17.

"What were you thinkin' tryin' to take all of them?" Logan demanded. I couldn't even get in the car good before he was chiding me. I knew I hadn't done the smartest thing in the world, but what else was I supposed to do? It wasn't as if I could tell them to hold on one second while I called for my backup.

"Honestly, I wasn't thinking. I was reacting. They were hurting Jean-Paul because of me, because of what Vega did to me. I couldn't let them hurt him for something that wasn't his fault." I answered. A lot of good it did. They still killed him. Oh Goddess, they killed him, and I couldn't even save him. My eyes blurred, and I blinked back furious tears.

"You shoulda just let me come with you in the beginnin'." Logan grumbled.

"Logan, I am not a child. Please, don't treat me like one. I didn't leave the mansion with intentions of facing the master and two of her cohorts. This I promise you. It just happened. I'm glad that you were not with me, though. Things probably would've been a lot worse. She might have tried to kill you, too, and I don't know what I would've… Can we not talk about this?" I trailed off.

I didn't even want to think about the thought of Sakura getting her hands on Logan. I don't think even the gods themselves would have been able to save this place from my wrath.

"What happened to this man's daughter?" Logan asked, changing the subject. I appreciated that he wouldn't run the previous subject into the ground. There was no way to go back and change what I did. Even if we could, I would have made the same decision. I would have run to Sakura's lair like a knight with her trusty stead.

"She committed suicide. No one knew why at first. She didn't leave a note or anything, but it was later revealed that he abused her. The poor girl couldn't take it." I said, frowning. Every time I heard about Benedict a little bit of anger swelled in my heart. How could he do that to his own child? I'll never understand the need to abuse those you're supposed to love.

We were silent for the rest of the ride, left to our individual thoughts. When we arrived at the graveyard, I didn't see anyone. No Benedict. No animated daughter. Nothing. I walked to the gravesite. Nothing. Something wasn't right. I felt a lump forming in my throat. Something was wrong, very wrong.

"Shouldn't the bastard be here?" Logan asked, looking around the cemetery.

"Yes, we'll give him just a few more minutes." I whispered. I wanted desperately to believe that Benedict lost his nerve. I would ignore the bad chills I was starting to get up my spine. I was overreacting.

"Smells like a setup." Logan said. He always had an uncanny way of verbalizing what I didn't want spoken. He looked around again. I could tell he heard something. "I think we should leave."

We moved closer together. "You're probably right. I'll call Edmond and tell him Benedict was a no show." I said, trying to sound like maybe this wasn't what it looked like, but from the way, Logan was furrowing his eyebrows, something bad was about to happen. He clenched his fists tightly, and I felt the hair on my neck tingle. I turned and saw no one.

There was no covering save for a couple of trees and a maintenance shed. If someone decided to start shooting at me here, we would have no where to dive unless we made it to the shed. My car was a little further along the way, and we walked hurriedly toward it. We paused when we saw it sitting on top of my car. I instinctively reached for the gun that wasn't there.

It was a ghoul. They looked surprisingly human, save for the gray skin and claws. I heard Logan growling deep in his throat. "Take it easy, Logan." I said to him.

There were no ghouls in this cemetery. At least, I hadn't felt any. What was it doing here, then? Ghouls were easy to scare as well. They didn't attack healthy beings and were usually scared by threatening movements. I stepped toward the car, shaking my hands in a shooing motion. The damn thing looked at me as if I was out of my mind. So much for scaring it away.

Where there was one ghoul, there was bound to be more. Another two walked from behind one of the trees, joining their companion. "They're waiting for something." Logan said, his voice low and dangerous. We were having a standoff with damn ghouls.

"They're waiting for me," a voice said behind me. I turned so fast I nearly toppled over.

"Ken!" I yelled. The three ghouls that were with him flinched, but didn't run. Then, it all made sense. I don't know why I didn't realize it sooner. The gris-gris needed a sacrifice. He said they wouldn't be missed. "You? You're the one killing the vampires?"

"Correct as usual, Sherlock." He said, smugly. Why hadn't I realized this earlier? Not that I mind he killed Christie or any of the others, but it was so obvious.

"That's why you hit the zombie that witnessed the murders. You destroyed his mind to save yourself." I said. He wasn't as dumb as I thought he was. In fact, that was damn smart. "Did you send the shooter, too?"

"Yeah, that was me. I told him Sakura wanted you dead. Dumb as rocks, but I expected him to get the job done. Doesn't look like it worked out that way." He answered. "I didn't know you were a mutant. If I had, I would've found someone a little smarter."

"How are you using these ghouls? Why are they following you?" I asked.

"You know the belief that if you bury an animator in a cemetery, you attract ghouls?"

"I have heard it." But I didn't believe it. I mean, it just didn't add up to me. I'd much rather believe that ghouls just happened than animators were the reason for them. I didn't want to die knowing I was going to send one of those little buggers back to the world as my parting gift.

"When I escaped death, they came with me, and they were mine to control." He said, patting one of the ghouls head. How utterly saccharine in a disgusting way. They were one big, dysfunctional family.

"It makes no sense, though. There aren't enough animators in the world to take credit for all the ghouls running around." I said.

"You know. I'm glad you didn't die earlier. I've been wanting to toss this around with another animator, but there's that little problem with everyone thinking I'm dead. See, I've come to realize that the more zombies you raise, the more ghouls you attract. That means when you die, Ororo, you're looking at a whole hell of a lot of ghouls coming back."

So, I was going to send a lot of ghouls back to the world. What was I thinking? Okay, this was just weird. I was sitting here talking cumulative ghoul ratio with a murderer. There was something very wrong about that. I didn't get a chance to speak as Logan just exploded from nowhere. He was little more than a blur as he cleared the distance between us and Ken with a war cry that could've woke the rest of the dead in the cemetery.

I couldn't even open my mouth to tell him not to try it before I saw the claws surface and plunge into Ken's chest. Ken fell to his knees, holding his chest. "That hurt, but they say whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Ken said, standing with help from his ghouls. He was still clutching his chest, but he wasn't dying.

"Let's see if you'll be any stronger when I rip your head off." Logan threatened.

"So violent. Do you think everything is solved with violence?" Ken said, snapping his fingers. The three ghouls closed in, blocking Logan from Ken. Ken managed to slip behind a tree. Asshole. I saw more ghouls appearing. The three that guarded Ken grabbed Logan and threw him back toward me. Yes, actually threw him. But from the way, he popped back up rearing to go, I guess it didn't hurt too much.

"Logan, we can't fight them all like this. We'll need to regroup." I said to him before he could go running back toward them. I motioned toward the maintenance shed. "Walk slow. They'll close in, but don't run until we get close to the shed. They run fast, and they might catch us before then."

Logan and I backed slowly toward the maintenance shed, just as I thought they closed in on us, but didn't move any faster. It was like being stalked, eventually, we'd stop moving and they'd close in on us completely. I looked over my shoulder to see how close we were to the shed. "Now!" I said when we were close enough.

We made a mad dash for the shed, managing to get the door opened and closed before they could catch us. I held the door closed while Logan found something to put through the handles to act as a temporary lock. They were banging against the doors hard. The doors would be off the hinges soon. We pushed a riding lawnmower in front of the doors. That would give us a little extra time.

This wouldn't keep them very long so we had to think of something. I don't know if we'd be able to outright fight all those ghouls before they ripped us apart. If I could get us airborne, I could get us away, but they would follow us to the mansion. They would follow me wherever I went. They were quick enough to keep up on ground for the most part, and even if they weren't, if Ken was smart (which he was proving he was), wouldn't he send them to the mansion, anyway?

Maybe by calling me out here, he was trying to avoid the chaos that would ensue with the children. Maybe he didn't actually care that much about the children. There would be no witnesses here, though. Killing me in a graveyard would be a lot less messy.

I started searching around the room. I saw one window that sat too high for the ghouls to get in without help. They were dumb, anyway. They'd never figure it out. I found some tools. There was an old table with gasoline perched on it. "Do you have a cigar and matches?" I asked. Logan never went anywhere without at least one. I hope he hadn't broken tradition.

"Yeah," Logan produced a cigar from an inside jacket pocket. Good, old Logan. I might have to make him a permanent partner. I smiled at him and picked up a can of gas. I started pouring gas around the corners of the room while hell broke loose outside. They were getting even more frenzied out there.

"What are you doing?" Logan asked, concern edged into his voice.

"I'm about to burn this shed down." I answered.

"With us in it?" He asked, incredulously.

"I'm going to get us out. Besides, we'll need the fire. Ghouls are scared of it. It can destroy them." I explained.

"Okay, now about getting us out of here."

I found a three empty mason jars. The mouth was somewhat wide, but I might still be able to whip up a few cocktails. I didn't say anything as I took my jacket off, turned my back, and ripped off Forge's shirt. Logan made a sound akin to surprised. I wasn't about to throw myself at him while ghouls were trying to get in the shed. There would be another time for that. I threw the shirt over my shoulder.

"I need that ripped to shreds quick." I said, slipping my jacket back on and buttoning it up to the top button. He made quick work of the shirt while I poured gas into the mason jars. I stuck pieces of my newly shredded shirt into them. I pushed the table toward the window, stood on it, and used the handle of a rake to break the window out. A fist came plunging through the door while I struggled with the window. "Now would be a good time to light that thing."

"You're going to kill us." Logan said, lighting up.

I held out one of the jars and had Logan to light the shirt piece. I threw it out the window at one of the ghouls. A shriek pierced the night as the ghoul caught fire. It started rolling on the ground, catching another ghoul in the crossfire. Another fist came through the door. I motioned for Logan to join me on the table.

"I'm going to fly us to the roof. We're going to survey the scene before I make this place blow." I said. The door finally splintered and I saw a make ghoul making his way through the hole. I had to hurry. I slipped out the window first, balancing myself. Logan sent a Molotov after me, hitting another ghoul.

I held out my hand to Logan, summoning a stronger wind to bring him to me. He reached for me, as the ghoul grabbed his leg. Logan kicked back hard, disjointing the ghoul's jaw. The ghoul let go, squealing in pain. The pain wouldn't make him stop long, though. Logan grimaced as he sped toward me, catching my hand. He wasn't too fond of flying on my winds.

I guided us to the roof. "Did I mention you were fuckin' crazy, 'Ro?" He said with a smile when we were safely on the roof.

"That's what they tell me." I said, looking down at the ghouls. Thank Goddess there were no trees for them to climb close to the shed. I counted twelve, not counting the four that were already burning into a rubble of nothing. Who knew how many were in the shed by now. I didn't see Ken. He was probably long gone since he thought his ghouls would finish me.

The ghouls who saw me fly out were now, beating against the shed. The shed started shaking. It wouldn't be long before they brought it down. I snatched Logan up with me in a strong wind, praying that this worked. A storm of lightning encased the ghouls and the shed. I could hear their shrieks of terror as the tried to tear into the shed for cover. I took us higher away from it, sending down the final bolt straight to the shed. It blew.

I didn't expect the explosion to be that big. I nearly lost control, trying to dodge debris. I quickly got us to the ground and started running toward the car. We fell to the ground as a second explosion rocked the shed to nothing. I covered my head, hoping a flaming limb or something didn't pelt me. If that hadn't killed all of them, I don't know what would.

We stood again and raced to the car, as my pager beat against my hip. I sped out of the cemetery like all a crazy woman. I didn't look at my pager until I was sure Ken and his ghouls weren't following us. Robert had paged me. I stopped at a payphone and called him back. He set up the meeting with the rat king. I had an hour to meet him at an all night café.

Next, I called Bayman and told him that I knew who the murderer was. I even got a confession out of the bastard. Ken was going down. As much as I wanted to kill him myself, he was going down the legal way. I sat in the car trying to compose myself before meeting the rat king. Logan and I talked about it possibly being another trap. Logan said he would go in first. If he took a seat, it was safe. If he walked back out, we were going to haul ass.

We drove to the café. Logan got out just as planned and walked into the café. I could see him looking around, trying to sense the danger. I saw some of the patrons turn to look at him. I'd bet you anything those were the weres and that they could sense Logan's animalistic side. One nodded at him in greeting and Logan nodded back before taking a seat.

I piled my hair on top of my head with a rubber band I found before I exited the car. I needed that extra second to prepare myself for this. Besides, I already looked like walking death. I didn't want to look like walking death warmed over. I walked into the café, slowly, looking around. I saw a man in a corner booth motioning at me with his hand. I walked past Logan, feeling better that he was there. I slid into the booth across from the man.

His face was all angles, but they worked well with his short, dark hair and dark eyes. He was darkly attractive. He was the type of guy who was on the cover of those bodice rippers. You know, the one with the arrogant smile and the "lick-me-down" abs. He was the type of guy your mother warned you about. A handsome wererat, what was the world coming to? I know I'm being biased. There's nothing that says he can't be hot in his human form.

On his forearm, I saw a crown tattoo, and in the air, I could feel his suspicion crackle. I stared him straight in the eyes. He returned my unwavering gaze. "I received your message. What did you need to see me for?" he asked. Right down to business. I liked that.

"I need you to lead me and one other person through the tunnels under the Circus." I said.

"Why should I do that for you?" he asked.

"You're tired of Sakura's rule over you, right? Well, I'm going to take care of that little problem." I said. I was confident that I could do this. If I didn't, my rage was going to spin out of control.

He frowned, but I could tell from his eyes that things were pointing in my favor. "How do I know that I can trust you?"

"I have never hurt a lycan. I am not a bounty hunter. I teach at school for gifted children and raise the dead on the weekends. I believe in the golden rule, and it's about time I did unto that bitch as she has done unto me." I said, quietly.

"I see." He said, nodding in approval. "You understand that I cannot aid you, neither can the others. I can keep them from answering her call, if she should call, but that's it."

"I just need you to get me in there. I can handle the rest from there." I said firmly.

"I will get you in there." He promised.

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me until after you've made it our alive." He said grimly. I knew he wasn't trying to wish me any bad luck. He was being realistic. I was talking about going up against the master of the city.

"Deal." I said, sticking out my hand. He shook it after looking at it for a moment.

"When do you want to go?" he asked.

"Tomorrow."

He raised his eyebrows at me. "Tomorrow? You don't need more time?"

"There's no time left. Why?"

"I smell death on you. You have encountered it tonight."

Cue the Twilight Zone music. Robert never did the freak 'I smell death on you' thing. Then again, Robert worked very hard at being human. Apparently, the rat king wasn't ashamed of that sense. It was a little funny I was trusting him, and I didn't even know his name. Maybe that was for the best. "It has to be tomorrow."

"Very well. I will get in contact with you through Robert." I must have been wearing my horrified expression because he chuckled and added, "I'll only give him enough information to meet up with you. Then, I'll threaten to break his legs if he follows us. I know Robert can be incorrigible."

"You will never regret this because tomorrow I am going to kill Sakura."

- - -

Author's Notes: I'm going to be out of town for a few days, everyone. We're going to New Orleans for vacation in a few days, so I may get a chance to update before I leave. I may not. I may get a chance to write on the drive down there since my laptop is a permanent fixture in my life. I may not. I may get a chance to update while I'm down there. I may not. You get the point. I'm going to try to add the last part of this before we leave. No promises, though. I know I probably had a large amount of mistakes this chapter and last chapter. I'm going to fix those, soon, too.