Chapter One Hundred Thirty-three "You betrayed me," the empress said quietly, tapping her long fingernails on the arm of her chair. Standing before the haughty vampiress with her hands behind her back, Vandala narrowed her eyes. "I didn't betray you, because I didn't know." "They've been gone for almost two weeks, Vandala. I expected some loyalty from my daughter!" "I may be your demon spawn, but I was never your daughter, Lilith. And as far as I remember, you put me in charge of Anton Rudenko's security at his business, not his home. I expected that he had told my colleagues about his vacation." "But it wasn't a vacation, was it? He ran, and if you'd told me I could have dealt with it long ago. Now they're lost to me." "That's not my problem, Lilith." Sighing explosively, the empress dismissed her with a flick of the hand and fought the urge to slam her fists down on the top of her desk. Vandala was the least of her problems and would be dealt with later. For now, she picked up her phone and dialed Seth's number. When he finally answered his voice was weary. Not surprising, given that she'd given him very little time to sleep since finding out that Anton Rudenko and his wife had disappeared. "Yes, Lilith?" "What have you found?" Standing in the empty Nepenthe gallery, watching Lilith's task force remove the last of the valuable paintings, Seth sighed. "The security tape is missing, just like you suspected. And although they did a good job of making it look natural, the carpeting was replaced in Mrs. Rudenko's office. All of her stuff is gone. There was quite a bit of blood in here at one time, but it got scrubbed down pretty well. And there's one more thing: Alex Krycek is missing." "Who?" "Anton's chief of security at the antique warehouse. He seems to have disappeared the same time the Rudenkos did." Lilith cursed, suddenly annoyed that she'd dismissed Vandala so quickly. Oh yes, she definitely knew more than she was letting on. "Did you speak to the family yet?" "Not yet. I'm on my way over there now. Do you want his brother brought in?" "I want you to talk to him first. Make him squirm. I'll have a tap put on his phone lines if I have to. He won't talk to us. But given enough time, he'll lead us straight to them." If it weren't for the humidity in the air, Anton could almost believe they were home. He and Bryn were laying side by side on the bed facing each other. Sunrise was moment's away, but he was still wakeful. Gently Anton ran his fingers through her hair, combing it right down to the tips. He smiled gently at the feel of silk sliding through his hands. Moving just a little closer to her, he kissed her forehead softly. Stretching a bit, she snuggled a little closer to him and settled her head on his shoulder. She'd awoken from a strange dream and had been trying to remember it ever since. Clinging to only bits and pieces, she quietly murmured, "Do you ever have trouble believing that they were all me? Or that I used to be them?" "Sometimes," he admitted quietly. "Except then you come up with some nugget of information that I haven't shared with anyone in five hundred years. Or you call me a pet name I haven't heard in two hundred." He gently stroked her shoulder. "Why? What brought that out, my dear?" "Just wondering," she said, dismissing the question. "Like...what makes it hard to believe? Were they very different from me?" "Well, in some ways yes," Anton said, his hand still caressing her hair. "And in some ways no. It's hard to explain. Sometimes you'll make a gesture or say a word and I can see them so clearly, and in the next minute, you're 'you' again." "Oh." She had hoped she was a little more like them. As much as she liked having her own identity, it made her feel better knowing that she had been his former wives. It made her less jealous of their time with him. Time she couldn't remember. Or so it seemed. "I saw you, in my dream. You were cleaning up a grave stone. And you were so sad. You didn't even realize I was there." Anton looked at her, head tilted slightly as he thought. "It wouldn't have been Brinely or Stephana, or Alexandra." He pulled her closer to him. "Do you remember anything more? Were you there with me as a spirit, or as a person and I was lost in the moment?" She shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe as a spirit. I did seem to be above you. I don't know, It was just a dream. It could've been because of our honeymoon. I Already knew what the graves looked like, so maybe my mind just messed with me a bit. But I felt sad, because you were so sad. I wished I could've helped you. You looked very alone and small. For a moment or two, you almost looked like a little boy." She reached for his hand, feeling tears come to her eyes. "You laid down next to her like you wished you could sink right through the dirt." Anton nodded, his eyes growing slightly misty. "Like I said, my dear, little details that prove to me that you aren't making this up." He kissed her forehead. "Annaliese was the first person I could afford something a little more lavish for, an actual headstone. But I remember thinking that the monument to her was a pale reflection of our love, and I would have smashed it to bits if it meant I could have her back by my side." Taking a deep breath, Bryn met his gaze. He looked almost as sad now as he had in her dream. "I'm sorry, sugar. I always seem to bring up the bad memories instead of the good ones." Anton gently kissed her head. "We haven't exactly tried to remember things during a happy time, my dear. Perhaps if we did, we would recall the good things. How we'd spend the days snuggled together, the nights delighting in each other's company no matter what we were doing." She gave him a small smile. "Sounds familiar. I think I could sit and watch you read the phone book without getting bored. You make me happy just by being." "So do you, my dear." His hand slipped down and caressed her pregnant belly. "Sometimes, when I look at you now, I wish that I had acted differently with Alexandra. I could have made things so much easier for all of us, and that I missed so much." "I always wonder what went wrong. She must have been a very different person than me. I can't imagine doing the things she did. But it was a different time, and I imagine that women's liberation had something to do with it. Or at least I hope so. I would hate to think she would deliberately hurt you." "I don't doubt for a moment that she didn't mean to do it deliberately, Bryn. It was a different time, and there were different expectations. It was just as much my fault as hers. Alexandra and I had a whirlwind romance, and it would have done us both well if we had given each other time. Maybe we could have worked out some of our problems before the got out of hand." He kissed her forehead again. "That's why I wanted to wait six months before we married, my dear." She hadn't thought about that before. And although they hadn't six months, because of Max, they'd still needed a lot of time to adjust to each other. In some respects, they still were. She had to wonder how different things might have been had she not gotten pregnant with Max. Would she have made some of Alexandra's naive, immature mistakes? "I'm glad you wanted to wait. I think you might have saved us. I know there were a lot of things I needed to learn." "I know there are always things I need to learn." Anton pulled a little closer to her still. "Every time I've found you again, I have learned something new. You have taught me so much, my dear, and you don't even know it." "Kind of sucks that I have to keep starting all over again," she said, dryly. "At least I won't have to worry about that too much longer." Tapping her round belly, she added, "If this one ever decides to come out, that is." Anton smiled, scooting down the bed. "I'm sure that one of the days, we're going to be wishing she was back inside." He kissed her stomach just above her navel. "We're going to have to figure out if we can get some pictures done of you like we did when you were pregnant with Max." "That would be nice. And now Max can actually appear in the pictures, too." She wanted to ask him how long he thought they'd be there, as she imagined hanging the pictures on the wall, but she didn't have the heart to say it. "He's still feeling shy around the staff. I guess that's a good thing, though. I'd much rather he was cautious these days." "Yeah, me too." He scooted back up to kiss her lips, his palm resting against her stomach. "I feel that we might be taking stupid risks doing things like that, but part of me is arguing that we can't stop living." "I know. And I don't want to put anyone out of a job, but I don't know these people. I'm not sure I feel all that comfortable with them yet. At least Alex is here for now, but he can't stay with us forever. It's not fair to him or his family." "No, it's not," Anton agreed. The werewolf had already gone above and beyond as far as he was concerned. "Hopefully we can wait for Kat to be born, a little while for you to heal, and then we move on." Anton stroked her belly thoughtfully. "Perhaps somewhere in Mexico, or somewhere in South America." "Oooh, Fernando could make an appearance after all!" She rubbed her hands together briskly. "I can't wait!" He smiled, glad that she was so eager, and wasn't thinking of all the frightening possibilities. He was determined to keep her from thinking of it as long as he could. "It's all a plot to get to meet Raquel, my dear." She smiled. "We could get a little hut in the jungle somewhere, grow our own coffee, tame a couple of tropical birds, have our own orchids...I bet it would be beautiful. Of course, we'll have to learn about what snakes to avoid." Anton gave a mock shudder. "Snakes. There would be snakes. Maybe we'll have to rethink this, my dear." Sabryn giggled. "So you're afraid of snakes, huh? I'll have to remember that. What are your feelings on spiders, bats, and rats?" "They don't bother me, and I won't bother them." He gently started stroking her hair again. "So tell me, my dear, is there anything else you remember? Happy or sad?" "You changed that topic awfully quick, big bad vampire. I'll answer your question when you answer mine. If there's some huge spider or cockroach in the bathroom and I ask you to kill it, are you gonna chicken out on me?" Anton gave her a wry smile. "I'll make noises about 'can't we all get along' and mutter things about 'peaceful coexistence,' but in the end, I will squash it. But I will *not* make girly 'eww' noises while I do so." "Not even if it's a big nasty one that gushes green goo all over your fingers?" "Nope. That's what I'll be using your shoes for." "That's disgusting!" She whacked his shoulder. "You sound like Nate." Her smile slowly faded after that, as she was reminded that he would probably like to see his brother very much. They'd really come a long way in their relationship, only to have it halted. Hoping to change the somber subject, she said, "What kind of memories are you talking about? I remember small things all the time, but mostly things like gestures. You'll move a certain way or say something, and it'll be almost like deja vu. But a lot stronger." He had noticed her shift in conversation, and did not call her on it. Anton had been trying not to think about what he had lost with his brother. "I was just curious if you remembered anything clearly. Is there a particular gesture that brings back a lot of memories, or is it any of them?" "When you write with your hand, I could clearly see you with a quill. It had a big white plume on the top...almost as big as the white wig on your head." She grinned. "You looked like George Washington a little bit...but fancier. Very elegant clothing and lots of curls in the wig. Very tight pants and white stockings. Pretty funny stuff. Maybe some day I'll try to paint it. Anton grinned. "I'd like to see you do it. I'd love to see how I look through your eyes, past and present." He was placing in time the memory she mentioned. It would most likely have been a memory that Diane had. And if she was remembering Diane, she might remember something he had not wanted to face with her yet. "Do you remember anything else?" "Mostly sex," she said, smiling. "Places we've been, positions, the way you looked, and the things we did to each other. My favorites always seem to be when we were trying to be sneaky and not get caught. One that immediately comes to mind is going to an opera and sitting in the balcony, while I tried to balance precariously in your lap, in the shadows, so no would see us as I rode you like a horse. We were joined by another couple in the balcony a short while later and we were never really sure if they knew what we were doing or not." He smiled at that memory, relieved that she was still blissfully unaware. "We've always had a problem keeping our hands off each other in public, my dear. In private, it's never been a problem." Anton leaned forward and nibbled her neck slightly. "Why do you think we stay in so much, my dear?" Bryn let out a small laugh, rubbing against him and baring her neck even more. "So that's your reasoning. And all this time I thought you were just a hermit, like me." "No, though I did almost become one for a time." He gently stroked her hair back from her eyes. "There was a time that I wanted to withdraw from the world. If it hadn't been for Gabriel, I would have." She frowned. "Why? Did it have anything to do with Natasha?" Anton shook his head. Now he was uneasy that he had brought it up, but she had the right to know. And it would be better that she knew now instead of spontaneously remembering. "Diane, towards the end of her life, was suffering horribly. The doctors in those days meant well, but were unskilled compared to today. Their treatments were as bad as the disease. Eventually we sent them away, not wanting her in any more pain than necessary. We both knew what was inevitable. I couldn't stand to watch her suffer. And when she begged me, I eased her suffering the only way I could." She stared at him for a moment. "You drank her blood, until she died?" Anton nodded, eyes downcast and bright with unshed tears. "It's not something I'm proud of, Bryn. I didn't want to do it. But she was begging me not only with her words, but with her eyes, her movements, even her breath. The only thing that was a comfort is that it I made it as painless as possible instead of the lingering day by day death she was suffering from." She took a deep breath and digested the information he'd given her. Then, tilting his head up, she gave him a soft smile and leaned forward to kiss his lips, followed by a tight hug as she rubbed his back. "All is well, mon ange. Please don't cry." Anton looked up at the use of Diane's love name for him. "I didn't want to, ma fleur. I didn't want to lose you that way." He gathered her closer to his body, rocking her slightly. "I held you for hours after you fell asleep, until the servants found us. I didn't want to let you go." "Shhh, mais non. I know you didn't. But you did it anyway. Because you love me." Bryn blinked a few times, caught in some strange mixture of personalities. She felt like herself, but her words were Diane's and she supposed she was grateful for that. He needed to hear her voice. "Anton, I know how much you love me. And you never did let me go. I'm with you still, and I always will be." He shivered and held her close, shaking as he nuzzled her. "I know that, ma fleur. I know." His next words were addressed to Bryn. "I didn't want to you to remember it unexpectedly, but I was still afraid to tell you, Bryn." She tilted her head, then shook it. "You protect me all the time, Anton, but sometimes you don't need to. I'm proud of you for what you did. You could have let me linger, just to have me with you longer. But you did the right thing, even though it hurt you so much." Gathering him in, she squeezed him tightly. "I'm sorry you had to lose Diane the way you did, but I came back. I'm all right. And we're together again." Turning her head, she kissed his cheek. "I love you so much." He nuzzled her softly. "I love you too, my dear. I would do anything you'd ask me to, Bryn. I have done anything you've asked before." Softly he stroked her back as he kissed her mouth. "And I'd do anything to make it so we could go home again." She sighed softly. "I know. But we're safe, and we're all together. That's all that matters." She smiled at him, stroking his cheek. "I think I'd like if Max was in here with us. Would you mind getting him?" Anton nodded. "I'll be right back, my dear." He got out of the bed hesitantly, not wanting to leave the comfort of her arms. But barefoot he padded to the room were Max's crib was set up. He smiled down at his sleeping son. Max woke up as Anton scooped him against his chest. "Shh...it's just me, Max. It's okay. I've got you." Swaying slightly with each step, he returned to the bedroom. Bryn sat up as they walked through the door, smiling at the sight of Max's messy head. "Hi Sweet pea," she said, quietly. "You wanna come sleep with Mommy and Daddy?" Anton smiled when Max nodded as if he was saying yes. He lowered his son into his mother's arms and then climbed in. "I think he's happier to be with us here. I know that I am, my dear." Settling against him and sink deep in to the covers, Bryn rested Max between them and let out a contented sigh. "I'm always happier with the two of you. Actually, three," she amended, rubbing her belly. Grabbing Anton's hand, she was a little more serious. "But I don't want you to hide things from me, even if you think I can't handle it. I can deal with whatever you tell me. And I don't like you keeping things to yourself that make you so sad. Just think of all the chances you're missing to have me make you feel better. In what ever way possible." Anton nodded. squeezing his hand. "Sometimes I feel that you've had enough to deal with in this life that you don't need any burdens from past ones as well. So I hold back when I shouldn't." He scooted forward, careful not to squish Max but wanting to be close to her. "That's what I mean about you trying to protect me. I didn't freak out, did I?  No, and I'm not going to. I love you, Anton. Even if you're a bigger worry wart than I am." "In that case, I have another confession to make," he said. There was a playful twinkle in his eyes though, belying the serious expression on his face. "Remember how I told you that Brinley and I didn't consummate our relationship in the cave, that we waited until we reached the monastery? That's not entirely accurate..." He blushed slightly. "You wanted so badly to be a proper lady, and I wished that I could have held out a little longer to give that to you..." "You molested me in a cave? You naughty boy!" She giggled at the blush on his face, thinking it was completely adorable. Scooting a bit closer, as if sharing juicy gossip, she whispered, "So how was it?" "It was amazing," he whispered back. "You were amazing. But then, you always are. Our first time together, and everything was perfect, even though we were laying on our clothes in a damp, dark cave instead of the feather bed in front of a roaring fireplace like you so richly deserved." She smiled at him, leaning closer to kiss his lips. His mouth was soft against hers, and very gentle, just as she imagined it had been back with Brinley. He had always treated her as a treasure, and she loved him for it. "It sounds perfect, sugar." Lindy looked in the mirror nervously one last time. She would be heading downstairs in a moment, where she and her husband were going to be meeting with Denise. It wasn't a meeting that she was looking forward to. Even though it was the right thing to do to protect Liam, she wasn't easy with the discussion that was about to take place. What to do about Marrok. She sighed as she looked into the mirror. The bastard had almost broken her, and yet she was still trying to protect him. It made no sense to her, and yet that's what a part of her wanted to do. So that's why she was staring at her reflection. "He deserves whatever happens to him." Maybe if she told herself that enough times, she'd believe it. So it was with a heavy sigh she started downstairs to join her husband. Physically and mentally exhausted, Nate leaned back on the couch and rubbed Liam's back. He wasn't sleeping well, not since Anton and his family had left. Combined with the anxiety of Marrok's recent activities, he could literally feel the energy draining out of him. He knew he should be feeding more, sleeping longer, and relaxing any way he could. But more often than not, he found himself staring absently at the wall and wondering why everything went wrong. Lindy stepped into the room and paused. She could see from the slump of his shoulders that Nathaniel was brooding again. It didn't seem fair that just when things seemed to be going right with him and Anton for once, it was taken away literally in a heartbeat. Sighing softly, she walked to the couch and settled on it next to him before wrapping her arms around him and Liam. "I miss them too, Nate," she whispered. "I know," he said in gravely voice, reaching over to pat her knee. He let out a yawn and sniffed, stretching on the couch. "It just seems so quiet here. Liam doesn't even seem to want to play anymore. We're trying to keep him so safe and he ends up locked alone in his house with nothing to do." She tilted her head to rest her cheek against Nate's shoulder. "Maybe that will change after tonight. Maybe we'll finally come up with a way for us to free ourselves of him." It wouldn't bring Anton or Bryn home, but they wouldn't have one more worry added on top of all their other heavy cares. "I hope so." Pulling her closer, he kissed the top of her head and rubbed his hand against her side. She gave him peace, and he was incredibly grateful for her presence. Breathing in the sweet scent of her shampoo, he watched Liam play with her fingers. Even if the little boy was as depressed as the rest of them, at least he wasn't acting out. He was a good kid and they were very blessed. "I can't believe this little turkey is going be two pretty soon." "Yeah, and we'll have had him for over a year." Lindy smiled as she reached out to rub Liam's back. "Remember when we brought him home? How you first thought he didn't like you? I don't think we can separate the two of you now." And hopefully Denise would be able to come up with a way to keep them from ever being separated. "Yeah. That seems like such a long time ago." He shook his head in wonder. "But it wasn't. It's amazing. He feels like he's ours. Like he was always ours." Lindy nodded, stroking Liam's back. "And he always will be, Nate. Don't ask me how I know it. I just do." She pressed a kiss to Nate's cheek, but then pulled away when the doorbell rang. "That'll be Denise," she said with a sigh. "Want me to get the door?" "Yeah. Thanks." Hugging Liam close, despite his need to follow Mommy, Nate watched Lindy disappear out of the room. He listened quietly as she opened the door...then let out a soft gasp. Frowning, Nate stood up and carried Liam towards the foyer, wondering what was up. That was where he saw Denise standing in the doorway...with Marrok at her side. Immediately on the defensive, Nate gritted his teeth. "What are you doing here?" Lindy had stood in shock for a second, and then reacted. Her reaction wasn't as subdued as Nate's. Her fangs extended and her eyes gleamed laser blue as they focused on Marrok. "You're not wanted here! What the hell do you think you're doing here without asking?" Marrok gave Denise a grim smile. "I told you this would be fun," he said, sarcastically. Turning his attention back to the vampires, he cleared his throat. "I have a message for you...from Natasha. I thought you would want to know right away. Unless you'd rather I leave so you and Denise can discuss how to get rid of me for good." Lindy looked at Marrok hard and then back to Nate, not really certain if she could trust Marrok. All the times he had taunted her flashed through her mind. What if this was another sick mind game that he was playing with her? "What message from Natasha?" she asked, wishing she could still smell if he was lying like she could when she was a werewolf. "Call your parents if you don't believe me," Marrok said, shrugging. "I can wait. But you might want to know you're wasting time. Your friend's life may depend on it." "What friend?" Nate asked, stepping closer. "Your brother." Letting Liam slip to the floor, Nate grabbed Marrok by the neck and slammed him against the wall. The werewolf, surprisingly, didn't fight the move. "Tell me what you know!" And Lindy was right there next to him, her eyes glowing brighter. She was itching to sink her fangs into his throat, especially if he was lying just to torment them. "The truth Marrok! Don't fuck around with us about this. It had better not be another one of your mind games. I will hunt you down and kill you. The werewolf's lips twitched before he broke in to a smile. "You might want to save your threats. You'll be kissing my ass in a moment." Staring at Nate's hand, he smoothed down his shirt. "Natasha had nothing to do with the vampire's attack on your brother's wife. She was willing to swear to it. She even sent a signed note. If you let go of me, I'll give it to you." Eyes still narrowed, and his hands not moving, Nate looked to Denise. "Did you see her?" Lindy suppressed a shudder at the mental image of kissing the werewolf's ass. But she eyed him suspiciously, fangs still extended when he said Natasha's name. "Why are you doing this, Marrok? Why should we believe you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart? What's in it for you?" "No, I didn't see her," Denise interrupted. "But he's telling the truth. As for his motives," she glanced at Marrok, "I couldn't tell you what they are. Maybe he's just trying to get closer to Liam. Either way, you should listen to him." Lindy looked Marrok in the eyes long and hard. She then put her hand on Nate's shoulder, pulling back slightly. "Let's listen to what he has to say, Nate. Then we can drain him dry if he's lying." "Well, now what?" Jess leaned against the windowsill, watching the rain come down. It was one of the Bay Area's rare electrical storms, and it fit her mood - the sorrow of the rainfall, the rage of the lightening, and the threatening, but ultimately impotent, boom of thunder. The situation as beyond her control, and all she could do was hold on for dear life and pray. "We wait." It seemed to Walter that all they had been doing was waiting. First it had been waiting for a coded message from Alex that they had arrived safely in Hawaii. Then it was waiting for Vandala to interrogate them about Anton and Bryn's sudden disappearance. Waiting for Marrok to bring back the promised (and highly doubted) proof of Natasha's lack of involvement. And at the moment, waiting for word that Lindy, Nate, and Mulder had made it safely to the Gathering. With a heavy sigh, Jess shifted her weight to her right leg, now leaning against Walter. He put an arm around her waist and squeezed, trying to reassure her that everything was going to be okay. But after a moment, Jess leaned away. "Come on," she said in a quiet voice. "Moping around isn't going to get those records sorted." Both headed over to the couch and the boxes of paperwork sitting next to them. All the public (and some very private) records they could get there hands on regarding Justin Steel or the Nepthene still had to be sifted through. This was when Walter's FBI experience came in handy as he skimmed various documents while Jess perched the laptop on her knees and worked on entering the phone numbers into a database, looking for patterns. After a few minutes, Amanda came downstairs, school books in hand. "I finally got Liam to bed, Mom, Dad," she said as she plopped down reclining chair that Alex favored and cracked open her history textbook. It had been decided that it would be safest to leave Liam with his grandparents while Lindy, Nate and Mulder attended the Gathering. Lilith had to know by now that Anton and Bryn were AWOL, and would not be happy. And she probably wouldn't hesitate to display that unhappiness to the Rudenkos who were present. They all worked in silence for a while, until Amanda let out a heavy sigh. "I miss Papa. Are we going to hear from him soon?" Jess shook her head sadly. Her daughter always referred to Alex as Papa, and Walter as Dad, making it able to tell who she was talking about. "Not until after the baby is born." It had been decided it would be safest for all concerned that communication be kept to a minimum. Anne would be joining them to assist in little Katerina's birth, and Alex would return with her. And their connection to Anton and Bryn and the children would be severed. "We miss him too, Manda." Amanda closed her book with another heavy sigh. "I'm going to bed." The teen, who had been firmly in the standoffish phase of growing up, then hugged each of the adults tight. "I'll see you tomorrow." "Good night, Manda." Both adults shared a sad look before Jess closed the laptop and put it to one side. Scooting over to her mate, she wrapped her arms around his midsection as his came around her shoulders. He gently rocked her while she cried out her sorrow and fear for them all. Walter gently stroked her hair until she stopped sobbing. "So was that you, or..." Even though he had opened his eyes slowly, he still couldn't take the same leaps of faith that came so naturally to Mulder. Jess sighed. "Dunno. Probably me. Not like I don't have enough stress to not break down sobbing on a regular basis. That and the lack of sleep." The bond between her and Max had diminished, but not broken, with distance. During her waking hours, she was fine. But her sleep was haunted with emotions that weren't completely hers. Waking up several times a night was taking a lot out of her, although she wouldn't admit to it. She stretched out, letting her cheek rest against his thigh. Walter continued the stroking, hoping to soothe her more. "Why don't you try to get some sleep now? We can continue..." He trailed off when he realized that Jess had already taken his advice. Keeping one hand on her shoulder, he gave a sigh of his own and resumed looking at the paperwork, hoping that this would soon be over for all their sakes. Tired and nervous, Nate gripped Lindy's hand tightly and followed the bellman to their suite. The last thing he wanted to do now was attend a gathering, but they didn't have a choice. Not attending would make them look even more suspicious, and Lilith already had her eye on them. In fact, she had sent Seth to meet them at the airport, making sure they arrived "unhindered" and that they knew she expected a private meeting with them as soon as possible. It was the moment they both dreaded. And it felt even worse since their family wasn't there to support them. Nate felt that Liam was safer at home. Lindy forced herself to not appear to be tense. But the part of her that was still wolf remained alert and wary. It was hard not to pick up on Nate's feelings of vulnerability and amplify them. Especially after the brusque greeting that they had received from Seth. Not to mention the dark looks they had received when some of the vampires had noticed that Fox Mulder was with them. Rumors had obviously been flying, and it looked like they were working against them. Once inside and the bellhop dismissed, Lindy leaned against the door and sighed heavily. "How long do you figure we have before Lilith summons us?" "I don't know. Seconds, minutes?" Nate shook his head. "It's anyone's guess." Walking through the door of the adjoining room, Mulder said, "Now I know what Tweety felt like when Sylvester pictured him as a cooked bird." "Tell me about it," Lindy said. She walked over to the bed and sat down on it, running her fingers through her hair. "I hate this. I hate the waiting. And I know that she's just doing this to get us more upset." "You never know," Nate said. "She might be panicking. She wasn't expecting us to bring Mulder. I'm sure it will take a while to figure out how to best handle the situation without freaking out everyone attending." "Hopefully she'll panic the whole weekend." Lindy flopped back on the bed and let out a heavy sigh. "Is it too early to call home and check up on Liam? I know that it was safer to leave him, but I really wish he was here to cuddle." "I know." Looking at his watch, Nate tried to calculate the time difference. "I think they're awake. You can give it a try." He was quiet as Mulder walked back to his own room and shut the door, giving them privacy. Then, sitting next to Lindy, Nate settled his head on her shoulder. "I wish we had all gone to Hawaii. It sure would have been preferable to this crap." Lindy nodded, resting her head against his as she reached for her cell phone. She had started to tap in the phone number for her parents when there was a knock on the door. With a sigh she put the phone down, guessing who was on the other side. "Looks like it's time," she said. Nate groaned. Reluctantly urging her to her feet, he led the way towards the hall, knocking on the adjoining door to Mulder's room. The former agent joined them as Nate opened the door to Seth. "The empress would like to see you now," he said, formally. "I have been instructed not to take no for an answer." Lindy let out a deep sigh. "No, she wouldn't." She looked back at Nate and Mulder and then to Seth. "Well," she said with a confidence she didn't feel. "Take us to her." Falling in to the lead, Seth guided them to the elevators and then up to the penthouse suite. Lilith always had the most luxurious suite saved for herself and spared nothing. She would no doubt have dinner waiting...not that any of them felt like eating at the moment. Entering the suite, Seth gestured for them to sit in the living room while he poured them some drinks. That, at least, Nate thought, was a good idea. Lindy shook her head when Seth offered her a glass of wine. It wasn't that she didn't want the alcohol. It was more that she wasn't certain that she'd be able to keep it down. Instead she remained perched on the edge of the divan, waiting for Lilith to make the next move. As if her thoughts had summoned the vampiress, Lilith glided in to the room, a vision in amber colored silk. "Ah, I see our guests have arrived. So good of you to come. And you've brought along a guest of your own, I see. Please tell me this man has a reason for being here?" Lindy was ready for this question. "Mr. Mulder is a friend of my family's, as well as a witness to some of what has happened. And more importantly, he has a right to be here." Uncharacteristically quiet, Mulder nodded in agreement, smiling. He had just figured out how to extend his fangs at will, and did so to full effect. Lilith arched an eyebrow, but didn't look particularly impressed. She knew Lindy and Nathaniel weren't stupid, and wouldn't have brought Mulder to the Gathering unless there was a very good reason. "I think I'll refrain from asking the how and why questions for now," she said, smoothly. "I would, however, like to hear why your brother is not in attendance, Mr. Adrik." "It's Mr. Rudenko," Nate corrected, in an irritated tone. "And as for my brother, that is a question he would be better suited to answer. I don't know why he isn't here any more than I know why he disappeared from his home. He was simply here one day and gone the next." "And you expect me to believe he didn't say a word to you about where he was going?" Lindy shrugged her shoulders. "Anton and Nathaniel have been trying to grow closer, but there was a setback." She hoped that Lilith would interpret it that they had another falling out, and not that Anton and Bryn had gone into hiding. Lilith stared at her, trying to read something in her eyes. "And he packed up his family and simply left? No good-byes, no explanation to anyone? Forgive me if I think that sounds a bit odd." Lindy stared back cooly. "It's up to you if you believe it or not. At this time, we do not know where he is." "And his wife...she was working, was she not? Did she leave word with her employer about taking leave?" "She quit her job the day before they left," Nate said. "She'd been planning it for a while. I guess they decided to take a vacation now that she had the time off. They'll probably be back soon. We aren't worried. Why should you be?" "It is more than unusual for a councilman to disappear, Mr. Rudenko. Especially when a Gathering is due to commence. I cannot help being very concerned. Especially with his wife in such a delicate condition." Lindy nodded. "It's one of the reason's were worried. But I trust Anton's judgment about some things. He wouldn't risk Bryn's health. Perhaps they took a road trip before showing up here?" "Perhaps," Lilith said, quietly. Seth cast a glance at Seth before sitting down in her chair. "However, if he does not arrive before the ceremonies begin, that leaves a large hole in the council. I don't appreciate that sort of thing. For Anton Rudenko's sake, he better hope he shows up or he'll lose his position in the empire...as well as losing my protection." "Now, wait a minute," Nate said, narrowing his eyes. "You're threatening to pull back your guards just because Anton doesn't show up to a Gathering?" "It is not just the one circumstance, Nathaniel. He left without informing my guards of where he was going. How can they watch over his family if they don't know where he is?" Lindy blinked, a complete study of innocence. "But he told me that you had recalled your guards. That was why he hired Mr. Mulder." Uncharacteristically quiet, Mulder nodded. "So that might explain why he didn't tell you, Lilith," Lindy said with a slight shrug of her shoulders. "He always knew that they were watching him from a distance. Vandala should be enough proof of that." "You mean she's a spy, right, Lilith?" Nate asked, smirking. "She's a security expert. If she was not wanted, Mr. Rudenko could easily have her fired. It was his choice. Regardless, she is not to whom I was referring." Nate shifted uneasily in his chair. He wondered just how many people Lilith had watching Anton. And just what did they know? Lindy didn't shift, but was thinking very much the same thing. Hopefully they'd be able to wrap it up quickly. "Was there a reason for you to call us here, Lilith? Because we really do not wish to waste your valuable time, and we do need to prepare for the first meeting." "I was going to invite you to a private dinner...but by all means, if I'm holding you up, please go. I'm certain you have more important obligations." Lindy immediately sensed she had made a tactical error. Lilith was pissed off and suspicious enough without antagonizing her further. "My apologies, Lilith," she said, dipping her head like a wolf would to defer to a more senior pack member. "We just had no desire to infringe on your generosity." Sinking further in to his chair, Nate wished Lilith would just leave them alone. Lindy was right in wanting to leave. The longer they sat with the empress, the more chance there was of something going wrong. "On second thought, I think Seth and I will have a private dinner," Lilith said, still curt. "You are dismissed." Lindy nodded once and then rose smoothly. "We thank you for your hospitality, Empress." Once Mulder and Nate had stood as well, they left through the door that Seth had opened for them, Lindy's head held high. Once the door was shut though, she sagged visibly. "Let's get out of here, Nate." Unable to help laughing at the shell-shocked look on Mulder's face, Nate said, "First time meeting our illustrious leader?" "I've never...met someone so arrogant and selfish in my entire life." The combination of stress of the meeting and the stunned expression on Mulder's face finally got to Lindy. She started to giggle almost uncontrollably. Grinning, Nate rubbed the stress out the tense muscles in Lindy's neck. He was happy to hear her laugh, but still worried about the meeting with Lilith. She definitely had something planned. He didn't believe for a second that she was concerned about Anton's family...except maybe about Max and the unborn baby. She was definitely suspicious, and he didn't like that at all. "Luckily, her selfishness seems to be to our advantage at the moment. And I'm hungry. Shall we go get something to eat before the meeting?" Biting her tongue and managing to pull herself together, Lindy nodded her head. "I don't know about you guys, but after that meeting, I intend to skip dinner and just order dessert. Preferably something with a lot of liqueur in it." Seth stood in silence as Lilith fumed, her rage evident on her elegant face. Harsh lines carved her perfect skin, her eyebrows pulled together and her eyes narrowed to thin slits. "How dare she speak that way...to me!" Swallowing, Seth picked up the glasses their guests had used and started towards the bar. "They're lying. They know exactly where Anton and his wife are! I could see it in their eyes." "They why not call them on it?" he asked, quietly. "Shut up, Seth! When I need your input, I'll ask for it." Letting out a sigh, he set the glasses down and turned to look at her. It was strange to realize that the earlier conversation had left her almost impotent in her power. She didn't know what to do. Or where to begin. Watching her mind spin as she stared out the windows, he almost wished Rudenko would walk right in the room and end this mess before it began. "How do you know anything happened?" "Men don't just disappear," she murmured, seemingly having forgotten that she told him not to speak. "Not only did Anton go missing, but so did the werewolf and his wife's boss. That doesn't just happen." She turned her dark gaze on him. "And you said yourself that something happened in that office. The carpeting was replaced. As was the door. Just months after opening." "What made you suspicious enough to send me there in the first place?" "Don't be stupid, Seth. He's had death threats, and so has his wife." Seth blinked. "I know that. But she quit her job. They left. They took a vacation...and even took the werewolf along as a bodyguard. What's suspicious about that? And don't tell me it's because he's missing the Gathering. You sent me there long before that." She glared at him. "What are you getting at, Seth? Are you accusing me of something?" "No. I'm curious." "My intentions are just what I said they are. I'm worried about them, about the children. And I intend to make sure they're safe, whether the family is worried or not." She picked up the phone and began dialing. "I'll get to the bottom of this. I swear it." [She's the one who's lying,] Seth told himself. He'd had plenty of experience to tell him so. [And there's nothing you can do to prove it.] [Or is there?] It was hard to believe that she had only been here last year, and it had been a happy time. Lindy looked somewhat nervously at the Gathering of the vampires. Although she and Nathaniel weren't exactly being deliberately ignored, it seemed that they were being avoided by people. She had heard several conversations suddenly stop as she passed by, only to start up once she was presumably out of earshot. And she knew why. Rumors were already spreading about Anton and Bryn's absence. And she was afraid it was only going to get worse before it got better. Nate was feeling the strain as well, and didn't like it one bit. It wasn't exactly the first time he'd been shunned--that happened a lot when someone kept company with Natasha. But since she wasn't a part of their lives anymore, he wasn't accustomed to it. Taking a deep breath, he looked at the council on the dais and felt as if he were being watched by a group of vultures. "God, I hate this," he murmured, softly, to Lindy. "If it didn't look suspicious, I'd suggest we leave right now. It feels like we're about to be fed to the lions." "Don't give them any ideas," Lindy whispered back. She took a deep breath and watched the stage, waiting for any sign of Lilith to appear. As far as she was concerned, they had made their appearance here. And they could leave without staying for the ball Halloween evening. But they had to be here for Lilith's grand entrance. When the moment finally arrived, the splendor of the ceremony was slightly subdued. Lilith arrived in grand fashion, but didn't allow the crowd to linger with applause. "Please, be seated. We have an important matter that I feel is urgent enough to forestall the usual business." As soon as she'd seen that she had everyone's attention, she continued. "I have been informed that one of our elders has gone missing and is presumed to have met with foul deeds. Justinius was working in San Francisco when he disappeared, and happened to have employed the spouse of one of our North American Council members. As you can see, Anton Rudenko is absent from our proceedings this evening, and he is wanted for questioning in this matter. You are strongly encouraged to call the switchboard if you have any idea where Mr. Rudenko and his family are located. I have already spoken with his family, who have informed me he is on vacation at an undisclosed location. We want this matter resolved as soon as possible. The Imperial guard is investigating, and your regional advocates will inform you of any changes. Now, on to other business..." Lindy could feel the blood draining from her face the longer Lilith's speech went on. Her hand squeezed Nathaniel's tighter as she heard the low murmur of surprise move through the assembly. She could literally feel several sets of eyes resting on her skin. "Nate," she whispered, "I say we leave as soon as this meeting is over." Nate quietly cleared his throat. "Uh huh. And as soon as we got home, we're talking to your parents about taking a more pro-active approach to this. It sounds like it could get nasty." Lindy's eyes never left Lilith. It was times like this she wished she could summon the second sight she had at will. Anything to have some comfort that this would turn out okay. But as she looked at the stage, a cold shiver passed over her. "Somehow, Nate, I get the feeling it already has." 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