A Fall into Darkness

His worst fear

Clark watched as she stood on the balcony, it had been nearly a week and she only left long enough to feed and return, he could almost feel something was wrong just by the way she was acting.
"Hey." He said coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her.
"Hi."
"You haven't addressed your people recently."
"I know, they are fine." Katherine said touching his cheek, she turned around and faced him. She couldn't lose him again, as much as she didnt admit it she was scared they would kill him. But it was the new whispers that had her the most frightening right now, the whispers of old world vampires, none as old as she was but almost as powerful. If she hadn't been a sorceress when she was changed she might have been different but she wasn't.
"What's wrong?" Clark asked her suddenly. Katherine looked up into his blue eyes and sighed, she pulled from his embrace and headed into the apartment. Clark looked at her oddly and followed her.
"Katherine, what's wrong?"
"I've been listening to the whispers, they say the day comes of a great change."
"What change?" He asked her, Katherine turned and walked up to him.
"I need you to remain here, promise you will stay here."
"Alright I promise."
"The sun has set and I will go and speak to the leaders, if there is a problem Erik or Joshua will come fetch you. But I need you to remain here."
"Alright. I love you."
"And I love you." She said, she kissed him softly and then headed toward the balcony.
"Kat."
"Yes?"
"Why not take the front door?"
"This is faster." She said jumping from the balcony. Clark walked out to the balcony, he sighed and closed his eyes momentarily.
"I don't think I can keep this promise." He said walking back into the apartment. Clark picked up the phone and called a familiar number.
"What can I do for you Clark."
"Katherine headed to the warehouse."
"Must need to speak to council."
"Something doesn't feel right, it was as if she knew there was going to be a problem."
"She has already spent three months recovering, there is only one other thing she could do."
"And that is?"
"Read the book Diana gave you I will see if I can get eyes on her."
"Alright."
Clark sat down and opened the book and began reading more. There was a part in her history where she was slept for almost a hundred years after casting a spell to protect an entire kingdom from invading forces. Clark was instantly shocked as he stood and tore off his shirt and headed toward the balcony when he heard a knock at the door. He looked and saw it was Erik, he opened the door and looked at him.
"My king you are needed."
"The warehouse?"
"Yes my king."
"Return to the warehouse I will be there shortly."
"As you wish, what of the Batman?"
"Allow him in, he speaks for me when I am unable to be there."
"As you wish." Erik said bowing and turning and leaving. Clark turned and headed out onto the balcony and took to the sky. He landed at the ground in front of the warehouse.
"She's inside."
"I gathered that, be ready I can hear that the conversations are not going well. Clark pushed the door open and walked in, everyone in the room turned when he entered. Without fail each of them bowed to him as he worked further into the room. His eyes scanned the room until they locked with Katherine's. She rushed to him and pulled him to her.
"I asked you to stay home."
"I read the book. You already spent three months hibernating, I can't handle if you left me forever."
"I'm not going anywhere." Katherine told him, she looked at him when he heard a noise and spun her around so he was blocking what ever it was. Katherine turned him and and was struck in the back, her eyes widened as she fell against him.
"Katherine?" He said holding her, his eyes cast up, anger deep within them.
"Find who did this."
"As you wish." They all scattered except Joshua, he looked at Katherine.
"Mother?"
"I will not die this day." She said to him.
"Your damned right your not. Bruce I need something sharp now."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes give it to me."
Bruce shrugged his shoulders and handed him the sharpest thing he had one of his batarangs, he watched as Clark cut into his wrist and then pressed it to Katherine's mouth.
"Drink." Was all he said to her, she latched on to his arm and held on as she drank his blood, she could hear his heart slowing and shoved him away from her, nearly throwing him through a wall. Bruce looked over and headed toward him, Clark stood and waited for the room to stop spinning before walked forward. Katherine stood and looked at him, he could see a slight change in her. Joshua walked up to her and touched her face.
"Mother?" He said softly, Clark walked up and stood near her.
"I am fine my son, do as your king as asked find who did this."
"As you wish." He said kissing her cheek and hurrying away. Clark put his hand on her cheek and had her look at him.
"Are you alright?"
"Thank you." She to him, she pulled him close and listened to him breathe. Katherine was happy she had no hurt him, but someone would die this night for their tratiory. Clark felt her all over to be sure she hadn't been hurt. Bruce walked up to them, he touched Clark's arm.
"Good to see your safe your highness."
"You're the only one that does that, but yes I am fine. What made you come?"
"Something didn't feel right. So here we are."
"Good thing."
Clark looked around as those that had been assembled began returning. Four chained men were thrown to the floor in front of Katherine, Clark, and Bruce. Clark moved forward and lifted one from the floor.
"Who ordered it?"
"Our leader ordered it."
"Who?" He asked again.
"Erik."
"What?" Katherine said stepping forward.
"Our leader is Erik."
Katherine's gaze turned to Erik who stood off one side. He threw something at her and her magic stopped it, she raised her hand and he lifted off the floor.
"How many did you create?"
"Hundreds." He said looking at her.
"I warned you, your entire line will now pay for your foolish act."
"You aren't powerful enough to do that." He sneered at her, Katherine moved her other hand and the four chained men burst into flames, causing Clark to drop one.
"I have that power and more." She raised her hands as she let him fall to the floor and spoke an incantation and those that were created by Erik screamed in pain. She then looked down at him, raising him off the floor she sent his body flying across the warehouse where it was impaled on some spikes. She then extended both arms and he exploded. Katherine turned as more died as she walked through the crowd.
"Let this be warning of you. If this happens again I will not even let you know I am going to kill you."
"Yes my queen." They all said in unison, dropping to their knees before her.
"Return to your homes there has been enough of this tonight. Now go. my patience has worn thin."
Katherine watched them leave and then fell backwards into Clark's arms.
"Are you alright?"
"No, my son."
"He is over there."
"Mother." Joshua came over and took her hands in his own and kissed them, Clark held her protectively.
"Do you still own your own home?"
"Yes, a large estate just beyond this city."
"Return to there feed close to your home but do not get caught, I will send for you when there is another council meeting."
"Yes mother." He said again kissing her hands and rushing from building.
"Are you ready to go home?" Clark asked.
"Yes, if you chose to visit. Please use the front door."
"As you wish." Bruce said to her.
"Funny." Katherine said, Clark lifted her into his arms and headed out of the building and into the air.