A/N: Thanks to everyone for the reviews. Also, thanks to A.C. Wolf for pointing out where I made some mistakes. I'm generally writing this between 12 and 3 in the morning so I don't always catch the mistakes. So any pointers are great. Sorry it has taken me awhile to update. I'll try to be better. Thanks to all of my readers. Hope you enjoy this latest chapter.

Chapter 9

Though Wolf was locked in combat with Viktor, he still kept track of Rhyann's movements. Viktor summoned an army of insects and sent them towards the jeep, Rhyann and Vlad. Before he could warn her of the approaching insects, a wall a fire incinerated the swarming mass. Wolf sent a look of gratitude towards Gregori.

Viktor screamed in rage as his plan was thwarted. He would destroy the hunters and the child of Jacques Dubrinsky, and if possible, he would take the human female for his own. He could sense that she was a strong psychic, and as of yet was not bound to any Carpathian male.

Wolf could sense that the vampire he faced was different from others, even though Viktor was not nearly as old as many he had fought in the past. There was something vaguely familiar about the taint in his blood, though Wolf couldn't place what it was.

It was taking everything Wolf and Gregori both could throw at the vampire just to keep him from advancing.

A burning pain shot through Wolf's arm as he was stung by creatures Viktor sent after him. Wolf pulled his attention back to the battle in time to watch Gregori fall, covered in poisonous insects. He summoned lightening. directing it towards the vampire.

Gregori stood, shaking insects from his body. He created a whip of fire that lashed towards th hideous creature facing him and Wolf. Viktor had a look of triumph on his face, seeing the semi-weakened state of the hunters. He knew that in moments they would fall and victory would be his.

Movement in the corner of his eye drew Wolf's attention. Rhyann, who'd been moving into the shelter of the trees, froze. Something was wrong, he knew it deep in his soul. She jerked suddenly, a bloody hole forming on her back. She fell, still clutching Vlad in her arms.

Wolf felt his heart stop as blood seeped from his lifemate's body. Faintly he could hear Vlad's cries and Gregori's horror filled scream, but none of it mattered. The only thing he could focus on was the fading life force that was Rhyann.

Time seemed to stop.

Silence fell over the forest. Nothing moved.

Wolf ran to Rhyann, turning her over and checking for any signs of life. Tears stained with blood fell as he brushed his hand over her cheek.

"Please, baby, don't die. Don't leave me, not when I've finally found a reason to keep living. Please. You gave me light and colors back. Don't damn me to an existence of darkness." Wolf pleaded. He knew that if she died he would follow, but only after he had lost what was left of his soul and humanity.

Gregori watched in horror as some invisible foe attacked Rhyann. Everything moved in slow motion even though her knew it was only a matter of seconds.

The vampire chose that moment to make his escape and Gregori couldn't find the will to go after him. He rushed to were Wolf sat cradling Rhyann and Vlad. He took the small boy from Rhyann's limp arms and checked him for any injuries. Besides being frightened, nothing was wrong with the child. Gregori set Vlad down and turned his attention to Rhyann. He reached out with his mind, seeking hers. The light of her soul was fading fast, and there was only one thing he could think of to save her.

"Wolf, you have to bind her to you. Say the ritual words. Hold her soul to yours and we might be able to save her. We'll have to give her blood transfusions. When her body is strong enough, you will have to convert her. Shae, Jacques, Mikhail, Raven and Savannah are on their way,. We'll do what we can now and then we'll transport her to one of the healing caves." Gregori spoke gently, moving to open a vein on his wrist to provide blood for Rhyann.

"Hurry, Mikhail. I fear that we might lose her and Wolf will become out worst nightmare. I will do all that I can to hold her to this world." Gregori spoke to Mikhail on a private mind link. "There is something about her, something I can't quite figure out. But if we lose her, I believe that the future we have worked so hard for will never come."

"Do what you have to, Gregori. We will be there in a few minutes." Mikhail replied.

Wolf forced Rhyann to swallow that blood Gregori dripped in her mouth. He knew that the blood would help strengthen her, help her body begin to heal so that when the time came to convert her she would be strong enough to survive. The light of her soul was fading and with it Wolf's hope for a future.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Rhyann could hear faint voices calling out to her, begging her to come back. But the peace that was beckoning her was to big of a temptation. She turned away from the voices and moved through the darkness, noticing a faint light. The farther away from the voices she moved the lighter the darkness became.

Suddenly everything was bright. Rhyann could hear new voices.

"Whats going on?" She asked, not really expecting an answer.

"You're not supposed to be here, Rhyann." A voice at her shoulder startled her.

Rhyann screamed and spun around. Standing before her was a young man with shoulder length amber hair and piercing gray eyes. There was something familiar about him. But what, Rhyann couldn't figure out.

"Do I know you?" Rhyann asked quietly.

"No, but I know you. And I know that you shouldn't be here. Its not your time. But, all things considered, you have earned the right for peace." The man looked off into the distance. "Come with me. There are people who are waiting anxiously for you." He turned and began to walk away.

"Wait, please, tell me your name." Rhyann rushed after him.

"My name is Hawk." Came the quiet reply. "One day you would have known me, but that is neither here nor there."

"What?" Rhyann was confused. "What do you mean I would have known you? Whats going on? I don't understand any of this. I thought I died."

"Everything will be explained later. But in answer to you thinking that you had died, not exactly. Currently you are in a state of limbo. Your body is still struggling to survive. But whether or not it wins that battle is up to you, here. But that is for another time. Now hurry, I know the others are waiting for you." Hawk ushered her on.

Rhyann followed, taking the chance to look around. This place seemed like heaven, at least what she pictured it would look like. The people she could see appeared to be happy, content... at peace. A small smile spread across her face. This is what she wanted, what she had worked so hard to help create.

"RHYANN!!!!" A small voice cried, causing her to turn. There was a dark blear that raced towards her. A small child flung her arms around Rhyann's middle. Bright blue eyes looked up from beneath black curls.

"Airrian?" Her voice was weak as she spoke the name. WHAT was going on?