Chapter 7-

Lucian walks into the lab with purpose as he heads toward Singe who was standing talking with two Lycans who were dressed as cops. He couldn't remember how long he had been searching for the descendant of Corvinus but hopefully with the vial of blood he got from Michael the search would finally be over. As he nears them Singe turns around and smirks as he says, "A second escape. Impressive. Perhaps Raze wasn't overstating matters."

"Raze didn't bring back this." Lucian replies a smirk filling his face as he holds up the vial of Michael's blood. Singe smirks happily as he takes the vial from Lucian.

"If Michael is indeed the carrier, the Vampires could-"

"Relax, old friend. I have tasted his flesh. Just two days till full moon. Soon, he will be a Lycan. Soon, he will come looking for us." Lucian replies a triumphant look on his face.

"I'll get everything ready." Singe replies and as he goes to walk away Lucian stops him by grabbing his arm. "I also came across something rather interesting while hunting Michael." Lucian pulls out the other vial of blood he had obtained and holding it up to the scientist says, "The human that Night saved over seventy years ago showed himself today."

"I don't see why you would bring me his blood." Singe says and Lucian smirks.

"I brought it to you because he hasn't aged a day in the last seventy years. When I bit him, his blood had a familiar taste to it. Like Michael's in a way, but slightly different."

"I'll run some tests," Singe says his brow furrowed. He knew Lucian wouldn't bring it to him if there wasn't something special to it; and if it was like Michael's then there was something very special to it indeed. "I'll start on it after I test Michael's blood." Singe adds and Lucian nods. Turning Lucian heads to his room to clean up. He was still very curious about the human that was searching for (Name). He could understand him feeling close to her after her giving him some of her blood to survive; but what this human was showing was borderline obsession.

Lucian was surprised to have seen (Name) at Michael's apartment earlier. He hadn't seen her since she gave him the books he had needed to find the mortal line of Corvinus. If Lucian had to admit it, he felt slightly betrayed by her wanting to stay at the mansion with the vampires instead of returning to his side like her mother had. He sighs as he runs a hand through his long hair a faint memory of (Name) when she was a child filling his mind. She had been an unwanted child in the eyes of the vampires; but to her mother, Athena, she had been a blessing.

Melancholy fills him as he remembers his old friend. Athena, Sonja, and him had been friends since they first laid eyes on each other. Well, he and Sonja had been more than friends; but Athena had been like a sister to him. Born in the Northern Coven, she was taught a more peaceful way of living, one where Lycans and Vampires had no beef. At one point in time that had been a dream of his and Sonja's but now Lucian wanted those responsible for her death to pay.

Shaking his head free of the memories he quickly cleans himself up and heads back to the lab where Singe was waiting. Walking up to stand behind him Lucian watches as Singe drops Michael's blood into the beaker. He gives it a quick swirl and then watches patiently. As it turns blue Singe smirks. "Positive."

"And the other vial?" Lucian asks his eyes focusing on the beaker holding Michael's test.

"Very peculiar indeed," Singe says as he walks over to a microscope and peeking continues. "His blood has traces of something I haven't seen in almost a hundred years."

"That being?"

"In the forties, I knew a man named Erskine who used a derivative of the Corvinus gene to create a super soldier. However, this man's blood contains but a perversion of the serum."

"Meaning someone tried to recreate the serum and failed."

"They didn't fail entirely," Singe adds as he stands back up to look at Lucian. "His blood bonded with the serum in a surprising way. It may have something to do with when he took in the blood of your Vampire niece."

"Athena never would explain who (Name)'s father was. Is it possible he was one of the Corvinus ancestors? Although William is out of the question, and Marcus; well Athena never could explain to me why she harbored him such hatred."

"It is possible she is an earlier descendant of Alexander Corvinus, or perhaps even a direct descendant."

"That's not possible, Athena wouldn't keep something like that from me, not knowing how much I wanted to join the bloodlines."

"I never met her, so I don't know; I would like to get some of Night's blood though." Singe says a creepy twinkle filling his eyes.

"No, we have what we need. We'll start with Michael."

"When you obtained the second dose of blood, did you bite the human?"

"Yes,"

"I would love to get my hands on him, his evolution would make a wonderful study."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"And you say you haven't heard from him since then?" Natasha asks worry filling her body.

"No, we got separated in the scuffle. Last I saw he was in a car with that Vampire he was looking for." Hunter replies causing Natasha to groan in annoyance.

"What is he thinking?" Natasha says mostly to herself right as Steve walks through the door anger filling his face.

"When were you gonna tell me Bucky went to Budapest?" Steve asks tossing a picture onto the table with Bucky's mug pictured on it.

"Hunter, I have to go, call me if you hear anything."

"I'll keep my eyes and ears open." Hunter replies before hanging up the phone. Natasha sighs as she leans forward to get a better look at the picture to see him carrying a body while following a dark haired-woman and another (H/C) woman. "Barnes came to me for information regarding the woman, well vampire, that saved his life after he fell from the train. I found out she was in Budapest, and when I told him he was on the next flight out."

"Dammit, one of you should have said something." Steve says angrily before turning and heading to his room. Natasha was quick to follow him.

"Steve, what are you planning?" She asks her eyes narrowing at him back.

"I'm going to knock some sense into him. He knew better than to go after her." Steve says as he walks into his room and grabbing his duffel bag and starts tossing clothes into it.

"Steve, nothing either of us could have said was gonna stop him. If you would've seen his eyes when he saw her picture, you'd understand."

"I know about his so-called connection to her. He's told me a million times, I always thought it was rather sketchy."

"Steve, did Bucky tell you she gave him her blood?"

"Yes,"

"Then you know he has some of her memories, right?"

"What are you getting at Nat?"

"From what he's told me about her, I can understand why he'd want to find her."

"Bucky's not thinking clearly, he wanted to know why she left, he should have just asked her and then left."

"Steve, you know it's not that easy." Natasha adds and Steve pauses momentarily before sighing. "He still should have told me something."

"He was worried you wouldn't agree with what he was doing, and he was right."

"You know I have to go after him." Steve says as he folds his arms over his chest.

"I know, and I won't stop you."

"But?"

"I'm going too. Before you argue remember, he means something to me too. I deserve to go." Natasha says and Steve nods.

"Just promise me you'll be safe. I know you don't need protection; but I can't help but worry about you."

"You just worry about that Vampire of his. If anything happens to him she'll have me to deal with."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I sit in the window seat of my room my back to Bucky as I ponder Kraven's words. What had he meant by my being Marcus's favorite? How could I be someone's favorite if they had never met me. I groan inwardly as I reach up to rub my forehead. Selene was most likely shooting off her anger from Kraven pissing her off, and Bucky was sleeping on my bed. When I had come back from the altercation with Kraven he had given me my space. I guess even he knew not to mess with me when I was thinking.

I look out the window and think about how only a short while ago Michael had jumped from Selene's bedroom window and took off. There was no telling where he was now; but I had a feeling Lucian would find him soon. My thoughts drift back to when Bucky had asked why I reacted differently to Michael and I ponder the thought. I didn't know exactly why but I knew it had something to do with his blood. Maybe that's why Lucian was also after him.

I rub my forehead as I try to process it all. I hear a pained grunt and my head is instantly pulled to where Bucky was starting to toss and turn. Worry filled my body as I instantly jump up and run over to him. When I reach him, I realize he was  sweating profusely. Biting my lip, I furrow my brow and gently reach out to place my hand on his forehead. As my hand meets his face his eyes shoot open and he grips tightly to my hand pulling it away from him. "Calm down James, it's okay." I say calmly as I realize his eyes were blank.

His grip tightens on my wrist only briefly before he blinks a few times and then realizing what he is doing lets me go. "I'm sorry, I was just."

"His memories?" I ask and Bucky stares at me for a moment before he nods.

"Yeah," He answers reaching up to rub his forehead.

"If you don't mind me asking, what did you see?" I ask as I lean over to my night stand and opening the drawer pull out a extra cloth and gently wipe the sweat off his face.

"Are you asking if I saw you?" He asks and I freeze. His eyes find mind and I already know without asking what he's seen. "Lucian lied to you, didn't he?"

"To what are you referring?" I ask as I return to wiping the sweat away causing him to grab my wrist and hold it in place as his brows furrow in anger.

"You know what I'm talking about (Name)." He says and my anger rises and I instantly rip my hand from his grasp and tossing the cloth at him say, "Clean yourself up."

"Come on (Name), I just want some answers."

"DON'T!" I yell out a little louder than I meant too as I turn back to face him pain and anger filling my face. "Don't call me that."

"But it's your name, isn't it?"

"Not anymore," I say as I reach up to run a hand through my hair.

"Night," He says as he stands up and slowly walks over to me, cautious of what exactly I would do next. "I don't know your history with Lucian; but what I do know is that he cares about you."

"You need to stop saying his name Bucky," I say stopping his words. "For all anyone here knows Lucian is dead."

"Does your friend know that Lucian is alive?" Bucky asks and I shake my head.

"No, I thought it best to let them all believe he was dead. What I wasn't planning on was Victor leaving Kraven in charge for his lies." I reply my eyes focusing on the floor.

"Night," Bucky says my name pulling my eyes from the floor to look at him. He forces himself to his feet as he instantly crosses the floor to stand a few feet in front of me. I look up into his eyes as he gently places his hand on my cheek. "I don't know what the future has in store for me, especially now that I've been bitten; but what I do know is, I want to be where you are."

"James," I say barely audible as I furrow my brow and lean into his touch. I knew I shouldn't. everything I was raised to believe told me to keep him far away from me. He would become a Lycan, we couldn't be together for that reason alone. If we were, it would end up just like Lucian and Sonja's relationship. We would be hunted down like prey and killed.

"Stop," he says placing his forehead against mine causing me to finally realize how hot he really was. "Stop thinking so much" He adds and I grit my teeth. "Stop using your head," He pulls away and my eyes instantly find his. Before I have a chance to reply I feel his lips crash down onto mine and I melt into him. His hand moves from my cheek to wrap around my back as the other hand reaches down to gently grip my hip holding me into place. I feel my arms unconsciously reach up and wrap around his neck causing our kiss to deepen. An unknown feeling fills my body causing my teeth to bare themselves. Bucky pauses a moment before I feel his tongue enter my mouth and gently start to run along my fangs.

Before we have a chance to take things further I hear a car approach the gate outside and I quickly sever our connection leaving us both breathless. I bite my lip as I turn away from him and walk over to the window. My eyes widen as recognize Michael's form. Turning back to Bucky my eyes fill with worry as I say, "We have to find Selene and get you both out of here."

"What's going on?" Bucky says pushing past me to look out the window as I hurry toward the door. "Shit!" I hear Bucky reply before he follows me.

"Keep quiet and don't say anything, the moment they find out, you're a dead man." I say as he reaches me.

"I'm a mute, I get it." He replies as he sticks close to my side. I knew she probably went to see Victor to think so I went to the birthing chamber only to walk in right as Kraven says, "If you go to him, you'll never be welcome in this house again."

"Now that Victor's awake, we'll see what he has to say about that." Selene replies and my blood runs cold. She woke him up. This was bad. Selene turns to see me standing with Bucky beside me and she pauses.

"Who the hell is that?" Kraven asks and I growl.

"He's not your concern now that Victor's awake." I reply before turning from him to Selene and inching forward I whisper into her ear so only she could hear, "Take Bucky with you. Please, I will never ask you for a favor again." She pauses shock in her eyes at my sudden emotion before she turns to look at Bucky.

"Very well, you'll come with me." She says to Bucky and he pauses a moment his eyes meeting mine only temporarily. I turn my back to Kraven and them as I move over to him and say, "Go, you're not safe here; and you can help Michael if something happens." He nods his eyes silently telling me how he cares for me before he turns and follows Selene. I watch them go before I turn and make my way to the awakening room followed closely by Kraven.

Once inside it looks like nothing has changed, but I can smell his blood in the air. He really was awake. "Look, I warned her. I warned her but she didn't listen. She never listens. I should've told you." I hear Erika say and I quickly turn toward her my eyes filled with warning.

"Told me what?!" Kraven demands and I move closer to them.

"Nothing, she should have told you nothing." I say but he growls at me causing my teeth to bare themselves.

"Told me what?"

"Her human, Michael..." she pauses for a moment as she glances over at me. "He's not a human at all. He's a Lycan."

"WHAT?!" Kraven yells out causing Erika to jump in fear but I ignore them as I hear a familiar voice say, "What's this ruckus?" I turn to see Victor standing there looking weak but I knew better than to think of him like that. We all quickly kneel and then stand back up. "Leave us!" Victor says and I look at the ground before I start to leave only for him to say, "Not you Night, you remain. I will have words with you after I talk with Kraven."

"Yes, my lord." I say moving slightly to the side just in case he decides to take care of Kraven himself.

"Do you know why I have been awakened Servant?" Victor asks as he turns back to Kraven.

"No, my lord; But I will soon find out." Kraven replies not looking at Victor.

"You mean when you find her."

"Yes, my Lord."

"You must let her come to me." Victor orders causing Kraven to finally meet his eyes. "We have much to discuss, Selene and I. She has shown me a great many disturbing things. Things that will be dealt with soon enough. This coven has grown weak, decadent. Perhaps I should have left someone else in charge of my affairs." He pauses for a moment making me look up at him to see that he was having trouble processing Selene's memories. "Still... her memories... are chaotic. There's no sense of time."

"Please my lord, let me summon you some assistance. You're in need of rest." Kraven says and I roll my eyes.

"That's stupid considering he's been asleep all this time." I reply making Kraven glare at me.

"Night is right, I have rested enough. What you will do is summon Marcus." Victor says and I find myself shying away. He was not gonna be happy.

"But he still slumbers, My lord." Kraven says causing Victor to glare at him in confusion. "Amelia and the Council members are arriving tomorrow night to awaken Marcus. Not you my lord, you've been awoken a full century ahead of schedule." I look up to see the anger seething inside Victor and I feel a shiver of fear run through my body.

"Leave us Kraven." Victor says and Kraven bows before he quickly leaves. I turn back to Victor who is staring off after Kraven. When we are alone he looks at me and asks, "Do you believe Selene?"

"Yes, my lord." I reply quickly making him nod.

"She would never lie to me. You however, have." Victor says and I freeze.

"Regarding what, my lord?" I ask my eyes not leaving his.

"There was a human in her memories, a dark-haired male with a metal arm." He pauses waiting for me to react but I don't. "The two of you seemed to know each other."

"We've seen each other before, yes, but that was it." I reply trying to divert him from questioning to much about Bucky. He stares me down his eyes narrowed in disbelief. Bluffing, I hold my wrist out and say, "If you wish to know the truth then by all means." He cocks an eyebrow at me then turning away says, "I will learn everything soon enough. Leave me, I wish to await Selene in private."

"Of Course, My Lord." I say before I quickly turn to leave the room.

"And Night," He says causing me to pause.

"Yes, My Lord?" I say not turning back to look at him.

"You are not to leave this mansion. When Selene returns I will see where your loyalty lies." He says in warning and I nod.

"As you wish, My Lord."