A Note from Nessa'fur:

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today is my second-favorite holiday of the year! (Halloween is my fave) So to celebrate, I'm posting my second favorite chapter of the old story (my favorite chapters of the new version are long, long in the coming, but I'll let you know when they are arrive :) I suggest listening to Snow Patrol, "Run" while reading this chappie; the music and rhythm just seems to flow with the events unfolding (or, at least, they did when I was editing it). And to sarasbistarfire, Dom-Loves-Kel, and everyone else who has been asking canon questions--don't stop! I really do want to keep this story to flow with the canon TP created, and I appreciate your questions because they help me to bring this story into line with that lovely universe. Thanks for the awesome reviews! Keep 'em coming :)

Now, without further ado, I present to you:

Chapter Twenty-seven: Betrayal

Ana backed up slowly until she felt the press of the banister unto her back. She had no weapons, not even a dagger, except

The creature was lurching towards her, but it could only move very slowly. And it's blocking my only escape. Ana pressed harder against the banister, and pretended to cower in fear. The creature laughed evilly as it made it's way to her, just as the spidren did. But this time she wasn't defenseless.

Ana raised her hands and said a quick incantation. Fire poured from her hands, bathing the monster in hot, purple flames. But it didn't even break stride.

"Oh, no…" Ana gulped as she realized that her magic didn't have any effect on it at all.

The creature came closer, until it was face to face with her. "I'm going to enjoy watching you die, Champion," it said, its foul breath making Ana's stomach threaten to lost its contents.

"No, you're not." a voice said, from behind the creature. A sword flashed, and the terrible mockery of a human head rolled unto the floor. Ana sagged against the banister, filled with such relief that she started crying.

"Here, love, let's get inside." Ana looked up, and a gasp was torn from her lungs.

Her savior was none other than, "Marc!"

~:~

"When did you return?" Ana breathlessly asked, as Marc pulled her away from the dead beast.

"Only a few moments ago," he replied, smiling at her. "I decided to come to see you right away." He gazed down at her, concern etched across his face. "I'm glad I did, because that's the second monster I've had to kill to protect you. You should learn to defend yourself, better."

Ana looked thoughtful for a moment, then threw her arms around Marc's neck. "Why should I? You'll protect me won't you?"

Marc didn't respond to the question, instead he ran his eyes over her, his brown eyes twinkling as they roved over her bared arms and shoulders. "You look a vision," he said, smiling, "That dress is quite stunning on you. I approve."

Ana blushed; she had completely forgotten that she still wore her ball gown. She dropped her arms, stepping away from him, but he grasped her hands in his. "We should get inside, beautiful," Marc said, leading her off of the balcony, "They always work in pairs." He gestured at the corpse.

"What is it?" Ana asked, complying with his request. She pulled out of his warm grasp and strode into her sitting room, plopping herself down on one of the purple couches. All the fear of the previous moment had vanished, replaced by a happy bliss that bubbled up inside of her.

"A demon," Marc said, grimly wiping his sword on a ragged cloth. Ana recalled what Lara had said about demons. They certainly fit the description.

Out loud she wondered, "If there are demons around, does that mean that there are imps too?"

Marc looked up sharply, an unreadable expression on his face. "You know about demons and imps?"

Ana nodded. "Lara told me the story of the Last Champion," she said.

Marc stood up, picking up his sword and standing over her. "What did she tell you?"

Glancing nervously at the sword, Ana said, "Everything about Alanna the Lioness. She said that," Ana hesitated, swallowing, "that I should know."

Marc was staring at her; his brown eyes no longer warm but hard and cold. "So they know you are the Champion," he said. Ana's eyes widened as she recognized the name that the demon had called her, but Marc was still talking, his handsome features twisted into a horribly malicious leer. "My master said they would eventually find out, but he did not know if they yet knew. He said that you could be a danger if they knew."

Ana was trembling; something was terribly, terribly wrong.

"Who," she said, nervously licking her lips. "Who is your master?"

Marc leaned in close until his nose almost touched hers. "Lord Dubyn."

"Traitor." she spat, but her voice quavered. She felt herself breaking, breaking beneath the horrible realization. Ana could not believe this was happening. No, it could not be true…he was playing some distasteful joke on her…

He chuckled, making Ana jump. "That's what Rob said before he killed himself. He was a dumb old fool, thinking he could warn my perfect little brother about me!" he smiled at Ana, and she flinched, "but he died for his trouble. Just as my brother will die!"

"Your brother?" Ana asked, in an attempt to distract him.

Marc looked thoughtful. "They didn't tell you did they?"

"Who didn't tell me what?" Ana asked, inching away from the sword pointed at her.

"My siblings," Marc hissed, once again leaning in close. "Lady Laranata and William of Conte."

Ana stared. "Your Will's brother?" she asked, incredulously. Marc looked furious that she didn't believe him.

"I am their brother!" he shouted, "and I will kill them both! They took the throne from me. They took the throne from me!" he grabbed her by the neck, lifting her off the couch. Ana gasped for air, but her throat was blocked, her windpipe crushed by the strong hands which had once stroked her face so gently. "Our father shouldn't have married their damn mother! My mother should have been queen!" Ana struggled, kicking her legs, but Marc just stared at her with blank eyes. He whispered to her, not loosening his grip on her neck. "And now I get my revenge. Will has everything I've ever wanted, but," he smiled cruelly as Ana began to lose consciousness. "I got the only thing he's ever wanted…you."

~:~

Will raced through the near empty halls with Lucas close behind. Both men were running faster than they had ever needed to in their entire lives, both for the same reason. If she dies, Will thought putting on an extra burst of speed, Gods, if she dies! He could not bring himself to finish the thought.

They rounded a bend and saw the door to the Lavender Suites standing partially open. Will fought back the need to cry out. Don't be dead. Gods, please, don't let her be dead!

He burst into the room and greeted the scene before him. Ana was two feet off the ground, being strangled by none other than Marc. Will didn't hesitate. There was no room for thought or inaction. He flung out his hand and Marc was struck by an invisible fist of air. He dropped Ana in shock, stumbling backwards and clutching his jaw. Looking up at the two angry men facing him, Marc gave a piercing whistle and bolted toward the balcony. Lucas followed, but Will ignored them.

He knelt down beside Ana, checking her over with his blue Gift. After a moment she opened her eyes. "Marc's a traitor," she murmured, blinking slowly. Her voice was terribly hoarse and he could see the beginnings of dark bruises on her slender neck.

I will kill him. Will thought. I will kill him and I will relish the experience of making it a long and painful death.

"I know," Will murmured. She tried to sit up, but Will pushed her back down. "Rest a moment."

She nodded weakly and closed her eyes. Will, put his hand on her forehead, making sure she would sleep. He studied her for a moment and sighed once, a long release. Then he picked her up and headed towards the infirmary.

~:~

Lucas ran across the room, pursuing Marc. The traitor was whistling shrilly again as he faced Lucas, sword drawn. "I've wanted to do this for a long time," Marc informed him, charging in for the attack.

Lucas fumbled for his sword, drawing it just in time to counter his opponent's attack.

The battle had begun.

Lucas was kept on the defensive as Marc continued to attack. He was pushed slowly backwards as the blows flew from every direction. Suddenly, Lucas side-stepped a thrust and managed to slice Marc's arm. Marc lurched away, quickly switching sword arms and started attacking again, leaving no room for Lucas to retaliate.

Lucas was forced backwards, until he suddenly tripped over the body of a…Gods, it's a demon! Marc stood over him, his sword at Lucas's throat. "Say your last words, Lord Commander."

From high above a shrill cry was heard. Marc looked up at the sky, distracted. Lucas took the opportunity to roll away from the sword pointed at him, just as Marc turned back to finish him. Lucas exploded from the ground and managed to pin Marc against the balcony railing, knocking Marc's sword out of his grip. For a moment Marc looked defeated, but then he smiled as he gazed into a spot just over Lucas's shoulder. "I'll be seeing you in hell, Commander." he said and flipped backwards off the balcony.

Shocked, Lucas peered over the edge, just in time to see Marc's fall stopped by another demon, which soared up and flew north. Lucas watched it go. "I'll be waiting, traitor."

~ ~:~ ~