The end in sight.

[Dane]

Dane smiled at Lucia's antics. Someone was lost in the moment. Her happiness seemed earnest and real. The complete opposite of him. While she enjoyed the dance his thoughts were all set to the end of the night. Just a few more hours and Alena would be his prisoner. Without her guidance surly lycan society would fall. He wondered if Lucia would ever know; their relationship was a sham. Every word just another pretty. Moments before her death would it dawn upon her that he had manipulated her? Or would she have the mercy of dying ignorant, spared the horrifying realization that everything she believed to be true was just an illusion, a lie. "I am truly blessed then. Your company is the only one I wish for tonight. And it would not please me to see you in another's arms."

He let her settle into the dance, remaining silent as she closed her eyes. They moved as one, never a misstep between the two. To a less knowing eye it would seem they were experienced dancing together. Lucia had a surprising grace to her. He thought the girl would move clumsily, like a bumbling oaf. Once she finally opened her eyes again and assaulted him with question he smirked. "I was simply waiting for you to ask."

"I was of a few hundred years of age." He couldn't remember the exact number, after a while few bothered to. " At the time I considered me to be distinguished. A man with a distinct taste, I would not settle for filthy peasant's blood. I was on the hunt." He paused for a moment, reminiscing. Raven's foreboding aura ever present throughout the night. The former Vampire King had not approached him until the end, wishing to speak with him in private. Dane knew at the time he bore trouble, but he was curious to the nature of the man who had such a presence; that and in his three hundred years of life there was no problem he couldn't pummel through. "I have never had the pleasure of meeting the devil, but after meeting your father I can it may be like. He was ruthless and brash. He approached me claiming to be my King and demanding fealty. You must understand at the time the world was a much larger place. I knew not of a vampire king, and after a few centuries of life, powerful in my own right, arrogant and young, or rather younger. I thought what right does this man have to claim to be my king. I spoke my mind freely, and that did not sit well with him."

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Lucia's eyes beamed as Dane told her he'd be displeased if she shunned him for another. It was really nice to hear that from someone, the girl realized, and she flashed the Vampire a bright smile, fangs and all.

She drank up every word Dane said, genuinely fascinated to be learning more about him. It dawned on her that she could listen to him speak all night; there was just something about the way he spoke and gave his attention to her that she could not get enough of. His voice, low yet soft, seemed to accurately convey a certain amount of nostalgia. His hushed words felt like they were meant just for Lucia, and she watched his lips briefly as he talked. She could kiss them right now, but then she'd be interrupting the soft, upturned curve of his smile.

The music's tempo shifted slightly, Lucia and Dane keeping pace beautifully. The band seemed tireless and that's how the Hybrid felt as she moved about the room with Dane. "Where was this dance held?" She wanted to get a better mental picture in her head, to see if perfectly.

It took the girl a moment to understand the Vampire's meaning when he said the world was a bigger place back then. She was fairly versed in Europe's history, but this is where her age showed: she's grown up a child of technology. Mass multi media communication was the norm and you could travel anywhere in the world in just a few hours by taking an airplane. Reaching this conclusion, what Dane said made a certain amount of sense. She'd been pampered by being the king's daughter, but she couldn't imagine having to swear fealty to someone, anyone else. "I imagine my father didn't take that well at all." Lucia smiled again, "yet somehow you made it here. What happened that night?"

[Dane]

Kneel. Raven's voice echoed through Dane's ears as he recalled the memory. Raven had not seemed angry at the time. His voice was somber, almost bored; like it was a matter of fact that eventually Dane would succumb. How many times had that very scene played out; a young vampire refusing to swear loyalty to his superior. Kneel. Every time Raven spoke the words it was accompanied by the sting of his silver blade or by the force of his fist. Dane managed to fight back at first, it even seemed like a fair fight. It wasn't, Raven was either humoring Dane or himself. The former Vampire King left Dane a bloody pulp, with just enough strength to pull himself up on a kneel.

"The Château de Pierrefonds." He said in a fake french accent. By now Dane moved subconsciously to the rhythm of the music. His thoughts were set to that fateful day. Once upon a time the memory filled him with rage. Being unable to fight against Raven's brute strength and speed. There was no worse feeling than having another hold the fate of your life in their hands. Usually he looked back at the memory with indifference. It was so long ago that it felt like another lifetime. Now though he felt a slight satisfaction, knowing that Raven was dead and he wasn't. Soon his age old lover would follow, the only other being to hold Dane's life in their hands. At least against Alena he stood a chance. He took advantage of his speed against her, and eventually she had fled from him. Raven had been a better version of himself; faster and stronger both in abundance. He smiled. At the end he would outlive them both. "A castle nestled by the edge of a forest."

"We fought." He said simply. Raven had shown why he was king, and afterwards even Dane could not deny him. "Even at a few hundred years of life I stood little chance against a vampire of thousands." The age old adage prove to fair advice. If you can't beat them, join them. "By the end he left me on the verge of death, stopping only to allow me to swear loyalty. He was unrelentless in his assault. His strength far beyond what I could imagine. I thought him unkillable. Certainly someone of such power had the right to rule over all of us. And he was just. After I said the words he aided me in my recover. Bringing me guest from the party one by one to drain of their life." His loyalty was never set in stone. It was a matter of wishing to continue to live that he served Raven. It was his intention to one day take Raven's life, though never in a fair fight. He waited patiently through the years for the day Raven would let his guard down. Viktor saw that day would never come, killing Raven in single combat. Dane still wondered at times how that came to be. Had Raven grown weaker over the years? Was it overconfidence? "Even then I resented him at first. I never thought I'd come to call him my friend."

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Lucia nodded her understanding when Dane gave the name of the castle and a brief description. She'd never been to the castle herself, but in her studies, it was a place she'd come across on a few occasions. Her father had made passing mention of it once or twice in her presence. From what the girl could glean, the place was still a safe haven for Vampires, one that not many Werewolves seemed to know about.

She listened quietly as the Vampire described what happened between himself and the former King. Lucia smiled as Dane recounted Raven's strength. This had clearly been an important moment in Dane's life. Moments like this helped to remind the girl that losing her father hadn't only been hard for her. Raven had effected many lives; in him people lost a friend, a lover; the entire Coven lost their King. It wasn't only Lucia who'd lost when Viktor betrayed his King.

"My father was lucky to have counted you as a friend." The Hybrid grinned happily. "As am I."

The music slowed to an epic end, and the Vampires amassed in the make-shift dance hall gradually broke away from their partners, applauding the band's performance. Morning seemed to be ever encroaching as the night's festivities began to slow down.

Lucia looked thoughtfully at Dane before reluctantly pulling away. She smiled once more and curtsied the Vampire, "Thank you for the dance." Her gaze lingered on Dane for a moment before looking about the room, watching the Vampires depart.

[Dane]

Dane smiled at Lucia's words. "Hearing that from you means more than you may ever know, Lucia." He looked away from her in a wistful manner. "I still regret I could not do more in his final hours." He returned his gaze to her. His eyes stern. "Tonight we will honor his memory. And soon we'll punish the one who took him from us."

As the music slowed to an end Dane twirled with Lucia in his arms. Stepping forward into a lunge he slipped his hand around to the base of Lucia's neck and lowered her towards the ground for a dip. At its end he quickly brought her back up towards him and let her pull away. "The pleasure was all mine." He smiled back at her, shifting towards her side to watch as the crowd dissipate. It was nearly dawn, and the vampires seemed to know that instinctively. They were retreating to their dwellings, and still there was no sign of Alena. He scanned the exiting crowd for Marcus. His council member stood by the door, simply shrugging knowingly as they made eye contact. Alena had either not left yet or she was making an effort to be discreet. Most of their men were already in place, situated in the warehouses leading to the den. They would see her arriving but that brought him little comfort. The crowd attending the ball were to stay in the den. Their purpose was to witness Alena's delivery, or fight if Lucia's pet failed.

"You should retreat to our residence. Allow me to lead you." Dane took Lucia by the arm and began following the crowd. "Their is no word of your mother yet, but I do not entirely trust the words of my scouts and spies. I will brave the sun and see she does not arrive unannounced."

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Offering her arm to Dane, Lucia fell into pace with the Vampire, walking leisurely by his side, bother hands entwined with his arm. The girl didn't want the night to end, but she could almost feel the sun's presence growing stronger just outside the walls, and her body felt like it was slowing down, preparing for sleep. "How long will you wait for her? Are you certain my mother will arrive today?" She already knew the answers to her questions, she supposed, and she was grateful to have someone like Dane with her, whom she could rely on to take a day watch. She regretted she was not yet able to venture out into the light of day; but the sun's violent rays would ensure she never saw another night again. That, and the sleep that lured her into hibernation each sunrise sang such a sweet lullaby; one she couldn't quite ignore.

Climbing the stairs up to the third floor, Lucia's mind wandered to what would happen in the coming hours. She wondered how her mother would arrive; more likely than not, she would be kicking and screaming. Things were never easy when it concerned the Werewolf Queen. If Pablo had not subdued Alena somehow, and she had come with a force of Lycans, there was no chance in Hell either Lucia or Dane would be able to talk the Pack into submitting. No, if her pet had failed in holding back her mother, Lucia would, without a doubt, have to take up her father's sword. The thought seemed to physically manifest itself in the Hybrid's chest as an uneasy fluttering feeling that she could quite place.

As the door to their room opened, Lucia took a small glance around. The ruin she'd left in the middle of the floor only hours prior had been thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed away. Not a trace of sight or scent remained to hint at the slaughter that had occurred.

Also of note, thick, dark curtains had been mounted and drawn over all the windows in the room, and from what she'd seen, in the halls. The make-shift drapes made it all the more apparent that this building, this warehouse, had been home to Lycans before, and was not used to accommodating such solar-sensitive inhabitants.

With the door closed behind the pair, Lucia shed her dress, trying to leave thoughts of the day to come in the future. Handling the dress carefully, the girl ran her hand over the sleek fabric as she walked casually over to the wardrobe to hang the garment back up. Running her hands over the hangers, the girl located the things she would wear to combat the sun if she was summoned.

"Did you ever think," Lucia smirked as she turned away from the wardrobe and approached the bed. Bending to pick up the glass casket with her father's sword in it, she placed it carefully by the wardrobe, so it would be near if she required it in a hurry, "That you would come to seduce your friend's daughter?" Lucia tried, but could not hold back the small burst of giggles that came forth. She knew that technically, she'd asked for it; that it could be said she's seduced him. Yet Lucia thought she was being quite amusing, and she walked back over to Dane, anticipating his response.

[Dane]

Dane turned to smile at her as they walked. "I appreciate your concern, Lucia, but the sun has no bearing on me." At this point in his life it was no more than a minor nuisance. It bore the occasional sting accompanied by an uncomfortable amount of heat. He avoided it as much as he could, but today the positives far outweighed the negatives. He would know the second Alena arrived, and if there would be a fight. If his men were caught off guard the battle would already be lost, and he would certainly die. The Vampire King imagined Alena would want to make a show of him, killing him in front of his subjects, making his death as long and painful as possible. Striking fear in all who may wish to rise up against her. Lucia may be spared, and perhaps some of his older vampires would manage to escape, but they were of no importance. He would be hunted like a fugitive. "I will wait the entire day if I must. It's a small price to pay to protect my own." Every precaution would be taken against Alena. Dane suspected that Lucia did not know her mother's true strength. She was not there to witness their battle. She did not know how close Dane was to death in Alena's grasp. If the opportunity was to present itself again Alena would not let him slip free. "I can not claim to know your mother's mind, but I believe she sees us a disease. She would not let us fester so close to home." He intentionally failed to mention Szandor's death, what he believed was now Alena's driving force. Vengeance was a powerful motivator, and of all the reasons Alena had to hate him that was the best. The thought was surprisingly satisfying, knowing he gained Alena's ire. It was not long ago she laughed in his face and believed his threats to be petty. Now her life was collapsing around her, and soon her pack would too. Everything she claimed to love and care for would burn at his hand.

The servants had done well with the room, making it look as good as new. Aside from Raven's sword there was no sign that they were previously here. What had they thought when cleaning the room? The mess of blood, bone, and flesh left behind wasn't quite the work of vampires. By now there would certainly be rumors spreading around the den. If Lucia's near outburst wasn't enough; Dane and her constantly aloud referred to Alena as her mother, and Raven as her father. His subjects were known to pry, and with their excellent hearing it would have not gone unnoticed. He supposed there was no harm yet. Nobody would defy Lucia with him by her side, and revelation of her nature was only inevitable anyway.

His eyes fell to Lucia as she stripped free from her dress. It was always a comely sight, her slender and youthful form. The sight alone was alone to stir his desires, but now was not the time for such distraction. Alena was breathing down their necks, her house was nigh. He was ready to take his leave until Lucia spoke. The vampire looked at her in a peculiar manner after he query. It assumed almost accusatory at first but she broke into laughter. There was really never much of a seduction. He put an offer on the table, touched her leg, and she accepted. Dane smirked playfully. "Lucia, I did little more than make myself readily available." He said as she approached him. His answer in a way was dodging the question, he would not leave her curious. "But, no I never thought it would come to this." That was a lie. He had chanced upon her in Rome, and played it off as he was there just for her. That was not the case. Upon sighting Lucia he thought of all the ways he could take advantage her, at first to further his cause. It was not till those thoughts faded had he noticed that she had grown to become a beautiful woman, and then decided he would have her. "Although I would have if I knew it would be worth my time." He grabbed her by the arm and yanked her close to him, his lips briefly kissing hers. His hand resting on her side squeezed her gently. "I must be on my way." He said leaning close to her. He whispered into her ear. "I'll be thinking of you."

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Lucia rose an eyebrow at Dane's answer to her inquiry, then laughed quietly. Her smile shown bright as the Vampire pulled away from the kiss and said his farewell. As he took his leave, and the last traces of his scent left the room after him, the Hybrid stood, staring through the closed door. Some internal clock within her told her it was time to retreat to bed, but the girl's mind was not yet done.

Thoughts circled through her head, but a fuzziness filled her consciousness. The haze that flowed over her made her feel almost faint; like this room wasn't really here and she wasn't quite real. She didn't remember walking to bed, but there she was, lying on her stomach in a bed that smelled of Lycanthropy. Covers pulled up over her shoulders, Lucia looked sleepily across the room at her father's sword. She could not keep her eyes open, but she stared so intently at the glass case with the precious heirloom inside that the image had been burned into her brain, and she still saw it under her eyelids as sleep began to pull away at the rest of her awareness.

Soon, she would be reunited with her mother, and the two immortal races would soon there after be merged under her rule. Pablo would be there too... The girl shifted her position in bed thinking about seeing him again. In him, Lucia felt she could have had a good friend. Yet somehow along the line, circumstance had not let the two meet under ideal conditions. She hoped that someday Pablo would see that this was for everyone's good; that they could still become friends after everything worked out.

Lucia fell asleep much against her will, thinking and worrying about the future.

[Dane]

Marcus awaited Dane by the entrance of the den. His arms crossed and frowning the elder vampire was frowning, unhappy to be awake or more accurately unhappy at the fact he needed to venture out in the sun. He was one of the few vampires in Dane's coven strong enough to bear even a few seconds of sun, and although he could resist far more than that, the prospect alone was disheartening. Even at his age the sun was a burden with its constant stinging and how it drained them of their strength. Depending on how long they stayed out he would need to feed numerous times. "Is this necessary?" He asked glancing at his King. Although the two wore shades, out of necessity rather than a choice in fashion Marcus could feel Dane's glare from behind the glasses.

"A little sun is good for your complexion." Dane said as he pushed open the door, beams of light creaking through. Motioning at his fellow vampire to follow. "We've come a long way, now is not the time to falter." He threw the door shut behind him. Their task at the moment was simple, check every car that neared or entered the warehouse district. Even with the sun weakening them their inhuman speed and enhanced senses would be enough to be inconspicuous. That is of course until they received reliable information from their spies. Dane lunged into the sky, soaring across the street and landing with a thud on the rooftop. Marcus sighed sprinting down the street with blazing speed, to the human eye he looked like little more than a blur leaving a trail of dust in its wake.

Just a night ago, when he waited for Alena to arrive at his den in London Dane waited anxiously. At the time there was so much uncertainty as to what would happen. Would he fall that night? Or would Alena perish at his hand, putting a premature end to everything. What would he have done with Lucia then? Kill her? She would have been less agreeable with the man who took the lives of her caretaker and mother. Today was far different. He felt calm. Was it the knowledge of what awaited his enemy? Gunfire and explosives all leading to the den. Alena would not survive that. Lucia was kidding herself is she thought other wise. Or would her pet prevail? Whatever the future held for him, he was ready.

The first call came around eight o'clock. Alena was spotted leaving her mansion some dozen other lycans in tow in a trio of sedans. To some that may have been enough to warrant a return to the den, they were still some six hours away, to Marcus it was enough, the call quickly followed by one from him insisting they seek shelter, but Dane was resolute. Informants were only so reliable, and if Alena was anything like him, she would have used a decoy to throw them off. Glancing up at the sky he could not fault Marcus. Though he was a bit lacking in conviction it's what made him a good subject. And of course the sun was persistent. Dane could feel his strength waning. Part of him regretted wearing his suit out in the sun, but that day was an important one and as always he dressed for the occasion.

The second call came around midday. There was an incident on the E18 enroute to Oslo. Gunfire, explosions, and a werewolf seen being tossed off the top of a car. In the mayhem they lost track of Alena's vehicle, but the other two were spotted on the side of the road. One wrecked, the other's helping those wounded in the crashed. Something awakened within Dane at the thought. A warmth almost, but not quite. No, he only felt warmth when he indulged his desires for flesh and blood. Perhaps he felt, less empty? The void within him had shrunk a bit, was this satisfaction? It was far too early for that. Alena was still not quite in is grasp, and even then there was work that needed to be done. This incident was clearly the work of Lucia's pet, it seemed the witches were held up the end of their bargain, but he could not be certain till he saw Alena subdued. His phone vibrated, Dane ignored the call. It was probably Marcus again asking if he could return to the den.

Dane ran off the roof of the building he was perched on, hitting the ground in stride. Waiting wasn't necessary when he was an ancient being. He could find the car and be back in a fraction of the time it would take Pablo to drive to Oslo. Hitting the highway he ran against what little traffic there was. The incoming cars made no notice of him as he weaved around. After some time he found what he was looking for. A black sedan, its windows splattered with blood and guts. The driver a young man, himself covered in blood. Sliding to a halt as the car passed him, Dane quickly turned to run alongside it. He peeked within the window staring Pablo dead in the eye. The young lycan, his face stone cold stared pass him into the street. Beside him he saw his prize. Alena, bloodier than her packmate slouched against another dead lycan. He licked his lips at the sight. She appeared dead, but the slight rise and fall of her chest implied she was still breathing. Everything was coming together perfectly. Soon the world would belong to him. His rivals would perish at his feet. He fought back the urge to snatch her from the car and carry her back with him. Unfortunately his subjects needed a show. Lucia needed a show, and he'd happily provide it.

He raced away from the car, back towards Oslo. In one hand he held his phone texting Marcus of his discovery, telling him it was okay to return to the den. Dane stopped only to pounce upon a random bystander within the city. His victim was dead on impact, but he could still drain it of its blood. The sun took a bigger toll on him than he'd like to admit. He could feel that he was in a weakened state. Flinging the body away he left it on the sidewalk. It was a little careless, but the world was about to be a very different place. It mattered not.

Dane was back within the den in a few moments. Pablo and his package trailing him by a couple hours. First things first he grabbed a servant by the shoulder and yanked him close. "Awake the den within the hour. Gather everyone here." His subject nodded returning to his post by the door. The entire coven, or at least what could fit of it within the mainhall would bear witness to Alena's delivery, and Lucia's claim to the throne. Still feeling the sun's affects he retreated to the basement to replenish his strength on last night's left overs.

The grunts and protest of his latest meal became slight whimpers and then silence as Dane drained him of life. He let the man fall to the floor. Someone would take car of that. Turning around, Marcus was staring him from the entrance of the cell. Apparently he had the same idea, feed to recover strength. "I found her." He wiped off the blood from his lips with a handkerchief. "She'll be here within a couple hours." Marcus didn't seem surprised. Dane would not let him return without confirmation that Alena was their's. "I always thought you were a madman leading us on a fool's quest." Marcus said bluntly. Dane shrugged. Once upon a time capturing the pack mother would have seemed impossible. Raven and Alena always seemed indestructible to the masses. That had changed with Raven's death. They were fallible, they could die. "Maybe you'll learn not to doubt me." Dane said stepping by Marcus, leaving him by the cell door. "Maybe." Marcus replied, his voice faint as Dane walked away.

Dane found himself back within his room, staring at Lucia as she slept curled within the sheets of the bed. In his hand he held a glass of 'wine', he sipped from it. His strength was still not quite full. He sat on the edge of the bed. It was still a bit to early wake her. A half hour or so and then it would be time. He thought as he watched her move in her sleep. Again temptation stirred within him. She was so vulnerable, and naked underneath her sheets. It would be so easy to take her. She would like that wouldn't she? To awake with him inside of her, his presence gracing her. He resisted the urge. Now was not the time to be distracted by base desires. Besides she was not truly worthy of him. She was like the rest of them, simpletons who failed to see the bigger picture. Following him blindly as he led them to their collective demise.

He simply waited till what he deemed to be thirty minutes passed. His glass now empty he set it on the bed stand and turned to face Lucia. He leaned down close to her, nudging her shoulder he briefly pressed his lips against Lucia's. "Lucia it's nearly time." He nudged her again. "A new era awaits us. Your mother is nearly here; we have her." At the moment bells began to ring with the halls of the den. The servants went about loudly knocking on all the doors in an attempt to wake the denizens. "Your subjects will be awaiting you in the foyer. Your hour is nigh."

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Slowly, her pupils focused under closed eyes lids; faint light flooded her sight and she closed her eyes tighter. Then, a shadow crossed her vision and something tickled her nose, followed quickly by soft lips being pressed to hers. Lucia flinched away from the slight brush against her nose, but she smiled instinctively at the kiss. It had been really nice waking up to Dane the last couple nights. Although, she reflected as her eyes carefully blinked open, it would be nice to be able to get a full day's sleep again.

As her eyes sleepily came into focus, Dane's features came into view close to her. One hand crept out from under the comforter, searching for contact with the Vampire. She heard what he said to her, and grinned happily, but the sense of immediacy didn't strike until she heard the bells. Then it was like a bucket of ice cold water had been splashed over her. Lucia's eyes opened wide and she understood. "Mum is almost here!"

Pushing the blanket off, the Hybrid bolted out of bed to the wardrobe. Sliding into a bra and panties, the girl pulled out a pair of purple leggings, a short black skirt, and a fancy black blouse to wear for the day. She would have dressed up more, but having any proximity to the sun required her to cover up. It took only moments for the girl to dress and tie her hair up; grabbing a thick cowl and sunglasses, Lucia looked to Dane. Stooping to tie up her combat boots, Lucia licked her lips hesitantly and met the Vampire's eyes. "Now is the time. You will be there with me, I trust?" Pulling the cowl over her head and shoulders and adjusting it just so, she moved to open the glass case and retrieve her father's blade from it.

Finally standing, sword in hand., Lucia approached Dane. Slight apprehension built in the girl; everything had to go perfectly. She had to be perfect. There had to be no hesitation in her actions today; there was no room for pause or weakness. This would be her defining moment; this day would be remembered for centuries to come. The girl only hoped she would have the strength to do what was required of her when her mother did arrive.