Chapter4

Myrnin opened a portal to one of the tunnels to the great ballroom. It was the same ballroom , Bishop chose, to manifest his rule over Morgaville.

The tunnel was dark and uncompftable. Flashlights were handed out for non-Vampires. Claire almost wished, that she could go thru those tunnels without any light. She did not like the glowing eyes reflecting from the flashlights or see dark shadows hushing over from corner to corner. She stayed close to Shane and avoided any eye contact with anybody else.

After a few uncomftable minutes, which seemed to her almost like an eternity, the little group stood in front of the doors to the long hallway, which lead to the big ballroom.

Michael opened the doors quietly and Vampires and Humans alike, entered the corridor which was covered with a thick , red carpet.

Oliver turned around and showed almost a wicked grin:" Showtime!"

Shane, Hanna, Richard and the 4 Vampires moved to the side corridor, which was leading to the outside. Before they left, Shane turned around one last time to face Claire, embraced her with his arms and kissed her long on the lips. It seemed , he wanted to say something, but he didn't. He looked at Michael and whispered :" ...if anything happens to her, I will kill you - you know that you sucker.", and with that , he fist bummed Michael.

Boys, Claire thought, they never seem to understand the seriousness of a situation, and with that, Shane and the others were gone.

Claire and the rest of the group stayed hidden in one of the rooms leading to the great ballroom, until they heard the signal - which was violent commotion in front of the building. They heard doors open and shut and heavy footsteps running down the hallway. Claire saw fire outside and people fighting - one of them - Shane, but she did not have much time to think about it. Oliver turned towards her :" ...now it is your turn Claire..., are you sure you can do that? "

Michael punned in :" Nobody said, that you have to be the prime bait...".

" I know Michael - remember , it was me, who suggested it in the first place. I am like...nothing...I am dispensable. I am the perfect bait for him.." and Claire tried to smile, to boost his and foremost her confidence.

" I have to agree with Michael...", Myrnin said quietly :" ...you are the least dispensable of all of us, but I know you good enough, to know, that there is no way I can change your mind. If you die, I just have to teach a new assistant and you know how hard that is for me ..." , Myrnin looked desperate when he said that. His big , brown eyes almost crying out to her, but her decision was standing.

" Just be on time...", and with that, Claire walked to the big ballroom and opened the doors.

The room was lit with thousands of candles, which actually gave it a very romantic ambient. Magnus was sitting at the other end of the room - king like- just as Bishop on the night of the feast. He did not even look up, clearly , he did not feel threatened at all.

Claire heard the fight going on outside and almost felt like giving a little cough, to make her presents clear. Just t that moment, Magnus looked up and straight into Claire's eyes. She froze right there - right now, but she knew she had to fight this feeling.

She stood still and waited till Magnus started talking." Claire Danvers, I heard about you, about your relationship with Amalie. You are quite impressive for a Human. You look so..., so small, so fragile. So easy to break...I wonder if they talked about someone else...but then, you wouldn't be here, right?" , his voice high pitched, not at all like an almost all powerful entity

." Yes, I am Claire and Amelie is NOT a friend of mine! "

" Surprising", Magnus said calm. " Believeing some of my acquaintance, your statement is the total opposite of theirs. Why are you here? To kill me? To save your so precious town and the beloved people of Morganville ?". He sounded amused.

" I am here to speak to you and offer you a deal. I know how much - YOU people like to make deals "

" Don't mistake me for a Vampire, Claire Danvers, I am so much more than that", but with that he waved Claire closer to him.

Claire slowly walked up to the throne, to Magnus. Every fiber in her body screamed not to get too close to him, but she had to - " Showtime"- she heard Oliver's voice in her head - " Showtime" !

Magnus was maybe an almost all powerful being, but he was curious.