For nearly the last time, I do not own Nightshade *tear*

As you all know, the poll is still up and running, but as the verdict is becoming more clear I have decided to give you all a small teaser for the upcoming ending. Enjoy and hopefully this will tie you all over until the final verdict is reached.

If you haven't cast a vote yet, get your ass moving and go vote ;)

Enjoy!

~Chapter 20 (For Real): A Ceremony to Celebrate~

~Mason~

I could feel the blood slipping through my palms from my bleeding knuckles. The door had claw marks and the hinges fading to a dull Grey instead of bright silver. I should've known better than to leave Neville, I should've known Efron wasn't good on his word. I gave one final ragged cry as I slid to the floor with tears filling my eyes. I might as well have been in a fucking cell; the room was bare and stone. I'd lost track of time and sighed as the reality that Neville was probably dead sank in.

Why did you leave him? You promised! Because of you he's dead! That's all you do anymore is kill the people you love…

I covered my face with my hands and tried to breathe normally again, anything to stop the ragged gasps I was taking now. Memories of last night flooded my mind and I took solace in them, in the warmth of Neville's arms.

"I love you, Nev. And I'm sorry it took so long for me to realize it, but I do. And I'm going to make sure you're safe if it's the last thing I do. I promise."

I hadn't kept that promise. I hadn't kept a lot of promises I'd made lately. I tried to rack my brain for any reason they might keep Nev alive, but came up with nothing neither logical nor probable.

I jumped at the sound of the lock on the door clicking and flinched from the light that flooded inside as it creaked open. After blinking a few times, I could make out the silhouette before me.

"Fey?" I questioned.

The girl rolled her eyes. "Well who else would save your scrawny, stupid ass?" As she stepped closer to inspect my still bleeding hands, her face changed to one of concern and poise, "Where's Nev?"

"I don't know," I admitted, my face scrunching up into interest, "Since when do you care about Nev?"

She met my eyes and the edges of her mouth quirked up into a small smirk. "Since he abandoned his own people to help save the ones I love."

I opened my mouth, but shut it not knowing what to say. Luckily, I didn't have to say anything because she pulled me to my feet in one smooth movement. "Come on," she said. "We have to go find your boyfriend."

"Ansel—"

"Calla and Bryn are searching for him as we speak. Now, come on, we don't have much time."

I nodded and followed Fey out the door. I looked around. Seeing no one, and questioned, "Where is everyone? There's normally a guard."

"They're all at the ceremony," she answered grimly.

I slowly turned to look at her. "What ceremony?"

She swallowed, fidgeting slightly with nerves. "To celebrate the making of another Guardian."

*evil laugh*

Until Next Time