Lily



Lily pulled away from Varian somewhat shame-faced for weeping thoughtlessly like a woman with feeble restraint on her emotions. She needed to keep her wits about her.

Wiping the last of her tears, she lifted her chin and met Varian's deep, intense stare. "Can I see her?"

"No."

Her anger flared and she narrowed her eyes on him, "I'll do it one way or another."

"Then you will become dinner."

Her heart skipped fearfully at the thought, but she was not deterred, "Does it matter? I'm fated to become the undead nonetheless."

She can see the frustration gathering within him as he inhaled a deep breath, "She's dangerous, Lily. She may or may not remember you, aside from that she's suffering from an unbelievable thirst that will overrule any trace of humanity left in her. She will not think twice about ripping your throat out."

She flinched at the latter of his words, "Did you not plan to do the same to me?"



Varian

He stiffened, his jaw tightening.

"Please, Varian."

His heart squeezed and he knew he couldn't deny her anything-besides, he put her through hell the last couple nights, he owed her that much.

He extended a hand to her and she placed her smaller one trustingly in his. "I will not leave you alone with her." He said sternly and she nodded.

When they left the room and didn't start for the stairs, Lily paused, "I thought your friend took her upstairs?"

He shook his head, "I had her moved to the basement."

A chill hurried through her as he tugged her toward the basement door. "Why is she down there?"

"You'll see."

He opened a door that led to a straight shot of stone stairs that gave way to a cemented floor.



Lily

She could see nothing when they reached the bottom and wrapped her arms around her body against the chill of the room. Varian suddenly left her side and she went still, afraid to move, uncertain of what lay ahead of them.

The light was so abrupt that for a moment she clenched her eyes against it but with the light came a sudden, fierce rustling.

Her eyes opened and then widened in horror.

Ruby was confined to what almost appeared like a jail-cell but the second she lunged for the bars, smoke and an ominous sizzling emanated from the fingers wrapped tightly around them. Her friend gave a pained shriek and jolted away, whimpering in the corner as she cradled her severely burned hands.

She could feel fresh tears burning in her throat as she stepped toward the cell, her eyes searching for any remnants of Ruby Carmichael.

Her clothes were tattered around her neck, a trace of dry blood coating the front of her shirt but as Lily stepped closer to better observe her throat, she detected no signs of bite marks.

"She's healed." Varian said quickly, either having read or sensed her inner thoughts, he added, "You can see that her burns have healed as well."

Sure enough, her fingers were perfectly unscathed.

There were distinct changes about Ruby-things she hadn't really noticed with Varian or the others, but then again, she had never witnessed a human changed.

Ruby was-she searched for a word to best explain it- more pronounced. Her features were almost enhanced, heightened in a way that gave her that unworldly appearance that vampires seemed to possess-her black hair appeared more sleek and polished, her skin far more paler then her usual humanly glow, and her eyes- deep pools of emerald green.

"Ruby-" she took a step toward the cage, her eyes seeking some familiarity to seize.

A hand stopped her, "Do not." Varian warned.

"Why is she caged?" she snapped, rounding on him furiously.

"It is for her protection as well as yours."

"And the bars?" she demanded, "Why are they silvered?"

"For many reasons-" he growled, "-she's a fledging, which means she is susceptible to any dangers, including wolves. The silver will keep them at bay and prevent her from escaping."

She shook her head, slightly dismayed. "How can the silver burn her when she is a vampire? I thought that only worked on werewolves."

He glanced toward the cage, "The silver is laced with an herb called aconite. It is extremely poisonous and potentially fatal to us vampires."

Lily peered brokenly through the cage, "Will she ever be the same?"

He followed her stare, "It depends on how well she adjusts-right now she is feeling the raw effects of being a newly-made vampire. She's feeling nothing but an insatiable hunger, its clawing at her insides like a mad beast. Only time will tell."

She felt a sob choke her and resisted the absurd notion to weep; she was done crying.

"What will you do to her?"

She heard a sigh pass through him, "Right now she will remain as she is-I have sent Talon to a donor so that she may feed."

Lily frowned, "A donor?"

"Suppliers of our kind-they collect blood to provide for those who are unable to hunt or simply want an easy meal."

She trembled and stepped away from the cage.

He started to say something; anything to console her but Talon appeared, carrying a seemingly sufficient supply of blood.

He gently took her arm and led her from the basement.

Blanch met them at the top of the stairs, "Can I get you anything before I go to ground?"

Lily stiffened, "You actually go into the ground?"

Blanch exchanged a wary glance with Varian, feeling very foolish for speaking so casually of matters that were far more intense for a human to fathom, "Y-yes."

"Some of us do." Varian felt compelled to say. "Others prefer coffins-"

"Coffins!"

"There are some that actually sleep in a bed but the rooms are without windows."

Lily pressed a hand to her forehead and stepped away from the two of them, "I need to wake up now."

"Please, let me make you up a room and perhaps a bath?" Blanch offered.

She hesitated and glanced at Varian from beneath her lashes. "Yes, that would be nice."

But by sunrise, she'd be gone.



Ward

It was well unto noon and Ward could feel his patience wearing thin. His plans had gone amok, which of course, was not as surprising but all the same, disappointing.

Once again his eagerness mingled with desperation had made him tacky.

How could he have thought even for a moment that his poorly-thought-out scheme would have worked? He knew better-having dealt with this particular bad-ass for centuries, chasing his fanged-tail all over the world-he was not a vampire easily brought down.

Yes, he's managed to lure the fanger to him successfully but all else afterwards fell flat-all he gained from this scenario was a possible new species he hadn't looked into.

Did werewolves exist? It was incredibly possible-but they were the least of his interest at the moment. He had bigger concerns.

A knock came at the door and he bid them entry, his newfound hope flaring as he pivoted in the leather chair to observe the sizable man entering his study.

He felt a grin pull at the corners of his mouth as he motioned to the seat opposite of him, "Mr. Ravensport, please have a seat."

The man settled before him and Ward clasped his hands and observed Ravensport approvingly. "Thank you for coming."

"What is this about, McDermott?" the man said caustically, his voice rigid and firm.

Ward's grin widened, "I imagine you have an inclination as to why I asked you here."

Ravensport crossed a leg over the other and surveyed Ward with a biting glare. "I'm not a man of patience-perhaps you could cut the bull and get right to the point."

Ward chuckled and gathered to his feet; he came around to where Ravensport sat and leaned lazily against the desk. "I was informed anonymously that you were a man of many talents."

Sharp, calculating eyes narrowed considerably before he nodded curtly. "A man with many talents comes with a significant price."

Ward smirked, "Name your price."

Ravensport tilted his head, "Name your request."

Ward chuckled lightly under his breath as he pushed away from the desk. "First, I need to ensure that what is said between us does not leave this room."

"You have my word." Ravensport assured without pause.

"Can I be certain to trust you?"

Ravensport slowly stood, towering over Ward in a very imposing manner. "I could ask the same of you."

He resisted another grin-he liked this man.

"I want you to find my daughter."

Intrigued, Ravensport cocked a brow. "I wasn't aware you had a daughter."

Ward shrugged indifferently, "I'm not a family-man."

"Once I have her in my possession-what then?"

Ward grinned knowingly, "You will be pleased to know that my daughter comes with a package-this package baring fangs and a nasty temper."

Ravensport stiffened, "She is in contact with a vampire?"

He nodded, "You will bring her back to me and naturally he will follow."

"That is your plan?" Ravensport spat, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but if that plan had worked before, I wouldn't be standing here having this conversation with you."

"That is why I've hired you-" Ward said with gusto, "If I want to capture a vampire, I'm going to need a vampire-hunter to see it done."

**********