GrimWire

Chapter 9

"Why is he here?"

"It's not like I want him here, L'liya," Lucas answered with a roll of his eyes. They had entered one of the student offices located on the far side of the school. The person in question was Tyrathane who had tagged along even though the vampire had specifically told him not to. It didn't help that Nameia didn't say anything against the human's coming along either.

"Whatever," L'liya sighed heavily as she uncrossed her arms and relinquished the seat she'd been occupying, "He's not going to be my problem."

"I won't be a problem at all, I promise," Tyrathane cut in, flashing his customary grin.

Lucas ground his teeth as he took the seat that L'liya had left. It was a large leather seat behind a desk at the back of the room. In front of the desk were two sofas with a glass table between them. It was on the sofas that the other three took their seats. L'liya and Nameia took their places nearest to Lucas on each sofa while Tyrathane took the far end of the left sofa.

"The reason I called for Nameia is because she can help us tonight when we go after the Stalkers that are hiding out in the catacombs. Since we can't get there until night fall with that damned spell, we'll just have to wait."

"How big are these catacombs you speak of?" Nameia asked.

"Huge. It would take days; months even to go through the entire place," Lucas sighed,

"Because of that, the Stalkers can easily avoid us. That's why I asked you to come today, Nameia."

The demi-God nodded her head slowly, "I see. I'll do my best, but we all know that Stalkers hide very well. And unless we encounter them, I won't know for sure. You know that."

"Even so, they leave a trail of some sort. I'm putting my money on you to pick up that trail."

"Like I said, I'll do my best, but no promises, alright?"

"Fair enough," Lucas said with a slight nod of his head. He reached up and ran a hand through his hair. His gaze fell to the table where it remained for quite a while. The vampire felt vague memories starting to peek through as he sat in the chair. It was his usual spot when he was the president of the student body. Meetings like the one he was having right then were a common occurrence. Not so much anymore though since Ahndrai's death. An eyebrow caved downwards as his jaw tightened at the despairing thought.

"Something on your mind?" The velvety smooth voice could belong to none other than Tyrathane. Lucas looked up to stare straight into emerald eyes that glittered with amusement.

"No. Why must you continue to follow me around?"

"Why not? I find you very intriguing, as well as entertaining. Besides, I can't very well leave you alone now can I? Seeing as I'm your distraction and all, it would be unwise of me to let you go into a fight when you weren't really paying attention. Even if there are only two ways to kill a vampire, a single slip on your part and well... Let's just say I'm not about to let that happen."

Lucas' face flushed throughout the boy's speech. Damn he had a way with words, and that grin of his... It was almost too much for the vampire to bear. Of course, right then, his mind decided to replay the events of the night before. The hot kiss that he shared with the human suddenly popped into mind. His face must have flushed even more for Tyrathane's grin grew broader.

"Whatever," Lucas retorted coldly, "Any news on Vahn?"

"A rumor. He's around, that much is for sure. Where though remains to be seen, but there has been talk," L'liya started, leaning her arm against the side of the sofa and resting her head against the back of her hand, "Some are saying that he's back here. Back at Deverian."

Lucas froze in his spot. Was it possible? Could it really be true that Vahn was back at the school? If so... if so he could finally kill the man who betrayed his trust and was essentially the one responsible for Ahndrai's death. His hands shook slightly and he pulled them each into a fist, the ring on his forefinger biting into his skin.

"Then our first order of business is to find the bastard and give him our kind regards," Lucas ordered in a tone that was filled with malice.

"Of course," purred L'liya as she leaned forward, "If the rumors are true, then I can almost bet that he'll be in the catacombs sometime or another. The only problem now really is finding him."

"Is he a Stalker?" Nameia asked softly.

"We believe so, but when we first met him he seemed human to us."

"Human?" Tyrathane asked softly, an eyebrow rose. The boy looked startled slightly. That seemed to be something very hard to do around him. It sent a slight chill down Lucas' spine. To throw off Tyrathane... something was up. "Do you know something?" the vampire asked.

"I know of him. If it's the same Vahn we're talking about."

"Are there any others?"

Tyrathane grinned then, resuming his usually posture to which Lucas frowned at,

"There could be. Anyway, the point is, if this 'Vahn' you're speaking of is the same one I know, then he's definitely not human and he's not the kind of Stalker you're used to dealing with. Why don't you let me handle this one, Lucas?" Tyrathane winked at him.

The vampire swallowed slightly, feeling heat rise to his face once more, his skin tingled and he resisted the urge to fawn over the boy before him, "Why should I let you do that?"

The human's face fell into a somber look, something that Lucas hadn't thought the boy capable of, "Because. You're not ready for him. Encounter him and he'll kill you. All of you."