Chapter 10

lady snowblossom: Please, I prefer Princess or Clis. And maybe you should just start wearing gloves. :p

Reiven: What happens to Bryan? You'll have to wait a chapter. :p

Castles in the Sky: You should review it if you like it. And it was sudden? Well, the story had to move somewhere. :p

Cat in the web: You do well for English being a second language. You can't tell on the net. And I'm updating. ;)

lilmatchgirl007: [[accepts the trophy and takes a huge bow]] Thank you, thank you, thank you. And kill Boris? You'll see...

Black Panther Wolf: If you want Tala's reaction you'll like this chapter.

DranerGirl: Quite a list of not to kill. I'll have to remember it so I can kill them slowly... [[insert evil laugh]]

Acey1: Tala's reaction is here.

Ramen II: No character is safe when it comes to my stories. [[evil grin]]

HimekoSukie: You'll have to see if the boys are freed. Heh heh heh.

Blk Dranzer: I'm a big fan of sequels and such, so I like to structure things like a tv series. I've actually written a movie, but that's another story. Glad you're liking this.

Mizuyah: Cliché indeed. And no pain, no gain. :D

Felt you might want a breather after that last one, so this one is short, though no less important.

Disclaimer: See first page

Tala's eyes flew open as he gasped, the 17-year-old chucking softly as he closed his eyes, wiping the sweat away from his face with the back of his hand. "I'm getting as bad as you, Bryan. Now I'm having nightmares." He rolled over, reaching for the other. "It must be because of wh-"

He sat up abruptly, eyes flying open as he gazed down onto the empty space where Bryan should have been, his fingers having found coldness where there was meant to be warmth. Sapphire eyes swept the room, a faint sense of unease playing through him as he looked toward the en suite, noting that the light was off.

"Bryan?"

He quickly untangled himself from the sheets, moving to get up and stopping as he felt something tap against his chest. He gazed down, fingers finding the chain. He frowned, removing it and turning it over in his hand, strength draining from him as Falborg flashed in the light.

"God no."

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"I really don't understand it." Judy shook her head, confusion playing through the soft blue eyes she shared with her son. "Boris has been quite insistent in his demands, and now he suddenly turns around and says he withdraws not only his demands but the restraining order as well."

"Something's up." Ian frowned.

Kai nodded. "It's not like Boris at all. If he wants something he gets it. It's not like him to give up."

"But I'm afraid that is exactly what he appears to have done." Mr Dickenson frowned thoughtfully. "The call came through early this morning, shortly after sunrise."

"I wouldn't trust the guy." Tyson crossed his arms over his chest, the stubborn look of determination on his face. "It's probably some sort of trick to make you go there so he can jump out and get you. Give him two days and he'll-"

"Tala?" Kai frowned as he spotted his cousins expression. "What is it?"

Tala moved almost mechanically across the room, reaching out to set the chain on the table, pendant upward. Kai dropped down into a seat as he stared at it, confusion rippling amongst the others.

"I woke up and he was gone,' Tala said softly. "This was around my neck."

Ian dropped into a seat, swallowing hard as crimson eyes darted up toward his captain. "He's done it again, hasn't he? Sacrificed himself for us?"

Emily's eyes widened. "You mean Bryan…"

A silence hung over the room, Ian slipping from his seat and moving toward Tala, hugging him. Had the situation not been so serious it would have been humorous, as Ian, though he had grown a little over the past month, still only came up to just above Tala's waist and therefore could only hug his leg.

Kai let out a long breath, eyes on Tala's face as he watched the mix of emotions that played over it: anger, betrayal, grief, fear. What hurt Kai the most was knowing that after everything they had been through, Tala and Bryan had finally found peace only to lose it once again as Bryan gave himself for his teammates.

Pushing himself up Kai moved toward him, reaching out to smooth Tala's hair. "Tal…"

Tala let out a long breath, eyes burning as he looked up, gaze settling on Mr Dickenson. "You have to storm the Abbey."

"That we will, my boy." Mr Dickenson's eyes were fire as he dropped his hat onto his head, retrieving his cane. "That we will."

I think a certain someone is pissed.