Chapter One Hundred Thirty-eight Anton knew the moment he stepped into the chamber, that Lilith had already made her decision. He glanced at Hadrian, as he was led, still bound, to a lectern. His handcuffs were then fastened to the posts, ensuring he would be unable to escape. Hadrian's expression wasn't hopeful, but it was resolute, clear that he was going to do his best to convince the Grand Council to spare Anton's life. He processed that all in a moment. Then Anton's mind turned to more important matters - such as if he could get one glimpse of Bryn in the gallery. Lilith cleared her throat. "I think we all know why we're here. For those of you who have not attended an empire trial before, I'll tell you that it is nothing so formal as a human trial. We aren't bound by the same laws. Instead of a jury of his peers, our defendant will face me alone. Members of various councils will sit in on the proceeding to offer their opinions, but the ultimate decision belongs to the empress. Mr. Rudenko has been provided with an advocate to plea his case. The empire will bring it's own evidence in to play. This is a trial to decide the possible extermination of one of our kind. I do not expect anyone to take this lightly, and anyone causing unrest during this trial will be immediately removed. Therefore, we will proceed with the case of Anton Rudenko, who is accused with the murder of his fellow vampire, Justinius, without provocation or attempt to seek imperial justice. Mr. Rudenko is also charged with fleeing while under suspicion of guilt. Punishment for such a crime is exsanguination, followed by beheading and exposure to sunlight. Mr. Celanto, you may state your case." "Thank you, empress." Hadrian took a step away from Anton, better to address the Council and Lilith. "There is no question that Mr. Rudenko killed Justinius. He has never attempted to hide or deny that fact. What is in question is if the act was committed without provocation. For those of you who have known him for any length of time, know well that he is one of the most patient of vampires. Nor is he known to go rogue and act on his own - his many appeals on record to this very Council regarding Natasha Falconieri and Nathaniel Rudenko, then Adrik, prove that fact. And given the Council's actions in the past to his pleas, is it any wonder that he would flee?" "Did Mr. Rudenko not know our rules, councilor? They clearly state that all disputes will brought before the empress, and she alone will determine if lethal force is necessary." "And what was to be done to stop an attack in progress? Somehow I doubt that Justinius would have halted his assault to await your ruling." "Do tell me, councilor, just what attack would that be? Perhaps it would be best if you took us through the events as they happened." "That attack would be the attempted rape of his wife," Hadrian said. "The event that provoked him was walking into his wife's place of work, finding her body guard drained of blood and to the point of death, and Justinius manhandling his wife." Anton, meanwhile, was still scanning the gallery, looking for any hint that Bryn was here. He was hoping to see her, but dreading the thought of her witnessing this at the same time. "So he says. I do hope you plan to bring forward witnesses of this supposed crime? The man who was drained, perhaps?" "No," Hadrian said. "But I would call a witness to the stand, who is waiting outside." Hadrian gestured to an assistant, who hustled to the doors and opened them. Anton turned his head eager to catch a glimpse of Bryn... ...only to see Fox Mulder standing there. Whispering began spreading across the room before Lilith quickly silenced them all. With a suddenly sharper edge to her voice, she said, "Mr. Celanto, I trust you have a good reason for bringing this man to our court room. It better be very good." Hadrian gestured Mulder forward and nodded to the Empress. "A very good one, Lilith. As I said earlier, he was a witness to the attack. He was attacked himself as well." "Are you to tell me that this man who has been hunting us for years is now a vampire himself?" Lilith sneered at him. "You deserve to be in that pit yourself, Mr. Mulder." Hadrian had warned Mulder about this possible reaction. "In all my years searching for the proof of your... our existence, I never intended harm." "Tell that to the boy you staked," Lilith grated out. Fixing her glare on Hadrian, she said, "Get on with it. I want this man out of here as soon as possible." "Now wait a moment." Mulder said. "He attacked me--" Hadrian gestured to cut Mulder off. "Mulder, do you remember the night you were Transformed? Can you tell us what lead to that event?" "I was helping Sabryn Rudenko pack her office when I was attacked by a vampire I knew as a mortal by the name of Justin Steel." Slipping quietly through the doorway while Lilith's attention was elsewhere, Bryn sat down on one of the back benches and tried to remain inconspicuous. Although Lilith had tried her hardest to keep Bryn from attending her own husband's trial, that wasn't going to stop her. She was tired and stressed, after not having slept since they arrived. She'd been making preparations and trying to find a trustworthy nanny to watch the children. Even now, she didn't want to be away from them for long. But she couldn't let Anton go through this alone. If there were any possible way to be in two places at once, she would have. Seeing Anton cuffed to that stand, she felt her heart ache. He looked just as tired and haggard as she felt. He hadn't been able to change his clothes or shower before the trial. It looked as if he was having trouble even standing up. [Hang on, sugar. I'm here.] As Mulder continued talking about being attacked by Justinius, Anton continued to scan the crowd. And his heart gave a leap when he saw her in the crowd, and then sank when he realized that she was a prisoner just as much as he was. His eyes remained fixed on her through the rest of Mulder's statement. Anton only started to pay attention when he heard the man say, "...and when I came to, I was drinking Nathaniel Rudenko's blood." Hadrian nodded and then turned to Lilith and the council members. "Are there any questions?" "Why should we believe the word of this man?" Lilith asked. "What makes him so trustworthy now? Our kind have avoided him for years, and suddenly because he is a vampire himself, we should believe him on faith?" "Because all those years you have avoided me, I've been searching for one thing." Mulder's gaze held the Empress' evenly. "Whether it be aliens or ghosts or werewolves or vampires. I've searched for the truth." "You are excused, Mr. Mulder. Thank you for your testimony." Lilith watched him go, her gaze narrowing even more as she saw him pass Bryn. But unwilling to make a scene and interrupt the proceedings, she turned her attention to Hadrian. "You may call your next witness, Mr. Celanto." From that point Hadrian called three character witnesses, all who spoke about Anton's temper. All agreed that it would have taken an extraordinary act for him to kill a fellow vampire. And much to Anton's relief, the incident with his ex-wife's lover was not brought up. No one but Bryn knew about that attack, but it would damage his defense even though he hadn't actually attacked his former secretary until he had hurt Alexandra. Watching yet another witness to step down from the stand, Lilith sighed heavily. "Now that we all know what a supposed saint your client is, Mr. Celanto, do you have any other witnesses to call?" "Actually, I have two more, Lilith. Mr. Rudenko himself, but I'll call the other witness first." He turned his attention to the crowd of spectators. "Is Mrs. Sabryn Rudenko present? "You're bringing a human before my court, Mr. Celanto? I can't say I approve of this at all. I'm sure the councilors would agree." Bryn stood up. "I am here, and I'll gladly take the stand. I know very well why Lilith doesn't want me here." Lilith smiled grimly. "If you're willing to face such scrutiny, Mrs. Rudenko, by all means. Take the stand." Anton watched as Bryn strode forward. His chains rattled as he involuntarily reached for her as she passed by. "Love you, my dear," he whispered. Hadrian kept his voice gentle. "Mrs. Rudenko, I know this may be painful for you, but can you tell me what happened the night that Anton killed Justinius?" She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them to concentrate on Anton's face. "I had gone to work at the gallery early in the afternoon. It was my last day. I had given J--he went by the name Justin Steel then. I had given him two weeks notice before then, and I was packing up my office to go home. I wanted to stay home with my children. I was going to have my second child in three months." She swallowed heavily. "I-I was putting away my things in a box, and then I gave them to Mr. Mulder to take to my car. I had been receiving threats from a former girlfriend of my husband, and we thought the threats were serious enough for me to need a bodyguard. So Mr. Mulder was happy to do that for me. I felt safe at the gallery, not only because Mulder was there, but also because Justin had been so kind to me." Hadrian nodded as she spoke. "And did you know at that time that Justin Steel, as he told you to call him, was a vampire." When Bryn shook her head, he continued. "I know that there are rumors going around," he said with a sharp glance at the Empress. "Rumors stating that you and Justinius were lovers. Is there any truth to them?" "No. Absolutely not. I have never been with any man but my husband. I love him more than anything in the world. We're very happy, deliriously happy, and I've never had a single reason or desire to look elsewhere. I wouldn't want to hurt him at all." Hadrian smiled and maintained a deceptively relaxed pose. "Now, you said that you and Mr. Mulder were emptying your office, and that you felt safe there. What happened when Justinius came to your office that evening?" "I...everything was put away and I had said goodbye to everyone but Justin. I was going to speak to him last, because he meant a lot to me. He had given me a chance and made me feel confident. It was my first real job. And he--he was already standing in my doorway. Blocking it. He...he started talking to me, and it started to sound so angry. He said something about it being unfair, that I was having another baby...and that he wished it was his." "So he knew that you were the wife of a vampire, and pregnant with a vampire's child. And he was threatening you. Did you know where Mr. Mulder was at this time?" She shook her head, her eyes growing moist. "I kept hoping he would come up behind Justin, but he never did. And when Justin entered the room, he shut and locked the door behind him. He wouldn't let me get anywhere near it. He just kept crowding me towards my desk, and telling me that it was his turn now. And he...started yanking at my clothes." "Would you like a minute?" Hadrian asked when he saw how upset she was. At the shake of her head, he continued, coming to the important part of the story. "Is that when your husband arrived?" Bryn shook her head. "We fought. I tried so hard to get away from him, to get him off of me, but he was too strong. He tied up my wrists and forced my legs open. He was getting ready to pull my underwear down when Anton came in. I didn't hear him at first...but suddenly Justin's weight wasn't on me anymore, and I hurried to get off the desk. I couldn't believe someone had saved me. I thought I was still in danger." "So you were in danger when Anton arrived. You were about to be raped when your husband attacked him." Hadrian then looked at the Council. "I have no further questions for this witness." Lilith gave a small smile as Hadrian sat down. "Mrs. Rudenko...you testified that you hurried to get off the table as soon as you were free, correct?" "Yes." "And where did you go, once you left the table? You were still tied, were you not?" "I hid under my desk, where the chair goes. I was still tied." "So, hiding under your desk and unable to see the events that followed, how do you know what happened?" "I could hear them. I heard Anton struggling with him. I heard him fall." "Heard. I see. Wouldn't you say it would be possible, given how distressed you were, for you to misinterpret the events that followed? That you might have assumed your husband killed in self-defense, when it was really more of a vicious attack?" "No," Bryn said, becoming angry. "I know what happened, because I heard them. And I know my husband. He had no reason to attack Justin before that day. He had no feelings towards him whatsoever. He attacked because he saw me almost get raped." "Are you certain he was not walking in on you and your lover having a tryst in your office?" "No! I was being attacked!" "And whose word do we have on that? Yours, who cannot be corroborated otherwise, or your husband's, who is facing death if he is guilty?" "Mulder was there. He was attacked, too. He told you what happened." "He told us what his employer wanted him to." "That's not true!" Lilith glared at her. "This witness is dismissed." Hadrian stood again. "One last question, if I may, Empress." He walked over to Bryn. "Mrs. Rudenko, you were hiding under the table when the attack was over. What was your first reaction on seeing your husband?" "I was afraid. I tried to crawl further under the table, because I thought he might be Justin. I thought it might be someone trying to hurt me again. I didn't really believe it was him." "So you reacted in fear, because you were afraid of getting caught by Justin." He gave Bryn a gentle nod and a smile. "You're excused to take your place in the gallery, but I reserve the right to recall you." Hadrian had no intention to, but with those words, he prevented Lilith from dismissing her outright. All the time, Anton had watched, emotions naked on his face. Sorrow at hearing Bryn's fear. Anger as Lilith accused her of being unfaithful. And worry about what he would face when he was called. Which Hadrian did almost before Bryn had taken her seat. Crumpling in to her seat, Bryn squeezed her eyes closed and wished she had Anton to hold her close. Those memories were far more painful to endure without his sweet words and gentle touches to coax her back to reality. And now he had to go through the same hell, or far worse, because it was his own fate in Lilith's hands. Bryn wanted to believe that he had a chance, that Lilith might excuse him and they could all go home. But a deeper despair was settling in her stomach, and she couldn't shake the dread that this was one of the last times she'd see him still breathing. Taking a deep breath, Anton began to answer Hadrian's questions. He told a story pretty much identical to Bryn's - that he had found Justinius bent over her, about to rape her. He hadn't even realized the man was a vampire until that moment. And that his attack was to defend his wife, not to punish a rival lover. And the moment that Hadrian turned to Lilith to indicate it was her turn felt like the sickening moment before a roller coaster took the first big plunge. "Have you ever been cheated on before, Mr. Rudenko?" "Yes, by a former wife and a former lover." "Twice? Then I imagine it would make you infuriated to see it happen to you again. Tell me, what would you do to the other man, if you ever found your wife cheating on you?" Anton sensed the trap. "If he were human, I would drain him. If he were a vampire, well, ask Nathaniel." Lilith smiled. "You were cheated on with your own brother? That's very unfortunate. Tell us, what happened between you and your brother after that occurred. I can't imagine you were close." "We were not, for almost nine hundred years," Anton said softly. "We've just recently reconciled." They only had a year together to learn how to act like brothers again. One precious year, and that was too short of a time. He returned to Lilith's question. "Several times, I asked the Council to punish both Nathaniel and Natasha. But not for the infidelity. I asked them to be punished for their role in Ivan's murder." "But what a good way to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak." Lilith smirked. "Tell me, Mr. Rudenko, why is that you would treat a vampire differently than a human where infidelity is involved? Could it be because you know very well how the empire frowns upon its subjects for breaking the rules? The very rules you are now accused of breaking anyway?" "Because in this situation, Natasha and Nathaniel were willing participants. Alexandra had been hurt by her human lover. And Sabryn was being violently attacked. Somehow I doubt that Justinius would have stopped if I had told him to wait for your judgment." "And you had absolutely no chance to wound him and get away?" That was a question Anton had asked himself - if he could have avoided this? "No. I doubt I could have. He was between myself and Bryn." Perhaps he could have, he chastised himself, but he hadn't really tried. Had he even wanted to? "Mr. Rudenko, do you think I should excuse everyone who kills a vampire, or just you? Do you have any idea how many deaths we would have if everyone went around killing at their leisure and then proclaiming themselves innocent because of circumstances? Too many to count. Then the security camera tape mysteriously disappears, much to your advantage. How are we to know you did not take it yourself, to cover up the truth?" Anton bristled at the Empress' words. It was a losing battle, and he knew it. "I did not take the video tape. Why would I since it would help prove that Bryn was attacked?" "So you say. I'm sure you know that Justinius was a former lover of Natasha...who was a former lover of yours. I'm certain the council would be interested to know that." Glancing at Hadrian, she added, "I have no further questions for this witness. Do you wish to redirect, Mr. Celanto?" "Yes, I do." Hadrian walked back to in front of Anton. "Mr. Rudenko, when you found your wife, what was your first thought?" Anton answered without hesitation. "I had to do whatever it took to protect her." "So it wasn't revenge against a man who had a relationship with a vampiress you hadn't slept with in nine hundred years, but the impulse to protect your wife who was being physically harmed." Letting that sink in, Hadrian stepped away. "I Have no further questions." "The witness is excused. Do you have any further witnesses, Mr. Celanto?" "No, empress." "Then I will call Seth Christos to the stand." The room took on a hushed silence as Lilith's assistant strode in to the room and took his place behind the podium. He cast a nervous glance at Anton before turning his attention to Lilith. "Seth...you arrived in San Francisco little more than a week after Justinius' disappearance, did you not?" "That's correct." "And what gave you the impression that he met with foul play?" "At first, nothing appeared to be out of place. It simply looked as if Justinius...or Justin Steel, had never shown up to open the gallery. But as we went inside, we took a closer look. The carpet in Sabryn Rudenko's office had been replaced, and there was evidence that a great deal of blood had once been shed on the floor." "By 'we', you mean you and my security detail?" "Correct." "Were you able to contact anyone who might know where Justinius was?" "No. He had no friends in the area. We couldn't even locate where he was living." "Why is that?" "His records at the gallery were all under the name Justin Steel. An assumed name. The address he used was a fake. He used a Post Office box for his mail, and he drew no salary from his work." "Why would someone do that?" "Most likely for nefarious reasons. Perhaps he had intended to attack Mrs. Rudenko all along." Lilith narrowed her eyes. "Supposedly attack her. What other reason would the man do such a thing?" "Maybe he just preferred his privacy." "What else did you find in the gallery, Seth?" "The security tape was missing. The housing of recording device had been pried open with a screw driver or something similar. All of the surfaces in Justin's office and Mrs. Rudenko's office had been wiped clean, along with the main doors to the gallery." "Tell me, Seth...does that sound like the actions of someone who has something to hide?" Seth glanced uncertainly at Anton. "It doesn't exactly sound innocent, but given how Anton--" "That is all, Seth. I have no further questions for you." "I do have a few questions Seth." Hadrian stepped close to the Secretary to the Empire. "You started to say 'given how Anton--' Would you please complete that thought?" Seth glanced at the empress, looking reluctant to speak. "Given...how Anton was probably worried about his wife, I don't think he was the one who cleaned up the place." "Then you suspect someone else?" Lilith interrupted. "I don't suspect anyone...I just don't think it was Anton." 'Come now, Seth. Even you must have someone in mind." "No, Lilith. Actually, my mind has been more occupied with the tasks at hand. You keep me very busy." Lilith glared at him. Sensing that it was a good place to halt, that hopefully some doubt had been placed in the minds of the Council. Lilith may make the final decision, but some pressure from the other elders might force her to show mercy and come up with an alternative punishment. "I have no further questions." "The witness may step down." Lilith watched Seth leave the room before saying, "I would like to Hadrian Celanto to the stand." "Excuse me?" Hadrian had clearly not expected to be called as a witness. Anton looked concerned, and there was a low murmur among the Council. "Lilith, this is highly unusual," Edward protested. "And so is this case, Edward. I believe Hadrian can provide some insights that would be valuable to our judgment." Edward looked to be about to protest more, but Hadrian put up one hand. "I acquiesce to our Empress' request." Taking a deep breath to steel himself, Hadrian took the stand. "Mr. Celanto...what are your duties as a councilman?" "To serve the Empire to the best of my ability," Hadrian began, not quite certain where Lilith was going with this. "It is my duty and honor to maintain rule and order among my assigned section of the Empire, and to act as Advocate when the need arises." "Isn't it true that one of your roles is report the violation of the empire's rules to the council as soon as possible?" Now he saw where she was going. He was about to be punished for his role as the defender of the accused. "Yes, it is." "As a councilor. Just like Anton Rudenko. It is his duty. And yet he clearly neglected to do so. Isn't that so, Mr. Celanto?" "Yes, it would be his duty," Hadrian was forced to admit. "In a perfect world, he would have apprehended Justinius and bound him over for trial." "In a perfect world, he would have followed the rules and avoided censure. I have no further questions. You are dismissed." Without a further word, Hadrian took his place back at the defense table. Anton had not so much as made one sound, only a part of his attention on his trial. The other part was solely focussed on Bryn, willing her to be strong for all their sakes. Without a further word, Hadrian took his place back at the defense table. Anton had not so much as made one sound, only a part of his attention on his trial. The other part was solely focussed on Bryn, willing her to be strong for all their sakes. "The empire would like to call Daniel Messier to the stand." Confused, Bryn turned to watch a new witness walk through the door. Her heart sank as she recognized one of the scouts who had come to capture them at the house in Hawaii. Swallowing heavily, she watched as he headed for the podium and took his place. "Mr. Messier, you are part of my security detail, are you not?" "Yes, empress." "And what have your duties been regarding the Rudenko case?" "I was assigned to reacquire Mr. Rudenko and his family, and return him to Australia for trial and sentencing." "Can you tell us what happened?" "We had found the suspect's trail when the wife's doctor, Anne Leahs, returned to her home in early January. Her flight records showed that she had been in Kauai. After establishing that she had no known family on the island, we moved in to investigate. We found the home where Mr. Rudenko and his family had been staying. Jameson and I made the decision to move on the case as soon as possible." "And what happened when you and Mr. Jameson entered the property?" "We found the family hiding in a closet in the back room. Jameson was shot in the chest with a nine-millimeter bullet almost immediately. I was hit from behind and knocked unconscious. I later found out that it was a werewolf guard that had hit me and broken my neck." Lilith shook her head. "I can't imagine waking up to that must have felt good." "That is an understatement, empress." "What else did you find on the property, besides the gun?" "A pile of whittled stakes were also waiting in the closet." Lilith was quiet, letting the audience absorb the information. "Mr. Rudenko was prepared to use lethal force against a vampire?" "It appeared so, yes." Anton knew that didn't look good for him at all. But he and Bryn had followed Alex's advice, just in case Justin had followers under orders to take care of anyone who harmed him. Or if worse came to worst if Lilith's minions found them. "The empire has no further questions, Mr. Messier." "I have a few questions." Hadrian stood paced back and forth, as if thinking how best to phrase it. "Mr. Messier, did you at any time see a stake in Mr. Rudenko's hand during your raid?" "No, I didn't. I was too busy staring at a close-up of the floor as I willed my neck to heal." The audience chuckled softly. "By the time I was able to get up, Jameson had disarmed them." "So you don't know that Mr. Rudenko was going to use them. You don't know that he even knew about their existence. He had a toddler who could probably have gotten into them and caused a potential disaster. For all you know, the werewolf had stashed them without Mr. Rudenko's knowledge." Hadrian tilted his head to one side. "What happened to Mr. Alex Krycek, by the way?" "He was left in the home. We had no use for him anymore." "Left in the home?" Hadrian raised his eyebrows in disbelief. "How did you manage that? Did you give him a doggie treat and tell him to be a good boy and stay?" Messier narrowed his eyes. "He was injured. Maybe even dead. I don't really know. Or care." "So you were prepared to use lethal force against a werewolf who had merely incapacitated you. I'm certain he could have staked you where you lay once you were on the floor." He turned away walking back to where Anton was chained. "I have no further questions." Lilith, looking perturbed, finally said, "You are dismissed, Mr. Messier." As he stepped away from the podium, Lilith looked at the other council members present. "We will now recess to deliberate the case. Mr. Rudenko will be returned to his cell until the verdict is returned." The two burly guards who had dragged Anton in earlier grabbed an arm while a third unlocked him from the podium. Anton's attention was focused on his wife as he was manhandled back down the aisle. "Bryn," he called out. He didn't get the chance to add 'I love you' before one of the guards backhanded him, telling him to shut up. "No!" Covering her mouth to keep from crying out in anguish, Bryn held his gaze and reached out for him as he was dragged past. Her hand grabbed hold of his arm before she was pushed aside and forced to let go. "I love you, sugar," she said, quickly, before he disappeared out the doors. He heard her words, felt her touch on his arm. But his attempt to linger near her was futile. He was weaker than usual from having missed one of his regular feedings. But his face remained stoic as he was herded back to his cell. His life was now measured in hours. Anton knew that. Lilith would see to it that he was punished for killing the vampire who had attacked his wife. But at least he had a chance to see her one last time. She sat in the huge white tub, soaking in hot water she couldn't feel. It was the night before his execution and she was getting ready to shave her legs. Or that was the excuse she gave herself for having his straight razor sitting on the ledge next to her. Her sad, watery eyes gazed in its direction, thinking...how easy it would be to pretend she'd only cut herself shaving. How simple to let the blade sink deeper than she'd ever intended, until the bleeding was impossible to stop. She could clearly see herself rising from the tub, pain like an exclamation mark on her every step, hurrying to the phone to call for help. And yet not moving so quickly. Energy draining from her body as quickly as the blood leaving puddles in her wake. Her hands would reach for the phone, but it would fall from her slippery grasp. By the time help reached her, she would be drifting away. She wouldn't have to watch him die. Maybe she could even be waiting on the other side to greet him. Bryn squeezed her eyes shut, dipping her chin to her chest as a sob broke from her lips. The light breeze from the exhaust fan above stirred her hair and made her shiver. [Don't you know I would rather die than be so all alone?] Leaving the children was an unforgivable sin, and she despised herself for even imagining it. Even if a part of her treacherous mind wondered if Lilith couldn't give them a better life. They would be rich beyond their wildest dreams. Exalted. Worshipped. Maybe not loved the way she could...but would it really do them good to be with a mother who was only a shell of her former self? Without Anton, part of her would always be missing. And if Lilith had her way, the children would be taken from her anyway. Yet even as she told herself this, Kat's cry shook her from her dreary thoughts and had her scrambling from the tub. She briskly rubbed herself down before donning her robe and heading back to the bedroom. Bryn plucked the baby off the bed and held her close, settling near Max's sleeping form as well. They were still hers, for now at least, and no one else was going to touch them. "It's not over yet," she told herself. And until it was, she wasn't letting go She was taking advantage of Mina Harker's company while she could. Now that all of the calls had been made, and no amount of pleading would get Lilith to let her see Anton, Bryn had nothing to do. She was slowly going crazy. She thought about calling her mother, but there was no way she could explain things without her family freaking out. That was the last thing she could handle. So instead, She and Mina sat on the couch, playing a game of cards and nibbling on butter cookies Mina watched Sabryn over the cards, worried. All this waiting couldn't be good for any of them. And she wasn't certain why Lilith was taking so long to announce her decision. It was almost like the Empress was toying with the Rudenkos, and that wasn't a good sign. A friendship had slowly developing between the two women. And Mina had sensed that Bryn had needed a friend badly. She remembered the loneliness waiting for Lilith to announce Vlad's fate. And she had already been Transformed. To face it as a mortal, knowing she was being cheated out of the chance at eternity at the fangs of her beloved, would have driven her mad. A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Mina looked from her cards to it, puzzled. "Were you expecting anyone, Sabryn?" Bryn slowly stood up, dreading who might be on the other side of the door. If it was Lilith, come to deliver her decision, Bryn wasn't sure she wouldn't try to scratch the woman's eyes out. Casting a nervous glance at Mina, she forgot to hide her cards as she set them down. "I don't know..." With that, she headed to open the door. Mina shifted on the couch, unconsciously tensing and preparing to come to the children's defense. But the last thing she expected was who was standing on the other side of the door. She had been expecting Seth, or perhaps one of the other Council members. But she didn't recognize the blond woman or the brunette man. "Lindy..." Bryn said, almost breathless. "Nate. I'm so happy to see you." Nearly before she finished the sentence, her legs began to collapse beneath her. If not for Nate's quick reflexes, she would have fallen to the floor. Lindy lunged also. "I wish we were seeing each other for a different reason," she said, wrapping an arm around Bryn's waist to guide her to the couch. But seeing a strange woman there, she paused, looking at her friend questioningly. Leaning back, angered by her sudden weakness, Bryn kept hold of their hands. "This is my new friend, Mina. Mina, I would like to introduce you to my brother-in-law, Nate, and my sister-in-law, Lindy." "Hello," Mina said, nodding her greeting. She stood up, gathering the deck of cards they had been playing with. "I'll leave you be," she said, heading off to the bedroom. Lindy guided Bryn to the couch. "God, Bryn. I've missed you so much." Bryn nodded, pulling Lindy closer and pressing her face to her friend's hair. She let out a soft sob as she felt Nate squeeze her shoulder. "I want you to get my children out of here." Lindy hugged Bryn tight and looked at Nate, her eyes wide with confusion. "Bryn, we came here to support you. Of course we'll do anything for Max and Kat, but we don't want to leave you." Bryn pulled back and wiped at her eyes. "They can't stay here. Lilith will find some way to get to them. She doesn't want me to have them. She'll wait until I'm not looking, and she'll try to take them. I've taken steps to keep that from happening, if I can, but I'd rather be safe than sorry." She looked back at Nate. "Please. You're the only ones I trust." Nate took a deep breath, looking to Lindy, and nodded. "We'll do whatever we can." Lindy nodded. "Of course, Bryn." She then hugged her again tightly. "Have you been able to see him, Bryn? How's Anton doing?" "Not good," Bryn said. "They aren't giving him enough blood. They're keeping him in this horrible, dark, smelly place. He doesn't have anyone to talk to. They hit him if he tries to say anything." Her voice broke. "It's like she never had any intention of letting him go. He'll never leave that place, except when he's dead." Lindy shivered, knowing what Anton was probably going through. She remembered all too well what it felt like to be without blood for an extended period of time. "Do you think there's any way we can get to see him?" Bryn shook her head. "I don't know if Lilith will ask that Anton be brought back to the court room for her verdict or not." Lindy hugged her tighter. She wouldn't have been handling this nearly as well if Nate's and Anton's positions had been reversed. And she didn't want to lose her friend just yet after finding her again. But the safety of the children had to come first. "When do you want us to take them?" she asked. "As soon as possible." Bryn glanced at the bedroom door. "Max will be happy to see you. And you haven't even met Kat. Do you want to?" "Yes!" Lindy gently squeezed Bryn. "We've been wanting to meet her for the longest time." The only other one in their family who had the chance to meet the newest member had been Alex. "I'll get them," Bryn said, standing up. Before she went, she turned to give Nate an impulsive hug as well. He squeezed her for a long time, wishing he could hug his brother just as easily. At least, he reasoned as she turned to go, he could hold Anton's children. Slumping down on the couch next to Lindy, he gave her a long stare. "This is harder than I expected." Lindy nodded, leaning against him. "I knew it would be tough seeing her, and that we probably wouldn't see Anton. But I didn't expect her to ask us..." Smiling brightly for the first time since they arrived, Bryn walked out of the bedroom carrying a wrapped, squirming bundle and holding sleepy Max's hand. The little boy was bleary-eyed and blinking, but appeared to perk up a bit as he saw Nate and Lindy. "Dada?" Lindy's eyes filled with tears at Max's words. "Sorry, Max..." she said before choking up. But she stood and held out her arms, looking at the bundle intently. Pressing his hands over his face, Nate sat quietly as Bryn handed Kat over to Lindy. She picked up her son and hugged him tightly. "Daddy's not here, sweet pea. But you remember your uncle and auntie, don't you? Remember Liam?" Instead of answer, Max reached out for Nate, and Bryn was silent as she watched Nate reach out to take him. She could feel her own tears spill over as Max cuddled close to him. Tears were spilling from Lindy's face as well as she peered into the baby's face. She could see so much of both Anton and Bryn in Kat, must the same as Max. "She's beautiful, Bryn," Lindy said as she rocked Kat in her arms. As if well aware of what Lindy was saying, Katerina appeared to smile and cooed as she kicked inside her blanket. Grinning, Bryn said, "She reminds me so much of Anton when she smiles like that." "She does," Lindy agreed. She looked over at Nate. "Do you want to hold her? Get to know your niece?" He shook his head, rubbing Max's back. "I will. I think this little guy needs me more right now." Lindy nodded. Besides, it was Bryn she should have been offering to hold her daughter. Nate was going to have plenty of time to hold her when they left. And Bryn would stay behind to see... "When do you expect Lilith to make her ruling?" Bryn shook her head. "I don't know. If not for Seth's word that he'd let me know at once, I might be worried she already had. She doesn't exactly keep me informed." "True," Lindy said. She leaned forward to smell Kat's head, enjoying the unique scent that babies seemed to have. "What about this Mina? Is she trustworthy?" Bryn took a deep breath, glancing back at the bedroom. "About as trustworthy as anyone I've known for a day can get. I can tell she's a good person, and I trust her. She has given me a lot of advice. It seems silly, but it helps to have someone around who has gone through it before." Lindy blinked in confusion. "Gone through this before?" Bryn smiled. "With Dracula." "With... Dracula?" Lindy's brow furrowed. "*The* Dracula?" "I would assume so, "Bryn said. "Either that or everyone has been pulling my leg. I used to think Anton was." She got quiet quickly. "I don't like using the words 'used to' where he's concerned." "Neither do I." She looked from Bryn to Nate and back to Bryn. "What else can we do to help you, Bryn?" "I know this sounds very selfish of me, given what happened to your dad...but I'd like to know that Petunia is okay." She squeezed Lindy's shoulder. "Have they found out what happened to Alex?" Lindy shook her head. "Mom and Walter went to Hawaii to check things out while we came straight here. They're supposed to join us in a day or so. We called the house on the island and didn't get a response." Bryn closed her eyes tightly. "I wanted him to go home when Anne did, but he wouldn't leave us. I'm so scared Anton won't be the only one we lose from this nightmare." "He's a survivor, Bryn. He's come through much worse situations alive. Walter jokes that he should be part cockroach instead of part wolf, given how many scrapes he's been in that should have killed him." "But we should have heard something by now." "Not if he thinks it's to our advantage. And you're not exactly the easiest person to get a message to right now." Bryn nodded. She glanced back at Max, who was busy playing with the buttons on Nate's shirt. "I don't want to tell you to leave. I want you to stay with me forever. But I don't want her to know you're here, and I don't want them here anymore. This place is poisonous." Lindy nodded. "I don't want to leave either, but we have to, to get them to safety." She saw how Max was clinging to Nate, and it broke her heart. "The sooner we go, the better." Bryn nodded. "I'll go get their things. We left so much behind in Hawaii, but we at least have a car seat and some clothes. Lilith bought them. I'll have to burn them when we're out of here." Lindy nodded. "Do you want to let Mina say goodbye as well?" Bryn nodded again. "Yes. I'll get her, too." Then she headed for the bedroom. Lindy let out a sigh and looked at Nate. "You really think that Lilith is going to let us leave with the kids?" "I don't know, Lindy. If she's still deliberating with the council, she may not be paying much attention. Let's hope that's the case." Lindy nodded as Bryn entered the room, leading Mina. Without a word she held out the baby, wondering how close the other vampiress had become to her friend. Mina, for her part, concentrated on the baby. "I'm going to miss you so much, Kat," she said, snuggling the little girl close. Bryn wasn't sure she'd be able to say good-bye. So as she took Max from Nate and cuddled him close, she kept repeatedly kissing his temple and loving him as much as she could. "Your Daddy misses you so much. And one day we'll all be together again. I promise. We both love you so very much, Maxim. So very much." Lindy was wiping tears away from her eyes as Bryn and Mina reluctantly exchanged babies. Mina held Max and quietly whispered in his ear. Max, for his part, seemed more interested in getting back to his mother, as if he knew this was going to be the last time he saw her for a while. Rocking Kat back and forth, Bryn softly sang to the little girl her favorite song..."What's new Pussycat?" Lindy wiped a few more tears from her eyes. She hated herself for what she was about to say. "We need to get going before Lilith discovers we're here, Bryn." Nodding and fighting back tears of her own, Bryn kissed Kat's forehead before very reluctantly handing her over. "I'll see you soon, my sweeties." Lindy held her close, like the precious she was. "We'll see you soon, Bryn," she managed to choke out. Shifting Kat into one arm, Lindy pulled Bryn close and gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead. "Please, go. Get them out of here, while we still can." Lindy nodded and looked at Nate. "Let's go." She waited for Mina to open the door and then stepped through, looking back at Bryn as she waited for Nate. "Goodbye, Bryn," she said softly, holding Kat up so her friend could get one last look at her daughter. Bryn, however, kept her head down, unable to look as they walked away. She reached out and firmly grasped Mina's hand. "Please, God, let them get away. Let them be safe." Mina squeezed Bryn's hand in a comforting manner. "If there is a God in heaven, they will be." The visit to Lilith's estate had been so short, she was almost afraid that it was a dream or a hallucination. The warm weight of Katerina in her arms told her otherwise. Lindy looked down at the little girl in her arms, and then over to her brother, who was cuddling on her husband's lap. And then her eyes swept up to meet Nate's, hers tearing up. "This is ridiculous," Nate said, softly. The hotel room they had chosen was close to the airport, but that was as far as they would get. They didn't have the kids' passports. "If she really wants to find us badly enough, she'll do it. I don't know that we're helping at all. I feel just as useless as I did at home." "There has to be something we can do," Lindy said. Bryn's pleas had been so sincere, so heart wrenching that she agreed without even thinking things through. But now in their hotel room, the logistics of getting the children out of the country seemed overwhelming. "I wish Alex were here," she said softly. Her adopted father would know how to smuggle the kids out with little difficulty. "Me too." Seeing that Max was falling asleep, Nate carefully stood up and settled the boy on the bed. "This kid sure sleeps a lot. Of course, if I were in his situation, I think I'd be tempted to sleep through it, too." Pulling his cell phone out of his coat pocket, he punched in one of the preset numbers and held the receiver to his ear. "Here's hoping they answer their phone." Lindy watched as Nate with mixed feelings. Like him, she was feeling helpless about the situation. Settling a now sleeping Kat down on the bed next to Max, she walked up behind her husband and wrapped her arms around his waist. And on a different continent, Jess glanced at her ringing cell phone. She picked it up and flipped it open. "Hello?" "Jess?" He could barely hear her over the static of the wireless phone. "It's Nate. What's happening?" It was hard to hear over the excited yapping. "We just got to the house about two hours ago," Jess said. "We found Alex. He's got a killer migraine at the moment, courtesy of a bullet to the brain, but he's healing fine." "And there will be no lasting damage?" "No...except maybe emotionally. He's beating himself up for not seeing it coming." Nate sighed. "Tell him I'm glad he's okay. And here's Lindy." Lindy grabbed the phone with a trembling hand. "Mom?" "It's okay, honey," Jess said. "We've found Alex and Petunia. They're both okay." "Thank God," Lindy said, a tear running down her cheek. "We need some help, Mom. Bryn's asked us to get the kids back home." Smiling slightly at Lindy's obvious relief, Nate rubbed her back and pressed a kiss to her temple. "I told you he'd be okay." Lindy nodded, wiping her tear away as she tried to listen to her mother. "I'm sorry, Mom. Could you repeat that?" "I said that would be Alex's area of expertise. We're getting ready to head to Australia right now. We'll be there shortly." "Okay, Mom," Lindy said. "I love you. And tell Alex and Walter that I love them too. Bye." With a heavy sigh, she closed the phone and started to cry with relief. Gathering her close, Nate tucked her head under his chin and slowly rocked her side to side on her feet. Even though he'd been mostly certain that Alex would be okay, there was still a small part of him that found the news a great relief. Kissing Lindy's forehead, he whispered, "I just wish all of this would turn out so well." "Yeah," Lindy sniffed. "I feel so bad, because I'm glad that Alex is okay. But we didn't even get to see Anton, and barely saw Bryn..." She took a deep breath. "I'm afraid that this is leading to the vision I had about the pit." Nate let out a quiet sigh, releasing her to walk over and sit at the table. "Tell me again what you saw." "Anton was in a pit. Bryn had flaming eyes, vampire eyes, and was crying." Lindy shook her head. "It was only for a split second, when I touched Justinius' hand, and it was hard to see things clearly." Nate let out another sigh. "I didn't look that closely at her. Do you think she's been Transformed?" "I don't know," Lindy said, thinking carefully. "Something was different, but I thought it had to do more with stress." "It probably is. I doubt she could've seen Anton long enough for anything to happen. But it wouldn't be a bad idea. She may end up asking one of us to Transform her." Lindy nodded. "Maybe it would be helpful for her to keep the kids too. Lilith will probably argue that vampire children shouldn't be raised be a human." She let out a soft sigh. "I never wanted this to happen, Lindy. In all of that time when I thought I hated Anton, I never wanted him dead. I thought he would live forever. I had come to terms with that. And later, when we got closer, I counted on that. I needed him in my life. I--" His voice got choked with emotion. "I don't know what I'm going to do without him." Lindy wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling her husband close. "I know, Nate," she whispered. "I think we all thought he'd be around forever. I still don't believe that he's going to..." She couldn't finish the sentence and buried her head in his shoulder. Holding Lindy close, Nate pressed his temple to hers and let out some of the fear and frustration he'd been feeling for months. He clutched her tightly, needing her anchor to his storm. She clung to him just as tightly. Lindy's hands rubbed in soothing circles on his back. She was searching for just the right thing to say, comforting words that would bring them both hope. But she couldn't come up with anything to say. Feeling guilty for dumping all of his grief on her all of the sudden, Nate sat up straighter and dried his face with his sleeves. "What do you say we order some room service and try to relax for a while? I'm not quite ready to deal with all of this at once, and we'll have plenty to discuss when your parents get here." Although she wasn't really hungry, Lindy nodded. "Yeah. Let's get something to eat." She stayed snuggled close to her husband, still stroking his back. "We'll get through this somehow, Nate." He gave her a weak smile he didn't really feel. "I know." End Chapter One Hundred Thirty-eight <- Previous Chapter | Home | Next Chapter ->