Path to Redemption

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

As the Werewolf's voice rose, his fists slamming down on the armrest beside her, Lucia set her jaw, her crimson eyes falling hard on the young man's features. Standing abruptly, the Hybrid stepped in front of where the Lycan sat, anger spiking within her, "Why do you care!?" Since their hasty introduction in Rome where Pablo rushed in to fight Dane, thinking he was saving the Hybrid from an untimely death, she'd witnessed his fervor, his loyalty to her mother. Even before that night, in the years after her father's murder, Lucia had overheard her mother speak favorably of Pablo. The girl had heard accounts of this Lycan's story unfold as he grew in age, strength and capabilities over the years; as he grew in esteem with the Queen of Werewolves. Over the years, his deeds for the Den rose in scale until his adventures sounded almost mythical. From what the Hybrid could glean, no one in recent years had taken the war to such heights like Pablo had; missions like his had happened centuries ago, from what Lucia had heard from her father. There were few other Lycans who risked so much these days, especially at such a young age. From that perspective, Lucia could understand why her mother spoke so highly of Pablo, she supposed. Yet why in Hell did Pablo care for Alena?

Placing her hands on his armrests, a low snarl formed in her throat, escaping through her lips as she showed her fangs to Pablo, leaning in close to him. "We are All Damned." Her voice dark, she emphasized each word. Long, auburn hair fell over her shoulders, dangling in front of her; the chain with Pablo's cell key slipped out from under the neck of her dress, falling before the man as well. "My mother will have a choice. Though her actions over the centuries have created and strengthened the rift between the races, I will give her a chance to see my point of view. If, as you so adamantly believe, she will not see reason, she will have only damned herself."

Standing up straight, Lucia crossed her arms, peering down at the Werewolf. It seemed to her that she could almost feel his frustration; the hurt in his voice was tangible and made her feel uncomfortable. Her gaze softened marginally, and the edge in her own voice faded, a sadness replacing it. "As for you... Perhaps it would benefit you most if you remained in the Americas after Viktor is vanquished. Start a new life... There are others of your kind in the States, if I recall..." Lucia looked at the floor; the thought of letting Pablo leave disheartened her, but she thought he'd have a better chance there, than back in Europe with droves of her mother's Pups hunting him down. The number of Werewolves in the States loyal to Alena was unknown to Lucia, but she didn't believe they were as prolific as they were in the East. She'd have to cover his retreat from the Vampires with her, and she knew she'd take heat from Dane when she returned for letting her pet leave. It would be another loose end, he would say; but the Hybrid did not wish to kill Pablo. The thought was not one she relished, she would rather have Pablo by her side; but she would try to aid him how she could.

[Pablo]

Why did he care? The question brought a scowl to his face. It seemed Lucia didn't understand him as much as Pablo thought. Alena had given Pablo everything, a family in the form of the pack, strength with his lycanthropy, she'd mentored him, hell he could even say she raised him. What made that so hard to understand? Or was it the concept of loyalty she couldn't grasp. It shouldn't have come as a surprise that she would have betrayed him like this, and to know it wasn't the first time. He was a fool. The lycan opened his mouth, about to speak as Lucia snarled at him.

Pablo felt his throat clench, and the words escape him, flinching as the girl leaned in close. HIs eyes closed for a moment. He expected some form of retaliation from Lucia in the form of her lashing out at him. It never came though, slowly opening his eyes, Pablo meet Lucia's gaze, the anger in her was apparent, and for a moment there was a sliver of guilt knowing he was guilty of her frustration. But this was her fault, he reminded him. She'd made promises, and had taken them back in less than a days time. "We're only damned if we die." The young lycan retorted. He knew the risk, he'd put his life on the lines what felt like countless times on the battlefield. "You know your mother won't want peace. There's no if, you know you'll have to kill her." The key around her neck, the key to his cell, he was well aware of it. Why did she keep it? It had to mean something to her, he did, or did she simply see him as a pet. "And me. Lucia, I don't want you to be my enemy, please."

If Lucia's previous words had shattered him, her next ones scattered the bits and pieces that were left. "Lucia, why are you doing this to me? What happen to making amends, your promise? Alena, and Geir you... " He said, disheartened his voice trailing. Any anger that he'd spoken with was now gone. "Did you bring me along just so you can abandon me halfway across the world?" He glanced away from, gazing out of the window. "You can't stop me, I won't stay." He'd race her across the world to Stockholm if he had to. And he'd be damned if she left him on her terms, after Viktor's death? No, he wouldn't wait that long. " He leaned his his head against the window. The young lycan had resources, if not his own then Xhel's, or Pete. They would both still help him if he asked, he believed or rather he hoped. "Alena said I shouldn't trust you. I berated her, my Queen, told her she was wrong. She wasn't." He could feel his eyes swell, he was damn near on the verge of tears. Lucia would make him choose between her and Alena. Despite what he felt for the girl, the choice was clear.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Alena said I shouldn’t trust you. I berated her, my Queen, told her she was wrong. She wasn’t.

Those words hit Lucia hard, striking the girl with such a force she thought Pablo had reached out and physically slapped her face. Bringing a hand up, the Hybrid touched her cheek gingerly; there was no heat, no sting to the flesh. Yet something in her chest felt like it had been singed.

The jet shook violently again, and the girl stepped back to stabilize herself, bumping into the seat directly across from Pablo. Another jolt of turbulence sent Lucia falling back, landing hard into the chair. She sat with a heavy thud, although the girl didn’t seem to notice the force of the impact. The Hybrid sat, scarlet eyes staring at the Werewolf across from her. Not a night ago they’d run through the brisk Norwegian woods together, racing, hunting and laughing. Lucia remembered being held close to Pablo, hearing him tell her that she had his trust; that he would help her. His voice had sounded like Hope; benevolence and understanding in the form of what the girl was sure was friendship. She remembered, too, promising to help him, to free her mother. She’d been terrified of the task ahead, but it seemed feasible with the Werewolf’s aid. What –had- happened? Why did Dane’s plans, his intentions, seem so flawed in Pablo’s presence? And why was it so easy to forget her promises to Pablo when she was around her lover? Running her hands through auburn hair, the girl put her elbows on her knees, resting her head in her hands, trying to sort through her thoughts. “Abandoning you is the last thing I want…” She spoke hopelessly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dane’s warning to her before departing from the warehouse this evening echoed in her mind, but Lucia tried to push it away, furrowing her brows. What had changed? She’d been prepared to free her mother tonight until… Dane told her he’d tracked down Viktor’s whereabouts; then her focus had changed. That was reasonable, though, wasn’t it? Pablo had to understand that; she was getting the chance to avenge her father. Dane had mentioned that he had almost discovered Viktor’s location on one of her first nights back with the Vampires. This was something he’d actively been pursuing, not a surprise; besides, he couldn’t have known that Lucia had decided to help Pablo and Alena, so it wasn’t like he was intentionally trying to throw her off the course. It was a coincidence.

Lucia felt even more confused, frustrated and hurt than ever. Pablo’s embrace had felt so right, and his smile and the way he seemed to understand her, try to relate with her, and appeared to enjoy her company; it had been the first time she’d bonded with someone her own age. Pablo was the first person whom she felt might be able to understand her on some fundamental level. Though her father and Szandor had tried, they’d been through so much more in their lives; everything seemed to be easier for them. They had wisdom and knowledge she couldn’t relate with or draw on yet… The thought struck her; was that what Pablo had meant by not being able to understand Dane? Her stomach seemed to sour, and the Hybrid almost groaned. It felt like she was close to being physically sick, something that had only happened once before in her short life. She wanted desperately to believe that Dane loved her. The things he’d done for her; that had all been real, right? She’d known him before her father was killed and he’d always been true to her. Perhaps Pablo was mistaken. The things the Vampire made her feel; certainly she made him feel the same? This couldn’t be a lie; Lucia refused to believe it.

Something strange and warm tickled her eyes as she gazed at the floor, and the girl moved a hand to brush whatever it was away. Her fingers came away wet, and she stared at the clear liquid running down her fingertips with a mixture of confusion and horror. Again, she wanted to lash out at something, anything. She wanted to scream and dig her nails into flesh, but everyone around her she considered friends… or allies… or at least had once been one or the other. The realization that this flight would last much longer than she had already anticipated it would hit her hard. These hours could very well be the last she could speak with Pablo peacefully before having to fight him; and even that depended on how long the Lycan decided he wanted to play nice for. Yes he was outnumbered on this plane, but they were all thousands of kilometers in the air by now. If he was able to slip away for a moment, he could dispatch of the pilot and take the jet down; there was a chance only she and Pablo would survive such an impact. Vampires, for all their speed, seemed to be a little more fragile than their Lycan counterparts, and while Lucia knew Marcus and a few others of the Vampires on board counted quite a few centuries between them, there was no guarantee that would come to their aid if the jet were to plummet.

Lifting her head from her hands, the Hybrid dropped her arms, looking once again to Pablo. Biting a corner of her mouth, she shook her head. All this over her mother. Anger and hurt rose in the girl once more, she still didn’t get it. What had Alena done that was so great? Pablo was no child of Alena’s; she hadn’t even Sired him into Lycanthropy, yet here he was taking her side to the bitter end. Was there a side to her mother that could actually show compassion for another living person; and if so, where the Hell had that compassion been six years ago? Lucia didn’t consider what she felt for her mother to be hate, but she certainly didn’t see why the old bitch deserved such devotion from Pablo or any of the other Pups staying in the Den or elsewhere around Europe.

Gritting her teeth as she looked over to the Werewolf, Lucia resigned herself quietly. She may not understand what made her mother worthy of such unflappable loyalty, but she supposed she could see why this Lycan deserved it. Curling her hands into tight fists, the girl tried to meet Pablo’s eyes, a pleading behind hers. The words she spoke sent an inexplicable pain through her chest, and it felt like they had to climb over a steep lump in her throat, but she managed to get them out, although softly, “What would you have me do?”

[Pablo]

The view outside was lackluster, the plane had reached maximum elevation far above the clouds the land out of sight. Still Pablo continued to stare, a better alternative he determined than looking at Lucia before him. He was hurt, she'd hurt him, and the lycan needed her to know that, but whether or not it mattered was a fact that was lost upon him. Though as she quietly spoke, her words barely audible his ears perked, and he glanced at her momentarily. She didn't seem very happy either, or angry, only sad or disappointed like him. The pain in her voice was apparent, and he couldn't think of any occasion of someone having a good time while resting their head in their hands deep in thought.

Something tugged at him deep within his chest. It resembled guilt, and it almost felt like his body was physically being pulled towards Lucia. He wanted to comfort her, every fiber in his body was telling him to embrace and tell her, that everything would be okay, and that they'll figure it together. He resisted, that thought was naive. Whether this was an act or not, he couldn't say. But he learned by now that she couldn't be trusted. The things she'd say or promised one day wouldn't matter the next. His mind was made up, as soon as they'd arrive at their destination, somewhere in the Americas, he'd slip away at his first opportunity. He'd find a way back to Europe. Hell he'd steal a plane if he had to, if it meant arriving in Norway before Lucia, so he could attempt one last rescue without Lucia present. That would be for the best, he wasn't sure if he could face her again in the battlefield. At least, he knew he didn't want to.

He turned away once more. It all seemed easy when he knew Lucia was on his side. Saving Alena from the enemy, when the enemies Queen was on his side, that was more than possible. There was a quiet comfort, he'd had then. Alena, and Geir would only have to spend a couple more days in chains. It was a torturous experience, but better than the alternative. This was the alternative. If he failed now then there was no guarantee of freedom. Alena would spend months in her cell only to be executed by her daughter, and Geir, well Lucia would probably return to feeding on him, and knowing her, one fateful day the girl would fail to restrain herself and drain him of his blood.

Again Lucia spoke quietly. The words barely escaping her lips, Pablo faced her once again. The tugging in his chest had returned, he ignored it the best he could. While the sight of her, teary eyed made his heart ache, he knew he couldn't trust the tears, or anything she said. Not that her words helped much. "Lucia," He stared at her, almost blankly. He attempted to remain calm, but did she realize what she was asking. "You know what I'd have you do. Keep to your promise! It's simple..." His voice trailed for a moment. "Free Alena and Geir, and leave with us, or don't. I know you hated it there, and you have Dane, but I want you to come with us." He said, finally meeting her eyes. "If you can distract Dane, and the other elder vampires, I think I could reach her by myself. They'd never suspect you."

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

As the Lycan looked over to her, Lucia cast her eyes down. His expression felt cold; not at all how she'd come to know him over the last couple nights. This wasn't the first time she'd earned his ire, and she deserved it; she knew she'd disappointed him. But she hadn't planned to let him down. How could she have known Dane would reciprocate her feelings for him? Running her hands through her hair, Lucia groaned. Perhaps that was a stupid question.

Pablo's answer did little to help her. He wanted her to give up her idea of peace; to deliberately go against her lover's plans and free her mother. Looking over to Pablo momentarily, confused, Lucia cocked her head to the side. Why did he want her to go with them after all of this? As the young man disclosed his plan, the Hybrid's confusion only got worse. He seemed so sure of his plan, but she was not. It sounded like a death trap, for her at least. "They'll suspect something if my pet happens to make off with the other Lycan prisoners during a deliberation." The girl spoke softly.

Leaning back in the seat, Lucia crossed her arms, frowning. Dane had been right. He'd warned her to be careful of this Lycan's intentions; not to let him become her weakness. It all seemed so clear now. Anger and disappointment rose in the girl, though she tried to keep her voice down. "You would see me return to a place I despised where the only person there to show me kindness is now dead. To return to a cell in a basement, to loneliness. You would have me betray my love, my Hope, on pain of death." It was the Hybrid's turn to slam a fist down on the armrest. The impact was hard, and the plastic cracked audibly, bending down in a way it hadn't been designed to. Lucia shot a glare down at the broken armrest before huffing impatiently. To the Lycan, she probably deserved all of that and more; but she'd trusted him. In Pablo, she thought she'd found her first friend. Well, maybe he'd been right about one thing. "Perhaps you're right," she spoke bitterly. "It was foolish of me to hope for peace."

[Pablo]

Lucia's disappointment in his words was evident. Even as he spoke Pablo was aware she was by no means happy with him, and though he bore little hope, he didn't quite expect that level of aggression from Lucia. What had she expected him to say? He felt his eyes begin to swell. There was no chance of this being resolved with conversation, he had tried, and failed. "Lucia, you would have me." He whispered. Lycan life hadn't been easy to her, he knew that, but she'd had nobody then, he was something, he was somebody, and it seemed at some point she'd cared for him. Or was that simply his ignorance and foolishness. How naive he had been, Alena and Geir were both right. His chest felt tight at the thought of admitting that.

"A night ago you -" The words got caught in his throat as he choked up. She'd sung a different tune then, a different, and it seemed genuine at the time, like her anger did now. Pablo eyed the broken arm rest, bring a sleeve up to wipe a few tears from his face. "I just want my life back. Is that so wrong? After you promised." And now she was threatening everything he'd built over the years. Peace or no peace, it did not bode well for his race. It was clear that Lucia was still his enemy, no matter how much that ate at him. He cared for her, it wasn't simply the butterflies in his belly when he thought of her, or how elated he felt in her presence. She was special, fun and playful, but it seemed like Lucia, he couldn't have everything. He would have to choose. Folding from the argument he turned away, and stared endlessly out the window. There was nothing he could do for now, but simply wait, and ignore Lucia the best he could until they arrived in the Americas, where he could begin to return home.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Pablo's voice, soft, barely audible as he insisted that she would have him if she returned, seemed to wrench something painfully in her chest. It felt like her organs had all clenched together tight, making it hard for her to find the air necessary to form the words to respond. Her features never wavered; she stared coldly at the young man, red eyes unwavering as he brought a hand up to wipe away tears. Yet she couldn't help but notice that the pain he seemed to be displaying, she too, felt. Everything Dane had tried to warn her of, he'd been right about. That should have made things more clear; but Lucia couldn't help but feel worse knowing that her lover had been right. She'd wanted desperately to believe in Pablo. The girl had cared for him; still cared for him. Dane was right, however. She wouldn't let her feelings for Pablo get in the way of what she wanted, what she knew would be right in the long run.

As the young man seemed to stop himself mid-sentence, turning to look out the window, the Hybrid crossed her arms once more, resigning herself. If he had nothing left to say to her, it was just as well. She needed to focus for what would be the greatest battle of her young life.

Closing her eyes ever so briefly, Lucia thought she could see streaks of red anger flash across the inside of her eyelids. Inhaling deep, the girl let her breath out slowly, counting upward before sitting back in her seat to go over the relaxation techniques Szandor had tried to teach her over the years. He had always counseled her not to let her anger get the better of her; to think clearly and act concisely. Dane, too, told her that she would need to focus for her fight with Victor. He would not be so easily defeated; she could not suffer any distractions.

It took longer than usual for the girl to calm her mind and quell the internal struggle she was experiencing. After she'd managed to find some semblance of serenity, Lucia stood, leaving the private cabin and Pablo to sit for a while with her council in the back of the jet. Taking a seat near Marcus, Lucia crossed her legs at the ankles, resting her hands in her lap. Turning to acknowledge every member of the council with her eyes, the Hybrid rested her gaze once more upon Marcus. "You have all known the traitor, Victor, far longer than I have. I wish to gain more insight into how he fights."

Over the next few hours, Lucia sat with the Vampire council, listening to what they had to say of their former ally. Taking mental notes, the girl tried to burn everything she could about Victor into her mind. Victor Van Alberict had been close with her father, perhaps just as close as Dane had been. Yet he turned traitor and ultimately killed her father, his king. In her childhood, Victor had been polite with Lucia, though he seemed more distant to her than the other members of her father's council. It wasn't until the last few months leading up to her father's murder that Victor had shown more interest in the youngest daughter of his King. Absorbing everything Marcus and the others had to say, Lucia finally took her leave from the Vampires, returning to the private cabin to think on everything they had told her.

Sitting across from Pablo once more, the Hybrid noted that the food the Lycan ordered earlier had been delivered, as well as winter garments in preparation for landing in Alaska. Paying the young Werewolf no more than a glance, Lucia took a seat, gazing out the window into the dark sky to ponder everything she'd learned.

-Bettles, Alaska, United States of America-

Somehow the hours seemed to pass fairly quickly for the Hybrid as she tried to predict how things would go during her confrontation with Victor. After what felt like no time at all, an attendant approached Lucia quietly, bowing before speaking, "My Queen, we are arrived in Bettles, Alaska. We will touchdown in about 10 minutes. The betrayer has established an underground refuge for himself some 40-odd kilometers Northwest of the town. I have kept in contact with the remainder of your force; they have made excellent time and are only an hour behind." Bowing once more, the attendant took his leave after Lucia nodded slightly in acknowledgement. Turning her eyes upon Pablo, the girl watched him sternly as the plane made its descent.

[Pablo]

The young lycan resigned himself to silence. There was nothing left to be said it seemed. What Lucia had accepted, willingly, one day she saw as blasphemy. He knew how quickly Lucia's mood could swing, but the differences were almost quite literally day and night. Pablo could feel the burn in her eyes, it was anger he knew, and it also felt like hate. The thought was gut wrenching, but he knew it to not be true. It only felt like hate, she couldn't actually despise him, not for this, not when she knew it's what he'd wanted. Still it felt like he was losing something; her aid, if not her friendship. She would give him the latter, if he stayed, if he swore not to stir trouble. But he couldn't, not if it meant knowing Alena would rot away in a cage. Pablo stirred slightly, as Lucia rose. His eyes following her as she walked out of the private cabin. Something in him was pulling him towards her. Nagging at him to run up and embrace her while begging for forgiveness. He couldn't, Lucia had to understand, she can't have everything.

His moment of solitude was not very long lived. Some half hour or so after Lucia's departure the cabin door opened once again. Pablo glanced at it hopefully, fully expecting Lucia to walk through it. His disappointment was evident as a flight attendant stepped through, but like his solitude, it was not very long lived as his noise perked at the scent of cooked meat. Barely cooked meat, it seemed as the vampire slowly placed the plate upon the table in front of Pablo. The lycan glanced between his meal and the vampire for a moment. "What is this?" He said almost incredulously. "This meat is barely cooked!" The vampire paused as he stepped away, cocking an eyebrow he almost looked concerned. That was until the Lycan smiled. "That's just how I like it. How did you know." The attendant's mouth moved to speak, but stopped as the young lycan dove straight into his meal. Using his hand to tear the steak into bits, shoving handfuls into his mouth, it was clear that anything said at that moment would be lost upon him.

In a span of a few hours the flight attendant had returned with warm clothing for their destination, refused to humor Pablo as he questioned why a werewolf would need so much clothing and then had left once again, before Lucia's inevitable return. Pablo had gone ahead and dressed himself as he saw fit. Throwing a shirt over his current, two sweaters over that, and then finally a thick jacket. He'd tactically and comfortably wrapped a thick scarf around his neck, to discourage any potential biting. He imagined an exposed neck was more like to attract such behavior though the thought of Lucia's teeth piercing his skin again appealed to him, he couldn't allow there to be any stepbacks. If he was to get back to Oslo before Lucia being drained of half his blood probably didn't help.

He remained silent for the rest of the flight. Refusing to look at the hybrid beside him, only doing so as the flight landed and they were escorted off the plane. Pablo shuffled after Lucia, wobbling left and right like a penguing, barely able to move underneath the pile of clothing. In doing so he earned the amusement of Marcus, and the vampire that had ridden with them in the limousine. Both flashed him toothy grins as he scuttled behind Lucia. By the stairs he waited patiently as Lucia descended at her own pace. He was eager to no longer be stuck in a plane, surrounded by only enemies. As he took his first step down a cold hand grabbed him by the shoulder. Even through the layers of clothes he swore he could feel a chill run through him. He glanced over his shoulder, to see the lady vampire extend her hand to him. "A hand, if you would?" Pablo reluctantly nodded, he would play along for now, he was nearly homefree. Grabbing her hand, pausing as he felt their chill, they were indeed quite cold, icy almost.

The descent down the stairs lasted a longtime. Pablo felt chills running up the lengths of his arm, the vampire's touch was like Lucia's, cold and soft but not nearly as comforting. He was eager to pull his hand away as he made the final stepped. The vampire grabbed him again, wrapping both her arms around his and pulling him closer than he liked as they followed Lucia. Marcus walked besides him, occasionally glancing at the lycan with his still toothy grin. Did they know the hell they were putting him through? He could feel his beast scratch at the surface of his skin. Begging for an escape, begging to put these filthy blood suckers in their place. Though it wouldn't turn out like that, would it? It would almost certainly be his end. Was that what they wanted? For him to overeact so they'd have an excuse to put him down. "Thank you for your assistance, my dear." She said in a soft feminine voice. He could not help, but note, as the vampire moved it seemed she barely moved. The skirt of her dress fell down to near her feet, there was nearly no movement in her legs it almost looked as if she glid across the ground. The lady vampire moved quicker, quite literally pulling Pablo along, they walked beside's Lucia. "My Queen, I must complement you. You're beast is so well behaved." They eventually stopped to be addressed by the hybrid. Once she was done, Marcus stepped forth. "Lucia, my Queen. The flight was quite lengthy and has unfortunately left me quite famished. I need sustenance before the battle beforehand. I'd recommend we take the time we have, before the rest of your sources arrive to grab a bite?" Finally he could feel the vampire loosen her hold on him. He practically yanked his arm away before scooting close to Lucia. "An excellent idea Marcus. I too feel quite parched. My Queen may we ask you to take our leave?" She bowed, before departing with the rest of her kin.

Only Pablo and Lucia remained. He glanced up at the girl. "Actually Lucia, I'm pretty hungry too." He said, looking around him taking in the landscapes. The town they hand landed in was quaint to say the least, there was nothing of note within it, but the land around them was beautiful. Snowcapped mountains, and forest, it reminded him of scandanvia. "There has to be plenty of game around here. I'll be right back." He forced a smile, before turning and quickly walking away.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Taking the stairs out of the jet slowly, her right hand hovering centimeters above the railing, Lucia looked out at the town before her. A single torch illuminated the entire town that was else-wise covered in a thick darkness. Something that felt like hope seemed to fall within the Hybrid; this place was so small, far more desolate than she'd been anticipating. It seemed highly unlikely that Dane's Intel had been mistaken; yet was it possible the usurper had truly fled here to build his own coven after his defeat at Dane's hands?

Waiting patiently at the bottom of the staircase as Pablo and the remaining Vampires descended, Lucia peered through the darkness, her keen eyes perceiving well what lay hidden in the night. Turning her head as the Lycan neared, the Hybrid rested her gaze upon Catherine, whose arms held firm to her pet. Lifting the corners of her mouth into an obligatory smile, Lucia nodded her head subtly, acquiescing to the elder Vampire's compliment of Pablo, "Soon enough, I will have the entirety of his race in their rightful place: on their knees at our feet. First thing's first, however." The girl's crimson eyes fell to Pablo as he pulled away from the Vampire, moving toward her.

Nodding her head to Marcus and the rest of the Vampire council, Lucia gave her blessing for them to find what sustenance they could before the battle ahead. Their night was just beginning.

As the Vampires took their leave to feed, Lucia looked out at the small town once more. In her periphery, the girl noticed the lights of the jet go out; darkness fully encompassing them, with the exception of the flickering torch in the center of town. With only Pablo by her side now, the Hybrid slowly began to feel the extent of the weather across her skin, biting through her clothes. It must have been well below freezing, Lucia thought. While the air held a decent amount of humidity, not unlike the weather surrounding her mother's Den, the temperature was far colder here. The kind of cold that sunk into your bones and tried to fill you with a lethargic heaviness.

Pablo's voice cutting through the deep silence of the town caught Lucia's attention. Looking at the Lycan, covered in layers upon layers, the girl raised a scrutinizing eyebrow to him. As he spoke, his breath seemed to hover heavily as a thick fog before him, clinging to the moisture in the air. Watching the young Werewolf turn and attempt to move with any sort of swiftness under all his layers and through the snow might have made the girl laugh on any other night; but now was not the time for humor. In fact, had this been any other night, Lucia could have imagined Pablo doing this very thing with the intention of trying to make her laugh. Yet after their conversation on the flight here, it was hard for the Hybrid to believe this was anything more than a poor attempt to slip away. Letting him awkwardly shuffle away a few more paces, the girl wondered how well the Werewolf could see in his Human form. It seemed likely, to her, that he had no intention of remaining in his Human form for long, yet the direction he was slowly going seemed to be the rough direction Lucia believed Victor's base to be located.

Catching up easily to the young man, her footsteps through the snow barely audible, Lucia closed the distance between them quickly. Slipping her arms around Pablo from behind, over the layers of jackets he wore, between his arms and body, Lucia brought her arms up, wrapping her hands around the back of his neck, holding him close. A small smile came to her lips, amusement at the scarf folded carefully around his neck; she touched the soft fabric of the scarf, pulling it down slightly. Even through the layers of clothes encompassing the Werewolf, Lucia felt surrounded by his warmth, as if she were standing before a fire, not simply a man. Her own skin, while cool, was nowhere near as frigid as a Vampire's touch would be in this weather; this went unnoticed to the girl, however, as the intensity of Pablo's heat seemed to drown out whatever warmth her own body provided. “Are you volunteering, then, to be the Game?” She spoke softly into his ear, a hint of a smile on her face. Though she had no intention of letting Pablo go, and even less inclination to allow him to hunt right now, she kept the tone of her voice firm yet light. Closing her eyes for half a second, the Hybrid could swear she could feel his heart beating through his back pressed to her chest.

[Pablo]

Pablo waddled away briskly, just short of a sprint or run, not wanting to draw any attention to himself. The only way this could work, is if he disappeared unnoticed. Tonight, in the dark, surrounded by some of Lucia's most powerful servants it was his only choice, especially when one considered in a town as small as this one, they were always within earshot. As he moved, relieved for a moment at the absent sound of pursuit, he considered his escape. It appeared there wasn't much of anything here that would aid him in his return to Europe. There was one plane, the one they'd arrived in, and who knew how close the next town or city was. He for one, certainly did not. Perhaps he could double back around, slip back into the plane, quietly dispose of the servants, and use that for his return, leaving Lucia, and the vampires stranded. The thought brought him mixed feelings. Leaving Lucia, in this trying moment of her life wasn't something he wanted, however it was necessary, for Alena's sake.

There was the lightest of footsteps behind him. Lucia, he thought, knowing how quick the girl was he stepped forward, ready to break into a run when she was upon him almost instantaneously, grabbing him in a headlock and pulling him close to her. He froze still in her arms, a sudden wave of peace overcoming him, the last thought in his mind was to struggle to break free. He was comfortable, her touch was soft, and cold, though far from the icy hands of the vampire, a voice in his head told him, this was where he was meant to be, with Lucia. He barely noticed as she tugged away the scarf from his neck. There was something about the way she whispered into his ear, maybe it was her proximity, or the tone of her voice; lighthearted, but dark in her implication, he knew what she wanted, and the thought was tempting. He wanted to play, to run with the girl and feel her teeth in his skin one more, did she know what her bite did to him? A shiver ran down his neck as his heart began to beat a bit quicker. But, he couldn't, no matter how tempting the thought was, he couldn't let her have this. It was imperative that he escaped now, tonight, reaching Oslo before Lucia and her slew of powerful vampires. "Actually, I'm not! Sorry!" He said, replying in a friendly tone, Pablo attempted to turn his head, to make eye contact with her. He smiled, "I should be at full strength for the fight. In a battle, it never hurts to have a lycan on your side. I think that's an ancient proverb, Sun Tzu. But, Lucia, after the fight. I'll give you the hunt of your life." The lycan lifted his arms up, and tried to slide down, and out of Lucia's hold.