Selene's stomach had swollen even more, pushing the limits of her vampiric body, now nearly full-term in appearance. Her moods were nothing short of volatile—one moment filled with seductive whispers and alluring glances, the next seething with rage and cruelty. Everyone treaded carefully around her, fully aware that a single misstep could result in an explosion of violence. Only Magritte, her ever-watchful witch, seemed to be immune to her dangerous swings.
Selene's greatest frustration was being unable to hunt. Her once thrilling chases across the land were now distant memories. Instead, her meals were brought to her like offerings to a dark deity. This sense of confinement gnawed at her, amplifying her already unpredictable behavior.
The most alarming incident occurred on a day darker than most. In a fit of fury, Selene dragged a young female vampire to the porch, the sun's light perilously close. Her crime? A mere failure to bow. Selene seemed prepared to roast her alive under the sun's gaze, the young vampire's terrified pleas falling on deaf ears. It was only at Magritte's firm urging that she stopped, though the tension in the air remained thick. It was clear to all that Magritte held a unique power over Selene, one born from her deep connection and constant presence by the Queen's side.
Later, the mansion was thrown into chaos as Selene barked orders, demanding fires be stoked, and a vast collection of blankets and pillows be gathered. Servants scrambled to obey, their hands full of the Queen's seemingly nonsensical demands. She moved through the mansion like a force of nature, her wild energy infusing every room she entered and left in a whirlwind of imperious commands.
Magritte, watching this all unfold with a grave expression, spoke aloud. "It must be time for her to prepare her whelping den." With that, she retreated to her apothecary, preparing the sacred ingredients for the impending royal birth, knowing that Selene's labor would not be an ordinary event, but something far darker and more powerful. The mansion braced itself for what was to come.
"I don't know why you don't leave…" Laura said as she and Victor hunted in the woods neighboring the estate, the sun shining down on them.
Victor just chuckled. "What kind of husband would I be if I got upset over a few mean words? I used to hit her. After all, I can take a little name calling."
Laura scowled. "I don't like how she treats you… She's lucky she's pregnant with your kids, or I'd have sliced her open."
Victor laughed again, ruffling Laura's hair. "She's having the kids soon, of course she's irritable. It's one thing having human children kick and punch you throughout pregnancy, our kid is clawing at her."
Victor flashed, moving over 50 miles per hour and snatching a hiker out of his boots before rushing back to Laura. "Give her some breathing room for a bit, you'll meet the real Selene soon, once the whelp is out of her and moving around.
"W-Who are you!" The hiker screamed, trying to pull away from Victor's steel grip as the vampire watched him.
"Hello human, I am King Victor of the Gallio house. You have been chosen to feed the queen, congratulations!"
Two days later Victor sat outside the den, waiting for Magritte's permission to visit his wife once again.
He only got to see her for an hour a day so as not to stress her out, he couldn't wait for this baby to be born already. He missed cuddling with his wife… And drinking her blood.
Selene lay sprawled on the floor of the living room, her perfect nest of blankets and pillows ruined by her restless writhing. The fire roared beside her, illuminating the grisly scene of torn bodies, her past meals carelessly discarded. Sweat glistened on her pale, naked body, her eyes wide and wild, lost in the haze of agony and fury. Her lips curled back in a growl, teeth bared as another wave of pain surged through her.
"Make it stop, Magritte... please, make it stop!" Selene's voice broke, cracking with desperation as her fingers dug into the soaked blankets beneath her.
Magritte knelt beside her, calm and steady as always, her hands stroking Selene's damp hair. "There is nothing more I can do, my queen. Nature must take its course."
"I don't care about nature!" Selene snarled, her body convulsing with another spasm. Her nails sliced into her own flesh, the pain barely registering against the deeper torment inside her. "I want him! Bring Victor. *I need him*!"
"Men are never allowed in the whelping den," Magritte replied softly, but firmly. "You know this."
Selene's delirious eyes flicked toward her loyal servant, but the reasoning didn't penetrate the fog of her suffering. She screamed, a guttural, primal sound that echoed through the room, mingling with the constant drip of her blood soaking into every corner of the room. The sensation of the pups inside her, their claws and teeth gnashing and tearing, made her feel as if she was being devoured from within.
Her body ached, her mind spun in delirium, and the hours dragged on. Two days had passed. Two days of endless agony and all she had to show for it was the blood and torment. She wondered how long this torture would last, and whether her body would ever be the same. Would she ever feel pleasure again? Would her body be too ruined, too damaged by the birthing of these vicious creatures?
Her mother never told her it would be like this. That vampire pups clawed their way into life.
Another scream tore from her throat as she felt a particularly sharp bite inside her, the pain almost unbearable.
"Magritte," she gasped, her voice ragged, "Will this ever end?"
Meanwhile, outside the den, an unexpected visitor arrived, Logan. Sawyer and Birdy had almost gutted him where he stood, and the only reason he lived was due to Laura's request. As part of her agreement to let X-23 live in the mansion once again, she instructed her to connect with her biological father. Laura seemed to be avoiding him, so he decided to come check in.
"I come in peace." He said in mock surrender with his hands up, brow furrowed at the sounds of torment echoing down the halls. He looked to Laura, and then Victor. "She..okay?"
Victor shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest as he listened to Selene scream and cry out for him.
"Nah… She's definitely not okay. I guess vampire babies chew and claw their way out of their mothers… Makes sense with their obsession for strength huh?"
Victor stood, reaching out his hand. "Logan."
Logan looked at it, shocked, no, appalled by his former rivals actions. "Vic… Victor?" He said as Victor went and rested by the doors, not bursting in yet but definitely ready too.
"Hey kid, you doing alright here?" Logan asked Laura as the girl huffed and looked away, locking eyes with Birdy and Sawyer.
Those two had gone through their bonding ceremony as well, Birdy joining Sawyer's branch family, although she didn't look happy about it even a month later.
"Fuck it, I'm going in!" Victor said, his claws dug into his arms as he couldn't take it anymore. He had the best instincts out of everyone around, he could feel something was off with Selene.
Selene clung to the couch, her body shaking with sobs, her head resting on the cushion. The fire's heat was oppressive, mixing with the sweat that drenched her pale skin. Every breath was a battle, every moment a wave of pain that left her trembling. Her eyes were half-closed, barely focusing, but when she caught Victor's scent, something inside her stirred. Through the haze of agony, she knew he was near.
"Victor…" her voice cracked, a desperate whisper. She wanted to reach out, but the pain kept her immobilized, her body betraying her at every turn. The brief relief of knowing he was close brought a flicker of comfort, and she clung to that feeling, even as her body screamed in rebellion.
She could hear the low murmur of voices outside the door, Victor's deep growl unmistakable. He was talking about the pups, about their claws and teeth. Each word pierced her, a reminder of the relentless agony tearing her apart from the inside. Her mother had never told her it would be like this, that the birthing of vampire pups was a cruel, torturous ordeal.
The door swung open with a sudden force, and through her half-lidded eyes, she saw Victor step inside. His usual confident smirk was gone, replaced by a look of determination and something else—fear. She had never seen him like this.
"Victor…" she whimpered again, tears streaming down her face. Her body was too weak to rise, too consumed by the agony that wracked her. "It hurts… so much…"
Victor was by her side in an instant, his strong hands resting on her trembling shoulder. She wanted to draw strength from him, to believe that everything would be alright, but the pain was too overwhelming. Her body jerked violently as another wave of agony hit, and she screamed, a guttural sound that echoed through the room. Her vision blurred with tears as another convulsion seized her. The pain was relentless, each wave crashing over her like a brutal tide. She felt the baby inside her, their claws and teeth gnashing, tearing her apart from within.
"Make it stop, Victor…" she begged, her voice almost drowned out by the crackling of the fire. "Please… make it stop."
She knew he couldn't promise her that. Knew there was nothing he could do but stay by her side, holding her as her body continued to betray her. His presence was a comfort, a steady anchor in the storm of her suffering.
But the pain didn't stop. It raged on, a cruel reminder of the life growing inside her, life that was tearing its way into the world. And through it all, Victor stayed, his hands steady, his heart breaking with every sob that wracked her body.
She clung to him, to the hope that somehow, they would get through this. That the agony would end, and she would be whole again. But for now, all she could do was endure, holding on to the one thing that remained constant in the chaos—Victor.
Victor snarled at Magritte, his eyes glowing red. "Make this stop Magritte, I know something is wrong. What aren't you telling us about this birth!" He yelled as Birdy came in next, then Logan.
Magritte shook her head, looking at Selene before looking at the others just as Sawyer walked in as well.
"She's going to die, the birth is too much for the queen. I suggest saying your goodbyes before-"
Victor was in front of her in an instant, glaring now as his fangs bared in front of her. "Shut up, I know you can save her witch. Don't fuck around and get to it. Even if Selene saved you from death, she can't save you from me… Save her or die."
He growled slowly before snapping back to Selene's side, seeing her thrashing and wincing, sweat pouring off her body as her stomach pulsed.
"It's gonna be alright love…" He whispered, eyes locked on Magritte as she shook her head and began praying, reciting words in a tongue Victor hadn't bothered to learn.
Magritte's voice, trembling at first, lowered into a dark chant, her words rolling off her tongue in harsh French:
"Ô Kalitas, seigneur des ténèbres et du désespoir, je t'invoque. Viens à nous, entend notre supplication. Accordes-nous ton salut, ou fais-nous sombrer dans la damnation éternelle..."
Her eyes briefly glowed an eerie, unnatural white, as a guttural, otherworldly voice erupted from her lips. Her body stiffened, and it was no longer Magritte who stood before them, but something far more sinister.
"Je suis Kalitas, dieu du sang et du désespoir," the voice thundered, chilling the room with its demonic resonance. "Vos cris pathétiques m'ont atteint. Je sauverai Selene et l'enfant... mais en échange, vous me donnerez un réceptacle approprié." While his language was foreign to all who stood there, it seemed to ring through their heads as perfect English. (I am the Blood God Kalitas, Lord of Despair. I have heard your pathetic cries. I will only let the bitch and her whelps live if I am given a suitable vessel.)
Birdy, her face pale with fear, stepped forward cautiously. "Why not stay in Magritte? You've already taken her," she asked, her voice shaky.
Kalitas turned, his eyes briefly flickering toward Victor, who stood tense, a growl rising in his throat. "Seul le corps d'un vampire mâle me convient," Kalitas rasped, his gaze lingering on Victor, as if weighing the choice. (No. Only male vampires are suitable vessels.)
"No!" Selene's voice cut through the silence, desperate. Her eyes widened with recognition. "Not him… I know of Kalitas, and the evil he carries. He's worse than Sabretooth. His darkness… it would destroy us all."
Kalitas tilted his head, amused. "Then the child, Selene. A vessel of my own blood... it would be fitting, no?"
"I'd rather die!" Selene spat, her voice hoarse but full of defiance. "You'll never have my child!"
For a moment, the room was deathly silent. Then Sawyer, standing at the back, stepped forward, his eyes soft but resolute. "Take me instead. I'll be your vessel."
Birdy's gasp echoed through the room. "No, Sawyer, don't—"
But Kalitas' laughter rumbled like distant thunder. "Ah, the hero offers himself. How noble. Remember, if my demands are not met, the Galileo line ends tonight." He paused, the glow in Magritte's eyes intensifying as he turned back to Victor, whose claws were already flexing in rage.
The witch—Kalitas—only smiled, a twisted look of amusement and malice.
Laura shook in anger. She'd kill the witch now but it wasn't her place. She wasn't the biggest fan of Selene, but this was too much. "The witch has always served you, didn't she? This was all part of your plans. You set everything up. Waiting. You didn't just want her blood, you wanted a body. You wanted this."
The ancient god laughed, Hell itself shining in his eyes. "Of course. Who do you think requested the Serbian President be killed, anyways?"
The hairs stood up on Victor's neck as he widened his eyes. "You… Are you trying to say you were in control of my life since then?" He growled out, still holding Selene's hand.
He didn't care too much about this extra talk, he wanted Selene safe. She was right about one thing though, no kid of theirs would live with this curse.
"Sawyer… He'll be your new vessel. I'd recommend not showing your face too often though, I might tear it apart if I hear that shitty fucking tone of yours again."
The air in the room seemed to still as the thick black miasma of Kalitas' presence engulfed Sawyer, knocking both him and Magritte to the ground. Selene's body quaked, still caught in the throes of her violent struggle as her labor dragged on. Birdy moved swiftly to her side, her hands steady but her eyes wide with concern. She knelt beside the vampire queen, her gaze locking onto Selene's.
"I can see the head!" Birdy exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of urgency and excitement. "Don't give up, Selene! Keep pushing!"
Selene groaned, her fangs bared in frustration and pain, but Kalitas' pact pulsed through her veins, lending her the strength she so desperately needed. With a primal growl, she obeyed, pushing with every ounce of fury and willpower she had left. The minutes felt like hours as tension and anticipation mounted in the room, but finally, with one final effort, the first baby slipped free from her body.
A collective gasp filled the room as a small clawed hand appeared, wrapped tightly around the newborn's ankle. Birdy was the first to react, carefully cradling the female child with golden hair that shimmered like sunlight.
"It's twins," she whispered, her voice filled with awe.
Selene's head fell back against the pillows, her face twisting in dread. "Twins are bad luck… among my people." Her voice was strained, more from fear than the labor itself.
Birdy quickly reassured her. "It was the younger twin clinging to the other. That's what made it so difficult. It should be easier now."
Summoning the last vestiges of her strength, Selene let out a cry of sheer determination, her body trembling from the effort. With one final push, the second child—a boy with brilliant black hair—slipped onto the bloodstained carpet.
Selene collapsed in exhaustion, her breath ragged and uneven. Birdy and Laura rushed to cradle the newborns, their hands gentle yet firm. The room was silent, save for the soft cries of the babies.
Magritte stirred, slowly awakening, her eyes scanning the room as she realized how cold everyone had grown toward her. But before anyone could confront the witch, Selene's voice cut through the tension.
"Stand down," she commanded, her tone sharp despite her exhaustion. "I'll deal with her later."
Selene's gaze shifted to Logan, her expression softening slightly. "Take Sawyer to his room. He needs rest."
Logan moved without a word, lifting Sawyer's unconscious form and carrying him from the room. Now seated, Selene looked down at her two newborns, marveling at their tiny fangs and sharp claws, her heart swelling with something she hadn't felt in a long time—contentment. She felt whole.
Looking up at Victor, who stood nearby, Selene's lips curled into a tired yet proud smile. "Do you want to cut the cord?" she asked, her voice soft yet filled with unspoken emotion.
Victor smiled down at his children, his son and daughter. He kissed Selene as he brought his claw to the cord, breathing in and channeling his healing factor, overclocking it until his blade burned bright red.
He smirked a bit, proud of the new trick he'd learned and slicing the cord, kissing Selene once more. "I love you so much… What should we name them?"
He looked at his daughter, noticing their similar features as he stared at her tiny claws, grabbing her little hand and holding it in his.
Selene gazed down at the newborns with a mix of pride and exhaustion, her body still humming with the power of the birth. The pain had been unlike anything she'd ever experienced, but now, as she looked at their tiny forms—so delicate, yet already bearing the marks of their lineage—a sense of fulfillment settled over her.
Her fingers traced over their soft skin as she leaned into Victor's kiss, her lips brushing against his softly. "They're perfect," she whispered, her voice tinged with wonder. Her eyes flicked to their daughter, her sharp features already reminding Selene of her own.
"Delilah Amaris," she said firmly, her eyes gleaming with the name as if it had always been meant for their little girl. "A dark moon, radiant and powerful."
Then her gaze turned to their son, his small claws and quiet strength already reminding her of Victor. "And Dante Aldric," she continued, her voice carrying the weight of ancient power. "He will be a noble protector, fierce and untamed."
Selene smiled, a rare tenderness in her eyes as she leaned her head back against Victor's chest. "Our legacy, Victor. Strong and eternal."
Selene fell asleep watching the babies, leaning against Victor as he stroked her hair. From the second he saw them he knew he'd never let anything bad happen to them. He'd protect them from anything and everything, no matter how old they got. He kissed the back of Selene's head before slipping out of her bed, a frown settling on his face as he left the room. "Hello Magritte… Bout time you explain no?" He asked, yawning as he cracked his neck, looking at the witch he'd sliced open and bled until she was hallucinating. She claimed to have been controlling them, what a load of bullshit. He wasn't something predictable, he wasn't something easy to beat, even gods were terrified of him. "Well Magritte?" He asked, heating his claws again and slicing into her calf like butter. "Get to talking…"
Magritte winced as the heat from Victor's claws seared into her flesh, but she held her composure. Her breath was shallow, and the pain was immense, yet she didn't flinch or beg. Her dark eyes, now sunken with exhaustion, locked onto Victor's, an eerie calm in them. She had expected this, perhaps even welcomed it.
"I wasn't controlling anyone, Victor," she started, her voice hoarse but steady. "This… was never my doing. I was cursed from birth, chosen by forces beyond even your understanding. Kalitas marked me, made me his apostle, not because I wanted it, but because I had no choice."
She gritted her teeth as blood oozed from the wound in her calf, her skin pale but her resolve unwavering. "My magic, my power—it's why he chose me. He knew I had the strength to help him return. All I was supposed to do was prepare for his coming. And now that he's back, my part in his plan is over. He has no use for me anymore."
Magritte paused, her gaze softening as she glanced toward the door that led to where Selene and the newborns slept. "What I felt for Selene… that wasn't a lie." Her lips curled into a bitter smile, almost sad. "She was as close to a family as I've had in years. I never expected to feel anything for her, for any of you, but… I did. The bond I built with her wasn't part of Kalitas' design. It was real. I was there in Serbia, I was there in the subway, always watching on behalf of my Lord. But I never thought I'd care about the people caught in the middle."
She let out a slow breath, trembling slightly. "I'm glad it's over, Victor. I don't have to be a slave to anyone anymore. I'm free. Free to choose my own path. I have no reason to deceive you further."
Magritte murmured an incantation, faint, her bleeding slowed, though her wound remained raw and painful. She smiled faintly, almost resigned. "I know you probably plan to kill me. And that's fine. If I'm to die, at least I die unchained."
But there was a flicker of fear in her voice now as she spoke again, her tone grave. "But Victor… if there comes a time when Kalitas becomes too much to handle, you'll need me. I'm the only one who knows how to stop him. Without me, you'll have no way to stand against him. Remember that."
She tilted her head back, almost inviting his wrath, but something in her expression—a mixture of defiance and sorrow—lingered as she waited for his response.
Victor dragged a claw down her stomach, his eyes glowing with pain. "I just got her back, if I had lost her again no one would have been safe."
He shrugged and grabbed Magritte by the neck, a grin forming as his eyes turned red now. "Kalitas was his name right? I don't care how strong you think he is, or how powerful he wants to say he is. The things he's done, the people he's killed? It pales in comparison to me."
Victor snarled, diving into Magritte's neck, his veins draining her dry within seconds before he pulled back and bit his wrists, shoving it into her mouth.
"Rise my child, not quite free, but free under my control. You say you care for Selene? Then go ahead and drink your fill, because we'll be the only ones protecting her soon enough…"
Victor growled lowly, hearing the traitors already planning everything out. Sawyer was awake and spouting his usual bullshit. Who knows how long before their rule was lost?
For now he had one goal in mind, find and turn the strongest people he knew, he needed his own family if he wanted to protect his bloodline.
"It'll be a shame when Kalitas realizes he's simply prey," Victor said, dropping Magritte.
Magritte gasped as Victor's fangs left her neck, her body weak from the rapid blood loss. Her thoughts swam, overwhelmed by the sudden betrayal, but she barely had time to react before the rush of his blood filled her mouth, renewing her strength and clouding her will.
As his blood coursed through her, she slowly rose to her feet, her eyes glowing faintly red, an obedient but furious fire burning inside her. She wiped the blood from her lips, feeling the strange mix of fury and loyalty Victor had imposed on her with his forced rebirth.
"You think binding me will ensure your control?" Magritte hissed, her voice low, cold, but simmering with contempt.
Still, she knew resistance now would be pointless. Victor's power coursed through her veins, and whether she liked it or not, she was under his influence. But that didn't mean she wouldn't find a way to turn the situation to her advantage.
"You want to protect her?" she whispered, stepping closer to Victor with newfound strength, her lips curling into a dark smile. "Then know this — Selene is not so easily protected. She is more than blood, more than power. You may have me for now, but never forget… Selene's wrath is the only thing stronger than your control. If you push her too far, even you will fall. Perhaps Kalitas shall take your bride and dash your children's brains on the ground."
Her eyes flickered as she took a step back, her tone softening with a deadly edge. "I will drink my fill, Victor. But never think I do it for you. Selene is my only concern."
Magritte's gaze briefly shifted to the mansion, her mind already plotting, even as she grudgingly obeyed. If Victor thought he could control her, he would soon find that he had underestimated both her and the volatile nature of the family he sought to protect.
"Betray me, try to get free, betray my family… You will die. I knew a witch much stronger than you, now she's just a bloodspot in the subway. Don't test me Magritte, I'd rather let you live freely."
Victor turned away, moving faster than Magritte could see and seeing her eyes, calculating and cunning. He smirked and turned back, he'd analyzed her so fast she couldn't react.
It didn't matter though, he had a queen to take care of. While Birdy kept the lesser ones at bay, he'd make sure his kids and Selene were taken care of.
He rushed to the chambers, grabbing his phone and dialing a number. "Hey, it's been a while…" He said softly as the phone picked up.
Selene sat in the nursery, rocking gently as Delilah and Dante nursed at her breasts. The soft light filtering through the draped windows cast a golden glow on the room. Delilah, the spitting image of her father, blinked up at her with dark, curious eyes, while Dante, the mirror of Selene herself, cooed softly, content and peaceful. She smiled down at them, her fingers brushing lightly through their soft hair.
"You two are perfect," she whispered, feeling a warmth deep inside her chest that had nothing to do with power or conquest. For once, it was simply love. She marveled at how something so small could make her feel so complete, so at peace.
A dangerous idea began to form in her mind, one that made her smile grow as she nuzzled the top of Dante's head. The sunlight had been teasing through the curtains, and she could feel it—its warmth, its invitation. Her children, their children, deserved more than the darkness.
Without a second thought, Selene stood, cradling her twins in her arms, and walked toward the door. Her steps were silent as she carried them through the grand halls of the mansion and into the gardens. The bright daylight washed over her, and for the first time in decades, she felt the sun on her skin. It didn't burn. It didn't sting. Instead, it filled her with life, with power, with joy.
She sat down among the roses, the soft grass underfoot, and the twins continued to nurse, undisturbed by the world around them. Selene smiled, a blissful, serene expression on her face.
Just as she was starting to think about all the possibilities that came with this new freedom, a panicked scream broke the calm.
A servant came running through the mansion, nearly collapsing as she shrieked, "The Queen! She's killed herself! She's killed the children! She's out in the sunlight!"
Selene barely acknowledged the woman, too lost in the peaceful moment with her babies to care for the madness she had caused. She leaned back against the lush pillows she had brought out earlier, a soft smile tugging at her lips as her mind wandered to the beach, to sandcastles, to things she'd never dared dream of before.
Moments later, Victor stormed into the garden, his eyes blazing with a mix of fury and fear.
Selene glanced up at him, her expression calm, almost serene. "Victor," she greeted softly, the smile never leaving her face. "There's no need to worry. We're all perfectly fine."
"Kalitas' pact," Selene said, her voice filled with quiet satisfaction. "It's given me more power than I ever dreamed of. I don't care for conquest anymore, Victor. What I care about is this." She looked down at Delilah and Dante, her smile softening. "The fact that the four of us can walk in the day… It brings me joy."
Selene sighed , her tone wistful as she imagined a life free from the darkness. "I've always wanted to go to the beach. To feel the sand between my toes, build a sandcastle with the children. Just a normal day—no bloodshed, no shadows. Just us."
As she spoke, she remained unaware of the eyes watching from the dark recesses of the mansion. Her fellow vampires gazed out with burning jealousy, their rage and envy palpable as they watched her bask in the daylight, something they could never do. Selene's happiness, her newfound freedom, was pushing the already fragile balance of power to the brink. Sawyer's grip on the others tightened as they began to seethe, plotting and conspiring in the darkness where they still belonged.
But for now, Selene remained blissfully unaware, lost in her daydreams of sandcastles and sunlight, as the seeds of betrayal were sown around her.
Victor smiled, brushing her wild hair out from Selene's face as he kissed her. "Whatever you'd like darling."
Victor grabbed Delilah, bouncing her softly as he held her close. "My cute little Delilah, you want to go to the beach too?" He asked, smiling warmly as he led his family back to the chambers, letting down the curtains so the sun washed over the room.
"This is nice…" Victor said, his mind racing with plans to get his family away.
War was brewing, and he didn't want them part of it. He didn't want Selene to hear and see the disapproval from her clan, the ones who stood by her parents so simply.
It'd break her, or upset her, or distract her. He wanted them to get away, just until he figured out this whole mess.
"I invited a few friends to the estate for a celebration. I want them to meet the kids. We can have Birdy or Laura watch them for a bit of… Alone time," Victor said, winking at Selene as he continued to rock Delilah.
'No one's taking this away from me…'
Selene's lips curled into a sharp smile as Victor brushed her hair back, her eyes gleaming with both fondness and suspicion. His words of warmth and reassurance were like honey, but beneath them, she sensed the storm brewing in his mind. She could hear the racing thoughts, feel the weight of his unspoken fears. War. Disapproval. Distraction.
Her hand rested on her swollen breasts, her other arm wrapping around his waist as she leaned into him. The thought of escaping, of retreating like prey, stirred a dangerous fire within her. But she forced a softer expression for now, tilting her head to the side as Delilah cooed in Victor's arms.
"This is… lovely," she purred, though there was an edge in her tone. "But I won't hide, Victor. Whatever they whisper, whatever they think—they are beneath me." Her voice dropped to a near growl. "I am the rightful heir, and they will bow, just like the others. Or they'll burn."
She pressed closer to him, her eyes narrowing as she ran a hand down his chest. "As for your little… friends. Yes, bring them. Let them see. Let them witness the power of our family. But Victor," her gaze sharpened, dangerous now, "no one—no one—will take me from my throne. Nor you."
She softened again, placing a kiss on his neck, her moods shifting like the wind. "As for alone time…" she whispered seductively after putting Dante in his crib , her lips brushing against Victor's ear, "that, I would very much enjoy."
Victor smirked, shrugging a bit as he rocked Delilah to sleep. If she didn't want to leave before things got going then he couldn't force her. He'd just obliterate every vampire who tried to stand against her. These followers were weak, all they knew were vampires and humans. They didn't know what he was, what he could do, what Selene could do.
One god possessed vampire nearly killed him last time, but what would it do now? He set Delilah in the crib, slowly unbuttoning his shirt as he walked toward Selene, his eyes flashing with adoration toward his wife. "It's been quite a while, we don't need to wait till tomorrow," He said softly, pulling her in for a deep kiss as he led her to the bed.
Meanwhile, the traitors made their move…
Birdy's breath hitched as she stared at Sawyer, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. Something was terribly wrong. His familiar warmth, that gentle spark in his eyes, had been replaced by a cold, dead gleam that made her stomach churn. She took a shaky step back, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Sawyer? W-what's going on with you? You're... not yourself."
The words trembled from her lips, but there was no sign of recognition in his eyes. He stood unnervingly still, a twisted, hollow smile playing on his lips.
"Myself?" His voice was unnaturally low, sending a chill through her. He let out a slow, almost amused chuckle. "Your beloved Sawyer is... asleep. What stands before you now is something far greater."
A wave of panic seized her, her body freezing in place as fear crept into her bones. This wasn't him—this wasn't the man she knew. Her mind raced, trying to grasp what was happening. Tears pricked her eyes as she shook her head, unwilling to believe the change in him.
"Stop it!" Her voice cracked, desperation seeping into her words. "Please... you're scaring me. Sawyer, if you're in there, fight this!"
But his gaze, cold and unfeeling, didn't waver. If anything, it darkened, his smirk widening with cruel amusement.
"Scared, are we?" he asked, his voice like ice. "Good. Fear makes you more... interesting. Why cling to that weak version of him, when you could have something stronger? I am... power."
Birdy's chest tightened, a sob threatening to break free as she reached out, her trembling hand hovering near his. She needed to feel him, needed to believe that somewhere beneath the chilling facade, Sawyer was still there.
"I don't want power..." Her voice cracked as tears spilled over. "I want him."
Her words were barely audible, a soft plea wrapped in desperation. She moved closer, praying for a flicker of the man she loved. "Please, don't do this. Please, come back to me."
Sawyer—or whatever had taken hold of him—recoiled from her touch, his eyes narrowing in disgust as if her plea meant nothing.
"Your pleas are wasted, little bird," he said, his voice sharp with disdain. "He belongs to me now. And soon... you will too."
The cold certainty in his words sent a shiver down her spine, her heart shattering as she took another step back, terror now fully taking root.
She never wanted to be his wife. She hated him. But honestly…he wasn't that bad. He'd done his best to love and provide for her since their bonding ceremony, he gave her attention and praise…maybe the only reason she disliked him was because it wasn't abuse or fear or evil with which he treated her. But affection. And it scared her because she'd never know anything else. It got to the point that when he mentioned breeding her, Birdy actually was tempted to oblige him, having never, EVER before wanted kids. But this…now everything was ruined. Again. Once again, Victor and Selene had impacted her life negatively for their benefit, and slept perfectly at night.
It had gotten old.
Victor opened his eyes, feeling a pair of someone else's on his children. He moved forward, slamming into Sawyer's body and grabbing him by the throat.
"You better have a good reason for being up right now in my room runt…" He growled, looking at Delilah and Dan…
Dante was gone.
"Heh! You should see your face young man," Kalitas said, smacking himself out of Victor's grip and sending the vampire flying into the wall. "As you can see, I got your son regardless. It was the least I could do for those followers who refused to follow me. They needed a king… Now they have him."
Victor's eyes went blood red as he flashed out of the room, not even bothering to wake Selene up as he searched the entire estate for Dante.
They were gone.
"No… No no no no no!" He yelled, standing in the courtyard. They were all gone, all the followers, all the traitors. Even Birdy wasn't around.
Laura was asleep in her room, but she had woken up when he'd rushed in looking for people. It was just him, Selene, Laura, and Delilah.
Dante Was Gone.
Selene awoke with a jolt, her entire body aching as if it had been torn apart from the inside. Her eyes snapped open, and for a moment, everything was a blur—cold stone beneath her, the faint scent of blood lingering in the air, and a deafening silence that suffocated her senses. Panic flooded her veins as her fingers traced over her skin, her heart pounding with a sickening realization.
"The boy…" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "No… no, no, no…"
Her breath came in short gasps, her mind spinning as memories rushed back—Kalitas, his mocking grin.
A guttural scream ripped from her throat as she shot to her feet, stumbling forward with a fury that sent everything around her crashing to the floor. The shattered remains of the room blurred through her tears, but nothing mattered. Nothing except the void inside her.
"Kalitas!" she roared, her voice shaking the walls of the mansion. "Where is he?!"
Her limbs trembled, and rage boiled over into her senses, overtaking the pain. She smashed through the door, her vision going dark as her fangs extended, sharp and ready to tear him apart for what he'd done.
"I will rip your heart out for this!" she screamed, her voice venomous as she stormed through the corridors. She could feel the faint remnants of her son's presence, their warmth slipping further and further away as if they were being dragged into the void.
As she reached the main hall, Magritte appeared, her face pale with grief. Her eyes met Selene's, and her heart ached at the broken, violent expression in the vampire queen's gaze.
"Selene…" Magritte began softly, but Selene wasn't listening. She shoved past her, blind with rage.
"You let him take them!" Selene snarled, her fangs glinting in the dim light. "You let him steal my children!"
Magritte's face tightened with sorrow, but she stood firm. "I tried… Selene, I tried to stop him. But Kalitas is too powerful. We have to go now. If we stay, he'll kill us all."
Selene turned to her with a snarl, her body trembling as she fought the pain clawing its way through her chest. "I'm not running!" she hissed. "I'm not leaving my boys behind! I will hunt him down, and I will bring them back. I will destroy him if I have to burn the world down to do it!"
Magritte stepped closer, her voice low but steady. "Selene, please. I'm sorry for everything. For bringing this darkness upon you. But I swear on my life, I will stand with the Gallios until my dying breath. But if you go after him now… we won't survive."
Selene's eyes flashed, her fury still palpable, but a flicker of doubt passed through her. She clenched her fists, her chest heaving as the weight of her loss threatened to crush her.
"We have to run," Magritte whispered again. "Kalitas is too strong… but we can find a way. Together."
Selene's breath hitched, but her gaze remained hard. "I'm not running," she repeated, her voice low and dangerous. "Not without my Dante."
With that, she turned and stormed toward the door, her fury still burning, her heart set on punishing the monster who had torn her life apart.
Victor wiped blood from his mouth, growling in anger as he was far from the estate now. Dante's scent was every which way, he'd already slaughtered four different groups that had his scent on them.
"Damn it…" He whispered as he felt Selene wake, their bond showing she wasn't happy. She'd try and fight Kalitas, but what kind of husband would he be if he let her do that alone?
*Magritte let her go, I want you to track Dante, don't bother coming back if you haven't found something*
After relaying the message in his mind he found himself atop the estate, Delilah safely hidden away with Laura, leaving him alone with Kalitas.
"You really want to be evil so bad… It's kind of sad really." He said before he took his shirt off, sliding his pants as well before breathing in.
"I didn't think I'd ever bother doing this, but I really want you to die." Victor said, his skin turning red as he over clocked his healing factor, steam rising off of his body as his claws and fangs burned red hot.
His eyes glowed yellow as he looked toward Kalitas. "I've always wanted to kill a god."
Kalitas stood before Selene, his expression one of cruel amusement as she glared up at him, barely containing her rage. The tension in the room was suffocating, the weight of his demand hanging between them like a blade ready to drop.
"You can have your son," Kalitas said smoothly, his voice dripping with false mercy. "Alive and unharmed. But only if you surrender everything. Your title, your estate, your property—every last bit of it."
Selene's fists tightened, her nails digging into her palms. She could feel her fury boiling over, threatening to consume her. "You think I'd give everything for him?" she spat, her voice trembling with barely controlled anger. "You want my entire life, my legacy, for one favor? You must think me weak."
Kalitas's smile widened, as though he were savoring every moment of her torment. "Weak? No. Just desperate enough to know you have no other choice. There are no compromises here, Selene. No bargaining. You surrender everything... or your son dies."
Her vision blurred with rage. The audacity. The arrogance. Without thinking, she lunged at him, her hand slicing through the air with deadly intent.
But her movement stopped as if the air itself had become a wall around her, freezing her in place. A sudden, sharp cry filled her mind—Dante. His voice, raw and broken, filled her with a terror she hadn't felt in centuries. His pain was hers, searing through her veins like fire.
"No…" she whispered, her body shaking as she tried to break free from whatever held her. Her eyes turned toward Victor, her face softening, pleading. "I'll give it all up… just save him, Victor. Please. We can't let him die."
Kalitas chuckled, his cold eyes gleaming as he looked between the two of them. "You'll give it all up, yes. But I need more than just your submission, Selene. Your husband must submit too. Both of you, or the boy will die screaming."
Victor growled, looking toward Selene. He knew Dante couldn't be here, he'd checked everywhere, there was no way Kalitas had the boy.
But it sounded so real. That innocent cry, that soft little voice. He breathed heavily, cooling down as he grabbed Selene.
"Fine…" he said in defeat, his natural instincts screaming at him to rip the throat out of this man.
He would, one day he'd kill him and all those useless gods. For now though, he bowed his head for the first time in his lifetime. All so his son could live.
Kalitas watched them both, a satisfied grin twisting his lips. His voice was smooth and venomous as he spoke, "You've chosen well. Your submission is noted, and your son… he waits by the lakeside. But you better hurry," he chuckled darkly, "before the tide takes him away."
Selene's eyes widened in sheer terror as the words hit her, and without another thought, she bolted toward the lake. Kalitas called after her, his voice echoing with mockery, "And I better never see you again, Selene Gallio !"
Her feet pounded against the ground, her heart racing, lungs burning with every breath. She sprinted as if her life depended on it—but it wasn't her life. It was Dante's. The distant cries grew louder as the waves crashed against the shore, and when she reached the lakeside, her worst fears were confirmed. Dante lay there, his tiny form trembling on the cold sand, sobbing as seagulls circled overhead, pecking at his small, vulnerable body. His feet dipped into the water with each passing wave, the tide inching ever closer. If she had been just twenty minutes later…
Selene collapsed to her knees, the sand sinking beneath her as she gathered Dante's trembling body into her arms. His small frame was cold, fragile, his cries weak against her chest. She cradled him close, her entire body shaking with the force of her sobs.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face, her throat tight as she rocked him back and forth, whispering his name through gasps and choked breaths. "Dante... I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry..."
She buried her face into his soft hair, the warmth of her tears falling onto his skin as the waves lapped dangerously close. The thought of how close she had come to losing him shattered her, and she clung to him like he might slip away again if she let go for even a second.
Her cries were raw, the pain of nearly losing her child breaking through every barrier she had. All the strength, all the power she had prided herself on felt meaningless in this moment. Nothing mattered except Dante's breath, his heartbeat.
As she held him, rocking him as if to soothe both him and herself, she couldn't stop the sobs from pouring out of her.
Victor broke through the estate walls, smashing it to rubble as he yelled. Kalitas was strong, way too strong. The last guy he'd fought on Kalitas's level had been the Phoenix chick. "Honestly I don't know why you're throwing a tantrum. It'd make sense if you really had changed, but we both know you're still that same piece of shit killer…" Psylocke said, standing behind him as he laid on the floor. Wade Wilson, Blink, Betsy Aka Psylocke and Constrictor.
"You guys are way too late…" Victor said, sighing as he heard Magritte walk in, holding Delilah in her hands. He felt Selene still by the lakeside cradling their son. "We have to leave, thanks for coming, but don't need you anymore." Victor began to walk before Blink, a girl he'd taken care of in the past before his psychopathic urges developed, stopped him, frowning up at him. Perhaps she was the reason he kept collecting women. Birdy, Laura, Selene. "No Blink, you guys are already too late…" He stopped. Since when did he give up? Was he going to run and hide away for all eternity now that Kalitas kicked them out? No… This was Selene's birth right, and the Gallio family wasn't one to give up.
They'd retreat and rebuild their number, until then he needed protection for his family. Selene was strong, but she could use help. "Let's go then… I have just the place to restart," He said with a grunt, blink opening a door and taking everyone to where Selene sat and cried. "It's okay Baby, it'll all be okay…" Blink transported them again. Back to his home, Back to Canada.
Meanwhile, Birdy played with her hair, smiling down at a strapped down Logan as he was being dissected by several vampires. "Oh Logan, you're perfect to help our family get stronger! You'll be a perfect little beast…" Birdy said, her mind already warped by Kalitas's power. The one known as Birdy was gone, all that remained was her.