Chapter Twenty Nine: Promise and Prosper

Gabriel and Cassie continued on their journey to the Vampire nest, having next to nothing to say to one another. It felt tense, with having no words for one another. Gabriel had not given in to Cassie despite her advances. He wanted her to understand why he wouldn't take her up on the offer but in her mind, she knew all too well. She knew he was in love with Kara. Despite her loving someone else. Despite that it would change anything. Cassie knew in her heart that Gabriel and Kara would never work. There was too much bad history, she could sense that much between them. And she knew that Gabriel knew that too. He was just holding onto Kara, knowing fully well that it could never work. And that was far worse than anything he had said to her.

In the distance, they could see what looked to be another giant city. But Cassie knew what the city was. She knew it all too well. When she first came here, she had a brief encounter with Vampires who had mentioned the city. The name didn't matter, it now belonged the the Vampires. Most of the buildings were still in tact, and was actually one of the least damaged cities containing a Vampire hoard.

" Be careful Gabriel, they will have already seen us by now and will be on guard" Cassie warned as they ran to the entrance of the city.

The streets looked abandoned, much like the other cities but it also harbored a second of death of sorts. Being in the presence of the towering Skyscrapers, gave them both a sense of doom. This didn't feel right. They knew they were being watched but the windows of the buildings were far to darkened to see anyone hiding behind them.

" VAMPIRES..HEAR ME. I WISH TO SPEAK TO YOUR LEADER" Gabriel howled, as Cassie trailed behind Gabriel, looking at him with confusion. " I don't think we should - " Cassie tried to interject but the shadows flying around them now made her stop mid sentence.

" Is that Gabriel? The Lycan King of the Underworld I hear? I see? " A Vampire lands in front of the two, standing in front of a few hundred other Vampires.

" Yes. I have come to inform you that your King is dead. He has been dethroned by his daughter Gwen, who is now your Queen" Gabriel answered which made the Vampires look around in surprise.

" Really now? We would have not expected that from her.." The Vampire in front remarks. He didn't exactly stand out from the others but he did seem to speak on their behalf for some reason.

"Well, she did. And you are all to return. If you don't believe me, send someone back to ask her yourself" Gabriel knew he needed to be careful with his choice of words. The last thing he needed was for them to frenzy. If they did, he and Cassie would not survive.

" I think we will take you up on your offer and send someone to be sure. Until then, you two will be staying with us. And if you are lying, we will kill you " The Vampire brandished a wicked smile as more Vampires swarmed in, completely surrounding Gabriel and Cassie.

" Are you in charge here? " Gabriel asked the Vampire who had been speaking.

" No, Noone is leading us currently. We act only on our own free will for the time being under the direct orders from our King" the Vampire answers, before moving his glance from Gabriel to Cassie. " Haven't I seen you somewhere before? " he asks as Cassie backs away slowly. " No you are mistaken" She answers. Gabriel notices the question and knows something is off but decides to ignore it for the time being.

" We have a plan, to unite the Vampires together with my Kingdom and the Witches. I am fully aware that we have never gotten along. We have been enemies for thousands of years. But I do think it is time that something changes. The Underworld is our home. And we want to see it prosper" Gabriel continued his speech, the Vampires, listening intently to every word.

" And there are ways that this can be achieved. But that will require trust on all sides. I am not saying that you should trust in me, but you should trust in a better future for us all" Gabriel knew that this was going to be difficult to convince them. But he had to try. He had to try for the sake of the Underworld.

" A better future? One that would limit us and our needs? " The Vampire hisses back to Gabriel.

" No, your needs will be not only met but over compensated. The Witch Queen has a substitute for blood. A healthier substitute that will give you all the strength you need whilst also providing no harsh side effects. In exchange, all we ask for is peace within the Underworld. And for Earth to be safe. I am telling you all this now, so that you know my intentions. I speak only what I believe, and some of you might not agree with it but I know that your Queen shares the same vision. So just - " Gabriel is interupted by a hard knock against his head, making him fall to the ground, unconscious.

" Well done.." The Vampire smiles