A/N: Another update! Saw Angels & Demons and thoroughly enjoyed far more than the Da Vinci Code. Most of the mythos in these series is found here. Reviews are welcome! Robert, Sophie, Vittoria (c) Dan Brown; Sefirot & Raphael (c) me

IX

The building was eerily quiet for a minute as Robert and the archangel stepped into its premises. "Anyone here?" Raphael called out, hoping for a response. "Like I said, abandoned," Langdon said as he went up the rickety stairs. The main paper press had what Raphael estimated to be an inch of dust and metal decay but he could see the Glastonbury seal. The angel then picked up the vibrations of movement a couple of feet of darkness and quickly cocked his gun.

The gesture wasn't lost to Langdon's extraordinary hearing and he too withdrew his weapon. "What is it?" the professor called out. "We're not alone." Raphy responded, his voice dead serious. All of a sudden, a shadow dropped just inches from the archangel and lounged at him with animalistic ferocity. Raphael yelled in pain but he was able to recover and shoot the attacker. The creature didn't last longer due to the angel's blood and rapidly dissolved into dust.

"Where are we going now?" Sefirot asked as Vittoria hailed a cab. "We're going to the library, of course." The physicist replied, using her phone's GPS function to locate the Royal Archives. "This is no time for a light reading, Dr. Vetra." The Dominion glowered

"We still have at least five more hours of daylight left so looking for the other vampire factions is fruitless at this point. We could use the time we have to research the victim and why he was branded with the Duenos Inscription." Vittoria explained as she searched for the location of the monumental library. Sefirot caught the hint and in an instant, disappeared back to Heaven but not before agreeing to meet up thirty minutes later.

By the time the physicist noticed the Dominion was gone, she had already started brushing up on what the markings meant. The Duenos Inscription was not something commonly seen. Due to the Old Latin it was written, there wasn't a concise translation of the three unbroken stanzas except for the one made by German historians Warmington and Eichner that read:

It is sworn with the gods, whence I'm issued:

If a maiden does not smile at you,

nor is strongly attracted to you,

then soothe her with this fragrance!

Someone good has filled me for someone good and well-mannered,

and not shall I be obtained by someone bad,

The manner in which the inscription was stenciled on the Scotland Yard Police murder victim mirrored that of the three-pot jar or kernos. But the problem with the find was how out of place it was: Vittoria couldn't make the connection between the good-willing message and the horrific crime. Maybe he had an affair with someone…only way to confirm that is with Sefirot's records. The physicist caught the next bus to the Royal Library and hoped Robert was having better luck in whatever he was up to.

In that exact moment miles away in the countryside, another assailant dropped from the dilapidated roof and hacked its way to the professor's position. Robert managed to fire two rounds before he fell on his ass, his gun darting out of his hand. The aggressor was unrelenting its attack, sword swinging wildly and nearing on its mark. I have no choice but…the professor reasoned as his eyes began tingeing red. But just this happened, the attacker halted. "Who are you?" the female voice, riddled with both animosity and a thick Russian accent, asked from the shadows.

Robert's eyes returned to their usual blue once he was sure he was free of harm for the moment. "I should ask you the same thing!" "Robert! Are you ok?" Raphael exclaimed as he flew up to the second floor. The mysterious woman hissed, her suspicions were right; the blonde was an angel.

"Raphael, I presume?" she spat. Raphael perked up at the mention of his name. "That I am; who asks?" "Vilaneska Roinev, Consulate Di Vampyrs." The woman finally revealed herself as a statuesque female of frigid green eyes and icy blonde hair. "You're quite far from your home aren't you?"

Vilaneska's focus then shifted towards to Langdon and studying his features. "How did you find our headquarters?" "I know thing or two about watermarks." Robert retorted, holding up the letter, causing the archangel to slap his forehead. "Oh great." He groaned as the vampire recognized the document. "We told you to stay away from our jurisdiction, Mr. Langdon. Now we'll have to resort to lethal measures," she stated acridly, her sword grazing over the professor's face. But she had to eat her words as the wound healed just as quickly as it opened. "But those wouldn't do much good, now would it?"

Robert shook his head slightly in response, "I need to clear my name with the Consulate." "You stand accused of murdering Nicholle D'Pietre, a citizen of France." Roinev argued before Langdon interrupted her with, "who attacked me first! Besides, a vampire just killed the head of police over at Scotland Yard! Shouldn't you do something about that?" The case struck a nerve with Vilaneska, evidenced by an involuntary twitch. "The Consulate is not responsible for its members' actions."

"Now you're just being a hypocrite!" Raphael retorted, fed up with the roundabout aspect of the conversation. "This has nothing to do with you, angel." "Yes it does, he's with me." Robert disputed, arousing a scoff from Roinev. "An angel helping a human? Now I've seen everything." The cold woman said before turning around. Desperate to get his name cleared, Robert grabbed the vampire's hand and held with his preternatural strength. "I didn't kill Nicholaus out of spite." Vilaneska's rage simmered; how dare this man touch her? "We know of the whole Báthory ordeal; why do you risk getting killed?"

"Because I suspect what happened to the head of police is related to the last 'true princess'." Langdon concluded as he released his grip. Roinev knew exactly who he meant: Sophie Neveu. It didn't take the Underground too long to find out of about the Sang Real incident but it was quickly dismissed for more pressing matters. With a cold shoulder, Vilaneska threw away her sword and went down the stairs, motioning both the professor and the archangel to follow suit.

"Contrary to what you may believe, the Consulate has no intention to bring any sort of harm to Ms. Neveu; whatever mysticism surrounds her is irrelevant to us." She explained while opening a secret subterranean passageway. "So you say." Raphael spat back. "I have been sent from my organization investigate the Moreland murder. I say we should work together." The Russian vampire suggested. "Why should we?" the angel wearily asked, unsure of Vilaneska's goals. "Because then, you'd have access to 90% of Europe's Preternatural community. In addition to finding the culprit, I will personally pardon Mr. Langdon for your crime." Vilaneska responded matter-of-factly. "You got yourself a deal." Robert said before Raphael could intervene. "Good, wait here."

"Are you insane? How could you agree to anything to the person that just tried to kill you?" the angel exclaimed rather exasperated with his friend's seemingly lackadaisical attitude to the whole thing. "Diplomatic immunity for the time being; for now, we play by her rules." The professor retaliated as he watched their guide's movements. "This is going to end badly."