Author's Note: As always, thanks to my faithful reviewers Dr. Lust, Celtic Aurora, and Elwyndra. Also, the answer to my contest question was 1888. Take that, Shades! Told you I was right! I have a new contest at the bottom!


Four

Melannen dragged Sabrina out to the edge of town, then Shades pointed her sword at the girl's throat again.

"Please," Sabrina begged, "don't."

Melannen looked from Shades to Sabrina, and Van Helsing suddenly realized what she was about to do. He stepped forward now, and Melannen gave him a curious look.

"You have information for us," he said, "and we'd like to know it."

Understanding lit in Melannen's and Sabrina's eyes in the exact same instant. Melannen motioned to Shades, who sheathed her sword. Cautiously, Sabrina spoke.

"Before I tell you anything," she began, "you must know I never wanted to do this. I was threatened by Maximus. He told me that if I ever revealed his secrets, he would kill me. But now, I have been trained to lie so well that even he would never find out if I told anyone.

"There is only one way he can be killed, if you would call it that," she continued, becoming less cautious now, "You noticed that when you sprayed him with Holy Water, he was reduced to ashes, but yet came back. The way to kill him is to spray Holy Water where his heart should be. I only say 'should be' because I doubt he has a heart anymore, cruel as he is."

At the end of this speech, Melannen nodded to Shades. "We'll have to find him," she said, to unanimous agreement.

"But we don't know where he is!" Shades protested.

"You will not have to go very far," Sabrina replied, "He is looking for you two." She said this looking directly at Gabriel and Melannen.

"How insightful, Sabrina," a voice, seemingly from nowhere, hissed.

Sabrina's face went white with pure terror, and Shades drew her sword.

"Show yourself, Maximus, you demon!" Shades called out, her sword at the ready.

"With pleasure," the Maximus replied, and he stepped out of his hiding place. "Hypnosia!"

"Dissera!" Sabrina shouted in reply, throwing red shield around herself as the narcotic spell took its toll on the others, sending them into the black oblivion of unconsciousness.


When Melannen woke, she was in a small cell, a cell she knew from an earlier time.

She was in Maximus' castle. And she was a prisoner.

"Ah, good, you're awake," Maximus purred from the other side of the bars. Melannen quickly glanced around. Sabrina stood beside Maximus like a faithful pet, but otherwise there was no one in the room.

"I was not alone when you took me," she snapped at him, venom in her voice, "Where are the others? What have you done with my friends?"

Melannen gritted her teeth as Maximus sneered at her.

"Oh, don't worry," he said sadistically, "You're friends will be just fine. So long as you give me the answers I need."

Then Sabrina interjected. "My lord," she said, sounding delighted with her suggestion, "it will probably be a while before this one talks. Perhaps I should stay and interrogate her, and give you her answer when she reveals it?"

Maximus looked thoughtful for a moment. "That is a fantastic idea," he praised her, and she went red with pleasure. "Why don't you do that? I'll be back in an hour to check on your progress."

The second Maximus had left the room; Sabrina pulled a hair pin out of her pocket and began furiously picking the lock.

"What the hell are you doing?" Melannen hissed, "He'll kill you if you let me loose!"

"He's got worse planned for you," Sabrina whispered back, "and he's put a charm on the lock. You won't be able to use your powers to unlock it."

As soon as she said this, the lock clicked open and Maximus flew in the door, rage in his eyes.

"I knew it!" he shrieked at Sabrina, "You filthy, double-crossing traitor!"

Sabrina smirked, totally calm. "I guess now you know," she said solemnly, "that when you teach someone to double-cross people, you'll eventually end up double-crossed yourself."

Maximus screamed with rage, and furiously refastened the lock on Melannen's cell. The last thing the unfortunate girl saw before the door to the prison slammed shut was Maximus dragging Sabrina out.

"Goodbye," Sabrina called, "I hope I may die knowing justice will be served."


Author's Note: Okay! I promised you guys all a contest, so here it is: We all know Gabriel is an archangel. There are also two other named archangels in the Bible. What are their names?

The prize: a copy of Rhiannon here's original story/book, e-mailed chapter by chapter!

Wait a sec; we don't have anyone on underlined text, do we?

Melannen? When the heck did you get here?

That's what I'd like to know.

A few minutes ago. Gabriel, you left the screen off the window when you snuck in again.

Drat.

All right, looks like I got me a new muse! Welcome to the club, Melannen! Next chapter: The trap is set, and Melannen's the bait!

Bait? What do you mean, bait?!