Chapter One Hundred Thirty-seven

They had barely touched down in Melbourne before they were whisked off to Lilith's estate. But unlike last time, they weren't being driven in limousines. This time they had been hustled into windowless black vans.

Anton couldn't tell if it was day or night. Every time he had made an attempt to speak, he had been backhanded, which upset Bryn and the children more. So he had stopped talking, and instead leaned against his wife, trying to stay close to her as long as he could.

With her arm firmly wrapped around Anton's shoulders, Bryn sat in relative silence, trying only to keep the children from crying. She hated every second of this and if not for the fact that Anton was cuffed to the seat, she would have tried to grab them all and make a break for it.

The drive lasted for about two hours. Anton was starting to wonder if he would ever feel his hands again when the van pulled to an abrupt stop. Anton flinched involuntarily when the door was opened, but it was either night, or they were inside a windowless garage

One of the guards stood up and gestured Bryn towards the door. The other reached over and undid the cuffs holding him to the seat. Much to his disappointment, his hands were restrained again. Roughly he was hauled to his feet and half pushed, half dragged out of the van.

"Don't hurt him, please. There hasn't been a trial yet. He's innocent." Bryn felt as if she were talking to herself. Gritting her teeth, she reached back in the van for Katerina's car seat and to help Max step down to the ground. Although the kids weren't crying anymore, they were still fearful. Max clung to her side as if afraid she would be taken away too. Following closely behind as the guards began to lead Anton away, Bryn suddenly gasped as the other guard stepped in her path. Anton, however, kept going. "Anton...I love you! We all do!"

Anton automatically turned to reply, and was shoved. "Get going," was growled at him.

The guards led them into the house. Anton had half expected to be led directly to the execution pit, but instead he was led into a hallway. It dead ended in a set of carved double doors. Without ceremony, or the chance to wipe the dried blood off of his face, Anton was led into the Grand Council's ceremonial chamber, and into Lilith's presence.

The room came to a quick hushed silence, and the members of the Grand Council parted like the Red sea before him. Looking far too smug for her own good, Lilith stepped forward and stared at Anton...and although she was definitely shorter than him, she stared him down quite effectively. "What have you got to say for yourself, Mr. Rudenko?"

Anton had been staring down at the ground, concentrating on not falling over. He took a deep breath and lifted his head, calling on an old training that Ivan had instilled in him and he rarely had used. "I have nothing to say," he spoke. "Until I know what I am being charged with."

"I think you know perfectly well," Lilith said, her voice becoming sharp. "You are being charged with the murder of a fellow vampire. As well as fleeing from justice and refusal to turn yourself over to the proper authorities."

Anton's head remained high. "It was not murder," he said. "I was defending my wife."

"Your adulterous wife? Are you certain you didn't kill Justinius out of jealousy?"

Anton jerked forward, and would have made it to Lilith if not for a guard grabbing his cuffed wrists and tugging him back. "You lie!" he hissed.

Entirely too amused, Lilith smirked at him. "I am only speculating, of course, but I'm sure the trial will bring out the truth. It really is too bad we don't have any proof your daughter is really *yours*."

Anton lunged again, and was jerked harder back. "That's simple enough. Do another blood test. Or are you afraid the results won't support your lie?"

Lilith laughed softly. "I have nothing to fear from you, Rudenko. You'll be gone quicker than I can blink."

Anton had no answer to that, because it was the truth. None of the council members sitting at the table behind Lilith had said a word.

Except Hadrian, who was rising to his feet. "Lilith, were you going to save the interrogation for the trial?"

Lilith turned and glared at Hadrian. The fact that he dared interrupt her made her seethe...and the fact that he was right made her even angrier. "Get this man out of my sight. He is a prisoner and has no business standing in my home."

The guards roughly jerked Anton backwards. His eyes caught Seth's for a split second. Was it his imagination, or did he see pity in his face before the impassive mask fell into place.

Following along behind the guards, Seth closed the doors on the council meeting and softly cleared his throat. "Let him go. If you're worried enough, you can follow us. But I'll take him."

The two guards exchanged looks. "He has to remain cuffed until he reaches his cell," the more senior of the two said. "And if he tries anything..." he added before stepping away. The tone of his voice indicated that it would be a violent reprisal, and that he was hoping that Anton would try something.

The moment the two guards were away, Anton turned his full attention to Seth. "Where's Bryn and the children?" he asked, realizing that he hadn't seen them since being forced out of the van.

"They're being taken to a private room. I'm sure she'll be given a nanny...although she may want to employ her own." He held Anton's gaze. "I'll make sure they're well taken care of. This is not the fate I would have wished for any of you."

"Thank you, Seth," he said, touched by the man's generosity. The expression of sympathy was a defiance against Lilith's probable orders that Anton hadn't realized that Seth had in him. And he decided to push his luck. "Is there any way you could get me pen and paper? I want to...." Anton couldn't verbalize the next words. Because he didn't believe he was actually going to say goodbye to his wife, his son, and his daughter.

Seth nodded. "I'll do whatever I can." He glanced back to where the guards still lingered, their gazes harsh. "We should get going. Lilith would be furious if she came out here and saw you."

"Of course." Anton let Seth guide him down the hall, not wanting to risk getting him in trouble. Seth probably knew Lilith's mind almost better than the Empress herself, and he asked the one question he was dreading. "How long do you think I have before the... execution?"

"I wish I could tell you. Lilith wants the trial to commence as soon as possible. And depending on how good a case your advocate presents..." Seth let out a sigh. "Hadrian will be able to tell you more. He will meet with you soon to discuss your case."

Anton nodded. There would be little time to prepare, perhaps even less time for the trial if Lilith had her way. "And my brother? His wife? Can you get word to them?"

"I'm afraid not. Lilith will be watching me closely. That will be up to your wife to make the call."

Anton nodded. Again, that was to be expected. Hopefully, Bryn would be given that chance. "And what are Lilith's plans once I'm gone?"

"I can't..." Seth was at a loss for words. "I don't know, Anton. I haven't wanted to ask."

Anton nodded sympathetically. "I understand." He didn't really need to ask. It would be too easy to guess. Lilith would take the children from Bryn and either dispose of her as a nuisance human, or see if she could breed her like some prized mare to another vampire. Both prospects made him sick to his stomach.

Seth led Anton to the heavy steel door that led to the underground holding cells. The steps beyond were dark, and a damp stench wafted up to them. Flipping a switch, Seth managed to illuminate the space somewhat, but not enough to make a difference. Directing Anton to go first, Seth followed shortly behind. "First cell on the right. I wish it were better accommodations, but Lilith has never been generous to her prisoners."

"Thank you, Seth." Without a fuss, Anton stepped into the dank cell. There was a cot and a blanket, as well as a rickety table. And a window fitted with steel shutters and bars that Anton guessed could be opened at a moment's notice to deal with an unruly prisoner. "Please, do one thing for me? Tell Bryn and the children that I love them. And that I'm sorry."

Seth nodded. "I will." Stepping outside of the cell, he closed the barred door and even flinched a bit at the hard clank of metal on metal. "Stay strong, Anton. Don't let her see you riled...or she'll eat you alive."

Anton nodded. He watched Seth turn and walk down the hallway he had just been led. And rarely had he felt so alone in his life.

It had started like a regular night. She didn't have any warning dreams. Everything was normal, or what passed for normal for them now that Anton and Bryn were gone. Lindy sighed as she hung up the phone. Her mother seemed a bit distracted by something as they made plans to have dinner together. But Jess seemed like that a lot lately, as if there were always something else on her mind.

She looked over at her husband, who was playing with their son on the floor. "They'll be over around 9:00 PM."

Nate nodded absently. He wasn't really in the mood for company, but having their family close was reassuring these days. And luckily, the werewolves didn't seem any more in the mood for meaningful conversation than he was. Hearing the phone ring again, he grunted. "They're probably calling to ask what to bring for dessert."

Lindy automatically reached for the phone. She was almost constantly on the phone at work, covering for Anton and explaining why he was gone. Or fielding calls from concerned employees. So she automatically slipped into her professional mode as the receiver neared her ear. "Hello?"

"Lindy...I need you to get a pen and a piece of paper right now. I don't know how long I'll be able to stay on the phone. They don't know I have Anton's cell, or they'd take it away from me." Bryn's voice was hushed and urgent, slightly breathless as she tried to convey her needs while hushing two young children. "We really need you right now. I need you to contact every ally you can find, and get yourselves to Australia on the quickest flight available."

"Bryn?" She waved at Nate, snapping her fingers to trying to get his attention, making a motion like she was writing on an imaginary piece of paper with an invisible pen. A stab of joy went through her at hearing her friend's voice, until she realized what it meant. "They found you," she said with a chill in her voice.

Nate immediately jumped up and got her a pen and pad of paper. Then he grabbed his own cell phone and called the werewolves to let them know what was happening.

"I don't have time to explain," Bryn said. "Alex isn't with us. He was hurt, Lindy. I don't know what happened to him after he left, but he and Petunia are still in Kauai. You need to get someone to them as fast as you can. And we need someone here to watch the kids. I don't trust anyone else to do this. I really need you."

That didn't sound good at all. "We'll be there as soon as we can. And we'll see if we can find out what happened to Alex and Petunia." She started to scribble down notes. "Where are you right now, Bryn? Lilith's place? Or are they holding you somewhere else?"

"We're at Lilith's. I don't know where Anton is. They're holding him somewhere. I'm in one of the bedrooms with the kids. They have a guard outside the door and there's no way for us to escape. Even if I could, I wouldn't leave without Anton." Her voice broke on his name, but she quickly pushed on. "I need you to get Hadrian. And...call Mina Harker. I know that sounds crazy, but trust me. I don't know where to find her, but I really need her help. They're going to have a trial, any time now. And I don't think there's any way we can win."

"Wait a second... *the* Mina Harker?" Lindy shook her head as she scribbled the name as well as Hadrian. They didn't have time now to question why she was being asked to contact a person she thought was a fictional character. "We'll do that right away," she said, hoping that Nate knew how to reach her.

"We need people who can testify to Anton's character. People who know he wouldn't kill a vampire unless he was pushed. And...Anne. I might need her before this is over. I know Lilith is going to try to get to the kids somehow, and...I don't know what to do. I just don't know what to do. We didn't exactly plan for this. We couldn't, without letting everyone know where we were. And now I'm clueless without him."

"I know. We'll start calling his friends, anyone who knows him should be willing to testify for him." Lindy wished there was a way to bring his human employees in to testify without revealing their secret. "How are you hanging in, Bryn? I'm worried about you."

Bryn let out a quiet sob. "Not very well. I'm so scared, Lindy. And so are the kids. They don't know what's going on, and I don't know how to help them. They want their dad...and I can't bring myself to tell them he's not coming back."

And Lindy couldn't think that either. She glanced over at Nate, certain that he hadn't considered it either. None of them wanted to think that Anton was not coming back. "We're going to do our best, Bryn. You're not alone in this. We'll get there as soon as we can."

"Keep your phone close. I'll try to call again if I can. And Lindy, I'm sorry about Alex. I hope he's okay."

"Thanks. We'll get a message to you directly or through Hadrian when we find out about Alex. I miss you, Bryn. We all miss you."

"I miss you, too. I'll see you soon. Bye."

Watching as Lindy hung up the phone, Nate impatiently moved closer. "Your parents are on their way over. What's going on...aside from the obvious?"

"Lilith found them," she answered, looking at her scribbled notes. "Bryn snuck a phone call on Anton's cell, and is going to try again. She's at Lilith's estate, and she thinks Anton's being held there too. And she's not sure when the trial will be." Lindy took a deep breath, trying to blink back tears that were steadily forming as she spoke. "Alex was hurt, and isn't with them. Bryn's not sure what happened to him."

Nate wrapped an arm around Lindy, kissing her forehead. He wanted to tell her that Alex would be okay, that he was probably just knocked unconscious. But if Bryn was already calling from Australia, that meant nine hours has passed since Alex was hurt. He would have called by now.

"We're going to get to him, Lind. As soon as Walter and Jess get here, we'll figure everything out. I promise."

Lindy shivered and clung to him tightly. "I'm afraid, Nate. I'm afraid that he's dead, and that soon Anton will be." Every fear that she had since that horrible night that Bryn was attacked suddenly had become very real.

Nate didn't have anything to say to that. All he could do was hug her tighter and stare at the list of requests Bryn had given her. [Don't do this to me, Anton. You can't leave now. I'm not ready.]

Face pressed to his shoulders, Lindy let out a sob. "I don't know how I'm going to tell this to Mom and Walter."

"Tell us what?" The werewolves had entered the room silently, and exchanged worried looks. "What happened?" Jess asked.

"We don't know, exactly." Nate licked his lips, buying time. "Alex wasn't with Anton and Bryn when they were taken. He's still in Hawaii. And they don't know if he's okay or not. He's had nine hours to call. I think he would have done that by now, if he were in any shape to do so."

"Wait one moment," Walter said. "Anton and Bryn were captured?"

"Damn it. That's what I've got to have been picking up." Jess said, running her fingers through her bangs. "I've been uneasy for the last few hours. I think I'm getting something from that link with Max."

"We need plane tickets. Someone needs to check on Alex, and the rest of us need to head to Australia right away. Plus there are phone calls to make and luggage to pack. We don't have time to sit around asking questions. Lilith isn't going to wait. She'll want to execute Anton as soon as possible."

"Right," Walter said. "I think we should also leave Liam and Amanda here with Anne and Michael The kids don't need to be involved."

Lindy nodded, and slowly pulled away from Nate's chest. "Let's start making calls."

Nate grabbed her wrist, raising his voice slightly so he had their attention. "I'm sorry about Alex. He never should have been involved. This was about my family and it should have stayed that way. If anything has happened to him..."

Jess reached forward and put her hand on his shoulder. "We're all family," she reminded him.

Lindy nodded. "He wouldn't have sat by idly. He would have gone even if we had told him no."

Clearing his throat, Nate nodded. "He's a good man. We're lucky to have him."

"Yeah," Jess said, mind clearly elsewhere. She seemed to snap out of it quickly. "I'll call my brother and see if he can baby sit. Walter and I will check out the house in Hawaii and then meet you in Australia. Hopefully we'll have something we can use to prove that Anton was set up by then."

"I pray it's that easy."

Anton was no longer certain if it was day or night. There was no sense of time in the cell. It was bare other than a utilitarian metal bunk bolted to the wall- nothing wooden to break into stakes and commit suicide with. Not that Anton planned to kill himself. Not while he still had one ray of hope.

But in the cell there was nothing to do but brood over what happened. He turned over in his mind his capture. What he had done wrong and could have done to hide better. But mostly he thought about the fact that somewhere on this compound was his wife, son, and daughter, and he couldn't get to them to protect them.

When the two guards came to his cell, Anton thought that Lilith had decided to forgo a sham of a trial and quietly execute him. He was handcuffed and led from his dank cell to an elevator. Both guards stared straight ahead silently, and he didn't bother asking where he was being taken.

So he was pleasantly surprised when he found himself being taken to another secure room. Unlike his cell, here there was a steel table bolted to the floor, as well as two brushed metal chairs also bolted to the floor. There he was told to sit and one hand cuffed to a table leg. And then the guards left. He was alone again with his thoughts, though now in much nicer surroundings.

A few minutes later, the door opened to admit another man who crossed the room