by Susan R. Part Two: The Rook, Lex

Chapter One: Lucard
           Alexander Lucard smiled in the mirror that did not return his reflection. For ten years, he had played tricks on the mortals by making his hair appear to gray and his skin to wrinkle. Now that he had changed into Lex Cardulla, he was back to being young and handsome. Not a day over twenty-eight, he thought with a smile.
           Lucard knew that Lex would be a great role to play. After all, the press wrote that Lex was Lucard's prodigy. He decided to check up on one of his new employees. He dialed the number and smiled when the lady answered the phone. "Everything is settled?" he asked.
           "Yes, Mr. Cardulla. Mr. Townsend signed all the papers on Monday. He is settling in his office as we speak."
           "Excellent. Just make sure he signs everything, I don't want any of my plans messed up."
           "Don't worry, Mr. Cardulla, I plan on it. I'm going to keep Chris very busy. He is kind of cute, you know."
           "Sonja, you can have a little fun with him, but no midnight drinks, understood. If he finds out you are a vampire I will destroy you before he even gets the chance."
           "Don't worry, Mr. Cardulla, he won't."
           "Good day, Sonja," he said and hung up. "Christopher, you have no idea what you are signing," he said with a laugh.
           Lex knew he would have a great time with Chris. He had fooled Eileen into believing that he really was Lex Cardulla. At their first meeting, he had put a drug in her drink that would help him control her mind and block her memory of Alexander Lucard. It was almost too easy, he thought.
           Lex thought about Max, the youngest of his pawns. Max was more ambitious than Klaus ever was. Although Lucard never really liked children, he was found of Max. After all, he wanted Max to fill in Klaus's place at his side. After Helsing's death, he caught Klaus grieving for his father at the Helsing vault. This time, Lucard had trapped him inside.
           Lex thought back to Helsing's last night. After his return from the vortex, Gustav Helsing had suffered a stroke and spent his final days in a hospital bed, unable to move or speak. Lucard went to visit him on that cold November night.

           "Gustav Helsing, the last of the Helsing clan," he said as he walked in the room over to his bed. Gustav gave his enemy a hateful stare. "You old fool. Did you really think you could defeat me? Funny, this time, I'm not even going to kill you. I'll let your weak mortal body do it for you." He laughed as he looked at the old man.
           Gustav looked at the vampire, knowing full well that Lucard could read his mind if he willed it. "I may be dying, Lucard, but my legacy lives on. Max, Chris, and Sophie will destroy you."
           Lucard laughed at the words. He bent down next to Helsing and whispered in his ear. "No, because I have big plans for them. Ten years from now, Max and Chris will be working for me. And as for Sophie, she will be my wife!"
           "She will never!!" cried Gustav as he felt his heart slowing down.
           "Oh, did I forget to tell you, Helsing, I gave Sophie some of my own blood the night she came to my castle. Your little spring water only destroyed Vincent's blood, not mine. Sophie is still part vampire, she just doesn't know it." Lucard began to laugh harder as he saw the old man look at him for one last time. The monitor next to Helsing's bed started beeping as it hit flatline.

           Ah, Helsing, if you could see me now!! For ten years he had been planning and sending spies, if not himself to check up on the Townsend boys. He didn't need to spy on Sophie. His blood flowed through her veins and he could read her thoughts from halfway across the globe. He was in her dreams whenever he desired it. Over the years, he had grown to love her. Sophie and him had always had a lot in common. He was glad he had let her live as a mortal and grow up. She had grown very beautiful over the decade. "Soon Sophie, you will meet your charming secret admirer, Lex."

Chapter Two: Max
           Max Townsend looked at the computer screen one last time. It was the home page for Lucard Industries. He tried finding more info on Cardulla, but only found the press release.
           Bridget walked up to him. "Find anything new?" she asked.
           "No. What kind of stupid name is Lexavier? Doesn't sound Italian, but it says he is from Italy."
           "Didn't you say Lucard was involved in a lot of illegal activity?"
           Max looked at her. "Yes."
           "Well, there isn't much background info on Cardulla except he went to private schools in Europe. He apparently comes from a wealthy family."
           "You thinking that he might be from some Italian Mafia family?"
           "Could be. Just be careful, Max. This could be dangerous stuff."
           "Yeah, I know," Max said as he stood up. "I'll see you later."
           "Need a ride?"
           "No, I'll walk. Thanks." Max walked out of the computer lab and headed back to his dorm. The campus was dark so he hurried back. He had a feeling that he was being watched and followed. He started to run but soon he felt something hit him on his back. He fell to the ground and felt a kick on his stomach.
           "You little shit, you destroyed my fraternity!" He heard a man's voice yell. "I was going to be president next year but you got us suspended for five years!" Max felt more kicks to his sides so he wasn't able to turn around. Just before he was about to get another kick, he heard one of the guys scream. Soon, another scream, but before he could see who came to his rescue, he passed out.

Chapter Three: Sophie's Dream
           Sophie was walking through a castle as she came upon a door. It opened and the room was filled with candles. It was a bedroom fit for a queen. She went in and sat on the bed. One red rose rested against one of the pillows. "Lex?" she called out. "I know it's you."
           "Yes my love," she heard him whisper from behind. He kissed her lightly on the back of her neck. She turned and he kissed her. Her eyes were closed but she ran her fingers through his hair. "My beautiful Sophie," he whispered as he kissed her neck. "I will love you for all eternity."
           Sophie opened her eyes and saw him kiss her on her breast as he pushed away her white robe. "Lex," she whispered. "Come to me."
           "Soon, my angel."
           Sophie pulled him up to kiss him once more. After this kiss, she opened her eyes. She gasped at the sight of Alexander Lucard.
           Sophie awoke from her dream breathing hard. It had been a wonderful dream, but she couldn't recall seeing Lex's face. Strange, she thought. I know I saw it. She felt how, and rose up from her bed to glance at the night air. She opened her window to let some of the cool air in as she looked at the city lights. "Oh, Lex, I hope you keep your promise and come to the concert."
           "You will, Sophie," Lex said, standing under her window.

Continued in Part Three: The Black Queen

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