A/N: Thank you to everyone who waited so bloody long for this chapter. I didn’t like it all that much to be perfectly honest. I’ve made it especially long for lack of updating. I actually changed the plot, too. I don’t know why, but I did. I’m pretty sure this will work out into a happy ending when I update next. Thanks again for waiting, everyone. It means a lot to me.

I’d like to dedicate this chapter to Tecna and MurtaghSonOfMorzan for having stuck with me all this time. Thanks, guys. You’re the best.

Animal I have Become by Three Days Grace and Fukai mori (Inuyasha theme song)

Rating: M

Chapter Twelve

Unexpected Relationships

Dimitri Vintiacoff, leader of the Shadow Defender headquarters, fidgeted nervously in the backseat of the sleek limousine. This was utter foolishness – completely ridiculous. Who could have talked him into this? His gaze landed on the two men seated across from him - two other councillors in the order. Never listen to inferior people. The city’s lights disappeared out of the limo’s view and soon, they were driving into Venma, the vampire’s territory. There was no way this could work. No way at all. The limo pulled to a stop and the occupants tensed self-consciously. Outside, there were no lights – just endless pitch black.

Dimitri cleared his throat and looked past the driver through to the illumination of the headlights. The black gates were foreboding and menacing, matching exactly what was inside.

“W-what do you want me to do, sir?” the driver asked in a mere whisper, as though it would be inaudible to the vampires inside.

The old man suddenly grits his jaw and thrust the door open without answering. Muffled protests were heard as he slammed the door shut. Striding determinedly up to the gates, he glared into the darkness within.

“Now listen here, you vampires. I wish to talk with the one named Zack Mequ.”

If the background noise wasn’t quiet before, it certainly was now. There was no sound, not even the purr of an engine.

“Very game, human.” A pale face suddenly appeared right behind the gates. Red eyes framed by blond hair studied the man incredulously. “What do you want?”

“Are you Zack?”

“No. My name is Sampson. I will ask again, what do you want?”

“I wish to speak with the one nam-”

“You’re starting to annoy me. What do you want!?”

Dimitri scowled at the vampire. “I wish to make an alliance with Zack.”

Sampson’s expression became completely stoic before he burst out laughing. The sound ricocheted around them, or maybe it was many other vampires sharing his amusement.

Dimitri assumed it was the latter. Luck never seemed to work in his favour. Red eyes started to glow behind Sampson.

“Sampson, where are your manners?”

The blond stopped immediately and backed away, out of Dimitri’s sight just to let Zack become visible. It was impossible not to label this particular vampire as the leader. Just the way Sampson backed down with his head bowed screamed that he was the subordinate. Dimitri straightened his stance and raised his head slightly to meet Zack’s intense stare. If he’d be a lesser man, he’d probably be begging for this alliance, but he didn’t intend to sully his knees for a freak of nature.

“Are you Zack Mequ?” his tone was slightly sarcastic and alarmingly rude. The vampire merely revealed his sharp teeth in a malicious grin.

“I could be. Why do you want to know?”

“I wish to make an alliance.”

The vampires grin faded to nothing but a grim line of pale lips. Zack studied the proud human incredulously and frowned. “What for?”

“Apparently, you need help to beat your brother-”

The snarl that ripped from Zack’s chest was enough to cause the man to take a wary step back from the gates. The vampires face was a mix of rage and murderous intent. His posture was tensed and slightly hunched as though he was preparing to launch himself over the iron gates.

“I do not need help to defeat my brother.”

Dimitri held his hands up as a sign of submission. “I understand.” The human scratched his bald head nervously. “This isn’t easy for me to say but...we can’t defeat Miguel and his vampires without your help.”

Zack’s mood changed quite abruptly. He crossed his arms and snorted. “Why would you want to defeat him? He’s the one least likely to hurt you and your organisation.”

“I realise that, but as the saying goes, ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’.”

“Why do you want to defeat him beside the obvious reasons?”

“News spread very quickly within headquarters. It was heard that a Vampier contained one of the highest positions in the organisation and that a Slayer became the mate of a Vampier.” Zack’s eyes flashed momentarily as Dimitri continued. “Simply put, I want him gone for embarrassing me. That Slayer, however...well, my scientists wish to do tests on her. Apparently she is a Vampier.”

Zack’s eyes widened to this new information. Sarah was a Vampier? When the hell did that happen? His brow furrowed immediately and his mind raced through the possibilities of this alliance. And there was the huge advantage...but it involved lying. Zack’s lips formed into an overly polite smile. To a human, it appeared to be natural and obvious but to the vampires watching from the shadows, they knew their master was up to something very devious.

“Very well. I will help you.”

The wailing cries of the child echoed through the hallways and surrounding bedrooms. At two am in the morning, this was not someone’s opinion of a wakeup call. The collective groans followed it soon after. Sarah groaned in agony, reluctantly untangling herself from her mate’s warm embrace before stumbling out of the room with a wide yawn. Looking after Dominique was a full-time job and although she was elated with her son, she really wished he’d just shut up sometimes. Plus, another thing grating on her thin nerves was the fact that she had not been intimate with Amon since her first time. Apparently it was because of Dominique that the Vampier kept their intimacy level to PG13. Her baby’s room was located between Amon’s room and Miguel’s room to ensure that if anyone tried to harm the baby, a very dangerous father would be there to protect him and Miguel would be the ultimate backup.

Dominique wriggled around in his cot, and though he could not see his mother, he could sense her. His wails quietened to small sobs. Sarah shushed him gently before lifting her son and cradled him, the annoyance of being woken up somewhat irrelevant now.

“What’s wrong, my love?” she whispered to the baby. “You were fed an hour ago-”

A feral hiss suddenly escaped her throat and she clutched her baby tightly to her chest. Barely visible in the corner of the room was a shape. To whose side it belonged, Sarah was uncertain, but the fact that it was in here left little to the imagination. She adopted a clearly defensive stance, shielding her crying baby.

A blur of colour suddenly zipped past her and she could dimly see her mate, snarling and growling at the shape now cowering beneath him. Although a vampire she was herself, the quiver of fear was quite apparent as it traced the lines of her body. An angry Amon was a scary Amon.

“Brody?” Amon’s growling and snarling abruptly came to a halt. Sarah gaped as the shape stood and nodded its head. “What the hell are you doing here?”

The former shadow hunter adopted a more relaxed stance but it was obvious that he was nervous – very nervous. Amon could have very nearly killed him. Sarah moved closer, cradling Dominique in her arms. The little vampire managed to wrap small arms around her neck, much like manacles, before settling against her.

Miguel came sauntering into the room, his long hair all over the place and a rather not-so-amused expression on his pale features. A sullen-looking Damian followed behind him.

“What’s all this noise about?” Miguel complained, leaning idly against the room’s doorframe. Damian – in the sleep deprived state he was in – simply used his lover as support as he dossed off on the Vampier’s shoulder.

Sarah shot the shape shifter an envious look.

Brody chuckled nervously. “Um...I quit.”

A collective sigh moved around the room followed by a repeated, “took you long enough.”

Brody rose to his own defence. “Hey! I had no choice-”

“Look, Brody. Ever since little Dominique here came into our lives a couple of days ago; the majority of people residing here haven’t been able to get much sleep.” Miguel indicated the now softly snoring blond. “So if you don’t mind, can you please get to the point of your visit?”

Now extremely embarrassed, Brody shuffled from side to side for a few moments before he blurted out something completely unintelligible.

“You’re going to have to repeat that.” Amon murmured.

“I want to be a vampire to help you guys out.”

Sarah rolled her eyes and shifted Dominique more comfortably against her chest. He squirmed with the abruptly movement before settling down again, resting his head in the crook of her neck. The loving red eyes of her mate watched the exchange and he smiled gently at his son and lover. Miguel sighed somewhat exaggeratedly and took a step forward, only to have Damian crash into the doorframe. The shape shifter barely registered the impact and simply climbed off the floor in a sleep-walking fashion before walking further into the room, arms reaching out to find his lover. The Vampier smirked mischievously and manoeuvred out of reach. Damian mumbled something inaudible and leapt forward; tumbling onto the floor as Miguel quickly sidestepped the attack. The shape shifter growled cutely as he picked himself off the carpet and trotted around the room. Miguel stopped in front of Amon, shot him a cheeky look and leapt to the side just as Damian latched onto the Vampier.

“Argh! Damian, get your hands off of me!”

Amon struggled pathetically with the shape shifter who now had his hands around the Vampier’s waist, slowly gliding down to his backside. Sarah burst out laughing as her mate’s cheeks turned red from anger – or maybe it was embarrassment – and he promptly thumped the blond over the head with a well-aimed punch. Miguel was nearly pissing himself with laughter and Brody just had an incredulous look on his face.

“Ow! What’d you do that for, Amon?”

“You were trying to grope me!”

“I don’t think so.” Damian was disgusted.

“I concur.” Miguel managed to control himself before wandering over to them with a sly smile on his face. Amon glared at him.

“Asshole.” He whispered under his breath. The old Vampier ignored him pointedly.

“Ahem.” Brody interrupted the scene with amusement apparent in his tone. “Is anyone going to turn me?”

The room was silent for a moment, each tuning into their own thought patterns. Miguel’s expression was curious and somewhat excited. The prospect of changing a human into a vampire was obviously an inviting opportunity for him. Damian didn’t seem to care one way or the other. It was condemnation in his opinion. Amon simply shrugged.

“We do not need any more vampires.” Cameron was suddenly in the doorway, his expression stern. Lucifer, having been woken up from the intense racket, came charging in expecting to see an army of vampires but the only thing he saw was a bunch of morons, minus his mistress. He sighed mentally. The three male vampires turned to glare at him and his lips pulled back over his teeth in a wolfy-grin. Sarah hid her smile behind Dominique’s head. Trust Lucifer to be a little smartass. Brody and Damian exchanged glances with the same thought progress: bloody vampires.

“No, we do actually.” Miguel had finally composed himself and his expression became approving. “In order to defeat Zack and the slayers, we’ll need as many vampires as we can get.”

A deep sadness was reflected in his eyes, but strangely, no one else seemed to notice. Amon nodded in obvious agreement. It only seemed like the right thing to do, really - if someone was willing to sacrifice their human soul then what the hell. Cameron remained silent but the battle in his eyes told everyone what he thought of the idea. Sarah chewed her lip apprehensively, careful to avoid piercing it with her fangs. To her, it seemed unfair for a boy as cheerful as Brody. He didn’t understand what it was like to be a vampire, and that you were no more invincible than a human. Her gaze landed on her son and she pressed him tighter against her chest, as though someone was going to snatch him out of her arms.

“Hey. I’ll change him.” Chris dragged himself into the room, his sweat shirt hanging off one shoulder.

“Yeah, maybe when pigs fly,” Amon rolled his eyes. To let a teenager change a human was absolute suicide. They could easily kill the human without realising it - that they’d taken far too much blood and not given enough of their poison. Christopher frowned at his brother.

“I can do it, honestly. I have enough control.”

The occupants of the room seemed to consider Chris’s control. Miguel was the first to shake his head, surprisingly mature.

“No, Chris. I’ll do it.”

“But-”

“We believe that you are experienced, Chris.” Cameron said quietly. “But Miguel needs more blood than any of us at the moment to defeat Zack, even if it is only changing someone.”

Miguel nodded in affirmation of Cameron’s statement and shot him a look of gratitude. Sarah smiled at her father before once again shifting Dominique in her arms. Was it her imagination or had he gotten bigger in the last fifteen minutes? No. It must mean she was lacking blood.

Brody fidgeted nervously and gulped. The prospect of becoming a vampire was a scary one but he was determined to help them, to be their ally instead of their enemy. Miguel tried extremely hard not to scare the boy as he approached at a human pace, and carefully placed his hand on the back of the boy’s neck.

“This will hurt.” The Vampier cautioned.

The former shadow hunter nodded his understanding and squeezed his eyes shut, as though to ward off the coming agony. Miguel tilted the boy’s head to the side and slowly sank his fangs into the exposed neck. His poison ran straight into Brody’s blood stream, changing cells as it went. The Vampier took some blood but not enough to make the boy drowsy or unstable. As he drew back, he caught the look on Sarah’s face.

It must have been terrible for her to change alone, and now she was probably going to experience it all over again, just by watching someone else. Her eyes were wide with fear as Brody froze and suddenly collapsed onto the ground, holding his chest, coughing and spluttering. Christopher grumbled something before leaving the room, staggering on the way out. Amon’s eyes flickered to his mate’s face and his heart clenched. Tears were in her eyes, even though she was trying desperately to hide them. Dominique, sensing his mother’s unhappiness, began to cry. Sarah didn’t have the mental capacity to comfort him at that moment. She wavered, almost falling to her knees at the gut-wrenching sight of her friend in pain.

Amon hurried to her side and quickly took Dominique from her, soothing him with his voice before handing him to Cameron. The two men shared a look and the vampire nodded before taking his grandson out of the room. Damian helped Brody up and escorted him out, followed by Miguel who shot the two a sympathetic glance.

Sarah completely collapsed into tears, clinging to her mate for support as he knelt by her side. Lucifer whined unhappily, wishing he there was something he could do to ease her discomfort.

“Go check on, Dom, Lucifer.” Amon said.

The wolf nodded and padded away.

With a brisk movement of his arms, the Vampier swept his mate off the floor and carried her to their room where he placed her on the bed, studying her shaking form with pity. At this moment, she hated herself. Hated herself for the fact that she was so pathetic. Why was there any reason to be upset? It was Brody’s choice. And then she realised why it upset her so. She wasn’t happy being a vampire, and so she didn’t wish that fate upon another. Lowering her head, she wrapped her arms around her legs and rocked herself back and forth, tears on the verge of slithering down her face. Why did it have to be her? Why did she have to suffer like this?

Amon slid an arm around her, forcing her to rest against his side. His lips touched her ear. “Why are you crying, Sarah?”

The woman sniffled softly and leaned away from him, refusing to answer.

Worried, he merely closed the distance between them again. “Baby, come on. You’re just making me think it’s something really bad.”

What if it is?

The soft question flittered through his mind like a moth’s wing. He tried to pursue the question back into her mind but she’d placed extremely strong barriers around her mind. That only caused his worry to become more pronounced. Trying a different approach, he caressed her cheek with the tips of his fingers and slid them down her jaw to her neck. His lips ghosted over the pulse at her throat and he felt the instant change in her.

“Sarah,” he purred.

Said woman tilted her head up, eyes red-rimmed and puffy. “I-I...can’t tell you, Amon...”

“Yes, you can.” He coaxed gently, wrapping his arm more securely around her frame. “I won’t judge you.”

Through those simple words, it renewed her confidence and she raised her head to look into his deep red eyes. “I don’t like being a vampire.”

Red eyes widened in surprise before they became curiously blank. His body became immobile and he completely stopped breathing. Sarah had to stop herself from telling him to breathe. She scanned his face, noting with some worry that he seemed very indifferent.

“Let me tell you a little about my past, Sarah.” He said after a moment. “A very long time ago, I was a young man with dreams and thoughts of a bright future. I had a wife.” He stopped momentarily, cautioning her with his eyes. Sarah bit her tongue, suddenly furiously wanting to hunt this woman down. “We were happy together, until...I met Miguel. He caught me in an alley when I was on my way home to Teresa. It was our anniversary, you see, and I wanted to get there early to surprise her.” It was only because of the look on his face that stopped her from screaming her lungs out at him. Amon actually looked sad. “No one knew what a vampire was in those days, so I was blissfully ignorant, until he slammed me against the wall of the alley and bit me, and took some of my blood. He explained what I was going to become and what I would have to do to survive.” His expression became pained and his hold around Sarah tightened. “I knew I had to tell Teresa, I knew I had to tell her that I was going to become – become a monster.”

Sarah gaped at him, uncomprehendingly. Never had she thought she’d hear such a thing from Amon. Classifying himself as a monster? Was that a past reference...or does he think that now?

“Miguel followed me there. There is something you were never told about a new vampire. If they drink blood on their first day, their transformation will complete itself in a matter of minutes. He made me kill her, Sarah. He who is now one of my best friends, made me kill my own wife.” He laughed bitterly. “It’s so fucking ironic that it makes me sick sometimes.”

Recoiling in surprise, Sarah’s jaw basically dropped to the bed. What the hell was going on?! Amon seemed to be on the bright side of immortality but now he had a dark past, a very, very dark past at that. How could Miguel have made him do such a thing?

He continued before she had a chance to interrupt. “I hated him, Sarah. I hated him and myself. You will recover, Sarah. You will get used to being a vampire eventually if not soon.” His expression became peaceful and he pressed a kiss to her throat. “I am sorry for not telling you that sooner.”

She struggled to compose herself. “Why-how can you still be friends now after what he made you do?” she said softly.

“Because as I got older, I realised that he wasn’t asking me to do it for simple enjoyment. It was to both erase my misery and hers.”

It angered her somewhat that he was previously married years ago, but she couldn’t bring herself to have a go at him for it. What she really wanted to do was storm to Miguel’s room and give him a right smack over his obnoxious head. With a sigh, Sarah relaxed her position and crossed her legs, snuggling up against her mate.

“Thank you, Amon. I appreciate your honesty more than you know.”

He chuckled weakly. “Think nothing of it. It’s the least I could do.”

“Oh, my God! No!” Damian came pounding into the room, breathing deeply. “It’s bad, really, really bad!” he moaned, fisting his hands into his already mussed up hair.

Sarah and Amon got up at once. “What?”

The shape shifter dragged in gulps of air as though he were under water. He looked purely horrified.

“It’s Miguel. He’s – he’s. Oh, I can’t say it!” he stomped angrily. Sarah raised her eyebrows in disbelief. It would be safe to say that the mansion was not under any danger. Damian was simply chucking a very rare bitch fit over something Miguel was obviously doing. She smirked despite herself. Amon simply looked frustrated.

“Spit it out already.”

“Brody passed out and Miguel is going absolutely nuts; putting makeup on him, nail polish and even had the nerve to strip him down and put him in a dress!”

It had been a very long time since anyone had seen the purity of Sarah’s anger steam train, and boy, was it about to make an appearance. Forget the sentimental conversation from five minutes ago. She was going to kill Miguel. The injustice of doing to that to someone who had passed out while still in change. It made her fangs ache in temptation to bite the old Vampier. A growl rose in her throat, her body coiled to run to Miguel’s room – before her mate stopped her.

“Gah! Let me go, you bastard! I am going to kill the asshole!” she struggled in her mate’s unrelenting grip, noting his dull amusement. It made her struggle ever harder and she was even game enough to try and bite him.

Amon easily avoided her attempts in bitting his fingers and with a movement that could only be done from years of being a vampire, he lifted her up, deposited her on the bed and swung one knee to rest between her legs while the other foot stayed planted on the floor. She was rendered immobile. He grinned devilishly at her. Sarah glared venomously at him as though that alone was going to make him let her up. Unlikely.

“You know, sometimes I wonder why in the hell I even put up with you.” She told him icily.

It was too bad his humour always recovered too quickly for her liking. “Because you’re insanely in love with me,”

She pouted. “Be that as it may, you’re still a bastard.”

“And you wouldn’t have me any other way – argh!”

That’s what you get when you get too close to a certain vampiress that was pissed. A dark bruise was already beginning to appear around his eye before she launched herself off the bed and sprinted past Damian who had quite a pleased look on his face now. Sarah’s right hook was definitely something to be feared. Amon grumbled unhappily to himself as he pursued her.

Unfortunately for Sarah, she never did get the chance to kill Miguel since more than one person restrained her before she could sink deadly claws into him. Now she sat on the couch of the large living room, bemused. Three days had passed and Brody was well and truly apart of her family. Unlike her, he had been enthusiastic to have his first taste of the living’s life-force. She shuddered at the feral look in his red eyes as he had gorged himself on a bag of blood. Dominique was curled against her chest, his small hands curling the fabric of her shirt in his fingers. Lucifer rested on the carpet in front of her, head raised as he watched the current meeting before them. Vampires were everywhere, talking and making plans for the eventual assault on Zack’s mansion.

“...it won’t work,” one vampire was whispering. “Zack will see the attack coming.”

“Maybe he won’t. He’s arrogant enough to think we wouldn’t attack again.”

Sarah silently agreed with the first vampire. A sneak attack would never work on Zack. A frontal attack would have to be organised. Her eyes searched the crowd of vampires, and found her mate hunched over a table with possible plans. He was speaking to Miguel, Cameron and Damian, and they were nodding their heads to his suggestions.

Christopher bounded over to her, unceremoniously dumping himself beside her.

“Very boring, isn’t it? And frustrating considering the fact that we’re not allowed to join in.”

“We could always go against rules.” Brody appeared out of the throng and perched on the couch’s arm rest. He seemed calmer now, less demanding for blood.

“No.” Sarah said softly, reminiscing on the trouble that had got her into last time. “That is just asking for trouble.”

Brody rolled his eyes to the ceiling before sighing rather dramatically. A young vampire was always over-confident, it seemed. Sarah narrowed her eyes at him, scrutinising his expression. Someone needed to teach him the value of his life, first off and then knock some sense into that stubborn brain of his.

Lucifer cocked his head to the side, his eyes following the last rays of sunshine before darkness descended. All heads swivelled in the direction of the entrance hall as the doorbell echoed around them. The black wolf rose to his feet and a feral growl left his chest; his lips curling back to reveal his fangs in a menacing snarl. His body was coiled and ready to spring. Every single vampire in the room crowded around Sarah and the defenceless baby. Amon and Miguel made their way towards the hall, gaits cautious.

Amon touched the handle, straining his senses for the person standing behind it. Miguel nodded slightly at him and he drew the door open with exaggerated slowness. A Mequ stood there, and not just any Mequ. It was Sampson. The two Vampiers’ adopted immediate defence stances but the blond threw up his hands in an innocent expression.

“Man, you two. Chill,”

“Why should we ‘chill’?” Amon hissed, taking a step forward threateningly.

Sampson held his ground defiantly, his red eyes glowing furiously.

Miguel frowned in confusion. “What do you want, Sampson?”

“Nothing really.” He said carefully. “I just wanted to tell you that you’ll be up shit creek if you stay here.”

“And why is that?”

The blond rolled his shoulders and took a step off the porch, slowly backing away into the darkness. “Can’t tell you,” his gaze met Amon’s. “I respect you guys, truly, I do.”

“Sampson.” Amon stared hard at him. “Why did you warn us?”

The vampire ducked his head so that they were unable to see his eyes. “Because...because before I die, I want to be forgiven for my sins.” He whispered softly and merged with the darkness. In the shadow of the hall, Cameron’s expression was cold.

Was it really possible for a Mequ to regret what they’ve done? How many others felt the same way as Sampson? The two Vampiers’ pondered the interaction but it hardly made any sense. Why was Sampson going to die? For warning them? Miguel shook his head, his white hair glittering in the faint moonlight, as he stepped down off the porch.

“Engage the shutters.” Miguel said quietly to Amon over his shoulder. “But get everyone out first. We will make it seem as though we are still there, preparing for his attack.”

With a brisk nod, the younger Vampier turned and entered the mansion, raising his voice.

“Everyone, we must leave. Zack is on his way.”

It was a flurry of movement as the vampires streamed from the mansion, going in small groups. Sarah came out with Dominique in her arms and Lucifer by her side. Cameron, Christopher, Damian and Brody followed her, acting much like bodyguards.

As the vampires and lone shape shifter gathered around Miguel, he raised his hand, calling for silence.

“My friends and family,” his eyes drifted over them all, stopping momentarily on Sarah who gave him a look of indifference. “Zack will no doubt be here soon. It is time to fight.”

A chorus of agreement ran through the ranks of vampires.

“Sarah. Christopher. Step forward, please.” He motioned to them.

Christopher moved forward immediately with Sarah following a pace behind, Dominique clutched in her arms.

“You two will be hidden away.”

“That’s not fair!” Christopher snapped. “Brody has had less experience in being a vampire than-”

“You are still a teenager, Chris. Although Brody is younger than you, he is an adult and he’s spent years fighting vampires.”

The young vampire grumbled under his breath before falling silent, his brow still furrowed. Sarah was literally shaking from head to toe, her eyes glittering dangerously at the old Vampier.

“I will not be treated as though I am a little girl.” She growled, her fangs revealed.

The vampires looked to their leader for his reaction. Miguel glared at her.

“I am not treating you as such, but you are a fema-”

“Don’t. You. Dare.” Her voice rose in pitch. “I’ve had it with you, Miguel. Amon told me what you did to him.” Miguel’s gaze flickered to the other Vampier whose face was curiously blank. “And although he may no longer hate you. I do.”

The silence was almost painful as not one vampire breathed or moved even an inch. Sarah glared at the others around her who stared at her incredulously. She breathed in slowly, closing her eyes for a moment. Had she really meant it? Did she really hate her mate’s best friend? Her eyes flashed open. Yes, yes she did.

“I will not be stopped.” She said calmly. “I will fight, and there is nothing any of you can say to stop me. Lucifer, come.”

The wolf padded by her side as they moved through the ranks of vampires who made a path for her, still too shocked to stop her from moving into potential danger. Cameron gaped speechlessly at her disappearing form, his hand half raised as though he meant to stop her. Damian stared hard at Miguel, confusion littering his features. Brody hastened forward to stop her but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He peered up at Amon.

“Don’t.” The Vampier whispered, inclining his head to his master who was now following the retreating vampiress.

“Stupid, idiot. Who does he think he is?” Sarah growled softly to herself, and roughly kicked a stone out of her way. The park near the mansion was pleasant and quiet. She sank to the grass and Lucifer dropped down beside her, nudging the baby in her arms. Dominique squirmed a little before relaxing into a more peaceful slumber.

Lucifer chose to remain silent to her question. There was no positive answer he could think to give. The cool air drifted around, curling them in its gentle embrace.

“You shouldn’t be by yourself.”

Sarah’s head flicked to her left and Sampson stood there. Lucifer growled in warning.

“I’m not here to hurt you.” The vampire whispered before sinking to the grass metres away.

“Why are you here, then?” Sarah glared at the vampire who had threatened her life.

“To talk.” He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. The red orbs were curiously solemn. “I realised something the other day, you know.”

“Oh?” her gaze was hard.

“Yes. I know you hate me, but this is something you need to know. I visited the graveyard in Camaro.”

“Searching for a grave for yourself, I hope.” She said acidly.

“No. Your father is Cameron, correct?”

“Yes,” she said cautiously.

“Haven’t you ever wondered who rested in the grave beside your mother?”

Her eyes widened in horror and he nodded to her.

“Your mother was once married to a man. My father. They had me. My father died when I was twenty-one, and my mother simply disappeared off the face of the earth. Lonely and distraught, I sought comfort from Zack and he changed me. And that day, I found Cameron and my mother, sitting out the front of their house, playing with you. I was foolish. As soon as Cameron left, I reported to Zack. He couldn’t find you, so he killed our mother.”

And now his eyes wavered, willing tears that would never appear to stream down his face. “My sister, I am sorry. Can you ever forgive me?”

The vampiress felt as though someone’s hand had coiled around her throat. She had a half-brother? A brother that had tried to kill her on more occasions than one? Her eyes grew blurry and she could distinctly feel the wetness on her cheeks. It made sense, perfect sense, though she didn’t need to be happy about it. She collapsed into tears, holding Dominique to her chest. Lucifer whined to her and Sampson simply waited, eyes void of emotion. Something snapped deep inside her. All this time, she had blamed Cameron, her father, for the death of her mother. How had she been so foolish?! Very carefully, she placed Dominique on the ground beside her and rose to her feet.

“You don’t deserve to live.” She said very quietly, and her nails lengthened.

Sampson got to his feet as well and simply said, “I know.” He lowered his head. “Please, my sister. Kill me.” He was suddenly on his knees before her, head bowed, allowing her, if she wished, to place a killing blow that would render his head from his shoulders.

As she stared at the blond hair, the compassionate side of her made its appearance. It would be wrong to kill him, for he had not intended for their mother to be killed but it would also be wrong not to. He had still been responsible for their mother’s death.

She raised her hand, fingers extended and raked down before they stopped, just touching his hair. But, what would it make her if she killed him?

An avenger?

An angst ridden killer?

Or a monster?

It all happened far too fast, even for her vampire skills to comprehend. Sampson and Lucifer were suddenly in front of her in defensive stances with Dominique seated between them. Sarah followed their gazes to Zack. He smiled ever so slowly until he was grinning like an absolute maniac. Blood dripped down his chin from a previous meal but the majority was coated in sickly layers on his claws. His eyes were glowing in his bloodlust.

“Oh, look at this. How very sentimental.” He cackled, throwing his head back. “You finally told her, Sampson? You were always the protective brother.”

“Leave her alone, Zack.” Sampson said quietly. “She can do you no harm.”

“Perhaps not,” he gestured to the baby blinking owlishly at him between the wolf and vampire. “But he will in years to come.”

Sarah picked her baby up in her arms, quickly overcoming the shock of Zack’s sudden appearance.

“You will not harm my baby.” She screamed at him, cradling Dominique against her chest who was now crying.

Zack rolled his eyes before he dropped into a crouch, fangs revealed. “We’ll see.” And then, he attacked.

It was apparent how outmatched they were as Lucifer and Sampson moved to defend Sarah and her baby. Zack spun around between them, throwing out an elbow and catching Sampson in the jaw. The impact sent the vampire flying to the ground with a loud thud. Lucifer sank his fangs into an exposed calf and Zack hissed in pain, swinging his leg around to throw the canine off. The wolf held fast, sinking his fangs even deeper into the vampire’s dead flesh. Zack reached around, grabbing the wolf’s back leg and twisted.

“Lucifer!” Sarah screamed as the wolf howled in pain as Zack broke his back leg before flinging him away. Lucifer landed in a heap, before getting to his feet and attacked again, even with only three useable legs. Sampson joined him, and the two attacked the strong vampire with everything they had. The vampiress could only look on in horror as both the wolf and vampire began to lose strength. Sampson’s attacks became sluggish and he barely avoided a killing stroke. Lucifer was in bad shape. Not only was one of his back legs broken but he had a deep gash in the centre of his chest that continued to stream blood.

Sarah had had enough. It was time to end this stupidity. She placed Dominique on the ground even though he cried for her. Relying on her new found strength and agility, she launched herself forward, ramming into the powerfully built vampire. Although he was larger, the force of her ram was enough to send him to the ground. He rolled back to his feet and faced his three opponents, particularly Sarah who had now left her baby unguarded.

“Ah, Sarah.” He shook his head with a smile. “You never learn when to give up, do you?”

“And that’s the only thing we have in common.” She said, glaring daggers at him. Lucifer paced from side to side, his gait leaving them aware of his injuries. Sampson’s eyes did not stray from his master. His body was tensed and ready to fight again. Zack’s lips formed into a thin line and before she knew what had hit her, she was engaged in a battle with one of the most powerful vampires alive. The environment blurred around her as she blocked and parried Zack’s merciless attacks. She could dimply see the flash of black or the flurry of blond as she moved. It was as though she was in a dance that held two meanings. Life and death. Who would conduct the finale? A powerful kick to her lower back sent her down onto her knees. She grit her teeth and swept her leg under his feet but he jumped in time to avoid her. Lucifer leapt onto his back, fangs going for his neck while the force of his body drove the vampire forward. Sampson flicked his foot under Zack’s and the vampire tumbled forward to land flat on his face. Lucifer and Sampson fought, using the weight of their bodies to pin him down but it wasn’t enough. He was far too strong. He managed to flick them both off as if they were merely annoying pests.

The vampiress attacked with a cry of rage, driving her claws into his side and biting through the cloth to get at his shoulder. Zack hissed in outrage and grabbed her, throwing her to the ground. The force of his throw made the dirt collapse beneath her and she was suddenly lying in a three-foot hole. She could hear the sound of the continuing battle as she managed to climb out. Cuts littered her exposed skin and there were sure to be bruises underneath her clothing. Her breathing was uneven and shallow. Sarah thought fast. They couldn’t fight him off forever.

“Zack.” She whispered and the fight suddenly came to an abrupt halt as the vampire raised a questioning eyebrow at her soft voice. “What is it that you want?”

The leader of the Mequ moved away from the wolf and his former ally. “You know what I want.”

“Remind me.”

“I want you for myself, but I want the others dead.” His eyes flickered to Sampson, Lucifer and Dominique.

Sarah stood slowly, conscious of her wounds. She straightened to her full height. Tears gathered in her eyes even before she spoke the words. “You can have me, but you must spare the others’ lives.”

“No-no, Sarah. Don’t.” Lucifer begged her from his half crouched position. “I’m not afraid to die for you.”

His mistress smiled at him before moving forward to embrace him. “I know.” She scooped Dominique into her arms and pointedly avoided Sampson’s horrified gaze. Zack began to smile, but it was an unusual smile. It told people that he was getting what he wanted but it also said he was grateful for it. Sarah stepped towards him cautiously but a voice stopped her.

“Don’t do it, Sarah.”

Miguel emerged from the shadows, his face clouded in anger. Amon and Damian stood at either shoulder with similar looks. Zack remained unfazed by their appearance even though he was heavily outnumbered and now, outmatched. He began to laugh quietly until he was practically roaring. He grabbed Sarah and pulled her towards him before she had even the slightest chance of escape. She screamed as the mark on her hand and neck seared. Zack ignored the intense electricity running through him, focused on his goal.

“Shall I explain the breaking of bonds?” his smile was wanning but also tight with pain. “If a vampire is able to hold onto a mated female long enough, the bond will break and she will be free to be claimed again.”

Amon’s roar of rage echoed around them and he made to rush forward before vampires emerged from the darkness, blocking his route. Countless Shadow Hunters appeared, then, too, guns aimed at the ready. Sarah’s vision blurred and she only just managed to hold onto her baby. There had to be something she could do to stop Zack.

“And,” he whispered into her ear, “In order for a bond to truly be broken, any offspring of the current male must be destroyed.”

Sarah screamed in both rage and excruciating pain. Even as she looked down at her wrist, she knew the bond had been broken. The semi-circle of Amon’s fangs was no longer present on her wrist and her mind was curiously absent of the bond she had had with her mate. She could hear Amon’s screams as he fought through vampires and humans alike to get to her and his child.

“And now,” the vampire whispered against her neck. “You will be mine.”

The Secri’s, having sensed the danger, arrived on the scene and began killing every enemy in sight. Momentarily distracted, Zack’s grip slackened and Sarah launched herself forward, swinging around to defend herself with a savage kick to Zack’s stomach. Lucifer was suddenly at her side and attacked the vampire, driving him back. Sampson grabbed her arm.

“Come on.” He said to her urgently and tugged her through the fighting pairs into the safety of the Secri’s. Dominique was taken from her and warm arms suddenly closed around her entire frame. Lips were pressed against her forehead. She knew it was him, he who had captured her heart. She hugged him back, sobbing into his coat.

“Amon, I’m sorry.” She whispered and hardly noticed as he moved her hair to the side to expose her neck.

“There is nothing to apologise for.” He whispered. “Zack knows of how to break a bond but replacing it is so much easier than first getting it.”

Before she could even ask what he meant, his fangs sank into her neck and she groaned softly. The connection came back stronger than ever, like a rope stretched as tightly as possible. She relished the renewed connection and raised her head to kiss him.

“I love you.” She whispered to him.

“I love you more.” He purred into her ear and she smiled.

They stepped back from each other, hands entwined, to face Miguel. The old Vampier bowed his head in apology to Sarah. “I understand how you feel, Sarah, but I do not regret what I did.”

“I know you don’t, and neither do I.” She grinned at the vampire. “Let’s kick some ass.”

Miguel nodded in agreement. Dominique was being held in the safety of Christopher’s arms who looked rather unhappy at that moment. Well, he wouldn’t be able to fight now. The Secri’s gathered together until it seemed that the park was an actual battlefield. Lucifer came limping back to them. The two sides faced each other. The Mequ’s and Shadow Hunters VS the Secri’s. Miguel moved to the front.

“Today, we fight to save humanity!” he yelled and the vampires roar of agreement echoed for miles around. “Charge!”

Never in the past three thousand years of the supernatural’s existence had here been a fight like this one. Body parts lingered everywhere on the once green grass, now dyed red. The battle raged on, even though the blinding rain and roar of thunder disadvantaged each one of the fighters. Vampires and humans alike fought each other savagely with no mercy. A passing news helicopter fought the weather bravely as it filmed the bloodthirsty battle of the ages. Centuries of hate and disloyalty had piled into this battle; so much that it seemed neither side was going to come out victorious. In their houses, innocent humans watched the live filming, their eyes wide with fear, each one thinking that this could not be happening; not in this day and age. In the very centre of this fight, emerged another, more gruesome and violent version.

Miguel, Sampson, Amon, Sarah, Damian, Cameron and Lucifer attacked Zack as though they had rehearsed the whole thing. Their attacks never overlayed onto each other. They attacked separately, one second between all of them so that Zack had little chance of recovery. Lucifer collapsed to the ground, his energy spent from the previous fight with the strong vampire. Sampson was not much better. Zack easily evaded his attacks and pivoted on his heel to deliver a savage roundhouse kick to the side of his head. The blond staggered but managed to keep his feet.

“You’ll never win, Zack.” He spat and blood dribbled from his mouth.

Zack didn’t say anything. He really didn’t have to for Shadow Hunters had come to his aid. The fight was divided. Sarah, Amon and Miguel were now left to confront the leader of the Mequ’s while the others took on the humans.

“Foolish girl,” Zack hissed at her.

“Shut your mouth, Zack, before I do it for you.” She snapped back and made to slash his throat but he evaded her. He was knocked to the side by a well aimed fist of pure power from her mate. Miguel’s summoned ball of flame exploded on his chest and he rolled to put it out.

“You’re still outnumbered.” Zack chuckled.

“When a leader is taken out, it usually isn’t long until the fight is over.” Miguel replied with a grim smile. Zack snarled at him.

Sarah broke off from the fight for a few seconds to observe her surroundings. It didn’t look good. The majority of Mequ’s still lived and the humans were all but dead, yet they had done their job of taking out an unfortunate amount of Secri’s. It was already becoming painstakingly obvious who would win this fight if Zack wasn’t taken out very soon if not now. With that thought, Sarah rammed herself into the offending vampire, knocking him off balance.

“You’re starting to piss me off.” He growled at her and made to grab her. Amon blocked him and shoved him back.

“Ditto.” The Vampier replied for her.

Miguel used Zack’s distraction to his advantage and leapt forward, sinking his fangs into his brother’s jugular, injecting his deadly poison. Unlike him, Zack would have no one to save him. The Mequ coughed violently and bared his fangs before sending his claws across Miguel’s throat. The Vampier staggered back, clutching his throat. His eyes burning were with victory. Zack sank to the ground, breathing hard. Hatred was clear in his gaze as he glared up at them.

“I will...not...be...defeated!” he screamed and sank his fangs into the nearest leg.

Amon’s eyes widened in horror and anger.

Miguel’s expression became clouded in anger and he swept his hand once. Zack’s body fell to the ground, yet his head was still in the same place as it had been before, with the deadly fangs still embedded into someone’s calf.

Cameron swung around, gaping in shock.

Sampson merely stared.

Damian’s expression was deeply sad.

Sarah screamed as her mate fell to the ground. “NO, AMON!!”

A/N: I should be hung for my cliff hangers, I know. If you guys didn’t like this, please let me know immediately. Wait, let me rephrase that: if it upsets you please let me know. I can assure you that this story will have a happy ending.

Review responses:

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A/N: The next chapter will be updated sooner than this one. And it will be a hell of a lot better, too.