(Author's Note: Okay, one more chapter after this, and I'm done (Yes, I said 35, but it turns out to be 34)! Whoo hoo! About time! Anyway, what do you think about this? Does it all happen too fast? Let me know!
Dragon Fire: Hehe, you know, calling Jenny names isn't going to make her change her mind. ;-) Although, having her mistaken for dead might have been kind of fun. But it would've made my plans a little more difficult.
Mandy: Hope this chapter makes you feel better about Troy. *wink* As for Jenny and Damian, that will have to wait until next chapter (mwahaha!). I'm glad you like it still though!
Adelaide E: Haha, you made me laugh with your comment about Troy being 'unerringly inconvenient' and 'a little bastard too.' *snicker* I'm glad you thought Damian was really a bad guy, though. I wasn't sure how believable it was. :-p And I had to do it; the story would be boring otherwise. lol. Glad you liked the chapter though! (oh, and thanks about my wisdom teeth. Ugh. Thankfully, they're finally all healed up again.)
Leopardess: Whew, I'm so glad you thought the games idea was good. I was worried about that. And after I'd endured people thinking it was a blood feast and an unoriginal copy of The Chosen the whole story… Okay, so nobody said that but I know people were thinking it, and I so wanted to say, "No, wait, it's this…". lol. I was hoping to prove my 'originality' here. :-P Caesar was just a fun idea. Who can prove otherwise? hehe. I'm glad you liked all the plot twists. I like to be twisty if I can pull it off. Is that a word? lol.
Spunky: Sorry to make you wait so long for this chapter. I promise the next (and last) chapter will come much sooner. But I'm glad you're waiting! :- )
Redaura: Haha, blaming Troy for cliffhangers. Poor evil guy. Although he does appear in a lot of those cliffhangers. Hmm… I'm really glad you like the story so much though! Makes me feel good. As for what Jenny does in the end… Well, I'm not taking requests, but I'll keep it in mind. ;-)
Laney: Yeah, calling me an evil, evil person isn't going to make me write faster. lol. But I'm glad you like the story enough to feel the need to beg.
The Cat: Sorry I didn't post ASAP. Guess the threats didn't work. *grin* I honestly wanted to update, but I was kinda stuck. I knew what I wanted to happen, but I couldn't get myself to actually do it. :-p But here you go! At least *something* gets resolved in this chapter, although it's probably still considered a cliffhanger.
Maria: Well, I've tried talking some sense into Jenny, but she just doesn't listen to me. So I guess we'll have to wait and see what she decides to do. ;-) Glad you like the story!
ArrA: Thanks! I have to defend the cliffhangers though… This story is a lot of continuous action, and it's really tough to break continuous action into chapters without having cliffhangers. So *there*. :-P lol. Sorry it took so long for me to update.
Baloo: Gah! I feel so guilty. I *still* haven't emailed you about Resurrection. *bad, bad!* Okay, I *promise* I will do it soon!! Really!! You believe me, right? lol. I'm glad you liked extra humor in the last part. To be totally honest, I didn't even really remember putting it in there. Not something I really do consciously – if I try, it's not humorous. Some writing sessions I'm just better at it than others. lol. I actually had to look back at the chapter to see what you were talking about. I think it's because I was in a good mood when I wrote it. Hehe. And I know what you mean about inspiration. I had all this time, and I knew what I wanted to happen, and then I'd *think* about writing, and … blah. Couldn't do it.
Lulu: Thanks. :-D
Goss: Don't worry. It won't be six more months. Hopefully it won't be more than a few weeks at most before I get the last chapter out. :-p But jeez, why all the wrath toward Michael? He's not a bad guy. lol. As for your idea on reincarnation… I really don't think so, since Damian's lamia and hasn't stopped aging, so he's Jenny's age. That makes the reincarnation thing impossible, unless you can reincarnate into an already living person. :-p And to be totally honest, I think I goofed up with the Damian/Elizabeth thing. I didn't mean that they were soulmates, and I didn't realize people would interpret the comment that way. I guess I need to rewrite that. They weren't soulmates, but they cared a lot about each other, and they probably had a close connection if they shared blood. Plus, Damian was exaggerating a bit, because being with Jenny reminded him of being with Elizabeth. He wasn't thinking. Ugh. Does that make sense? I was just trying to show that he was hiding something. Yeah… Anyway… lol. I'm glad you like the story, and long reviews are always welcomed. As for inflating my ego… too late! ;-) hehe. Oh, and while I remember, thanks for reviewing my story "Trust." (and to answer your question, no, there's no sequel. :-P)
Thanks everyone!!)
*Chapter 33*
The two guards carrying Jenny suddenly dropped her after Troy spoke, not even glancing at her when she gasped as she hit the floor. She rolled over onto her stomach and pushed herself up on her hands and knees to watch Troy and Hunter. She didn't think anyone would care that she suddenly wasn't dead anymore. Everyone in the crowd was silent, staring at the two men.
"I knew that bastard was going to do something like this," she muttered to herself. Troy just wasn't the type to take orders from anyone.
Hunter turned to Troy, a smile on his face, and laughed. It wasn't his typical I'm-evil-and-I-know-it laugh. This laugh contained surprise, disbelief, and even a little amusement.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" he asked Troy, his hand moving slowly toward his hip, where he no doubt had some kind of weapon hidden beneath his jacket.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Troy warned calmly. He nodded at Hunter's personal guard, and the guard held a dagger over Hunter's heart.
Hunter looked down at the dagger, then threw his head back and laughed.
"Are you insane, Troy?" he asked when the laughter subsided. "You're threatening me? What makes you think you could possibly get away with this? These are my people." He gestured widely at the audience. "And they will kill you in an instant."
"Wrong." That smile that gave Jenny goosebumps was back on Troy's face. "They're my people now. And any that want to disagree with that can join you in Hell. It's time for you to retire from the Council, Redfern."
Hunter's smile faded, and Jenny could see the anger in his eyes even from this distance. "Make me," he said, his tone laced with menace.
Troy shrugged. "Okay." He snapped his fingers and a dozen guards rushed up the stairs and surrounded Hunter. The crowd gasped as Hunter fought the guards. He managed to take out two of them, but after about a minute the guards had his arms tied behind him. His golden hawk eyes flared silver as he glared at Troy.
"You're dead," he hissed.
Troy raised an eyebrow. "Technically, aren't we all?" He turned his back on Hunter and faced the crowd. "A new era in Night World history begins tonight. As we speak, the weak among the council are being taken down. Only those who share our vision will be allowed to remain. No longer are we going to bow down to these pitiful humans, hiding in the shadows because some egotistical lamia think we should. We are the strongest, and we deserve to rule. Are you with me?" He raised his arms in the air, and a roar of cheers filled the room, sending vibrations through the dirt-packed floor. It didn't appear Troy would find too much opposition here.
He smiled and turned to Raina, who cowered against her bench, her eyes wide. "And what better way to signify this change in ideals than to make the ultimate change. Imagine the irony – the leader of a slayer gang ruling next to me as a vampire. A reminder to everyone about who is really the top of the food chain. Now, that's fun." The crowd cheered again, although Jenny thought they'd probably cheer for anything at this point.
Troy nodded, and the two guards behind Raina began unlocking her chains. She shook her head frantically, trying to pull her arms away from them. "You bastard," she screamed.
"Oh, you say that now, but trust me… In a while, you'll be perfectly … satisfied."
The guards got her chains free and pushed her toward Troy. She tried to punch him, but he grabbed her wrists and pulled her to him. His teeth extended, and he sank his teeth into her throat. She screamed, but couldn't pull away from him.
"No!" Jenny shouted, and ran toward the box. She didn't know what she would do when she got there; she just knew she couldn't stand here and let Troy drain Raina.
Damian caught her arm when she reached him and held her back.
"Jenny! No!"
She wrenched her arms out of his hand, but he only caught her again.
"Jenny! You can't do anything. They'll kill you!" He grabbed her shoulders and forced her to look at him.
Tears blurred her vision, and she blinked furiously. "What do you think they're doing to her? I can't just stand here!"
He pulled her to him and held her tightly. "I know," he murmured. "But we're seriously outnumbered. We can't do anything."
At that moment, Troy must have loosened his grip on Raina's wrist, because she suddenly wrenched her arms free and pushed him backwards. She caught him by surprise, and his reflexes weren't fast enough to grab her again before she grabbed the key hanging around his neck and dove off the side of the box.
"Get her!" Troy yelled. Chaos erupted. Guards and spectators alike swarmed the field. Raina rolled to her feet near Jenny and Damian.
"This unlocks the cages," Raina gasped, green eyes flashing with determination despite the trickle of blood running down her neck. She tossed the little silver key to Jenny and collapsed to her knees again.
For a moment, their eyes met, and understanding flared between them. A swell of pride rose in Jenny's chest as she realized that Raina had been leader for a reason. She nodded and, with a quick glance at Damian, turned and sprinted toward the cages.
The captives all stood at the doors, waiting for her. Each door she opened revealed faces full of determination and strength. They no longer cowered in the corners, full of fear. This was their only chance, and they knew it. They were going to fight. For the first time since she'd arrived here, Jenny felt like they actually had a chance at getting out here alive.
Jenny raced from cage to cage, trying to get them open before the Night World mob reached them. She reminded them to stick together as they exited. By the time she got to the last cage, the arena floor was filled with the sound of shouts and punches. As the last captive exited the cage, Jenny turned around to find the rest of the Executioners standing behind her. Mari's face shown with confidence, and Gunther had that glint in his eyes that meant he was about to do some serious damage. Carl, who had been kidnapped the longest, looked a little worn around the edges, but Jenny could tell by his expression that he meant business.
Tiffany stood next to Carl, and Jenny felt that same twinge of guilt for getting her into this. But Tiffany would fight, even if it meant her death. Even Ashton, standing pale and wide-eyed behind Tiffany, looked determined, although Jenny bet she'd never been in a fight in her life. Lastly, Michael stood watching her, his white shirt smudged with dirt and his hair mussed but looking stronger than ever. Jenny's heart swelled as she looked at all of them. This was her family, and she would do her best to get them out of her.
"Okay," Jenny said, pushing her hair out of her eyes and taking a deep breath. "There are weapons in that room over there. Let's get them and try to distribute them to these people. A lot of them won't last long barehanded."
They started toward the room as a group, and none of the vampires attacked them. The staging room was clear of fighting, and the Executioners grabbed all the weapons they could find. Jenny found her arms loaded with wooden swords and knives, and felt instantly safer.
She looked around at the group and gave a small smile. In her mind, she sent up a prayer that they would all survive this.
"Let's split up and get these things out there," Michael said, starting back toward the arena. Jenny nodded and followed him.
"Be careful," Mari called out.
Jenny quickly lost the others in the throng, and it was better that way. She could concentrate better if she just focused on the job. She jogged around, tossing the weapons to those who looked like they needed it. She found Raina and handed her a dagger. Raina, wrestling with a blonde vampire woman, promptly stabbed the woman in the heart. She shot Jenny a grateful look.
"Thanks."
Jenny nodded and moved on. She held the last weapon – a katana – in her hands. Time to do some damage of her own. To her left, a thin boy was trying to shake two vampires unsuccessfully. Jenny shoved the sword into one's back, then pulled it out and caught the other one in his chest as he turned to look at her. Both collapsed to the floor.
"Pair up with someone. It'll be easier," she told the boy, and he nodded.
Just then, an arm wrapped around her neck from behind and pulled her back against a firm body.
"I knew you weren't dead," a voice breathed into her ear, and her eyes widened. Her breath caught in her throat, and she gasped.
Oh God no. Anybody but him.
The arm tightened around her throat, cutting off her air. The katana fell from her hands. Dizziness overwhelmed Jenny, and she might have fallen if she wasn't being choked to death.
"I could break your puny little neck right now if I wanted to," Troy whispered. His lips brushed her ear, and she shuddered.
"So what are you waiting for?" Jenny managed to gasp.
He chuckled. "Over too quickly. I'd like to give you a go, see how you'd really measure up against me. You caused this mess, ruined my show. Can you back it up?"
He let go of her and pushed her forward. She stumbled and caught herself, turning toward him as she sucked in air. "Just remember, you asked for it," she growled. Damn it if nearly being choked to death didn't piss her off.
Troy smiled. "Such a mouth. So full of confidence. It's almost a shame I have to kill you." He kicked her katana back to her, and she picked it up. Another wave of dizziness crashed over her, and she had to close her eyes for a moment. When it passed, she raised the katana. Even if she didn't survive this, if she at least took Troy with her, she could save so many other lives. That thought filled her with more strength than she thought she could have right now.
Troy shrugged off the black trenchcoat he always wore, revealing two swords sheathed at his hips. He slid them out and held one sideways so Jenny could see the intricate circular carvings at its base.
"Nice sword," she said, only because he waited for her to say it.
"They belonged to my grandfather. Many people died by these blades. If he had been a vampire, he could have ruled."
"I'm so impressed." She rolled her eyes. God, she hated people who insisted on talking before fighting to the death. "Can we get on with this?"
He leveled his creepy red eyes at her. "Of course." He held the swords at his side, one foot set back so he could move quickly. But he just stood there.
Damn. He was going to make her move first. She scowled. Well, today was as good a day as any to die. She darted forward and swung the katana at his head. As she expected, he countered with the sword in his right hand, knocking the blow away. Then, in a flash, he slashed her arm with the other sword before she could step back.
She cursed and backed away, glancing down at the red staining her shirt sleeve. This shirt had definitely seen better days.
Troy advanced on her, slashing the swords in wide circles, obviously showing off. Jenny kept her eyes on the blades, and when Troy sliced one at her, she was ready. The sword glanced off the katana as she brought it up to block. He immediately followed with the second sword, and Jenny ducked, rolling toward him and bringing the katana blade against his calf. Troy stumbled, then stabbed at her as she rolled away from him again. The blade caught the bottom of her shirt as she moved, pinning it to the ground and ripping through it.
Jenny glanced at the hole in the shirt and grimaced as she got to her feet again. The shirt was definitely destined for the trash heap.
With Jenny's attention distracted by the shirt, Troy struck her in the left ankle with the blunt side of the sword. Sharp pain shot up her leg, and she cried out. Instinctively, she fell to her knees, dropping the katana and grabbing the ankle with both hands.
"Dammit!" she cried as her foot began going numb. She glanced up to find Troy standing over her and smirking.
"Oh, little slayer. You make this too easy. How have you survived so long?" His crimson eyes glowed brighter, like lava and fire, and his teeth extended over his lips. Her rapidly beating heart slowed suddenly as a chill raced through her body.
She scrambled back to her feet, trying to grab the katana on her way up, but her hands shook and she dropped it again. The numbness in her foot prevented her from backing away dignified-like, and she resorted to stumbling instead.
The light in Troy's eyes pulsed faster, and a thin line of silver began mixing into the blood-red. "It's been fun," he growled, and reached for her.
"Get away from her!" someone yelled. A blur of white ran between Troy and Jenny, sending one of Troy's swords flying into the dirt. The blur stopped, and Jenny blinked as she realized who it was.
"Michael, no!"
Michael stood between her and Troy, his hands – weaponless hands – clenched into fists. Jenny tried to grab his shoulder and pull him back, but he shrugged her off. "Get back, Jenny."
Troy smiled. "How sweet, a bodyguard." He took a step forward, and Michael tensed.
"Don't move, Troy, or I kill you."
The smile grew wider. "With what? Your bare hands?"
Michael scowled, his dark eyes narrowed. "I'll use whatever I can. You're not touching her."
"Michael," Jenny tried again. Michael waved her off.
"You're hurt, Jenny. Get away from here." He turned his head to look at her. For a moment their eyes met, and the look in Michael's made her heart skip a beat. He looked at her with an intensity she'd never seen before, and it made her want to gasp. "Go," he repeated firmly.
It was then that the tip of the sword appeared through Michael's right shoulder. Michael's eyes widened, and he turned back to Troy, whose hand still curled around the handle of the sword.
Jenny blinked, confused for a moment as blood started forming around the sword tip. Then Michael took a step backward, Troy let go of the sword, and Jenny realized what had happened.
"Michael!" she screamed. He turned around to face her, and tears sprang up in her eyes as she took in the sword sticking out of Michael's chest just below his right shoulder. "No!"
Michael looked at her, then down at the sword in disbelief. "Shit," he muttered, and fell to his knees. Jenny fell beside him, hands on his chest as if that would help him.
Her eyes met his again, and he winced in pain. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
Tears streaming down her cheeks, she grabbed the sword handle and pulled it out of him slowly. He gasped and collapsed on his back. Jenny leaned over him, touching one hand to his forehead.
"You're going to be okay, Michael. I promise."
He smiled faintly, then cringed with pain again. "Just … get everyone out of here."
She sniffled. "I'll be right back for you, okay? Just stay still."
He nodded and closed his eyes.
Jenny wiped at her eyes with her shirt sleeve, then stood, the bloody sword still in one hand.
"Oh, isn't that just a shame?"
She lifted her head and glared at Troy, who had retrieved his other sword and stood rolling his eyes. The pain in her ankle, while not gone, was forgotten. Her chest felt about to explode, and it was Troy's fault. For that brief moment, her fear of him burned away in her complete hatred. He was trying to destroy everything she'd known, and he couldn't get away with that. Not if she could help it.
Troy must have seen something in her eyes, because he stopped smiling. "So you've got some guts after all…" he said, raising the sword. "Well, let's finish this then."
Jenny nodded, her jaw set in anger and determination. "Yes. It ends now, Troy."
She ran at him, swinging the sword in long-ago learned moves. Her mind lifted away from her body, and her arms and legs moved independently of any conscious thoughts. Her focus was on Troy and Troy alone – anything happening around them, even Michael, faded away, and blocks and attacks took over.
Then she found herself standing over Troy, out of breath. She couldn't really remember how it had happened, but he was lying on the ground, his sword ten feet away, and the point of her sword directly over his heart, if he had one.
For a moment, all she could do was just stare at him. Her arms seemed frozen, disconnected from her brain. She stared into the depths of his eyes, and a storm of feelings fought inside her. All the fear, the anger, the helplessness rose to the surface in her chest, and she felt like she would burst. All of this, the kidnapped people, everything – she could end it all right now. All she had to do was push.
Troy stared up at her with silver molten eyes, and smiled.
"Go ahead, do it."
Tears filled her eyes. The turmoil inside of her combined into one and filled her arms with strength. She gasped, crying out, and shoved with her entire weight on the sword handle.
Troy's mouth opened wide, and he screamed soundlessly as the point entered his heart. The light in his eyes grew so bright Jenny had to close her eyes against it. A rush of air blew through her hair, and she opened her eyes. Troy was gone. The sword stuck out of the ground, surrounded by dust.
Exhaustion and relief overcame Jenny, and she collapsed to the ground.