The end in sight.

[Nero]

Wiping a corner of his mouth with a thumb, Nero cleaned the last traces of his victim's blood away, gazing toward Oslo's warehouse district from the roof he was perched on. Alena's message had come through loud and clear; he was to focus fire on a vampire named Dane. The order was simple enough. Still, he couldn't help but wonder what game his mother was playing now. He'd agreed to come at Reece's behest because it sounded like Alena truly needed the aid. If he'd known this was just another joke for the queen of lycanthropy, he wouldn't have bothered. There was something about the tone of her last few messages, however, that did fill Nero with some concern.

In the distance, he watched as Reece and the main group advanced on the building the vampires had recently usurped. Their arrival would be expected; there was no doubt about that. Yet Nero was almost certain his presence would come as a surprise; best to make the most of that temporary advantage.

Sprouting large, black, leathery wings, Nero took to the sky. Nearing the warehouse, he could make out a few dark forms perched along the roof, steadying their firearms, looking down at the street below. Speeding toward the closest vampire on the roof, Nero flew quickly by, sinking sharp claws into the blood-sucker's shoulder to haul him into the air. Flying straight up as the vampire struggled in his arms, Nero reached over to grip his victim under the jaw, craning his head unnaturally to the side. Sinking his teeth into the vampire's neck as he pulled against his head and shoulder, Nero severed the man in half. Still gripping the vampire's head and body, he tucked his wings, falling purposefully down, toward the warehouse. Gaining speed in his descent, he crashed down onto the roof of the warehouse, shaking the building's foundation and collapsing the part of the roof where he landed. That was enough to garner the focus of the remaining vampire soldiers on the roof, at least.

Leaving his last victim's body in the hole he created, Nero stood, turning immediately to the nearest threat, hurling the severed head toward it with inhuman speed. The force caught the vampire in the stomach, and it doubled over himself as Nero was upon him.

"King Raven?"

A soft voice behind him spoke as he disarmed the vampire kneeling before him, firing two shots into the back of the man's head. Standing to meet the source of this voice, Nero's crimson gaze fell upon what appeared to be a young woman.

Lowering her weapon as Nero turned to face her, the vampiress took a hesitant step forward, lowering her head, "My king."

Regarding the woman silently for a moment, Nero's expression did not change from his neutral, calm facade. "Raven is dead." Lifting the gun casually, he shot the vampire, watching as she fell, limp, to the ground. He was not his father.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Watching Pablo as he spoke, it was clear he didn't want to leave without Alena. Yet clear, also, that he desperately wanted to leave. A cold pit grew in her stomach, yet she knew she shouldn't be surprised; this was what he'd been trying to help her with from the start. However, when he mentioned that they could go wherever they wanted after getting clear of this danger, Lucia looked at the werewolf hopefully, "Promise?" She hoped he was right.

Lifting Pablo into her arms, the girl cradled him close, lifting her gaze to Marcus as he spoke. Oh, how she wanted to trust him. Biting her lip softly, the girl stepped closer; was he going to flee with them? It sort of sounded like it. "Oh Marcus---"

Her sentence was cut off, and the girl shrieked loudly as the building shook violently, unexpectedly, and debris fell from the ceiling. It felt like something large had impacted the roof nearby. Lucia ducked slightly, slinking closer to Marcus in terror and clinging tight to Pablo. She nodded quietly as Marcus spoke, and dipped passed him, into the hallway.

Throughout the warehouse, people seemed to be frantically trying to get in position. Below them, Lucia heard angry growls as gunshots fired out. Cautiously looking over the nearest bannister, the hybrid could see a decent wall of vampires forming to face their enemy invaders.

Turning to rest her back against the wall for a moment, Lucia gathered her nerve, meeting Pablo's eyes. The only reason he was incapacitated at the moment, was because he'd offered his strength, his blood to her. If for no other reason, she knew she had to get him out of here.

Creeping down the stairs, Lucia carried Pablo down, toward the main floor as more and more vampires gathered to fight off her mother's pack. Ducking behind corners to avoid running into any of Dane's council, the girl finally made her way to the main floor, slinking into back hallways and corridors to avoid walking straight across the lobby, though it might have otherwise been quicker.

Finally reaching the door to the cellar, Lucia slipped through, taking the steps quickly down to the cages below. Her bare feet padded softly against the cold cement ground as she made her way to the last cell, where her mother was being held.

Taking a deep breath, the girl turned to look into her mother's cell, expecting to be received with a hateful glare. Instead, there was silence. Gazing into the cell, Lucia staggered back slightly. Alena did not greet her daughter with any sort of look; she hung silently from her chains, unresponsive. Was she even still breathing?

Setting Pablo down beside the bars for him to steady himself, Lucia reached for the key to her mother's cell, entering cautiously. Alena looked so pale. Lucia brought a hand up to her mouth; this was cause of her. Catherine had heard her outburst when she pleaded for Pablo to make her mother stop; Dane must have too. Nearing her mother, she could see the tips of something sharp sticking out from various points, "Marcus!" Those needles looked like the one Dane had used to help subdue Pablo when the witches were working whatever spell it was.

Reaching out carefully, her hand shaking, Lucia tried lifting her mother's head, only to retract her hand almost instantly. Very fresh bite marks had been added to the lycan queen's throat. What started as hot anger, became very quickly a nauseous feeling in her stomach. The girl stepped back, bringing the back of her hand up to her mouth.

[Reece]

The vampire was so damn fast. One moment Dane was standing before him; the next, he was all but a blur. Attempting to sidestep his enemy's attack, anticipating the knife, Reece dove aside, spinning slightly to land on all fours behind the vampire. Yet the sharp sting of Dane's blade grazed a shoulder, and as the gunshot rang out deafeningly loud, the lycan could feel a burst of fire skip across his side, hitting a couple ribs.

Immediately, the large werewolf charged forth. Though Dane seemed to have followed his movements with ease, Reece persisted, pushing himself harder, faster. Throwing his heavy mass at the vampire, Reece sent a closed fist into Dane's stomach, attempting to lift him into the air with the momentum of his uppercut.

Around them, the sounds of conflict grew louder. The lobby was filled with the hulking masses of fully shifted werewolves, and the horde of vampires swarming around them.

-------------

"I-It's ok if you can't make it downstairs." Adele reached out to her friend. Hearing Pablo's voice in her head, feeling his presence, was enough to bring tears to her eyes. He was alive. "Thank you." Reaching for her necklace, the young woman whispered her gratitude to the gods. "I'll find you-- Wait, are you unchained?" Her joy was replaced with confusion. Was her friend able to move freely within the warehouse? Had they begun their own plans to escape before Reece and everyone had arrived? If that were the case, it would definitely make things easier.

As Reece's howl rang through the night, Adele perked up, listening intently. That was it; the sign to begin. The blonde could feel her heart race as she heard the pack's howl in response; it sent goosebumps along her arms and spine.

Looking over to the two lycan's who'd been assigned to aid her, Adele brought a hand up to one of her shoulders, rubbing the sore muscle as it continued to heal after Catherine's blade. "You should join the main attack." Her voice was soft; she knew Damien wouldn't be pleased with her dismissing her support, but she was afraid. And she couldn't bare the burden if these two died aiding her in her fool's errand. They'd be safer with everyone else, she hoped. "Go."

As the two werewolves took their leave from her side, shedding their human skin, Adele glanced skyward, catching something in the periphery of her vision. Above her, a large, dark figure sped through the air. Chewing on her lip, the young woman watched as it passed by, heading for the warehouse. Reece had mentioned recruiting outside help, and though Adele had been in this man's presence briefly before they all got to Oslo, she wasn't sure what to make of him. Or what exactly he was. She shivered involuntarily, thinking about that meeting. But she forced herself to pull her attention away from the winged man.

Ducking into the alleyways, Adele made her way closer to the old Oslo den, moving to approach it from behind. "You have an update for me? Reece and Damien should have made their presence known by now, and--" Her attention flitted to the roof of the warehouse as a loud crash of concrete, wood and steel crushed and compacted. Crouching low in an alleyway, Adele took a moment to catch her breath. Her body ached and she could feel her nerves firing distress signals throughout her muscles. Reaching back, the young woman touched the gun tucked into her waistline with her fingers, just to make sure it was still there, before creeping toward the warehouse again. "And we have the aid of... Something. Something else." She wasn't sure what to call their aid.

[Pablo]

Pablo held Lucia’s hand tightly, leaning against her as looked up to the girl. “I promise.” He said. There was no doubt in his mind he would go with her anywhere she wanted. Lucia was too important, the joy she had brought him even under these most trying of circumstances. If it meant only briefly seeing his friends so be it. He smiled briefly as Lucia swept him into her arms, remembering the situation was dire he bore a more hardened look. Though it was hard not to feel some level of glee being held by her.

The room shook and Lucia shrieked quite loudly, he shook in her arms. “Lucia, don’t worry. They won’t hurt us.” Pablo said, reaching out a hand to caress her cheek. In the distance Adele’s voice tickled his head. Was he unchained? He’d barely spent any times in them to begin with. Addy, No, I mean yes, I’m okay I’ll come to you. The prospect of her fighting her way up three stars of vampires was not a pleasant one. It would be much easier for them to get downstairs, especially with Marcus at their side, he hoped.

They proceeded down to the first floor surprisingly unheeded. Most of the vampires had taken to fighting by the stairs in the lobby, they hadn’t passed a soulless body, save for Marcus’ occasional appearance as Pablo glanced over Lucia’s shoulders. His heart began to race as they made it to the cells. This was actually happening, in a matter of time he would be free, he’d get to at least see his friends again. The nightmare was nearly over. Alena’s appearance made him gasp, he buried his head into Lucia’s shoulders before looking back. So much silver. He knew what a fraction of it could do. Debilitating and painful. “Lucia.” He reached for her arm when Adele spoke to him once more. Addy now’s not a good time. He said, his frustration apparently.

“Ah yes, doing nothing will certainly aid your mother.” Marcus said appearing at the cell door. “Stand aside.” He moved quickly up to the lycan, reaching and carefully pulling out each needle lodged into her shoulder. “Alena.” He said, tapping her cheek, it seemed somebody had flown too close to the sun. “Wake up Alena.” She had to assure her side of the arrangement was being kept. The sounds of gunfire and shouting, he would hear Catherine if she was harmed, wouldn’t he? Dropping the needles to the ground he worked quickly on the muzzle. His gloved hands protecting him from the silver. As it hit the ground with a clank he stepped aside, motion to Lucia. He did what he could. But had he made a mistake. Alena seemed far from gone, and in the long run, the vampire numbers would not prove favorable to the lycan.

[Dane]

The scent of this lycan’s blood greeted Dane as his attacks landed. Credit to the beast for being quick enough to anticipate his attacks, it meant this creature had some age to him, some power. As much as Alena’s blood pressed him forward, to fight with reckless abandon caution was required. One misstep and if the werewolf got his hands on the vampire it was all but over. His eyes locked on the beast. It was wounded, this was a battle of attrition for him, and yet the quicker Dane ended this the better. The rest of the battle could use his presence.

It surprisingly charged right at him. Dane held his ground for a moment, his gun ringing out twice as Reece closed in. He could feel it, Alena’s blood infusing him with energy the moment Reece’s closed claw neared, Dane lifted up his dagger. The lycan drove his fist straight into silver forged blade.

[Alena Wulf]

What was taking that damned vampire so long? Alena set her icy gaze on the ceiling of her cell, trying to follow Dane's footsteps as he emerged onto the main floor. Nero and Reece should be striking any moment; where was Marcus with her daughter?

The door the the cellar she occupied opened again, and Alena clenched her fists. Dane, again. He hadn't confronted Lucia yet, but the lycan queen suspected she knew what he wanted. Glaring hatefully at the leech as he approached, Alena struggled fruitlessly, the silver burning her, the chain links ringing. She knew there was no stopping this.

Attempting to conceal a moan as Dane pulled her head back by the hair, sinking his fangs into her, Alena pulled against her chains a final time. Yet the vampire drank deep, leaving the lycan queen's limbs tingling pleasantly before consciousness left her, completely.

Then, there was only darkness. She didn't know how much time had passed, but eventually, the queen of werewolves could hear voices nearby. They sounded muffled and incoherent; she couldn't pick out individual words, but could feel their tone. Then, something sharp speared across her from near her shoulder; her body stirred slightly. As the pain ran across her, through her, it felt like it was slowly being lessened, until the discomfort was removed, almost altogether. Alena tried lifting her head, opening her eyes; but though her lids responded, her pupils hadn't yet descended to focus.

Darkness surrounded her again until hot, white searing pain coursed through her abdomen, along one side. Again, Alena stirred quietly. The fire in her side persisted, until finally the edge began to dull. Immediately after, her thigh was assaulted. Yet the heat felt different. Her eyes fluttered open briefly, she could make out a long, silver needle, and a hand driving it into her. No, removing it. As the needle was carefully pulled free, making its way through the muscle of her thigh, a pressure began to build. It felt like forever. She tried not to move, but as the needle passing through her got closer to getting free, Alena found it difficult not to squirm. Finally, as the last needle was removed, falling to the ground, the pressure broke; a wave of relief flowed through her. She gasped as a shiver ran up her spine, and opened her eyes to see Marcus standing before her, removing her muzzle.

Fixing her eyes on the leech, Alena opened her mouth wide momentarily, stretching her jaw. The mother of lycanthropy felt light-headed, but if Marcus was here, removing the silver, there was no time to lose. How long had it been? "Run into trouble?" Her voice was rough, making the question sound more like a statement, though she wasn't expecting much of an answer from the leech anyway.

Moving her gaze as Marcus stepped back and Lucia hesitantly stepped forward, Alena sighed quietly. At least her daughter and lieutenant were here and whole. Although, as the hybrid slowly came closer, removing a key from the chain around her neck, the lycan queen could see bite marks along her neck. The girl looked pale, her eyes red where the whites should've been, and slightly puffy. She'd clearly been crying, and though she was doing her best to avoid eye contact with her mother, Alena could see the hybrid's eyes still glistened with unshed tears.

"Ahnk..." Alena tried clearing her throat as Lucia paused, her arms partly raised to release the manacles from around the lycan queen's wrists. "Feet, first." Even simple words felt far too difficult to vocalize.

The girl cast a quick glance up to her mother, before nodding quietly, and falling to a knee, unlocking the chains around Alena's ankles.

As Lucia moved to each lock, the moments felt like forever. Yet despite how much Alena might have wanted to chide the girl to work faster, the lycan mother knew she'd need every moment they could spare. As her legs were freed and Lucia stood, Alena tried putting weight on her feet, balancing. Though her expression remained calm, her initial attempt to stand was disappointing; the leg that Dane had left a needle in proved to be more difficult to will strength into than she would have liked.

Laughing quietly as her arms were freed, blood rushing eagerly back into her limbs, the queen of lycanthropy placed one hand firmly on her daughter's shoulder, but reached out to lean on the vampire. Marcus was clearly the strongest of her present company; Pablo appeared barely able to stand on his own, and even Lucia felt shaky under her partial weight.

Grabbing the vampire's shirt and holding onto his shoulder, Alena attempted to make the step toward him seem as even as possible. The orders were given. Her cold, blue eyes met Marcus', And each of my pups relayed their understanding. Alena did not move away, or make any sign she would willingly let go of Marcus just yet. Maintaining her balance was taking far too much energy, and her head still felt incredibly light.

"T's go." Gathering up the chain attached to her collar with one hand, Alena coiled it close to make it less accessible for others to grab.

[Reece]

In the corners of his sight, Reece could see his packmates, two of them closing in on Dane from behind the vampire. A third, Damien, followed Reece's charge, hidden behind the elder Lycan's bulk. The two younger pups approaching Dane from the sides attempted to shake the vampire's aim as he fired his gun. Yet Reece still felt one bullet strike true, as his paw found the pointy end of a silver blade.

Reece growled out in pain at the contact with the silver knife as Damien pulled himself over the elder werewolf's shoulders to launch himself at the vampire. Bright gold eyes shown with anger as the large, dark lycan clamped his jaws around Dane's shoulder, going for a quick tear, before releasing his hold and landing between the two younger pups as Reece gained his composure. Damien growled low with poorly concealed hate, but it was Reece who advanced upon the vampire again, giving the leech as little a break as possible, pressing the attack. Diving low, Reece attempted to take Dane's legs out from under him, while the three pups awaited an opportunity to strike.

[Pablo]

It was relieving for Pablo to simply watch as the layers of silver were removed from around Alena. He’d never seen her in such a dreary state, it was uncomfortable on a number of different levels. She was supposed to be the strongest person he knew. If this could happen to her, who was safe? Pablo fidgeted, watching Alena. Noticing the distinct lack of response from Adele. Hopefully he hadn’t upset. Addy, we… we’re in the basements. Alena’s with us, but is barely strong enough to move. She’ll need extraction. He bit his lip. The way the building shook and gunfire rang out, what was going on up there couldn’t be pretty for either side.

Marcus glanced down at Alena as she leaned against him. What a bugger, he’d have to tear most of his shirt if he wanted to avoid smelling like the bitch. It seemed unavoidable at the moment. Lucia seemed adamant on helping Pablo, and not quite capable of providing the same assistance to her mother. The young pup was the expendable one though wasn’t he? “Very well then.” He motioned Lucia and Pablo forward. “Alena, I hope you know I can’t be seen like this. Once we reach the door you walk out on your own strength.” He said glancing down at her. There was some amount of warmth that radiated from the lycan. It was pleasant, but he did not see the level of comfort it brought. Though the lycan was less than herself, and considering what awaited him tonight, Marcus had fed excessively.

They made it halfway through the hallway, when the door leading to the basement was thrown up. A gust of wind rushed down the stairs, Catherine appeared before Lucia, her eyes aghast at the sight. A hand shot out, prying Pablo from Lucia’s hand, pulling him to his feet beside her. His eyes went wide as he turned to face the others. “Marcus, my love, what are you doing?” She said sternly, her gaze falling to Lucia. There was a level of regret in her eyes.

Marcus sighed, watching as Catherine’s gaze fell to Alena. It was Catherine he’d wanted to protect from this mess. While hiding her identity as his lover. That was not information he wanted the enemy to fall privy to .“You know what I’m doing. I can’t let Dane have his way and let her live.” That should have been enough to placate his lover. She agreed with him, they’d spoken on the matter. This was safer than outright killing Alena, unfortunately Catherine had other interest in mind.

“I know that.” She said, annoyance visible in her voice. Catherine’s hand grabbed tightly to the lycan’s shoulder. “But with nothing in return? You take them all? Lucia.” She said, looking down at the hybrid, slightly frowning. “You’ll leave me, to return with your mother? I know what he’s done, how much you hate him. More than anybody. You can escape with me, Lucia. The pleasures we’ve shared, they don’t need to end.” She said extending her hand to the hybrid. All she needed was one of them, the lycan or the hybrid, the way they felt for each other, the other would follow. It was almost certainty,

“The boy, Pablo.” Marcus said almost regretfully. Alena wouldn’t let Lucia go, she was part of their arrangement. But they’d never mention the young man. “He’s expendable is he not? One of many soldiers.”

“What?!” The lycan proclaimed loudly as the vampire slid her hand to cover his mouth. Alena, please, don’t let them keep me. Please.

“My… lover is not mistaken.” He could see as Catherine’s lips curled into a subtle smile. “The current exchange is one sided. We lose all three of you for…?” Marcus said looking down at Alena. “He was never mentioned in our discussion. This should satisfy both parties?” He said, keeping his eyes locked on Alena. “Unless you can compromise?”

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

"Catherine!" Lucia protested, looking devastated as the vampire appeared before them, ripping Pablo from her arms. She took a step toward the woman, two tears threatening to fall from her eyes; she couldn't lose Pablo too. Why would Catherine take him away, after she'd lost so much?

When Marcus spoke, the hybrid's eyes brimmed with new tears. Her bottom lip quivered as she dropped her gaze to the floor, but she tried to quiet the sobbing that wanted to consume her. So in the end, Dane would kill her, but spare her mother? Lucia brought a hand to her chest; it felt like she'd been stabbed. Maybe this would have been easier if that were the case; at least then she'd have some visible wound to account for the agony she was feeling.

As Catherine addressed her, the girl looked up, wiping her eyes to clear her vision. "Catherine," the hybrid's voice was quiet but exasperated, "You left me up there!" She brought a hand to her neck, placing it over the bite wounds the vampire had left her with. "You made me weak and left me upstairs to keep me here, after everything that's happened!" She shook her head, looking at her feet once more before lifting her gaze to Pablo. He was the only one here who'd never wanted to screw her over or take anything from her. "Please, Catherine." She didn't particularly enjoy the thought of leaving with her mother, but Pablo had promised after they brought Alena home, they could go anywhere they wanted. Even after everything, Lucia did want to see Catherine again, she couldn't deny that. But she needed space right now. "Please don't take Pablo from me..."

[Alena Wulf]

Lifting the corners of her mouth into something resembling a smile as they made their way out of the cell, Alena nodded absently to Marcus, "I'm aware."

Her head felt incredibly light; it was more difficult than she wanted to keep her feet steady beneath her. It felt far too tempting to close her eyes and just stop. Maybe if she could just rest for a moment... The mother of lycanthropy tightened her grip on Marcus, shaking herself out of it. Dane had taken so much from her, but she needed to stay focused.

Throwing the coiled chain around her shoulder, Alena's ears perked, catching the light sounds of someone's rapid approach before she was fully conscious of it. She looked toward the staircase, dark hair covering part of her face as a woman appeared before them, pulling Pablo away from her daughter. The queen of werewolves couldn't help but curl her lip in a growl as this vampire came near; she really didn't need this shit right now.

Yet as Lucia called out, her cry sounded choked with emotion; Alena reached out to grab the girl by a wrist, keeping her cold gaze on the vampiress. Watching the exchange between the vampires and her daughter, the wolf mother reaffirmed her grip on Marcus, shifting her weight to stretch her legs. This woman, Catherine, looked familiar; not anyone Alena could recall dealing with in person very often, but it was enough to know this vampire had seen quite a few centuries pass.

The way Lucia held her neck as she inadvertently admitted that this leech was the one to have sampled her brought something of a smile to the werewolf queen's face. Her daughter seemed to fidget slightly as she spoke; had she sampled the vampire as well? Something about how Catherine regarded the hybrid made Alena believe that might be the case. She watched the vampiress' response to the girl's words with concealed interest, dropping her gaze to her lieutenant when he reached out to her mentally after Marcus spoke up.

Meeting the vampire's eyes, Alena looked at him with a blank expression. He seemed to stiffen the moment Catherine appeared, and the brief pauses in his speech peaked the lycan queen's interest. Still, his words were less than amusing. "You saw no issue when we came to this agreement." Alena paused, licking her lips to clear her throat quietly. "You asked that Dane be thoroughly distracted, which I assure you, he is; to the detriment of my 'many soldiers'. And that the deaths of your kin and fellow lords be kept to a minimum. I have seen to this; however, the longer we take down here, the more difficult it will be to keep the numbers of vampire deaths down." She shook her head shortly, her eyes never straying from Marcus'. "No. Pablo's life is mine; I will not leave him here."

Narrowing her eyes briefly, Alena brought a small smile to one corner of her lips, "I would be willing to empart some information to you; information you, or your... acquaintance, might wish to have. Regarding hybrids."