This is ALMOST the end… Hope you've enjoyed the journey so far!

Disclaimer: Twilight was a great idea, too bad I didn't think of it.

Chapter 25

Attack

"Attack me Danny," Thomas instructed as he stood with me in the center ring.

I was nervous.

"Your instincts will take over, trust yourself," he encouraged.

I swung. He limply used one hand to hold his blade and stopped me effortlessly before contact.

This was also going to be one sided, but not in my favor.

I swung again, and he blocked me.

"Is that all you got?" he mocked me.

I started to get angry, but this anger was different than anything I felt. I was controlled; determined. I gripped my blade tightly with both my hands.

I started to focus and attack Thomas like I had attacked Lindsay, but he was much faster and stronger. I couldn't touch him, he was able to shield or evade each blow.

I got a little angrier.

My mind reached out to trap him, but I felt my energy being deflected.

I watched him grin.

I continued to attack harder and faster, changing my angles with my blade, using the force of my body behind my attacks. I lunged, I twisted, I pounced and he blocked me. Nothing worked.

He kept encouraging me, taunting and teasing. Egging me onward, compelling me to strike again.

"Is that all you got?" he asked again.

Anger raged through my blood, but I kept in control. My body felt energized and full of fire. My eyes burned and my bracelet sent electricity through my body. The voice of my sister shouting words of encouragement echoed in the background.

"Cord," I commanded in a low voice, full of irritation.

My thoughts raged like a caged animal. No Thomas, that isn't "all I got" I thought.

Thomas gave me a challenging smile.

I held both my cord and blade in my right hand as I continued to torment with my weapon. My left hand gripped firmly around my blade and controlled my attacks, as my right struggled to hold on to both objects.

When I thought I was ready to release my rope, my strategy was derailed and I found myself suddenly in defensive mode. Thomas was now attacking me. He moved precisely, and his strength was immeasurable. My arms burned and my stomach ached, using all my power to block his attacks. My mind struggled to keep up with the speed of his body, trying to assist my muscles in preventing Thomas from striking me.

"Good," he encouraged, hitting me harder, faster and moving with all the grace and elegance of a god.

My body had long since broken a sweat and I was now dripping wet. I was starting to succumb to fatigue, but I would not let myself quit.

I saw his blade light up. He hit me.

"Keep your focus Danny, you're stronger than you give yourself credit for," he pushed me on.

I kept attacking and he kept fighting back. He was wearing me out. I lashed out with my cord, and he evaded it. I tried to trap him with my mind, and he redirected my energy. I swung with my blade and he thwarted my weapon.

Then he hit me again. And again. And again.

He spoke in a soft, loving voice, "I know your tired, find the energy. Search inside of yourself."

I took in a deep breath, summoning my strength.

Thomas half smirked, then raised his hands motioning with his fingers to bring it on.

I obliged.

Everything inside of me radiated strength and power as we dueled; forcefully challenging each other, adverting and striking, dodging and attacking, twisting and turning.

He grinned irresistibly, both loving and cunning as we continued to spar. Instead of tiring, I became invigorated. Thomas's actions seemed to slow, and I began to keep up with his movements. I started to fill with an energy I've never felt before, and at the peak of this force I threw all my power at Thomas finally trapping him momentarily with my mind. My arm didn't hesitate. My rope flashed out wrapping around him, while my legs pushed me into the air. I lunged at him, bringing my blade down through his hips. Finally, I hit him.

Thomas gave me a warm smile, shaking the rope off his body.

My body gave out a sigh in relief, and I quickly began to sense the newly discovered energy escape me. My head was spinning and my feet wobbled slightly as I changed my weapons back to jewelry.

Thomas walked over to me and placed the cool skin of his hands on my cheeks.

"You are so warm," he marveled.

"You're hands feel good," I admitted, closing my eyes to absorb his touch, reducing the burn on my cheeks.

"Danny?"

"Yeah?" I opened my eyes, gazing into his.

He didn't answer, he just stared at me with his jade green eyes. I felt his thumbs brush my cheeks.

"Danny! That was AWESOME! Holy! I didn't know you were THAT good already!" Lindsay's voice cut through the silence and broke the intensity of our stares.

"It was harder than it looked," I mumbled.

Way harder.

"We're done, why don't we do some homework together?" Thomas spoke tugging my arm out of the room.

"Kay, but…" I looked down at my sweaty t-shirt and felt the stickiness in my hair. "Can I bath first?"

I flushed as I remembered the clawfoot tub in Thomas's bathroom. A hot bath was definitely in order; my muscles were going to be very sore tomorrow.

I slipped into the silky hot water of the tub and let the warmth overtake me as it soothed my muscles. I slid my body deep into the water, feeling its surface on the bottom of my chin. I rested my head against the back of the tub and began to daydream.

I was playing chess with Joe.

"You have a piece of bait that you use to distract or kill off your opponents weaker players first, making you stronger. Then you knock off your competition one by one. This allows you to set your sights and take the one and only piece that really matters."… "Patience is always rewarded."

I missed my brother. Realizing that he was hurt, taken, and probably scared worried me immensely. I hated that I could do nothing about it.

While the hot water tried to soothe me, I thought about my brother's captures, conjuring up various forms of torture I would inflict if I ever had the opportunity to face them. Eventually my muscles started to tense in anger, and when I realized that the water was starting to get cold I decided that it was time to pull myself out of the tub.

After toweling off I pondered what to wear for the rest of the day, the afternoon was almost over and my body was already starting to stiffen because of the dueling with Thomas. I looked for my most comfortable clothes as I rooted through my duffel bag. I pulled out my spandex shorts, sports bra and cotton t-shirt.

"How do you feel?" Thomas asked as I emerged from the washroom.

"Good, a little sore, and..." I paused noticing the growling protests of my stomach. "Hungry."

"Would you like something to eat?" Thomas asked. "We can do homework later."

"Yes, but I want to make it. If that's ok?" I needed the distraction of cooking, something to divert the anger of my brother's absence.

When I got to the kitchen I contemplated what to make for my sister and myself for supper. I opened the refrigerator and smiled broadly. It was fully stocked with everything from vegetables to meat and a variety of dairy. Comfort food was definitely in order.

I took out a package of sausage and found a roaster from the cupboard. After placing them in the oven, Thomas directed me to the potatoes, which he searched out by smell, from the kitchen pantry. I happily peeled, cut and spiced them into a frying pan on the stove. I then grabbed handfuls of veggies from the fridge, cutting mushrooms, peppers, cucumber, radishes and carrots for a veggie tray.

"I can smell the sausage from upstairs," Lindsay said as she and Theresa immerged.

"It should be ready in five," I answered the question I knew she was going to ask.

We sat at the table together, me inhaling my food while Lindsay poked and played with hers. She seemed lost in thought and sad.

"What's the matter Lindz?" I choked after swallowing a forkful of potato.

"I'm just worried, we haven't heard anything yet. It makes me feel like something's wrong," she murmured, picking up a small piece of sausage and covering it in ketchup.

"Don't be Lindsay, Joey will be OK. The werewolves are going to save him. I saw it in my dream," I said in a really peppy, convincing voice.

"Really? How come you didn't say anything?" she asked skeptically.

"What?" Thomas stared at me perplexed.

"Yeah, I had a dream last night. The shifters ran into a pack of werewolves and surrendered Joey," I said defensively, then realized something and stared right into Thomas. "I thought you said that my mind opens to you when I sleep, and I haven't been blocking you lately, how do you NOT know this?"

He pinched the bridge in his nose and squeezed his eyes shut.

"I've been tuning you out," he spoke in monotone.

"Huh? Why?"

"When the shifters came back I started to tune out your thoughts hoping to give my mind some space. I knew you were safe, so I tried to eliminate interference, hoping to catch the faintest of their thoughts. Last night I was blocking you in case Michelle or Jesse wanted to address me," he barely whispered regretfully. "Danny, show me your dream."

I placed my fork on the table as he turned and took both of my hands.

I closed my eyes.

The dark green of the forest and the sounds of the fighting filled my head. I witnessed the shifters being attacked and remembered the one that ran away. I saw the strange man speak and the anger on Preston's face. I watched as he surrendered my brother with a look of loathing.

Thomas let go of my hands and reached for his cell phone, he stood up from the table and left the room.

I shrugged and continued to eat my food. Would training always make me this hungry?

After I was halfway through my second helping, Thomas abruptly reentered the room.

"Willow is going to phone your grandparents. She is hoping that they know something."

"Wait!" I choked again. "Grandparents?"

"Yeah, Eli and Fern. They live several hours north of here."

Lindsay looked up at Thomas in amazement. How did Thomas know this and not us?

I was suddenly done eating.

Thomas walked over to me starting to rub my back. This felt much better than it normally did, my muscles were really sore and it was soothing the ache as well as comforting me.

"I can't believe my grandparents are alive! How come mom never introduced us?" I screeched looking a Thomas, in his eyes I could see that he wasn't telling me something. "What do you know?"

"Ask your mom."

"She's not here. Tell me."

"No, ask your mom," he commanded.

I started to push with my thoughts. His voice instantly entered my head. His tone was harsh and filled with authority.

"Danny, I said NO! Stop it! This is something your mom needs to tell you! How would you feel if I started to tell your mom YOUR secrets?" He breathed a deep sigh, and then his tone softened considerably. "Please understand Danny?"

I instantly felt guilty for reacting so intrusively. I loved my privacy and should know better than to encroach on others.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"Come on," he urged, pulling to my feet.

I started to protest that I needed to do the dishes, but Theresa and her vampire speed had already finished all of them, minus our plates. I said thank you to her and let Thomas pull me into an immaculate study where I noticed my bookbag.

"An hour of homework, then perhaps we'll watch a movie together?" he suggested.

"Alright."

Thomas motioned me to sit at a large, heavy wooden desk and handed me my homework. I sat down and noticed that he picked up a book and moved to sit on a leather sofa.

"You are not doing your homework?" I asked skeptically.

"No. I'm already done," he pointed towards himself. "Quick study, remember?"

No fair.

"What are you reading?" I asked, curious.

"A Law journal."

"What? Why?"

"Things have changed quite a bit since I got my degree. I try to keep up."

"You're a Lawyer?" I scoffed.

"What's so funny about that?"

"I don't see you as a Lawyer. You're in high school."

"I got my degree in 1986, I've also studied Medicine, Journalism, Education and Engineering. I've been around for two hundred and sixty years, I don't sleep and I've got an incredible memory. I was bound to learn something."

"You have degrees in ALL of those areas?"

"Not with my current identity, but yes. Masters actually."

I grunted. My Master with multiple Masters.

He looked at me and smiled.

"Do your homework," he laughed.

I tried to focus on the work in front of me, but it was difficult. I was tired, annoyed at my mom and still worried slightly about Joe. I also felt stupid. I was struggling with high school work while Thomas had degrees, scratch that, Thomas had MASTERS in several of the most difficult areas of secondary education. After an hour passed I threw my pencil across the desk in frustration. Thomas came to embrace me, but I pushed him away.

He gave me my space and nodded his head towards the door.

I went upstairs to his room, instantly missing the solitude and privacy of my own. I crawled onto his bed and spooned one of the large, fluffy pillows, willing the flush of aggravation to deteriorate from my cheeks. I felt him press into my thoughts, I tried to ignore it.

"Talk to me," he insisted.

I didn't want to let him know what was bothering me; I thought my frustrations were childish. I just couldn't NOT think about my insecurities, especially after being asked. Instantly he knew what was bothering me.

I felt him crawl up behind me placing an arm around my waist; another hand gently rubbed at the stiff muscles in my neck.

The relief from his touch was instant.

"I love you," he said tenderly kissing my ear.

I relaxed further, all insecurities deflated.

"I love you too," I thought, exhausted.

It was early, but I was tired and comfortable. My mind started to loose focus as I drifted into a daydream.

They were at my house, looking and frustrated.

"She was here earlier, this morning maybe," Misty snarled in disappointment.

"There is another one in this family, I can smell her. She is younger and more vulnerable, but definitely a slayer. We should attack her first; she will give us enough strength to help take down Danny," Preston addressed his assailants.

A slightly wounded male shifter lurked through the backyard. "I smell vampire," he snarled.

"Hey, do you think she's with that vampire guy, … Thomas?" Cristina suggested.

Thomas instantly shifted beside me.

"I heard they live just up the trail, in that big old house."

"Shouldn't we wait for Allan?" Misty asked her leader.

"No, that coward ran willingly. We attack her now, as planned, before her family gets back," Preston commanded. "If Thomas is with her, we'll kill him too."

Thomas growled beside me.

"I will distract the vampire, Glen and Christina will attack Danny. Misty, the young one will be the most vulnerable, kill her first and then you'll be strong enough to help Christina and Glen take over Danny. Just make sure after you kill the slayer you leave some of her for me," Preston ordered as he strutted down my driveway.

I sat up and looked at Thomas.

"They will be here in less than two minutes," I cracked.

He nodded, he heard my dream along with their thoughts.

"Theresa, get Lindsay. We are going to have company," his voice wasn't any louder than if he'd been talking to her from across the room. "We don't have much time. We'll meet you in the hall."

Thomas was in front of me, pulling me off of my feet. He held my hand as we ran down the hallway towards the stairs. Thomas flipped open his cell and started to press in the numbers.

"Hello?" said the male voice.

"Where are you?" Thomas asked.

"We are about to see Eli. Hopefully he knows something. We lost their scent; there are too many werewolves around here."

"They are here Jesse. We can't run, it's too late, I have to go."

Thomas snapped the phone shut without another word. Theresa and Lindsay were waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs. Lindsay's skin was pale, and she looked frightened.

"What are we going to do?" Theresa looked up at Thomas.

"We have no choice, you and I will have to fight them," he sternly told his sister.

"What about me? I'm ready! I can help!" I protested.

"And you will. You will protect your sister; don't let them get to her."

Lindsay's wide blue eyes looked at me, begging. Letting me know she knew I was strong enough to protect her.

I walked up to her and took her hand. I lifted it up to the center chain around her neck and firmly wrapped my hand around hers.

"Shield!" I demanded.

Electricity flowed through my body releasing a light blue energy from my finger tips. A faint haze surrounded my sister, my arm instantly bounced away from her body, like it was being repelled.

"Danny, her shield may buy you some time, but you still need to protect her. Lindsay may only be able take a hit or two, each attack on her will drain her energy, the stronger the hit, the sooner her shield will fail her. You will have to lend her energy."

He looked up at me urgently.

"You must shield yourself, Danny. Very few slayers can fight with their blade and still use their shield charm. Shielding requires the most energy. Use your shield, protect you and your sister; I will fight."

I remembered how drained I felt after summoning two charms this afternoon.

"Can you take on these four by yourself?"

"If I have too," he stared into me. "I promised you I was strong enough to protect you."

"I will help him Danny, don't worry. Focus on Lindsay, she needs you," Theresa added.

"Let's meet them outside," Thomas instructed.

I called for my shield and then reached for my sister's hand. With my shield up, my hand could penetrate the energy surrounding her, merging the two together. The glow that surrounded us was brighter and deeper in color as a result of our combined forces.

Lindsay and I slowly paced behind Theresa, walking towards the middle of the driveway. I could feel Thomas behind us, no more than two feet away.

An eerie silence fell in the forest. I heard the whisper of the wind in the trees and the scratchy call of a crow in a nearby tree. All other creatures, all other sounds, all other whispers had stopped; an omen of what was to come.

Thomas and Theresa walked out in front of us. Theresa's eyes searched the landscape, but Thomas remained focused.

"Don't be scared."

"I'm not worried about me, just Lindsay. If I fail…"

"Danny, you need to trust yourself."

"How do you know I can do it?"

"Everyday you prove it to me. Your combat skills today were better than most mature slayers."

"Really? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I was just…"

"Just what?"

"To be honest, I was speechless."

Thomas suddenly stiffened in posture. I looked down the driveway and saw the shadows of four stalky, bold figures approach us. They stopped their approach twenty yards in front of us; glaring intimidating, menacing stares. The blonde haired male, Christina's twin, was missing.

My eyes met Misty's. She was licking her lips and wearing a hostile smile. She looked different; stronger and even viler than the last time I saw her.

"I bet the two of you are even more delicious than your brother, it's too bad we had to give him up to that old man. He made a tasty snack," she sneered.

"Yeah, he was a nice little appetizer. We'll let you be our main course," Christina smiled as she started to change form. The differences were subtle, her irises turned amber and her skin lightened several shades. I sensed her heart rate slow to almost a complete stop. She was now like a vampire, ready to feed.

She flashed me her flawlessly white, perfectly sharp teeth.

Preston looked absolutely dangerous. The anger and contempt in his blood red eyes sent shivers down my spine.

"We don't want you blood suckers. Hand over the girls and we will let you live," Preston demanded.

Thomas snarled.

"Don't be foolish, the two of you cannot possibly take down the four of us. We have fed on the slayer's brother, our power will overtake you."

Thomas summoned his blade. I watched Glen's eyes grow wide.

"Ah, a vampire slayer. Well, at least you will offer us a challenge," Preston voice filled with mock delight.

"Too bad you changed into a leach, pretty boy. I would have LOVED to drain you!" Misty's eyes were seductive and evil.

"I suggest you leave now," Thomas voiced, angry.

Three shifters laughed, Preston smiled broadly.

"And if we don't?" the shifter asked.

"You can't say you weren't warned," Theresa's teeth clenched as she spoke.

"Why do you have to be like that Blondie?" Glen responded. "We didn't expect you here; you and I should hook up and get to know each other!"

Theresa growled at the shifters mocking tone. I watched her take a step forward, but Thomas stopped her. All the shifters stiffened and crouched.

"What is it going to be?" Thomas glared.

"Are you letting us have the girls?" Preston challenged.

"Never," Thomas hissed.

"I'll take Blondie…," Glen grinned sardonically, "my little unexpected surprise."

"Ladies, you know what you need to do. Get the girls," Preston commanded as he took two steps towards Thomas.

Instantly, the fight began. Glen lunged at Theresa who just got out of the way before contact. Thomas and Preston circled each other, Preston trying to wrap his hands around Thomas, and Thomas defending himself with his blade. I noticed how Thomas had scratched him with it several times, but the moment the blade was removed from Preston's skin the wound was gone. Preston was healing faster than a vampire.

Misty and Christina bolted over to grab Lindsay and me. Christina reached out to us, but was instantly jolted by an electric shock. I felt my energy decrease slightly as the two females snarled at their inability to grasp us with their own hands. Misty found a large boulder on the edge of the driveway and charged at us with it. The collision did not hurt, but bowled me and my sister over, draining my energy considerably more. Upon impact, my sister and I lost contact, and I instantly felt myself recharge, the energy surrounding Lindsay was dim as she struggled to get to her feet. I took back her hand, strengthening her shield, weakening my own.

I heard several snaps and pops coming from in front of me. Theresa wasn't moving quite right, but neither was Glen. They both seemed to be tearing each other apart, neither one taking over.

Thomas wasn't fairing any better with Preston, there fight was intense and fast, it was hard to tell if either was in control. That's when I heard Preston call to Christina for help.

I stared dumbstruck as Thomas held his own against the two shifters. He had now shifted into defensive mode, and was taking hits from the creatures. I winced as I heard him groan weakly in pain when Preston kicked him square in the center of his back.

Misty took advantage of my distraction.

"Hey Danny?" she sneered. "Catch!"

I watched in horror as she threw the large oversized bolder directly at my sister, who was holding my hand tightly. Instinctively, I gave Lindsay a shove, pushing her out of the way flying rock and breaking our contact, again. Misty ran to Lindsay as soon as she released the bolder, striking her hard across the chest and sending her flying into the side of the parked Tundra. Lindsay managed to land on her feet seemingly unharmed. I felt a surge of panic as I looked at my sister, standing over a hundred feet away and no longer glowing with any energy. Her shield was gone. That was the last hit she could take.

Misty sneered as she stood between Lindsay and me. Then she turned around and sprinted straight for my sister.

Instinctively my shield dropped.

"Lindsay! Run!" I screamed, running after Misty.

I used my mind to slow her, and then tackled her around her shoulders just before she reached Lindsay.

Misty pushed me off of her back effortlessly, sending me flying across the driveway. I winced slightly as the rocks of the loose gravel scratched my arms, drawing blood. Once my body skidded to a stop I noticed the red stains that had seeped to the surface of my white cotton shirt.

"No more shield, my slayer?" Misty loathed.

I drew my blade.

"Very well, have it your way. Your sister will make a nice treat," Misty lurched and grabbed Lindsay around her arm, spinning her to face me.

I took a slow, hesitant step towards my sibling and her capture.

"Stop slayer! Take another step and she dies!" Misty smiled ferociously.

My blood was raging through my body. I sensed Thomas, he could not help me. He was holding his own, but barely. Theresa was struggling with Glen, and was busy keeping up with her fight. It was me that had failed, I didn't protect my sister.

Misty started to laugh hysterically.

"Actually! I think I might have to kill her anyway!"

She laughed again, staring at me. She raised a hand to Lindsay's hair, pulling down, forcing her to tilt her head and expose her neck.

Then I heard the snarls.

There were two of them, and they were right behind Misty.

They had long hair and slender wolf legs, their eyes seemed human, but their faces were canine. They would easily be mistaken for wolves from a distance, but there was something distinctly human-like about them. They were not quiet like the creatures I pictured in my dreams, they were amazing and beautiful.

The creatures crept in, one on each side of Misty and my sister, and then crouched and pounced. The first one attacked Misty directly in the face, the other ripping Lindsay from the shifter's grasp.

Once Lindsay fell to the ground, the werewolf stood over her protectively, snarling at Misty. The first creature that attacked Misty bounded towards my sister as well, staring at me, and then my blade, and then the shifter.

Destroying Misty was my job, they would protect Lindsay.

I stepped in front of the werewolves, staring at the shifter, wielding my blade.

Misty instantly sprung for an attack.

I lunged out of the way, spinning and reaching with my weapon, slicing Misty across her chest. The cut bled slowly, healing from its ends. Anger flared in her scarlet eyes. She lunged again, with arms outstretched, trying to grab me.

I swung my blade through while taking a step and forcing a kick from my legs. I sliced off one of Misty's arms, which landed like a rock onto the gravelly earth below me. I heard her ear piercing scream.

Filled with rage and pain, Misty lunged her entire body at me. I instantly summoned my cord charm and lashed it towards her, binding her body tightly, and securing her arms to her sides.

"Fire!" I commanded, alighting my rope. Misty's scream of pain and terror tormented my eardrums. I brought my blade down through her body, ending the howling instantly, incinerating her body into no more than a pile of ash.

I stared momentarily into the pile of smoke, then turned my attention to Theresa, feeling the fire burn in my eyes. Her body was moving awkwardly, she looked malformed. Glen was tormenting her, laughing. He didn't see me coming.

My rope snared around him, glowing with fire. I brought my blade through the shifter, commanding it to obliterate what it touched. Glen was turned to dust before he could scream.

Theresa looked into my eyes with a touch of relief; I smiled slightly as I began to fill weak in the knees. I heard fighting nearby, and I wanted to help Thomas, but I was suddenly incredibly tired. I listened to several cracks and pops as Theresa's body corrected itself. I looked at her desperately.

"I'll help Thomas," she told me and then flashed away.

I turned to face the fighting; I noticed that one of the werewolves had joined Thomas and Theresa. My knees gave beneath me. I looked up and saw Preston, staring at me.

"This isn't over slayer," he mouthed. I watched as he turned and disappeared into the forest, leaving Christina to fend for herself.

Blackness started to creep in from all sides, obstructing my vision.

In the haze, I saw Christina panic and lash herself at Thomas; he met her with his blade.

I placed my hands gently on the loose rock in front of me, catching my fall. The sharp stones scratched at my cheeks as my face hit the earth. I could no longer see; there was too much blackness. I could barely hear the whisper of the soft masculine voice speak gently in my ear. I could barely feel the strong arms peeling me off the gravel. I could barely sense the presence of my Master.

And then the world was gone.