Part 17

(Catalina)

We could have tried heading back into my room, but the only escape from there was a two story drop out the window, and in the dark it wasn't particularly appealing.

I turned, but Eliza had gone. Where the hell did she go? ~Thanks~ I thought moodily. Then again, hadn't I made the point that I was abandoning her to the hunters. Talk about a kick in the teeth.

I was unconsciously moving backwards away from the shadows creeping closer. I'd never really fought before, I didn't have a clue way I was doing. Even with my increased speed and strength, I would be the one with the disadvantage.

"And you guys are supposed to take charge after the millennium? The Big Bad Age of the Vampire? And you're running away from vermin?"

"Could you sound any cockier Marcie?"! I snorted. "I should have killed you last night."

Marcie just sneered. "But you didn't, did you/? And now it's your turn to die."

"Try me." I refused to go without putting up something of a fight. I didn't want to end up like my parents had. There was a muffled shriek and clattering footsteps. Dayna had gone.

"Let her go," Marcie said without looking.

If Eliza had killed Dayna, then why wasn't she coming to get Marcie Or was she still pissed at me?

Taking advantage of my distraction Marcie threw herself on me, knocking me to the ground, kneeing me in the stomach and grabbing my wrists. How could someone so little be so *strong*?

She pulled out her stake, ready to plunge it home, but then she didn't. Something sharp and silver flashed in front of my eyes, a red line appeared along her throat. She turned, her eyes wide with shock and horror.

"Devin?" she whispered, before collapsing on the floor.

Devin pulled me into his arms. This time there were no painful sparks and the white light that surrounded us was soothing and comforting.

"Are you okay?" he asked, stroking my hair.

I nodded. "Just about." I looked at the bodies. "We need to do something about that."

"Later," Devin said. For the time being I was content just to let him hold me.

* * *



(Catalina)

The official story was that Marcie and Dayna had killed each other, Grace and Layla had provoked them in a fight and had then skipped town and run away.

Devin and I had taken all the bodies to the warehouse the hunters had used as headquarters had used. We'd set small fires and set up a "fight scene". We had taken the bodies of Layla and Grace to the dump.

Eliza had watched us, not too pleased about the way things had turned out. "What the hell am I supposed to do now?" she whined.

Devin and I exchanged glances. Devin began to smile. "I think I have an idea. Run away, Eliza. Run away, and never return."

I stared at him, wondering where he'd gotten that line.

Eliza stared at him in utter disbelief. "What *ever*, Simba."

"That was *Scar's* line!" Devin was insulted.

My eyebrows raised. "What?"

Devin waved dismissively. "It's from the *Lion* *King*, forget about it."

That little scene had been over a month again. Devin and I were still kind of new with the whole vampire/human together and safe thing. No other Night People had come to the town.

So far, we were doing okay, I was even starting to make some human friends. And I guess Circle Daybreak would always be there if ever needed it, but for now, Devin and I were fine on our own.

I guess there's nothing much else to say. All's well that ends well.

THE END.