One Chapter...

[Adara]

I figured I would post one chapter of my current story (it's running about twenty-six chapters at the moment) as there is a need of more activity in this board.

Should anyone care to read the rest of this, please, PM me and I will gladly give you the link.

[glow=white,2,300]WARNING: The following story contains strong language, violence, sexual innuendo, no nudity or sex. If you do not like to read of such things, please, read no further.[/glow]

DISCLAIMER: This story is copyrighted to me. So, do not use any ideas or characters contained within it. 'cause, I would technically have the right to sue you. Please, enjoy.

Chapter 24 – Two Evils

Adara closed the door behind her, hoping against hope that she wouldn't have to spill blood to achieve her goal. She knew Caleb would be keenly aware of the activity in Yuri's office. Adara was also attentive to the fact that the moment Caleb felt anything the least bit uncomfortable with the conversation between Adara and Yuri; he'd be in there in a flash, probably getting into a fight in the process. She wanted to do this without any bloodshed from anyone.

As the door shut, Adara became aware of Yuri who was in the process of throwing one of the two large sofas in his office out of the largest window in his office. Yuri paused in his actions as he noticed another being in his office with him. His eyes flickered toward her, bright and menacing. Adara’s first impression was that the light filtering in through the drapes was causing them to glow. She soon realized the glow in his eyes had nothing to do with the light filtering in through his drapes. No, his eyes were aglow by something altogether different. Adara's intuition screamed out to her, telling her it was not anger, but something much deeper. An emotion she would not have associated with the Russian Lord.

Adara didn't move she didn't so much as twitch. Yuri's eyes were no longer trained on her person, but on the object she held in both hands. Adara looked from the cane to Yuri, and then back again. He looked from her to the cane, and then from the cane to Adara. It seemed they were both sizing and weighing the reasoning behind the other's silence and hesitation.

His eyes bespoke a challenge, as if he were egging her on to try and use his own weapon against him. There was also an unspoken sense of hostility toward her. Adara was getting the sensation that Yuri was looking for an excuse to spill blood, her blood. It took moments it seemed for Yuri to finally make a decision. The feral look did not fade, as he tossed the sofa aside as if it were a toy building block.

As Yuri stalked toward her, Adara looked him over, noticing instantly his hands were covered in blood. No doubt, she thought, it’s from the broken glass and the stone he's been tearing into. I probably have a better chance of getting him to cooperate if I try and help him out.

Adara took a slow step back away from Yuri, while still keeping eye contact with him. He narrowed his eyes momentarily before Adara said, as gingerly as she could manage, “Would, you like me to heal your hands? You'll be suffering from blood loss if you don't get them looked at.”

Yuri scoffed silently, as if she were pointing out some falsehood. He looked down at his hands briefly only to notice that they were in fact in quite an ill state. His occupation with destroying his office, or rather his being overcome by his anger and desperation; he had not noticed the blood streaming from his hands to the carpet. His shoulders slumped momentarily before lifting a hand imperially toward Adara. “Heal me, now,” He commanded with a growl.

Adara decided it was best to keep talking to a minimum, at least until she had him calm enough to explain what it was that was causing him to redecorate his office. Adara set the cane aside, leaning on the coffee table who’d alone miraculously survived Yuri's destruction. She did this in slow gentle moments, mostly to keep Yuri calm and compliant. It was as if she were trying to tame a wild animal, at least, that’s how Adara felt about the matter.

That was when it occurred to Adara that she could find out what it was that was bothering Yuri. His blood...I can take his blood and find out what's got him in a twist...Adara mused silently as she took Yuri's extended right hand and concentrated on healing it.

Yuri's eyes never left her, her eyes were closed, but he was certain he could read her should she try and attack him. He didn't put that past her, Yuri didn't put it past anyone. After what Dragos had done, he didn’t trust anyone. The fact he couldn’t feel anyone outside of his office was cold comfort. Pasha, Senya, and Ivan, he could not sense them. The thought that Dragos had punished his children was almost too much to bear. Has Dragos taken them as well? Has he destroyed them, to break me? Yuri would wait until Adara finished healing his hands before he would ask her.

Adara knew he was watching her intently. It was as if she could feel his gaze boring through her. She tried to remain as calm as she possible, making sure to get enough of his blood on her hands in order to read his feelings correctly.

As Yuri's right hand healed, his voice rung out clearly, though hoarsely, “Why are you doing this? What is in it for you? Women like you always require some form of payment.”

Adara opened her eyes as she released Yuri's right hand, and looked up into Yuri's eyes, “When have I given that impression Yuri?” she asked tersely, trying desperately to keep her calm despite his rude questioning.

Yuri gave out a strained humorless chuckle, “You spread your legs for a crown, didn't you?”

Adara's hand shot out before she could stop herself and slapped Yuri across the face, with so much force he stumbled a few steps. “How *pauk*ing dare you? Yuri, you would have sold my soul for a *pauk*ing piece of furniture and a bunch of, 'yeomen' to do your beck and call. You know what? You can rot in here on your own Yuri. I'm sure whatever it is that is bothering you will keep you in comfort....”

With that, Adara stalked toward the door, completely forgetting her reasons for having entered the office in the first place. Before she could turn the doorknob, Yuri took a hold of her arms, and spun her around. Adara expected him to look furious, but it was not the case.

His expression was somewhere between shame and self-loathing at least that was what Adara felt it looked like. He didn’t quite meet her eyes, but she knew his pride was still at stake. If she were to gloat at this moment, he’d turn around and let her leave.

“I...apologize...I...am not myself....” Yuri said simply as he continued, “I cannot feel those outside of this office. HE has made certain of it. I tried leaving my office; only to find out I cannot vacate it. I am imprisoned in my own home.” The last was spoken with a good dose of disgust. Yuri loathed not being in control of the situation. Though, Yuri’s loathing for his current predicament paled in comparison to Dragos’ past betrayal and manipulation.

Adara was caught off guard by his apology. If she knew anything about Yuri, it was that he was not someone to apologize for his behavior, much less for causing anyone bodily harm. He was a blue blood, and considered anyone who wasn’t beneath him, hence his contempt toward Caleb. Yuri was not accustomed to apologizing for what he decided was acceptable. This only led her to believe that whatever it was bothering Yuri, it was more than a bruised ego.

“Who... imprisoned you here?” Adara asked tentatively as she straightened a chair and moved around slowly to sit in it.

Yuri turned to her slowly, indecision written all over his face. Adara wondered if she pushed too much, but before she could change the subject, Yuri seemed to have made the decision to continue this line of questions by asking, “What do you care? I am aware you are only here because I am...”

Adara shook her head as she cut Yuri off, “Let's get something straight here and now. I don't have to be here, you asked me to stay, in not so many words, but you did. If I didn't give a *c'jit* I wouldn't have asked. Pasha is concerned, as you happen to be making random people in your coven explode into a pile of ashes-”

“You lie! I would not harm them because of my...problems...” Yuri countered furiously as he came to stand before Adara, who was still in her chair.

“Did I say, you were doing it on purpose? I myself was not aware of your reasoning. But, that does not change the fact. You have made some of your coven members ash. So I ask again, who the *pauk* pissed you off? Who’s mentally keeping you in place?” Adara came to her feet, looking up to meet Yuri's eyes.

Yuri's growl grew as they continued to stare at one another. He was clearly upset with the accusations, and was not about to admit to a vulnerability, no matter who was asking for answers. He took a breath to make another denial, but again, Adara cut him short.

“Think very well before you answer me Yuri. I won't be *pauk*ed around with again. If you want to keep it to yourself, that's fine and dandy. Just so you know, at that point Caleb will be coming in here to deal with you, and he will get the answers you are negligent to give me. So, if you want him to get them out of you by force go right ahead and lie to me. I find that I'm far too intelligent to coax something out of a fully grown man. Do with that what you will,” Adara finished as she took a seat.

Yuri was trapped, and he knew this. To admit to weakness to this slip of a girl would be a dash across his good name, but to have Caleb witness his weakness was unthinkable. His eyes shifted from Adara to the door, and then back again before he let out a drawn out breath, “FINE.” was all he said, before he flipped another chair over and took a seat in it.

Adara had not expected him to comply. Then again, she knew Yuri enough to know that he would consider her the lesser of the two evils. She straightened in her chair, and awaited Yuri to begin.

Outside Yuri’s office

“So, she is not aware that Your Highness and she are now married?” Pasha inquired as he, Caleb, Samuel, Senya and Ivan waited outside Yuri’s office. He knew Caleb was stricken of his rank but Pasha wasn’t about to pledge allegiance to someone he didn’t know.

“…I do not see how it is any of your business, but considering I am commanding you all to keep your silence about this matter, I will indulge you. Yes, Adara is not aware of it. I do not believe her aware of the blood bond we shared. You will all treat her with the respect a Queen deserves, but will not mention her new status until I have done so.” Caleb felt no need to explain his reasoning further. He knew Adara would become furious if she received the impression that she was manipulated. Especially since that was not the case at all. He was surprised Pasha refers to him as, “Your Highness” as Pasha was well aware of Caleb’s drop in rank. He supposed he was pleased with the fact that Dragos could not step in and take over completely.

Samuel looked toward the closed office doors and sighed out gently. He trusted Adara to get answers, but he was not comfortable with letting her go into the office alone. He didn’t believe any of the men in that hallway with him thought it was a sound idea either.

Pasha bowed and gave Caleb his word about the matter. He certainly wasn’t in Adara’s good graces as it was. Pasha knew Adara would only become angrier if she became aware that Pasha was made privy to information about her, before she was made aware of it. He was uneasy about Adara going into that office alone. Pasha knew she was right, of course. If he or any other man were to enter, Yuri would not think twice about attacking them. A woman, at least in Yuri’s case, was not as much a threat to his manhood. Pasha almost chuckled aloud at the thought of Adara being less of a threat than any man.

“It appears she has stopped him from throwing things about. This is promising,” Ivan mentioned quietly as he like the others, continued to evaluate the situation from where he stood.

Caleb nodded, “I had no doubts she could tame him, I am of course, suspicious of his reasons. Let us hope, for his sake, he remembers who she belongs to…”

In Yuri’s office

“Oh…my…God…Yuri…I…I…I-am…so…” Adara felt a knot of pain well up in her throat as tears made their course down her face, unchecked. A sorrow so deep the pain became physical. How could Dragos have done such a horrible thing?

Yuri sat across from her, watching her with a mixture of hate, and pain. He did not move, nor did he speak a word. There were no words in him, to express how deeply he wanted to kill Dragos, or himself. For the first time in his life as a vampire, he was wishing for death. If anything, to stop the anguish that threatened to overcome him. Adara’s tears were the final catalyst.

Adara looked up in time to witness first hand how deeply he was affected. There were tears in his eyes, tears that proved to be Adara’s undoing. She lunged at him, taking him in her arms in such a tight embrace; Yuri had no chance of shrugging it away.

“Do…not…feel…sorry-“Yuri began before Adara’s sobs drowned him out.

“Oh my God, your little ones…” Adara continued, completely at a loss of control Yuri had never witnessed in her.

Yuri then realized she was not crying for him, for his loss. Adara wasn’t holding him for the sake of comforting him. She was sobbing over his daughters. She was crying for their pain, not his. Were his daughters and wife not worth that? Had he been so consumed with hatred he’d never taken the time to give his children their do and mourn them? Was he any better than Dragos by pushing them aside and never talking of them?

He wrapped his arms around Adara without thinking, and finally, after millennia of harboring his anger, frustration and pain over his family’s loss, he let his control go, and let out a cry so filled with anguish, Adara had not recognized it as Yuri’s.

Yuri didn’t want to think about what he was doing. He didn’t so much as want to look up at the woman holding him. He didn’t want anything to matter, much less care about who might hear him sob. Nothing mattered at that moment, only his bereavement.

Adara without speaking a word tightened her hold on Yuri, crying along with him. She knew Caleb and those outside Yuri’s office would hear their cries. She didn’t want to tell Yuri about that, not that she thought he would care. Adara only hoped Caleb would not choose this time to step in. It would be disastrous for what she and Yuri were experiencing.

If Yuri had known in Los Angeles, that all he need have done to get her attention was express some vulnerability, he would have her wrapped around his fingers. That knowledge was inconsequential now, especially in comparison to what Yuri was experiencing now. Adara began to stroke back Yuri’s hair, as his hold remained tightly about her. She had ceased crying but knew he needed to get what he was feeling out of his system before she would utter a word.

In the Hallway

Caleb startled at the sound of sobbing coming from behind the double doors leading into Yuri’s office. At first he’d thought Yuri had harmed Adara in some way, up until Caleb’s hearing was greeted to a strangled sob that was undoubtedly male. The five men standing in the hallway looked to one another in confusion, but uttered not a syllable.

Pasha gave his head a gentle shake as Caleb’s eyes met his. He was not aware of what occurred within that room, but he was certain it was no struggle. Caleb seemed to have assessed the same, as he did not move toward the doors. That was a trait Pasha had come to respect in Caleb. Caleb was slow to act, always thinking his actions through before stepping in or speaking up. It was not uncommon for outsiders to confuse Caleb with a first knight, and Yuri taken as the Emperor. The Emperor had an understated air about him, a useful tool, when trying to catch others unaware.

Samuel was still uneasy. There was something in the atmosphere that didn’t sit well with him. He could not place it; he’d dismissed it as unsettled emotions from the current situation. Yet, it did not comfort him. Something was going to happen, he just didn’t know what or when.

Yuri’s Office

“Why did you let me go on so on your person?” Yuri asked harshly as he stepped back and away from Adara. He wiped at his face, the sorrow filled look in his eyes gone, replaced once again with his arrogant self-assured gaze.

Adara sighed and began, “…I didn’t see a reason to have you stop. You seemed-“

“I do not need your pity Adara…” Yuri snapped as he straightened his clothing and his hair.

“It wasn’t pity, jackass. Or would you rather I open those doors and let them deal with you? You needed someone to cry on, I was here. NO, before you ask me that question, because I know you well enough to know it’s going to come up, I’m not going to tell them about what you’ve done. I won’t gloat about it either. I have no intention of tarnishing that pristine *s'yuit-de* badge you seem so inclined to bare. So, if you’re done with your condescending attitude, we can now go about trying to get you out of this infernal office, if that’s alright with the LORD….” Adara snapped back as she too wiped at her face, clearing off what remnants of tears were left.

Yuri glared at Adara for a few moments more, before looking toward the doors and then back to her, “You are going to help me out of here?”

Adara smirked humorlessly, “Oh yeah. I mean, who’d want to have you contained to one room, when we can have you starting *c'jit* everywhere we go. It wouldn’t be any fun without you Lord Yokhovich. Beside, Pasha might have something to say about my leaving you here to rot.”

“I was under the impression you were upset with Pasha for remaining loyal to me, and letting you fall victim to my…ministrations.” Yuri countered with a condescending smile on his face.

Adara’s smirk slipped from her face as quickly as it appeared. “Yuri, I don’t think you understand that I’m about the only person who can help you out of here, if Dragos is keeping you imprisoned. I would imagine, a self serving prick that you are, would know to keep their trap shut about his savior’s likes and dislikes long enough to get his ass out of trouble. Mark my words Yuri; you will owe me after this. No, don’t get that look, not over your emotional…outburst, over my saving your life. The sooner you start pretending to be grateful, the quicker you’ll be out of this predicament. So, lil’ boy…shut the *pauk* up, and let me think…” Adara bit back as she began to pace the length of the room.

“Of course, Your Majesty…I would not dream of crossing the Emperor’s consort…then again, Dragos did strip him of his rank.” Yuri sneered through clenched teeth as he took a seat at the chair he’d occupied earlier. He was grateful for her assistance, but he’d drop dead before admitting to it.

Adara stopped mid stride and looked to Yuri, “Why the hell did you call me that? ‘Your Majesty’ seems a little much, even for your conceited ass.”

Yuri inspected his fingers before looking up to Adara, a bored expression on his face, “What else am I suppose to call Caleb’s mate, hmm? I do not think you’d appreciate, ‘whore’ or ‘concubine’ as you were pure before he took you and made you his bride.”

Adara took three steps toward Yuri, but before she could reach him, a shot in the distance was heard, just as it broke through one of Yuri’s windows and made a path through Adara’s midriff and out into the wall behind her.

Yuri’s mind worked through what occurred in a matter of seconds, before he too dropped to the floor. Not because he’d been shot, but because he knew he needed to get out of sight. “PASHA, GET IN HERE!” he bellowed as he made his way to Adara who was bleeding profusely.

Caleb and those outside the office had heard the shot just as other windows on that floor shattered. “The Castle’s under attack! Senya, Ivan, Samuel get the children out of here!”

“Do we take them to Castle Brushia?” Samuel asked just as Caleb had finished giving the order.

“To take them to another evil creation? Nay, take them to Adara’s home in America. Do so now! Do not come back for any of us, take care of the coven!” Caleb shouted as he and Pasha burst into Yuri’s office to a sight that chilled Caleb to the bone.

Pasha lunged at Adara, while bullets, silver arrows, and torches flew over him, and landed around him. “Adara! Oh *pauk*ing hell!” Pasha growled furiously as he looked to Caleb.

The look in Caleb’s eyes was feral as he looked to Pasha and then to Yuri. “You two go and help whatever members of this coven are left! Take whatever information you can, we cannot let these hunters get any information!”

“How do you know they are hunters?” Yuri screamed as he came to his feet.

“Who else uses silver bullets and arrows buffoon? Do not stand there and argue with me while your home and your children turn to ashes!” Caleb retorted as he picked Adara up off the floor.

Yuri leapt toward the office’s open doors, only to find himself slung back into his desk, as if he’d been smacked back by an invisible wall. “He is keeping me in!” Yuri declared in an emotion between shock and anger.

Caleb looked beyond the doors, as the halls began to be consumed by flames before looking back to Yuri, “Who’s keeping you here!”

“Dragos…” Yuri spat out.

“…Caleb, I’m healing. You…need to have Dragos release him. Or he’ll burn with this inferno. Do something!” Adara squeaked as her body began the painful and energy consuming act of healing itself.
Caleb shook his head, “I am not about to communicate with that whoreson anytime soon Adara. I can barely stomach him from this distance!”

“We don’t have time for pride, *pauk*ing hell! Yuri, give me your hand, I’m going to try and see if I can teleport you out of this room, since Caleb wants to sit on his high horse!” Adara made a grab at Yuri’s already outstretched had. All three disappeared out of the office and appeared just outside of it, with no issue.

Pasha leapt out of the office and toward the front doors. Since Yuri was no longer in danger, there was no way he was going to let Castle Yokhovich fall without killing those who’d destroyed it. Yuri leapt into action as well, leaving Adara and Caleb in his wake.

“We’ll talk about this when we’re out of here with everyone. Put me down Caleb, I can stand now!” Adara shouted, trying to be heard over the now roaring flames.

Caleb set her on her feet, as he deflected debris and arrows away from him and his bride. “I must go and make sure those hunters do not intercept any information. You must go and help Samuel and the others. Go Adara, we cannot stay here any longer than necessary. Castle Yokhovich will be no more after tonight!”

Caleb turned away and fled further into the castle maneuvering with a fluidity that came with experience. Adara watched him disappear around a corner; before she began her tread toward the direction Pasha and Yuri had taken. She wove her way through the burning debris, becoming warmer with each passing second. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion.

She could hear screams coming from doors she could not open, her mind fragmenting momentarily with the realization that she could not help save everyone. In circumstances such as this, she’d always remained cool. Her thoughts organized and composed a trait which now failed her. She shook her head trying to shake the fear and shock. Just as she turned toward the main hall, she watched as who she could only merit with being the head Vampire Hunter; stab Yuri through the chest with a silver coated sword.

Pasha noticed this as well, but was far too overrun with hunters himself, and could do nothing to stop what would surely be Yuri’s death. He knew he’d failed Yuri, he knew he’d failed everyone in his coven. Hard as he tried to fight them off, the more he killed, the more that seemed to spring up at him, keeping him in one location despite his supernatural speed.

Yuri staggered to his knees, the sword still in his body. He tried to bat the offending Hunter away but the silver was fulfilling its purpose, and weakened him to no more than a human in strength. The hunter pushed Yuri onto his side with a swift kick to Yuri’s stomach. Yuri knew at that moment, that he was going to die. It somehow didn’t bother him, but he’d be damned if he let a mortal get out of this unscathed.

With as much as speed as he could muster, Yuri spun and stabbed the hunter through with his cane sword, running him all the way through by his heart. Unfortunately, it did not have the desired effect. The hunter merely laughed as he pulled the sword out with a grunt and a gasp of pain. He looked to Yuri with amusement and pity. “So sorry *s'yuit-de*, that isn’t going to be enough to save you today,” With that said, the other hunters around Yuri now gave out a laugh as they watched Yuri struggle to maintain his composure.

“I told you boys…these things are no better than we are. With the right kind of weapon, you can make sport of them.” The main hunter continued as he circled Yuri.

“Just like hunting wild animals, eh, boss?” One of his minions stated as he looked on.

“Precisely, except, nobody will have any carcass to pick up, so, we’re home free gents. I say a new era is about to begin!” The hunter boasted as he took up another sword and readied himself to decapitate Yuri.

From across the room, Pasha caught glimpses of the scene as he fought in vain to get to his lord. Caleb and Samuel were just rounding the corner when they too stopped stunned at the scene playing out before them. The overhead floors were already engulfed in flames. The building would collapse into itself, Caleb and Samuel now realized that its master would perish with it. The hunter was already swinging his sword in a downward stroke toward Yuri. Even with their speed, they would not be able to reach him in time.

“You’re right...but don’t hold your breath, because you’ll be going with the old one….,”said a female voice from behind the main hunter.

Adara hip checked the main hunter out of the way, causing him to stab one of his own members. With the confusion Adara cut through two more hunters, before the others realized who it was attacking them. By then it was far too late, for Caleb and Samuel had found the opportunity to intervene. With his plans foiled, the hunter who’d been about to kill Yuri, disappeared into a shadow, leaving his men to die in his stead.

Adara had caught a glimpse of the man, a glimpse of a person she thought dead long ago. She did not have time to think about him after he’d left. The hunters left behind were more than willing to finish off what their superior had left behind.

What followed was a swirl of movement and blood, as Adara dropped down next to Yuri and took the sword he’d been impaled with out of his body. Yuri didn’t say a word, nor did Adara say anything to him.

She looked up toward Pasha, and then took a look around the area and shook her head, “This is no good! We need to leave now and let these bastards reap what they’ve sown. Pasha! Bolt the doors and have these *pauk*ers fry!”

Pasha finished off the last three hunters who’d been fighting him, and did as Adara bade him. If his home was going to burn, then those who instigated the flames would go with it. A sacrifice for the building that’d housed him for longer than he could remember.

Adara took hold of Yuri as she looked to Caleb, “Get Pasha, since you can teleport! Samuel, is everyone else gone? Where was everyone taken?”

Samuel nodded curtly, “There is nobody left to save, but ourselves. Let us go, for this building is crumbling as we speak! We have taken everyone to your home in Los Angeles!”

Adara focused as Samuel, Yuri and herself vanished along with Pasha and Caleb.

The Lead Hunter watched as Castle Yokhovich became prey to a new breed of hunter; the vampiric kind. He had not anticipated coming out empty handed, save for a few underlings he was able to kill. The Lord of the Russian Coven had survived, despite his carefully laid plans. Of course, he knew now why he failed. It was something he had not accounted for, much less expected.

“Sir, there are still many trapped inside! We can blow the doors and get some of them-“The soldier was cut short by the leaders’ hand.

“No, we’re done here. They’ll die a good death, in the service of God. That is how this should be. Now, get the word out about what I’m about to tell you. Adara Giovanni is the next target. She was in there, helping those diseased beings; she is an ally no longer.”