All the characters mentioned in this fanfic are not my own but belong to the wonderful Kim Harrison. Enjoy! x

Chapter 7 – End of The Show

My blood freezes in my vein's as does my breath in my lungs. What the hell is he doing here! Usually in this position I would throw my head back and smack my opponent in the face but as it is, this is Rynn Cormell behind me. His arm tightens around my waist painfully as though he knows my thoughts. If he wanted to he could break me in half with that arm. So why hasn't he? And what the hell is he doing here? Don't panic Rache, take a breath assess your situation. Trying to find the nearest line I find one about a mile from here. Any magic would be weak however due to the sea salt around the docks. My eye's have adjusted to the light and I can see we are in fact in the main warehouse. Those wooden crates litter the room's perimeter but the actual floor area is dusty concrete and clear. Large chains hang from the metal rafters and wicked looking hooks dangle from their ends. I gulp trying to control my fear. I can't excite him anymore than he probably already is. Inhaling again Rynn whispers "Too late for that Rachael. So responsive…...how Ivy and Kisten didn't have you right away I will never know."

Stiffening in his arms I grit "What the hell is this Cormell, declaration of love? Get the hell off me or I'm gonna kill you dead three times." If only my body could back up those words. Chuckling, his arm loosens slightly but a hand reaches round to trail a cold finger down my cheek "Love? No. But a declaration…I suppose it is. I will declare sweet Rachael that you have finally bought me to my wits end. In effect leading us to this moment in time" Not liking the way he said that I stiffen again. The vamps gone crazy! my logical Rachael screams. I start to spindle as much energy as my chi can hold.

Confused, scared and pissed off I hiss "What the hell are you talking about? Let me go now or I swear to all tha-" His arms release me and I whirl around to see his arms spread out to the side in an innocent gesture and his face relaxed but for the excitement in his eye's. Bracing my feet apart I take on a fighting stance ready for any surprises. It's just me and him in here. Still eerily quiet. I have a sudden thought that strikes me cold. "What did you do with Jenk's?" When he doesn't answer I scream "What did you do you piece of shit!"

Face blank of emotion, eye's studying me he say's quietly "Master Jenk's is well. Just taking a much needed nap." Furious that he would dare touch the pixie I said "If you've so much as hurt a speck of dust on him there's nothing in this world that will save you Cormell." One side of his mouth lifts "So responsive." He whispers as though to himself but his glee is soon replaced with a look of regret. It makes me edgy. Out loud Rynn said "Do you know why you're here Rachael? No?" Nodding when I just glare back he starts to walk a little circular pace and continues , " I would like for you to believe when I say that I will not enjoy tonight. It is with a deepest regret that it should play out at all."

I really don't like what his words seem to imply but I listen because I still have no idea what's going on. Where are the four warlock wanna be's and this Charlotte lady? Confusion isn't the word for it. I was in control just moments ago and now I'm in the dark and I don't like it. One. Little. Bit.

Rynn's still talking "I had hoped that you and Ivy would have formed some kind of blood balance by now but I see that's not changed, nor do I think it will. I have given Ivy much more leniency than I would any of my other cast. Is it wrong for a man in my position to show favoritism? Yes. But with her I find I always perform the opposite." He looks up with a small smile as though laughing at his own weakness. Waiting for the catch here I said "If you wanted to confess your sins to a girl Cormell I gotta say there's easier ways than this."

Now standing still he faces me with arms folded behind his back. "Patience Rachael. You're a smart woman. I would like for you to hear the why's of what I do before tonight's plans unfold." Once he see's I'm listening again he continues, "I have worked hard to achieve a better way of living for my people and they have become loyal in the process. They look to me for safety, assurance that the old way's of being hunted and enslaved shall never resurface. I find myself somewhat humbled yet wholly responsible for their lives. You can see why any threat, no matter how small, would cause me great concern?"

I think I see where he's heading. More confident now I spit out "I am no threat to you or yours Cormell. I love Ivy and would never do anything to harm her, big or small." Rynn cocks his head and stares down at me. Taking a deep breath he said "But you already have Rachael." What? Looking up he shouts out into the space behind "Bring them!" With a feeling of dread I turn to the main floor.

A door I didn't notice in the far left opens and out walks a male vampire, clad in head to toe military black. No obvious weapons that I can see. He stand's to the side and holds the door open. The sound of heavy metal wheels rolling against a gritted floor comes from within the now open doorway along with the footfalls of a large number of bodies. Shuffling backwards trying to get that wall against my back again I hiss at Rynn, "What did you do?" Ignoring my movements he stands proud facing the room and simply say's "What you both drove me to."

What the fuck does that mean! Oh god I don't wanna know what's coming through that door. Want to look away but force myself not to. The approaching noises get louder and two more vampires enter the room. Again both in military black, both expressionless. A commotion at the door brings my attention back. A fourth vampire rolls in a chrome lab table that's propped upright and attached to the table is struggling Ivy. Running forward I scream, "Ivy!" But the two vampires that walked in before move with a speed too fast for the human eye and I'm suddenly held between fleshy vices.

Kicking down into the vamp on my lefts calf I try to break bone but he remains blank staring straight ahead. I kindle my line energy and blast him with a push back spell and he goes flying into one of the many wooden crates. I do the same with the vamp at my right. Now free I charge forward only to be slammed down on the floor where my breath leaves me on a whoosh. Strong arms pick me up then band around me only to crush to the point I think I might pass out. With the little breath I have I left I mumble the curse that will fry this asshole behind but before I can finish a hand reaches round to hold my jaw and squeezes so that I can't talk.

Rynn walks into my line of sight shaking his head, hands behind his back. He warns "I wouldn't. Look at them Rachael, do you want them to hurt?" He said them. Looking away from Rynn and back to Ivy I see that a second lab table has appeared but this one holds a hysterical Nina. Frantic now I scream "What are you doing to them you bastard!" Rynn walk's over to the lab tables and picks up a remote control of some kind from Nina's. Holding it up he says "This Rachael, is a control for the adjustments on these tables you see here. If you look closely you will see that surrounding Ivy and Nina both, are some tiny pressure valves. Each one of these valves holds a thick needle and is placed a centimetre from their major blood pressure points. If I were to press this button here the needle would move down and slice into their flesh thereby causing an outpour of much needed blood. Do you understand?"

Shaking with fury I look to Ivy and see the tiny pieces of equipment dotted around her lithe frame. She has a gag in her mouth but staring into her eye's I see she's terrified and can't help but think this is the first she's heard of Rynn's toys too. Glaring at Rynn I whisper "You bastard. You goddamn bastard." Looking hurt he said "This is why I wanted you to hear me out. I didn't want this Rachael but I have to do it now. I could have left you both alone after our discussion of Felix but then when Ivy ran with Nina….It was too much defiance." Turning to Ivy now he say's "I was happy to let you do things at your own pace love but you ran. Such a bold act of rebelliousness, what did you think would happen?"

Finding my voice I plead "This is my fault Cormell not hers! I didn't want her but she found Nina. It wasn't safe for her, she had to run! Please don't hurt her!" Not looking at me but holding a hand up in a gesture of silence Rynn gazes regretfully at Ivy. "I understand all too well what she say's love. But with the leeway I granted you, your continuous refusal to comply and now this? I'm sorry Ivy but it cannot go unpunished. To do so would show a weakness and I cannot allow that." Eye's never leaving Ivy's face he calls out "Josie. Come."

My mouth hangs open as the now neat and less bloody Josie walks through the door in 6 inch stilettos, tight red dress and an all too satisfied grin on her icily perfect face. The scent of red wood hits me and I'm shocked to realise she's a witch. What in the turn? She must have used an identity concealing charm and a powerful one at that. She feels nearly as good as me. This isn't right. My worry notches up tenfold. As Josie comes forward I notice she's carrying something in her cupped hands whilst a thick silver band dangles on her wrist. I don't like the look of it.

Rynn holds his hands out as she comes closer and my whole world just about falls out the bottom of me when I see her hand him an unconscious Jenk's. His little form so pale and wilting, I know that he wasn't put to sleep but knocked out and I can't bear to think how.

Rynns speaking "Rachael? Rachael? Oh good, lost you for a moment then. As I was saying you've met Josie here. In a moment my guards are going to release you and you are going to place this band around wrist. If you fail to do this I will detonate the vales at Ivy and Nina's necks. Do you understand me?"

Place a silver band around my wrist? Iv'e done this before, recognise the etchings in silver and I bet I could even tell you the weight. It's a slaver. Once worn it takes all will and power from the wearer. Instinctively I start to shake and try to back up but the guards don't allow it. "No. I won't. You can't make me do that. I won't do that, not again!" I shout in blind panic. I'm suddenly back in a cell with HAPA holding me prisoner. Looking mournful Rhynn hands Jenk's to a waiting vampire and then presses a button on the control. A whirling noise comes from the tables and Ivy and Nina start to scream into their gags. The needles at their necks start to peirce skin and I can see blood seep.

Everything is suddenly placed into slow motion. I see my friends about to die in front of me. Jenk's lies possibly dying within some strangers hands. Cormell stands proud but sad with seven other vampires behind us, waiting for his every command. And Josie is off to one side staring at Nina and Ivy with a sick anticipation in her eye's. It is then I realise that no help is coming. That this is happening and I'm on my own. I can either let the women in front of me die and see what happens after or I can play good and do as they want. Using magic isn't an option, he will just kill them faster that way.

Coming to a decision I shout "Ok! I'll do it!". Rynn presses something and the needles stop. Turning to me he said "Good Rachael. Good. Now please, put the silver on." Josie walks over to me then, disappointment written all over her face. My hand shakes when I raise it but Josie roughly grabs the wrist and forces the band to my forearm. Holding both hands on the band I feel her tap a line as she whispers "Coercet potentiam tuam carnes tuas intra carcerem!" I suck in a painful breath as I feel an invisible force wrap around my body and seal itself to my soul. The lines are gone as is my second sight. I'm magically blind.

Muffled screams reach my ears and I look up to see Ivy struggling furiously against her binds. I try to tell her its ok but how do you do that when you don't believe it yourself? Rynn walks forwards, still smiling sadly "Thank you Rachael. It would have grieved me to kill Ivy but were getting off track aren't we? I said earlier that I would eliminate any threat to my people. I suppose tonight is how you say…..killing two birds with one stone?" Confused I said "I did what you wanted, let them go. Now."

Rynn said "I can't do that Rachael, Ivy needs to be punished. As for you? You are the threat I cannot allow to exist." Shaking my head angrily I back up with hands raised and scream "I did what you wanted, I'm no threat. Let us go, please!" "Your very existence is a threat. You, a demon, are allied with the Elve's and I will not permit them to rise above us. We must remain at the top of the food chain. I'm sorry that it comes to this but your one sacrifice will save the lives of millions!"

He grabs me then and flings me into the middle of the room where I crumple to the floor. Dazed from the impact I vaguely hear him say "It will hurt for only a moment. I'm sorry that this method had to be chose but I couldn't risk your death being traced back to us. I truly am sorry for what you suffer but know that your death shall be honored by all vampire, Rachael Marianna Morgan."

My wrist isn't working properly, it keeps collapsing beneath my weight as I try to sit up. Distantly I see four males walking to me with long stick like objects. They smell.…human? Smack! I'm struck in the head so hard I fly backwards. Smack! I scream out as I feel my ribs break. Smack! I roll trying to hold my crushed arm. I can hear someone screaming along with me, screaming my name but I can't focus. It's too much pain. Smack! My right knee's crushed. Smack! My battered arm finally breaks.

The hits keep coming and I float in a state of numbness, mind in shock. What's happening to me? I'm cold. I can't feel my body. I want to go home, this shouldn't be happening. Why is this happening to me? Like my mind is protecting me from what is happening it starts to give flashes of random moments from my life. Flash…..me and Robbie running in the garden, dad jumping from behind a bush.

Flash….A birthday at fifteen and me glancing to an empty space at the table.

Flash…..Graduating IRS, my mom cheering me on.

Flash…..Shaking hands with Ivy for the first time.

Flash…...Stroking Jenk's as he falls to sleep.

Flash…..Staring at Trent in a dark Limo as I wear he fiancé's dress.

Flash….Al making me cheese on toast

Flash…my Mom and Donald smiling at one another.

Flash….Trent stroking my face and telling me he doesn't have to be drunk to kiss me and then he does. The image slows, lingers. I feel warmth...

Then nothing. I pause, no breath, no sight, no sound…..and then I let go and all I know is peace.

From high above, through dimensions that no living being could possibly imagine to reach, nine pairs of eyes watch as Rachael Marianna Morgan drew her last breath. Looking to one another, no words are spoken but a signal nod from the being seated within the middle of their sanctum is enough. It has begun.

Coercet potentiam tuam carnem tuam carcerem = Imprison thine power within thine flesh prison.