Finally "home"

[Xhel]

To call Xhel perceptive was an understatement. The life of a hunter required him to be completely aware of his surroundings and those in it. It was aside from his preparedness the only advantage he really ever held over his enemies. Thus, as he feel he quickly processed the room before landing softly on his two feet. His immediate concern was the girl standing by the doorway. She was almost a splitting image of Alena; appearing to be a only few years younger, but when immortality was in play it became difficult to tell. He immediately suspected this to be Alena's daughter. His intuition had probably saved the girl's life, in most cases he would have immediately opened fire. None the less when he landed and the girl hesitated to attack him, he kept his weapons pointed and locked on the dark creature. It was almost as the girl was expecting somebody, almost confirming his suspicion.

He was still very much on high alert. The hunter did not expect there to be anybody in this room, not when the vampire lord was currently outside fighting for his life. Interesting enough; there was nothing in her to suggest that this was Dane's room. In fact, a pair of purple leggings and a stained blue dress in the corner of the room implied that Lucia was living here. It hardly seemed prison like, he thought to himself while glancing towards the cell in the corner of the room. If she were truly a prisoner, she would currently be chained in there, as he once was by Raven many years ago. The thought invoked a trail of foul memories, only brightened by the fact that those who had caused him pain were now burning eternally in a hellish landscape. This girl was no prisoner, but rather a guest. They would not let any regular vampire reside in this room, let alone a lycan. Perhaps it was the memory of Raven, but as she snapped at him; for a moment she resembled the former vampire king.

"I'm here for the lycan prisoner." He said calmly still keeping both weapons pointed at Lucia.".... and maybe you." He added. "Lower your weapons and I'll lower mine." He said while holstering one of his pistols as a token of good faith. He rested his free hand casually on his belt. If she were to charge him he would be ready. Once again he eyed the cell door. A gut wrench told him that he would find his cousin inside.

[Alena Wulf]

Alena swung powerfully at Dane, putting her weight behind the blow. Everything looked like it would go as the Lycan Queen wanted: her fatal blow would land upon the usurper of the Vampyre throne and the fight would end soon after; she would have her enemy grasping at the last strands of unlife at her feet, and he would slowly turn to dust. Her claws raked against Dane's jacket, and then air as the Vampyre leaped out of the way in a blur of speed. Following through with her attack, the giant black wolf stepped forward in a lunge as the Vampyre King jumped off her head. She turned her back to the mansion's broken entrance as she moved.
In the night, Alena's eyes narrowed, focusing sternly on the falling figure above her. He was just out of reach as he pulled out his revolver, but within a second's time, Dane was close enough. Reaching up, the Queen of Werewolves grabbed Dane's ankle, yanking him down hard, smashing him to the porch. She hoped that this would at least loosen his grip on the gun, and didn't stop there. Gripping tight around the Vampyre's ankle, Alena swung her arm, leading him through the spokes of the porch's metal railing. It was music to the Lycan's ears, the wet sound of meat breaking open and the low ringing of the railing as it was struck. Yes, the wounds would be superficial and would have no lasting damage on a creature such as Dane; but for the moment Alena got to ruin something beautiful, and that made her heart sing.
After strumming the railing with Dane's face, Alena flung the Vampyre full circle into the foyer of the mansion, letting him sail into the side of the staircase. Stepping boldly over the rubble of the front door, the Werewolf Queen advanced into the Vampyre home, toward the King of Bats. No matter the cost, she would get her daughter and packmate back tonight. Nothing this Vampyre said or did would stop her. On the inside, Alena was broiling over Dane's remark over his 'session' with Lucia. However, only a fellow Lycan would likely have noticed the resulting tension in the air around Alena due to such a remark. My daughter's choice in lovers is unfortunate. Walking casually over to Dane, her thoughts were sent cold into her enemy's mind. You, however, will take solace in the fact that your charms do, indeed, work, on little girls. Her bright, blue eyes flashed in the light of the foyer, and Alena stepped ever closer. You may also find that I have charms of my own; though I don't believe you will ever know them to their full extent. Life, is such a fickle disease for Vampyres these days.
Alena charged the Vampyre where he lay, clawing at him with both paws.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Crimson eyes watched as this human put away one of his guns and responded calmly. Lucia watched him carefully, her face betraying none of her thoughts. Though she was furious her father's room had been destroyed, there were so many other things requiring her attention and focus right now. If Lucia was going to prove her worth, she'd need to learn to handle business before pleasure. Her mother often confused the two, but Raven had tried to raise Lucia to be a lady, and certain things were required of a lady, no matter how young.

Straightening her back, Lucia stood tall, poised. She had no reason to fear humans, even ones with guns, and so had no qualms about lowering her weapons even if the man tried to shoot her anyway. Loosening her clenched fists, the Hybrid relaxed a little, letting her fingers rest at her sides, touching the hem of her baggy shirt. "You're here with Mum, then." Flicking her long, auburn braid over her shoulder, Lucia watched the man glance about the room. "Interesting. I never knew Mum to associate with hunters. She'd sooner eat than aid a human..."

Though the human's glances seemed casual, the frequency with which he looked toward the cell made him seem anxious and edgy. Come to think of it, this man smelled familiar. It wasn't an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, but a scent Lucia knew she'd come across once or twice. "You seem familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?" Even his features appeared vaguely recognizable. When he glanced back at the cell door it hit her, and she laughed a little out loud before bringing a hand up to stifle her giggling. That's right. This human had once been a pet to her father, Raven. This man had been kept in that cell for a short period of time. Her father hadn't let her in to play with the prisoner, so the girl had had to settle with peering in through the barred window on the door. It wasn't terribly often Raven entertained humans either...

That all was so long ago; Lucia had only been 10 years old when she'd propped a chair up to the cell door, held on to the bars of the window and watched through as the hunter formulated a way out. He had escaped, she remembered that.

"I may have what you seek." Lucia spoke, yet did not indicate outwardly what she meant. She wondered what this man would say to convince her to help.

[Xhel]

He holstered his firearm as the girl fixed her posture and stood less threatening. It brought him little comfort, her actions were symbolic at best. She still poised a bigger threat to him than he to her. He did not know her power, but if this girl was truly Alena's daughter she was far stronger and quicker than he would ever be. Xhel casually folded his arms and stared at the creature sternly. If she was in for a surprise if she were to suddenly charge at him.

She however, did not attack him. In fact at this moment in time it appeared as if the girl had little interest in fighting him. She seemed to be in a chatty mood, her observation confirmed his theory, this was in fact Alena's daughter. At least she was leading him to believe that. Unfortunately, this only brought forth more questions for the hunter. Lucia hardly presented herself as a captive. It was actually quite the opposite. She had come here willingly and happily. This entire situation seemed to have a foul stench to it. "Quite a peculiar thought, isn't it?" He said, his face softening as he smiled rather weakly. Truthfully he found the thought to be rather amusing. He casually took a step or two towards the cell. "I'd rather shoot most lycans than aid one, and that includes your mother." He paused before adding rather loudly. "No offense." During Raven's era as King, most of his 'special guest' would find there way in that very cell. If this new king was any like the former he would find his cousin; a high ranking member of Alena's pack there. "Maybe you should be asking why a hunter would ever aid The Queen of Werewolves."

Xhel stood dead in his tracks in response to the girl's query. Slowly he turned his head over his shoulder to look at her.. Yes, this was Alena's daughter, but he hadn't and perhaps intentionally bothered to deduce who the father was. It was obvious, perhaps subconsciously he had already known. Lucia was also the daughter of Raven Lestat, the most powerful vampire to walk this earth. Why else would she be in this room? And yes she did look familiar, and while intentionally he attributed that to the similarities in appearance she shared with her mother; once she giggled the memory of their first 'meeting' returned to him. She was the tiny pair of eyes that stared at him through the cell door while Raven failed to make the hunter beg to become a vampire. He was staring at the love child of the most destructive romance this world had ever known. She was a monster by all means of the word. Xhel sighed, though it appeared to be a reply to her laughter, he was in fact considering striking the girl down where she stood. It would be a massive favor to the world, he knew the horrors she would come to commit, let alone those that had already passed.

Killing Lucia was not however part of the plan. This was a rescue mission not an assassination. That he would save for another day. Right now was not the moment to earn Alena's wrath. "You either have what I want or don't. There is no may." Was she trying to bargain with him? Even in death Raven Lestat was proving to be an annoyance to him. Once again he sighed. "He is very valuable to me. I don't wish to see him die here and believe me... if we do not leave now we all will." Almost on cue a crash from below shook the foundation of the mansion and everything within it.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

"No," Lucia said thoughtfully, shifting her weight to her left leg, "We will not all die here."

It was the girl's turn to sigh, "You caught me," she showed her hands, smiling genuinely, pointed fangs showing in her grin. "I do have what you want." As the mansion shook from its very foundation, Lucia remained calm. If she'd had a pulse, it might have quickened at the thought of her father's home falling to pieces, but instead only her eyes moved briefly to the floor, as if seeing exactly what was going on downstairs for a moment. Her gaze returned quickly to the hunter, stopped in his tracks before the cell door. So, it seemed he did recognize her. "It appears you've answered the question I should have asked."

The man's frustration amused her; Lucia believed the human was on her time. She watched the hunter, debating how long she could keep his candor pleasant while she drew things out for her entertainment. Reaching up to her neck, Lucia lifted the chain that the cell key was hanging from over her head, gripping it in her hand. "I have the key," she showed it to the man, but kept it close to her chest. "It would make opening the door and freeing the Lycan from his restraints much easier, don't you think?" She kept her tone light; she wasn't trying to antagonize the hunter, just have a little fun. "I have an invested interest in Pablo's life as well." Lucia said her pet's name like they were old friends, looking to see how this man would react to that.

Lucia believed she wasn't a complete fool; she knew Pablo didn't really care for her, that circumstances had required the Lycan to put up with her since he wasn't exactly in a position to negotiate otherwise. However, he'd been pleasant with her, and that was on the verge of accepting, right? That was more than she'd received from most anyone else, Lycan or Vampire (though the Vampires as a whole had treated her with more respect). So, maybe she could make Pablo care.

Raven had treated Lucia like the princess she was. Everyone in the Vampire mansion had at least respected that she was the King's beloved daughter, even if they didn't fully accept her background. With Alena, though, the Hybrid didn't have any of that. Lucia had been plucked cruelly from her father's side before his murder and literally flung to the wolves. Her mother was cold and distant, and the pack that surrounded Alena respected strength more than blood relations. The Werewolves in Sweden were all a family and there seemed to be no room for a Hybrid in the mix. Only Szandor had treated her kindly. Before Pablo, that is. Was it so farfetched to think they could be friends?

The cold, hard truth, though, was: Lucia didn't have a good track record with pets, conventional or not. Her father had granted her the luxury of keeping a kitten and two puppies when she was young. When those pets didn't last, a more hardy substitute was offered in the form of captive humans of varying ages. Her human pets usually only lasted as long as her temper remained checked. Lucia's temper tantrums proved deadly for her toys. This worried the girl. Learning to restrain herself and control the incredible natural strength had been difficult for her. Lucia could still feel her anger get the better of her at times, and though she knew Pablo, as a Werewolf, was stronger than her previous pets, she didn't want her rage to get the better of her with him. Deep down, she knew she should set him free, though it saddened her to. Being back at the Vampire mansion made her feel a bit more like the princess she was, though, and so she was determined to let Pablo go only on her terms.

[Xhel]

Xhel glared at Lucia as she disagreed with him. "They'll destroy this place before they manage to kill one another." He replied quite confidentially. Perhaps Lucia would not perish in the mansion's collapse, but it would lead to the hunter's death, of that he was certain.

She though continued to act as if they had all the time in the world. It was quite an annoyance, her sense of entitlement something that clearly ran in both sides of her family. Alena and Raven, to the hunter they always seemed to treat this like a game, at least in Xhel's presence. Their war was more a competition than a quarrel before lovers in his eyes. Maybe he was mistaken, maybe he only thought this because of the way they carried themselves in his presence; snotty, demanding, and like Lucia self-entitled. He was no fool, they did not respect the hunter nor fear him and perhaps he was never truly a threat, but did they show the same disrespect to others? Even those of their race? He thought so, that was at least until Raven's death. That should have changed everything. It seemed to for Alena at least, according to a reliable source. Suddenly she was not seen as unkillable, and if she did not think that others of her species and that of the enemies began to believe so. Apparently Lucia did not get the memo. Xhel was certain he could vanquish her now. She had her parents arrogance, but not their ability. A quickly flash bang would leave her blind, an even quicker shot would leave her as a pile of dust to be swept away. Fortunately for the girl he was not willing to deal with the consequences of her death.

The key was not a necessity. Xhel had his own ways of dealing with the not only the restraints but as well as the door. She only confirmed that Pablo was in fact in the cell. He smiled, for a moment, as brightly as one who usually bore a stern expression could, before returning to his usual glare. "If you did have such an interest in his life you would have let him free long ago. I can't imagine that there are many pleasant restraints that can keep him put, especially ones that are stopping him from werewolfing down that door." Once again he glanced at the door, this time though as his gaze returned to Lucia's, she was met by infuriation. Something had upset him and she was about to pay the price. He gave her no time to ponder why and there was no clear warning of what was to come, but as he took a quick steps towards her a ear-splitting loud high pitched screech began to emit from his being. It was the newest toy in his arsenal, the earpiercer as he and Pablo had coined it. A tiny device from within his suit that let out an almost static like sound for a few mere seconds. It was of course too high pitched for a human to hear, but to a unprepared lycan or vampire it was overbearing. The few test on Pablo left the lycan on his knees covering his ears, he was certain it would have the same effect on Lucia.

If not he was a demand man. Unfortunately he did not have the time to check it's effectiveness. He was already lunging at Lucia with a kick, a small silver blade slipping out of his boot as he firmly hit her in the gut. Clearly not one to waste time Xhel was already firing at the cell door as he landed. Only a single shot was needed, the bullet penetrating the lock. He glanced down at Lucia, quickly pistol whipping her over the head (for good measure) before dashing into the cell and reemerging with Pablo in his arms. The hunter lowered his shoulder as he charged through the bed room door.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Lucia frowned as this man tried to tell her what she would have done were her feelings genuine. That's not how love worked; her parents were proof of that. Love was possession. It was obsessive and sometimes you had to enrage your partner to let them know how much they were wanted. Centuries past, Alena had been kept in that cell in a similar fashion as Pablo was being kept now. Yet, whenever Lucia inquired about her mother, Raven would eloquently tell her how lovely Alena was, about their passion, and often, about their long years of love. Even now, though her mother was distant to her, Lucia could tell she pined for her departed lover. The Hybrid had dreamed of finding a love as passionate and lasting as her parents'. Pablo was likely not The one, but Hell, she had to start somewhere.

The girl was about to defend her actions when the human's expression changed abruptly and he charged. For a human, he was pretty quick. To Lucia, though, he may as well have been walking. Smiling, the girl shifted her stance slightly, prepared to catch whatever maneuver this hunter had planned; but as he ran, Lucia folded. The most excruciating sound she had ever heard -no, felt- came from the hunter, getting closer as he did. "Ahh!" The Hybrid cringed violently, bringing her fists to her ears. She watched as Xhel came flying in with a kick, but didn't care. All she wanted was for the sound to stop. She felt it in her brain, through her brain, as if it were curling and turning in her skull at the shrill, high pitched noise.

Something strange pulled from her stomach, a feeling she'd never had before, but it felt like bile was crawling up her throat, and she almost retched. The taste of blood coated the back of her tongue, which normally wouldn't have been anything out of the ordinary. However, after having come back up from her stomach, it was less than pleasing.

The force of his kick wasn't much of an impact, but it was accompanied by a sharp, burning pain. The noise seemed to have dissipated, but Lucia's head was still ringing as she brought a hand to her stomach. The area the hunter kicked felt wet and warm through her shirt and burned with a fire she'd rarely felt before. Her head was still reeling from the noise, but Lucia glanced down at the wound in her gut. Looking at it seemed to make it feel worse and the Hybrid went to her knees, feeling dizzy. She couldn't hold it back any longer; leaning forward, the girl spewed out last evening's meal. Blood caked the carpet as Lucia held her stomach with both hands, still gripping the key. Moaning her disgust, Lucia looked up at the cell door, crimson eyes trying to focus through tears that the force of her retching for the first time in her life had conjured.

She didn't see much. A quick thump over her head increased the queasy feeling and Lucia's discomfort significantly. Her vision blurred and for a moment she lost sight of everything before her. She wished the pain would have disappeared for a moment instead of her vision, but instead, she was left blind, stabbed and beaten over the head. Her ears were still ringing, and she could feel them turn red. When her vision returned, the cell door was cracked open and the hunter was gone.

Leaning forward on her bare feet and one hand, she tested to see if her balance had returned. Then, stumbling forward, Lucia stood, lunging toward the cell door before thinking to look behind her. Her bedroom door had been forced open, which meant that Pablo and the hunter were likely at the stairs already.

Moving hurt her stomach much more than it should have, though her head was clearing up fairly quickly. Looping the chain with the cell key back around her neck, Lucia wiped her mouth of blood with the back of her left hand. She was starting to get angry. No. That wasn't right. The high frequency noise had irritated her, the kick (or stab), had started to really frustrate her. It was the pistol whip that was downright rude; that had made her angry.

Grumbling to herself, Lucia stormed out of her father's room and into the hallway. She could smell Pablo's distinct trace, but even stronger than that was the scent of a human in a castle full of Bats, and the Hybrid made quickly toward the smell. Jumping from the top stair, Lucia landed at the bottom of the first flight, directly in front of the hunter, whose speed was burdened by the slight weight of Pablo. She bared her fangs, waiting for the human to advance.

[Pablo]

Pablo continued to fidget away at the lock around his wrist. While he devoted most of his attention to escaping, he also listened in on the conversation between his soon to be liberator and his captor. It started as pleasant as any conversation Xhel could have with a creature to a night. For a moment the lycan believed that freeing himself would not be necessary. Of course that did not last long, he noted as the lock clicked and the shackle fell from his wrist. His stretched his fingers widely as the numbness faded from his hands. Moving onto the anklets Pablo smiled at the mention of shooting lycans. The no offense was obviously intended for him; his cousin was trying to grab his attention or at least awaiting acknowledgement. Unfortunately he could not do that without alerting Lucia until his legs were free. Luckily, each lock was easier than the last, each taking only a matter of seconds before Pablo could stand free of impairment.

As he stumbled onto his feet the mansion shook, quickly knocking the lycan over. Falling flat on his belly the lycan with both hands quickly covered his mouth to hold in a snicker. Somehow he found that amusing, even he wasn't entirely sure why. Pulling himself up he stood triumphantly and continued to eavesdrop. Did Lucia think this was a game? He stood close to the door and out of sight. Leaning over slightly, his right eye became visible momentarily. Just in time to catch a glimpse of Lucia revealing the key and claiming she had his best interest in heart. While Lucia thought she was annoying the hunter, he was in fact becoming angry. In Xhel's eyes she was begging to be shot at. It almost surprised the lycan his relative hadn't already opened the fire. Maybe the time he spent at the monastery had actually done him well. Lucia appeared to have not noticed Pablo, he stepped to the side, revealing his entire face through the window. At first glance it brought a wide smile to Xhel's face, the biggest the lycan had witnessed since the human's wedding. Once again Xhel spoke, and though his word suggest she was speaking to Lucia they were directed at Pablo. As Xhel mentioned restraints Pablo revealed his very free hands. While he mentioned door Pablo shook his head. He was free from his restraints, but he could not break down the door. The hunter glanced at the door again, to confirm the message, but as their stares locked Xhel scowled. He had just begun to notice Pablo's state; his face alone appeared battered and bruised. His eyes swollen while a bump the size of an apple made his head a home. Though he would heal quickly now free from the silver chains the hunter did not care. Pablo bit his lip, this did not bode well for Lucia, instinctively he wanted to warn her, he knew that was not the right course of action. Pablo knew what was about to come. His covered his ears tightly, and as if it helped Pablo closed his eyes shut.

The ringing began and Pablo instantly fell onto his knees. His covered ears did not little to lessen the pain. Every second felt like an eternity as his ears rung painfully and his head felt like it was on the verge of imploding. Then it stopped, just as quickly as it begun, and while he dealt with the after effects. He glanced up just in time to see the spark of gunfire. He did not hear the shot, the device had left temporarily deafened as it always did. His cousin bursting through the door followed shortly, he mouthed something at Pablo while reaching down to embrace him.

Pablo was mistaken, his cousin was not embracing him, but rather lifting him up and tossing him onto his shoulder. As Xhel carried him out the lycan protested rather loudly. "PUT ME DOWN. I CAN WALK." He insisted before spotting the lurched over Lucia. "NEVERMIND, RUN!" He yelled annoying into Xhel's ear. There were only a few things he could have done to Lucia, none of the pleasant. One may think it would bring the captive gladness to see his captor in pain, but he struggled to hold resentment. In truth, he felt glad to see her alive.

As they rushed down the hallway Pablo's sense of hearing returned to him. "She's up." He stated calmly as they made their way down the stairs. Xhel would know what that means. Pablo watched their back as they fled, spotting a very angry Lucia just as she jumped down the flight of stairs. Xhel would not be able to see, she moved too quickly for the human eye, but at least Pablo would be ready. As she fell he began to wedge himself free of the hunter's hold. This was not the first a vampire had suddenly appeared in front of Xhel, and given Pablo's warning he was prepared enough to slam his feet into the ground and stand free. He however, was not able to hold onto the Lycan, who fell forward tumbling into Lucia. All part of the plan, he thought for a moment smiling in mid air. Pablo was almost certain he could diffuse the situation if he served as a buffer.


The lycan bounced off the hybrid rather harmlessly. Landing clumsily on his bum on the steps between Lucia and Xhel. Looking up it was not a surprise to see Xhel with his weapon drawn and aimed at Lucia. However, what he had not expected were his own actions. Jumping onto his two feet he momentarily stared at the fang bearing hybrid before throwing his arms around Lucia and pulling her into a tight embrace. "Don't hurt him." He pleaded, tucking his head against her shoulder. "I don't want to have to hurt you." The hunter would not fire upon them, he would not risk friendly fire. He was far less certain of what the hybrid's actions would be. In this form she could easily toss him aside to get to Xhel.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Bringing her arms up defensively, Pablo was pushed bluntly away as he toppled out of the hunter's arms. Her gaze remained focused on the human as the Lycan fell on his arse, and even after he got up. Lucia's embarrassment at getting clocked over the head had turned to rage, and she wanted the hunter to learn he couldn't get away with such actions. Amends needed to be made.

The thoughts swirling around her head felt red and heavy, but they were stopped abruptly when Pablo threw his arms around the girl. She'd been planning to lunge forward at the hunter, but now all Lucia could concentrate on was the Werewolf hugging her tight. This was a hug, not restraint. Utter confusion cloaked her mind. What was he doing? Why would he...? The comfort of the young man's embrace was unlike anything she'd felt in years. The warmth of his living body pressed against hers, the strength of his hold and the sincerity of his request melted Lucia's fury, and her body noticeably relaxed in Pablo's arms. She'd never felt so vulnerable and yet so safe at the same time as she was feeling now. It was kind of alarming, and yet, this was what the girl needed. The last time anyone had hugged her was just after news of her father's death had reached her: Szandor had taken her up in his arms as she wept.

Thinking on that made her sad. Lucia pulled herself back to the present. She looked down as Pablo nuzzled into her, her expression one of disbelief; but the anger had left. Did she dare? After Pablo spoke, Lucia brought her arms up, wrapping them around the Lycan. The contact with someone, anyone, else felt so right. Taking Dane's hand the other day was the most contact she'd had with another being in so long. This, though, she could get used to. "I won't hurt him," the Hybrid whispered. Lucia watched the hunter as she held Pablo, the hunter's gun pointed at her. She didn't hold the Lycan long, not wanting to push her luck, but the hug had made her feel better than she had in a long time.

Keeping her eyes trained on the human, Lucia took half a step back, trying to figure out what she should do. Would it be too obvious if she just let them go? Part of her didn't care. Her head still felt sick from the terrible noise the hunter had assaulted her with earlier, and she just want this night to end already. "Leave." There was a hint of a snarl in her voice as she spoke to the hunter, but she was still overwhelmed by Pablo's gesture of good will that she took another half step back to let the pair move on. The solemnity in her eyes was subtle but clear to see as the men walked passed her. She would follow after them to see her mother, in due time.

[Pablo]

Lucia was not the only one to find Pablo's actions bizarre. The lycan himself was unsure of why he would do a thing, and he could only imagine what thoughts were crossing Xhel's mind. After a second or two he sighed softly, a sense of relief overcoming him. She had not immediately tossed him aside or torn him asunder for what some might see as an act of transgression. Instead she felt the very tense hybrid loosen up in his grasp, sinking into his embrace comfortably. He swore he could feel the anger and hate within her fade only to be replaced by a sense of solace. It would have been easy for Pablo to claim he planned this. While in the cell it was easy to see or deduce Lucia did not have much affection in her life. He knew without a doubt her mother was not the touchy feely kind of person; her father was dead, and she had lived the better half of a decade as an outsider among the lycans. It took a grand fool to not notice she wasn't accustomed to this sort of physical contact.

He smiled as the hybrid returned his show of affection. Though it was a little strange to be held at such close proximity and not feel or hear a pulse it was still comforting. No, when compared to being chained in silver, whipped, and the infrequent head-bashings it was actually rather pleasant. He began to feel a warmth in his belly. Something about this felt right, he could not place a finger on it, but he felt closely connected to Alena's daughter. The past few days had suddenly become a wasted opportunity to him. She whispered, her words bringing him great joy, his heart skipping a beat. In return he held her closer. Freedom was finally within sight; at one time the thought of leaving seemed like a distant dream. Now he would get to walk out freely, or rather be carried freely he noted correctly his legs beginning to rattle. I hope to cross paths with you again. He reached out to her mentally. Though he wished for her to return with them he knew asking would be a waste of breath.

The lycan continued to smile widely when Lucia let him free and stepped back. Nobody needed to know that she had let them go. Pablo would not say a word and anybody Xhel spoke with would not care. There secret was safe with them. The hunter having remained quiet the entire time, yet still with his weapon aimed at Lucia nudged Pablo forward. He was not one to judge in this case. It was easy to see she needed the embrace, never had he seen such a one-eighty in a creature of the night. If anything it made her almost look human. She was not the heartless killing machine he assumed all vampires and most lycans to be. Watching Pablo struggle to stand he scooped him up once again, matching Lucia's glare as he sprinted down the stairs. No words were spoken between the two until making it down another two flight of stairs. "I'm a little surprised you didn't shoot her." Pablo said breaking their silence. The hunter smirked. "You know it crossed my mind, but I imagine the experience would have been traumatizing for you." Pablo could not help but smile. That would very much be a traumatizing experience. "That's how I got Alena to spare you life." He said nonchalantly. "No it's not." Xhel replied, smiling, he would never know whether that was true or not.