Author's Note: A big thanks to my faithful reviewers Celtic Aurora and Dr. Lust. Also, If you like this story, I highly recommend Celtic Aurora's fic "Night Warriors". I don't own Van Helsing, Carl, or anyone else in the movie… (Sniffs pathetically.) I don't own the Hat 'o Awesomeness either. Anyways, here's the new chapter!


Eight

"Melannen," Shades practically whined, "we have to stop. Our horses can't go any further tonight."

Inwardly, Melannen cursed. The trio had come so far, so fast, but it would still take them most of tomorrow morning to reach Sabrina's lair. If they were too late…

No, she thought firmly, don't think like that. We will be there in time. We will get Gabriel out of there.

Melannen's heart suddenly felt as though it might burst for the agony she could sense Van Helsing enduring. Oh God, oh God, she called out in her mind, Oh Gabriel, Gabriel, Gabriel!

"Fine," she said, hating herself for delaying the group's progress, "we'll stop here for the night. But we set off first thing tomorrow."

"I wouldn't have suggested anything else," Shades replied, sounding almost unconcerned. Inside, Melannen knew her friend was just as worried as she was.

"Hang on, Gabriel," the girl whispered, "we're coming."


At Sabrina's base, Gabriel let out a sharp, pained cry as another Caradoc struck him. He'd heard clearly the orders Sabrina had given the creatures: injure him until he talks. Unfortunately, the archangel had no idea what the answer to the villain's question was.

Now, the Caradocs lit into him with savage blows until all he felt was pain. He'd tried in every way to convince Sabrina that he truly didn't know the answer to her question, but the stubborn girl just wouldn't listen. He had no idea how long the creatures had been torturing him like this, but the angel knew that it had to have been a long time.

The Caradocs roughly shoved Gabriel back into the caged he'd been locked in when he'd first come around, he managed to get a glimpse of the sky through the single small window. The sky was dark and full of stars, and sudden exhaustion added to the archangel's troubles. His body urged him to sleep, but the pain made this impossible. Now, he let out a single, desperate thought, knowing that no one would hear.

Melannen, he cried out in his mind, hoping against all hope that the girl could hear, please, help me.


The next morning, Melannen, Shades, and Carl set out again, riding fast and hard toward Sabrina's base. Suddenly, Melannen reigned in her horse as a vision swept over her, a vision of what she had feared would happen.

She once again saw Van Helsing, this time being shoved roughly into the room where Sabrina had questioned him before. As he was pushed into the room he staggered and dropped to his knees, weakened to the point where he couldn't stand. He looked up at Sabrina, and Melannen gasped at his condition. He was battered and bruised, showing clear signs of being tortured by the Caradocs. There were dark shadows under his eyes, which were filled with hatred toward Sabrina.

"I'll give you one more chance to answer my question," Sabrina's cold voice echoed through the stone chamber. "And once again, I know you have my answer: What is the source of Melannen's power?"

Melannen gasped again. That was what Sabrina wanted from Gabriel. She felt sickened at the though that the girl would torture him so for the sole purpose of getting information. Hate welled up inside her, and she felt the strong desire to strike the girl she saw in front of her.

Gabriel's response was barely a whisper. "I've given you my answer twice," he replied, "I do not have the answer you seek."

Sabrina's eyes turned, if possible, even colder. "Fine then," she snapped, "Imperatus!"

Van Helsing's agonized cry echoed through the chamber, and Melannen was brutally snapped back to reality, as well as Shades' and Carl's worried faces.

"What was it? What did you see?" asked Shades, instantly curious.

Carl snapped at her immediately. "Give her a moment to recover, will you?" he cried.

"I'm fine," Melannen said quickly, "but I'm afraid Gabriel is not. We have to hurry."

The other two riders agreed without hesitation, and they rode on, pushing their horses even faster than they had before.


For the third time, the curse ended, leaving Gabriel in an exhausted, sobbing heap on the floor. He waited for Sabrina to ask him again, but the question never came. Instead, there was a cry of shock and pain, followed by the small thud of a person hitting the floor. Cautiously, the archangel opened his eyes.

Shades stood over a terrified Sabrina, who now lay on the floor. The wolf-maiden held her sword at the girl's throat.

"Give me one reason," she hissed at the villain, "Give me one reason not to kill you right here and now."

Sabrina still looked visibly terrified. "Because I'm not in control of this," the girl whispered, "I never wanted to do this. I did as I was told, and I acted cold beyond the point of feeling guilt. I did as my master told me."

"And who is your master?" Melannen's voice cut through the silence like a gunshot. "Tell us. Now!"

"His name is Maximus," Sabrina hissed, "He lives at the top of the highest of the Death Peaks. I don't know anything more."

Melannen nodded towards Shades, and the wolf-maiden kicked Sabrina hard in the side of the head, knocking the girl unconscious. Then, Melannen raced to Gabriel's side.

"Oh God," she whispered, "Oh, Gabriel."

Van Helsing said nothing. Warm relief washed over him in waves, and Melannen wrapped her arms around him. A small part of him was humiliated by the tears of pain and relief running down his face. Several small sobs racked his body, and they resisted all of his attempts to stop them. Melannen began to sing in a soft, soothing voice, and the sobs slowly subsided.

Go to sleep, sweet Gabriel,

Rest your weary head.

Close your eyes, relax your mind,

And let sweet sleep descend.

Van Helsing let his eyes close, and the music continued to wash over him in soothing waves.

Chasms black and monsters cold,

Things that most men dread,

Shan't trouble you in cold, dark dreams,

While you are safe in bed.

Now, the archangel's pain almost seemed to lessen a Melannen continued to sing in her sweet voice.

Dreams of ancient battles past,

Memories that swarm,

Won't come to you while you are here,

In my arms, safe and warm.

Warm, heavy waves of exhaustion washed over Gabriel, and he felt the darkness of unconsciousness begin to dull his feelings until they almost did not exist.

So close your eyes now and just rest,

Fear nothing in the night.

For while I'm here you will be safe,

Now sleep till morning's light.

Sleep,

Sleep sweet Gabriel.

By now, Gabriel's exhaustion had completely taken over, sending him into a deep, dreamless sleep.


Author's Note: Yippee! Gabriel's gonna be OK! Now, I know what you're all thinking right now: who the heck is Maximus? Well, you'll have to wait and find out! (Evil laugh)

Rhiannon! That's really mean!

Shades, I know you're supposed to be my muse, but you'll just have to wait for the next chapter like everyone else!

You suck. You really suck.

Well, that's just too bad, Miss Impatient. If you keep that up, I won't let you see the next chapter!

What was up with the song, though? Where did you get it from?

Actually, I made up the song a long time ago, but it didn't fit in any of my other fanfic ideas, so I put it in here! Anyways, I guess I'm starting to ramble, so I'll go for now. Tootles!