Sigh, all right, everyone, I'll try to make the chapters longer, but I won't promise because of my limited time it's hard to do. Here we go!

Chapter 22--Freedom from Darkness

Kylia somehow managed to avoid the rest of the guards and make her way out of the house. She was sure there had to be a stable about and she was right. She went inside and hurriedly chose a horse. She knew little about tack, so she put on a bridle and managed to mount. Kicking the horse into a gallop she rode for her freedom.

The wind in her face felt good and she was finally free! As she got further away she was startled and thrilled to find her spells coming back into her mind. Whatever the vampire had done to suppress them must have worn off or faded with distance. Laughing in sheer joy, she urged the horse along faster. Her joy was tempered by the knowledge that when the dead guard was found she would be pursued and at night the vampire would be free to follow her as well. She had to find Drizzt and the others by then. It was then she remembered. She fumbled in her belt pouch and much to relief found a lock of white hair tied with a leather thong. Pulling the horse to a stop, she chanted the words to a locate person spell. The spell worked and she soon was headed in the right direction.

Meanwhile

Guenhwyvar finally tired enough where she allowed herself to be sent home, but Renee was starting to make Drizzt feel very uncomfortable. She kept staring at him in a way that reminding him of the measuring stares of a high priestess trying to decide if a male was worth sparing and he didn't like it.

"We should stop for a bit and rest the horses. We could use a bit of food and a rest too," Shandra said.

"Sounds good," Tarion said. They dismounted and Drizzt tended to the horses like he always did, but this time Renee stayed close.

"I would like to speak with you alone," Renee said.

"This is as alone as you're going to get," Drizzt said coolly.

Renee shrugged. "As you wish. I have found myself getting more interested in you as we've traveled. Few dare challenge me so boldly as you did. I have decided that you might be worthy of my attentions and perhaps more," Renee said.

"Sorry, not in the least interested," Drizzt said. He turned away to check on Titan then jumped barely biting back a yelp of pain. Renee had pinched him! He whirled, eyes blazing. "I gave you no permission to lay a hand on me!" he said.

"I had wondered if that delicious rump of yours was as well muscled as it appeared. It seems that it is," Renee said and winked roguishly at him.

Drizzt couldn't believe his ears and for a minute he couldn't speak, but he wasn't speechless for long. ""Don't you ever touch me again or I swear you'll lose fingers," he hissed and stalked off.

Shandra looked up as Drizzt came up with a smile. It quickly faded at the look on his face. "Drizzt, what's the matter?" she asked.

Drizzt decided not to mention what Renee had done. "It's nothing serious, just been a hard journey," he said. "We shouldn't linger to long."

"Tarion said the same thing. We won't linger long," Shandra said.

"There's a horse approaching!" Tarion called. He'd been on watch. Immediately they prepared, but Drizzt, Tarion and Shandra were completely caught off guard by who rode up.

"Kylia!" Tarion yelled. He hurried up as she slid from the horse's back and hugged her. "Thank Tyr you're safe!" One arm around her waist, he brought Kylia to the group and helped her sit down.

Drizzt and Shandra voiced their delight she was unharmed as well and Kylia smiled then fear flickered in her eyes. "We dare not stay here. When it gets dark he'll come after me. I don't understand why I haven't been pursued all ready," she said.

Renee rudely butted in before anyone could answer. "Is this Drow the friend that you were on the way to rescue?" she asked.

"Yes and don't you dare speak of her so rudely," Tarion warned. "I won't put up with it."

Renee snorted, but said nothing more, instead she changed the subject. "Since your friend is no longer in the vampire's hands you'll be leaving I assume," she said. Her tone made it clear she thought they would and they were cowards for doing so.

"We can't run," Drizzt said.

Shandra and Tarion gave him looks mixed with surprise and admiration. Shandra nodded in agreement. "We have to go after him or he'll come after us for sure," she said.

"He has that woman, Glenna, with him. She's a vampire too. He called her his bride and that was the fate he planned for me," she said.

Tarion noticed the faint trembling in Kylia's voice. "Don't worry, my Lady. I'll keep you safe from harm," he said. He was rewarded with a truly beautiful smile.

"If we must continue then I can show you right to his lair," Kylia said.

"Then let us go and end this foul creature's evil!" Shandra said. They gathered their things and galloped off, eager to end the threat and destroy the vampires.

Hopefully this was a little better, I thought this would be a good ending. R/R please!