Just a drop...

Sebastian took in quick breaths, he looked to Cassandra with golden eyes before he looked back to the queen. He gently took the cup and held it to her lips, his eyes worried. Lucille lifted the goblet and took a sip she closed her eyes and leaned her head back. A look of relief came over her expression.

Sebastian took his sip, the gash on his forearm seemed to almost instantly disappear. He let out a breath as he looked to Cassandra a moment before he stepped from the room. He stood at the top of the balcony to the foyer. "Everyone, take a sip, no more. It will help mend your wounds." He spoke his eyes glancing to the others.

"A Dhampir?" A vampire asked as she stepped forward. "That girl is one?" Her eyes were curious as she took the goblet. She had a deep gash across her back and legs. She took a sip, savoring the flavor. A smile curved up her lips as she felt the wounds healing. "There hasn't been one in centuries...how did you land your hands on one at such a pivital time?"

Sebastian glanced as he saw Julian step from his room. "It was an accident really." He spoke as the other vampires began to take their sip of the cup. "Julian." He called to him. "Could you go gather something for everyone? I don't want anyone going after Cassandra." He raised a brow, his eyes staring to Julian.

"Yes my king." He bowed his head. "Of course." He stepped from the room.

Sebastian walked back up the stairs. "I want anyone that has any information to come to me once you've had your fill." He spoke before he turned and walked to his study.

Sebastian rubbed his face slightly as he walked in. He pulled two bottles form his desk and handed one to Lucille. He popped the cap on it and drank the red liquid from it quickly. The golden color from his eyes melted away. He gave a soft smile and looked to Cassandra. He then nodded to himself, thinking. "The sooner we can gather our strength the better." He spoke he sat down at his desk. "Arden won't expect us to retaliate...not quickly at least." He drew his brows together. "There were vampries, that turned and attacked our own coven..." His voice was soft. "I fear that this war that is luming over us is something more than the Lycans and their usual plundering." He stepped forward then and looked over Cassandra. "Incredible." He smirked. "You don't have a mark on you at all, not even a bruise." He looked to Lucille. "I think you're right, she is the answer." He smiled to Cassandra.

Sebastian sat down at his desk, "That was a pretty neat trick you pulled on Ravus, do you remember?" He looked to Cassandra with curious eyes.

"My king." A knock came from the door. It was Julian. He stepped in slowly. His eyes glanced to Cassandra but only for a split second. "They have a traitor that was recovered...it's King Levi's son..."

Sebastian grinned then, "We may know a bit more now then hm?" He looked to Cassandra. "You know more about hunting these mutts than I do. Have you ever infultrated one of their strongholds? Where the pack resides..." He pondered for a moment. "Taking Iris is leverage for something greater...they want something. We haven't seen such movement from the Lycans in years. They wouldn't dare even enter Netherfall for the longest time."

Lucille stood slowly she took in a breath. "You're a lot stronger than you were before that transfusion." She looked to Cassandra. "But the effects most likely will begin to diminish...it isn't a permanent thing..." She crossed her arms, "Perhapse the council will know? We need to tell them Sebastian...someone has to have some sort of direction to get Iris back..." Her eyes welled with tears. "We have to get her back..." Her voice broke.

Sebastian stood and quickly moved to Lucille's side. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in close as she began to sob again. "We will get her back, alive." He kissed the top of her head. "I promise." He let out a long sigh. He looked to Cassandra with soft worried eyes. "What would your plan of attack be? You've proven very helpful in the past..."

**

The world around Iris was silent. Darkness surrounded her. She fought to open her eyes. She could feel pokes on her arms. The shift in her body as she was moved from one place to the next. The muffled words of her captors as they moved around.

Suddenly Iris opened her eyes and took in a gasp, pain swarmed her body. She let out a soft cry of pain. "Ah good morning." Arden's voice spoke. He sat before her a smile on his lips. Iris began pulling against the shackles that held her in place. She was strapped into a chair, she couldn't moved they had the straps on so tight. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. It's a waste of energy." Arden spoke. He held a syringe in his hand. It was empty. "Now, Iris." He moved so that she had no choice but to look at him. "Tell me, do you follow the Corvious blood line?" He questioned.

Iris looked to him, her brows drawn together. "What would it matter if I did?" She spat. She grit her teeth in pain. Her eyes were bright golden.

Arden chuckled deeply, "It would mean many things." He spoke. "My dear scientist friend here seems to believe that we can create something, a whole new creature. The best of both worlds." He grinned.

Iris struggled against the straps. "You can't..." She groaned.

"Don't worry, we have test subjects for it." He snickered. He glanced behind him. A young human was strapped into a chair much like her own. "So, let's begin, shall we?" He pierced into her arm and drew her blood into the syringe. "There we go. That wasn't so hard was it?" He smiled.

Iris grit her teeth. "You'll kill him....don't...." She fought against the straps.

"You're just going to hurt yourself princess. Haven't you already hurt yourself enough?" He glanced to her with a smirk. "Or would you like to try to fight me again? I assure you in your state you'll lose quickly."

A chuckle came from behind her as a man stepped forward. He glanced to Iris. "You weren't kidding, I can't believe you managed to get her from Sebastian and Lucille, they keep a close watch on her." It was an older vampire, he had gray speckled hair. He chuckled. "It's good to see you again princess, it's been centuries." It was king Levi.

Iris stared to him with cold eyes. "You're a traitor...working with them..." She snarled.

"Oh quite the opposite princess." King Levi grinned. "We're going to make something new, something to make all of us stronger. It'll pull us together, no more Lycan and Vampire wars...no all we have to do is worry about the humans." He chuckled then. "Which isn't much of a worry, is it?"

"That human pet she has would put up a good fight." Arden spoke as he stood over the human. He was just coming to consciousness. As his eyes cracked open he began to scream, fighting against the straps.

"Make him stop Arden." King Levi growled.

Arden chuckled he reached forward and sliced into the arm of the young man. "Quiet down or I'll let her go." He grinned and looked to Iris.

Iris froze, her breathing quickened. Her eyes were trained on the human, she watched as his blood dropped to the ground. Her eyes nearly glowed as she watched them.

Arden chuckled then, "Did I forget to tell you I gave you some blood root while you were sleeping? It's just too fun to watch you fight it." He walked over with the dagger in his hand, blood dripped from the blade. He held it in front of Iris and chuckled. "Too bad I won't be giving you any." He smirked.

Iris' jaw tensed she shut her eyes tightly. "Don't inject him. You are going to kill him." She warned, her voice restrained.

"We've calculated this very carefully." Arden spoke as he stepped to the skinny lycan that was working with her syringe of blood. He held his arm out. "What you're about to witness will be incredible." He grinned.

"It will be the future." King Levi spoke, watching as the skinny lycan drew blood from Arden. "All it took was a little cooperation. You see, you and your mother are the only pure bloods that carry the Corvouis blood. That is what was needed, but the lycans didn't know which family held it. They just needed my help." He smirked.

Iris gripped the metal of the chair. "Don't do it." She growled.

The skinny lycan looked to her. "What are you afraid of?" He asked and let out a laugh. He then turned and injected the lycan blood into the human. "Go ahead Arden." He nodded.

Arden grinned. His bones began to pop as he transformed. The human screamed. Suddenly Arden bit into his arm, going through the process of turning him. After the bite he transformed back and stood before him. He watched as the human thrashed. The injection of his blood sped the process. The human took in quick breaths as his body began to change. "Do it." He nodded to the scientist.

The lycan nodded as he lifted the syringe of Iris' blood. He injected it into the human and took a step back. Suddenly black lines began to crawl across his body. He screamed in pain. Within minutes it was over....

Arden grit his teeth. "You said this was calculated." He growled as he gripped the scientist by his neck.

"It....it is...it must...n-not work...I...must be wrong..." The scientist choked.

Arden growled as he tossed him aside. Iris let out a soft chuckle. "I told you...it can't be done. It's been tried before...why don't you ask King Levi...ask him how many times the vampires have tried this."

Arden rushed forward. He gripped her jaw. "I have another plan." He spoke and grinned.

"You can't risk her." King Levi spoke and took a step forward.

Arden turned and slashed forward, his claws cut into King Levi's neck splattering blood across the room. "I'll do as I please." He snarled and then chuckled. "Let's get you ready shall we?" He elbowed her in the side of the head then, causing the world to fade to black around her....

Cold set in around Iris' body. She could hear their voices. She felt the straps loosen. She couldn't move. He'd hit her so hard, the force behind his blows was incredible. It felt like ages before her eyes opened again. She was suspended in water. She couldn't move. It felt like her muscles were frozen. Arden stood outside the glass. A mask was hooked up to her face and mouth, giving her oxygen. Iris stared to him, a helpless look in her eyes.

Arden chuckled as he watched her. He moved over to a platform and pressed a few buttons. "Here's to hoping this works." He stepped to the glass. "Otherwise, you'll be dead by the morning." He grinned.

Iris was able to move just enough to press her fingertip against the glass. Though moments later her body felt as though it was being crushed. She let out a cry. What had he done? She gasped as the pain rushed through her body. It felt like every cell of her being was being ripped to shreds. Her golden eyes squeezed shut and eventually...the world around her faded as she lost consciousness.

Iris' eyes opened as the explosions shook the water around her. Bubbles rose from her quick breathing. Arden chuckled as he looked up to the ceiling, the sound of lycans rushing from the church filled the basement. He leaned back and looked to her, a grin on his lips. "You're awake." His grin widened slightly. "Oh, what's this?" He stepped closer, staring into her eyes. "Have you given up, princess?" He questioned.

Iris stared to him her brows tucked together. The icy feeling still surrounded her body, she wondered if it was something he was pumping into her through all of the lines that were attached to her body.

"I like when you're quiet." Arden spoke. He then sat back down and relaxed back. "How long is this going to take Nigel?" He glanced to the skinny lycan.

"Oh...um..." He flipped through a few papers and then stepped to Iris. He looked to her through the glass. "She um...she seems to be progressing." He took in a breath and looked to Arden.

Arden growled slightly. "Do you want to end up like the king?" He asked and raised his brow. "How much time until we know if this is working."

"Well, it is working....slowly, I'm not sure how long this will take, this has never been done, Arden." He crossed his arms. "She isn't dead, so that's a good sign." He looked to a clock that ticked upon the wall. "If she is still alive in 4 more hours, we know that we are headed in the right direction. We just keep the process going."

"Until when exactly? It sounds like the vampires have already started to retaliate, no doubt the king and queen are furious that I've taken their daughter." Arden raised his brow.

Iris pressed her hand against the side of the container. She squeezed her eyes shut. Each movement felt like it took all of her strength.

Arden's eyes moved to her, he chuckled. "Don't fight it princess, it'll only make things worse."

Nigel sighed softly, "I need a drink." He spoke as he slipped from the room. His footsteps echoed through the church as he ascended the stairs.

**

Sebastian narrowed his brows as he listened. "Someone's coming." He pulled her into the shadows of the room, they once again stood close to eachother. He looked down to her slightly as he peered through the slats of the pantry doors.

Nigel rounded the corner. He was a more refined looking lycan. He had his hair cut short, his face saved. He wore a lab coat even. He froze as he stood in the doorway. "Um..." He stared to the dead lycans. "A...Arden..." He breathed, his voice small.

Sebastian came from the pantry quickly. Though he didn't stab into the lycan. His elbow caught the side of his head. He looked to the dazed man on the floor and narrowed his brows. He grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and glanced to Cassandra. He motioned to her and then grabbed a hold of her. He pulled the scientist along as he sprinted into the forest. He stopped and slammed the lycan against a tree. "Where is Iris?" He asked his voice a growl. He was worried that through all of it, he couldn't smell his daughter, not her blood...nothing...it was as if she'd disappeared.

The lycan looked to him with wide eyes. "Oh...you must be the king..." He spoke and swallowed.

Sebastian gripped his throat and snarled. "Yes, I'm her father. Now where is she?" He stared into the man's eyes.

"Arden has her." He choked, "Please..." He winced. He was visibly shaking.

Sebastian's brows rose, "Please?" He questioned and then a laugh escaped his lips. "You must be the most polite Lycan I've ever met." He chuckled then. "Arden has her where?" He asked then.

"In the church...listen, I have to get back to her." Nigel choked out. "If you want Iris to live, you have to let me go."

Sebastian's grip loosened slightly. "What do you mean?" He questioned.

Nigel shook his head. "I have to be there to monitor her, to keep her safe. Arden will kill her. Do you understand?"

Sebastian took in a deep breath, "You just want to warn him. You're all scum." He snarled his grip tightening.

Nigel gripped his wrists, "Please...you have...to trust...m-me...." He begged. "I...I'm not....like...them..." He choked out. "I...only...did what I had to....do..."

Sebastian loosened his grip, Nigel fell to his knees holding his neck. He looked to Cassandra a moment before he took in a breath. "If my daughter isn't alive, you will suffer the most unimagionable death." He looked to Nigel then, his eyes dark.

"As long as I live, I can keep her safe." Nigel spoke, his head bowed. He rubbed his neck. "I must get back." He stood slowly, still trembling. "Arden will get angry if I don't get back."

Sebastian stared into the man's eyes. He could see the fear. He'd never seen such fear in a lycan before. "Go." He spoke he watched as he ran off. He glanced to Cassandra with worried eyes. "Why do they have a scientist working for them?" He questioned, "That man isn't a normal lycan, he's terrified...I can smell his fear..." He narrowed his brows. "We have to question King Levi's son...maybe he knows what they are up to...he says that Iris is there...but I couldn't smell her...I should be able to..." Sebastian stopped speaking then. He looked to Cassandra and lifted her. There was no time to talk as he rushed through the forest. The lycans were returning from their safe houses. He zig zagged passed trees and they stopped in his study. He set Cassandra down on her feet and he paced. "What are they doing?" He narrowed his brows.

Lucille rushed forward and threw her arms around him, she planted a kiss on his cheek and she looked him over. She then turned and hugged Cassandra. "I'm glad you're both safe...did you...see Iris?" She asked her eyes worried. "I don't like leaving her...what if they find out we did this....what if..."

Sebastian pulled her into an embrace. "They need her to be alive, my love. We will save her." He kissed the top of her head. He then looked to Cassandra. "What do you make of it? It didn't look any different from any of the other filthy hideouts that I've seen in my time." He growled. "Why would they have a scientist?" He questioned again and paced slightly.

**

Arden stood before the glass his eyes looking over Iris, he grinned. "How does it feel?" He asked and then a chuckle escaped his lips. "You could become more powerful than me." He took a bite of an apple that he held in his hand. "That would be the day, wouldn't it?"

Iris stared back to him, she pressed against the glass though she barely touched it. Her eyes moved to the stairs as Nigel returned. He held a cup in his hands. He stepped over to the podium and looked to Arden a moment. He adjusted the tie on his collar before he took a sip of the water. "Shall we begin the next round?" He asked.

Arden turned and offered a nod. "Of course." He spoke. "The sooner the better."

Nigel clicked a dial and looked to Iris, his eyes were soft. He then pressed a dial. He moved a bit of the contraption and adjusted a few lines that led into the container that Iris was suspended in. Iris let out a muffled cry through the mask. Her body was filled with the sensation of lava pouring through her veins. Bubbles rose around her as she sucked in air quickly through the mask.

Arden chuckled as he stood before the container. "I've never seen a vampire fight so intently." He spoke. "She hasn't given up hope, most would have given up hope the moment they woke....but she still hangs onto it." He grinned. "She'll be excellent if we succeed." He nodded.

"I-if you can control her." Nigel spoke up as he made one last adjustment. "Who's to say she will listen to you?"

Arden growled lowly. "Are you challenging me?" He snarled.

"No...no...just...an observation..." He spoke quickly and shook his head. "You should have done with with a lycan...one that would be more opt to listening to you...not a vampire that already dispises you..."

Arden gripped the scientists throat and lifted him slightly. "She'll listen." He tossed him to the side. "By time this is finished....she'll listen..." He looked back to Iris now.

Iris had her hands balled into fists, her eyes were squeezed shut, black lines ran down her arms from the injections. She let out another cry before she fell limp once again.

Sebastian looked down to Cassandra, he looked to his wife his eyes golden, he then chuckled. "To think the amount of power that is locked in her, it's a curious thing." He carried her off to a bedroom. "I gave her enough for her to sleep through the night, her senses should calm by then, she should be easier to sway by then, her mind should be a bit more focused."

Lucille followed him, her hand held over her wrist. "She gave into her vampire side rather easily." She tucked a blanket around her and wiped blood from her lips. "Its amazing how strong she can become, just off of our blood. I didn't imagine that transfusing her with Iris' blood would do this."

"There hasn't ever been a human that this has happened to that lived to tell the tale. All of the history books, our ancestors dreamed of doing this, but..." He shook his head. "It never worked. Even with the Dhampirs before...perhapse she isnt' half and half? Maybe she has a bit more vampire in her than we thought?" Sebastian pondered a moment. "I'm not sure..." He shook his head. "If we knew who her father was it would help me make sense of this, of her strength. I wonder then if her father was a pure blood?" He questioned and drew his brows together.

"How many pure bloods have gone missing in the past few decades?" Lucille asked she removed her hand from the wound and let out a breath, the puncture marks had disappeared. "That would be a good start to it."

Sebastian nodded, he stepped to her and wrapped an arm around her. He then glanced around to Iris' room and sighed softly. A sadness crept into his eyes. "I just hope we aren't too late to save Iris...they have some scientist working on her...he's full of fear...he said to me that he was keeping her alive..."

Lucille turned in Sebastian's arms. She placed her hands on both sides of his head, looking deeply into his eyes. "Sebastian..." She whispered softly. "Don't tell me anything, unless you know." Her eyes were welled with tears. "I do not want to imagine my baby torchured...I don't want to imagine what they are doing to her, just the thought that those filthy lycans have her is painful enough...the looming thought that if Arden wants to he could kill her..." She whispered. She kissed him then before she stepped back. "I'll watch over Cass, you get some rest. Tomorrow we will get our daughter back." She moved and sat down at Iris' desk. She looked over the papers and books that lay about the desk. A soft smile curved up her lips as she ran her fingertip over Iris' writing in her journal. "I miss her, Sebastian..." She whispered, her voice threatening to break.

Sebastian moved forward and kissed the top of her head as he placed his hands on her shoulders. He looked over his daughter's work and sighed softly. "We will get her back safe and sound...."

***

The next morning came swiftly. Lucille was asleep on the couch curled under a blanket. She'd fallen asleep reading one of Iris' journals. Her cheeks were still wet from tears that she'd tried to hold back.

***

Iris' eyes shot open as a loud tapping sound came from the glass. "Ah there you are." Arden grinned. Iris looked to him with dark eyes. THe whites of her eyes were black as night, the iris had turned into a platnium icy blue teal color that seemed to glow as she stared to him. Her chest heaved as bubbles escaped the mask. "Oh quite the change." He grinned. "Is it done? Arden asked as he looked to Nigel.

Nigel was making notes. He stepped forward and looked over Iris. Her eyes looked to him as she weakly pressed her hand against the glass, she winced as she moved. The cold feeling still overpowered her. "No, not yet." He spoke as he stared to her. "She still needs a bit more time."

Arden growled as he turned to him. "How much more time?" He asked, "I've already sent a messenger with a piece of her blood soaked shirt this morning...she's going to have to be finished soon."

"A messenger?" Nigel looked to him. He stepped over to the podium and clicked a few things. He then looked to Arden. "You're provoking the king and queen?" He asked.

Arden chuckled and grinned. "Of course, what's the fun in it if I can't kill a few more vampires?" He asked. There was a thud from upstairs then. Arden growled as he looked to the ceiling. Another thud. Then a third. "What the hell...?" He questioned. He looked to Nigel for a moment before he left up the stairs. Arden made his way into the dining room, the sun had set a few hours ago. He paused in the doorway.

"Arden..." One of the Lycans gripped his throat. Blood leaked from his mouth. He slammed down his nearly full mug of beer. The lycan fell to the side, black lines crawled over his skin.

Arden snarled as he glanced around. The room was full of dead Lycans, they'd been drinking for a few hours by that point, two of the kegs were empty.

***

Nigel stepped to a box and opened it up, a fog like steam came from the box as he pulled out a vial of blood. "Final dose." He spoke as he looked to her. "Don't die on me now." He nodded, "You're doing quite well...I'm sorry for this." He searched her eyes.

Iris pressed her hand against the side of the chamber, she shook her head slightly, her eyes pleading. Bubbles escaped from the mouthpiece as she watched him.

Nigel took in a deep breath. "I have to finish." He spoke. "I've no choice in the matter." He looked to the stairs. "Besides, if I don't finish you could very well die." He stepped away then. "If I stop Arden will kill me, if you die Arden will kill me....you see I have no choice...I'm only doing what I must..." He turned the vial and twisted it into the side of the podium. It mixed and turned black within the glass before he pressed a button. "Just one last time." He looked to her and nodded. "Don't fight it, just relax."

Iris watched him she had both hands pressed against the side of the chamber now, her brows pulled together, her eyes sad. She wasn't strong enough to break out. She wasn't sure if she broke out if she'd even be able to stand at this point. The mixture reached her body then through the several lines that were pierced into her. Iris let out a cry, bubbles escaped the mouthpiece. She squeezed her eyes shut as her hands balled into fists.

Arden stepped down the stairs, the thuds of his feet heavy. He stepped to the scientist and snarled. "Everyone is dead." He growled. "How are they dead?" He gripped the scientist by his throat. "What did you do?" He slammed him against the wall.

"I don't know!!! I didn't!!" He writhed and gripped at Arden's wrist. "P-please...I have to monitor her...if she gets too much...." His face was turning red.

Arden grinned then. "Too much?" He asked. He reached over and cranked up the dial. "Like this?" He asked.

"D-don't...." Nigel cried, "Y-you could kill her." His eyes were filled with fear. He glanced over to Iris whom was limp once again in the water. "We've put so much work...d-don't kill her now...we are so close..."

Arden snarled and slammed him against the wall. "How do I know that?" He questioned. He then released him. Punctures from his claws remained on Nigel's neck.

Nigel rushed forward and adjusted the equipment. He quickly moved over to the chamber and turned a few valves on it checking in on Iris. He grit his teeth. "You idiot." He snapped. "If she dies it's your fautl! You're nothing more than a brute! Just as all the legends say! Lycans are nothing more than primal creatures that only know how to destroy things!" He snarled, his claws grew.

Arden chuckled and shook his head. "Pipe down there little guy." He pat his shoulder. "She won't die." He looked into the chamber. "She's a pure blood, and she's a Corvious blood line." He smirked. "Now run along, make your notes, we will need them."

Nigel took in quick breaths before he stepped away and lifted his clipboard. He began writing things down quickly.

Arden tapped the glass again. "Wake up." He snapped. Though Iris didn't respond this time. He growled and tapped again.

Sebastian gripped his arm as the fight commenced between the two. He rushed forward and looked at the container. "Iris..." He whispered his breathing increased, fear. He looked over the container and shook his head as he looked to the lines going to his daughter's body. She was nearly naked within the chamber, only her undergarments remained. So many lines pierced into her, it was like the backside of a computer, so many cords.

"She...she's alive." Nigel was hiding under the desk. "I kept her safe...Arden tried to kill her..."

Sebastian snarled at the sound of the man's voice. He turned and in an instant held him against the wall. He stared at the podium of switches. "Get her the fuck out of that contraption!" His fangs showed. "What did you do?!!!"

Nigel trembled in his grip. He glanced to the podium as the lights turned off. "I...I don't have the key...A-Arden does." He swallowed.

Sebastian growled deeply as he stared at the man. "How do we get her out then?" He tossed him to the side. He stepped to the chamber and pulled his pistol. He took the butt of the pistol and slammed it against the front of the chamber. The glass shattered. Sebastian reached forward quickly, he caught Iris as she fell limply forward into his arms. He began plucking the needles from her body. He moved and set her carefully on a desk looking her over. He pulled the mask from her face and suddenly Iris took in a gasp of air. Her eyes fluttered. "Iris." He spoke his voice gentle. He brushed the side of her face. Though she fell back unconscious as he lifted her.

Nigel took a timid step forward. Lucille's hand gripped around his neck then, she snarled her eyes golden. "You're coming with us." She spoke as she glanced to the hole in the wall. She looked to Cassandra then for a moment before they all rushed back to the mansion.

Sebastian held Iris close to his body, she was icy cold. "Lucille..." He whispered. Iris' head was leaned against his chest, her arm fell limply toward the floor.

Lucille rushed to him, "Is she breathing?" She asked and fell silent, listening. "Her heart is racing..." She whispered.

Sebastian moved and lay her on his bed. He moved quickly and wrapped a warm blanket around her. "She's freezing, like ice..." He then growled and looked to the scientist. "What the fuck was that thing?" He rushed to him.

Nigel trembled. "It...I..." He stumbled through his words, "Ow..." He grit his teeth as Julian tightened down a rope around his wrists. "I created a serum for the lycans...it was supposed to be used on a human...but it killed the test subject..."

"A serum?" Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "For what?"

"For a hybrid..." Nigel spoke and then winced.

Sebastian gripped his throat. "You did what?!" He yelled. "She'll die!!!"

"No...no she won't...I calculated it..." Nigel choked.

Lucille brushed her daughter's hair. "Iris." She whispered. She rubbed the blanket around her, trying to warm her up. "Iris come on..." She took in a breath. She pulled her brows together. "Did you starve her of blood?" She glared to Nigel.

"A-Arden did." Nigel responded. "To keep her weak..."

Lucille growled lowly, suddenly she rushed from the room. She came back with a glass of blood in her hands. "Okay dear...you have to drink." She spoke softly as she lifted Iris carefully.

"You should be careful." Nigel spoke his eyes watching, he was fearful.

Lucille glared at him, her eyes golden. "I should kill you for what you've done to her. Do you know how paralyzing it is for a vampire to not feed?" She questioned her voice cold. She slipped behind her daughter keeping her in a seated position. She carefully lifted the glass to Iris' lips. She tilted the glass. Iris choked and blood ran down the sides of her mouth. Then suddenly her hand shot up to the glass. She tilted it back and drank deeply. Iris' eyes shot open. The dark color remained. She shot up out of the bed with incredible speed. She slammed Julian against the wall as he tried to stop her. Lucille rushed forward. "Iris!" She cried.

Iris' hand was wrapped around Julian's throat, she had claws much like a lycan. Her chest heaved as she smacked him to the side and spun she leaped into the air, landing on Nigel whom screamed in terror. He fought against the ropes as she clawed across his chest.

Sebastian rushed forward, "Iris!!" He cried as he gripped her and slammed her against the wall. Iris snarled her eyes wild. She had larger fangs than usual, much more like Lycan canines. She writhed in his grip for a few seconds before she broke free from his grip all too easily he couldn't hold her.

Iris snarled and suddenly she'd grabbed Cassandra. Though something happened then. Her eyes melted back to her normal ice blue. "Cassandra..." She breathed, her grip loosened and trembled. "It...h-hurts..." She spoke her voice soft. Her hand fell away from Cassandra. She took in a shaken breath as she looked down to her hands that had morphed back to normal. She took in quick breaths, fear filled her eyes. The world around her was fuzzy and spinning. She stumbled back and held her hands to her head. Everything was intense, she could hear each breath each heartbeat. Everything. Her senses had never been this strong. She could practically see Cassandra's pulse in her neck. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as she took a step back. She grit her teeth and shook her head.

Lucille grasped her gently and held her. "Iris, breathe..." She spoke, her voice calm. "Just breathe, you're safe."

Iris collapsed into her arms her eyes fluttered as her body tensed siezing. Lucille moved her quickly, she lay her down on the bed and gently protected her until the tremors stopped. She grit her teeth as she watched blood leak from Iris' nose. "We have to stabilize her." She spoke and shook her head. "I...I don't know what to do." She looked to Sebastian with lost eyes.

Sebastian looked to Cassandra, he bit his lip slightly. "She needs your blood." He spoke, "She's weak, lashing out, her rationale isn't working...." He looked to Iris let out a slow breath. "This is what happens when a vampire is starved...and I bet Arden gave her blood root too, didn't he?" He then growled lowly. "You're an idiot." He glared at the lycan.

Julian was rubbing his neck, deep punctures remained on the surface, blood ran down his neck and soaked into his shirt. "She's never done that..." He breathed.

Lucille looked up, "She's been starved of blood for 3 days, Julian...and she hadn't been drinking much before that...." She let out a long sigh. "With what they've done to her..." She shook her head.

Iris didn't move this time as the blood was poured into her mouth. Her body swallowed in her unconscious state as the liquid was poured slowly in. She lay limply on her back. Lucille stepped forward and tucked in a blanket around her, her eyes full of concern. She then looked to the scientist whom Julian had sat back up. "What was the plan?" She asked. "What was the plan once you got her to this state?"

"There wasn't...Arden was so focused on changing her..." Nigel spoke, blood ran from his lip. He had a gash across his chest that had already healed, his shirt was torn. "He killed King Levi to do this...this was supposed to be done to a human...they just needed her blood..." He shook his head.

Sebastian grit his teeth. "We have no idea how she's going to react, if she'll survive..." He shook his head. "Thank you, Cassandra..." He added to the end before he went to his desk. "I must contact the council...I'm not sure where this road leads." He spoke softer now.

Lucille carefully lifted Iris. "I'll go tuck her in." She glanced to Cassandra. "Coming?" She asked, "You calmed her down before..." She noted before she slipped from the room. She pushed into Iris' room and carefully dressed Iris in a set of her pajama pants and a tanktop. She brushed her fingers against her cheek. "I've never seen eyes like she had." She looked to Cassandra. "Lycans eyes turn black when they change to their form..." She spoke, thinking out loud. "Maybe it is part of the hybridization?" She questioned then. Lucille stepped over to the cabinet, she sighed softly. "I know Sebastian and I promised you no drinking..." She spoke as she poured a glass of whiskey. She downed it and then let out a breath. "I'm going to go to our library, try to find something out...if you need something just call, I won't be far." She spoke softly. "If anything changes just call my name." She searched Cassandra's eyes for a moment before she slipped from the room. The worry in her eyes was almost worse than when Iris had been kidnapped.

Iris turned onto her side in her sleep. She took in deep breaths, "No...." She breathed dreaming. Her brows pinched together. Her eyes fluttered slightly. Then she opened her eyes. She stared to Cassandra, her breathing ceased. She stood and stumbled, falling onto her back on the floor. Iris stared at the ceiling. "Am I dreaming?" She questioned. "This is a nightmare...isn't it?" Her body felt heavy. She didn't move from where she lay on the floor. She moved her hand up to her mouth. She could feel the canines on the bottom of her mouth were enlarged. Though her vampire fangs were still the most prominent. Her eyes melted to the black color with the teal center. "Cassandra..." She breathed. Her eyes fluttereed. She didn't move from the floor. "What's happening to me?"

"I remember being in the water...I couldn't move...Arden stared at me...he spoke but I couldn't hear him...I felt trapped...I couldn't do anything...I couldn't free myself...and the pain..." She grit her teeth. "They were injecting me with something through all of those tubes..." Her voice was a mutter. "My body felt like it was going to be ripped apart and crushed at the same time..." She trembled slightly thinking of it. "I couldn't move..." She whispered.

Iris slowly sat up, she took in quick breaths. Her body still ached. Her head felt like someone had slammed her into a brick wall. She moved slowly to her feet. "I can still feel it." She spoke, thinking of the injections each time they added something in. "It felt like knives running through me." She stumbled slightly and fell against the side of her bed. She sat down, her eyes staring to Cassandra. Her mouth was open slightly, her new fangs visible. She closed her eyes for a moment, focusing. When she opened her eyes again the normal color returned. "Cassandra...what did they do?" She asked, her eyes fluttered slightly. "I..." Iris fought to keep her eyes open. "I can hear everything...and I can smell everything...I can see your pulse..." She looked away then her breathing increased. "Did you kill them...did you kill Arden?" She asked her eyes had darkened again. She was fighting against her abilities. Her body was beginning to surge with a power that she didn't know what to do with.

Iris stared into Cassandra's eyes, her breathing began to calm. "It's not your fault..." She took in deep breaths. Her eyes fluttered slightly as Cassandra tucked her lock of hair away. Iris took in a shaken breath as Cassandra cupped her cheek. She could hear her pulse in her wrist. She tensed slightly as she stared to her. She focused the darkness in her eyes seemed to swirl. "Your eyes." She looked to the bright yellow though she didn't move.

Iris swallowed hard as she fought her urge to drink. She took in a deep breath as she listened to Cassandra's voice. "Elise." She spoke, her voice small. "You are a lot stronger than her." She began. "Elise was a daughter of a shopkeep in town...the chocolatier." A small smile curved up her lips, "I found her one night after the Lycans had attacked the town...she was out on the old fishing dock crying...in the middle of a rainstorm...waiting for lycans to take her."

Iris paused she searched Cassandra's eyes her breathing had evened out. "I had to keep that from happening...I've always saved humans from Lycans...it's what my family does...or at least we try...our best...I took her and I made her coffee, dark bean roast, with just a dash of creamer. It was her favorite. We talked into the late hours of the night, until the sun rose the next morning..." She closed her eyes for a moment, her body tensing, threatening to act on its own. She grit her teeth fighting herself. Iris stared back up at Cassandra. "I felt like I'd known her for centuries...somehow I feel that way with you...when I look into your eyes..." She gripped the blankets of the bed, her claws punctured through the blankets as she fought against her instincts to feed.

Iris took in several deep breaths, "Our first kiss..." A smile curved up her lips, a chuckle then came out. "I remember it like it was only moments ago." She reached up and touched Cassandra's cheek. "I'd fallen for her rather quickly, it was something I couldn't resist." Iris swallowed hard as she stared up into her eyes. Iris' fingers curved slightly cupping onto the side of her head as she looked to her. "I didn't think about it. I didn't think about the concequences of loving a human. That didn't matter to me at the time." Iris leaned up then and pressed her lips to Cassandra's. Her other hand moved and held Cassandra gently, the kiss was sweet, not lustful. Iris pulled back after a moment, her cheeks were bright pink, her eyes had returned to the normal icy blue. "It was...sort of like that..." Iris chuckled then her muscles had relaxed. "Hm...sorry..." She let out a small laugh then, almost of embarassment. "I couldn't stop myself..." Iris gazed into her eyes, her hand still cupped her cheek. "You're...very special Cassandra..." She spoke, her voice smooth. A smile still curved up her lips, she chuckled. "Do you like ice cream?" She asked, her voice curious. "That sounds like a wonderful treat right now...since you brought it up." Iris grinned then.