Finally "home"

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

As the witches began their work, Lucia watched the rite. She'd never before seen anything like this and was curious, especially due to their anscesters involvment with her mother. Yet at the same time she wanted to go over and tell the woman to shove off, that they weren't wanted here. They were trying to brainwash Pablo and she didn't want him to change a bit. The girl masked her desire to make them leave, however, and looked to Dane with crimson eyes as he returned to her side. He spoke what she had been thinking about her mother not leaving empty handed, but did he really think the war would end if Alena was defeated? The Lycans wouldn't just settle for that, would they? Surely, it would mean them running to their deaths... Alright, she could see how it might be the end of the war; any struggle from the Lycans after that would just be clean up for the Vampires. The Lycans had no idea how soon their worlds would end.

As Dane spoke, Lucia's careful composure faltered and her eyes lit up. Did he really just say he was going to let her take the throne? He was offering it, no, giving it to her? She had to beg her mother for the right to look after the den in Rome. Yet here Dane was, saying he'd give up the throne for Lucia. She wanted to pounce the Vampire with hugs and squeal like a little girl. Lucia, however, was a lady, and did neither of those things. Her smile was radiant and widem showing off four bright fangs, "Dane, that is very gracious of you. Thank you." The only conundrum was what to do with her mother. She didn't think she had it in her to kill her Alena; she was capable of many things, but that one was doubtful. So then what? The girl wondered if the witches could take away her mother's Lycanthropy as it had been given to her; yet even if that were possible, it would likely mean death with how old her mother was. She could be exiled some place; although there were Lycans everywhere except Antarctica as far as Lucia knew. That might work. Or I could just keep her locked up in the cellar, she'd just have to worry about the Vampires in the mansion exacting their own revenge on the Lycan mother. "We can have my mother maimed. She will never regain her strength and if we send her back to the wolves like that, they may just kill her for you." Her voice was pleasant.

[Dane]

"Barely, it is your birthright; it's what your father wanted. Honestly, the second I took the throne, I always imagined I was just keeping it warm." The vampire couldn't help but smile. Lucia was eating right out of his hand, no idea that things were amiss. Whether that was testimony to his cunningness or her foolishness he had yet to decide. However, it was clear that if he kept this level of progress he would be able to embrace his destiny much sooner than expected. In some ways; ironically he had Viktor to thank, eliminating Raven fast forwarded his plans by many years. "Excellent plan my dear, perhaps dismember an arm. I'm sure the other lycans will find her much less intimidating then." Twirling the silver needle about his fingers Dane approached Pablo's side. "Careful." The younger one spoke again, her voice nervous. "Ha." He scoffed, "No matter the task my aim and hand are always precise." The vampire crouched, running a finger down the lycan's side he searched for a point of entry. Sizing up the needle he continued to speak. "You all know what I intend, why would I kill the boy that will bring me the Lycan Queen? I don't plan on hurting him, much." With that he strongly jabbed the silver needle a couple inches into Pablo's side; the lycan letting out a loud and painful grunt. Almost immediately he began to sweat profusely. Ignore the glare of both witches he returned to Lucia's side. "You may wish to hurry, he doesn't look so good."

The two witches exchanged glances and nodded. It was back to closed eyes and cupped palms, it almost appeared like they were just standing there and it certainly looked that way to Dane. Who with arms crossed did not seem happy. Not a single peep or chant from the two woman for a few minutes, until again the younger one spoke; she opened her eyes shooting a glare at Lucia. "His mind is poisoned." It was more of a mumble directed for her companion. "Eileen." The hag said in an authoritative voice. "But he-" "No." Eileen as a sign of defeat sighed. There was silence once again, this time for a couple minutes. "There." The two witches opened their eyes in unison. “He won't have any memory of this....endeavor." Eileen stepping towards Dane and Lucia; yanked the silver needle out of the pale and now very unconscious Pablo; and hurled it towards the ground by Dane's feet. Seemingly bemused Dane grinned revealing two very pointy teeth. "If tonight proves moot, I know where to find you." "And you know I don't run." Eileen responded. The two witches standing side by side made their leave through the front door.

"Well then." Dane bent over to pick up the needle from the floor and returned it to its case. Approaching Pablo he leaned over the lycan and cocked his head to the side. "Do you think he'll be suspicious? If he awakes with no wounds?"

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Something warm fluttered in her chest, something foreign and heavy, yet euphoric. The sensation was odd, but fueled Lucia's grin. Dane's words amused and honored the girl. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't fantasized about coming into her father's throne, and she guessed that her father would want her to succeed him, but hearing another Vampire say it made her happy. Dane's words of praise concerning what to do with her mother were well received; she'd been thinking the same thing.

The girl tamed her grin as the ritual continued and Dane stuck the silver needle into Pablo's side. Lucia had trouble believing that these two women were actually doing anything effective to her pet; they weren't even chanting. Weren't witches supposed to chant or say some rhymes? Despite her doubts about what was happening now, the girl had grown up believing in magick and had mixed feelings about what could happen because of this. While she was interested in seeing the magick work, Lucia was afraid this mystical lobotomy would forever change Pablo's personality, and she'd been growing fond of who he was.

Lucia watched the witches patiently, her hands folded in front of her. As the young one shot a glare her way, the Hybrid stared back coldly. For being in the presence of two Beings that could easily kill her, Eileen was sure being reckless. In any case, Lucia didn't know what the witch was talking about; they were the ones poisoning the Werewolf's mind. As the witches made their departure, Lucia kept her crimson gaze on the motionless Pablo, moving her eyes to Dane as he spoke once more. She considered his question briefly, "Yes, I imagine he would be." Lucia waited for Dane to do what he needed to do, but she was ready to leave when he was.

[Dane]

"Good, so we're in agreement something must be done." Dane scooped Pablo up off the stone table and carried him towards Lucia. "I'll let you handle the matter at your own discretion." The vampire pulled his arms out from underneath the lycan and let him drop from his grasp. "There are a few things you need to learn before ruling, consider this your first lesson; a king mustn't..." He paused, Lucia was female; she would be the first of her gender to run the coven. “or a queen" He corrected himself. "be afraid of getting their hands dirty. Your father did, I believe it's fair to say I have." The vampire said with a smirk, the memory of his one man attack on the lycan den fresh in his mind. He turned away from the hybrid and began walking towards the door; still speaking it was obvious he expected Lucia to follow. "You're mother prefers to work through her lackeys." Not a single one of his spies spotted the Lycan Queen during the lycan invasion of Rome; clearly her assistance was not needed, but Dane believed the old bitch had grown lazy since her lover's death, like she found there to not be a challenge worth getting up for. Though if word of her approaching was true, he was finally getting the respect he deserved. The Vampire King was looking forward to the following night; he would revel in the challenge that was defeating Alena.

"Which there is nothing wrong with; lackeys are there for a reason. Your mother may have lucked out," He pushed open the cabin door and held it for his 'prodigy'. "but you'll quickly find most of them are incompetent. There's a reason you'll be sitting on the throne and not one of them." Dane spoke before leading Lucia into the woods. There was no dirt trail between here and the mansion; the vampire had discovered the location some months into his kingship. Once just a small parcel of land, he had turned into a cabin. A place of solitude for a man who enjoyed his own company above all others. "There will always be some who will challenge your stake to the throne; I had few to no naysayers, not after defeating Viktor." Dane was the only vampire brave or crazy enough to challenge the man who slayed the original vampire king. "Vampires fear nothing more than death, you will need the same type of victory, either early in your rule or before, to prove to the naysayers; any who cross your path will meet their most certain end." Dane stopped dead in his tracks. He knew the perfect candidate for Lucia, certainly it was on her mind well. "I will not be able to assist you in the matter, but I know of his location. He is old and powerful, perhaps too much for someone of your age, but we'll think of something. Until then, I must run ahead. There's a defense that needs planning and little time to chit chat. Keep on walking straight ahead and you'll hit the mansion." Those were his final words before vanishing, a powerful gust of wind trailing the vampire was the only sign of his leave.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Cradling the Werewolf in her arms, Lucia followed Dane's directions, walking casually through the trees. The warmth of Pablo's body felt nice in contrast to the cool night. She'd hoped Dane would have taken care of leaving the marks on Pablo, but since he'd left the task to her, she was determined to prove her competance in the area. The only question was how to leave the marks. The Hybrid didn't exactly relish the thought of having to torture Pablo, and only hoped he'd remain unconscious for it. That narrowed the selection down a bit: something fast. Mixed feelings fought within the girl. While she was not thrilled at the thought of losing Pablo to her mother, she was enjoying this time with him and held on to hope that she'd see him again. A small smile spread across her lips.

Leaving the forest, the moon shown bright upon Lucia and Pablo. Though a little chilly, it was a nice clear night and the stars were glowing prominantly. The girl wished there was time to wake Pablo and look around the gardens with him. Instead, she hurried into the mansion and up the stairs to her father's room, no, her room. Chaining the Werewolf back in the cell, Lucia looked around the room briefly for the implement she'd seen her father use on multiple occasions. In the room, on the top shelf of the bookcase, the Hybrid found it: a silver-tipped flail. She grabbed the handle, holding the tails gently in her other hand as she made her way back to the unconscious Werewolf. Smiling softly at the sight before her, the girl let go of the tails, letting them dangle in the air, anticipating the swing. With Pablo lying on his back to start, Lucia lifted her arm and flicked her wrist. The flail made sharp, quick contact with the Lycan's stomach and chest, leaving burning red streaks in its wake. Again and again the Hybrid flicked the flail toward the man, playing with the force of each stroke. Under each silver tip of the flail, Lucia could see the Lycan's skin react, splitting open in areas she struck more than once and in spots where she increased the force. Angry gashes slowly opened as she hit his thighs, stomach and chest and after coloring his front, Lucia turned him over to get at his back. She aimed the flail, landing strikes along his sides, below his armpits, and all across his back and thighs. The pattern of imflammation across Pablo's back was beautiful and mesmerizing; Lucia felt a warmth rise in her, and part of her wanted to bend down and draw her fingers down Pablo's back slowly to watch the red rise beneath her nails; expressions of love. She wanted to make him bleed and even share her own for being allowed to see this Werewolf so prone. Yet another part of her felt shame for those desires; really, she wasn't being allowed to see him in such a state, it wasn't like this man had much of a choice in the matter. He was not here on his terms, Lucia had flaunted that fact in front of him before, and no matter how much she might want to free him so he could walk around the mansion with relative ease, she would not.

She hadn't realized she'd stopped whipping Pablo during her thoughts, but as she came back to reality, she decided there were enough marks on the man to merit the treatment done. Dane might feel she'd taken an easy way out with the punsihment she chose to deal, but Lucia was satisfied with the marks. Leaving the cell and locking the door, Lucia returned the flail to its perch on the book case, and left her room to retrieve meat for her Werewolf. In the end she coerced one of the Vampires familiar with caring for the Lycan prisoners into cooking up some meat for her, and she returned to her room, placing a slab of cooked beef in Pablo's cell for when the man woke.

[Pablo]

"Do your worst." Pablo murmured, awakening from his sleep alone in his cell and in much pain. Lying flat on his chest, he opened his eyes. The room seemed to be spinning around the lycan, with a loud painful grunt he managed to roll onto his chest. His brain felt mushed, his skull split open, and his body like someone had ripped holes through his chest, or were they through his back? Did it really make a difference? "Probably not." He murmured, though believing himself to be speaking out loud Pablo's words came out as incoherent mumbo jumbo. His cell reeked of lycan blood, like how he left his den, a not so subtle reminder of his failures. It was his own blood this time; Pablo had experienced enough blood baths to recognize the scent. Like he needed the confirmation, but glancing down at his chest, the gashes, the red streaks, the pool of blood that surrounded him did more than that. It was apparent that he 'missed' the torture. "Terrible." There wasn't the slightest the chance he would leak any information to Dane, but Gods be damned the last thing he remembered was the godforsaken vampire planting his boot on his face. It was almost worth worrying about, but glancing down at his wounds, and knowing his pain threshold; this was nowhere near close enough.

That was not to say he wasn't in a state of agony. The wounds were severe; the cuts and gashes felt deep. They were silver wounds, always a cause for worry. They could possibly kill him, if there was any residual silver he was doomed, especially while in these chains. His fate was out of his hands, time spent fret was time wasted. For the moon's sake he was a Lycan Lord, an appointed den leader, letting any of this get to him would be an embarrassment. Not that he was comparing himself to the pack mother, but how many times had she found herself in the enemy clutches. Considering the circumstances of her relationship with some of her enemies, probably more than she had out to be, but that's beyond the point, she has always made it out of alive. Closing his eyes he rested the back of his head on the floor. He couldn't show any break in his resolve, not to anyone, especially the enemy.

Beef, he could smell it from outside Lucia's room and it was growing closer. His blood took a backseat to the oh so sweet aroma, very much like a dog, and rightfully so the lycan's mouth began to water. Biting deep into his lip drawing a droplet of blood; ignoring the burning sensation across his body, Pablo pulled himself up into a sitting position. As she approached the cell door he spoke. "Big improvement over the cat. That smells great." He managed to sound rather clear. As she unlocked the door and stepped into the room the lycan opened his eyes. Immediately his vision focused in on the hybrid, the spinning followed right after, this time though, Lucia and the plate of beef were the center as the room spun around. His face became the slightest bit green as he could feel bile rise up in his stomach. The unfamiliar feeling of nausea, when was the last time he had thrown up? That time he had walked into Pete and Arai "-UGH" Turning away from Lucia and half lunging to the corner, the lycan projected his vomit safely away from the beef. Maybe it was best to leave his eyes closed. Lying on his side, he kept his upper body and his head up and away from the throw up. Turning to Lucia, the lycan had a bit of spit and vomit on his face. "I might need something to wash that out with." He gestured his head towards the empty clay bowl in the other corner.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Well that was unpleasant. Lucia frowned as Pablo emptied the contents of his stomach onto the floor. She hadn't been too hard on the Werewolf, at least he wasn't retching blood. The girl set down the food for Pablo and retrieved the bowl, leaving the cell door open as she filled the bowl with water from the bathroom faucet. She placed the bowl next to the food and watched the man for a brief moment, "Will you be alright?" That was a stupid question, she realized as soon as she spoke it. He was a Werewolf chained up in a house of Vampires and he'd just been whipped with silver. He was no doubt miserable, and it was her fault.

After a moment, Lucia left again, into the bedroom. She came back with two towels and set them beside the Werewolf for him to clean up with. "If it means anything, you didn't say a word. Dane wasn't pleased." The first part was true, of course, and Lucia found the little white lie that followed flowed easily off her tongue. The girl had always had a knack for lying, though she didn't do it as much now as she used to.

Lucia could feel the night wearing on. Though she wanted company at the moment, she was also getting tired and knew she should get some rest before her mother's arrival tomorrow. She waited to see how Pablo was doing.

[Pablo]

Pablo ran his hand across his face, brushing off sweat droplets. Slowly inching away from the pool of vomit. Snatching up the beef he began to gnaw at it as Lucia fetched him water. Would he be alright? Now that was a dumb question. He was bleeding and in chains; silver ones at that, not to mention his head felt like somebody repeatedly ran it over with a truck. Still despite that, he wasn't in the mood for sass. "As long as I don't die, I think i'll be okay." He said as nonchalantly as one could with a coarse voice. Peaking an eye open he smirked. It appeared that the room had stopped spinning. That was a start.

Then opening his second eye, like a dog he scooped water out of the bowl with his tongue as Lucia placed the towels besides him. "That's most excellent." Though truth to be told he suspected he would never say a thing. "Well truth really be told, I'm not sure there's much to say. Alena hasn't deemed the vampires a threat in quite some time. We have nothing really planned for them." Again much protest on his end, the Lycan Queen insisted on diverting most of their attention to the rebels. "I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I don't think it matters anyway. That Dane guy seems to know." His actions hinted to an enemy that knew he was being disrespected. It explained his attack on the den in Rome. A location rather unguarded when considered the city was once ran by vampires.

The lycan yawned, stretching his arms he felt a sudden wave of exhaustion overcome him. The beef had hit the spot. He was about to lay his head back against the wall, but then something dawned upon him. How did Lucia know he didn't remember a thing? Something else was happening here. Squinting his eyes he glanced at Lucia suspiciously while slowly resting his head back and slumping his shoulders. Then again his head felt like it was on the verge of exploding. Maybe after all that damage no soul could remember what had been done to them.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Lucia listened to what Pablo said as he brushed off her information. "There may not have been anything to say, but it's the concept." The girl smiled faintly. The night was wearing on her and the smell of the man's puke was enough to make her want to leave and go to bed.

Standing, Lucia looked down at the werewolf, "Sleep well, Pablo." The sentiment came out naturally, as if oblivious of the situation, and she turned to leave, closing and locking the cell door behind her.

Alone in the room, Lucia stood, staring off into space. A quiet sadness came over her that she couldn't quite explain. She felt a little bad about what she'd done to Pablo. After all, she was becoming fond of the Lycan. But Dane was letting her take over as Queen of the Vampires; she was going to have to get used to doing things she didn't particularly enjoy... For a little at least. Until the mass of Vampires beneath her became accustomed and accepting of her as their leader. Then she could appoint others to deal with the things she found distasteful. At least that's how it worked in her mind.

Pulling off the dress she'd worn all night, Lucia changed into a tshirt and black leggings, deciding comfort would be more important for the night to come facing her mother. Idly, Lucie untied her braid, shaking her long brown hair out, combing through it with slender fingers. Tomorrow, her mother would be paying a visit to the vampire mansion, so Dane said, to haul her and Pablo back to The Middle of Nowhere, Sweden. Or so Alena thought. The daughter of Raven Lestat had other plans in mind. She would not be rejoining her mother no matter what. And, if she could help it, she'd be keeping Pablo all for herself. She knew that keeping Pablo would be going against Dane's plans, but she wasn't going to lose him without a fight.

Braiding her hair back up, the hybrid went over to the bookshelf in the corner of the room, looking for no title in particular. She ran her fingers along the spines of each book until she came to one that caught her eye. Faust. Her father had read the play to her when she was young, but it had been years since she'd heard the story. Taking the book from its place in the shelf, Lucia wiped the dust from the top of the pages and slid into bed. The pages were turning yellow from age, and she opened the book carefully to the first page.

Outside the sun was creeping up over the horizon and birds began their eternal song as the country woke from their sleep.

Lucia fell asleep holding the book close to her chest, anticipating the night to come.

[Dane]

The Vampire King sighed as he turned away from the screens of his surveillance system. Lucia was not the brightest of the bunch. It was a shame she did not display the competence or aptitude of either of her parents. But, he supposed it was for that exact reason she was here. The girl was to say the least; easy to manipulate. He took full advantage of that. Bringing her to his mansion was simply a means to an end, and soon he would have the payoff. Her presence would no longer be needed. Glancing back at the screens he observed the young lycan prisoner. The boy seemed to be deep in thought; having quickly caught onto Lucia's slip up. Fortunately the lycan did not have enough pieces to put the puzzle together. The boy would never imagine witches having tinkered with his mind. He was in the homestretch, unless of course Lucia would prove to be truly daft and slip more information.

Dane stood up onto his two feet. Too much thought had been wasted dwelling on Lucia's mistake. There were more important matters at hand. If his sources were correct in less than twenty hours the Lycan Queen would be at his door step. His stomach lightly fluttered at the thought. Was he nervous? No, anxious? Perhaps, but if only the slightest bit. Stepping towards his dresser he began to stare into the mirror that hung above it. Tonight would end in one of two ways. Alena would die or the night would lead to her eventual defeat. He felt a smile creep onto his face. Killing the Lycan Queen even he could find a bit of joy in that. He turned away from the empty reflection and began to exit his room. He would feed now and then again some hours prior to dusk, in hopes of being at full strength during the fight.

Two Hours Prior to Dusk

As the body of his victim crumpled to the floor; barely alive, Dane wiped the blood from his face. Grinning he glanced down at his lunch who stared back at him with hateful eyes. He shrugged, "This was not the first time my dear. It won't be the last." He exited the cell as he made his way back to the main floor. It was rare for vampires to be active prior to sunset, there few who could stand the sting of the sun. Yet his mansion was bustling full of unife, some hours before sunset. His minions were in the middle of preparing for Alena's arrival. He doubted many knew what that truly entails. As most seemed excited for her arrival. A chance at killing their mortal enemy. Most of his men would die this night; he was sure of it. They were all baby bats, and despite outnumbering the enemy 100 to 1 they would drop like flies. In fact, the vampire king assured all of his more powerful minions were elsewhere this night. Except of course for Lucia. As he did not worry for her safety, and of course she was half of what lured his enemy here.

He poked his head into the dining hall as he passed by. There his lieutenants were barking out orders. Rather simple ones to be fair. All of his minions were to lunge at the Lycan known as Szandor while Dane distracted the Queen. Once the boy toy was dead they would turn their attention to Alena. They were to not attack until Dane gave the sign. "You." Dane grabbed one of his nearby subjects. "Make sure Lucia is awake. I'm heading to my post."