Disclaimers: Firstly, I do not own Jenny, Julian, the shadow men or any other characters that my pop in to the storyline. But I DO own Angel if that's any consolation.

Author's Notes: WARNING plot shocker ahead. Hope y'all enjoy!

Desires Revealed: Chapter XIV

Julian's frantic roar was the last thing Jenny heard before she was dragged away.

This was bad, really bad.

"You will be mine little one." The Crocodile Shadow Man said while lightly running its rough fingers down the length of her arm. Jenny wanted to kick, scream, do anything to make this torture stop but she didn't think it was in her best interest.

She bit back a shudder as the fingers moved to her collarbone. This whole touching thing had her freaked. This was worse than when she had first realized that the shadow world existed. Something was really off here. A thought was gnawing at her from deep within her subconscious but she wasn't sure what it was. It had been bothering her since they had first seen this particular shadow man in the labyrinth. Jenny thought back but all she could focus on was her great fear. It became worse when the Crocodile Shadow Man picked her up in his arms and started to carry her.

Jenny had to force herself not to cry or scream. She decided to try and bring forth the nagging thought as a way to hold on to her sanity. Thinking back to the Crocodile Man's appearance she mulled over the details. He hadn't said much but…she gasped as remembrance filled her. She felt stupid for not noticing it sooner. The reason that this encounter was drastically different from the others (aside from the obvious) was because it had referred to itself in the first person.

Oh great now I've got another whack-job shadow man obsessing over me, she thought with a grimace. Not that Julian was a total nutcase, she assured herself. He did have some redeeming qualities--like his eyes. And of course his hands, they were so soft. What about his lips? Oooh, they were...

Jenny snapped back to attention. Now that she had gotten a hold of this thought she hated the prospect of being somewhere with the Crocodile. She had already done the "be mine" thing with Julian and she didn't want to go through with it again.

She became all too aware of how effortlessly she was carried through the endless corridors, destination unknown. Damn, how'd she always manage to get into these situations?! Jenny felt the rough hands unwrap from around her waist and unceremoniously drop her to the ground. She started to panic as she made her way to her feet. She could feel her heart beating against her rib cage. Jenny wouldn't have been surprised it if pounded right out of her chest. That would be an easy death compared to the one that awaited her, she was sure.

She was ushered into a murky chamber. Jenny seriously debated making a run for it but thought better of it. It was completely useless to run. There was no place she could hide—not from any of them. They stopped in what Jenny supposed was the middle of the chamber; the room was completely bathed in light from torches hung on the walls. She surveyed the room. It was unlike any chamber that they had passed before. There was actually a bed in there as well as a few pieces of scattered furniture.

Wait. A bed?!


"What are you gonna with me?" Jenny asked warily. She cursed the breathlessness of her voice. If she was going to be a prize like her grandfather and the rest of the victims she'd at least go with some dignity.

She shrank back when he -- the only way she could get through this nightmare was if she made him see more human -- reached out towards her. He held a finger under her chin and forced her head up. Crimson eyes gazed back at her. This was definitely not right!


The skin to skin contact made her want to gag. His finger was coarse against her chin. She forced herself to meet his gaze, terrified of what she would see reflected there.

"Be calm little one. You will not be harmed."

The shadow man's voice was filled with what could only be described as sorrow. But that was impossible, right?

Jenny raised an eyebrow.

"You really expect me to believe that?"

He barked a short sound that Jenny imagined was his version of a laugh although there was no humor within the tone.

"Granted there is no reason to believe what I say, but as long as you stay here you will not be harmed."

"You want to keep me safe from the other shadow men?" She asked incredulously. This was really starting to confuse her although if he was going to turn all stalker on her she figured it might make sense to want her away from everyone else.

"The others are of no concern." He sighed dropping his hand.

"Then who exactly do you think is going to harm me?"

"The one you call Angel."

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So what'd you all think of this chapter? R&R greatly appreciated!