Chapter 15

Michael sat on the old porch steps under the moon silently. Minutes or hours had passed, he could not tell. No one had bothered him and he didn't mind.

As he sat there all he could picture was Selene's shock and anger. It was as if some picture in her head had pieced itself together and when it was solved there was nothing but hate for him. He could sense it, almost smell the anger. He hated himself more for not being able to explain himself to her. To tell her it wasn't hid fault, he didn't have a choice. They had found him like they had found her.

Michael stared up at the moon and balled up his fist; his nails dug into his skin.

"Don't you think you've been out here long enough." Lucian said from him. Michael had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't heard the man's footsteps. Michael knew he should have been paying attention to his surroundings; it could have easily been a bloodsucker.

"I'll stay out here however long I want." Michael snapped.

He heard Lucian sigh. Then all of a sudden Lucian had a grip on the back of his head neck and pulled him up to his feet. Then Lucian grabbed his shoulders and shoved Michael against one of the porch posts. He hit the old wood so hard that the whole porch shook.

"What the hell!" Michael grunted trying to get out of Lucian's grip.

"This is how things work around here, Michael. I am the leader, YOUR leader, whether you like it or not. Those men in there follow me, listen, and respect me. I will not have you, a young sick love pup, mouthing back to me under my roof." Lucian gave Michael a look that assured him he was being serious. Michael had pissed him off, and this was the last time he would be allowed to.

Michael bit his tongue to keep him from saying anything else. He slowly let go of Lucian's arms and silently surrendered.

"Thank you." Lucian said.

"She saw me. She saw everything." Michael looked back to the trees where he last saw Selene.

"She did. It was Kraven's plan the whole time I'm sure. It could have been avoided if you would have let me answer the door alone. She never would have seen you." Lucian said as a matter of fact.

Michael said nothing as his initial anger started to boil again.

"But no matter, he did you a favor in a way." Lucian offered. Michael looked at him.

"You won't have to have that conversation ever again." Lucian gave a smile and a shrug. Michael rolled his eyes.

"Kraven is a snake. But not a good one. If she's smart she'll figure it out on her own." Lucian's attempt at trying to console Michael was appreciated but he wanted answers.

"What does he want with her? Why kill her family? Will they turn?" Michael started.

"No, they're dead." Lucian seemed to think for a moment. "He clearly wants her for himself."

"He's going to turn her into one of them?" Michael asked solemnly. Lucian nodded.

"And that's it? There's nothing we can do?" Michael started to raise his voice.

"We've all been at this a lot longer than you Michael. Kraven does what he wants, it is not our priority to prevent him from doing so. He is under the impression that we let him live so that we could kill Viktor, their leader, for him. He thinks I want Viktor dead." Lucian let out a small laugh.

"Do you want Viktor dead?" Michael was confused.

"I have more in store for him than just death." Lucian looked at him. "If you really care about this human, then hold onto that. But give up on saving her humanity. You will find another way, if what you have the hope to. But you need to listen to me." Lucian stepped closer to Michael." We are you family now. Your brothers. We eat, live, breathe, and fight together. They are the enemy who has tried to enslave and extinguish us. We fought for our freedom, for our right to own ourselves and live freely. Maybe we can coexist, but Viktor has never given us that chance. Our time is coming, brother. We all need to be ready."

Michael got chills as listened. He didn't know what he signed up for but strangely he was willing to follow a leader like Lucian. He wanted Selene back human or not. And if he had to fight and end whatever war this was, he would.

"Fine. So what's the plan?" Michael asked.

Lucian placed a hand on Michael's shoulder and smiled.

"You, my friend. You are the plan."