Within a second the falling sensation stopped. She opened her eyes and gasped. Dark wood panelled walls, heavy velvet curtains, and brass candlesticks adorned the walls and various tables were placed in the grand room beneath an even grander staircase. "Do you know where we are?" Julian enquired gently. Jenny could only nod. They were back in the paper house, the house which her and her friends had all built together at Tom's birthday party. Jenny had picked up the paper house as part of a game from a store she had, or so she thought, randomly discovered whilst being chased by two men just a few hours before the party was due to begin. Julian had sold it to her. The Game in the flawless white box, sold to her by a prince of darkness. A beautiful, menacing, breath-taking Shadow Man. The rules had been very clear: each player had to take The Oath of the Game where they agreed willing participation, that the Shadow World was dangerous, and that the game was real. And a real game they had indeed played; a dangerous, very real, and other worldly game; a game where the rune Uruz was cast, to pierce the veil between the two worlds, resulting in each player having to face up to their nightmares; a game which had cost one of her friends her life.

Jenny was staring, remembering, absorbing everything that had occurred over the last year. Julian watched her with wary concern and slowly said, "I thought it would be better to bring you back to somewhere you recognised." Again Jenny only nodded in response. Julian was getting worried. Perhaps it had all been too much for her to take in. He attempted to reassure her, "but don't worry, we can go anywhere, do anything we like. We can visit other worlds, go on endless holidays, explore places you could never dream of Jenny. We can completely redecorate this house, I can give you a snow leopard, remember when I made you that offer months ago? I will give you anything you desire Jenny only...only give yourself completely to me." At that Jenny turned to face him. She was no longer crying, just looked in shock. "I will try," was her answer. "Would you mind giving me some space Julian? I'd like a bath and time to think and take things in."

"Of course my darling, it's this way." Julian walked towards her, still concerned, however he realised space was probably what she most needed. She was only human after all, albeit the most perfect human he had ever seen and would. After taking hold of her left hand with his right he led her to the staircase. "I thought you could have a section of the house which is completely yours. To study, research, create things, write, think, whatever you like Jenny. It's just here." They had turned left when they reached the first floor and walked down one of the many corridors the house held. They stopped at the third door and Julian opened it. Jenny stepped through, and gasped.

The room was beautiful. The walls were white with a lilac swirling border at the top, pure white velvet curtains luxuriously draped themselves across the windows, and a plush lilac carpet cushioned her feet. There was an expansive desk made from a lightly coloured wood, a walk in wardrobe, numerous drawers, and a full length mirror with an elegant and delicate silver border. "Julian, this is…" she trailed off in wonder.

"You like it?" Julian smiled. "There's more," and he walked her to another room and another room after that. Each room was different. The first room was obviously a place she could get ready in private, should she wish to. The second room was littered with brightly coloured cushions on the floor, craft materials, writing materials, and a beautiful, old-fashioned type-writer. In the third room was a large sofa with what could have been an unbelievably huge TV except that it was completely made of transparent glass giving it the perception of looking like a giant window yet to be fitted. Jenny looked at Julian quizzically. "I'll explain that to you later," he said dismissing it with a wave of his hand. "Here is the bathroom you asked for," and he opened the door to show her a sparkling white, huge bathroom. In the middle was a bath the size of a Jacuzzi. In the far back right corner was a shower, and along the walls were various toiletries. There was a sink, toilet, another mirror, and a white wicker chair with cushions also.

"Wow," whispered Jenny.

"I'm so glad you like it," Julian smiled kissing the top of her head. "I'll leave you be now. When you want to talk let me know. I won't be far," and as was so typical of Julian, he disappeared. Jenny sighed. He would have to stop doing that if she was going to live with him. She was grateful for the time alone though. She desperately needed time to herself to think. Still feeling numb she decided to run herself a bath and look for some soothing bath oils. There were so many wonderful bottles of bath potion to choose from that she spent a good twenty minutes looking. Some she recognised from her own world, others had labels she couldn't read, in fact, she didn't think anyone from her world would be able to read them. She opened some of them to smell and after picking the safe but familiar scent of calming lavender, she poured a generous amount of it into the bath tub and started running the water.

Letting her bath run she went back to the other rooms. It was thoughtful of him to provide her with her own space, but she hadn't failed to notice the absence of a bed. It made her feel a little sick inside. She certainly wasn't ready for that. Was she?

Absent minded she traipsed back to the room with the cushions and the typewriter when something caught her eye. Next to the writer something was glinting at her. Carefully she walked towards it until she realized what it was. The silver rose Julian had given to her in the first game lay there, just as beautiful and delicate as it was the first time she beheld it in the elf king's cave. She reached out and gently stroked it. It was as soft and perfect as she remembered it to be, with each petal expertly crafted. She picked it up, with caution since the last time she had seen this rose it had meant that everywhere it touched Jenny, Julian had been able to touch her there also, inverting the laws of the Shadow World. Jenny was certain the rose hadn't been in this room before she had started running her bath. She hadn't heard Julian come in but then again, he was the Shadow Man, silent as the creeping darkness waiting for his prey. She shuddered at the memories of him telling her how he watched her all day and night, completely silent in the shadows. He wasn't here with her now though so she shook the memories away, picked up the rose, and preceded back towards her steaming bath which was ready for her now.

Undressing quickly Jenny stepped into the deep bath and let the warmth envelop her. It was wonderful. For a minute she just let the heat wash over her and shut her eyes. The scent of the oils were relaxing her as well, allowing her to clear her head so she could think.

The last year had been a blur of danger and frustration, fighting between Tom and Julian, and coming to terms with Summer's death. A lump caught in her throat every time she thought of the innocent blue eyed girl whom she had loved so much and taken under her wing. But instead of protecting her she had killed her. Tears pricked at Jenny's eyes as she remembered her friend. However anger rose within her also; she wasn't so sure if it was entirely her fault anymore. Julian had killed her, not Jenny. It had been Julian who had insisted on them playing the game, who had failed to rescue poor Summer from her nightmare when it collapsed in on her, quite literally. Yet it had also been Julian who had provided opportunities for Jenny to save her friends. Well she had protected them now. She let out a deep sigh. At least now that she had decided to surrender herself to Julian the rest of her friends would be safe.

However something else nagged her, something she had suppressed for a long time. The simple fact was she wouldn't actually mind spending eternity with Julian. This knowledge twisted in her like a knife; she should want Tom and fight Julian to stay with Tom and her friends just as she had in the past. But the truth was Jenny had changed. She couldn't pinpoint exactly how but she now craved a wilder, more adventurous existence. Plus the fighting with Tom when she needed him most had revealed an ugly side of him to her, and also of herself. She should not have let him ignore her as he did, blame her for what happened in the first game; they had all taken the Oath, and Jenny had fought Julian at every turn. Even when he had seduced her, she still pulled away and continued fighting for Tom. But he had changed that. She wanted more than a surly teenage boy. Julian was exciting and he wanted her, more than anything else in all of the nine worlds. And in a sense Jenny wanted him. She did love him. It would always be different from Tom, less comforting perhaps, but it would be much more intense and electric. She wasn't ready for physical contact with Julian though, not yet.

As Jenny let her thoughts absorb her she had unknowingly been twisting the silver rose around and around until she realised that the stem of the rose was different than how she remembered it. Words were engraved upon it, reading the familiar lines, 'All I refuse, and thee I chuse', words which were engraved into the ring Julian had given her after the first game, the same ring she had also thrown at him when she'd left him after deceiving him. Even so, the inscription on the rose was different. She felt it to be a message from Julian to her, giving her the decision of whether or not to refuse everyone and to choose him, just as he had chosen her years ago. It was reassuring, not threatening or pressurizing. Perhaps he had forgiven her for last time, she wondered.

By surrendering herself to Julian she had, in a sense, chosen him above all others. But she had lost the game and this would have been the result anyway, it was just easier to go willingly. She did feel something for him beneath her pain though, yet these emotions also included intense anger and agony towards him. She would meet with him tonight and try to express herself, if not for Julian's sake then for her own. She needed answers, she needed apologies, and she needed some peace from her conscience.

Suddenly she shivered. She had been in the bath so long that it had become lukewarm and she was getting cold. Placing the silver rose on the wicker chair, Jenny climbed out of the bath and shrouded herself within fluffy white towels and matching slippers. She didn't need any more time to think, not yet anyway. She was too exhausted to think beyond what she had decided.

Quickly she padded out of the bathroom and lay down on one of the cushions in the third room. She was so tired and before she realised it she had fallen fast asleep, utterly exhausted.

"Jenny, Jenny", a soft voice whispered, gently shaking her. She stirred and sleepily swatted away whatever was attempting to rouse her from her peaceful slumber. It was the best sleep she had in, oh she couldn't remember when. No dreaming, no nightmares. But now someone was waking her up.

"Go away", she murmured. She heard a chuckle, although it sounded far, far away.

"Come on darling", and before she could realise Julian lifted her and carried her out of her haven, up to the second floor, and into a large grand bedroom with a king size bed. All through this Jenny just snuggled into Julian's chest as he carried her. Laying her gently onto the soft bed Julian considered making her more comfortable; the one thing Julian was concerned with was whether he should put Jenny in a night dress or leave her as she was. Problem was she was still damp from her bath. He decided to put her in a night dress so she wouldn't be sore tomorrow. He didn't pry on her naked body, much as he'd have liked too, and quickly got rid of the towels and placed the nightgown over her head. The silky fabric slipped through his fingers as he carefully slid it down her body. "Goodnight Jenny", he whispered as he tucked her up into bed and kissed the top of her head. Sighing, Jenny rolled over and continued sleeping. She looked so peaceful and so beautiful it took Julian's breath away. Being a Shadow Man sleep would never prevail over him however, he spent the night next to Jenny, watching over her, wondering what decision she could possibly have made over her situation.

Jenny woke, hours later, feeling surprisingly refreshed. Blearily she opened her eyes; it was dark in the room but it wasn't a room she recognised. Her stomach somersaulted as she discovered no recognition of where she was. Panicking she rolled over to her other side, only to be startled by the sight of Julian next to her, reclined next to her, but very much awake.

"Good morning sleepy head", he smiled.

"Erm…Julian, where am I? And how did I get into this," she rolled the silky nightdress between her fingers. She noticed Julian's face looked oddly uncomfortable all of a sudden. Mumbling he answered, "Well you were damp from the towels… a-and I didn't want you to be sore and, and, Jenny I didn't look I promise you. I would never take advantage of you here now you've promised yourself completely to me. I didn't pry… I wouldn't… not without your permission." She was somewhat touched by how sheepish he looked.

"It's okay. Thank you for making sure I was comfortable." She tried to reassure him with a smile. "But Julian, if I must say, I am famished."

"Are you?" He cocked his head inquisitively to the side.

Jenny hastily corrected herself, "For….for breakfast Julian, for breakfast. I'm starving!" What on earth had come over her? Only last night she had decided she wasn't ready to have any sexual kind of relationship with him, yet here she was, suggesting that very thing to him!

Julian watched her for a moment, and then brusquely stood up and gestured towards the door, "This way then ma-am." Jenny giggled; she had always loved playful Julian. "Wait a second ma-am. I'm sorry but you are hardly appropriately dressed for such an elegant banquet as we serve here", and he pulled a fluffy white dressing gown from the back of the door and gave it to Jenny. "Wouldn't want you to get cold", he winked, and then proceeded to lead her down the stairs to the ground floor, all the while holding her hand. He was being so lovely this morning, Jenny thought as Julian led her. He was so pleasant when he was like this however she unfortunately knew that it would only be a matter of time before his mood could switch where he would become cruel and difficult. Although that had been during the games, she noted, so perhaps he would remain this light-hearted now he had her? Once downstairs Julian led her down another familiar corridor, and then stopped at a double door entrance. Opening both doors for Jenny he revealed the most magnificent dining room Jenny had ever seen. It took her breath away.

Deep crimson walls met her eyes where beautifully framed landscapes hung on the walls, and then her eyes were caught by a thousand glittering jewels within chandeliers which hung from the ceiling. There were so many, possibly thirty, not to mention the grandest chandelier of them all, which was placed above an unbelievably long, rich mahogany table. Jenny's bare feet tapped on the polished floor as she stumbled into the room, utterly dazed. "Julian", she breathed, "is there any place in this house that isn't going to amaze me?"

"I hope not", smirked Julian. "Please, sit down." He pulled out one of the ornate chairs at the table for her and she sat down, still gazing around the room, continuing to be impressed at everything she saw. However Julian wasn't finished yet.
"Here, take your pick beautiful", and with a tap on the table, an entire banquet appeared before Jenny. Anything she could possibly have wanted to eat materialised right in front of her. When she sought the table for some orange juice it miraculously appeared on her right side. "Well?" inquired Julian, searching her face for an answer.

"Julian, this is all so… there's so much to take in!"

"I know. But I wanted you to know you literally can have anything you desire when you are with me."

Jenny breathed, getting herself back into focus. Yes she was definitely impressed, but she seriously did need to talk to Julian, to learn some things and tell him how she was feeling. It was important, if not to him then definitely to her.

She looked up from the table to meet Julian's gaze. Patiently he had been watching her, waiting for her to speak. "Errr, Julian, there are some things I wanted to um, to, speak to you about…." She trailed off, naively hoping he would interrupt her which of course he didn't. Instead he just stared at her with those beautiful, icy, piercing, blue eyes. Distracted Jenny shook her head to get back to her point. "Leaving the others, my friends, is hard Julian. But I've changed and I can't explain it. It's like I crave your danger, the side of you I fear. You know, feared in the game as it always meant you were raising the stakes," she quickly checked herself when his face changed expression. "But now I crave that unpredictability. And it scares me Julian; my feelings have changed towards you which is all very new to me. I've been fighting you for so long but I think all I ever really wanted was to be with you." She looked up at Julian, who remained impassive as ever. Either he was genuinely feeling calm, or he was showing considerable restraint on other emotions. Regardless she continued, "However, Julian, you killed Summer and I don't think I can forgive you for that. I know you state it was just part of the game but you're lying. You could have saved her. You led the game, you were in charge of it, and that knowledge sickens me. For so long I blamed myself for her death but it was you. It was your fault all along!" Unexpectedly Jenny's voice had risen. Breathing she calmed herself down, to regain focus and emotional restraint. She wanted to be strong in this conversation, not an emotional wreck; there would be time for that later. "I just don't think I know you very well Julian. I'll be honest, I'm not ready to… you know… do anything with you yet," she blushed, "but I would like to give a relationship with you a good go." The last part she had blurted out in a hurry but still, she had said everything she wanted to, at least for now.

All this time Julian had been absolutely silent and still, patiently waiting for Jenny to finish. Now that she had he smiled, taking Jenny by surprise.

"You're…you're not mad?" she inquired gently.

"Are you kidding Jenny? You've made me the happiest I have ever been. But now I want to return a favour. Come with me." He bolted out of his seat, grabbed Jenny's hand and practically hauled her out of the chair to leave the room. He took her back to her space and through to the room with the giant pane of glass in it.

"Come here", he hurriedly pushed her towards the glass. "Touch it", he instructed.

"What?"

"Touch it. Place your palm on the glass."

Confused Jenny did as he told her; a sudden warmth leapt underneath her palm and she quickly withdrew it. The warmth underneath her hands was a pink colour and this colour spread until it had covered the entire screen.

"Say a name. Any name", Julian urged.

"Erm…Mum", was the first thought that came into Jenny's head. A video of her mum suddenly appeared on the screen. Jenny started, shocked into disbelief.

"It's so you don't feel utterly separate from your loved ones Jenny". Jenny could only nod in response, utterly dumbfounded. Clearly Julian hadn't realised when he set this up for her how it would make her feel because Jenny was in more pain than she could express. Unknown to her tears flowed down her cheeks, blurring her vision as she watched her mum who was also crying. It was almost a reflection of Jenny herself, except that it wasn't. She was in the Shadow World, away from everyone she ever knew. Sharp pains were stabbing her. She was struggling to breath, her eyes were swimming with tears and her body was falling into a heap on the floor. She clutched her knees and rocked, trying to regain control of herself as sobs racked her body.

"Jenny…."

"Get out." Jenny whispered, her eyes still fixed upon the screen.

"Please Jenny I…."

"GET OUT!" Jenny screamed, throwing a cushion at Julian's face. His eyes widened in shock but he quickly left. Now he had gone Jenny could freely cry; she could cry about everything at last. She'd tried to be so strong and in control of herself, but the fact was Julian had taken her away from everyone and everything. He was cruel and selfish. Yes he loved her, but perhaps it wasn't enough.
"Tom", she croaked. The screen changed to show a boy she had once known, except she no longer recognised him. He was sitting in his bedroom, in the dark. He looked pale, thin, and ill, just sitting there, not doing anything. He wasn't even crying. And it broke Jenny's heart. She didn't care about all the fights they'd had, none of it mattered, if only she could return to normal life. She very well might have changed, but she could change back, couldn't she?

Disregarding her last thought she turned her attention back to the screen. There was one final name she desperately wanted to say, but it would be the most painful of them all. "Summer", she whispered.

"Stop this", Julian commanded. He had materialised next to her. His presence caused whatever image was coming up to vanish.

"I thought I told you to get out", Jenny rasped through gritted teeth. She was never angry, yet now she was furious.

"You said you would try a relationship with me. I'm sorry Jenny. I'm sorry I've taken you away from your world. I can't live without you, can't you understand that?" Julian looked at her pleadingly with his striking eyes.

"Oh yes I can Julian, you're such a selfish bastard you'd do anything to have me. You even killed Summer to get to me. Summer, a girl who had more innocence and goodness in her than anyone else could possibly imagine. And you murdered her."

"Jenny, I couldn't do anything. She agreed to the game, just like the rest of you. Besides, I gave you plenty of chances to save your friends…" At least he had the grace to look at his feet then, Jenny thought bitterly.

"Agreed?" She retorted. "Haha, agreed?" Pure rage was surfacing inside her; she could literally feel it. She felt like a dormant volcano which was about to burn everything in its path. "Oh yes, we all agreed to play a game which only a moron would think would actually come true to the letter! You played a dirty trick Julian, and you killed her. Just admit it." Full of rage and fire Jenny stood up, her hair flowing around her like a lion's mane. She stood herself right in front of Julian and spat at him, "Just admit that you are the most abhorrent thing to ever exist."

He reacted as though she'd slapped him. Yet he stood his ground. "I didn't kill Summer," he whispered so quietly Jenny wasn't sure if she'd heard him. Suddenly all of the fight within her dissipated. "What?" she whispered back. Julian cleared his throat.
"I didn't kill her. You did."

Jenny stepped back, in disbelief. "No I didn't" she choked.

"I gave you every chance to save her. You knew she wouldn't survive the game, she was too fragile. But even with this knowledge you still would have saved Tom." He spat out the name. His eyes had darkened and malice had replaced any previous good humour. "Tom, who was never good enough for you, never would be good enough for you. Don't try and deny it Jenny, you're just as selfish as I am."

There was a definite pause whilst he let Jenny absorb this.

Silently she shook her head, no words coming out. Inside her world was tumbling down; she could have saved Summer, but so could he. "You were in charge of the rules Julian. You should have saved her. But you didn't. You couldn't love me enough; no you wanted to hurt me because I refused you. You couldn't bear not getting what you wanted." She had squared up to him in powerful defiance. She looked beautiful, Julian though, utterly wild and passionate and beautiful. She noticed his gaze and blushed, suddenly quelled. "What?"
"It's nothing you just… you have changed. You're so beautiful like this. So angry and wild and passionate. You're right, I did want to hurt you. You had made me jealous, but that's just how I am Jenny. But you're right, I am the selfish one, not you. You are my light to darkness and I love you. Which is why I couldn't kill Summer…" he trailed off. Jenny stood there, stunned into silence. Her eyes widened, questioning. "I'd never hurt someone who had been so kind and loving to you as she. This was meant to be the surprise I had for you…" and he gently placed her palm on the screen again and said, "Summer".

The rose hue of the screen gradually turned to a tranquil blue and in the midst of the colour Jenny could make out a tiny figure. It was Summer, huddled in a bundle on a bed, fast asleep. Jenny could actually see her breathing. Summer was alive! A huge weight lifted off from Jenny. Tears pricked her eyes again but she wasn't going to let this sight be blurred.

"See", Julian stated.

She didn't know where Summer was but it was clear she was safe and peaceful. Swallowing the lump in her throat Jenny turned to face him. "I'm sorry Julian. I'm so sorry. I was just upset… it's hard for me! So hard and this…this thing", she gestured to the glass, "was a real shock for me. I didn't expect it and it hurt. It hurts knowing I can never return." Julian merely lowered his eyes, staying silent.

"You willingly came with me Jenny, I didn't force you."

"I know," and she moved up to him and kissed him. Not gently but passionately, pouring all her relief into this one kiss. The passionate display of hers a mere few minutes ago reminded her yet again that she really had changed. Julian's fingers trapped themselves in her hair, pulling her face closer to his, ravishing her lips with urgency. Her hand grasped the back of his neck, wanting him as much as he wanted her, needed her. But there was one more thing she wanted to ask him. Gasping for breath she pulled away. "Hang on Julian. Wait. I wanted to ask you something." Julian cocked his head to one side, waiting. "Is there a way of me getting some sort of message to my friends to tell them I am okay? I hate seeing them like this."
"There might be but Jenny, I need you to promise yourself to me."
"I already have."
"No, I mean, like before. I want to go through the ceremony again, only this time you have to mean it. You choose me, only me. All I refuse and thee I chuse."
There was silence as Jenny thought it over. "Is this a proposal?" she asked.

"Yes," and he presented her with the silver rose she had left in the bathroom last night. She took it. "Do you want time to think it over?" he asked. Jenny shook her head. "Then what is your answer?"
"Yes." Julian stepped away, completely taken aback by her surety. "Yes, I will marry you Julian."

"You will?" He breathed. He couldn't believe it; she was going to be his, completely.

"Yes. And I'm sorry for losing my temper earlier. I was very upset. You didn't take me by force, I came of my own free will and I shouldn't have acted like that. I just didn't expect to see my mum that way, and Tom and/"

"/Shhhh" Julian placed a finger on her lips. "Don't mention it again my darling. Please don't mention him again, it'll only cause you pain. You were always too good for him anyway. Come, I'd love to show you the rest of the house, would you like to see it?" His sudden change of mood startled her, but he was pleased when Jenny consented. "You'll love it Jenny, you'll really love it. And then afterwards we'll look into sending a message to your friends." Kissing her briefly they departed from the room, Julian eager and all bright again and Jenny feeling considerably better with the knowledge that Summer was alive. Of course Julian's words still cut into her like a knife but they had been in the heat of the moment. Still, she would have to be unbelievably careful. She desperately wanted to contact her friends. She especially needed to contact Tom.

Before they left the television like room Julian glanced back, watching the screen returning back to transparent glass. But not before he had the chance to grin maliciously at it. So long as Jenny thought Summer was still alive, everything would be fine, and she would be his.

A/N PLEASE SEE THE NEW VERSION OF THE SACRIFICE WHICH I WILL BE WORKING ON NOW BECAUSE THIS REALLY WAS JUST A HORRIFIC VOMIT-INDUCING ATTEMPT AT WRITING. APOLOGIES READERS. I HOPE YOU PREFER MY SECOND ATTEMPT A LOT MORE!