This chapter is going to be pretty long, but it is the finale before the epilogue, which will be the next chapter. Sorry for some hasty writing towards the end, it's getting late but I really wanted to finish this up tonight. Also I apologize for the fact that I don't know enough about vampires to write them as they are in most books, so sorry for the inaccuracies. But as I said at the start, this is my version since I don't know very much about the fictional creatures. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this, and please review! :D

Magnus glared at Tova. "Talk? Yes, let's," There was a hint of desperation in his voice, like watching his three allies be taken from him had made him weakened, and anger showed that he was becoming fed up with Tova's games. "Why don't you start by telling me why I'm here?"

Tova let out a small laugh, looking down, taking a step forward. "Because you won't accept what you are," She turned her gaze upwards, and it had become harsh. "And it's getting in my way." She took the two guns she had acquired, throwing one deep into the woods and showing one into her own pocket.

"Well," Magnus glared at her, and it was like he had had enough of being afraid of her, his usual deadpanning starting again. "I'm sorry it's such an inconvenience for you that I have a conscience." His sharp gaze showed Kurt that he'd gone from dread to exasperation, and his words threw caution to the wind.

"Magnus, I want to hunt." She said plainly, like it should have explained everything. "I'm a vampire, so are you. We're more advanced than humans, we have stronger senses, we're physically stronger, and we live longer. We are the advanced beings." She gave him a questioning look. "We have a right to hunt humans! Didn't you ever study the food chain? 'Survival of the fittest' ringing a bell?"

Kurt felt the young vampires hand on his wrists. She was small, he knew it wouldn't take too much for him to yank himself free. But there were two other prisoners on either side of him being held by significantly stronger vampires. If he tried to escape he could get himself or one of the other detectives punished. So he swallowed his anxiety and focused on Magnus' words. "The food chain is a study on mindless animals, like frogs or birds," He pulled his hands out of his pocket and extended them, palms up. "Don't you understand that humans and vampires are more than that? We aren't just made for hunting and surviving, there is so much more to us, like our souls, and the capacity for compassion and empathy." He let his hands fall to his sides. "Or did you lose that when you gave in?"

"I became stronger than you will ever be," Tova hissed, her eyes passionately hateful. "You are weak, you let meaningless feelings control your actions, and guilt keeps you from living to your full potential."

"Physically stronger, sure, I'll give you that." He slid his hands into his pockets, the familiar fabric helping him to stay focused on the discussion. "But you were too weak to fight the change," He announced accusingly. "That makes me the mentally stronger one, and if you remember being a human, sometimes that's of much more value than how fast you can run or how strong you are."

"I gave in by choice!" She shouted back. Kurt could tell Magnus was getting somewhere, the vampire that had been in control of the situation was becoming flustered. "I let myself become a hunter because I wanted power. And now I have it."

"Maybe you do. But won't you lose it soon anyway?"

"What?" Her eyes narrowed.

Magnus' looked like he'd miss something, his brow furrowed. "You're going around creating vampires, but what about your creator? Won't he come to stop you?" He looked down. "Most vampires just kill. They don't like sharing prey." He spoke louder, making sure the whole group could hear. "And if they do create another vampire, they intend to force it to hunt for them. That's what the one that bit me tried to do." Magnus licked his lips nervously. Anne-Britt couldn't help feeling a twinge of pride over the dread in her heart, to hear him speak of being bitten with complete confidence. But the strong hands holding her tightly kept her from focusing on any good feelings she had for very long. "After I refused the mental change and would not hunt for him, Gustav gave up on me."

For a moment Tova looked over him, then her puzzled look softened and a smile came over her again, the kind that made Magnus' stomach turn. "I see now. Now it all makes sense. You really are the failure." She projected her voice, taking control of the conversation back again. "Gustav bit me as well," Magnus' eyes widened. "We have the same creator, and he did it for the same reason as you, but I wasn't a failure. But," She smiled wickedly. "It didn't go quite how he planned."

Magnus angled his head slightly. "How?"

She let out a long breath, rolling her eyes. "Gustav tried to force me to hunt for him. He told me about you, and Ystad, and how he would hide the bodies he killed so the police didn't know and people would not become more paranoid. It's harder to hunt when people are careful about going out at night." She clicked her tongue against her teeth, shaking his head, chiding him. "It was such a human paranoia. Those were the only things he was able to explain to me about being a vampire before I attacked him."

Magnus' eyes widened, his hands slipping out of his pockets. "You attacked him? Gustav?"

Tova's face became snide as she shrugged, her words dripping with pride. "Of course I did. I wasn't going to share prey with some low-life just because he gave me the venom to make me what I was born to be. Just about killed him. If vampire's could die." She was smirking at Magnus, but Kurt suddenly remembered something Magnus had said. That a vampire that lived off of blood could be weakened to the point of starving to death if their blood was drained. The cadet's surprised expression made it obvious that he'd caught the mistake as well.

"So... Gustav barely told you anything about vampires?" Magnus spoke out Kurt's realization. He shot a glance in the direction of the detectives.

"Only that he had one rebellious one here, and if I wanted to hunt freely, I would have to stop him."

Magnus' hands balled into fists, and he stood taller. "I'm not going to let you wreak havoc in Ystad."

"But I have a deal for you Magnus," She took a step forward, then another, until she began circling Magnus, slowly, not taking her red eyes off of him. "You try to play human, by making friends and protecting people and solving crimes." He didn't risk moving, his eyes suspicious as she moved around him. "But if you keep doing that, it's going to make things very difficult for me."

"What a shame," He said, still following her with his eyes.

"I have an agenda, boy," She stopped, reaching where she was standing before, more than five feet from Magnus in front of the three vampires and their prisoners. "I am going to create more vampires, and we are going to hunt as much as we like in Ystad. No more hiding from humans, we will hunt who we like. We are the better species, immortal, and we deserve to be seen."

Kurt heard Lisa take in a shaky, fearful breath. Magnus looked at her like she had tow heads. "That's idiotic, you'll get yourself killed!"

"We can't be killed," Tova hissed. "Now the police are one thing, we can kill any of them who get too close. But you," She pointed directly at Magnus, who stared at her expressionless. "Are a problem."

"Why," Magnus breathed, trying to use the same sarcastic attitude he had always used. "Are you afraid of me?"

"Of course not," She snorted, putting her hand on her hip. "But recruiting vampires isn't perfect. There will always be some that will resist the full change because of the weakness you call a conscience. Like Emelie over there," Kurt felt everyone's attention shift to the young lady holding him, the one they'd noticed had hazel eyes. "Weakling," Tova spat. Then she turned back to Magnus. "And while there are vampires who will join me, there will also be vampires who will refuse to hunt like we do and act like you. And we can't have a build up of rebellious vampires in our hunting grounds."

Magnus got up his courage and glared at her. "Stop creating vampires and you won't have to risk it. Or move somewhere else."

Tova smirked. "Nice try, but I'm here to stay. I will simply force them to leave our territory. Only my vampires will be allowed in Ystad, to prey on and kill the humans as we desire."

"I'm police," Magnus put his hands into fists again. "I'll never let you turn Ystad into your own personal buffet."

"Oh, but you will," Tova said. "And now, I present to you our offer." She took a step back, and spoke loudly. "Bring me the young one."

Before Kurt could do anything, the vampire on his left as he faced Magnus moved forward, shoving Anne-Britt along in front of himself. Magnus' eyes widened with panic while he watched the detective struggle as the stocky vampire Leo brought her over to where Tova was waiting for her. Magnus' heart pounded with concern for her as Tova grabbed her arm. "Give her to me," She ordered the vampire. He obeyed immediately, moving back to where he stood before.

Anne-Britt stood, the younger vampire starting to move behind her. Her eyes connected to Magnus, and it hit her that she couldn't let the vampire have control over her. Tova moved Anne-Britt's hands to behind her back, so the detective drove her elbow backwards. The vampire saw it coming. Tova moved to the side, then grabbed Anne-Britt's wrist. "A fighter, are we?" Tova hissed,her head not far from Anne-Britt's ear. Tova held Anne-Britt's right hand, moving it in front of her. "Struggle again," The detective stared down at her wrist. Suddenly the vampire started quickly twisting it away from her body. She screamed in pain as her wrist was forcefully bent a way it wasn't intended to go. "And I swear I will break you along with every other human here."

"Stop it!" Magnus screamed, his hand reaching out though he was too far and to scared for it to actually reach them.

Tova let go of her wrist, eyes on Magnus, and it fell to the detective's side, her other arms still being held behind her back. Kurt watched intently, wishing he could do something to help her. "Now. Will you stay still?"

Anne-Britt's eyes were pained as Magnus watched her nod weakly.

"Pathetic human." Tova brought Anne-Britt's wrists together behind her back, holding them tightly. Anne-Britt lowered her head. "Now, Magnus," She focused her attention on the vampire once again, her head next to the detective she was a few inches taller than. "You care so much about these humans and your precious police department. But you also care about the people of Ystad, enough to kill any vampire you accidentally created. Don't you?"

Magnus' face was pained, but he didn't let his confidence fail. "That only happened once."

"Sure it did. So childish." Tova chided. "You think you can decide what lives are worth saving and which aren't?"

"She could have ended up just like you if I let her turn!" He shouted. After a moment his tone became weaker. "Besides, if she didn't end up like you she would have had to live with the same guilt I do, and I couldn't do that to someone."

"Right," Tova rolled her eyes, then refocused. "If I created more vampires, would you leave Ystad and allow me to?"

"No," Magnus said confidently. "I would fight you until the end." He tried to keep his eyes on Tova, whenever they strayed to Anne-Britt's terrified face he felt his fear increase.

"I see. And if you stayed. Would you let the changes temptation take you and become a full hunter and join us?"

"I would never."

"This is what I needed to know. Now," She moved Anne-Britt in front of her, and Magus felt any confidence he had seem to melt away as he watched the detective he'd always looked up to reduced to a terrified hostage. "I understand that the Ystad police department is a significant reason that you still have faith in your ability to act human. Because unlike me, you don't want to be a killer to them. What if," She moved her head next to Anne-Britt's head again, and she moved it away from the vampire immediately. "You were responsible for the death of one of their own?"

In a moment every human's heartbeat seem to increase, and Magnus had taken his gun out and had it pointed directly at Tova's head. "I would never hurt Anne-Britt, or any of them."

"Put that toy away," Tova stared at him. "One wrong move and there's a bullet in her skull. Do you really want that?"

Magnus swallowed, then slowly lowered his arms, watching Anne-Britt's shaking form. He kept the gun in his right hand. "Let go of her."

"Agree to leave Ystad to us and I will."

He swallowed, his voice shaken with desperation. "You know it would be a lie. I can't sit back and watch you kill."

"But if the Ystad police, the people who you work with, who like you and care about you, were convinced you had killed one of their own... Would you still try and stop us?"

Magnus' breath was quick and panicked. "I would never kill one of them."

"Well," Tova glared at him. "Let's see how your pathetically emotional heart holds up after you make your choice."

Magnus watched, terrified, as Tova's arms moved to Anne-Britt's arms, holding her forearms tight to her body.

"Don't touch her!" Magnus yelled.

"You should have joined us, Magnus," Tova said. "Now decide. Will you watch your friend turn..." She put her hand on the side of Anne-Britt's head, and the detective's eyes filled with fear. "Or kill her?" Tova angled Anne-Britt's head to the side. Her eyes widened, and she looked to the cadet with terrified eyes. "Magnus!" She managed to say.

"STOP!" Magnus screamed.

Tova plunged her fangs into Anne-Britt's exposed neck.

"Anne-Britt!" Kurt shouted, his pulse racing.

Anne-Britt's eyes widened, but she didn't scream as Tova closed her eyes and took the first swallow of blood. As another was taken, her lips parted, and she uttered a small cry.

Suddenly it was like something snapped inside Magnus. He ran forward and smacked Tova's head with the metal handle of his gun. The vampire pulled her head back, snarling in pain, and stumbled backwards, falling to the ground. Anne-Britt looked at Magnus for a moment, her eyes weak. Then she crumpled to her knees.

Magnus stepped back and lowered himself quickly as well, fear pulsing through him as he put his hands on Anne-Britt's shoulders. For a moment he just watched her shaking, his own heart beating so fast he thought he wouldn't be able to speak. He moved her hair out of the way and shoved his left sleeve against the bleeding holes on her neck, his stomach twisting. "Anne... Anne-Britt?" He said. She was shaking, but she slowly lifted her face. Magnus took in a sharp breath. Her weak, half-shut eyes looked up at him. They were pulsing with red.

"She's turning!" Magnus announced for the sake of Lisa and Kurt, who looked on with terror.

"And you'll kill her," Tova growled. She had stood, but not bothered to move towards the two crouching figures. "I know it. You're weak."

Magnus tried to ignore the comment. "Magnus...?" Anne-Britt's voice said weakly. She was already covered in sweat, and pity hit Magnus as he remember how suddenly and incredibly painful and weakening the change had been the second the vampire's fangs left his body. "It hurts," her body shook as she whispered.

He was terrified. The blood wasn't even tempting to him, it wreaked of vampire. He held her shoulder and neck, unsure of what to do for a moment as no one spoke or moved, all eyes on the two of them. He remembered what Gustav had told him, about removing vampire venom, but the idea was sickening. He felt like the world was frozen, waiting for him. But he had to focus, to ignore his fear for her sake. If he didn't act soon, there was no hope, and she would turn. "Anne-Britt listen to me," His voice was shaking. "I'm going to help you."

"No," Anne-Britt mumbled, hanging her head. "Please don't kill me, Magnus."

Pity hit him again, but he had to act. "Anne-Britt, look at me," He moved the hand from her shoulder and held the detectives chin up so she'd look at him. Tears were tracing their way down her cheeks, and he didn't know if it was the pain or fear. Or both. "I'm going to help you. I have to do this. Please trust me." He fixed his eyes on the bloody marks, focusing.

He took in a breath. "Magnus-" Before she could stop him, he plunged his teeth into her skin.

"Magnus, no!" He heard Lisa scream.

He focused. He had to take just the right amount to extract the venom. No more, no less. He took in the first swallow.

"I told you!" Tova's victorious voice rang out as the blood filled him. He ignored how admittedly delicious her blood was to focus on the bitter taste of Tova's venom. That was his gauge, that was how he knew the difference between saving and killing. "You're a killer just like we are, accept it!"

He shut his eyes, taking another swallow, focusing. Still bitter. Anne-Britt was clearly in pain, she let out a quiet cry.

"Magnus, stop!" Lisa called, panicked. Kurt didn't speak, holding onto the hope that Magnus was saving her.

A third swallow, and he could taste less venom this time. He was getting near the end. As he took his fourth Anne-Britt tried to put her hands on his shoulders, and he realized she was going to try and stop him. He did something he thought he would never do, and grabbed her forearms, restraining her.

One small swallow more, and he barely tasted the bitterness. To be sure he took in another small swallow, and it was in fact purely Anne-Britt's blood. He froze, the vampire part of him giving him an intense to keep drinking. Human blood tasted amazing. But he closed his eyes tighter, and pulled his fangs from her skin.

He immediately put the back of his hand against his lips, not letting Kurt and Lisa see his comrades blood dripping down his chin. He stared at Anne-Britt's lowered head as he wiped the blood off on his sleeve, then pressed his left palm to her bleeding neck. Magnus waited, and for a terrifying moment she didn't move. Then Anne-Britt slowly raised her head, her expression shocked.

The red was gone from her eyes, which were wide with life and strength again.

Magnus couldn't help but let a relieved smile come over him. Satisfied, he turned his gaze to Tova. "You couldn't force me to be a killer any more than you could force Anne-Britt to be one."

Tova's eyebrows raised. "What? How?"

"Vampire venom can be drained out of the blood stream," Kurt filled in, his eyes connecting with Magnus. He couldn't help but give the cadet a proud smile. "Magnus saved her."

"Anyone can get a second chance," Magnus said. He guided Anne-Britt's hand to her neck. She had to suppress the bleeding herself. He had someone else to deal with. He stood slowly. "If Kurt, Anne-Britt and Lisa have taught me anything in my life it's that anyone can get another chance if someone will give it to them. Kurt left the force for a while, and when he came back he got a second chance." He swallowed, unsure he wanted to offer it to her, but knowing it he had to try. "Maybe even a hunter could get a second chance," He angled his head to the side. "If you would take it."

Tova glared. "I am a hunter. I will never stop killing."

Magnus' gaze hardened. "Then so be it." He reached down, and grabbed the gun he'd dropped when he went to help Anne-Britt.

"Hah! You think you can stop me with that human toy? I will survive, and this time-" Magnus pulled the trigger and sent a bullet into Tova's leg.

The vampire cried out in pain as she fell to the ground, and Magnus moved over to her crumpled figure. "You chased off Gustav before he could tell you one other thing. Vampires can be killed." Tova looked up as Magnus glanced at Kurt. The detective looked to Magnus, and nodded.

Magnus knelt down, taking Tova's wrist and biting it. There was nothing right to it now, he was killing. But he swallowed the vampire's bitter, dying blood, and tried to think about Rose and the man and how many other people would be killed if her let her live. She screamed as he drank and drank, his eyes shut tight with disgust until he could tell that his fangs were like a straw at the bottom of an empty glass. He pulled away from her thankfully, letting her wrist fall on top of her. Her eyes were open, and he couldn't tell if she was dead or in some sort of coma that came with having absolutely nothing left to live off of in her system. But he still took a step back, cleaning off his mouth.

He looked over at the vampires, one standing by himself, two holding Kurt and Lisa. But his focus landed on the hazel-eyed vampire. Her face looked terrified.

"You," Magnus said, taking over control of the situation. "What's your name?"

"Emelie," She said, her voice small.

"Emelie," Magnus repeated. He let his expression softened as he looked at the girl holding Kurt. She was big, being a vampire, but she couldn't have been eighteen. "I'm sorry for what happened to you. I can give you a second chance. I can teach you how to exist as a vampire, you don't have to kill anymore." She froze, looking from him to Kurt. Magnus let out a long breath. "Let go of Kurt, and let me help you." She looked down, her timid form unmoving. "Please. We won't hurt you."

She didn't move for a long time, and Kurt waited, her small hands still on his wrists. After what felt like forever she let go, and Kurt pulled himself away from her. He bent down and grabbed the gun from Tova's pocket and straightened up, holding it towards the two hunter vampires.

"Put your hands on your head," Kurt said to the hunters.

Something hit Magnus as he looked to the vampire that had passed Anne-Britt to Tova. She had claimed that all her vampires were well fed, but he realized that only meant Erik and Emelie. Leo's eyes were a darker red than a normal hunter, she must have been starving him. He shuddered to think what for. But if someone near him bled...

Neither of the vampires moved, and Lisa still looked terrified. "Put your hands on your head or I will shoot."

"Erik," Magnus whispered. "Hit Erik if they run."

"Put your hands on your head!" Kurt shouted again. Finally the two of them took off running, Leo discarding Lisa to the side. Kurt aimed and shot Erik in the back. As predicted, Leo threw himself at the other, and Kurt heard the hunter scream.

"Emelie," Magnus said as the vampire drank. "Leo," He remembered the name. "Is going to be arrested, and put away for murder because of what he just did," His eyes focused on her. "And he's going to starve slowly and miserably in prison. If you'd like..." Magnus didn't say anything more, but the young vampire understood. She ran over to the two, and Magnus wondered if she was as full as Tova claimed.

Kurt shrunk back. "Barbaric," He said, looking away.

"He was going to die in prison regardless," Magnus voice betrayed more concern than his words gave as Lisa made her way over to them.

"Lisa, I'm," Magnus said as she got over to where they were.

"Don't," Lisa said, silencing him. For a moment she didn't speak, then she took a long breath and looked at Magnus. "You saved Anne-Britt. You stopped a killer and with Kurt stopped two other killers." She looked away from the hunters. "And you didn't let Kurt or I get harmed." She put a hand on the tall cadet's shoulder. "I have to be honest, you did the right thing. Thank you."

Magnus looked at her, then let a weak smile come over himself. "Thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me," He pulled away from the two of them.

Anne-Britt was still kneeling, but her back was straight and she wasn't shaking. She watched as Magnus knelt beside her. He could hear Kurt and Lisa talk as he pulled a bandage out of his pocket. For a moment her gaze stayed on his eyes, then she watched as he pulled the large bandage out of the wrapping. It was bout the size of a post-it note, and he pulled the white paper off of it. Without saying anything, he moved her bloody hand from her neck and set it on her lap. The blood wasn't tempting, he was too full to even worry about it. He stuck the bandage against her neck, pressing the adhesive on gently.

"You brought a bandage?" Anne-Britt asked.

"Well," Magnus moved back and met here eyes. "I was worried this would happen."

Anne-Britt nodded, her head low. "That... was terrifying."

"I know," Now Magnus was the one looking down. "Are you okay?"

She let out a shaky breath. "That was... horrifying." Two tears began tracing their way down her cheeks as words poured out of her. "It was so painful, then all I could see or smell was blood, everywhere..." Her voice cut out. Magnus' eyebrows angled up with empathy.

"It's scary and painful," He agreed. "Take your time."

"And you... you stopped it," She looked up at him. "You saved me."

Magnus didn't take any pride in it. "I'm sorry, I never wanted to hurt you."

"Well," She let out a breath, wiping her bloody hand on her jeans. "It would have been much worse if you hadn't. God," She shook her head. "I can't believe you went through a whole night of that."

Magnus shifted, not eager to relive it. "It doesn't matter anymore."

Her sad eyes connected with him. "I'm sorry."

Magnus let out a breath, and stood up. He reached a hand out to her. It was the past, and right now he wanted to put it behind him. All he wanted was to be far away from tonight's events. Anne-Britt took his hands and stood up, a tad shaky at first. "You've lost a lot of blood."

She brought her hand up to the bandage instinctively. Lisa and Kurt noticed them and walked over to them.

"Anne-Britt, are you alright?" Lisa asked immediately.

She nodded. "Just a little dizzy. But I'm safe, and so is Ystad. Even after what Tova tried to do."

Magnus took in and released a long breath, letting it all sink in. Tova was taken care of. Her hunters were gone. Anne-Britt and the others were safe. For the first time since he'd seen Tova a few days ago, he felt genuinely safe. And he knew the other detectives were safe, as were the citizens of Ystad. He glanced over to where Emelie stood, unwilling to interrupt them. "Everyone can get a second chance," He mumbled to himself.

He looked from her, to Anne-Britt, to Lisa, to Kurt, then finally down at his own bloody hand. Magnus let out a long, satisfied breath. "Everyone."