Wait! Stop! Don't go any further!

Before you start this chapter, there's something you need to know. I love you. Yes, you heard me. I love you. I just can't get over all the support you've given me. You, faithful reader, who made it all the way to chapter 8 without giving up on me! In all the free-writing I've done, I've never made it past chapter 7 because I never got any feedback or support, but you've totally changed that! Thanks to you, I'm still writing! I can't thank you enough for all you've done. All I can say is, I love you and I'm going to marry you. Plan your life accordingly. ;)

Chapter 8

"Has there been any indication of her abilities?" The Listener looked at him expectantly, "Some sort of sign, perhaps?"

"No, Master Ungolim," Lucien kept his voice carefully controlled, "Not yet."

"I'm afraid you're going to have to give up on this one, dear brother" Arquen chimed in, "The prophecy speaks of only one girl, and mine has already shown significant progression."

"Do not tell me what the prophecy says." Lucien hissed, "Progression doesn't prove anything."

"Lucien is right, dear sister," Ungolim began, "Your girl may have had a vision, but until her prediction takes place there is no way of determining its accuracy."

"Of course, Great Listener. I understand," Arquen purred, "But we are running out of time. They're already killing the girls in Leyawin. They know the duds are useless. These girls can't be trained and they just take up space. Inefficiency is the last thing the Cheydinhal Sanctuary needs right now. Surely you don't think Lachance's girl will produce the sign by the end of the month?"

It took all the self-control Lucien could muster to keep himself from ripping off the bloody elf's head.

"Your skepticism is understandable, dear sister," Ungolim conceded, "Even I have become a bit uncertain. But The Night Mother herself spoke to me of Lachance's girl. She still has time to prove herself."

"You forget that this is not the Night Mother's child," Arquen reminded him, "This is the illegitimate child of Sithis - the girl our Mother is ashamed off. Our Great Mother could be mistaken. She could even be lying. I wouldn't even doubt it if she-

"Silence!" Ungolim roared, slamming his fist down on the table. Every member of the Black Hand froze, "I will not permit such disrespectful words in the home of our Unholy Matron!" He bellowed, "You call yourself her servant? You should be ashamed!"

Arquen closed her mouth and looked away to hide the grin of satisfaction that was creeping upon her face. She knew Ungolim would seriously consider her words later. Lucien knew it too.

"Lachance," Ungolim ordered, his voice firm, "You will go back to Cheydinhal and report back at the end of the month. If the child gives a sign in that time, bring her to me. If not," He held his servant's gaze for a moment, "kill her."

"It will be done, my master." Lucien stood up from his seat and shot a look of poison at Arquen before bowing to the man before him, "May the Night Mother watch over you, Great Listener."

It still made Lucien sick to think about that encounter. If Arquen's servant really was the chosen one, Arquen would hold the fate of The Brotherhood in her hands. She might even gain enough power to replace Ungolim as Listener. If Arquen's girl was the one, everything Lucien had ever worked for would be lost, and forever he would be a servant to The Hand.

But this wasn't like any other mission. He couldn't just command Elsie to have a vision. As much as he would like to, he couldn't force her to give him a sign of her abilities. All he could do was wait and watch.

The door opened and Vicente led the girl out into the foyer. It had only been a few days since Lucien had seen his new servant, but what he saw in the dress looked like a completely different person.

"Come here, child."

He motioned for her to stand in front of him and she obeyed, stumbling forward nervously. He circled her slowly, scanning her up and down. The fabric clung to her body in a way that would certainly please her male victims. The deep, rich burgundy made her creamy skin glow, begging to be touched. On the back of the dress was a long cut that exposed her delicate spine and shoulder blades. The top of the dress hung on the edge of her shoulders, holding on just barely so that there would be no difficulty sliding the fabric off her skin.

Elsie tried to remain perfectly still, her breathing almost non-existent and her hands pinned to her sides. There was something about his gaze that sent the butterflies right up through her stomach. It felt as if a spotlight was burning through her skin, illuminating every inch of her, every defect. She wanted to please him. All she wanted in that moment, even if it was only for a few seconds, was to be perfect for him. She bit at her lip to and sucked in her stomach until her breath caught, but his eyes still pierced right through her. If only she could know what he was thinking.

Lucien walked around to examine her front. The front of the dress drew attention to his favorite part of her figure; her neck. He had forgotten how soft and fragile the skin looked; how satisfying it would be to feel her body quivering in his hands. He was pleased to see that her eyes were downcast and that a nervous blush had bloomed across her face. It felt so good to see submission again.

"So it fits," Antoinetta, who had been twirling her hair anxiously in the corner, decided it was time to break the spell before her, "But that doesn't make much of a difference. She still doesn't have the skills to go on this mission."

"Agreed," Lucien nodded, "Which is why I will escort her."

The grin that had been building up on Antoinetta's face suddenly vanished. Elsie felt her own stomach drop through the floor simultaneously. Even Vicente, who had been maintaining a controlled stillness in the corner of the foyer, flinched at his words.

"Perhaps it would be more efficient if I escorted her," The vampire stepped forward beside Elsie, "We all know you don't have time for this, Lachance. Allow me to care of it."

Lucien eyed the vampire suspiciously. In all the years Lucien had worked here, Vicente had never offered to help him. Why was he suddenly volunteering to escort this girl on mission?

"The matter is not debatable," Lucien concluded, his eyes piercing the vampire, "Master Ugolim himself put me in charge of the girl. I am to watch over her until she produces the sign."

Elsie perked up. The sign?

Elsie immediately thought of the dream. She shot a glance at Vicente, only to see that he was deliberately avoiding eye contact with her. Lucien, however, caught the exchange almost instantly. By now, it was clear to him that something important had happened in his absence.

"Prepare Shadowmere for two riders," Lucien ordered the vampire, then he fixed his eyes on Elsie, "Cover yourself and pack for three days. I expect to see you outside and ready for travel in an hour from now." Elsie shifted uncomfortably under the power of his gaze. He grinned. "It seems we have much to discuss, my child."

The next hour was the shortest hour of Elsie's life. She had never before felt so terrified. It was just a dream, she tried to tell herself, The dress is just a coincidence. But as she pulled her dark brotherhood robes over the satin fabric, she couldn't stop the visions from rushing back.

When she informed Ocheeva of Lucien's orders, the poor old Argonian's heart almost skipped a beat. She quickly threw together a bag containing everything from survival books to good luck trinkets, all the while mumbling how Lucien's power was beginning to go to his head. But Elsie knew the real reason why Ocheeva was worried – everyone in the brotherhood was thinking it. Elsie had no training, no weapons experience, nothing. She wasn't even sure if she had the stomach to commit another murder.

Elsie was just about to climb up the exit ladder when a cold hand wrapped around her wrist. Vicente pulled her towards him, almost viciously, until they were so close that their bodies were almost touching.

"I tried to stop him, but I cannot separate servant and master." His whispers were quick and harsh, "Can I trust you alone with him?"

Elsie hesitated. His grip tightened and he pulled her closer so that she could feel his cold breath on her face.

"You will say nothing of our exchange or Ocheeva's involvement," His eyes were drilling into hers, "Nothing. Do you understand?"

"Vicente, please let go! What if he sees us?" She tried to free herself, but he only squeezed harder.

"Do I have your word?"

"Yes!" As soon as the word left her mouth, he released her and turned to make his way back to his room. Elsie watched him go. Her heart was still beating fast from the shock. There was so much she wanted to ask him. Why were you with me that night? Why did you offer to take me to Cheydinhal? What's all this talk about a 'sign'?

But there was no time, for in a few minutes, it would be her turn to give the answers.

"I see that much has progressed in the time that I've been gone." Lucien began his interrogation a few minutes after they had mounted Shadowmere. Night was falling, and the streets were empty, save for a few shopkeepers closing up. Elsie could feel Lucien's breath skimming the top of her head as he spoke. "Perhaps you can enlighten me."

It wasn't a question – it was an order. Elsie knew what he wanted. He wanted an explanation for the usual behavior she and Vicente had demonstrated in the foyer, but Elsie wanted to tell Lucien about the dream. After all, that was the reason she glanced at Vicente in the first place, wasn't it?

"Something happened while I was sleeping last night..." Elsie began. Her voice was a little shaky. This was the first time she had spoken to her master since the night of her initiation, and it was likely that he wouldn't give her permission to speak again until the end of the trip.

So she explained the dream to him, careful to leave out some of the gruesome details. Even though she was sure sounded crazy, she was surprised to that Lucien didn't cut her off. She felt a bit uncomfortable, due to the nature of subject, but Elsie couldn't help but feel a strong sense of relief after she had gotten it all out of her system. Lucien had been listening intently to her every word, and to her surprise, he had not turned it into an interrogation.

"It sounds like a vision, but it could be nothing." Lucien lied. He knew what it was. It was the sign – it had to be, but he couldn't announce it just yet. He needed evidence before he could tell the girl and The Black Hand.

"We will see if your description of the man matches one of the men we will encounter at the house, but do not concern yourself with this now. Our main focus is the mission." Lucien spoke with a steady firmness that even the guards could not match, "One of our wealthier clients wants five people eliminated. A brother in Skingrad has invited these five strangers to Summitmist Manor where they will be locked in for a party of sorts. The guests believe they have been invited there by a wealthy and mysterious host, and it is our job to continue to make them believe that until every last one of them is dead. The party begins tomorrow evening, and we're already behind schedule, so there will be no stops on this trip. Get what rest you can now. You will need your strength for the morning."

And with that, he was silent. To Elsie's relief, he had no more questions about Vicente. The only thing she could hear now was the steady beat of Shadowmere's hooves and the sounds of the nighttime forest. Occasionally, there was a faint growl, a sharp snapping of twigs, or a distant animal scream somewhere through the trees, but here, in her master's arms, Elsie felt no fear.

Here, she was away from the hustle and bustle of the sanctuary. Here, she was away from Vicente's cold shoulder and Antoinetta's piercing gaze. Lucien's arms were protecting her on both sides, and his all-seeing eyes were scanning the forest ahead for danger. She was finally alone with her master – the one man she could trust. Here, she was safe.

But there was no telling what the morning would bring.

Vicente stared at the half-empty vial before him. Inside it lay her blood. That sweet, warm nectar of the gods. That deep crimson wine. That heavy, tantalizing scent…

He tore his eyes from the beautiful liquid. She was just a girl; an innocent for that matter, and probably the only innocent to ever step foot inside the Brotherhood. He wished he hadn't threatened her like that before she left, but he had to. He saw the way she looked at Lachance. She trusted that murderer. She would tell him anything. Vicente had to make sure she kept this a secret - for his safety and her own.

"Oh, dread mother and father, what have I done to displease you?" Vicente hissed at the air, his head in his hands, "Why, out of all the blood in Tamriel, why did it have to be hers? What must I do to fix this?"

But there was no answer. There never was. Vicente slammed his fist down on the table, watching Elsie's blood tremble in its vial. Was the Night Mother playing some sort of cruel trick on him? Vicente didn't deserve this. Due to the nature of his affliction, no one in the Brotherhood truly treated him like a brother, not even Ocheeva. He thought that this new recruit would've been different – that this was his chance to earn someone's trust, but of course, he had been wrong.

How did Lachance do it? How did a man with such twisted morals get one of the most abused girls in the brotherhood to trust him?

It's because he's not a monster, Vicente thought to himself as he grasped the bottle and brought it to his lips, It's because she has all the reason in the world to hate me.

He could feel his body tremble with pleasure as the blood ran past his lips. With one barbaric gulp, he downed the remainder of the bottle and placed it back on the table. He stared through the empty glass with a deep longing.

He hoped she would be back soon.