A Fall into Darkness

Healing

Clark landed in the courtyard of Bruce's house.
"Master Kent. What brings you here?"
"This." He said moving the blanket.
"Is that Miss Katherine?"
"Bring her this way." He told him, leading Clark into the house. They headed up the stairs and into a darkened room. He lay Katherine on the large bed and looked at Alfred.
"She needs blood."
"I know, Master Wayne keeps a small supply incase of such an emergency."
"Has this happened before?"
"No, but she asked Master Wayne to be prepared incase she needed the assistance."
"Alfred did you get the blood?" Bruce asked.
"Going to get it now. Are you going to speak to her?"
"Yes." Bruce said walking into the room. Clark moved into the room behind him, he wasn't sure what would happen.
"Katherine."
"Bruce." Katherine answered, her voice just above a whisper. She turned her head, her already pale skin seemed paler than it had already been.
"I have blood coming."
"Thank you. They killed them all." She said sadly.
"Not all of them, about eight survived."
"Good, they had just come to me."
"Why did you get taken?"
"My blood." Katherine answered, she looked past him to see Clark standing nearby.
"I will not hurt you. I am too weak for that plus you saved me."
"Well that's comforting."
"When you get your blood, please rest."
"I will have no choice. My injuries must heal, and that only happens when I sleep."
"Master Wayne here is what you asked for."
"Thank you Alfred." He said taking the bags of blood from him. He started to walk forward when Clark placed his hand on his arm.
"Is that wise?"
"She's to weak to do it herself. I have to give it to her." Bruce told him.
"Then let me." Clark said taking the bags of blood from him and walking to the bedside. Bruce waited a moment and turned and left the room, he figured Clark was stronger than her at the moment so he would be fine, hell even he was stronger than she was at the moment.
"How do I give this to you?" Clark asked her.
"Just tear open the top and give it to me." She said attempting to sit up and failing, Clark helped her sit up and handed her the bag he had opened. She quickly emptied it and dropped it on the floor.
"How many did he give you?"
"Three."
"That should be enough to help, then I must rest."
"You said your blood was what they wanted why?" He asked handing her a second bag. Katherine looked at him once she finished the bag.
"I am classified an elder or ancient vampire, as such my blood would heal the average human and can change others. Plus as my age implies it's harder to kill me, a stake will hurt but won't kill me even if it pierced my heart." She answered taking the third and final bag from him.
"You looked weak when I found you what had they done."
"Do you see this wound in my side?"
"Yes."
"The reason I was nearly naked was they had cut into me to get as much blood as they could, the reason I was in the cage was because they would wait for my body to replenish what had been lost to do it again."
"And the gag?"
"To keep me from biting them. Plus I can't protest if I can't talk. But I must rest, I will come down when the sun has set. I know it just came up."
"Alright. I will be here." He told her, Katherine reached up and touched his face raising herself up onto her elbow she kissed him deeply and then lay against the pillow. Her eyes starting to close.
"Thank you." She said as she drifted off to sleep. Clark was stunned that she had kissed him, but stood and left the room pulling the door closed behind him. Bruce walked up behind him.
"I see she's resting."
"Jesus man. Yes she is resting, oddly she kissed me."
"You're the one that set her free. She is grateful for that."
"So do you think those that took her will try again?"
"I would bet on it."
"How do we keep her safe? She is strong and has lived a long time. And probably knows more about keeping hidden than most."
"We can keep an eye on her from a distance. I've done it before." Bruce told him.
On the edge of the property, sat a black van, two men watched from inside.
"How do we get her back?"
"Don't worry, she has to check on what's left of her followers soon enough. And Lukas said he would be sure he has laced her blood with a mild sedative so we can take her again."
"What of them?"
"Don't worry about them. They know what the house looks like that her followers are in so they would never suspect someone from inside her own followers."
"If that is what you wish. But Marcus you promised us all eternal life? Doesn't she have to bite us first?"
"No, that I can do. I want her blood as well, her blood would make me stronger would make me more like her."
"Then master we will do as you ask and capture her once more."
"The rest of those followers are to die."
"Why?"
"There are always more hiding. Just believe me when I say let her followers die."
"Yes sir. Sir you have a guest."
"Who?"
"Lukas has arrived."
"Good send him in. Be on your way Anthony."
"Yes sir." He said bowing and leaving. Lukas entered the room and bowed to  Marcus.
"My lord."
"Lukas, my most loyal servant."
"All is ready. We feel she will return to us after sunset."
"Good. Be ready for her. Add this to her decanter of blood, it has no taste, it will not make her sleepy but it will slow her down. Add this to the wine of all the others."
"Will it kill them?"
"Not yet, I will send my men in to finish them off. When Katherine is removed from the house you are to leave with them."
"Yes my lord. I should return before they wonder where I disappeared to."
Lukas bowed and turned and left the room. Marcus looked at the fireplace and a small picture that was on the mantel.
"You left me and now you will pay for it. And this time neither will find you."