itchy. Who was she really?

 

[Lucyfer]

The room had no access to sunlight, but Valence checked the clock on the wall at the end of every chapter. ‘Still so early.’ He hated how long this was going to take. He hated that his phone was off. He could be getting calls or messages that were important to the situation without knowing it.


It made it difficult to continue reading about Black Beauty, especially since he was starting to dislike the horse. She complained far too much. He glanced at the pile of books to see if anything else sounded more interesting, but there was nothing there that intrigued him. ‘Go find Molly, or not find Molly?’ He glanced to the door, then frowned and shook his head. Not a good idea. He didn’t know the place well enough to know where the windows were.


So it was back to the story of Black Beauty.


~***~


The curtains were thick, but the sun was powerful. Morrigan felt its warmth like fire and it pulled her out of sleep. She struggled in the binds, despite knowing she didn’t have the strength to break them. She twisted, trying in vain to escape the burning. She tried to topple the chair, but to no success.


“DAMN IT!” This was beyond uncomfortable. This was hell. She probably deserved hell, but she wasn’t going to accept it.


‘It’s speak and die, or endure this.’ Her mind reminded, just as one of the guards poked her head in. Now it was blonde woman. Perhaps Helen had gone off to sleep.


“Plan to talk, vampire?”


Morrigan bit down on her own cheek and shook her head, seethed, and squirmed, unable to stay still when it felt like she was on fire. She did keep her cheek firmly between her non-canine teeth, though, to ensure she wouldn’t cry out again. She might have been crying, if she had the hydration for it.

 

[4Chiri]

There came a knock on Valence's door, and swiftly Veronica entered. Saimere could stand there and sizzle for all she cared, his mind was too slow...it was expected however...he was human. Lacking the ability to make hard decisions without remorse, regardless of who was victim.


"That hunter Andrew called about Morrigan. He's trying to get information from her." she shrugged. "I'm guessing he hasn't since he asked Saimere to help him. So that most likely means...torture."


She looked to the books he was scouring through, then back to his eyes. "I have an idea of what we can do...unless...you have something else in mind."


~***~


Saimere huffed and took out his phone. He knew Veronica hated it when he used it in the house but...whatever.


He dialed a swift number and held it up to his ear, waiting.


"...Rhys...it's Saimere." he started.


~


One of the newer recruits of the hunters fumbled when she answered the phone. She sat in the new location they were suddenly moved to. Her being an acolyte...or religious, quite much the bane of a vampire. Not only that, she was a medic too.


"S-saimere!.." she whispered and quickly walked out. She lacked subtlety being so young. and hoped Andrew would be out much longer before seeing her so easily flustered...


"Rhys, I need you to keep an eye on the Vampiress in captivity. Text me an update here and there to Veronica's number so it can't be traced to me or the manor." he explained quickly. "Keep her alive as long as you can, we're trying to come up with a plan here."


"Since when did Veronica care about anything we did?" she said in a hush, she hurried down a hall and around a corner to get away from the general area of population. Mainly the other hunters.


"...Just do what you can alright? Andrew doesn't want her dead, but I need her cooperation so we can help her."


He spoke in a firm tone.


"...should I...tell her?"


"No," he said and hung up.


~***~


Rhys hung up her phone and immediately deleted the history and whatever else could be searched. And went back to the patrol area where they kept someone outside of the door to the Vampiress. Thought the demon was on the other side of the door, it was still unnerving. She's never been so close to a vampire before...


She stepped up to the door, but the blonde woman, being right there... she shivered.


"I want to ... talk to the Vampire. I may be able to help Andrew, I want to prove to him that I can be a useful hunter."

 

[Lucyfer]

Valence sat up straighter at the mention of this ‘Andrew’ and his sister’s likely fate. He set the book aside without bothering to mark the page. ‘Torture.’ Well, that was expected anyway, but he wondered if the hunter was even smart enough to how to torture a vampire.


Then he recalled that Archimedes was working with him. Of course he knew how. “I have all of my own ideas,” he had called all of his people. “But I’m willing to hear other options,” he said, inviting Veronica to tell him what it was she had in mind. It wasn’t like he’d be able to do much for a few hours, anyway. Considering other ideas would be useful.


~***~


The blonde woman eyed the novice recruit, then glanced back at the door she’d just shut. The vampiress wasn’t going anywhere. She wasn’t going to do anything, either, or else she would have by now.


She didn’t figure this recruit could muck things up any, so she pushed the door open once more, “Suit yourself,” she said, not sounding impressed with this young woman at all. She didn’t believe the recruit would be able to do anything more than annoy the vampire—if that.


Morrigan glanced the door again when it opened, expecting to see that Andrew had returned, just to see how she was faring in the curtain room AKA hell. Her mind had firmly decided that this was hell, and that she did not want to die to be here permanently. At least the day always ended…night would come again. Hell would end. ‘Still be starving.’

 

[4Chiri]

Veronica grinned. THIS was why she made a point to never get close to anyone...never again.


"Saimere has a foothold in the Hunter Faction...I wouldn't put my money on him though. But I thought we should all meet someplace. Give Andrew something to satisfy him and take back this Morrigan woman."


~***~


Rhys stepped inside the room and looked at the Vampiress, she swallowed hard and tried to keep the shivering to a low.


"...Hello, how are you?" she raised her hands to the cross she wore around her neck out of instinct. Her voice shaky...but she wanted to make Saimere proud.

 

[Lucyfer]

This woman avoided hunters, Valence remembered before he made a comment out of turn. His mouth did open, but then he shut it, and he settled himself.


She had a strange way of talking about Morrigan, too. Earlier she’d seemed to speak as if Morrigan wasn’t her name, and now she added more. Perhaps the two didn’t get along? It was all Valence could imagine. “You’re suggesting a trade,” that’s what it sounded like. “They’re not going to trade Morrigan.”


They’d kill her, even if it would mean no information, than let her live. That much, Valence was certain of. They were hunters after all, and Morrigan was not prey they’d let live in the end, no matter what she, or anyone else, told them, “I’m not going to give that hunter anything, either.” He knew Morrigan and Kairos would tear his throat out if he did—relative or not. He’d be breaking their trust to do that.


~***~


It was a shivering little girl who came in. That was how it appeared to Morrigan. The question she asked deserved no answer, other than a glare and a look away. ‘What strategy is this?’ It was certainly the strangest strategy she’d ever seen. Why send in a shivering human? Did they think Morrigan would be kind to her out of some misguided pity, or ancient humanity?


Morrigan wasn’t feeling merciful enough to even humor it.

 

[4Chiri]

Veronica chuckled.


"this is why I'm alone." she sighed. "oh well, do what you will..."


with a glance she turned and left his room.


She didn't want to waste time at all. it was either yes or no...and if he didn't want to participate in her suggestion then so be it.


by this time next week she would be movin locations again anyway...but sooner if things kept going this way. already there was too much attention.


At least her name had yet to be mentioned...


~**~


Rhys removed a small pouch from her pocket containing a simple needle.


suddenly she pricked her finger for a bead of blood. she knew the smell was probably going to drive the vamp mad, but she reached up and touched Morrigans lip, leaving behind a drop.


"I'm here to help you...Andrew wants you to feel pain...I want to help this process go less painful for you." she mumbled.


"you need to trust me...I don't have much time."


she squeezed up another droplet.


"I have someone that's going to try and get you out of here...but we need to be patient....I'm Rhys."


she smiled lightly.

 

[Lucyfer]

Veronica didn’t explain further. That confused Valence enough for him to rise, and follow her at least to the door. “Wait,” he called, though he still sounded more confused than firm. “If you know something about them….” But he wasn’t sure what to ask.


Valence knew from his experience with hunters, that they weren’t about to trade Morrigan. Why was he bothering to shout after Veronica? If she had more to say, a reason to even suggest it, certainly she would have corrected his assumptions, right?


He shook his head, “Nevermind,” it was muttered and he turned back into the room.


~***~


Morrigan tensed at the sight. She wasn’t breathing, and she refused to do so as she saw the red drop. It would only make matters worse. Bad enough to see it. She fixed the woman with a hard stare, looking for an explanation.


It came in the strangest way. Blood was left on Morrigan’s lips. She made a snap at the finger to get more, but Rhys moved her finger away fast enough. So, Morrigan licked what was left behind as the woman mentioned Andrew’s plans. ‘No, really?’ As if that hadn’t been obvious. This blood wasn’t helping matters, and Morrigan wished she hadn’t even licked it.


A drop was just torture. She needed pints.


All that was shown was a second drop, and Rhys asked Morrigan to trust her. She wasn’t asking anything else—just that. So, Morrigan verbalized, “Okay,” voice still hoarse. She wouldn’t snap at Rhys again, wouldn’t try to steal more blood. “I’m Morrigan.” Rhys probably knew that already, but courtesy dictated she still introduce herself.

 

[4Chiri]

Veronica paused. and turned just slightly to look back at him. But didn't answer... she wanted to...


But instead left to her room.


~***~


Rhys smiled and pulled a plastic pouch of blood from her cloak. A pint.


"I'm the nurse here..." she said and punched a tiny wooden straw through the bag and held it to the vampire's lips.


"I can help you, you just need to stay alert until help arrives. Hurry and drink...I can't conceal more than one pouch at


a time..." she apologized. She would have to leave soon...lest someone check on her or get suspicious.

 

[Lucyfer]

Morrigan was still uncertain how this luck came about, or if it was another of Andrew’s games. She ought to be suspicious of the blood, but at that point, she was willing to drink poisoned blood just to have some sort of blood in her veins. As such, she accepted the straw, and she drank to empty the bag.


There was an immediate rush of energy that came over her when it was half-empty, and she contemplated finding out whether or not she could break the chains then and there.


She refrained though, and just emptied the bag. If there was poison, it wasn’t fast-acting.


She let the straw slide from its place between her lips and settled back into the chair. “Thank you.” Her voice wasn’t quite as hoarse then, and she managed to whisper it. Morrigan didn’t understand, not at all, but now was not the time for questions. There were footsteps heading towards the door which very likely didn’t belong to someone who knew of Rhys’s leanings.

 

[4Chiri]

Rhys flinched. She quickly reconcealed her items and looked towards the door.


With her hand on her cross she turned back to Morrigan and gave a tiny wink of reassurance.


"I'll bring you more tomorrow," she whispered.


~***~


Saimere stood outside of Veronica's door when she approached it. He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.


"I'm going to get her myself."


"how?" she asked with little care. At this point she was ready to walk out...just her and Mauro. Adding people to her life always complicated things.


He could see that in her eyes...and he hated it.


"Just tell the kid to turn his damn phone on...I'll call when I get there." he shrugged.


Her face became quite livid at that.


"That wasn't what we discussed, Saimere. If you keep using your damn phones in my house you'll lead them right to me!" she snapped.


However he shrugged without concern and started walking.


"you're a big girl, I told you how to avoid the hunters. I'll bring Morrigan here and you Vamps can fester like you wanted!" He smiled in mock friendliness.


Her fingers began to tingle with anxiousness.


"Then where will you go afterward, to work for the Hunters again?" she growled.


"If they raise my pay, sure." he chuckled.


"you beautiful vixen..."


She scoffed as he walked away. Though this happened plenty of times before, and they always ended up working together again, this time felt different.


She had to remind herself to not get too involved...being too involved made things difficult ...

 

[Lucyfer]

‘Tomorrow?’ Morrigan hadn’t begun to contemplate how long she’d be here. Tomorrow didn’t seem like a possibility, though that might be because she was considering Andrew impatient. Most humans were. He had already gone to the ‘big guns’ of draining her of blood and leaving her in a curtained room with the sun out.


She bowed her head again, trying to bring about the role of being pathetically weak once again. However, it was not one she was good at, naturally proud. Now that she had a bit of blood in her, she wanted to try and fight for freedom. The poison they’d used on her had long worn off, or been drained out. She wasn’t sure which.


However, she managed to resist the temptation as she heard Andrew’s voice.


He was the one to open the door and walk in, “Rhys?” He reconized her. “What are you doing here?”