Disclaimer: The only thing I own is my two original characters. Apart from that, everything else belongs to the amazing Darren Shan.

PLEASE NOTE: I've decided to play this story along the lines of Darren Shan's Bloodbeast, but I'm adding my own stuff, and twisting the plot to fit my own story. Basically, it's Bloodbeast with my own story woven into it. Kapiesh?

THE WINDOW

Merlin finally awoke after another hour or so. Grubbs and Patrick were sitting beside the fire talking about their past experiences when Merlin's eyes split open and a hoarse gasp tore from her lips. The teenager and the man both turned to look at her, rushing to her side at the same time. Grubbs noted that her eyes still held an inhuman sheen and her jagged fangs were still changing into her normal teeth.

She groaned and said "Am I normal?"

"As normal as you're going to get" teased Patrick.

"Pat?" she mumbled happily, then turning her head around, "Where's Grubbs?"

"Right here, sis," replied Grubbs. "Are you alright?"

"I think so…Where am I? The cave?"

Patrick nodded. "You stay here and rest, and once you're fully healed I'll take you two back home."

Merlin looked like she was going to say something, but she glanced at Grubbs then slowly shut her mouth. She nodded in agreement, but her eyes were sad.

"Where abouts to you live?" he asked Grubbs. Grubbs gave him the address, and Patrick nodded. "Good. I'll start making the window now, but it might be a while. This cave has some magical qualities, but that doesn't mean it won't be hard."

"Do you want some help?" blurted out Grubbs before he could stop it. After the chaos of the Slawter film set, Grubbs had the horrible suspicion that he wasn't just a mage. He knew his abilities were stretched far beyond the more powerful Disciples, and he didn't need to have access to a source of magic to use his talents. In secret without Dervish's knowledge, he'd tested out his magical skills: flicking light switches on and off with his mind, drawing objects closer to him, crushing items made of steel.

But sometimes he'd been unable to control his magic, like occasionally waking up from nightmares hovering two feet off his bed. That had been quite a shock, and every time that happened he would roll over and slam down onto the floor. He sincerely hoped his powers would grow so strong that he was unable to use them, that they'd be wild and unpredictable, that he's accidently hurt someone. He wanted to confide in someone that he believed he was becoming a magician, but fear prevented him. Cowardly, he knew, but that was him. Grubbs Grady the coward.

"Er, no I think I'll manage fine" answered Patrick confused. He turned to face an empty patch of air, but leapt back in alarm when coloured light suddenly flashed in front of him.

Merlin got to her feet besides Grubbs as they watched the window grow in size and brightness, turquoise light battling the orange flickers of the fire. Patrick stepped back as someone smashed through the window and collapsed at his feet.

"Melissa Evans?" said Patrick.

"Patrick Steel, yes?" replied the woman called Melissa in a hasty, worried tone. She was short and plump, but still quite pretty, like a fresh peach. But her face was sweaty and drawn out, her dark eyes wide as she panted in fatigue.

"Yeah, that's me. What's wrong?"

"Help me! Please!" she begged. "I just managed to open this window back to the human universe, but my friends are still battling the Demons on the other side. Please help me!"

"Calm down," said Patrick softly, flashing a brilliant smile which didn't reach his serious eyes. "I'll help you. Grubbs, Merlin stay here."

"No!" Merlin protested.

"Let us come with you!" retorted Grubbs.

"I'll just be a moment. Merlin is too weak to fight, and I need someone to look after her. I promise I won't take long." His voice was genuine and determined, his grey eyes gleaming like silver.

"Thank you!" sobbed Melissa. She slowly got to her feet, took a deep breathe, and walked through the window. Patrick smiled at the siblings and walked in after the woman.

There was a two second silence before Grubbs said "Shall we follow him?"

"Yeah," answered Merlin. "Someone's gotta watch his back."

They stepped forwards together and were inches from the turquoise window before-

"ARGH!"

The scream was distorted and blurred, but it came from the other side of the window and sounded familiar.

"Pat!" screamed Merlin.

She was about to throw herself after he guardian, but there was a whip-like crack and the window disintegrated.

"NO!" Even though the window was gone, she launched herself forwards, moaning. Grubbs grabbed hold of her torso and held her back and she writhed in his strong grip.

"Let me go!"

"Merlin, he's gone."

"Let me go!" she hissed menacingly, her teeth sharpening into fangs.

"Merlin! Stop it!"

She stopped struggling and flopped lifelessly, Grubbs releasing his hold on her. She fell to the floor and sobbed loudly, digging her fingers into the damp earth.

"We'll find him somehow," sighed Grubbs. "I don't really know how, but we will."

Grubbs could feel something tickling his back, like a cold breeze. He turned in puzzlement, then yelped as another window opened up over him and he was engulfed in a stream of coloured lights.