We Weren't Meant To Know

[Sage]

" Burn her. "

Harsh words in a foreign dialect. A statuesque figure stood in the shadows, stoic to the last and disinterested in what he might be doing to a fellow somewhat living being. Rakaev watched as the fierce thing struggled and writhed, eager to be free to slay them all and return to her Mother. He was Kraven's second-in-command, and a relatively well-trusted soldier. That is to say, there was little with which Kraven held value besides Anabel and his own usefulness, but he did trust Rakaev to maneuver his small elite force of humans and maintain his estate.

" But sir, should we not wait until the Higherarch... "

A slender man, voice unstable and at a height of no more than five feet began to recoil with the force of a shared image through all of the fighting force's minds. Kraven and Rakaev had the ability to activate a hive mind-like state among the mortals, and did so often to quickly exchange information and orders. Rakaev and Kraven also shared the ability to receive information two ways with only one man at a time, as they had the ability to send images and information to the two superiors, who could then open up a larger channel if need be.

The images he received now were of a grim-faced Kraven receiving the news of Xexoria, and the creatures. He instantly understood, and bowed deeply in apology before activating a lever which began to rumble to life as Rakaev advanced from his corner. He shared an intense look with his subordinate, and the genuflecting man would instantly know about how Rakaev intended to punish him once the situation was over. He absent-mindedly clutched his own arm already, previewing the pain of the bones in his arm being crushed.

As Blythe thrashed against the hard stone, a retaining wall groaned into place against her shackles, effectively shielding her body from the tests that were about to ensue, and splitting the room in two, with one man on each side of the shield as well as one part of Blythe. In the room which Rakaev stood, only Blythe's arm, up to her elbow was exposed to the torchlight, and it fought hard against the magically-reinforced bindings holding it. He scribbled some hasty notes down on a sheet of parchment before reaching out to touch a bright crystal in the center of the room, which began to illuminate before gradually building up to emit a short, controlled burst of radiation which simulated Kraven's ability to reproduce sunlight. Just before the room lit up, the man fought his own pain to stand and face Blythe, who seemed intent on shredding his face.

" Try to think of something pleasant. This may sting. "

[Jen]

There would be a brief ear splitting scream as the light came and went. It couldn't have lasted for longer than a second, but to Blythe the pain was unreal. As the light passed she sagged against her restraints, glad for once that they were holding her up. A sweat broke over her brow as she looked at the floor with an unseeing gaze.

"You bastards!" She couldn't believe that she had been allowed to have such treatment heaped on her. Yet, as she recalled her brutish behavior with Anabel -- she realized why. She was unwanted and cast off. A low growl of pain, not unlike the surly snarl of a cornered feline, gurgled its way to the surface of her throat.

Unwanted.

And to be tested on! Her arm felt as if it were going to split completely in two. She couldn't see it, but she could feel the ghastly cracking of her skin and the blood congealing on her arm. It would look as if someone had bloated her arm, the skin breaking and peeling back, without her arm ever enlarging in size. She heaved a labored sigh of pain, forcing herself to grit her teeth and deal with the abominable pain. Any longer and she would probably have lost her arm. As it was the light had rendered her arm next to useless. If she didn't recieve blood she could lose the extremity altogether.

Dread seeped through Blythe as she looked away from the wall that closed around her arm. She didn't want to see it or smell it or even be near it. She looked at her captor, death in her eyes, considering giving them the show of their lives as she gnawed her own arm off. It hurt too much to consider, though, at least at this point.

[Sage]

Rakaev pulled back his hood, releasing long red hair which he whisked out of his vision as the first true expression crossed his face. Amazement. He smiled as he walked forward, dragging a metal instrument along her wound, peeling back some of damaged skin there. He examined her arm, paying close attention to her reaction and the state of her flesh and bone as he probed. Satisfied, he released the mechanism that held the wall in place, and crossed the threshold into the room where the rest of Blythe could easily be seen. He glanced over her briefly, uninterested in pain or discomfort so much as vitality and regeneration.

" Bring her a ration of blood from Kraven's emergency pen. After she feeds, remove the flesh and muscle from that arm, and call for me. Make sure she only gets the minimal, we'll need her hungry for Test 7. "

Rakaev gave Blythe a hateful glare, before turning to leave. The humiliated warrior set about setting up another mechanism which connected to a chute leading down from a grate in the room above them. Blythe would already be able to hear the struggles of a desperate mortal as he was lead into the room above. Through the small portions of light Blythe would be able to see familiar cloaks as Kraven's Guards set about settling the man into the position necessary for this bloodletting. Blythe's guard stared into her face as he attempted to form the words of a passable apology, but came up with nothing. He slid his own hood back, and revealed himself to be Rinald. He would have been seen guarding the castle many times along side the others, and he had always had a deep respect and admiration for the creatures he was responsible for safeguarding. Especially Anabel's favorite, Blythe. Silently, he slid the chute into place, before locking a restraint around Blythe's neck, just as a meager stream of blood began to slowly trickle toward the once-fierce vampire.

" I'm sorry. We will feed you a small portion of blood, and you will be given a brief respite, then I will have to continue as scheduled. It is for Anabel that we do this. "

[Jen]

Blythe's eyes were wild as she stared at the man talking to her. She had every intention of refusing the blood and dying just to spite them all. Even Anabel, whom she began to believe deserved every knife slash she was given. The smell of the blood and the tightness of the restraint around her neck, however, caused Blythe's instincts to push into overdrive. She opened her mouth and devoured every drop of blood given to her.

It was then that her strangely calm eyes settled once again on her captor. She didn't recall him and she didn't really care for him. That he knew of her was a testament to his place in Kraven's society of men.

"Who are you to speak to me?" Is what she meant to say, though the restraint and blood choked back most of her angry question.

How could that little smear of human flesh possibly understand what sort of pain she was in? As she relaxed, willing herself to keep from choking and regurgitating the blood she had ingested. She could feel it easing its way into the pit of her stomach, seeping through her body to rejuvinate it. The blisters and split skin began to heal, the irritating tickle and itch as she wiggled her arm reflexively became more noticable.

"Let me go." Her brilliant green eyes sought those of the human male. She was an alluring woman, if a little...misguided. Okay, more like insane but who was he to know? "I won't hurt anyone. I'll go as far away from here as I can get. No one has to know that you didn't kill me outright." Her sincerity was almost shocking as she relaxed against the restraints, looking for all the world like a chastised and beaten young woman. She looked so frail and meek.

How was this human to know it was her calling? That it was this that her prey saw shortly before she clawed their throats to shreds? Shortly before she consumed their blood and made it her own. It was this about her, and her pretty young face, that Anabel VonHagen had found appealing -- and only Kraven and his second in command might know such a thing.

[Sage]

It was true that Kraven's lesser subordinates had not been given the information he had given Rakhaev about vampire nature, and their ability to charm, but under normal circumstances normal guards were not to be in presence of the vampires without Kraven or Rakhaev. They were the only ones who had powers that could repel the vampires, and so the reasons were obvious and appreciated by the men. And as alluring and/or frightening as Blythe might be, Kraven was just as convincing and dangerous, as well as not currently strapped to the wall of a dungeon. And so it was with sadness in his eyes that the man continued about his work, rather than showing sympathy or fear.

On the inside, though, he knew Blythe was right. No less than a few short hours ago she had been a deity among the vampire social circle. While not directly in charge of him, she had been his superior and worthy of his respect. She had been Anabel's favorite child, whom he had yearned silently for attention from as much or more as he had from the human Kraven.

" I am no one, and neither are you, now. I won't lie to you and say that if you cooperate, things will be better. But they certainly won't be worse. That being said, if we can get everything we need without killing you, you might be able to convince Rakhaev to speak with Kraven on your behalf. I hold no such sway, and can not release you. Keeping you here is a direct order from Kraven, and I would be destroyed for even suggesting to either of them that you should be spared. "

The man examined her arm as it began to heal over. He made some notes about the effectiveness and haste of her regenerative powers, scrawling down more notes and sealing all that he and Rakhaev had written in a silver case marked Number One, before turning back to Blythe. He walked over to the several levers and released her neck restraint as he pulled the thin metal handle that would cause the dividing wall to rumble to life once more. Before the wall was completely in place, Blythe would be able to notice a few more men dressed in same-rank robes as Rinald.

" Try to focus on me, this is going to be pretty bad. Before they get started, it would be in your best interests to answer some questions that Captain Rakhaev left behind. We realize there is nothing at all that we can threaten you with while this is going on, so I will simply say that if you ever want even the slightest chance of getting out of here, whether to go back to your Mistress for redemption or revenge; or whether you simply wish to escape this life, you will help us learn all that we can before Subject Two arrives. After that, your chance will be gone forever. "

Rinald went over Rakhaev's questionnaire as he let the gravity of his proposition sink in. His features were unique inside Kraven's Guard, as were those of most of his other recruits. He tended to recruit only one human from any given area, hence the striking difference between all of them. He could not be sure, but he had once heard that Rakhaev had come from the frozen north, far north on the mainland across the ocean. Rinald's complexion was specifically reminiscent of a small independent peninsula on the eastern continent. His features were smooth and boyish, and if it were not for his well-toned muscles one might see his face and height and assume him to be simply a child.

Most of the Guard had a specialization, a talent which drew Kraven to them. Rakhaev was so special because he could emulate two of Kraven's key powers, to a lesser extent. Rinald's abilities were not so pronounced or active, but he was seen as useful when applied to the structure of the Guard. It was his eyes that made him such a prize. They were somewhere between blue and green, teal he had once heard them called. And when he concentrated, he could see things from several angles at once, as well as being able to pierce solid matter with his gaze. His powers were the first line of defense against potential threats, as while he went about his duties inside a structure, he could keep watch outside of it. He was also good at reading people's body language, and was normally very good at telling whether someone was lying, telling the truth, friendly, hostile, or even nervous, however well they tried to hide it from him.

Unfortunatley, for whatever reason, this seldom applied to vampires; or at least most of them. Many of the elder vampires had lived centuries, and were much more adept at conveying what they wanted in their features. And many of the younger and lesser vampires were so fierce and animalistic, even when they were genuinely less than interested in starting trouble, Rinald could not tell. All the same, he was tolerated because of his ability to keep the others and the vampires safe, if only because he could forewarn of approaching danger. Despite his muscular build, he was nowhere near as adept at combat as his brothers-in-arms, and his appearance was mostly attributed to being one who volunteered or was forced to do the more physical labor that needed doing.

" How old are you, and have you noticed that you have become more or less durable and able to rejuvenate yourself with age? "

[Jen]

Her head sagged forward as the restraint was removed from her neck. She glanced from the corner of her eye at her arm as it began to knit together. The rambling of the man before her was a dull hum until he pointedly asked for her submission. She thought for a moment, burying her facial expression under years worth of training.

"Excuse me. My..age?" Blythe quirked a slender auburn brow and then laughed. It had been ages since anyone cared to ask. Albeit now it was for some morbid research of her race, but it was something that truely caught her offguard. Wishing for the moment she could ignore the man in front of her and nurse her arm, Blythe thought. How old was she, anyway? Then she recalled a time when she was human and she sighed, almost wishing she could be what she was then.

"I am three hundred and twenty years of age." Blythe stared at the young man in front of her. He had to be human and he had to be mortal. She could see the curious shade of his eyes and she tilted her head. It was the first time a mortal caught her interest for more than, well, food. He wasn't a bad looking man and she could somewhat begin to fathom why Anabel kept Kraven around. Somewhat, anyway.

"My ability to fix my wounds progresses with age, it does not deteriorate. My life is only useful at the hands of my mistress and she has seen that her favorites are quick to mend. We have all had other traits as well. The guard of Anabel VonHagen is quicker to mend than the rest of us. She, herself, is quicker to mend than the rest of us." She left out that Anabel was centuries upon centuries old, and that so were most of her guard -- though new ones were hand picked for their regenration properties.

[Sage]

Rinard was intensely relieved in response to Blythe's cooperation. He could not have expected for her to be so vocally helpful, and soaked up every bit of information as he documented it. They had predicted some of what she was saying, but he could not have expected the variables involved from individual to individual when it came to vampiric regeneration. Mentally, he sent out a request to have the men waiting for her arm to fully heal so they could strip it down to bone delayed, while she was in such a talkative mood, and he tentatively awaited Rakhaev's response while he continued.

" Thank you, that is very useful. You mentioned the traits. We understand that most mortals retain their abilities after being exposed to vampirism, though it may change slightly. I need to know if you know of any of your kind that have developed such traits and abilities post-vampirism. Equally as important is whether you've seen that fellow vampires have ever experienced new and different weaknesses from one another. As well as differing tolerances to known weaknesses. And finally, I'll need to know what traits and weaknesses you possess that are specific to you, please. "

Rinard began to display an excited smile as he continued now, genuinely interested in her answers and glad that she did not seem to be in such direct opposition to his presence. He hoped, at least, that she would try to keep him around so as to not have to deal with Rakhaev instead. He hated what he was being made to do, and Rakhaev would be able to read that, which is why he was chosen. It was an exercise in loyalty that Rinald would be forced to complete if he wanted to live. In truth, Rinald was the only of the Guard that understood Kraven's affection for Anabel. Though his infatuation was just that, and not as obsessive or compulsive as Kraven's admiration for his vampiric idol.

" And if there's anything I can get for you, or do to make this easier; now would be a good time. Within reason, of course. " He knew there was little that vampires needed, and that it was an almost obnoxious gesture, but it was no treatment he would get from any of the others.

[Jen]

The stream of questions encouraged a strange look on Blythe's face. She was confused and she didn't try to hide it. This was just a mortal man that held her attention. Should she betray her mistress and speak of these things that mortals did not know, these things that Kraven himself did not know?

Blythe's attention turned to Kraven as she thought of him. He was an attractive male, built for breeding strong children. It was a shame that he wasted himself on Vampires -- there was but one way for them to create others. Her eyes unfocused for a moment as the healing took its full effect and her arm was healed. She wanted so badly to itch the skin as it mended itself, but she couldn't and so had to distract herself. Her eyes wandered toward Rinald and she sighed. There were no pretenses to be had with this male. She could do nothing to hide herself or even shelter herself.

"I would like my life back. I would like a personal moment. I would like a change of clothes." Blythe shook her head and tried with great difficulty to move her long hair from her face. Her thrashing had pulled the waves of brilliant auburn out of their bindings and spread wildly over her shoulders. "I would like my hair out of my face..."

It was a difficult thing for her, to show weakness to such a weak human. Her heart was silent in death but she felt the pain and shame acutely. "These are not things you can give to me. I have lost my rights as a servant to my Mistress." Blythe screwed her eyes shut willing the pain of depression to pass -- in a way it was more acute than the torture she was experiencing at these human hands.

"I have not noticed there being any differences among my bretheren. I have lived only with Anabel VonHagen though and have not strayed from her sight in all my years of service. I was not permitted to go beyond Kalmarden. You may think me cruel for striking out against my Mistress, but her leash is a pretty and beautiful thing -- but it is just that, a leash. To remain in my world I was required to earn it." She spoke without thinking, rambling in her grief to this human man with beautiful eyes. She did not look him in the eye, could not for the hair in her face."To be replaced after three centuries of service is not something one takes lightly. I reacted without thinking and I deserve the punishment I am recieving." It sounded as if she were talking herself into the pain she was still due to recieve.

"Your kindness is well recieved, though." Blythe's words were but a whisper as she relaxed in her bonds, sagging against them in an effort to gain some relief. This was the time she should be sleeping, and it had been over twenty four hours since her last moment of rest. She was beyond exhausted with the night's events and the torture.

[Sage]

Rinald sighed. He processed what would be required for her requests. She could not be trusted, so the privacy she asked for would not be possible. In addition, the only sure way to keep her in check was with the light, and Rakhaev was the only one besides Kraven who could operate the crystals. And to get him to entertain this for Blythe, it would take a lot of convincing, and even more bribing. There was very little that could be used to gain leverage with Rakhaev, and Rinald had such an object though he had been saving it. However, it was his job to gain information, and unless she was far more cunning than he had imagined, it was an innocent enough request.

" Rakhaev has agreed to retrieve what he can of your possessions from the manor, however, I am told that they have been given to Sophitia and may no longer be available. I can only give you a moment to yourself alone with the restraints, or with Rakhaev present and under threat of sunlight, I am sorry. "

Rinald turned once more to the array of controls at his back and retracted the chute that had been used to feed her from her face, and allowed his hand to over over the controls to her neck restraint. If he neared her face without it, she would have the choice to bite him. But what purpose would that serve? Without him there was only hostility for her here. Though as he considered, he wondered if it were such a bad thing to become a vampire. One life of servitude for another. Rinald turned without touching the control and approached the defeated Blythe. He reached out with an unwavering hand, and perhaps gently stroked her face a little more than necessary as he did his best to manage her hair for her. He could only assume that if the men in the next room heard her attack him, they would be there in time to save him from a fatal feeding, and instead he would simply be Turned.

Not such a bad thing.

[Jen]

Blythe tilted her head without thinking, feeling Rinald's fingertips brush her cold flesh. His touch was like a brand of heat across her cheek and she sighed heavily. It shook her to her core for such feelings to emerge for a human male in such a short period of time. Is this what Ana felt toward Kraven? Realizing that she could feel the beat of his pulse, Blythe pulled away from Rinald, angling her face away from his touch instead of pressing against it.

"You shouldn't. I am not one to pity."

Blythe looked at Rinald, could smell his flesh and his blood. She could feel the strong steady rhythm of his pulse, almost like a wanton lure to her soul. Was this what it meant to have a soul mate? Then again who could be soul mates to a creature without a soul to share? The centuries old vampire frowned slightly, knitting her pretty brows in concentration before looking away. She looked anywhere other than where Rinald was. It was a shame to find such things in her current situation. There was no doubt in her mind that she would die, at some point, and Rinald would have to suffer.

Dimly, Blythe was aware that hurting this nice human male was something she didn't want to do. She bit her bottom lip and then looked at Rinald.

"You shouldn't be here to watch this."

[Sage]

Rinald cleared his throat uncomfortably as he pulled his hand away. He began to lament ever agreeing to do what he was doing to Blythe. In truth, Rinald had only been chosen becase it would cause him pain to do so, and because he was the most likely candidate to get information out of her willingly. Rinald studied the paper given to him by Rakhaev, and pretended to read out another series of questions which cold not be found anywhere on the page.

" Are you still affected by drugs, toxins, and medicines that might affect the human body; whether introduced to your own body or already in the blood you ingest? If so, to what extent can you be intoxicated, poisoned, or...numbed to pain...by said things? "

Rinald tried in vain to imagine a reason why Rakhaev would be even slightly interested in whether or not something stopped the pain of any creature, especially a vampire. If asked, he would casually shrug and refer to the man's insane nature before asking for an answer. He disregarded her last comment without even recognition of having heard it. How selfish would he have to be, a soldier, to cringe away from death to serve himself and leave her mysteries to be forcefully unraveled by his more than enthusiastic superior.

[Jen]

"I am personally affected by certain drugs. Though to me it is something like an allergy. I do not develop any lesions or difficulties in breathing as humans might, but I do experience periodic weakness such as clouded vision or lethargy." Blythe stared pointedly at a far wall, trying to avoid Rinald's knowing gaze. "The only known numbing I can recieve is from a person or creature that is filled with penicillin. I believe that is part of the allergic reaction, though in that case it is a benefit. I have never injected myself with these drugs directly, so I do not know their full effect on my body -- it is always through the venue of blood that I recieve these after effects."

His touch on her skin lingered, she could feel it tingle against her undead flesh and fought mightily against a smile. This was neither the time, nor the place to become infatuated with a human. Why she was even considering or entertaining these thoughts was beyond her. Her life was in danger, so far gone as to be no longer in her hands. Her life was Kraven's and his underlings. For a moments rash weakness Blythe had been put aside and ordered to death. She glanced at her bound hands, noticing the dried blood on one fist -- the fist that had connected with Anabel VonHagen's chest. It would have been a mortal wound to anyone else.

Her life was no longer her own. The thought was still very hard to comprehend. Her eyes roamed to where Rinald was studiously writing down her replies.

"You are an attractive man." She had nothing to lose at this point but she was still a little stunned she let that slip from her mouth. Blythe was very glad she was incapable of blushing at the time, but she did smile and avoid Rinald's eyes once again.

[Sage]

Rinald cringed a bit. He had feared that it would be necessary to give her a premature feeding in order to help her in the way that he intended. This would take some more finagling, though he need not appeal directly to Rakhaev in this matter. As she finished her replies, he left the room for a short time, handing one of the men in the room where Blythe's arm protruded, and handed him a small slip of paper. There was a short list of drugs, and a man's name. The Brother Guardsman stared at him questioningly, but something about the fierce determination in Rinald's eyes set him on his way before he even need speak.

Rinald often had this strange effect on his brothers, and while they presumed his ignorance, he knew well of the secret they kept from him. Why they gave him such a wide berth, and allowed him to do pretty much as he wanted around the compound. Except Rakhaev. Rakhaev knew, and for a completely different reason treated him with the most intense scrutiny. It was the very secret that Rakhaev had discovered that made Rinald a threatening presence to his promise of power. Should she listen closely, Blythe would be able to hear the whispers of Rinald's brothers as he walked the short distance into the hall and back into her 'quarters.'

It was as he re-entered the room, oblivious to her feelings and expression that he caught the comment. It hit him like a thousand stones and he stopped, physically recoiling ever so slightly. He blinked once and looked around, feigning to write this down as though it were simply another valuable response.

" You are...kind. And I might add, rather appealing to the senses yourself. And that is why I have arranged for an additional feeding for you. This man's blood will be filled with the drug aforementioned, as well as some other heavy sedatives we have on hand here. Hopefully it will put you to sleep, but no about of numbing is going to completely stop the pain. I wish I could avoid what it is they ask of me, but I must let you know, the pain is going to be intense Blythe. If it is in your power to escape your bonds, I recommend that you do so now. "

His comment was completely contradictory to all his others, but after she was drugged and her arm defiled she might not be in the shape to leave. His tone was calm and casual as though he had just explained a very simple procedure, but his face was all business. He meant for her escape.

" The shackles are magically protected, but even their power can be overcome. Unfortunately not by me, I can not free you myself. "

[Jen]

Blythe nodded as she listened to Rinald. There was no real way to escape her bonds, but the medication would dull her senses so that she might at least take the edge off of what they were going to do to her. If she were lucky the pain would cause her to black out. Briefly she entertained the idea that she could beg Rinald to hit her over the head with something heavy. It wouldn't kill her but it would knock her out at least. Perhaps he couldn't do that because of his boss...or whoever it was that was being such a jerk.

Kraven.

No, he wouldn't help her. His nose was buried too deep in Ana's skirts to be of any use to her.

"Rinald, listen to me. You have to knock me out. Please. Pretend that you need to do it. Get too close to me during the feeding and I'll lash out." Blythe looked past Rinald to a heavy chair and then to a desk. She quickly looked back at him and there was some fear in her eyes. She wasn't sure, but she distinctly recalled hearing Kraven's right hand man say 'remove the flesh' and she doubted she wanted to be awake, much less alive, for that.

"Rinald, please. I've been alive for several centuries but I doubt even I could keep my sanity for these tests."