"Holy shit," Dante cursed, rushing over to try to hold the writhing woman still.
Vaguely, Dante was aware that Lady was cautiously coming forward to help despite the fact that one wild swing could break many bones. Cassie's eyes snapped open and he gasped when they glittered the eerie blue of her demon form. The redhead hissed, fangs visible as her tormented gaze locked on the brunette.
"NO!" Dante leapt at the human knocking her back a second before Cassandra lunged.
"Dante," Lady yelled, "What the hell!?" She froze when Cassie crouched on the bed and let out another low hiss.
Nudging Lady behind him, the hunter faced his girlfriend. "Cassie?"
The redhead ignored him, gaze locked firmly on the woman behind him. Cassie shuddered. She could smell the blood in Lady's veins. An agonized moan escaped as she struggled to resist.
"Cassandra!" Dante's voice broke through the haze like a sledgehammer through wood. The blue eyes shifted away from Lady at last. "What are you doin' babe?"
"Dante?" Cassie shook her head struggling to think clearly. "I – I don't know . . .it burns."
"You don't want to hurt Lady, do you?" Dante said soothingly, "Just calm down and it'll be okay."
"No," Cassie cried, jumping off the bed and backing away. "You don't understand. I need it . . . I can smell it . . . it hurts!"
Cautiously, Dante walked towards her, hands raised soothingly. "Easy, let me help you, sweetheart."
Lady held her breath as the half-devil eased toward the crouched woman. Cassie's eyes darted over Dante's shoulder to lock with hers. The human shuddered at the tormented hunger seething in the glowing orbs.
Involuntarily, Lady took a step back. "Maybe I should go."
"Don't move," Cassie cried, "I don't know what I'll do." She flinched back from Dante her tenuous grasp on her control snapping. I need to get out of here. Cassie triggered, wings poised to take flight. Her eyes locked with Dante's. "I'm sorry."
With one thrust, she took flight, tearing through wood and brick until she burst through the roof into the night sky.
"Cassie!" Dante triggered, quickly following the distraught woman.
Shaken, Lady could do little but wait and feel guilty that part of her hoped Dante was unable to catch Cassandra . . . at least until she had control of herself.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Vergil quickly approached his warehouse only to pause with a frown when he was unable to sense Dante or Cassandra within. Growing dread quickened his steps until he was running. He hastily deactivated the wards.
"Lady!" he called striding inside.
"In here," she replied, emerging from the bedroom. The anxious expression on her face did not reassure Vergil.
"Where are they?" he demanded.
"Cassie took off and Dante went after her." Lady ran a hand through her hair. "Fuck. What a mess."
"Explain. Now." Vergil snapped.
Quickly, Lady related the events up until Dante had followed Cassie through the ceiling.
"It must have been something in the gas Cassian used," the half-devil snarled, "Damn!"
Carefully, Vergil placed the weapons aside, hands trembling. He turned away, taking deep breaths to calm the rage and fear rocking him.
Cautiously, Lady placed a hand on Vergil's trembling shoulder. "Dante will find her, Vergil. Plus, Cassie can take care of herself." She squeezed gently. "You taught her well."
"If anything were to happen to her – to either of them . . ." Vergil shuddered.
Sliding her arms around him tentatively, Lady rested her forehead against his back. Vergil tensed, and then slowly relaxed into the embrace laying one hand over hers where they met across his stomach.
"Dante will handle it," Lady soothed, "What we need to do now is find out exactly what that stuff is and how to counteract it if it doesn't wear off on its own."
"You're right," Vergil turned, still holding one of her hands, "I apologize. You know it is unlike me to lose my composure."
"Part of you is human," Lady grinned, "The best part. It happens to all of us."
"Thank you," Vergil leaned down, pressing a brief but tender kiss to Lady's lips. He reached down into his bag of books and handed one to Lady and keeping one for himself. "Let's get to work."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Cassie!" Dante called, "Wait, damnit!"
He had followed her for miles, until they were far from the city lights and instead hovered above the mountainous forests to the east.
"I can't control it," the redhead cried, turning in the air to face her lover, "I've never felt anything like this. I don't know what I'll do."
"Let me help you," Dante coaxed, "Trust me. Let's land and talk about this."
Cassie hesitated then nodded. "Okay."
Once their feet touched the forest floor they both shifted back. Dante held out his hand. "Come here, sweetheart, let me help you."
"Dante . . ." Cassie took his hand, allowing him to pull her into an embrace. She shuddered against him. "I wanted her blood so much. I'd never forgive myself."
"Sssh," Dante rocked her pressing his lips to her hair, "I'll make it right."
"I can't go back," Cassie whispered into his chest, "I won't risk it."
"Cass," Dante protested, "It's not safe out here. You've got to come back. We're too exposed out here."
Slowly, Cassandra pulled back to meet his gaze. "If I go back right now, I will kill her, Dante. I can't control it. You have to go."
"I'm not leaving you," Dante said firmly.
"You have to," Cassie brushed rebellious locks from the blue eyes she loved so much. "Lady and Vergil need you."
"And Vergil and I need you," Dante gave her a little shake, frustrated.
It was then that they felt it. A frightening number of demons were heading their way. Quickly.
"Sonofabitch," Dante growled his beloved guns instantly in his hands. "You're unarmed too."
"Not for long." Closing her eyes, she concentrated, smirking when Vengeance's comforting weight settled in her hand. The blade flashed recognizing his mistress. "There's too many. We can't take all of them."
"If we run they'll only follow us back to Vergil and Lady," Dante pointed out, heart pounding, "It's like they were waiting for us. There's too many for us to avoid. You're right though. Even we can't take this many."
Cassandra forced herself to think, to find a way out of this. She couldn't bear for Dante to die. He'd followed her because she loved her. She would not let him die because of that. She made a choice.
"We've got to split up," Cassie said.
"No!"
"Dante, can't you feel it? There are gaps in the formation," she reasoned, "We'll have a better chance of making it through alone. They'll have to divide their forces to follow us. If we don't split up we'll both die." Cassie held her breath, intently watching Dante's face.
Briefly, Dante warred between logic and emotion. He nodded tersely. "Fine. But only if you promise to head straight back to Vergil's place. Promise!"
"I promise," Cassie agreed reluctantly. I'm sorry.
Grabbing her shoulders, Dante pressed a short, fierce kiss to her lips then stepped back. "See you soon."
"I love you," Cassie whispered, running one hand over a high-boned cheek.
"Me too," Dante replied, wrenching himself away before he could change his mind. After one last look, he darted into the trees.
Closing her eyes, Cassie concentrated. The demons were relatively sparse in Dante's direction. If this worked, he would make it.
"I'm sorry," Cassie whispered to the trees. Spinning, she sprinted deeper into the forest, making as much noise as possible.
All around her, demons changed course to pursue her. They want me most. The best I can do is give Dante a chance to get away. She thought of Vergil and tears pricked her eyes. I'm counting on you, Lady. You'd better be good to him.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Dante knew something was wrong when the demons chasing him stopped and headed in the opposite direction. He paused amongst the trees listening.
"Damn her!" he exploded. There was no way Cassandra would be so noisy unless it was intentional. She was drawing the demons towards her so he could get away.
Triggering mid-stride, Dante raced back the way he'd come knowing he'd never reach her before the demons did.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Cassandra came so close. The demons were mostly low-level and Vengeance flashed as it cut swiftly through them all. They came at her in small groups, lacking the patience or the guidance necessary to wait until they were together and then come at her as one. She hadn't counted on Cassian.
The burning agony in her abdomen puzzled her and time slowed as she looked down to find the tip of Cassian's sword protruding from her stomach. She watched, fascinated, as blood ran along the edge to drip from the tip to the ground.
"I win," Cassian jeered, his breath brush her hear. He pulled his blade out, reveling in the cry of pain that slipped through Cassie's bloodied lips.
Coughing up blood, Cassie sank slowly to her knees. She struggled for breath as Cassian circled around to face her.
"At last," Cassian gloated, "I'll have my revenge."
"You're . . . a coward," she gasped, coughing up more blood, "Couldn't fight . . . me . . . face . . . to face."
Snarling, Cassian kicked her in her stomach, smirking when she screamed and curled in on herself once her body stopped skidding across the leaves and dirt.
The edges of her vision began to gray and she fought to remain conscious as Cassian approached. "Finish . . . it," she growled.
Laughing, Cassian crouched beside her, one hand tangling in her hair. Cassie winced as he claws cut into her scalp.
"No," Cassie sneered, "It's not going to be that easy. You're not going to die, bitch. At least not yet. Mundus has plans for you. I dearly hope you decide to be stubborn. It will be that much sweeter for me."
Helplessly, Cassandra watched as Cassian drew back his fist. She welcomed the blackness that washed over her with the pain when it connected.
Well, at last, there it is. I'm so sorry this took so long but the holidays kicked my ass. Then I got distracted because a friend lent me Final Fantasy VII which I've never played. But I finally found some inspiration. Let me know what you think.
Ender36O: I think it is. I think at last I found a way to bring the story the ending I always had in mind. I'm glad you liked it.
Mach Farcon: I think her luck is like mine; we just attract trouble. LOL. Cassian is like the cockroach he looks like. Resiliant, sneaky, and a bitch to get rid of. Thanks for reviewing again!!!
Eliina: Was that any better? LOL.
Devil Rebel: Hmmm. We'll see. Doesn't look good does it? Thanks for reviewing.
Mistress of Destruction: Seems like you beat me to getting your stuff published. I hope you also liked the action in this chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
Inifinite Freedom: And keeps on going. Thanks for the review.
Ladysubaru83: Basically she had a little seizure. Or something like that. LOL.
MacAnimeGirl: Hey, it's been a while since I heard from you. How's it going? Hope you liked the chapter. Let me know what you think.