"AJ? What in the Seven Hells are you doing at this school?" Viktor asked. He barely turned his head; just enough to confirm who held the knife to his throat.
Gavin's eyebrows shot up when a smile appeared on Viktor's face. "You two know each other?"
Some of the anger drained out of Gavin at AJ's hesitation. Erza stepped forward with weariness on her face. She glanced past everyone and made sure no one was eavesdropping nearby.
"Yeah, you could say that," AJ said. She didn't take her eyes off of Viktor. There was a faint flush to her cheeks, just barely noticeable.
"Oh, we know each other, quite intimately, wouldn't you say so, dear AJ?"Viktor asked with a sly grin on his face.
"I'm sorry, can we back up here," Erza said and returned her attention to the group. "Did you say he was an assassin?" she asked pointing at Viktor.
AJ nodded. "You still haven't answered my question, Vik. Why are you here?" she pressed the knife back against his throat, the sleek metal cold against his pale skin.
Viktor grinned. "Easy there my angel, I come baring no ill will towards the wolf," he said.
"Swear it!" she growled at him.
Gavin stayed quiet, considering all that he was seeing and hearing.
Viktor nodded. "Yes, the council sent me and Nikolaj in to bring in the wolf for crimes against the Treaty of Secrecy and the Vampire Demi. If, I had wanted to hurt the wolf, I'd have killed him during the attack and not helped protect the students in the dorms."
AJ startled, the edge of the knife dropped just a hair from Viktor's throat. "You? You helped protect the dorms?" Her eyes wide she glanced at Gavin who appeared just as stunned. She hesitated a moment before she pulled the knife away from his throat.
Viktor nodded and gently rubbed his throat where the blade pressed against. "Me and Nikolaj have been here since the beginning, watching and judging," Viktor said.
AJ moved to stand between Gavin and Viktor, hands on her hips. "Did the council send anyone else?" she asked.
"Oh come on. What does it matter. The wolf has a death warrant on his head. Sooner or later, one of us will come to claim it," Nikolaj spat out. He glared at Gavin with an unsettling hatred.
"This wolf has already attacked a Vampire Hive, and risked revealing secrets against the Demi to the world," Nikolaj growled out and took a step forward.
Viktor sighed and turned on his companion. "I already told you to shut up. Do you not see the medallion his mate wears?" Viktor asked pointing to Erza's neck where a silver medallion hung.
"It's just a stupid trinket. What of it?" Nikolaj scoffed dismissively. His eyes darted from the necklace around Erza's neck and back to Viktor.
Victor rubbed his temples, his veins throbbing against his fingers. He tapped against them as if he was resisting the urge to do something. "That, my incredibly dumb friend, is a holy medallion of Lady Lunaria herself. Now, this is just a guess, so correct me if I'm wrong," he turned his dark eyes to Erza.
"If you were to remove that medallion and break it open, someone mean with a particularly nasty disposition will probably appear to clean house?" He asked.
Both of Erza's eyes shot up. Gavin's jaw dropped.
Yeah that summed up Drake to the letter, Gavin mused.
Erza nodded after glancing at AJ. "Y-Yeah. Drake actually," she admitted.
Nikolaj paled at the name and Viktor cursed.
"Of course it would be that sour bastard. He really needs to get a life besides doing the lady's work all the time," he said with a sigh.
AJ startled at those words. "You act like you actually know him?"
Viktor laughed bitterly. "Me and Drake go way back. Remind me to tell you some stories some day. Anyway," he turned back to Nikolaj. "That is why you recon before being stupid."
Gavin shook his head, unable to follow what was happening. "So, what exactly is going on? Are we fighting, not fighting? I'd much rather get it over with than watching my back every day," Gavin blurted out.
"Gavin!" Erza snapped and cupped the back of his head, a glare on her face.
He yelped indignantly and rubbed the sore spot.
"What? It's a valid question. This entire conversation is confusing the utter hell out of me."
Viktor laughed at the scene. "My orders were to bring you in alive. But, your actions don't match the story wolf. I'd like your side and explanation before I make my decision," Viktor said.
Gavin glanced at AJ who shrugged. "He may be a vampire, but he's one of the oldest among them. Don't let his appearance fool you, he's a powerful vampire knight in service to one of the oldest families. His word and judgment would carry weight among the other hives and clans back at the Demi Council," she explained.
So, Gavin gave a shortened version of his tale. How his clan was slaughtered by the True Lord's Army days after his birth. His discovery of being a Shifter, Koray's reveal and mission, and the events that transpired within the dungeon; including Lunaria's intervention to use him in removing the Vampire Hive and Draconian Cluster in question.
When his tale was done, Viktor let out a long whistle. Nikolaj scoffed and pushed off from the wall. "You don't seriously expect us to believe all that crap do you?" he asked. He jabbed one finger at Gavin, his features twisted in anger.
Viktor held up a hand to silence him. "That is quite a tale my friend. To answer your previous question; no, I do not plan on taking you before the council at this moment over these issues. Though, they won't be happy with my decision." He paused and looked to AJ.
"They will most likely argue against my advice, and send others in my place. Others that will probably not be as understanding or curious about the sequence of events as I am. So, with that being said, dear AJ, watch your back. And if you care about your charges, watch theirs as well."
Viktor turned to leave, but not before he winked playfully at AJ. She bristled under his flirtation and took a step forward.
"You think you can just show up here out of the blue, come after my charges, then change your mind and leave just like that?" she snarled at him.
Nikolaj laughed at her indignation. "Damn Viktor, you've always had a way with women. But, seriously. We're just going to leave that mongrel dog walking free after the crimes he committed?"
Viktor smacked Nikolaj across the face with enough force to send him sprawling on the ground. "You have your orders. We are not touching the wolf today. We will return and give this report of new information to the council of Demi. Now, pick yourself up. Return to your room and pack," Viktor instructed.
Gavin lifted one eyebrow, keeping a close eye on the pair. Nikolaj snarled as he pushed up from the ground. His eyes blazed fury and indignation. He stopped nearly nose to nose with Viktor, his chest panting. "One of these days, I'll make you pay for treating me like this. I'm not a damn child," he snapped at him.
Viktor scoffed. "Then maybe one day, you'll stop acting like one. Now, go do as your told."
Nikolaj threw his hands up and stormed off in the direction of the dorms, muttering about vengeance.
Gavin shook his head in utter bewilderment. "I really don't know what to make of these two."
Viktor laughed good-naturedly, waving his hand over his shoulder. "That's the point wolf. Keeps things fun. I'm sure we will meet again. Farewell. Keep dear AJ safe for me would ya?" Viktor left the alley and disappeared into the crowded pathway.
AJ stuttered in indignation. "That no good, filthy, pale faced…"
Erza's jaw dropped. She had never seen the rough and tough AJ made speechless before.
AJ's knife trembled in her hand before she let out an exasperated sigh and tucked it back into the leather sheath at the small of her back, under her shirt. "Come on, let's get some dinner before I give in to the urge to commit murder."