Part Four
The Scholar listened quietly as the ex-crusader finished his tale. He was sympathetic and not surprised at Nick allowing his past to become an obstacle. Aristotle had seen it many times. For a short period Nick was fine, hanging on a thin thread but at least stable and then...then he would spin out of control and come crashing down into madness. The closest thing to describing Nick�s emotional roller coaster was to say he was having a nervous breakdown.
When that happened Nick was not only a danger to himself but to everyone around him. In some way, that was one of the main reasons LaCroix did not like to be too far from his Nicholas. As the Master vampire he could manage Nicholas even when he seemed out of control. It was a safety net that LaCroix hated to use but he had used it before. Undoubtedly he would probably have to do so again...so long as Nick continued to allow his past to haunt him.
�I almost killed him, Aristotle. Why? Why can�t I control the beast? Even after eight hundred years, I still feel it burn inside me.�
�Nick, listen to me. Ok? First off, the beast came out because you didn�t feed properly. If you had fed like you were taught it wouldn�t have happened.�
Nick lowered his eyes, refusing to meet Aristotle�s gaze. Though Aristotle�s voice was soft and gentle Nick still could feel the power behind it.
�Nick, stop looking as if I am lashing you. This is common knowledge which you deliberately neglected and why? Because you feel you deserve to starve and suffer? You act as if you should be whipped and beaten and when some one does, namely LaCroix, you suddenly become the victim. You can�t have it both ways Nick. Look, you can continue to throw yourself to the wolves or you can let it go. You have come so far since your rebirth. Not many vampires can say the same. You are different and unique. LaCroix saw that. The others...they are only just starting to see it.�
Finally Nick�s eyes came up to meet Aristotle�s.
�You suffer, Nick, because for some reason, unknown to all of us, you came across whole with a conscience.�
�I don�t understand.�
�Nick, when we are brought across to help keep our own sanity we shed the human mortal soul. Very few, and I mean less then ten out of a billion will come across complete. Why or how it happens is anyone�s guess. The problem is those that do come across complete suffer needlessly....like you. Many don�t live past a hundred years into their immortality because they can�t live with the guilt. They are often driven into madness and they usually end their lives or...someone kills them. Nowadays it is not quite so bad, because there are options and one doesn�t have to kill.�
�LaCroix never told me this.� His voice sounded almost wounded.
Aristotle shook his head. �He loves you Nick, always has. He wanted to protect you. LaCroix, that is why he loves you so dearly...because of your soul is still within you. But it is also what drives him to anger because you care. So there is the clinch. You both live in a love and hate relationship because you love and hate what you are. That part of you that you kept.�
�But why?�
�I don�t know Nick. But even in your darkest despair you have got to remember that you have changed. You haven�t killed for blood in over two hundred years, you have started to make amends by helping humanity and most and above all else, you still love. You are worthy of love and happiness Nick. I know you can still see the faces of your victims. I know it hurts, I understand that. But you can honor them in memory by continuing what you have been doing. Saving lives. Mortal and immortal.�
�So you are saying I should start drinking human blood again?�
�I didn�t say that. Whatever decision you make about your food is a personal choice. But what you do and act and say...in this life does make a difference. The world is a better place with you in it. Nick, think about all those that wouldn�t have survived if you hadn�t come to their rescue. As you have killed many, you have saved many in return.�
�And that makes up for it?�
�No, and it probably never will. But life has never been about achieving one�s goal Nick. Think about it. It�s about striving for that goal and it doesn�t matter if you ever reach it.�
Rising to his feet, Nick paced the room thinking things out. He was just about to speak when a wave of pain slammed into him. His eyes flashed gold, and not sure where the blow had come from, growled, preparing for a fight. It took him a moment to realize that it wasn�t he that was under attack. Someone else.
�LaCroix?�
Aristotle turned, and saw Nick�s state, and narrowing his eyes rose to his feet.
�LaCroix�s in trouble.�
Without another word the two of them bolted for the door, outside they rose upwards and into the skies, disappearing into the darkness of night.
***
(Somewhere in the outskirts of New York City)
�Ok, now Napoleon, concentrate.�
�Don�t worry Mr. Waverly, I think I got it this time.�
Shortly afterwards followed a scream and then a loud thump.
Looking over the ledge, Waverly shook his head, sighing in annoyance.
�He is never going to learn to fly at this rate.�
Down below, he heard a voice call up to him.
�I�m ok, don�t worry. I�m fine. Ah, I�ll be right up.�
Getting to his feet, Napoleon Solo dusted himself off and noticed a new rip in his two hundred dollar suit. Damn, Waverly is not going to like getting this fixed. Reaching for the fire escape stairs he started his long climb back up.
Waverly felt the presence just before it touched down behind him. He at once recognized the form, so he ignored him, watching his protege make his way slowly up 6 stories.
The tall figure stood on the brick ledge watching the show with great amusement. He was dressed in a long flowing cape that whipped around him by the wind. His long black hair was loose and fell past his waist and seemed as wild and untamed as himself. His eyes were normally black but at the moment were glowing a soft gold.
Any one who walked by would have thought that he indeed was where vampire legends had sprung from. He was what most conjured up in their thoughts when thinking of vampires. He was truly a creature of the night.
�Looks like you�re having a hard time with your fledgling, Alex my old friend. I think you may be right. He may just turn out to be the only vampire in history that can�t fly.� He chuckled at his own joke. Hearing no returned laugh from Waverly, he stepped off the ledge and landing on the rooftop, walked slowly up behind the head leader of UNCLE.
�Aren�t you tired of playing daddy yet? If you like I would be glad to take this one off your hands.�
He licked his lips in anticipation. �I�m sure under my hand he would learn to fly quickly.�
It was then that Waverly turned, and when he did, his full transformation was complete. His eyes glowed gold and his fangs had extended in their proper place.
�Lord Nemor, what brings you here to my city? Usually you are enjoying the sights and pleasures of Europe. Is there something I can do for you?�
�Can�t an old friend stop by for a visit?�
�You were never my OLD anything. As for visiting, you only show up when you want something. So stop playing this silly game and tell me what you want!�
The elder vampire sniffed in boredom and stepping slightly away, he watched as the young vampire, Napoleon Solo, finally made it to the roof.
Seeing that Waverly was not alone, Napoleon moved quietly to Waverly�s side, keeping silent but ready for anything.
The Elder vampire paused and gave Napoleon one long look. The look expressed a great deal and Napoleon had to fight the urge to reach out and give this older vampire a punch in the jaw for even thinking what he was thinking.
�The council has decided not to wait.�
�What are you talking about?�
�You know what I am talking about. The halfling. They want him brought across, quickly. Within the next few days and since you are busy with this one...I was elected to take the halfling under my protective wings.�
Napoleon�s face paled in shock. �What?�
A hand came up, and Napoleon saw Waverly giving him the look for silence. Seeing he had no choice, he swallowed down his pride and allowed his...boss and master to handle things. But if Waverly thought for one moment that he would stand by and allow who ever this was bring Illya across he could think again.
�The council decided or you decided?�
�Well, delicately put Alex. I made the suggestion and the council in their wisdom agreed.�
�What hold do you have on them, Lord Nemor?�
Nemor? Napoleon paused and nodded. So this was the vampire that everyone bowed to.
�Why, what ever do you mean, Alex?�
�For centuries you have had a great deal of pull on the council. It is you that prevents a great deal of changes that would have benefited the community.�
�Ah, but would they have benefited me, Alex?�
�They promised me to allow Kuryakin two years to come to terms with what he is, and I expect that ruling to remain in place.�
�Two years? Why Alex, that is like two breaths to a vampire. Time is irrelevant. The boy is at the perfect age and as far as I am concerned, more then ready to be crossed over.�
�What are you after Nemor? There is more to it then just trying to protect the secrecy of the others.�
Napoleon spoke without thinking.
�He wants a hold on LaCroix and you. That is why isn�t it?�
Nemor smiled and gave Napoleon another long look.
�He may not be able to fly Alex, but he is quite brilliant.�
�I see, you have waited a long time for this haven�t you? To get a hold over the two of us, You tried years ago with Nicholas. You thought then you could control LaCroix if you had his fledgling under your thumb, and now you are trying to do so again. I must ask myself why you would want to have us under your control. But that too would be obvious. You want total control. You want more power. Even beyond that of the council.�
Nemor bowed, with a grin.
�You want to rule all of the vampires. I am surprised the council didn�t see through you?�
�Oh they did, Alex. But I am the oldest you know and I do have a great deal of pull.�
�Yes, I am aware of the pull you have. A few old favors that are owed to you by a councilman or two, ah bribery, false promises. Do not think I have not heard your latest escapade.�
Glancing at his finger nails, Nemor only shrugged.
�You knew exactly what you were doing when you took Aristotle�s child and raped her.�
Napoleon paused trying to figure out where he had heard that name before. It took him a moment to remember Waverly mentioning the Scholar vampire that everyone called the Gentle vampire. Napoleon had looked forward to meeting this Scholar. He had many questions, one of which is why was he called the Gentle vampire, which seemed such a contrast to what he was and why it was said not out of jest but affection.
�You knew that as her Master and creator he would have to rectify the insult you did to him and the humiliation you did to his child. You did it so that Aristotle would come asking for justice. In the process you would retaliate and of course demand retribution by battle. The ancient ritual, the death match. You also know that his other offspring in the council would know that Aristotle would die by your capable hands.�
�Can I help it if the old scholar never learned proper fighting skills, Alex?�
�They in return would do anything to keep him safe. Because they love him. Aristotle may be a fool but he is a greatly loved fool. By all of us, not just the council. Do not think that if you had challenged Aristotle that we would all stand by and watch you kill him. But that was not your intention? No, you probably promised the council you would not hurt Aristotle as long as they obeyed you. Correct?�
Nemor looked up and simply smiled.
Napoleon now had another reason to hate this man.
�Very clever, Nemor, so now you have the control of the council. Now you need a way to control the elders. LaCroix, Aristotle and Myself. I will not permit this Nemor?�
�Really, Alex? and what do you intend to do? Demand a battle to the death with me? That would be sending you to the slaughter house. You are old and strong, but I am older and I haven�t sat at a desk for three hundred years being a pencil pusher. No, I have been still out preying and hunting as I have always done.� He glanced at Napoleon and his eyes flashed with desire for the hunt.
�I, unlike the rest of my kind, do not care to drink my food from a glass. I like it at its power source. Hot and fresh, pulsing within the mortal flesh. I am no weakling who takes my blood from filthy animals. Human blood is what I crave. I am the predator and I refuse to bend to the changes that you and the rest are initiating. Human�s are not our equal...they are food and nothing else. They live to die, for us!�
�It is no longer necessary to kill, Nemor.�
Nemor only laughed. �But I like to kill, Alex. I take great pleasure in the kill.�
�What do you want, Nemor?�
�Total domination. What else? That has always been my goal and once I have Kuryakin, you and LaCroix will bow to anything I want. It will please me to not only force Kuryakin as my slave but also my sexual toy. You know what I mean, don�t you? I am getting hard even as I think about it...you could watch if you like. I might like that too. As he cries out in pain and agony...as I take him-�
Napoleon growled and before Alex could stop him Solo had launched himself at the older vampire.
Nemor picked him out of the air with one hand. Even though Napoleon was a vampire and could probably take out many a mortal, Nemor�s age gave him the edge. He hung in the air helpless as the grip around his throat tightened.
Struggling, Napoleon didn�t even have time to react when Nemor pressed Napoleon up into his arms and with one free hand he forced his lips onto Napoleon�s.
The tongue forced its way into his mouth and Napoleon felt disgusted at the contact. Ripping away, Napoleon tried to kick free. It proved fruitless.
Snapping his head back, Nemor prepared to strike Napoleon�s neck wanting nothing more to complete the invasion and blood rape.
Waverly�s voice stopped him in mid-strike.
�LET HIM GO. Now!�
Nemor reined in on his lust and released the young fledgling. The dark vampire promised himself he would have this young one later. He was a predator but the one thing he enjoyed as equal to the kill was the sexual pleasures of the flesh. This one would be a most enjoyable ride underneath him.
Getting to his feet, Napoleon wiped his mouth and glared back at him in pure anger. He knew right then and there he would kill this bastard before he would allow Nemor to bring Illya across.
�I think Alex, you had better learn to control your fledglings better. That will be my first lesson with Mr. Kuryakin.�
He turned to head to the skies when Waverly grabbed him by the shoulder and whipped him around to confront him.
�No, old friend, you are not going to touch him. I made a promise and I intend to keep that promise. Even if that means I have to die to do so.� He had hurt and lied to Illya once already, he would not betray Illya�s trust again. Waverly realized far to late that he had been a fool and all he could do now was hope someday that Illya and Napoleon would come to forgive his narrow mindedness.
�Waverly!� Napoleon stared in horror at his boss and master.
Waverly took a step back and narrowed his eyes and without hesitation spoke.
�I demand the rite of ancient ritual. The death match.�
Nemor paused, shocked that Waverly would even go this far. He hadn�t counted on that.
�You are a fool. You will die Alex.�
�Yes, perhaps I will, but if I do...you will have gained a great deal of enemies. For the rest of eternity you will be looking over your shoulder. But if I live...Kuryakin will have his two years.�
Nemor laughed. �If you live! Very well, Alex. Two days from hence we shall battle to the death. But know this, if I win...Not only shall I take Kuryakin...but your fledgling as well.� He gave Napoleon one last long look and with a chuckle he took to the skies.
�Two days Alex. At the ritual place. Don�t be late.�
After he was gone, Napoleon turned his attention on Alexander.
�Do you think you can take him?�
Waverly sighed and looked to the stars.
�I don�t know. We will soon see.�
�I�m sorry Waverly. I-I didn�t mean to...�
Waverly smiled lightly at Napoleon. �We will chalk it up as being young.�
�I just couldn�t control myself thinking that he...touching Illya...�
�I understand.�
Napoleon shook his head. �I take it many of the elders don�t like him?�
�He is...what he is Napoleon. A vampire. That which was made out of legends. It was inevitable. If I had not challenged him, someone else would have.�
�This Aristotle?�
�Yes, a very kind spirit Napoleon. One of the gentlest vampires you will ever meet.�
�I would like to meet him.�
Alex nodded. �Then you shall.�
About to leave, ending the flying lessons for the rest of the night, Waverly paused when he felt Napoleon flinch gasping for breath.
�Napoleon?�
Pain engulfed him, and it took a moment for Napoleon to identify where the pain was coming from.
�Illya...he�s in danger, I can feel it?�
Waverly shook his head. He could sense almost the same thing, only it seemed further away.
�Impossible, you could not sense him that way. Only master vampires and their fledglings can feel each other. You would have to have a sealed bond with him and that is just not possible.�
Napoleon felt another wave of pain hit him. He turned and stared up at the sky.
�I don�t care if it is impossible, I can feel him. He�s hurt! Illya!�
Then with two steps he was in the air and moving quickly across the sky intent on seeking the whereabouts of his lover.
Alexander Waverly sighed at the sight wrapping his arms around himself.
�Now he can fly.� Then taking a step he took to the air and moving to Napoleon�s side they headed for the thin trail of pain coming from Illya Kuryakin.
(TBC)