Oh How the Mighty Have Fallen

Chapter 2: The Unholy Trinity


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“Well, she certainly looks younger than I expected up close. It makes my brother look like quite the pedophile.”

Isaak smiled at his master and gave a small nod. Esther was currently sleeping soundly in a well furnished and palatial suite in the Knightlord manor. Every inch of the chamber looked like a victorian mansion, but on one wall was a very large mirror. It was a two way mirror with the outside able to see what was happening inside the bedroom. The bedroom could not see out into the small dank room that stood on the other side. Currently the room contained 2 men and the young queen. Cain, the dark leader himself, and Isaak, one of his most trusted minions. Esther slept like a baby and her breathing was even. Her blood called to Isaak, but he knew that his master would call the shots. The letter to Abel was sent out by Dietrich a short while ago, and Cain was perversely excited for this long anticipated family reunion. Walking over to the bed, Cain extended one finger and ran a sharp fingernail down her cheek. A slow trickle of blood formed, and Isaak nearly lost control as his canines seemed to ache to taste the blood of a human instead of those dreadful tablets. In fact, his body moved forward of its own volition in preparation to take her. Cain simply extended a hand with his quick reflexes and laughed as at a child.

“Wait. All shall come in due time.”

Isaak’s eyes returned to their normal color as the red faded. He nodded in agreement and tried to control his hunger. Deciding that he needed a tablet now, he left to satisfy himself. Esther stirred slightly and Cain smiled. The smile was cold, but was quite a bit warmer than he would ever show another being. Be them Crusnik, Methuselah or Terran. This young woman...and she was a woman, even though he joked with Isaak...would be the downfall of his pathetic brother. The plans and traps were set, and all the pieces were falling into place. He could hardly wait to see the distraction and weakness Esther’s presence would cause Abel. Using her, his twin would be much easier to kill. And when the poor priest arrived, he would witness the taking of Esther’s innocence. Something which he, no doubt, wanted. Whether priest or no, Abel was still a man. Cain had no doubt that after Abel planned on killing Cain, he also planned to make Esther his wife. Marriage...ha. Crusniks should never allow anyone that close. They were the most powerful beings on earth for a reason, and allowing a lowly human who would age and die quickly would no doubt lessen their absolute power. That is why Abel must die. Cain needed to protect the image of the Crusniks, and also eliminate any threat to his new world order. Whether or not he would allow the red headed bait to live was another matter. All would be decided in time. All would come full circle.


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Dietrich was currently programming a new system of security in the Order Headquarters, or Knightlord Manor, when his superior walked through in all his glory.

“My lord?” Dietrich turned in his chair and assessed Isaak.

Isaak smiled coldly and leaned against the door jam.

“I just thought you might appreciate an update on our little captive.”

Isaak knew that Dietrich had not yet been informed of any of their plans. It had been a scheme concocted by Isaak and Cain, and although Dietrich was on their side, their cruel nature could not help but want to surprise the puppetmaster by telling him of his obsession’s coming demise.

“Captive? I was not aware we were retaining any prisoners. Who is he?”

Dietrich went back to working on his advanced technology when Isaak spoke once again.

“Oh, not he. It is a she.”

Still, Dietrich did not connect the line of thinking until Isaak laughed. Turning, he found the older vampire’s eyes to be cold and calculating. Suddenly he realized that this must mean the female was...with the speed of a cheetah he raced to the other man.

“Ester is here?”

“Oh, you are smart my dear Dietrich. Yes, your little Terran crush is currently under surveillance and sleeping like a baby. Would you like to see her?”

Dietrich ran a hand through his soft brown hair and closed his eyes. After all the dreams and thoughts he had wasted on the redhead, she was finally in the same building. Although when he was around her, he always played the villain, he knew that deep down he could never kill her. After joining the order at a very young age, he had no time for women. Cain would occasionally bring in Terran women to feed on, rape and kill, but they were never anyone he knew. Esther had always been different. Although he had betrayed her, the tears in her eyes had touched a place inside him that he thought had been long dead. He would never admit this to anyone though, of course, and he intended to keep it that way. However, Isaak knew him better than he would like. Obviously, with the way he revealed this information, his master knew that Dietrich had not sealed off his heart completely. No matter how hard he tried, red tresses and blue eyes would stare back at him from dreams every night. And Cain did not need to know that part of the reason he was so ready to attack Abel Nightroad was Esther. He had occasionally...alright, maybe more than occasionally... gone to her window in the Vatican, Empire and then Albion Palace to watch her at night. She had never interfered with his duty, so he assumed Isaak and Cain need not know about her. He had watched as Abel and she had grown closer and how she would occasionally toss in her bed at night muttering his name. Although Dietrich would never admit to it, Jealousy had reared its ugly head and he had more than a simple duty to Cain to propel his hatred of the silver haired priest. Priest...ha! Abel wanted Esther just as badly as Dietrich did, and he had no doubt that was the reason she was currently being held. Esther was so close...what were they planning for her? Murder, rape, torture, blood? All gave him shudders, but he could not even contemplate Murder or Torture... Rape and blood though...hmm... Dietrich could go for that. After all, love had nothing to do with it...only desire. Her blood and body would be enough to sate him for years, he was sure. Of course, the likelihood of Cain giving her to a subordinate was unlikely. If Dietrich had to watch Cain do those things to her... well... he would rather not think of that right now. His thoughts were still circling when he felt an intense pain in his gut. Looking up quickly, he realized that Isaak had kicked him.

“Wha...?”

Isaak growled, “This infatuation makes you weak and I will not stand for it! Do you understand me? She is a simple, lowly Terran and you are making a fool of yourself. This is one reason that I chose to tell you ahead of Cain. Imagine if he had seen you mooning over a girl like that...pathetic. You can go to see her, but you must school your features into a mask of indifference. You will have to watch some things in the coming weeks that will make you sick unless you forget any feelings you have toward her. If you still want to be a part of the order, you must not show this weakness. Now come... I will take you to see her before Cain can see your initial reaction.”

Dietrich straightened slowly. Isaak had quite a kick on him, and he knew that it wasn’t even his full force. Ignoring the pain, he followed Isaak with a set jaw. Esther would not bother him. She couldn’t... she was simply a body and sustenance...nothing more. Nothing more...


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Author’s Note:
Another WAY too short chapter, but the length is coming! I swear! Alright... Obviously I am keeping Dietrich and Isaak alive. Forgive me, but they are just too darn sexy. And don’t worry...Dietrich isn’t going to turn into some sappy fool, but he has confused feelings for her...Review please! I love you all! And remember, name your own reward! And i'll try everything in my power to get you "something" that matches your request...lol. Meaning nothing with monetary value...sorry. I'm a poor college students! Do you KNOW how much textbooks are nowadays? I'm sure you do...and the gas...of course.

Love and Trees,

~Christa McGinn*