I woke that morning refreshed, energized and terrified. As I lay in bed I hoped the whole thing had been a weird dream but I opened my eyes to see that I was still in the musty old room of the bar. I had been up most of the night practising what little magic I knew, hoping it would be enough. I checked myself over and found several large bruises but nothing I wouldn't live through.

I had a plan, but my lack of knowledge of this magical world meant it was risky but I was headed to my death and I was desperate I had to take my chances.

Unsure of the time I climbed up the desk to look out the window, there was little light and with my limited view I couldn't really see much, but I knew it was early morning. My stomach growled loudly, I realised how hungry I was. I really wished I had made it to the café instead of stopping to talk to a statue. What is wrong with me?

I jumped off the desk and went back to sit on the bed and wait for my captors.

Suddenly Dragonclaw appeared in the middle of the room in a swirl of shadows.

I jumped back in surprise "you can teleport?"

"It's not teleporting, it's shadow walking." He threw a wrapped sandwich onto the bed next to me.

"Eat. Then be ready to leave."

"Sure just let me put on my make-up" I said sarcastically

"I may need you alive but I don't need you unharmed" he threatened.

I looked at the sandwich "Thrasher didn't touch that did he?"

"Thrasher is out recruiting."

I suddenly felt a pang of guilt for all the people about to be bitten.

"That was from a nearby store. Now eat."

"Ok ok, because I am in such a rush to die."

He glared at me and the shadows in the room quivered menacingly.

And then against everything my mother taught me I took a bite. It was actually pretty good. But maybe that was just because I hadn't eaten in about 15 hours.

After I had eaten, Dragonclaw brought in rope and tied my hands.

"Is this really necessary?"

"Yes, so that you can't escape."

"You're a full grown man who can control shadows and I'm a 16 year old girl"

"You have a point."

"Besides wouldn't it be suspicious if we were seen?"

"You're right" He agreed "but if you try to run, you won't live to regret it."

"I won't live either way" I muttered.

We left the bar and I started over to the ice-cream van.

"Not so fast. We're walking. It's not too far from here."

Oh no, part of my plan involved trying to crash the van.

"Really? You're secret hideout is so close to the government area you're going to break into?"

"Start walking"

I did, keeping a slow pace to give me time to think. What do I do? If the zombies are successful then they will occupy all the security, but they can't be that stupid. Wouldn't all entrances be guarded?

"Hurry up" he said gruffly giving me a shove.

Ok think what do we know? Not much. But I can move small objects, but not enough to do any real damage; I can also make a spark but can't sustain it. I didn't have any water to work with and didn't even get up to the part about earth.

I heard a scream; we must be near the zombie horde. "This way" he said tugging me off the footpath and into the forest. We continued walking for a few minutes, him holding my arm firmly. Until we came to a small shed.

We entered and I looked around. There was nothing in here but a small pile of hay. But Dragonclaw continued towards they hay and dug around until he opened a trap door in the floor.

"Go." He said nodding towards the door.

I descended the steps down into the earth and came to a long dark tunnel.

"Not too different from the supplies entrance to the Temple" Dragonclaw mused.

I didn't get it.

The tunnel wasn't well lit and we walked in silence for a few minutes, then I realised the ground was sloping upwards and we turned a corner to a single lantern hanging on the wall next to a heavy looking door. Dragonclaw sent a wave of shadows at it and it crashed open.

"I bet someone heard that" I said

Dragonclaw stopped and took out the rope. He tied it around my waist and held the end like a lead.

Then we entered the Sanctuary and I began to panic. He started walking briskly while I lagged behind trying to find a way out, a hiding place, a security guard, anything. I was getting desperate. I felt my pockets, a safety pin! Suddenly a plan came to mind.

Dragonclaw gave a tug on the rope and I stumbled forward.

Ok clear my mind and relax. I flexed my palm and the safety pin shot forward, then I twisted my wrist and it hit him in the side of the neck.

"Aaargh!" He turned to see where the pin had come from and I took my chance I tugged the rope out of his hand and ran for it. The Sanctuary was a maze of corridors which I used to my advantage took corners and finally saw an open door which I ducked into. I held my back to the wall trying to catch my breath. I waited nothing. I peered around the door and saw no one. I lost him.

Now what? Do I wait here for someone to find me? Or should I go and try to get out? In this maze I would probably just get even more lost.

I decided to wait it out for a while and then go find someone who is hopefully on my side.

I checked the room I was in. It looked like a meeting room. There was a long table surrounded my chairs and at the head were three large chairs. I'm guessing the Sanctuary has three leaders.

There was an old tapestry on the wall but other than that the walls were bare.

I sat in one of the chairs to think what to do. In just two days I have been kidnapped, met zombies and learnt magic, and now I'm in a strange building in a town I've never heard of. And the worst part is, I'm all alone and no one knows where I am.

A loud boom broke the silence as a door crashed open. I instantly dove under the table and hoped they didn't see me.

"What do you mean gone?"

"I mean what I mean, she's gone"

Two pairs of feet came into view, one with very good taste in shoes.

"But she's been in comatose! And she was in a maximum security facility there were 2 Cleavers at the door!"

"They were fending off the zombies sir, they did so but there were so many that they were... occupied."

"Do we know who could have done this? It must have been a necromancer"

"We believe so, but can't be certain. It's not safe to jump to conclusions."

"We should call in Skulduggery and Valkyrie, have they been notified?"

"Not yet sir, should I..?"

"No, no I'll do it."

"As you wish Elder Bespoke."

The man named Elder Bespoke left the room and the remaining pair of feet started pacing the floor, they paused, I held my breath. But then another pair of feet entered through the door. I could tell this one was a woman by the click of her heels.

"Are you sure it is wise to meet here of all places?"

"Ghastly?" she asked

"Gone to inform Pleasant and Cain."

"As I thought he would, does he suspect?"

"He believes it to be a necromancer, and he is correct, but he and Dragonclaw are both unaware of the plan. Dragonclaw is, as you know, so incompetent. I wanted no contact but he failed to recover the information he needed."

"Yes but the deed is done and Dragonclaw, with his many flaws is still well adept at covering all traces."

"But Pleasant and Cain will figure it out and pursue him, and when they do we will act."

"But what of Meloncholia? She is still in comatose and the necromancers have no way to revive her. Without her they are no threat."

"I have a plan to get what they need to them, and she is no real threat as Doctor Nye has undone most of the symbols carved into her, but even then she is still enough of a challenge for Pleasant and Cain and so will provide a perfect distraction."

"Excellent."

"I must go, the zombies are being dealt with."

"I will send word when to act."

And then they both left. I sat there under the table and thought about what I had just heard. Pleasant and Cain, they sound like the good guys, and these two, like traitors. But how can I be sure? I need to tell someone, but I have to make sure I tell the right people.

How did I get so involved in all this?