Bound to the Beast

Chapter 04

     In Perspective of Lara Anderson
Bound to the Beast
     Chapter 04: Nemeses

Spence and I were sitting on the couch in my apartment, reminiscing about the old times and just generally catching up. It was healthy to see him. Though haven't seen him in nearly 5 years, there was still no truer pain than the connection we had and lost.

     Emotional pain has been said to hold a biological purpose; to teach, and to educate us away from unhealthy patterns and relationships. I've been pushing back against the pain for so long. I've spent those years apart from him by medicating with friendship and romantic notions, yet it returns in my weaker moments to plague my mind. I made the choice to welcome it as a friend instead, to let it teach me what it must. I will let it in through my doors, to let it sit at my table, and talk until I am wiser even though each word is a silver blade. Even so, I will never admit to Spence how much it hurt to miss him. I understood however, how difficult it was for him to get away from Venice these days. Roland has been a very busy boy the past ten years; he was only growing stronger, and the vampire council was notably weary to put their most powerful member in his place. I've met Roland only once as a child, and I knew just how intimidating he could be and the levels he could sink to in order to get what he wanted.

     My back leaned against the couch that had certainly seen better days. The battered floral design was worn thin in places but not quite to the point of ripping. The soft grey piping fabric around the cushions had the beginnings of fraying, but it was comfy nonetheless. "Tell me, why are you here? I know you didn't come all this way to talk to me about bygone eras."

     Spence gave a warm smile. "That's my Lara, always ready to get down to business. You really haven't changed." He took a sip of wine.

     "Benedict and a few others are in need of a place to hide out for a while. I couldn't think of a safer place than with you."

     "By 'others' I'm assuming you mean Emlynn Martello and her personal bodyguards?" I knew the full story. Countless news informants around the globe kept me up to speed with the on-going investigation in the preternatural community. Something as drastic as the assassination of Councilman Martello would not slip my notice.

     "Yes. We have tried hiding them all over Europe with some connections, but that was pointless. Roland has his spies, and they are everywhere. Everywhere but here, and even if he did discover them hiding in your home he wouldn't be too willing to do anything about it." Spence sat his wine glass on the coffee table and I did the same with mine. Taking my hands in his, he said, "Lara, you know I love you like a daughter and I would never ask this of you if I didn't feel it was completely necessary. Emlynn will one day take her father's place on the council, but she cannot do that if she isn't alive. If she dies, her position will go to her cousin Clint, who is one of Rolland's followers. Councilman Martello was the only one who stood in Roland's path when it came to dominating the council. There are only a few of us left that oppose him, and we dare not speak out because of the fear we have that we may meet a similar fate."

     "How long will I have to keep them here Spence? Forever?" I closed my eyes and with a sigh I said, "Tell me you at least have a plan when it comes to Roland. If you have someone in the department to dispose of him I will hide them for you, and if need be, you know I will stand with them." I feared that if they stayed too long with me, they would be found and everyone at Pepper's would end up like Councilman Martello.

     "We are looking for support through the were community, which hasn't proved to be difficult. No one likes Roland and I do not think anyone is truly excited about him running the council. We are also talking to some higher level demons, but those talks are going much slower. We have to be careful with that though, because Roland has teamed up with Warrick."