Coveted [New/Revised Version]

LEAPS AND BOUNDS

     "Did you expect this to slay me because it's the infamous Sword of Zenas?" Zairian placed his hand over the sword's handle.

Admittedly, he felt feebler than before the witch's attempt to decapitate him. The sword had had an effect on him but it wasn't enormous. Feeling a fleeting pain, he removed it from the confines of his chest. Iris fell and Skylark reached down to pull her up. Immediately, he stood protectively in front of her and Annalisa.

His growl was audible and quite amusing to the former.

How silly, he thought. You think you can keep her from me.

Blake came up by his side. As did Galilea.

"Didn't I kill you already?" Skylark remarked sarcastically to her.

"Necromancer, mate." She chuckled. "It takes more than decapitation to kill me."

"Good to know. This time I'll make sure you stay dead."

Galilea laughed maniacally. "I'll hold you to that."

"I'll deliver." He hissed back.

There was an abrupt noise in the backdrop. It caused everyone to pause. Cautiously, each turned toward the source of sound. A red Audi with tinted windows pulled up behind them. The driver didn't step out of the car just yet. In the apprehensive period that followed, no one moved. Slowly, the door swung open and the driver stepped out. Zairian recognized him the instant he did.

"Samael," he and Annalisa hissed at the same time.

There was an uninterrupted tension between Zairian and him. It only increased with each step the other man took forward. Although their eyes never dithered from the other's, Zairian was very observant. He saw the Coveted witch was amid him and Samael. He had to do something about that. If he couldn't have her, Samael certainly wouldn't.

He still held on to the Sword of Zenas, aware that it was capable of killing an immortal. However, he didn't need it against Samael. He didn't need any weapon except himself. Nothing more, nothing less.

As Samael took a step closer to Drusilla, the young vampire brought her closer to him while he continued to face Zairian.

Good, he thought. Keep her safe long enough.

"Tell me," Samael began airily, "do you have a hearing impairment of some sort?"

"Whatever do you mean?" Zairian's gaze dropped to the sword in his hand before meeting the warlock's gaze. Of course, Samael would know the magnitude of the weapon he held. "I've been very discreet."

"Yes," Samael grinned at Zairian. "And the scared witches and vampire around us are figments of our imagination, are they?"

"Shut your mouth, serpent." Zairian spat.

"I, serpent?" he laughed and it was more of a reflex than genuine amusement. "I, who have been nothing but a good friend and trusted ally before you broke my faith in you? I think not. It is you who has betrayed all who sought to nurture you. You turned your back on me. And for what? This duplicitous creature that stands beside you?"

"How dare you," Lisa growled and fire erupted around the dock. "If anyone is duplicitous, it's you. I cared for you, helped you, and you betrayed me."

"I'm sure that's true in your world of black and white." He replied indifferently.

"My world is vibrant with color and I see you for exactly what you are."