"I thought this was the place where Karen was," Capri muttered softly as her two companions stared at the three men on the porch.
The men on the porch stared at the three young people standing in the snow-covered front yard and the car idling just behind them.
Sarah dropped Rene's hand.
"Andrew?" she asked. "It's true?"
Andrew went down the stairs. "Sarah ..."
"Don't you dare Sarah me!" she snapped. "And no more sending me to my room and telling me not to worry about things either--not after *this*!!"
She flung the sheet of paper at Andrew's feet.
He bent down and picked it up, knowing with an almost sick feeling what he'd see. He'd been afraid of this since the letters had started coming...but he had to look anyway.
"What the hell does this mean, Andrew--I want some answers and I want them right now! And if you know anything about where Gabriel and Karen are, out with that too..." she glanced to Rene. "Do you get anything from her--is she in there?" she waved a hand at the house.
Rene shook his head sadly. "No..not unless he..." He couldn't even finish the thought, it frightened him too much and filled him with anger too, he glared at Andrew. Could the man really have fooled them all??
Andrew raised his hands in what he hoped was a calming gesture. "Sarah, please. I can explain..." he shook his head. "It's true that someone's after you but I swear it's not me. I've been trying to keep you from finding out all this time. I made everyone promise not to tell you..." he shook his head again. "Even Tallant, and Karen. No, I don't know where they are now, I wish to Caine I did."
"It's all right here," Sarah replied, taking out the other papers she'd found. "You wanted to diablerize me and Raymond died trying to stop you." she said bitterly. "Those other women were your victims and I was supposed to be next."
"No!" Andrew replied, almost shouting in his desperation. Both had completely forgotten the presence of the others, so intent were they on each other. "It's the other way round. Raymond wanted you for that, and *I* stopped *him*. It's Raymond who's been causing all this--I swear, it's *Raymond*!!"
Sarah shook her head, the blood tears welling up in her eyes. "You killed him...and then you lied to me about it. "Some enemy" you said. That's all you ever said. Like I was still that child from a small town in Minnesota....you killed him and you lied!! You lied then and you're lying now!!"
"Damn it Sarah!! I know I lied then--but I swear this is true, Raymond's managed to come back to finish what he started fifty years ago. He wants both of us dead--and Tallant and Karen too because they tried to help you."
"Why should I believe *that*??" Sarah nearly screamed with grief and rage. "Why should I believe a single word you say???"
"The man who kidnapped your mother brought Raymond's spirit back." Andrew went on, trying desperately to get through to her. "*This* is exactly what he wants you to think! To turn you against me!!"
"More lies!" Sarah flung back. "Raymond's out there--that much I do believe, I saw it in your journal--but the rest--he'd *never* hurt me like that!! Never, never--it's *you* who've done that--hurt me--Gabriel--Karen--my whole family--where *are* they tell me right now!!
"I DON'T KNOW!!" Andrew reached for Sarah, taking her by the arms hoping to shake some sense into her. Damn it he was finally telling her the truth and it wasn't working--but then deep down he'd known it wouldn't. She was reacting just the way Raymond and Giovanni wanted her to!
"DON'T TOUCH ME!!" Sarah screamed back, pulling herself away. "Don't you EVER touch me again..." her hands clenched into fists she wanted to throw herself at Andrew, to tear, rend--the Beast inside her roared to be let loose and she wanted so much to give in to it.
Gabriel had warned her about that, a part of her remembered dimly through the whirlwind of emotions that filled her. Gabriel...the first man to really love her even more than Raymond had...Raymond...
"You killed Raymond." she said again, slowly, spacing out the words. "You killed Raymond--and lied about it. Why should I believe you now?"
She wasn't seeing it, Andrew thought desperately. She *wasn't*, and damn it to hell it was too much, after everything else that had gone wrong tonight!
* * *
David Lindsay steered the rental car through the maze of country roads...at least this was easier than the last time had been, since he'd been this way before. Lourdesmont lay in *that* direction, he remembered, so the cottage mentioned in Rhys' note should be....he peered into the darkness...right down that side road.
He turned and started down the lane, just in time to hear raised voices. Voices that sounded somewhat familiar though he couldn't make out for sure who they were or what they were saying, but it was definitely yelling.
He made one last turn and emerged into a clearing, a small cottage sitting in the center of it.
And in front of that stood a small group of people, two women and four men.
One man and one woman were in the center of the others and with a start David recognized them--the girl Sarah he'd met at Lourdesmont, and Andrew Harrington.
The others...three, including the other woman, he didn't recognize, but Kenyon DeCant was also there, he'd expected that. So one of the others had to be the mysterious 'Rhys', at least that was a reasonable assumption.
During the excitement, Capri kept quiet, thinking, trying to concentrate on where Karen might be. It was difficult with all the anxious people standing around yelling. She heaved a sigh and was about to walk a comfortable distance away when Andrew's voice was heard clearly above the others.
"Damn it Sarah if you want Raymond so badly *go* to him!!" Andrew shouted, the desperation and frustration overwhelming him.
For a long moment Sarah stared at Andrew, openmouthed...then turned and ran out of the clearing, into the surrounding woods. All she could think of was getting away to *think*!
She vanished into the trees.
For another long moment everyone simply stood there staring, all in shock. Then Andrew came out of it..."Damn it to hell what have I *done*...
Rene approached Andrew, his face a mask, devoid of expression. "Yes, Andrew, what have you done, you son of a..."
"Rene, I was telling Sarah the truth just now. Don't you turn on me, too," Andrew said, his misery apparent in his eyes.
"Which truth is that, Andrew? You say one thing to me, another to Sarah. Do you even know what the truth is?" Andrew opened his mouth to answer but Rene held his hand up. "You may be older than me, and even more powerful than me, but if you did this to Karen, I swear I will kill you myself. Whatever it takes, I will see you dead and in the ground."
"Sarah!" Capri called, but Sarah didn't listen. As Capri looked after her, she spied a small parcel on the ground. It was a note attached to the characteristic little metal box. The faerie read the note and a look of utter contempt crossed her face. "That damnable piece of trash," she muttered to herself. "Sarah!" She called again but Sarah was getting out of earshot. ~That dung heap Giovanni's just signed 'is death warrant. When I get me 'ands on 'im 'he's gonna be singin a different tune!~ Seeing Rene was shouting at Andrew, she touched Rene's arm. "This ain't doin us no good. Let's get about our business."
Not allowing her temper to rise, always thinking ahead, Capri sighed, put down the box and note, and tried to establish a communication and search link with Sarah, one that only Sarah would detect. _Sarah, are ya outa yer mind?_
_I'm not going to listen to any more of Andrew's lies!_ Sarah shot back.
David remained where he was for a moment, trying to make sense of what he'd just seen and heard. Raymond?? There was a Raymond mixed up in this?? That had to be yet another incredible coincidence--his sister's boyfriend had been Raymond, too. Two Sarahs and now two Raymonds??
David got out of the car just as the others began talking excitedly among themselves or made efforts to see where Sarah had run to. He ignored Harrington and the strangers and went straight to DeCant.
"All right what the hell is going on here?" he demanded.
* * *
Sarah ran, the whirlwind of emotions that filled her, the grief and rage and anger, having driven all rational thought from her mind.
She knew only that she had to get away from Andrew, from his lies that just went on and on. Damn it, she had to think! And she had to find Raymond somehow, though she didn't know how she was going to do that.
Gabriel, too, was out here somewhere. Karen...God, Caine, what was happening to *them*?? a part of her mind whispered.
That, too, she had to find out, but she didn't trust Andrew to tell her. Not now.
She didn't know how long she'd been running other than that it was still deep night, the grayblack hulks of the trees all looked alike in the darkness. Then, she sensed a presence.
Andrew? No! "Damn it Andrew stay away from me!" she hissed.
"My dear child, I am afraid you mistake yourself," a figure stepped from the shadows and into view.
"I'm *not* a child!" Sarah snapped. "I wish everyone would quit calling me one."
"Perhaps not. But I am not Andrew Harrington," the man replied, now that Sarah could see him that much was obvious. A man--and a mortal at that. Not Kindred at all. She tensed, suddenly wary despite everything.
"Who *are* you, then?" she demanded, impatiently.
"One who is here to help you, Sarah. Tonight you learned a truth that your precious Andrew sought to keep from you. And now you must learn the rest." He held out a hand to her. "Cristoforo Giovanni, at your service, my dear," he took her hand and kissed it.
She flinched her hand away, suspicious. Who *was* this mortal and what was he doing being part of this? She just didn't have the strength to deal with the questions right now, but it seemed she'd have to.
"Just what are you doing here?" she snapped.
"Ah, I am here to help you, Sarah," he said gently. "You wish to find Raymond? Come, I will take you to him...or what is left of him, what was left of him after your precious Andrew did what he did."
Sarah shook her head. After the shocks and upsets of tonight she wasn't sure who to trust or not trust, what to think about anything or anyone. Part of her was suspicious of this Giovanni but another part wanted to find Raymond and if there was even a chance he could help...and there was the part that wanted to find Gabriel and Karen, save them from whatever danger they were in.
Slowly, warily, still uncertain but knowing she wasn't getting anywhere out here and day would arrive eventually and she didn't want to be outside when that happened...and going back and facing Andrew was not something she was up to right now...she let Giovanni take her hand and lead her away.
Meanwhile, Capri was still trying to reach her. _Sarah, listen ta me! That's Giovanni!_
_I know, what about it?_ Sarah challenged.
_That's the maniac's killin Karen, and 'e's gonna kill ya too if ya don't get back 'ere!_
_Why should I believe that? He seems nice enough, and you and Renee still haven't found Karen, so--_
_Dammit Sarah, 'e's left a note and a package with a threat! Well, 'he won't letcha come back on yer own volition that's fer sure, but I'm not gonna let 'im take ya away or do anythin more ta Karen than 'e already 'as! Ya've just ran yerself inta a pile a trouble and ya better pray somebody gets t'ya b'fore Giovanni--_
Sarah cut the connection. Capri kept the search part of the link going, that couldn't be cut, but the communication was. Sarah made it clear she was not having any more interference from Andrew or anyone who was with him.
~Blast it all!~ Capri picked up the package and walked back toward the others, who were still talking and shouting, trying to figure out where Sarah went. ~Heck, this is insane.~
"Ok everybody shut up!" Capri's gruff voice made itself heard over and above the rest, and she threw her hands in the air, one hand still clutching the little parcel she had discovered lying on the ground. there was a moment of silence, and Capri spoke again. "Sarah's gone off with Giovannni. we better get a move on right quick b'fore anythin else 'appens!"
"Who are you?" the older man--David--asked, looking suspiciously at the tall Indian faerie.
"It's ok," Kenyon said, "She's a friend."
"This ain't no time fer chitchat, do ya wanna find 'em er not?" the stern faced Capri demanded.
David ignored her and turned back on Kenyon, "You told me that for every strange event I saw, you�d have an explanation. Out with it."
Kenyon looked around the group. When did he lose the control he just attained? He didn�t have time to sit and tell David bedtime stories about vampires and mages and fairies. He sighed, "All I have time to tell you right now is that there is a young woman who has willingly walked into trouble right now. There are two more people in just as deep, and none of them are human." While he spoke, he seemed distracted, he was messing with the ring again.
"What - ?" David began, but before he got his question out, the ring flashed.
"�Bout fuckin� time asshole! I thought for sure you were gonna end up on the bad end of a vampire�s temper!" Dejah whirled on Kenyon. Then observed the group gather and smiled, "Well, don�t we have a jolly little soiree going on."
Kenyon put his hand to his aching temple, David was staring at him, open mouthed. The agent knew he was about to get bombarded with questions that he couldn�t answer because if he did, he�d be here all night and three vampires would be dust. "You have really bad timing." He muttered to David. "Not now. When three or more lives are not at stake - excuse my language - then we can sit down and chit-chat." He looked up at Dejah. "Did you find them?"
Dejah put her tiny hands on her petite hips and smirked, "As a matter of fact, blondie, I did."
* * *
Sarah was too emotionally in a whirl to do anything more than follow Giovanni. At least in letting him lead her, she didn't have to think, didn't have to let herself feel how much it had hurt, worse than all those other times. She'd trusted Andrew all these years and he had lied, over and over again. Her mind kept coming back to that, try as she might to resist it. "Please, " she whispered, "where are we going?"
"To Raymond, of course," Giovanni replied smoothly. "That much of what Harrington said was true. His spirit waits in my house to speak to you. To speak, and more, besides. But he will tell you of those other matters himself. You have lived surrounded by lies for half a century, Sarah, but now the time has come for the truth. That's what you want, is it not?"
Sarah could only nod, though a part of her still wasn't sure about Giovanni, there'd been Capri's frantic cries before she'd broken contact with her--but no. Capri was probably as mixed up in Andrew's web of lies as everyone else back there was. Capri had said she'd bring them to Karen, and she hadn't. They'd come to that cottage instead. She nodded again.
Giovanni smiled, though he was careful not to let Sarah see that. Oh, the child was such a blind fool! This was almost too easy, like leading a lamb to the slaughter. All the months of work and patience had finally paid off. Raymond would be reborn in this child's blood and his own rebirth as one of the Undead would follow soon after. He could almost taste the blood already.
He paused at the edge of the woods, beyond lay a road and more woods beyond that. But instead of attempting to cross, he traced a pattern in the air, a pattern of strange symbols forming a rough circle which began glowing with a greenish light, which spread until it formed a pulsing emerald oval in the air, only an inch or two above the ground.
"Come. It will not harm you--but it will bring us to where Raymond is far more quickly than traveling overland." Giovanni stepped through the mystical portal, Sarah hesitated but only for a moment, then followed.
They emerged what felt like only moments later in a large room, rather elegantly furnished, there were books and other odd objects stacked neatly about, and various arcane symbols on the walls, some painted onto the walls themselves, others embroidered onto wall hangings. At least that was what Sarah guessed the symbols were, she didn't know much about magic, not *real* magic anyway.
To one side stood a large crystal globe on a carved wooden pedestal, with more arcane symbols burnt into it.
There was a pinkish smokiness within the globe, it billowed almost like clouds did, though among the swirls there were faint sparkles too.
"You said Raymond was here." Sarah said quietly.
"And so he is." Giovanni replied, gesturing to the smoke filled globe.
Sarah looked at Giovanni, then to the globe, her eyes widening. Giovanni couldn't mean what it sounded like, could he? Well, it was worth a try. "Raymond?" she asked, uncertainly.
Giovanni looked at the globe, froze for a moment, then his expression seemed to change. He nodded. "Yes, Sarah, it's me."
She looked back to Giovanni, his voice wasn't the same all of a sudden, now it sounded like Raymond's. Could it really be? she hadn't heard that voice in half a century.
Giovanni/Travers held up a hand. "I know you've got a lot of questions. You always did," he chuckled slightly.
"Raymond!" she whispered, trying not to start crying again. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you, too." he said in as soft and reassuring a voice as he could. That wasn't difficult, it was the same game he'd played on her fifty years ago and he was sure it'd work as well now as it did then.
"There's so much that's happened--" she paused, then met his--Giovanni's--eyes. "Raymond, tell me, please. What's happened to Gabriel? Karen?? What did Andrew do to them??"
He stared at her for a moment, but not from surprise--he'd expected that question. "I know--Giovanni told me--of what had gone on between you and Tallant, and Lady Karen also. I am sorry to do this to you, but you have to know this truth too. You know Andrew killed me when I tried to keep him from taking you for himself. Now..." he swallowed as if what he was about to say made him uncomfortable, as if he truly was afraid it would upset her. It was all necessary if the plan was to succeed, as it *had* to now that he was so close, so very close, to regaining his unlife.
"What is it, Raymond? Please don't tell me they're...dead." She could barely force the word out.
He sighed and slowly led her to a curtained window. "This allows Giovanni to view any place he chooses, through his magics. While I'm using his body I can do that too..." he paused. "Sarah, please. Don't say I didn't warn you. What you're about to see, after what happened between you...will not be pleasant. But it is the truth you wanted, an end to Harrington's lies."
Sarah nodded.
"Wait just a moment, there is something I must do to prepare. When I return the curtain will open and you will see."
With that Raymond/Giovanni left the room. Sarah wondered what more shocks and pain this night would bring, though being with Raymond again eased some of it, still she wasn't sure that would be enough.
* * *
In the luxurious bedroom, where Gabriel lay still shackled to the bed, though at least it was clean silk sheets, not the filthy cotton of the soiled pallet from earlier, Giovanni/Travers entered.
"Little priest," he said mockingly, "the time has come for you to play your parts. Sarah must see what she must see, and it shall be real. Or I will take more than a couple of fingers, think on that." He moved to the bed and removed the golden shackle. "This would not fit with the scene, so I will have to remove it, but no tricks if you wish to live."
He bent down and kissed Gabriel full on the lips. "Unfortunately I shall not be able to participate this time. It would not have the proper effect if I did."
He then moved over to where Karen sat slumped against a wall, and drawing her to her feet led her, still unresisting (his magics ensured *that*) to the bed, placing her alongside Gabriel.
"Now..." Giovanni/Travers said, savoring the words, drawing them out to prolong the moment..."Tallant. Undress her. Karen, you undress him."
Though Gabriel and Karen struggled, the compulsions he had placed on them held, and they were forced to comply.
Once both were naked, Giovanni/Travers smiled. "So charming, the little priest and the Ventrue cow, together as they have so long yearned to be. Or that is what Sarah will think. What she must believe. And she will, won't she?" He caressed Gabriel's shoulder, then Karen's. "Make love to each other, and perhaps we will let you two live a little longer."
Gabriel looked at Karen, she looked back at him. Then Giovanni's will took hold and they were forced into each other's arms.
Giovanni/Travers smiled even more broadly, though as cold as ever, and left the room, to rejoin Sarah at the curtain.
"Sarah, remember how Andrew lied to you. They *all* lied to you, and now you'll see that that's true." Raymond/Giovanni said, again in a voice as if he regretted what he was about to do.
He touched the curtain, and it rustled back, to reveal a bedroom in what looked like somewhere very different from the place she and Raymond/Giovanni were now in. But the decor, luxurious though it was, wasn't what caught Sarah's attention.
That was the two figures on the bed, the man and woman clinging to each other in the throes of passion, their apparent pleasure evident as they kissed and caressed every inch of each others' bodies.
Sarah's hands went to her mouth. "Gabriel...Karen..." she whispered in a tiny, almost strangled voice.
Oh god it was true. She hadn't wanted to believe those notes, she'd wanted to listen to her heart the way Giuliana had said, to believe that Gabriel did really care for her. But this gave the lie to that, didn't it?
"I told you you wouldn't like it." he said sadly, then closed the curtain.
"It can't be! I felt Gabriel's feelings--and Giuliana *said*..." Sarah stammered, trying to sort out the conflicting emotions.
"Gabriel lied to you, just as Karen did. As for Giuliana, I fear she is as entangled in Harrington's lies as everyone else. It's time you realized, I'm the only one you can really trust. And now I need you. You can bring me back, and then we'll be together again."
Sarah could only stare. There had been too much going on tonight, too much for her to sort out quickly. She buried her face in her hands. "I don't know anything. I don't know anything anymore, I can't even think straight." she whispered.
Raymond/Giovanni stepped forward and put an arm around her. "It'll be all right, Sarah. There's a room where you can rest for a while, calm down. When you're feeling better I'll explain the rest."
Sarah nodded, and let Raymond/Giovanni lead her away.
* * *
Meanwhile, inside the bedroom...
Karen was hell bent on choking Andrew as soon as she could get out of this horrible situation. If he thought he had problems now, he was in for a whole big surprise of another kind. If he had done the appropriate thing from the beginning, she wouldn't be here now performing sexual acts of love with Gabriel. And she knew Gabriel wasn't exactly happy about this fake act, and the humiliation that she was sure they both felt. She hoped after all this, Sarah and Rene could forgive both of them.
Gabriel had planned on refusing to play Travers' game, had steeled himself during the long hours while he was abandoned, a broken toy, partially healed, to defy whatever it was Travers had planned. And all for nothing. He cursed Travers and Giovanni equally within his mind as the necromancer's magic overcame his will and forced him to couple with Karen like a puppet. He couldn't even say anything, shout, nothing... although he did get a glimpse of Sarah's stricken face, tears streaming down her cheek, through the window where she stood watching his performance. And he closed his eyes, unable to bear seeing that, although, of course, he still saw the afterimages of her eyes, the hurt in them squeezing at his heart.
The curtain fell, and the compulsion faded. Gabriel took a deep breath and moved away from Karen. She shivered, the first movement he'd seen that could be volitional on her part, and he reached out to stroke her cheek. Her eyes flew open and her lips parted... and she took in her own deep breath, which came out in a hoarse "Damn."
Gabriel moved his hand so that it covered her mouth, and thought at her. *No, Karen, don't say anything -- your recovery from those damnable drugs may be the only lucky thing that's happened to us in this hellhouse. Rest, regain your strength, and be ready to kill that bastard when we get a chance..."
*Only if you promise I get first dibs,* her reply came, weak but still defiantly proud. *No one. No one treats me like THIS.* Her thoughts were of the degradation they had suffered. Gabriel bit his lip.
*I am ashamed that I touched you,* he sent, with all of the sick emotion that had been boiling within him erupting through the link. He felt her recoil, felt her mind withdraw, and he moved back again, this time making sure that the silk was between their bodies and that they were both decently covered.
Realizing that Gabriel was just as upset over this little show, Karen slumped back against the wall. *Gabriel, please don't be ashamed*, she sent out to him. *We were made to do these horrible acts to each against our wills. I am just heartbroken that Sarah had to witness it. * *Oh god, Gabriel, I just realized, I saw her standing there, how did she get here and why, how? * Covering her face with her hands, she let out a low moan. Speaking low, mostly to herself, "what next, what more could happen to us, and now we have Sarah to worry about."
* * *
Back at the cottage...
Brendan, who had been leaning against the front door, heard Dejah's words filter through the red haze that swirled behind his closed eyes and seeped into every single pore of his body. He had been so tempted to run off after Sarah and Andrew, but some instinct held him in place. There had been a little voice that had whispered a reminder that the only way to find and eliminate Travers and Giovanni would be for them to get their hands on the one thing that they had wanted from the first: Sarah. Now that was done.
It was time to kick some butt.
"Then get us there," Brendan said as he stepped out of the shadows. His clear tenor voice cut through the chill late winter evening, drawing everyone's attention and stopping the cacophony of different voices vying for prominence.
"You must be the vampire hunter," Dejah said with a wide smile. " 'bout damn time ya decided to use some of those God-given skills ya got, buddy."
"Vampire hunter?" David said weakly. The older human was rapidly reaching the point of information overload and felt his knees begin to shake. He looked down to see the dark-haired young girl at his side, gently holding his elbow.
"It'll get better," Capri assured him. "Ye're gonna learn things and be a better bloke fer it!"
David just shook his head slightly but Andrew strode forward angrily.
"Vampire hunter, my ass!" He bellowed. "You have stayed in the shadows! You have taunted and laid down dictates from on high! You have done nothing! Nothing!"
Kenyon pulled his gun out of its holster and turned to look at Brendan and froze.
"You are nothing but a huge coward!" Andrew finished, eyes bright red, fangs extended, hands curling into deadly talons.
Rene made to move forward but was stopped by what felt like an invisible wall. A wall that lightly smelled of roses.
"What?" he started and his eyes grew wide as he thought he caught a glimpse of a petite woman in ancient formal dress gently shaking her head "no". "I know you ..." Rene's voice trailed off.
"Coward!" Andrew's yell seemed to shake the very earth. He took a single step and launched himself at the porch of the ramshackle cottage where Brendan stood--and froze in mid-air before dropping like a dead-weight to the frozen ground.
David's knees finally gave out and he felt himself being guided gently by Capri as he took his free arm and crossed himself, uttering a prayer under his breath.
"What are you?" Dejah wondered as she looked at Brendan, eyes wide.
"Brendan?" Kenyon asked and did not hear the amazed echo that came from David who had met a small infant by that name during the previous holiday season.
"Don't," Brendan warned Kenyon as he turned to him, huge brown eyes now glowing with golden fire. His voice seemed hollow to all who heard it. "Another gift from my parents." Kenyon felt his hand open of its own accord and his gun clattered to the wooden porch. The golden fire slowly extended itself down Brendan's arms and seemed to wrap itself around his fingers. He turned to look at Andrew who was still on the cold ground. "I could rend your atoms from here, if I wanted, and no one would mourn you. Except for one. You should thank her for that should she ever forgive you." He looked off towards where Rene stood and the faint figure next to him. "J'te adore," he whispered and the figure smiled softly before disappearing.
Finally Brendan turned his attention to Dejah.
"What is taking you so long?" he asked.
"Well, all-righty then!" Dejah said with whoop. "It's time to kick some butt!"
She turned to Kenyon with a smirk, "The ring, if you please." and she held out her hand. Her partner looked at her for just a minute. "Kenyon! Hello! Blondie!" She waved her hand in front of his face. "Gimme the damn ring and pick up your gun."
Kenyon shook his head, handed Dejah her ring and retrieved his gun from the ground. "What do you need that for anyway?" He asked and almost instantly knew that was probably a dumb question.
"Damn sleepers." The mage muttered with a meaningful glance at David. "This is gonna sting." She put the ring on her petite ring finger, on her left hand. "Lady Raven Love." She whispered in a sing-song tone. The ring glowed, but didn't flash like it had the last time.
She smiled as an exotic pale figure appeared before her. Kenyon put his hand to his head and groaned, "Not her." He grinned as the woman turned and stuck out her tongue.
She then turned back to Dejah, "Ich liebe dich, Dejah. What is it you need?"
Dejah held up her hand and touched her, "We need to go here. I need a gateway."
"If you can give me the essence, I can give you the gateway." The woman replied.
Dejah shrugged, the ring glowed and soon the entire party was no longer in front of the small cabin, but a run down farm house. "Give my regards to Gregory." Dejah's companion told her and was gone.
"Thank you Kajah." Dejah sighed, then turned and brightened up. "This, my friends, is where you will find your prey. Although the magic around here is enough to make one ill." She shuddered.
