Chapter Ten

Charity was staring into eyes. Big, luminous eyes, but unlike the eyes she had seen before, she was not afraid of this pair. She wasn't sure what eyes she was remembering, where she was or what had happened, but she knew with a sudden clear certainty that she was safe.

Safe? The thought came to her with a flash of dread. Of course she wasn't safe. She had been kidnapped by a madman and had every reason to be terrified. Gasping, Charity sat up and scooted away, aware of the painful sighs and screams her muscles made as she moved.

"What the hell are you doing?" she demanded to the person who belonged to those shockingly beautiful eyes.

Julian blinked, startled. She had a feeling he had been leaning over her for some time before she awoke. But she soon saw that although he could be taken off guard, he recovered quickly. His eyes narrowed and he stood in an easy fluid movement, and looked down at her, arms folded and clearly annoyed. "That's gratitude," he said, voice hard. "After all, it's not like I just saved your life."

Charity was breathing heavily and put a hand to her head, feeling how damp it was. When her hair dried naturally it ended up wavy and flyaway, at least until she started moving around. How had it gotten wet? Charity sat there, absently pulling a hand through her mostly dry hair when an image came to her.

Black, cold eyes… rows of white teeth closing in on her… the smell of the sea and the knowledge that death was swiftly gliding towards her… and then darkness.

"Oh my God," Charity whispered, distressed. She looked at Julian. He was watching her, eyes still narrowed, still cold. Waiting.

"The shark," she said numbly. And then: "Ryan."

Julian shrugged. He looked around frowning, as if he'd rather be anywhere in the world than there with her.

Charity was numb. Ryan was dead… probably, unless he had been blessed with mercy like she. But where were the others? And why had Julian saved her?

He anticipated her question. "Kadar told me to do it."

"Why?"

His eyes glittered at her. "Don't you know? You're not supposed to die yet. You're the best prize of all… he's saving you for last."

Great. Charity risked moving again and slowly stood. She didn't look at him as her mind tried to catch up with her body. In distraction, she looked around and saw that it was now night and they were standing under a clear navy sky with millions of stars shining down and the moon hovering big and luminous like a giant pearl. The sound of crashing waves and wind in the background told her they were near the ocean, although at the moment they appeared to be in a primeval forest.

Something was tugging at Charity's mind and she forced herself to look at Julian again. "Why didn't he save me? Kadar."

Julian looked like he thought it was a good question. "I don't know," he admitted. "I suppose he was testing me."

"Why?" Charity knew she was being repetitive but didn't care.

"I have been dead for twenty years," he reminded her. "He wanted to make sure I haven't gotten rusty."

Oh. Charity brushed sand off her clothes. She had meant to be grateful but she'd only managed to piss off her rescuer. Julian sounded very annoyed that he had come back from a twenty year absence. Probably upset about all the people he'd missed out on maiming and killing in that time.

Charity was getting angry. For an instant the thought had flickered through her mind that Julian had saved her because he wanted to, but he was only a mindless minion of Kadar after all. Again she told herself that he was as cold-blooded as the others and would never help her unless ordered. She had to kill that tiny bit of hope that wanted to believe in him before it led her wrong. He was a Shadow Man, after all. Why did she have such a hard time remembering that?

"That's okay with you?" she snapped suddenly. "Taking orders from some kid like Kadar?"

"He brought me back," Julian said simply, eyes black in the darkness. "He and the others. That's enough for me."

"Why didn't they do it twenty years ago?"

Julian was silent at that and Charity felt a wave of dizziness hit her. That's it, she realized. That's what's been bothering me. If they did have true intentions, why didn't they act on them right away?

"Julian," she said carefully, now that he was listening. "Julian… don't you wonder why you're back? Especially now?"

"No." His smile was dazzling, but Charity could tell she'd unnerved him. Feeling bold, perhaps more than she should have, she pressed on.

"Don't you wonder why they've suddenly decided to forgive you? After saving my mother…"

"Saving your mother?" The look on Julian's face was one of slight amusement, but there was also a deadly flame in his eyes, warning her not to forget herself and say too much.

Charity looked at him closely. "You really don't remember, do you?"

Julian was silent. He didn't look at her. "She killed me," he said simply.

"You're going to take their word for it? A human girl killed a Shadow Man?"

"She was very crafty." A flash of that smile again. "I suppose you think you're following in her footsteps."

Infuriating. He was simply infuriating. She felt a sinking in her stomach as she realized there wasn't a chance in hell she could seduce him at this rate. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her temper.

"All right, we'll play it that way," she said softly and then looked at him sharply. "Where are the others?"

"What others?"

Oh, she was going to slap him. If he didn't start being useful in about ten seconds.

"My friends," she said through clenched teeth. "You know, the six other people I came here with? Them."

"Oh." Julian smiled. "I have no idea."

Charity did slap him then. At least she tried, but quickly discovered that besides having the smile of a snake, Julian also had the reflexes of one. He easily caught her hand inches before his face and held it in a bruising grip. Charity wanted to gasp but wouldn't give him the satisfaction. She stood there gritting her teeth and glaring, willing him to let her go.

He didn't, but his grip loosened slightly as he bent his head over her hand and peered at it, face contorting in confusion.

Charity felt a flash of triumph. He was looking at her ring.

She said nothing as he looked, and let her arm go limp so he was supporting it completely. Breath caught, she waited.

Julian tilted her hand upwards and touched the ring as if he was going to pull it off, but at the last second gently swept his fingers on the skin around it, sending little tingles through her arm. He turned her hand gently, examining the ring from all angles, and then as if he couldn't help himself, his fingers glided down and caressed the back of her hand and then her wrist, pausing at the place where her heartbeat could be felt through the skin.

Charity knew she was turning red, but didn't dare pull away. This moment was too good to waste. She trembled as she opened her mouth, not sure whether she should ruin the silence, but then decided to risk it. He had to listen to her now.

"I am my only master," she said gently, taking great care to keep emotion out of her voice. "You wrote that – remember?"

Julian's head jerked up, but instead of looking cruel, his eyes were filled with uncertainty. For a long moment they simply looked at each other, Charity silent and still, and Julian desperately. His eyes roamed her face, her hair. Every visible bit of her. He let out his breath in a long sigh.

"Your eyes," he said in wonder, tilting his head as if he couldn't believe he was saying it. "I know them."

Right, Charity thought. They're my mother's. But absurdly she didn't want to say it. She wanted him to think it was she alone he was remembering.

"But your hair, it's all wrong," Julian continued, making a movement as if to touch it, but then dropped his hand and took a step backwards, letting go of her arm so quickly that it bumped against her thigh. Something cleared in his eyes and he glared at her as if she had slapped him. "Who are you?"

Charity didn't know what to say so she simply stared. She made a movement towards him but Julian backed away angrily, looking threatened.

"Witchery," he said, his eyes dark. "You're just like your mother – a temptress."

"Julian!"

He disappeared.

Well, that had gone well.

Charity took a deep breath to calm herself. Her heartbeat was beginning to slow, but she was still shaking despite the warm air that brushed her skin. Getting away from the Shadow World would be harder than she thought.

"Charity!" Voices were calling her. Blinking to make sure her eyes weren't tearing up, Charity turned and immediately had the breath knocked out of her when two pairs of arms wrapped around her.

"Hey… hey…" she said and laughed uneasily, pushing Kaori and Halena away. She tossed her hair over her shoulder, trying to look casual.

They were a mess. The girls were crying, and Kaori had mascara streaks under her eyes. Charity quickly saw why – Ryan was gone.

David stood several feet away, looking very white under the moonlight. "You…" he started and then shook his head when his voice faltered. "I thought we'd lost you. Never do that to me again."

"I'm okay, Davy," she said and smiled, but didn't tell him why. She wanted to forget her encounter with Julian, and certainly didn't want to worry the others. She didn't mention Ryan, and neither did anyone else. They all knew.

"How did you escape?" David asked, his voice hoarse. He stepped forward and she gave him her hand to clutch between his. He was shaking.

"Really," Halena said, shaking her head. "We saw you with the shark, and I screamed your name, but then a big wave came and surrounded you and when it went down you were both gone."

Charity pulled David to her for a quick hug and then stepped away. She kept her eyes on the ground, wondering if she should tell them, wondering if she had the right. In her mind, the encounter she'd had was private, for her and Julian alone.

"Charity?" Halena was frowning at her and she sighed, making her decision.

"Julian."

"What?"

"Julian. He saved me."

"No." David's forehead creased into a frown. "I don't believe it."

She scowled. "Not because of any affection for me. Kadar's orders. Apparently I'm the grand finale and have to stick around for a while."

"Well, whatever the reason, I'm glad you're safe," Halena said smiling, but David was still suspicious.

"Let's just hope he stays away from now on. I don't trust him."

"Of course you wouldn't," Charity said impatiently. "But I talked to him, David. I know… I know he's one of them and evil, but for a moment anyway I think he was really listening to me. If I could call him to us and talk to him alone again …"

"No, no!" David said, flushing, and when she opened her mouth to protest, continued: "No, Charity. I know you think you can convince anyone to do what you want, anytime, anywhere, but this is out of your hands. You don't have charm enough to deal with creatures like him."

"You don't know that," Charity said stubbornly, narrowing her eyes. The joy she felt at seeing him moments before was fading away. Now was not the time she needed him to be playing her big brother. What she really meant was: you don't know him. But did she? David was probably right – that's why she was so furious with him. She knew she was playing with fire, but had to try for the sake of them all.

She fingered her ring and closed her eyes, remembering his touch. She was sure she had seen something in his eyes then, not just the distant flicker of memory for her mother. Or was she fooling herself to think that Julian would ever see her instead of beautiful, golden Jenny? Either way, the Game had changed for her in that moment. It was no longer only about finding her friends a way out.

She wanted to save him, too.

Charity opened her eyes and forced a smile. "So," she said, "has anyone got a plan?"

0 0 0

The time for crying had long passed. Jenny, Audrey and Michael stared at the screen, glassy-eyed and silent. Tom was turned away, having a dark, muttered conversation with the wall, and Dee was glaring at the carpet, cracking her knuckles and punching the air in front of her every so often.

"Cowards," she said darkly. "Bastards. They don't have the courage to come after us, so they pick on children."

"They can't," Michael reminded her weakly. "Julian made sure of that."

Jenny began rocking and trembled. "I'd die for her," she whispered. Dee glanced over, her face softening with emotion.

"We all would, tiger, but they haven't given us that option yet."

"Would you like it?" A wave of energy trembled in the air and Kadar returned. He was smiling.

"You…" Dee stood, her muscles quivering with the effort it took not leap on him. "How dare you stand before us, taunting us. Don't you know what you're doing to her?" She made a gesture towards Jenny, who was in such a bad state that she barely glanced at him.

"Yes." Kadar's voice was very pleasant. "That is the plan. Suffering, pain, broken hearts. My elders are no longer interested in your physical pain, but rather causing you mental anguish, which, I have heard, can be quite a bit more substantial."

Jenny whimpered, and Audrey stood, her lips white. "You have no idea," she said softly. "You killed that boy, and you feel nothing."

"Yes, well, that's the problem with you humans. You feel. What's one life lost in the greater scheme of the world? None besides yourselves will be affected. You all think any bit of personal discomfort is enough to make the stars burn out. We Shadow Men are something more special. Would you like a demonstration?"

Before any of them could say a word, he waved his hand and they were trapped in the air, held by invisible cords. All except Jenny who rose to her feet and floated towards him, much to her obvious surprise.

Dee struggled against her cords, murder in her eyes as she lunged. "You touch her and I kill you!" she yelled, but was ignored. Tom also watched with narrowed eyes, but said nothing. From past experience, he knew action was useless.

Jenny shook as she came to a stop before him, but managed to conjure her old steel backbone and forced herself to look him in the eyes without flinching. He was very close to her, golden eyes narrowed and a smile playing at the corners of his lips. When he lifted a hand to touch her cheek, she ordered herself to stay silent. But when his skin met hers, it was out of her power to do anything but gasp and jerk away.

Because his hand was cold as ice. Jenny tried to move but he easily caught her around the waist and brought his lips to her forehead. Icy shivers shook her body.

"Please… no…" Jenny was cold, colder than she ever remembered being, save the time she almost drowned in the cave in the Shadow World. Mercifully, he let her go and Jenny took several steps away from him, arms around herself and shivering. Her teeth chattered when she looked at him, and she couldn't form the words she wanted to say.

"You felt that?" he asked softly. "I didn't."

Audrey was entranced despite herself. "What do you mean?" she demanded. Kadar waved his hands and released them, and Dee put her arms around Jenny, trying to warm her. Kadar smiled, a small and mostly sane smile.

"The lady said it herself. I feel nothing. It's one of the marks of a Shadow Man. Darkness and shadows have no feeling. This flesh is numb, because it is only a house for my true form and the horrors within."

Jenny stopped shaking in Dee's embrace and turned to Kadar, her eyes widening. Was he saying that the Shadow Men had not the luxury of touch and sensation? But that didn't make sense… when she had touched Julian, when she had kissed him, he had been affected. She knew he had, and it was not simple vanity. He could feel her, and more to the point, his skin hadn't been cold. Cool, sure, but not frozen The look in his eyes when he saw her… Julian was something warm and alive.

A trick, she thought automatically. But of course, Kadar gained nothing by telling them this…

"Figured it out yet?" he asked pleasantly.

"We don't care," Tom told him, coming over to take his wife's hands and rubbing them between his own. His face was stern, like when he was making a particularly difficult negotiation at work.

"Oh, I think you do," he said with a glint of white teeth. "You see, there are two kinds of Shadow Men. Those that are born, and those that are made."

He gestured towards the screen where the kids were grouped together talking, safe for the moment. But there was a spark in the darkness… someone watching from the bushes. Jenny moved closer to Tom, trembling. No… the poor kids had enough to deal with. She didn't want them to face more hardship. The invisible cameraman started to close up on the shape in the bushes, and the adults in the room froze wide-eyed as Kadar laughed.

The figure grew closer until they could see him fully. No one moved. They were in denial. Then Audrey gasped and the others started fidgeting, for the person in the bushes was one they had presumed to be dead.

Ryan. Only not Ryan. This Ryan had pale, glowing skin, white as a vampire. His golden hair shone under the moonlight, and his eyes gleamed brighter than ever. He was a different version of himself. One instantly more cruel and beautiful than the good-natured Ryan could ever have been. His lips curved into a smile as he watched his ex-friends. And his eyes were hungry.

"Shit," Dee said, her skin glistening.

"Do you get it now?" Kadar asked happily.

Julian, Jenny thought, chilled. Then she fainted.