Author's Notes: Thank you to all who reviewed my fic.

Mystery Writer5775: How very true, but I am unpredictable and never know what will happen next. Glad you like the fic.

Chapter XXI: The Diamond Ring of the Eclipse

Mick

We are nearing his lair; I can smell the blood he probably took from them.

This final stretch is the most deadly as he wishes to protect himself from any intruder who dares to interfere with his plans, but we are not any intruder.

"Hey Mick who's this Vlad Tepes?" Jack asks as he points to a picture of the Romanian Tyrant on the wall.

"Vlad, he was a 15th Century Romanian ruler. He was said to impale people just for fun," I told him as we walked past the painting and continued on our journey.

"I hope Danny's all right," Valerie says as she carefully follows us careful to avoid any traps this time.

I was about to say something when I sensed something, it smelt like ectoplasm, but we still a little bit away from his main chamber…unless.

I kneel down and place my ear to the ground, I can hear heartbeats two of them, "I found Danni and Tucker," I say standing up again.

"How are you sure, Mr. St. John?" Maddie asks curiously.

"Trust me Mick has his ways," Valerie and Beth said in unison as I knelt down again and began removing the floor to find them, hang on kids I'm coming.

Sam

After walking for what seems an Eternity, I think we are nearing our goal. I am not sure how but something tells me we are nearing Danny.

While are walking I hear Jazz talking to herself, "Jazz, are you all right," I ask her but she does not answer me.

"Huh, oh yeah, I'm fine Sam. I was just praying that everyone's alive," she says before turning back to her prayer. I too am praying that we find our friends safe and sound and that we can defeat this devil and make him pay for harming our friends.

"I know what you mea..," I began t say as I notice that there are no more dragons on the floor only skulls.

"What's wrong Sam," Jazz asks as she walks forward and sees the floor, "How do we know where to step now?" she asks worriedly.

I thought for a second, but remembered back to the dungeon with the angel seals. Faith had gotten us through that maze and I had feeling we would have do it again only this time it will be blind faith.

"I have a plan," I tell as I take her hand and we start our final journey.

Danny

"NO! NO!" my captor hissed as his pounded his fist on his keyboard in anger. "They survived, they cannot defeat me," he sneers as takes the phial that has Danni's blood in it and swallows its contents.

He remains still for a moment and then begins to cough and fall to the floor. A second later he gets up, "there I am ready for them now," he says as he wipes the blood from his mouth and walks over to me.

I stare at him trying not to throw up.

"You will watch as your friends die by my hand," he says laughing evilly before preparing for what is to come.

Danni

I am so lonely and scared. Tucker is in another cage in the corner and can't hear me and I am tied up and alone in here. We are doomed.

I stare into the darkness hoping for a miracle but I fear that none will happen.

Just then, I heard something it sounded like some calling my name, could it be that someone has found me.

"Danni," I hear a voice call out, it's authoritative but warm; I think it might be Mr. St. John.

"Danielle?" another voice calls out, it's Aunt Maddie, I'm saved at last.

I began to shake my chains hoping they could hear me.

"Danni if that's you do it again," another voice, Valerie's this time, calls out and I obey.

"Danni, stay calm, I'm coming," I hear Mick call out as I hear his footsteps approach. Soon I can see his form coming towards the cage. I rattle my chains louder until I can see his face in this darkness.

He stops in front of the cage and touches the bars, "good," he said as he gripped the bars and with one forceful pull removes the door and walks in. "I'm going to have you free in no time," he says as he rips off my chains.

Soon as I am free I run over him and hug him, the strange thing though is I can't hear his heartbeat. It frightens me at first but then I shrug it off as just from me being weak.

"It's okay Danni, it's all over," he told me as he puts his arms around me and carries me to where the others are standing.

"Danni, thank goodness you're okay," Aunt Maddie says as Mick puts me on the ground and hugs me. "What is that thing on your neck sweetie," she asks worried pointing to collar on my neck.

"A Wallachian Torture Collar," Mick says gravely, "she'll need to go to the hospital to have it removed," he tells her as he goes looking around the chamber.

A few minutes later I hear him call out, "I found Tucker," and come back with Tucker behind him.

"Thank goodness you're safe," Valerie says as she hugs Tucker, "but where's Danny," she asks still concerned for her friend.

"That creep has Danny locked up above in his hideout. He has a secret passage that he uses," he explained to Mick.

"Beth, I want you to take Tucker and Danni out of here to the hospital," he tells a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes standing near him.

"What if you need help?" she asks concerned as she glared at the detective.

"I'll be fine, just take Danni and Tucker out of here," he says as he points to the way out and she starts to walk with me and Tucker following her.