Chapter 11

A/N: Thank you all for the awesome comments and thoughts. This story is going to be a bit longer that I first thought and you will all have a pleasant surprise in the end. Well… I'm not so sure it will be pleasant but you will all be shocked! LOL

As always, thank you to my beta Jen. You're appreciated not only by me but by the readers as well! And I'm sure H & C are thankful too!

Here we go….


III

Nick mumbled in a state of shock. "My mistake is… Jack the Ripper." He lifted his head and found Lacroix's icy blue eyes on him. Nick instantly grew furious. "Go ahead! Say it. It's my fault! I didn't listen to you!"

Lacroix's brow rose and he held his son's incensed gaze. He knew he didn't have to say anything. Nick was already punishing himself. This was exactly what the master vampire was worried about. The guilt was already consuming and weighing Nick down just as Lacroix knew it would. The shock and blame was written all over his face and pouring over, flooding Lacroix's mind through their link.

"All I had to do was finish him off," Nick whispered looking down, feeling sick to his stomach. "And I didn't! I had to disobey you!" He growled furious with himself. He exhaled and raked a rough hand through his hair then stared at Lacroix. "You knew he was evil… back then. I remember you said it to me." Nick shook his head in disbelief and closed his eyes whispering, "… And I still didn't listen."

"Yes, Nicholas," Lacroix softly answered walking toward him. He placed a light hand on his shoulder showing affection. "Do not worry yourself my son. We will make this right tonight. I give you my word."

Nick barely breathed, "Lacroix I…" He looked into his master's softening eyes then down.

"I know Nicholas," the ancient finished then tightened his hand on Nick's shoulder knowing his pain and remorse. He tried to bring fortitude back to his son with one strong squeeze of his hand.

The master vampire looked over at Horatio and Calleigh. His tone icy, firm and resolute.

"You will rest and do as Janette instructs." His eyes fixed on Horatio. "I know you have many questions, as does Calleigh. We will talk when I return. There is much to discuss."

Lacroix's hand slid off Nick's shoulder. He walked past him heading for the door. "Come Nicholas. We have only a few hours before sun rise."

Nick's head hung low in disgrace. He was distraught and disheartened.

Janette approached him and lightly brushed his arm. "Mon amour, please don't be so hard on yourself. It was a mistake."

Nick just shook his head side to side in disappointment not answering.

Calleigh felt her heart break for him and released Horatio's hand. She headed towards him speaking quietly. "It wasn't your fault Nick. How could you have known."

Nick sighed and held her compassionate gaze for a long moment answering somberly. "This time it is my fault Calleigh. And my mistake," he whispered, "is a killing machine. How many people needlessly died because I didn't obey Lacroix?"

"Nichola," Janette softly called in sorrow. "Please… it was a mistake."

He looked at her with regret then turned and without another word walked out closing the door behind him.

Calleigh stood staring at the door. She felt awful for him. She looked over at Janette. "Will he be okay?"

Janette nodded. "Yes. He will brood. It is his way."

Calleigh exhaled heavily and walked back over toward Horatio who shifted with a groan. He turned his head a bit looking over at the water bottle on the night table.

"Thirsty handsome?" She smiled knowing.

"Yes. Please." Horatio rumbled dryly trying to take in everything he just heard.

Calleigh lifted the bottle and unscrewed the cap then smirked. Horatio was lying down, almost flat on his back. Lacroix didn't want him higher because it would slow his wounds and ribs from healing.

"Would you like a hand Mon Ami," Janette chuckled walking over. She placed one gentle hand behind Horatio's head, at the base of his neck and helped him up just slightly. "Drink," she said as Calleigh handed him the bottle.

A few seconds passed and Horatio drew back with a contented breath. "I'm good," he exhaled as Janette tenderly laid him back down again. Calleigh put the bottle down and sat beside Horatio with a small smile. "Are you hungry?"

"I'm… confused." Horatio shook his head back and forth. "Jack the Ripper?" He held Calleigh's gaze and finished. "Every time I fall asleep, I see him again and I think this is all a dream. Vampires first… and now, Jack the Ripper is alive and well and… in Toronto?" The red head exhaled a long breath in disbelief.

Calleigh nodded in agreement. It sure did sound crazy she knew all too well but it was very true. "It's true Horatio. All of it. I'm having some problems understanding it all myself. Lacroix has been a really big help."

"Lacroix?" He asked in surprised staring at her. "I figured you'd say Nick."

She swayed her head and smiled. "Why don't you try to eat something to keep up your strength and I'll do my best to explain what I know."

Horatio exhaled softly. "I would love a cup of coffee, and a shower."

Calleigh looked over at Janette who smiled then nodded.

Janette lifted the phone and spoke at an incredibly fast pace. "Miklos, please have two coffees sent up and…" she looked over at them, "Some sandwiches. Yes. Yes, everything on the side." She hung up and sat down looking over at them. "It's shouldn't be long."

"Thank you," they both said in unison causing her to laugh.

"No shower just yet," she said in her thick French overtone, finding Horatio's tired eyes on her. He nodded in understanding while his gaze lingered just a bit on the dark haired beauty. She was in a very tight, black strapless dress that rounded out her cleavage. Her lips curled in recognition causing Horatio to look away self-conscious.

Calleigh was preoccupied still trying to get her mind around who the killer was. Her thoughts were spinning, going a thousand miles a minute. She quietly addressed Janette.

"Is he really, Jack the Ripper?" The blonde boldly asked as Horatio tugged at her hand.

Janette nodded. "Oui. He is."

"Jack the Ripper, killed during the 18th century." Calleigh explained in skepticism. "This is impossible."

"Actually it was the 19th century. 1888, in London to be exact."

"Oh my God," Calleigh lowly breathed stunned at her memory.

Horatio exhaled unbelieving himself. "Was it before or after the Whitechaple murders in August of 1888?"

Janette's brow rose. "You are well versed in history… the both of you. I am unsure and would have to ask Lacroix of the exact time… but that does sound about right. I believe the whitechapel murders are what started it all."

"That's okay," Calleigh quickly answered.

Janette chuckled, "It is okay to ask Lacroix. He does enjoy talking about history and correcting every one of his past accounts. It intrigues him. He will not bite."

Calleigh scoffed. "Ahh, that's okay. I think I'm way past my quota," she chuckled. "besides I kinda like my neck and I don't want to take any chances."

They laughed together as Horatio stared in confusion. With a soft sigh he reached for Calleigh's hand and managed to entwine his fingers with hers.

"Do they have a lead on where he's staying Janette?" Horatio dryly asked the brunette.

"No. Not quite… but Lacroix is very good at sensing these things."

"He can sense things like that?" Calleigh asked stunned.

"Lacroix is over two thousand years old," Janette explained causing Horatio to blink taken aback as she continued. "He can do almost anything. He is the most powerful vampire in the community and knows all the elders and enforcers. No one crosses Lacroix."

Calleigh blinked. "Community? Elders? Enforcers?"

Janette chuckled and raised heading for the door. "It is something you do not have to concern yourselves with. Besides… your food has arrived." She opened the door as Miklos brought in a tray and set it up near the bedside.

Horatio watched the dark haired man carefully. The moment he set eyes on him his gut kicked in and warning bells went off in his head. Miklos's eyes fixed on Calleigh and he stared.

"Miklos!" Janette barked. "Stop staring and finish. You're making Horatio nervous. It is not good for his heart to be stressed at this time."

"Yes Janette," he answered, bowed his head and with one last glimpse at the blonde, left.

"Thank you," Horatio exhaled a groan shifting, lifting up a bit.

"Horatio, wait." Calleigh made an attempt to help him but Janette took over. She lifted the pillows up then helped Horatio get comfortable, lying back against them.

"Thank you Janette," Calleigh breathed in relief.

"You're welcome." She smiled at the concerned blonde. "Eat while you can Horatio. You cannot sit like this for long," she shared.

"I feel okay," Horatio rasped watching Calleigh fix his coffee. She handed him a sandwich that he slowly put down but lifted the cup of coffee towards his lips. He took a mouthful and let out a long contented sigh. "That's… good coffee."

Calleigh smiled and nodded taking a small sip of hers. "It is good." She looked over at the brunet. "Thank you Janette." Calleigh paused and stared for a moment. "Can… I ask you something?"

Janette snickered in her French overtone. "Do I have a choice?"

Calleigh swayed her head and chuckled, "Probably not." She paused and spoke low. "Why did Lacroix need Nick to finish off the Barber? Why didn't he do it himself?"

Janette sighed in thought and zoned out flashing back in time, remembering it all. Her French accent thickened. "It was around the 1900 century or so. We were in London, thoroughly enjoying the city. I didn't like the rain of course and Nichola was, well Nichola. Young and disobedient. He did not wish to hunt with us, so Lacroix and I went off alone. Sometime later I had found Lacroix incapacitated by the tainted blood of a depraved east end barber. I tended to him and kept giving him fresh blood so he could heal. He was poisoned and in a weakened state. Nichola returned home that night. Lacroix told him to go and find the barber and if he was still alive, to finish him off. Lacroix knew he was depraved the moment he tasted his foul blood."

Janette tilted her head in deep thought. "Nichola refused to help and left us, even after I pleaded with him, even after Lacroix explained that this barber was pure evil." Janette sighed, "Back in those days, they really didn't get along… well." She exhaled thinking about it, "Come to think of it… They didn't get along at all!"

Horatio listened wondering what life must have been like back then, so long ago… and to be a vampire. It was all just a bit much for the red head to ingest. Janette continued to pull him from his endless thoughts.

"So… I continually gave Lacroix fresh blood so he could heal and… Nichola left us."

"But why?" Calleigh breathed softly. "It doesn't seem like his character. To just leave, especially with Lacroix being poisoned and all."

"You would need to have an understanding of their relationship. Lacroix and Nichola. They are both very thick headed and clash all the time." She threw her hand in the air. "Over the centuries they have drove me insane. The two of them and their constant bickering over every little disagreement that came up. Lacroix wanted it done his way but Nick had to always disobey and do it his own way. Then when Nick decided he wasn't going to hunt anymore…" Janette shook her head in disappointment.

"Lacroix was furious. He would not accept this from his fledging and it was one of the very worse times for our family."

Horatio swallowed more of his coffee. His tone came out low and smooth. "What made Nick change? Why didn't he want to hunt anymore?"

Janette smile at the tired red head. "Lacroix's antics finally caught up with him. He was always teasing and taunting Nick and one day… he went a little too far. Nichola was in love with a beautiful young ballerina. She made him smile in a way no other could. Lacroix told Nick to take her, even bring her across to be his mate for life but Nick refused. He said she was an angel of purity. It was her innocents he loved and by taking her, bringing her across, it would kill the thing he loved the most about her."

Horatio nodded considering it, understanding Nick's point of view.

Janette paused and closed her eyes remembering. "It was a terrible day."

"What happened?" Calleigh barely breathed becoming so immersed in the story.

"Lacroix and his stupid tricks is what happened. He wanted to teach Nick a lesson so he paid off two men and made sure Nichola saw them coming out of her dressing room after the performance." She smirked and shook her head explaining. "Back in those days… if a man was seen coming out of an artist's dressing room. It usually meant she was a mistress or a whore. Well Lacroix convinced Nick she was a whore, a mistress for anyone who wanted her. After seeing the grinning men come from her room with his own eyes Nick rushed in and…" Janette paused with a deep sigh. "He never did say what happened but Lacroix watched him drain her dry. Once it was done, through the blood Nichola had taken, he realized she was still pure in heart, a virgin indeed… and… she cared for him. He was distraught with guilt and remorse. He turned to find Lacroix laughing at him."

Horatio frowned. "Why would Lacroix do something like that to Nick? He seems to care about Nick. I don't understand."

Janette sighed, "At that time neither did I Horatio but… some of the lessons Lacroix has taught us, saved our lives later on. As crazy as this sounds… there is a sick method to his madness. As you both have now witnessed." Janette stared at them both then smirked, "Please… never repeat I said that."

Calleigh chuckled and Horatio nodded. "Of course not."

Janette threw her arms in the air. "So… That was the very last time Nichola has killed anyone. It has been over three hundred years now and the times have changed. We do not need to hunt anymore. We get a fresh supply of blood whenever we need and no one gets killed. Yet he still after all this time, insists on drinking cow's blood." Janette frowned and groaned low in disgust saying something in French. "I swear I think he does it just to piss Lacroix off sometimes!"

"That's why Nick asked Lacroix to save me. He wasn't strong enough because of the cow blood." Horatio murmured in understanding.

Janette inclined her head. "Oui."

"That's… some story," Calleigh blinked with wide eyes.

Janette swayed her head side to side. "It is not a story Cherie. It is the truth."

Calleigh instantly apologized. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean… I don't believe you. It's just so hard to believe it all in general. Ya know."

Janette rose and nodded. "Yes. Even for me after all this time." She walked over toward Horatio. "It is time for you to rest again."

"I feel okay Janette." He quickly assured with a hand up.

Calleigh watched him attempt to stall but Janette was no fool and clearly in control. "Mon Ami, you will lie down one way or another."

Horatio nodded and drank the last of his coffee. "Now you sound like Lacroix."

Janette smiled. "Well after 900 hundred years I would think he may have rubbed off on me just a bit," she chuckled watching Horatio shift. Her hand moved behind his back and with a groan Horatio was flat on his back again staring up at her.

Horatio rumbled with narrowing eyes, "Did you say… 900 years old?"

Calleigh reached for his hand and murmured. "Yeah um… I'm gonna have to catch you up handsome."

Horatio nodded in surprise. "I'd… certainly say so."

"You feel okay?" Calleigh softly asked rubbing his arm lovingly.

He gave her a stare then his lips curved up a bit. "I feel fine. Really," he explained and wiped a few beads of sweat from his forehead. Calleigh instantly frowned. Horatio almost never perspired and that was in the summer heat of Miami. Here they were in the brutal cold of winter, in Toronto and he was sweating. The blonde stared with worry.

Janette was very aware and placed a tender hand against Horatio's face then forehead. "You have a fever," she said surely.

"What?" Calleigh responded with concern. "How could he get a fever? I thought Lacroix's blood would heal him."

"I'm okay," Horatio insisted, listening to the two of them discuss his illness.

"I assure you… you are not okay," Janette explained then lifted the sheet.

Horatio stared up at her. "What are you doing?"

"I… need to take a look at your injuries," Janette informed suddenly smelling fresh blood. She blinked pushing back the hunger and lifted his shirt up a bit. Calleigh gasped wide eye seeing the open jagged wound.

Calleigh panicked. "That was healed before! I saw it. How is it bleeding now?"

"Calm down Cherie," Janette breathed, then took a clean cloth and placed it on the open gash. She took Horatio's hand and placed it on top of the cloth. "Press gently and it will heal. I believe you sat up for just a bit too long."

"Makes sense," Horatio murmured without concern.

Calleigh sat back down feeling somewhat better. She sighed, "See what happens when you don't listen." The blonde let out a heavy breath of relief and muttered, "You're gonna give me a heart attack. All of you!"

Horatio turned towards her with a genuine look of empathy. "I'm… sorry for worrying you sweetheart."

Calleigh sighed. "No… Horatio I didn't mean you." She held onto his hand and smile warmly at him. Her nerves were shot! She was rattled by everything it seemed and let her head drop back against the sofa.

Janette grinned staring at the loving couple. "Just how long have you two been together?"

Calleigh smiled and looked at Horatio who shyly looked away. "A few years now… but we kept it on the down low because of our jobs."

Janette took a seat on the couch again and grinned. Her tone rose playfully, "Now it's your turn to talk. I wish to hear how you both met and became a couple. I always enjoy a good love story."

Calleigh and Horatio both chuckled and the blonde nodded. "I got a call that the Miami Dade crime lab needed a ballistic expert. And let's just say I quickly took a liking to my… new supervisor." Her brows arched and wiggled playfully.

Janette threw her head back with a laugh. "Yes… that would be Horatio I take it. Go on… I wish to hear more."

Horatio exhaled softly and entwined his fingers with Calleigh's. His thumb slid slowly over her silky smooth skin entrancing him, soothing him. Little by little his eyes closed listening to her soft southern tone. It always drew him in and pacified him in almost a lulling fashion. Horatio sighed in content but felt weary and began to doze off. Calleigh began to explain how they met and fell in love when a sudden loud crash rocked the room and caused her to stop. Horatio's eyes snapped open and Janette was on her feet already at the door.

A long loud shriek echoed through the entire club.

"What was that?!" Calleigh asked knowing something was very wrong. Janette had made it across the room at vampire speed and was fully vamped out and on alert.

Horatio stared in amazement at Janette, seeing her for the first time move as a vampire.

"He is here!" She growled low turning toward the blonde. Her eyes glowing crimson red.

"Whose here?" Calleigh snapped back. "The Killer?!"

Janette nodded. It will take him some time to reach us. Miklos will fight him with everything he has. So will the others."

More screams followed by shocking cries got their attention.

Horatio rose in alarm but dropped right back down with a groan, quickly cradling the wound with surprise. It hurt… much more than before. He looked down at his hand, finding it covered in blood and the cloth was saturated.

Calleigh quickly pulled her gun off the night table and cocked it snapping at the red head. "Stay down! Stay put!"

"Calleigh…," he started but groaned in pain.

Janette finished for him seeing his struggle. "He is trying to tell you Cherie, that is not going to help, I'm afraid." She explained looking at the shiny glock in Calleigh's hand.

Calleigh's tone rose. "Well what will?!"

"Wood! A stake! Holy water… a cross perhaps." Janette focused and warned, "He's coming."

Horatio reached out and grabbed onto Calleigh's hand with a groan. His tone was rough, filled with pain. "Calleigh, please!" He turned towards the brunette. "Janette… take her to safety. Out the window while you still have time." Horatio was well aware what this crazed vampire was capable of.

Ignoring him Janette flipped over the coffee table and easily tore off one of the wooden legs. Calleigh tugged away from Horatio and followed suite not able to break the leg as quickly as Janette did. The blonde kicked at it twice before it cracked, making a very sharp edge on it. Perfect for a stake.

"Janette!" Horatio called louder, groaning in pain attempting to sit up. "Please… get her out of here! He'll kill her!"

"He'll kill you too! He'll kill us all!" Janette turned back towards Horatio for a short moment. "If I left you here, Lacroix would have my head! Now shut up or we'll all be dead! He has extraordinary hearing like us."

"Then hide… where he won't find you. Hide Calleigh." Horatio continued in a lower tone.

Janette growled, "He will hear her heartbeat no matter where I hide her! Now quiet down, please! Let me think!"

Horatio somehow managed to move his legs off the side of the bed with a low grunt. He lifted his right hand off his midsection to find it dripping with blood. He blew out a heavy breath feeling woozy; feeling his heart rate accelerate as he tried to rise but couldn't. His body was just too weak.

"He's here. Be ready!" Janette growled toward Calleigh who was right beside her. "I will attack him first and distract him then you try to surprise him. He will be fast."

"Got it," the blonde said standing ready, feeling her heart banged against her ribcage faster than ever before. 'Jack the ripper was about to come crashing through the door! And he was a vampire!'

Screams followed by loud angry growls began to grow closer. Things crashing. Glass shattering. The door suddenly flew open with an animalistic roar then everything stilled.

The Barber's head was tilted downward. His eyes masked by the black oilsilk hat on his head. His long overcoat torn and bloody. Without moving his head, his blood red eyes slid upward, in a fear-provoking way, fixing on Janette. His fangs extended fully, long and sharp as he snarled menacingly wiping fresh blood off his lips.

Calleigh froze at the site of him. Her heart thundered against her chest. He did look like a monster. Kayla's monster exactly and the blonde said a silent prayer.

With blood red eyes and fangs exposed he grinned evilly at Janette, noticing the stake fisted in her hand. He smiled wickedly and lifted one hand out, using four fingers in the come hither sign, daring her to attack him. Challenging the dark hair beauty.

Janette didn't hesitate and with a feral growl swung her arm full force, ramming the stake down toward his chest. With a deep laugh he seized it and grabbed onto her throat choking her, smiling at her feebly attempt. He growled lifting Janette like a rag doll and threw her clear across the room. Her back and head connected against the solid wall with a sickening crack. She fell to the floor shocked, overcome, groaning in pain.

Calleigh swallowed hard and stared in shock. She knew Janette was hurt and if he could do that to another vampire… Instead of attacking, she took a few steps back, which caused him to grin broadly at her. He could sense her fear or so he thought. He inhaled deeply then licked his lips breathing in again seeing Horatio for the first time… smelling the sweet-scented blood coming from the red head.

Horatio blinked in realization. He knew it was his only chance and managed to gather whatever strength he could to stand. 'Preoccupy him, distract him and give Calleigh and Janette a chance to get away,' he thought while he cradled his midsection and watched the barber's red eyes focus intently on him and his blood.

Calleigh knew exactly what Horatio was doing. Her heart was hammering in her chest as she leaned back gaining momentum then ran full speed at the crazed vampire and with all her might rammed the long wooden stake directly into his chest.

It hit its mark and the barber let out a loud animal like howl, falling back a few feet to the floor, with the stake sticking out of his chest. Calleigh blinked in shocked at her own strength. She believed it had to be the adrenaline and stared at the growling vampire on the floor.

Janette moaned causing Calleigh to turn her attention away from the barber. She ran for Janette and kneeled next to her with concern. "Are you okay? Tell me how to help you," Calleigh breathed nervously knowing Janette was badly injured.

Horatio collapsed back onto the bed breathing hard. He groaned cradling his midsection, watching the crazed vampire slowly wrench the stake out of his chest. Horatio blinked in shock then panic. He rumbled coarsely. "Get out while you can. Janette, take Calleigh and go! He's too strong. He's getting back up! Go! Now! I'll do my best to hold him off!"

Still dazed and badly wounded, Janette shakily rose to her feet with Calleigh's help. She stumbled weakly then stared at Horatio for a moment in disbelief of his words. She turned her attention on the barber, who viciously tore the stake from his chest while laughing manically.

Janette growled enraged with no other option and very unexpectedly grabbed onto Calleigh, who yelled and struggled with the powerful vampire. "No! Janette…, stop!"

Horatio nodded at the brunette and no words were needed. His eyes spoke volumes and fixed on Calleigh's horrified gaze for only a second. "I love you," he rasped.

Janette held onto the blonde and with two steps was out the window with a whoosh! Cold air rushed in and Horatio swallowed hard hearing Calleigh's lingering scream in the distance. His eyes closed in remorse then quickly focused on the enraged vampire across from him. For a split second he scanned the room, looking around for anything he could use as a weapon. By the time he refocused again it was already too late.

The barber was standing in front of him. Jack the Ripper himself. He viciously grabbed Horatio by the throat and slammed him down on the bed growling like a beast. He held his gaze and sneered menacingly.

Horatio struggled and latched onto his powerful forearm with two hands, and still couldn't budge him. The barber tightened his grip and laughed manically, "I told you… you should not have followed Lieutenant!"

Horatio gasped a small breath wondering how the barber would kill him. Rip him to shreds, cut out his organs, drink him dry of his blood. His thoughts spun while his breathing grew shallow and slowed. 'Jack the Ripper's alive… and he's gonna kill me!'

A long moment passed and Horatio was still alive and wondered why. He blinked through the haziness trying to focus.

The barber roughly shoved him into the bed harder growling, loosening his grip on the red heads throat. "Where is Lacroix?! Where is his son?!"

Horatio exhaled and tried to take in air again but couldn't. He breathed harshly, "I… I don't know."

"You will tell me mortal, or I will make you beg for death!" He powerfully held Horatio down with one hand on his throat while the other pressed into the open wound.

A painful yell tore from Horatio's lips as he struggled, unable to breathe. He writhed and gasped for air pulling at the steely arm holding him down.

"Tell me!" An animalistic growl left his throat then he clawed at Horatio's midsection, ripping it open more.

Horatio cried out in excruciating pain that somehow quickly diminished. He blinked feeling fullness in his ears, a growing haziness in his vision. His body was growing weaker by the second and he knew he was close to passing out. He groaned low, weak, unable to struggle anymore. His vision began to blur.

"Tell me!" The vampire snarled growling again but this time Horatio barely heard him. His animal like growl was drifting further and further away.

With his last breath, the red head rasped, "Go… Go… to hell…"

The barber grew more incensed and violently grasped a handful of Horatio's hair. He yanked his head to the side with a growl and viciously sank his fangs into his neck. In a state of shocking pain and barely conscious, Horatio groaned as everything faded into blackness…

Nick and Lacroix where on a rooftop. The two concentrated, using their senses and vampire abilities to try and locate the crazed barber.

"Nothing!" Nick growled completely frustrated.

He wanted to catch the barber and kill him for several reasons. The most important being his self-righteousness and guilt. He felt an urgent need to make things right after all this time.

Lacroix walked towards him. "Stay calm Nicholas and focus—" The tall ancient suddenly buckled with a painful groan and crouched to one knee in extreme discomfort.

"Lacroix! What is it?! Are you okay?!" Nick instantly kneeled in front of him with concern.

Lacroix slowly nodded his head in response but the pain in his tone was clear as he lowly explained, "Janette is in trouble and… so is—" The ancient groaned loudly again buckling then concentrated and stood enraged. "He has Horatio!"

Nick blinked. "What?! That's impossible! There's no way, with all the security—"

Lacroix snapped infuriated, hissing. "I tell you he has Horatio and the red head is…" He grimaced feeling the amount of pain Horatio was experiencing then finished, "In severe pain."

Nick froze in disbelief and recognition. He grabbed onto Lacroix's arm in shock. "You can sense… Horatio?! How is that possible? He's a mortal Lacroix?!"

The ancient shook his head in skepticism himself. He was both surprised and irritated at the new bond he felt with Horatio. Not fully understanding it himself he ignored the question.

"Come Nicholas! We must return at once," Lacroix growled, as they immediately headed back towards the Raven.

TBC…


Shocked you all, didn't I? LOL

I bet you weren't expecting that.