Chapter Nine

Serena's heart seemed permanently stuck in her throat, making it hard to breathe. The blond stepped around Molly and walked toward Serena. Serena took a step back, staring at her friend. It couldn't be Molly. Molly wouldn't let them turn her, Serena thought wildly.

Serena knew then that challenging the vampires on her own had been a bad idea. A very bad idea. She wished that she hadn't gotten so jealous over Raye and Darien. She tried to swallow her heart back where it belonged but it didn't seem to want to go.

"What have you done to her?" She asked, staring at Molly. Molly giggled. The blond glanced at her then turned back to Serena.

"She seems happy, does she not?" He asked, conversationally. Serena gaped at him.

"What?"

"Eternal youth await you. Come." He said, holding his hand out toward Serena.

"No way! You have been watching too many movies." Serena said as she stepped back again. The blond grinned.

"Maybe, I have. Or maybe the movies were based off of me."

"Oh." Serena said, becoming frustrated. "How egotistical of you." She shook her head. "Back up." She added when he moved toward her.

"I have no time for games, Serena. The sun is coming." Serena glanced at the false dawn in the sky and grinned.

"Too bad you wont be around to see it." She told him.

"Come, now." He demanded.

"How does bite me sound?" Serena said.

"I will." Serena froze. Oh, yeah, wonderful. Tell the vampire to bite me, offer myself. Great, the next thing I know I'll ask him to dinner. With me as the main course. Serena thought. She tried to hide her embarrassment, but felt her face grow hot. The blond laughed, a feeling of fingers caressing Serena's bared skin flowed with the laughter.

"Stop that."

"I am tired, girl. Come with us now, or we will make you."

"Try it." Serena said, grabbing the gun that she had grabbed from Lita's spare room before she left the palace. A shoulder holster came with it, sitting uncomfortably over her shoulders and angling the gun under her arm. It hadn't helped the drive over the bumps but it made her feel better just having it there, especially with Nikolai sitting next to her.

"We don't have time for her games, Korin." The little girl told the blond.

"Hush, Vanessa." The blond snapped back. Then to Serena, "What are you going to do with that?"

Serena felt a cold settle over her as she took aim at his knee. The feeling left her empty, she didn't feel anything. She had never shot a gun before, but at the moment, she wasn't worried. She pulled the trigger and watched as his knee splattered and he crumpled to the ground. Suddenly, the little girl was on top of Serena and they were flying through the air.

Then the girl was gone, and Nikolai was helping Serena to her feet. Molly charged at her. Nikolai stepped in the way and threw her over the cars. "We have to get out of here!" He growled at Serena as the second man charged.

Serena took aim at the man's head and pulled the trigger again. It jerked in her hands, and the man fell to the ground, headless. Serena felt blood splatter on her and cringed.

Molly was on her feet again, somehow getting past Nikolai and grabbing Serena's neck. She squeezed and screamed something. Serena felt the blood going to her brain slow, and couldn't breathe. She grabbed Molly's hand with her free one, and tried to pull it away. Spots were flaring in here eyes.

Molly screamed again, and this time dropped Serena and bolted toward where Korin had fallen. Serena struggled to her feet and saw that Syrese and the others had come; they had flung themselves at Vanessa, Korin, and Molly.

Serena stared as Syrese turned to face her, then a hand appeared through her chest, holding a beating heart. She crumpled to the ground as Korin jerked his hand back out of her chest. He strode toward Serena, anger plain on his face.

Serena found herself wondering where Nikolai had gone. Screams and shouts tore at the night air, as the area around Serena became soaked in blood. Thank god, its not human blood. Serena thought wildly.

Korin stopped directly in front of her, and she realized belatedly that she was still holding the gun. She started to raise it when he grabbed her and wrenched the gun from her hands. He forced her to meet his eyes.

The world ground to a standstill as she was enveloped in warmth. The sounds of the battle around her faded to a distant memory. She felt light, as if she was floating in the air above the ground. Arms wrapped around her pulling her into that green gaze. She was home. Safe. Like she had never been before. She rested her head on Korin's chest and took a deep breath. It felt so good to be held, away from everything, knowing that someone was sharing her thoughts, that she had no secrets, from anyone.

She realized that she could feel his thoughts as well. He was watching the battle around them, clutching at her. He felt sad as he saw, and Serena saw through his eyes, Vanessa, being ripped up by Jesse and Laryn. Molly was all that stood between him and the others, and she was barely standing.

Something flipped in Serena and she stepped back. She stared at Korin, her mind purposely blank. She spotted the gun on the ground and dove for it. She took aim before Korin could move, and shot his head off. He dropped to his knees as she felt her heart slow. She shot him again in the chest and watched as he fell backwards.

Molly's scream got Serena's attention, as darkness swept around Serena. Her breath was coming in short gasps. "Leave her alone!" Serena shrieked into the night. She forced herself painfully to her feet, but only managed to get a few feet before she collapsed.

She knew she was dying. She closed her eyes and welcomed the darkness.