(LIB:I) Chapter 11

Gabrielle sat on the couch next to Kristian. His sun glasses were in his left hand, while his right arm was around her shoulders. "I was very worried you wouldn't make it." He said, then gently kissed her lips.

She began to play with her dark red hair. "I didn't think I would, but Kailin just didn't give up on me." She looked over at the TV that was off, and then back at him. "She has never given up on me, so I shouldn't be surprised."

"Kailin was a loyal friend, I agree."

Gabrielle looked worried, "I feel horrible though."

"Why's that?"

"Because she killed so much that week to keep me alive, and it was completely against her morals. She must look down on herself for doing it. I've tried to find out how she is feeling since then, but she has blocked me out of her mind." She frowned, "It feels as if she is pushing me away."

Kristian shook his head, "That is not true, Gabby. She has a lot on her mind now."

"Like what?"

He didn't believe she had no idea, "Hasn't she told you about Tzion and Mathias?"

Gabrielle shook her head, "She hasn't told me anything, like I said she's blocked me out."

Looking down at his glasses, he took a deep breath. He didn't know if it was his place to tell Gabrielle what had occurred. "Are you aware of Blood Exchanges?"

She nodded, "Two vampires exchange blood, it was common practice back when I was in Boston with my pack."

"You and the other women partook in them?"

"Yes, we slept with the human males all day, and it brought us no pleasure. It brings closeness and awareness of each other." She smiled, "Perhaps one day I will share the experience with you."

Kristian looked down a little embarrassed, "Do you know what happens when a fresh and an elder of the same breed exchange blood?"

"It's forbidden."

"Yes, it is. Do you know why?"

Slowly, she shook her head.

"The fresh will retain all of the knowledge of the elder, as well as gain his ability to a small extent. However, after much practice, they could use it as powerfully as the elder."

Gabrielle looked at him for a moment, unsure of why he was explaining this to her.

"Kailin and Tzion exchanged blood…"

"What?" She stood up quickly and looked down at him.

"Calm down, he would never do anything to hurt her. It was only to strengthen her. He has assured me that her aura can handle it, and much more if necessary."

"If necessary? He plans on doing it again?" She snapped.

"No, there aren't any plans for it." He patted the sit next to him, "Sit down, all is well. I just believe she is a little more withdrawn because it's a characteristic trait of Tzion."

She took her seat.

"Kailin should be back to her old self once her aura can control the added burden."

"I wasn't affected in that way, and I fed from his blood."

He put his glasses back on and smiled. "You didn't fed on nearly as much as she did, besides that you aren't a Hallowed. Your physical form isn't able to control an Elder's Hallowed ability, but I am sure you have retained some of his knowledge."

"Yes, but it fades more everyday." She had her elbows on her knees, and was leaning forward.

Kristian placed his hand on the small of her back and rubbed gently over the soft fabric of her shirt.

Both of their eyes turned to the door, as they heard footsteps down the hall.

"Kailin is home." Gabrielle said, and the door opened to reveal Kailin's form. "Hi, I didn't expect you back so soon."

Kailin's eyes went immediately to Kristian, "Get out!" She snapped, and then headed for her bedroom door.

"He is my guest, I invited him over." Gabrielle stood up when Kristian did.

Kailin said nothing, just entered her room.

Walking over to her door, Gabrielle knocked gently. "What are you doing?"

"Getting dressed." She said.

"Are you going somewhere? Can we come?"

"If we is Kristian then no." Kailin snapped.

Gabrielle looked over to Kristian, he had sat back down on the couch. "Cranky."

The door opened, and Gabrielle shut her eyes for a moment to block out the sight of the crosses. When she heard the door shut, she opened them again. Kailin was wearing a dark gray dress that stopped above her knees with spaghetti straps. She also put on black knee high boots, and a black jacket with an artificial fur collar.

"You look nice, where are you going?"

"Moonlight Club." Kailin answered, and looked back over at Kristian, "Never enter my home again. Else, I might be pushed to remove you from this earth."

Kristian looked at her with surprise.

"Tell your lord that I will not be joining him at the convention, and that he needs to remain out of my life!" She exclaimed, and headed towards the front door.

"Tzion isn't trying to hurt you, don't believe what Mathias has to say." Kristian answered.

"I am not interested in what either elder has to say. I want them both out of my life forever." Opening the door,
she stepped out and disappeared into the hall.

Gabrielle shut the door that she had left open and looked at Kristian, "You say that'll pass, right?"

Kristian laughed.

"I didn't know that she was going to go to the convention."

He nodded, "Yes, I was meaning to invite you to that. Tzion wanted me to be your escort while he took the company of your friend."

"Tzion wanted you to?"

"Well, I want to now."

Gabrielle folded her arms and leaned against the door, "Why would Tzion want anything to do with Kailin?"

Kristian turned around so that he could see her better, and then folded his hands into his lap. "Kailin is an interesting vampire, though you may not know it yourself. We have been studying her since she was born. For a vampire so young, she has done things that not even an elder has accomplished."

"Studying her? Since she was born?"

He nodded, "It was known long ago that she would create the Mephis, we just didn't know where and when. It is important to know everything about her. There are many vampires we need to know much about, which is why there are files on each."

"Each vampire or each important vampire?"

Kristian grinned, "Every vampire that the scribes come across, which would be a vast majority yes. They are stored in Italy."

"Scribes?"

"They travel the world wide collecting information about vampires they meet. Tzion isn't a scribe, but he is personally assigned to Kailin's file. He has been since she was an infant, and when you came into her life, he began your file as well."

Gabrielle looked at him like she didn't believe him, "That's ridiculous. You are full of it."

He shook his head, "I swear that what I have said is true. I have seen both your and Kailin's files, when I have been working with Tzion."

"Why would these files be needed?"

Kristian stood up, "That I can not tell you."

"Why?"

"Because for the greater part, I do not know. And what I do know I am prohibited from telling."

She stared at him for a moment, "What do the files say?"

"Gabrielle Éléonore D'Aubigne born 1765 in Versailles, France. Turned to a Pyrrhonian in 1789 the year the French Revolution began, and the thirteenth year of Caitlyn Lyndale's life. Master is unknown…"

"Basically my entire life story then?"

He nodded, "Basically."

"Well, my life revolving around Kailin, anyway."

"What could be taken from your mind was, such as your birth date, your parents' names, and your original name. I am curious as to why you pushed Kailin to change her name, but never changed your own."

She folded her arms, "It's not as common of a practice among Pyrrhonians as it is with your kind. We don't feel we have come into a new life, rather extended the first." She remained silent for a moment, "So, now this all makes sense. You hovering around me every moment, and Kailin acting out against you. Your master is just trying to use us for whatever sick plot he has in mind. Going to make us kill the Mephis, huh?"

He shook his head, "No, he only wants to help Kailin. Make her better and stronger so that she can better protect…"

"Kailin was right. Get the hell out and stay out!"

"Gabby, I don't understand where this hostility is coming from. I merely stated that your file was on record."

She shook her head, "It is and always will be about Kailin, she is the center of attention. Does the file tell you that because of her dragging her damn infected sister here, that my entire pack was killed? Does it tell you that I held my best friend while she died a slow miserable death in my arms? Kailin brought it upon us, and she is the reason that we no longer have peace."

"She is your friend, she would do anything for you. Don't speak harshly of her like that. The creation of the Mephis was foreseen long before you or she were born, you can't…"

"I said get out, you fucking cross bearer! Get the hell out of my apartment and don't you ever return!" She threw open the door and pointed to the hall with her index finger.

He walked over to the door and looked back, "I didn't mean it the way it sounded, if you would just let me explain."

"No explanations is needed, I am much smarter then you think. All you Halloweds always looking down on other species, you make me sick!" She pushed him, and he stepped back into the hall. Once she was sure he was out enough, she slammed the door.

Staring at the closed door, she felt herself begin to tear up. Gabrielle had always blamed Kailin for what had occurred in Boston, but there was nothing she could of done. Kailin had killed her own sister, thinking that it would cleanse the world of them. But once Leila was dead, the Mephis wanted to take revenge. The only intelligent Mephis that Leila had left behind was thought to be destroyed. He came to destroy his mistress' murderer, but found that it was truly Kailin who was his creator.

Samuel died helping to protect them, and if it hadn't been for Kailin then she would of never made it out either. Yet, if Kailin had never come she would still be with her sisters. It was too late for such thoughts, as Kailin had done nothing but protect her as the years past. She was her pack mate now, and would always remain as such. They may not of gotten along, but she loved her more then she could ever say. But sometimes, she didn't know whether she hated her for the past more or loved her for now.

But one thing was for sure, Kailin was the one constant in her life. The one person who would never leave or betray her. They had become sisters, replacing each other's losses. While others came and went, there was always Kailin. While others brought pain, Kailin brought safety. And while others plotted against them, Kailin would pull out against their odds.

She believed in her Hallowed friend, and had long ago stopped viewing her as a different species. She could be cold and distant, but on the inside she was just like Gabrielle. They both had lost, both had loved, both had suffered, but more importantly they both needed each other. Gabrielle followed her lead, and that was what had kept her in this world for so long.

---***---

Kailin wrapped her coat around her as she walked past the red rope barrier. The line into the club was stretched around and into the back with good reason. The bar was a beautiful place, it had a glass roof so that one could see the stars and the moon. Drinks were made by some of the best professionals in the business. There were two sections one for the more socialite people for talking and drinking, and the other section for dancing to loud music.

She walked past the crowd hearing several people yell at her to get in line. The loud beat within the building echoed through her ears. Matthew, the door guard, stood at the end. Dark almond hair and eyes with jeans and a tight black shirt that read Moonlight Club. He smiled at she approached, and reached towards the door with his muscle filled arm.

"Miss Drake, it's been a while."

Kailin smiled, "Indeed it has." "Hey fuckhead, I've been waiting for three hours to get in and she just walks right up? What kind of place is this?" A man in line yelled.

"The kind you ain't getting into, get the hell out of line!" Matthew yelled as he shut the door when Kailin stepped in.

Steven, a man who could have been Matthew's twin, stood at the end of the long hallway. He smiled when he saw her approach, "Hey, how's it going?"

"Fine, how are you?" She asked, and then reached into her purse for her wallet.

"Great, been a while since you showed up. We were just talking the other day about you." He laughed.

Pulling out a fifty dollar bill, she offered it to him. "I've been busy."

Steven took it and put it into a metal case, "To busy for us?" He inked up a stamp.

"Is that necessary?" She asked, she hated when they stamped her.

Holding out his hand, he nodded. "Afraid so, if someone inside doesn't see it on you then you could be thrown out."

"Who wouldn't know who I am?"

"Come on, it's only a little ink."

Kailin sighed and put her hand into Steven's, he pressed the stamp of a half moon that read Moonlight club where the other half was missing onto her hand. He kept a hold of her hand and helped walk her around the table, and opened the door that lead to the main dance room for her.

"Have fun, Miss Drake."

"I always do." She smiled, as he shut the door.

Making her way over to the bar, she sat down on a stool. She didn't recognize the bartender as he came to stand in front of her. "What do you want?"

"Just water please."

He stared at her for a moment, "You have to be drinking alcohol to sit at the bar."

Kailin cocked her head at him, "I've never had a problem with it before."

"That's the rules, lady." He said.

She looked him over, blonde hair spiked up and built like the guards outside. "I always sit at the bar, now please get my water."

"Not tonight you get a drink or sit at a table."

"Fine then make me a martini." She snapped.

He turned around and made her one quickly and placed it in front of her. Policy was to watch them take their first drink to make sure it tasted alright.

Kailin scooped the drink up and poured it in the sink behind the bar. "That was delicious."

He frowned, "Whatever, lady, you still have to pay for it."

"Kailin." Another bartender walked next to the blonde man.

"Hello, Chris." She smiled.

"Water?" Chris asked, he looked just like Matthew and Steven, but unlike Steven he was related to Matthew.

"Yes, thank you." She said again with a smile.

Chris looked over to the blonde bartender, "It's alright, Alex, we make an exception for Kailin."

He rolled his eyes and walked away, as Chris got her a glass of water. He placed the clear glass in front of her full of ice and the clear liquid, and smiled. She returned the gesture and he walked away.

Leaving the glass on the counter, she turned to examine the room. It was dark in here, except for the blue lights that somehow seemed to make it better for the human vision. Kailin could see just fine, as she began checking for her next victim.

"Hello, haven't see you here before?" The male voice said, and Kailin turned to look at the tall Italian man.

"Probably because you haven't looked." She said, and turned back to the crowd.

When her eyes fell on two women dancing together, she realized that her victim had come to her. She heard him drop something into her water, as he leaned against the bar between her and an empty stool. Her attention went back to him, and began to check his mind. A rapist, how lovely, and all too common in this city.

"I take it you come here a lot?" He said.

Turning around, Kailin's hand accidentally bumped her water and it spilt onto the counter and behind the bar. "Oops." She tried to sound innocent, even though she had done it on purpose. "Thought it was further back."

He laughed, acting as if it didn't bother him. "What was that? I'll buy you another."

"It was just water." She waved Chris over, and he laughed when he saw the mess.

"Cool, collected Kailin spills her drink. This is going to make headlines tomorrow, you know?" Chris teased as he cleaned it up, and then gave her another glass.

She took the drink in her hand and smiled at the man beside her, as Chris walked away.

"Kailin, huh? Pretty name." He said and took a seat on the stool, "My name is Jess."

She wanted his attention to be on someone else, normally they would give up and find another target. If she could watch him and then follow him out, then all would be well. She couldn't afford to have his attention on her, and yet she couldn't have him scared away either. He had to feel safe to continue his search within the club.

Kailin was about to turn to the man and tell him nicely she wasn't interested, when a scream came from the crowd and the sound of breaking glass. Mephis entered through the skylight, and a rain of glass sprinkled down. She shot up as they began to attack several of the humans inside. Looking over to the entrance, she saw a Mephis holding the door shut with one hand. Steven tried to get in, but failed against the strength of the creature.

---***---

One took notice at her and ran towards her, ready to attack. Kailin spun around, and when he ran past her, she grabbed his neck and broke it. She heard a Mephis speaking to the others, most of the younger Mephis couldn't speak. Only she and another Mephis could understand their strange, fluid filled language. He had told them to attack and kill her.

The room filled with people screaming, and blood covered the dance floor as Kailin turned to face the group of two. Some people began to hide under the tables, and others went for windows, but failed when a Mephis caught them.

One began to charge her, a Mephis healing rate was extremely slow, though faster then a humans, she could injure them to slow them down. Next to her was a bar stool, which she grabbed and thrust through the mid-section of the on coming Mephis. The second was far luckier, and shoved her up against the bar. The pain of the bar pushing into her spine made her whimper, as he continued to push. Then in one solid motion he bit firmly into her neck.

He didn't drink her blood or continue to chew at her flesh, instead he stepped backwards. His gray skin blue by the light, his dark large eyes vacant. She looked at the hunched over creature, as she grabbed the wound on her neck, feeling the teeth marks over Tzion's. He began to gag and cough, falling to the ground on his back. He flayed wildly with his hands and legs, and then began to bloat. Unable to kick anymore, he became nothing but a large fluid filled creature. Blood, mucus, and flesh flew everywhere landing on Kailin and anyone unlucky enough to be close by.

She realized that all the screaming had stopped, and looked up at the Mephis left in the room. They had the humans tucked away under tables or in their arms, and in the center of the bloody dance floor was a familiar face. Though it was scarred and slightly burned still, she could see him clearly past the wounds.

"Kailin, it has been such a long time." He said, he didn't look like the Mephis. Instead he looked very human still, expect for his long fangs.

She said nothing just stared at him.

"Please, don't tell me you don't remember me. After all that we have been through together." He waited for her to respond, but she didn't. "Mother, you know your own son, do you not."

"I remember you, Anthony, but I am shocked that you still live." It was her sister's first turn, and the very man she thought she killed within the walls of the whore house. She watched it burn with Samuel's and Anthony's bodies inside.

"You gave it a good go, however I am afraid you didn't quite finish me the way you had thought. I am much stronger then these drones." He kicked the arm of the exploded Mephis as he walked closer to her. "I found my head," He pointed to the scars on his neck, "and I found the body of your abandon friend. He was still alive, Kailin. You left him to burn." He stopped three feet from her, and smiled.

His face carried scars and burns, it had taken him quite some time to recover from what she had done. He wore dark pants and shirt with a long black overcoat, and a devilish grin.

"Samuel is dead, I watched him die."

He shook his head, "Samuel lives with me now, as a Mephis. I changed him."

"That's not possible, I bit first. You can't turn a Hallowed into a Mephis."

Anthony smiled wider, showing his teeth, "Apparently there is a small window which I found, it did turn him. If you don't believe me, then you can come and see for yourself, mother."

She swallowed, "How could you?"

"What turn him into me? Don't worry I didn't make him a disgusting drone, he is of a higher thought." It was silent for a moment as he stared at her, "You look so much like Leila, I miss her so."

"I'm sure you do." She said sarcastically.

"You do not believe that I truly loved her?"

"When you were human, but as a Mephis you love only to feed."

His smiled faded away, "Perhaps, you are right." He looked down at the blood soaked ground, and then took a step closer to her. Placing his hand on her cheek, she could smell his rotting flesh, still healing from a battle two hundred years ago. "Mother, guide us. Show us the way to glory."

"What the hell are you talking about?" She pushed his hand away.

"You can lead us to be more, show us how to conquer and destroy."

She looked into his deep brown eyes, a man who was once a soft spoken hermit. He lived in the nearby woods and only came into town to buy the essentials. Anthony would make medicines from herbs he found around the forest, and sell them for a fair price in town. What had he become? A man who wanted nothing more to be left alone and to help people. His eyes weren't the same as they had once been, she knew them from the battle in Boston. These weren't his eyes anymore, they belonged to a demon now. A creature that only enjoyed death.

Opening her mouth, she was about to answer, when the door flew open from the entrance hall. Kailin turned her head to see Tzion enter with several peons, human and vampire. Turning her head, Anthony was gone, and so were the several Mephis who had been standing around the club.

The traces of fear vanished from the human faces, and everyone stood up and began to make a single line. They walked towards the door, and out onto the sidewalk.

"Are you doing this?" Kailin asked looking at the vacant human faces as they walked past.

"No, but there are some with such strong minds to accomplish such a feat." Tzion told her. "So, you've met Anthony, now."

She nodded, "I need to know what is going on. Why has he asked me to lead them?"

"Come to my home tomorrow night around eight, I will explain everything to you then. Nothing will be hidden from you ever again. It was a mistake not to tell you from the very beginning."

"Mathias warned me not to go to your house again." She told him as he turned his back on her.

"You have been speaking to Mathias, have you?" he asked, turning back around. "Don't trust that one, Kailin. He only wishes you harm, and can not stand to see you succeed. He is insane and believes that if you are destroyed that the Mephis will die as well. He doesn't know that they will only destroy us for your death." He snorted, "He believes that he is Eva's chosen one, and that by watching you, he can stop you from becoming the Mephis' leader."

Throwing up his hands, he looked around, "Where is he now, Kailin? You were attacked by Anthony and he allowed them to harm you." He turned back to her, "He wants you to die, and doesn't want me to help make you stronger. I know that you must be in order to survive to your one thousandth year. Be warned, Kailin, he wishes you death."

She nodded, and headed towards the door.

"Be careful on your way home, Anthony may still be lurking." She heard him say as she stepped into the hall, and then the words entered her mind. "Or worse, Mathias may be."