Thanks for all your support! I wanted to get this posted so we can see what happens with our captured trio. Hope you enjoy~~~~

Chapter 10

Late afternoon sun was streaming through the high windows in the basement prison. Mick had a small flicker of hope that Josef would find them, but it was dimming as each minute passed. Since he'd become a vampire, time was a plentiful commodity with a never-ending horizon. Now he was faced with a ticking clock, measuring the moments of Beth's life. He had failed her; she was only in this situation because of him. He watched her pacing and checking her watch every few minutes. He could feel her anxiety and fear.

He grabbed at his chains, covering the silver with a piece of cloth from Beth's coat and pulled as hard as he could. He couldn't get a grip as the cloth slipped and he snarled with frustration. He threw away the protective covering and wrenched at them with bare hands, burning himself.

She saw what he was doing and kneeled in front of him. "Mick, don't hurt yourself." She took his scalded hands in hers. "I don't think Josef is going to find us. It's after 4:00 now." She looked over at Ewan. "He needs help, he might already be gone."

"They came after you because of me. And now I can't do anything to stop them." His voice was ragged with emotion.

"I don't blame you, but you have to listen to what I'm going to say." Beth took a deep breath and leaned toward him. "I want you to turn me."

Mick looked at her like she had lost her mind. "Beth, you don't know what you're saying."

"Yes, I do. When that bastard comes back, I'll be a vampire, and I can kill him. I'll find the keys and we can get the other guy."

Mick closed his eyes. No, this was so wrong. "Beth, you have no idea what you're asking. This is forever, even if we do get out of here, you'll always be a vampire. There's no going back."

She sat back on her heels. "I know that." she said impatiently. "I've thought about nothing else for the last 3 hours. But if it's a choice of us dying and me turning, I'll take the turning. I don't hate what you are, Mick, and I don't hate what I'll become."

"Beth, this is madness." He had to make her understand. "A million things could go wrong and you could die anyway."

"But a million things could go right, and I want that chance." Beth said determinedly. "I want the chance to have a life and be with you."

"It's not a life, Beth, it's a curse and it's something I don't want you to suffer."

"Do you want me to suffer what those two scumbags upstairs will do to me? Do you want to hear them rape and kill me?"

"Maybe you can get away." He said desperately.

Beth snorted. "They're both stronger than me, and armed. What chance do I have? I want to do this. Unless," she faltered, "unless you don't want to be with me as a vampire." That was something she hadn't considered. Did Mick only want her because she was human?

Mick felt her heartbreak as she spoke. "No sweetheart, that's not it. We've never talked about it. I hate that you're being forced into a decision." He pulled her to him and spoke softly. "I thought we'd just go on for a while and not have to think about that part of our future. I'm afraid of what will happen. There are so many variables with a turning."

"I'm afraid too, but I love you and trust you." Mick held her to him and they didn't speak for a few moments, both lost in their own thoughts. He couldn't believe he was considering something that two days ago would have never crossed his mind. But their world had shrunk to the confines of this room and the unthinkable now became possible.

"Beth, even if we did this, you won't be in control. Your senses will be in overdrive and the bloodlust will take over, you could go feral and it would be easy to kill you."

She sat up, "Then you have to talk to me, Mick—talk me through it. Keep telling me what to do. I'll listen to you and do what you tell me. Please, Mick. I can't just let them take me and kill you and Ewan, not when we have this chance."

Mick looked at her and thought of all the things he loved about her—her stubbornness when she wouldn't wait in the car, her smile that lightened his heart, and how she ate Chinese food. All that was human about her would be gone. But he knew he'd love her no matter what. In the face of her determination, he felt his objections melt.

"If you're sure . . ."

"Mick," she said kissing him softly, "I've been sure for a while now. There's no way I could ever leave you."

He felt all her love and trust wash over him. This would work, it had to. "I'm not an expert on turnings, but I've heard enough over the years that I think I can prepare you for what will happen." Beth was all attention he spoke. "First, I'll take your blood—"

"No," Beth interjected. "First I'll feed Ewan as much as I can, then you can finish." She looked at him anxiously, "Will that be okay? It might help him."

"All right, just stop when I tell you. You need to be close to me so I can monitor your heartbeat. When you get to a certain point, I'll feed you my blood and then the transformation begins."

"What will happen? Will it hurt?"

"You'll feel like you're slipping away and you'll be disoriented. While the virus forms in your system, you'll lose consciousness. I don't know how long that may take, so you're in danger if they come for you. If you wake too soon, you'll be hungry and the bloodlust will be harder to control. I can feed you my blood, but it won't satisfy for long."

Beth's eyes were wide, and she knew it was hard for him to tell her these things. "Don't worry, Mick, it will be fine. Once it's done, and we hear him coming I can hide behind the door and jump him."

Mick shook his head. "No, he might expect that and be prepared. It would be better if you just lie on the floor and pretend to be asleep. When he gets close I'll tell you and you grab him by the throat and squeeze until I tell you to stop." She nodded at him firmly. "Once he's down you get the keys and I'll take care of the other guy upstairs."

"What if they both come down together?"

"Then you'll have to kill the first one quickly and go for the second." Beth looked scared, and he said, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes," she said resolutely. "It's the only way. We'll just handle it when it happens. Keep talking to me no matter what, okay?" She glanced at her watch. "It's getting late."

"Beth. . ." He looked at her with tears in his eyes.

"I'm ready," she breathed, echoing the last words in Sarah Whitley's diary. She moved over to Ewan and held her wrist to his mouth. Ewan didn't open his eyes, but he smelled her blood and struck at her wrist. The bite was stinging and she knew it was because he was so ill. He drank for several minutes and Mick watched her vital signs closely. As she began to feel woozy, he told her to stop. She crawled to Mick slowly and he took her in his arms, and felt her humanity for the last time. He nuzzled her and brushed the hair from her neck. Her heartbeat was weak but steady and he knew he had to hurry. He whispered, "I love you Beth and I always will." She hugged him tighter and he allowed the vampire out, biting down and drinking deeply. Her blood filled his senses and he was overcome but had to steel himself not to become lost—he had to find the right time to stop and feed her. Her hold on him loosened and her head lolled back, eyes closed. He pushed aside the manacle and ripped his wrist, holding it to her mouth. Blood dripped onto her chin but almost immediately she began to lick and draw from the wound. After a minute she stopped and Mick felt relief as she laid back, her mouth slightly open showing delicate fangs. He watched her sleep, hoping she wouldn't hate him for what he'd done.

Time passed, and he pulled Beth's sleeve to see her watch. It was almost 6:00 and Beth was still unconscious. She had to wake up; he needed to make sure she was all right. Josef said Sarah took his blood but never woke. "Beth, baby, wake up." He shook her slightly. "Beth, look at me." He growled.

Beth opened her crystal eyes, and Mick was relieved. Her brain was foggy and she wasn't sure what had happened. Everything was too bright and the smell was horrible. She scrunched her eyes shut and buried her face in Mick's shirt. His scent was safe and comforting. She didn't want to wake up or move, but Mick kept insisting.

"Okay, I'm awake." she grumbled. She found her fangs with her tongue and drew blood. "Ow," she said, looking up at Mick. Her eyes flashed back and forth from silver to human blue. "It worked? Am I?"

"Yes, sweetheart, you're with me now." He kissed her forehead.

"I'm so tired, am I supposed to feel like this?"

"It's normal, I think. Do you feel hungry?" He was still afraid of the bloodlust. When Coraline turned him, his had been out of control.

"No, I'm just dizzy and want to sleep." She nestled back against the safe smell of his shirt.

Then Mick heard the laughter of the men upstairs and footsteps on the stairs, but only one human. "Beth," he said urgently, "you have to get up. He's coming—he's coming now." Mick shook her and pushed her up. "Get over there and lie down on the floor. Take off your jacket so your arms won't be confined." Beth crawled across the floor, obeying Mick's instructions. "Put your jacket over you like a blanket and cover your face so he won't see your eyes. Remember what we talked about. Stay very still until I tell you."

Beth lay there more aware now, feeling all her senses. It was incredible, the damp hardness of the concrete floor and she was overcome by the smell. She'd always been sensitive to odors, now she wondered if she'd ever be able to wear perfume again. She could hear more, too. She heard the steps of the man coming for her and she growled.

Mick heard her. "No, Beth," he said in the vampire undertone. "Be quiet. You'll smell him and hear his heartbeats. It will overwhelm you if you let it. Just concentrate on my voice. You must stay still until I tell you. Then reach up with both hands and grab his neck and squeeze hard until I say stop."

They heard the keys in the door, and Mick kept his head down, looking through his long hair to keep track of the thug.

The man looked briefly at Mick, pleased he wasn't protecting the girl. "Hey, honey, are you ready for us?" He walked somewhat unsteadily, and Mick could smell the tequila. "C'mon, get up; we got some partyin' to do."

Mick kept reassuring her, and Beth stayed still. The thug leaned over her, Mick said "NOW." With a snarl she came out from under her coat, and seized his neck with both hands, squeezing tight. She saw the shocked look on his face, but in a moment his neck gave way and he collapsed on her. She could smell his blood and suddenly, she was at his throat, ripping at his shirt. She whimpered in frustration—dead men don't bleed.

"Beth, stop. Stop." He said again when she continued her frenzied attack. "Beth, you have to get the keys, remember? The keys, Beth."

Mick's voice finally registered and she stopped. Keys yes, Mick wanted the keys. Look in his jacket pocket. She reached in and found them, taking them to Mick. In a few moments, he had freed himself and Ewan from the shackles. He whispered to "Beth, I have to go get the other one." Mick could see Beth was still foggy, and hoped he was getting through to her. He started to leave, when Beth was on him like a shot, clinging to him. "Beth, stay here, take care of Ewan. He needs you."

Beth looked uncertainly at Ewan, then nodded and went to him. Mick was up the stairs in a flash. He followed the heartbeat and found the other thug high with a needle in his arm. Mick killed him, disgusted that the thug's blood was poisoned for his fledgling and sick vampire. He explored briefly, but there were no other humans in the building. He found a cell phone laying on a desk and made sure it was working before heading back down the stairs. Beth had dragged Ewan across the room and was crouched down with him by the door.

"We're going now, sweetheart." Mick said after lifting Ewan onto his shoulder. "Stay close and we'll be home soon."

They quickly moved out of the building. Twilight was deepening and it was dark in the alleys. Mick shifted Ewan on his shoulder and pulled Beth closer to his side. She had her head pressed into him, whimpering with fear and hunger. He knew she was on sensory overload, but he had to get them as far from the building as he could before they could stop. After a couple of blocks, he halted behind a dumpster and took out the cell phone he'd picked up. He dialed the Cleaners, knowing they would have transportation and blood.

"Name and location."

"This is Mick St. John." He heard the buzz of voices on the other end.

"St. John, we've been looking for you, give me your location."

"I don't know, can you pick it up off this phone?" He head keyboard clicks, then the voice came back. "Negative. You're calling on a disposable. Can you give me a reference point?"

Mick looked around the dumpster. "I see a building that says Robinson Bricks. We're in the alley across the street. Does that help?"

More clicking and the voice came back. "Yeah, we've got you. A van is rolling now."

"Bring lots of blood," he said urgently. "I've got a very sick vamp and a new turn."

"Right. Stay where you are, we'll find you. Leave this line open until we get there."

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In an exclusive vampire hotel in Chicago, John Murray turned on his computer. He had planted a camera in the room where Beth turner was to be tortured and killed. As he relaxed with a glass of expensive single malt, he expected to see the completion of his revenge. He sat up sharply as he saw a brief movement, then Jake, dead on the floor. A few moments later, he saw St. John and the other two exit the building.

Shit, I can't believe he got away. He knows what I look like now. Damn, I have to get out of the country. He quickly got on the phone and made a call, then a reservation to Montreal. From there he could get to Europe. He knew some powerful vamps there. After all, he still had the money from Kostan and with money you could do anything. St. John would still pay; he'd make sure of that.

TBC

I know some don't think Beth should be turned, but I've always thought she'd make a great vampire. This isn't the end of the story at all, so stay with me for a bumpy ride!