Chapter Ten:

"See was that so bad." Raksha sounded thoughtful, "Who are you?"

"Monique,' she said.          

"Well, Monique, say good-bye to your friend."

Raksha bit down, and found the delicate looking creature unwilling to die.  She placed her paw on his horns and two of them snapped off.  The dragon cried out, and went limp.

"Conn!" Monique yelled jumping at Raksha. "You said you'd let him good."

"Oh, well, I lied. It happens." Raksha laughed, "Now this has been fun darlings, and I really do love your shapes, but I'm very hungry.  I think it's time to eat."

Raksha shimmered lightly as she jumped up and spread her wings.  She came down on Monique, who fought back by slashing her with razor sharp claws.  Black blood flowed out of a wound, inflicted by Monique's teeth.  Then Raksha felt the other creature land on her, both were tearing at her skin, and blasting her with her black power.  Neither of which was having much of an effect.  The left over vampire, whom Raksha had completely forgotten about, speared her with a long silver pole.

Raksha roared, and threw it at Monique, who ducked as it nicked her skin. This is losing its charm, and fast, Raksha thought, and with an impatient motion she tossed off her attackers. The leader faced off, as the others picked up the injured and began to run.

"So," Raksha asked, "Are you ready to run now?  I like hunting my prey, even a tough little one like you."

"I'm not running."

Raksha gave what looked like a shrug, "No matter, in any case you'll die.  I do hope you plan to fight, though."

"Why do you kill?" Dreko asked, stalling for time.

"Why?"

"Yes, why?"

"Well doctor," Raksha responded sarcastically, "It all started when I was a little demon.  My mommy used to come home all full of blood, and then one day she made me mad, so I killed her."

"That's not the truth, I'm talking about you and 'Doc'."            

Raksha raised a paw and slashed him, "DON'T you ever, ever, talk about that, or mention that name in my presence.  Not unless you want to live after I'm through with you, because while I can hurt you, I can also make creatures like you beg and plead for death. Oblivion would be your only release."

"Time to go."  Dreko said turning human and disappearing into a car that drove wildly by.  Raksha took that moment to memorize him, tall, elegant black/blue hair, and intense black eyes.  Very, very good looking individual.  Almost too bad she was going to kill him slowly next time they met.

~

Dreko was furious, his whole team couldn't handle one little demon.  No, not that little, he corrected himself, very large and powerful, and angry, now.

"Smooth going."  Chyana lectured them, "All you did was make her mad.  And you have no idea what she can do mad.  I told you to plan it more carefully, but no you had to rush in all tuff thinking that this would be easy, and you'd be going back to your comfy little homes.  If you want to stay on this and get paid, we'll do this my way.  I am paying your salary."

"I thought Thierry was?"  Dumas commented.

"No, I am."           

"You, why?" Dumas seemed very puzzled by this.

"Because she was once my friend, and I can't kill her."

"But if there is no way to kill her, why do you not capture her?"

"I think tonight's little demonstration was plenty enough of a reason not to.  First off, it's next to impossible.  Second, how the hell can you expect hold her at all?" Chyana's voice grew louder and angrier as she said this.

"We will kill her, or at least capture her."  Dreko stated his voice cold and angry.

"You'd better."

~

Raksha passed her room.   She was absolutely furious.  How dare they try and hurt her? And all of it organized by her former best friend.  Fine, if she wants a war, she'll get one. A good little war. It had been a while since Raksha had started any really large fights.  And she knew the perfect way to start one.

Chyana wasn't the only one who could hire assassins/soldiers. Her good humor restored, she strolled out into the street.

~

"Okay boss," Dumas said, "I've got it."  He held up a sheet of paper.  "Here is the only record of what was done to Raksha.  It says here that he used a stone of Threisha.  The stone of the gargoyle.  To wear the stone makes the wearer incredibly strong.   But to have the stone in her blood makes her very nearly invincible.  Except for this."  Dumas began to quote the paper, "To feel the day, out of the element is to see your self, left untouched.  Beware your weakness, for power surges through your blood, no gift comes without a price."  He looked up, "That's it."

"Have Monique start research tonight, tell her to have it ready by morning.  I have a plan."