Chapter Four ~ Taste the Silence
Carpe Noctem Estate ~ City of Sanguine
The Fall

A century had passed since the Council lost the Vitae of the Spectral Bloodline and Draven had lost Rancor. Karise's Childe Darkasha had taken his place. She was now the Eldest of that Line. The loss had been a huge burden for them all, especially for Draven. It had taken years to break her out of her depression, her grief. Even still when the anniversary of that night approached, there was hardly anyone who could comfort her, except for Dasani. He had been a good friend to her through the whole situation.

Her inspection of the past century was broken as the door to her study burst open. Dasani stood in the doorway a look of utter seriousness and concern falling across his Roman features. "We're under attack." Although his voice was calm, Draven could sense the underlying tone of fear and even excitement. "The Mortuus have seized the Watchtowers and are making their way towards the center compound. We must move quickly."

Draven cursed. "No doubt Reiko had a hand in this." Before she had a chance to aquire any form of weapon, Dasani grabbed her hand.

A trap had been laying in wait, but Draven moved too fast for the Mortuus to keep track of. The first one she reached seemed to tremble just before her entire hand shot through his chest and out the back. The ribs splintered as if they were nothing more than toothpicks. Draven held the heart in her hand, felt it shuddering with the last spasms of its irregular beating. Another Mortuus rushed at her. No weapon in hand. A snarl of rage had her lips curling back from her enlongated canines. Draven pivoted on her heel, ripping her hand from the chest of the Vampire she had just killed. Dropping the heart to the ground, she grabbed at the rushing figure before her. Her fingers, leathal and deadly curled around the Mortuus' windpipe. With a fierce jerk of her arm, the entire voicebox, windpipe, trachea, everything, was severed. Blood rushed over her arms, the front of her body, but Draven paid it no mind.

She had turned, expecting the rest of the Mortuus Vampires to rush towards her, but the remaining six had already been taken out. A wound was healing on Dasani's wrist. Her eyes caught his, and an understanding seemed to pass between Sire and Childe. Draven nodded once, and so did he in response. Rage, anger and grief just may be able to save them all. A sinister smile seemed to pass across Draven's lips.

"Make sure the others are safe."

"I'm not leaving without you, Draven."

"Do as I say!" Perhaps it was the look in her eyes, the untamed rage or the sorrow. Whatever the case, Dasani turned reluctantly away from her.

"You get yourself killed, I'll remove your soul from the afterlife and replace it in another body."

Draven arched a single brow, but otherwise ignored Dasani's last comment. There was a presence in the shadows just at the edge of the woods. One she knew all too well.

"It didn't have to come to this, Draven."

"Oh, but it did. You've killed four people I cared about. You've killed my parents, you've killed Karise and Rancor. For this, you will pay dearly, Reiko."

He stepped out of the shadows then, a smug smile set across his lips. "I love you, damnit! I was not going to see you in the arms of another man, You are mine."

Draven tilted her head to the right. "As you wish." She didn't have to move, that much she knew. With all the strength she could muster, she hummed the sword the distance between herself and Reiko. It sliced, blade over hilt through the air. There was a look of sheer astonishment that passed over his face as the blade sank deeply into his chest, the exact spot where it had been planted in Rancor's and in Karise's. "An eye for an eye, you cocksucker. Judge, Jury, and Justice. The way of the Veil." She walked slowly towards him and grasped the hilt of the sword. With a swift jerk, Draven yanked it from Reiko's chest. She pivoted on her heel, bringing the blade around with her. There was no scream, no other words from him as his head was severed from the rest of his body.

"Very well played, my dear. I couldn't have done it better." A husky voice spoke from behind her.

Draven turned casually, the blade held at her side dripping with blood. "And you are?"

"Markus." The hooded figure stated simply.

"You're the leader of the Mortuus."

"Ah, you have heard of me. Good. No introductions are necessary, seeing as how I already know who you are dear Draven."

"I figured as much."

"Intelligent as well as beautiful."

"Can it, dickwad. I don't want to hear another word."

"Such a mouth." He rose a single hand, waved to something unseen.

Draven turned her attention away from Markus, only for a moment, but it was all the Vampire needed. He was on her in an instant. One of his hands gripped at her wrist, talon like nails digging into her flesh. His grip was strong, but it was something she could break. The blade of the sword she held bit into her own throat, but didn't quite break the flesh. "What do you want, Markus?"

"Ah, now that's much better. What I want is you. Your life and I will spare the rest of the Council."

She opened the intimate bond between herself and Dasani. That telepahic link that connected them. Get Vangelo, Jezza, and Lavra out of here. When it is safe come back for Rancor's body.

Draven, don't! He had seen in her mind what she planned to do. It's a trap! He's going to kill you then come after us anyway.

I have to at least try. It was my promise.

No!!!

Draven closed the link. "Very well, Markus." Her fingers released their hold upon the sword, letting it clatter to the ground. "Do remember one thing. I survive and break free from you, I will kill you."

The Mortuus took one look into her eyes and believed, if only for a moment, that she meant every word she said.