Diana awoke in a darkened and cold room. She was tied down at the waist, arms, and legs. She was naked. Her eyes adjusted to the dark and she was able to discern that she was in a very small concrete and stone room, likely a basement. The smell in the air was of musty, old mold, and sweat. She pulled at her restraints meekly knowing full well that they were fastened tight. She pulled again, harder and knew that she was stuck. She was cold and afraid. The last thing she remembered was facing Oberon and another vampire in battle and then all went dark. Someone must have come up from behind and knocked her out, she surmised.
Where is Lanius? Did Cinnin kill him? Is he imprisoned as well? The questions swirled in her head as she lied there for what seemed like hours until the lock on the large wooden door clicked. In walked Cinnin, stooping in under the door.
"So, you are awake finally?" he asked standing near to her. "I was afraid I knocked you out too thoroughly and would need a doctor." he smiled smugly at this last jest.
"What have you done with Lanius?" she demanded of him.
"You're captured and fastened to a concrete slab, naked, and your first question is about your precious Lanius? He does have you hooked, doesn't he?"
"Why have you done this, Cinnin? You have been a loyal ally for millennia."
"NO! I've been a lackey for millennia!" he bellowed. "Playing third or fourth in Lanius' crew. I should lead. I will lead. When I kill Lanius: and I will kill him, my dear. I will dissolve the Council and rule over all vampires as King."
"You cannot kill him, you are not strong enough." she snapped back.
"Oh but I am. I do not need the child you hid. I know they say that only a Carpathian, come of age and turned, can be strong enough to kill a vampire as old as Lanius but I nearly did him in during the fight in which we eventually took you. You forced my hand when you told him of my plans, you should have played along. I thought that you would after he betrayed you. He barely escaped with his life, leaving you behind in the process. Is that your idea of a strong gentleman? One who would abandon his woman in a fight?"
"I saw the gang you attacked him with. You need many strong vampires to help you kill him. You are weak. He fled for his life. Well, anyone would if they thought they may die."
"Yes, but it was my blade from which he fled. I was unable to track him but I know he will gather his strength and allies and return for you. That's why I brought you here. You are the bait. And after I kill Lanius and become King, you will be my Queen."
She laughed loudly at this last, the sound echoing through the damp darkness.
"I would never be your Queen Cinnin. I would choose death first." "Well, you may change your mind when it comes down to that, because it will."
He turned toward the door stopping just short of it, he turned back to her.
"Lanius will come for you and in so doing meet his death. In the end he was right that you would be his death. Then you will sit next to me or I will build my throne on both of your graves." He stooped out of the door and it slammed shut, the lock clicked, and Diana was alone in the dark again.