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Nineteen: Change (In the House of Flies)

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I whirled around so quickly that I lost my balance. Arms windmilling, I fell back slightly, only to be caught by a large, strong hand. Behind me, I heard a soft splash followed quietly by a curse.

"Thank you very much, Steve," I heard Kurda say softly, his voice laced with both disgust and humour. In front of me, invisible in the darkness, someone snickered. I couldn't concentrate on who it was, though – I was too busy trying to figure out who was clutching my outstretched arm so hard that I could feel my bones splitting under the pressure. White hot pain shot up and down my arm, making me sway on my feet.

"I think you're hurting him, Glada," a deep, gruff voice growled from somewhere towards the side.

"Oh well, he can live with it," the one gripping my arm replied. "He's only a little human."

"Yes, a little human who Marcus just so happens to be interested in. Loosen your grip a little, or I'll be forced to smash your head in."

With a sound that was a cross between a sigh and a groan, the man – vampaneze- in front of me loosened his grip enough for the pain to ebb away slightly. He didn't let go, though.

"I was wondering when you would show up, Gannen, Glada," Kurda said softly. I felt the man to my side shift slightly.

"Hello to you too, Kurda," he said, then I felt his even larger hand clamp down onto my shoulder, my knees almost giving away under the new unexpected weight. "I've got him now, Glada – you can let go."

Glada released his grip on my arm, stepping away.

"Right, so is that all?" Puck said from further off, his voice slightly muffled by the distance.

"Yes," the one I suppose was named Gannen said, his hand never leaving my shoulder. I squirmed slightly under his tight grip, clenching my jaw. "Glada will take you to what you need."

"Follow me," came Glada's voice. More movement. More rustling of cloth. I felt someone brush passed my shoulder, then pause and turn around – Kurda.

"Even in death, may you be triumphant," he whispered to me softly, and I vaguely felt him touch my temples and forehead. "Good luck in there, Steve."

And then they were gone. No goodbyes, no farewells, just a good luck, and away they were, disappearing into the darkness. As quickly as they had appeared in my life, Kurda, Puck and Daegan walked out again, almost as if they were not simply stepping out of the pages of the story that was my life. Which, indeed, two of them were.

That was the last time I ever saw Kurda and Puck.

"Now, then," Gannen said, his voice soft. "You, little man, shall come with me."

And away he took me, off, towards the steadily growing light – towards Annie and Perri. Towards Marcus.

The problem was I didn't even get a say in the matter.

It sucks being a mere human in a sewer full of vamps.

-

We heard them first. Gannen – who turned out to be a silent giant of a man, his face serious, his skin dark purple and eyes just as crimson – had kept his grip on me the entire way, leading me through a maze of dimly lit tunnels. The area he led me to was older than the first section, with no sewerage going through it. Thankfully.

It was in turning around a corner when I heard the laughter.

"Hey, stay away from her!" A woman – Perri – yelled. "Look here, boys – I'm all open for ya – just stay away from the girl!" There was a series of 'ooooh's, followed by guffaws.

"Perri!" Another girl cried, and her exclamation was followed by a short scream. Perri began swearing her head off, flinging obscenities so crude that I actually felt a little sorry for those who they were aimed at.

"Annie…!" I cried, moving to race forward – but Gannen's hand tightened on my shoulder painfully, making me writhe in agony once more.

"Not so quickly, my little friend," he said solemnly. Then, turning another corner, I found myself in a large cavern, big, cold and damp. The torch lights on the surrounding walls made the room brighter than the tunnels I had just been walking through, blinding me for several moments. By the time the white had faded from my eyes, the laughter had died down.

The room itself was large and dry, made of old cobblestone with nooks, crannies and cracks running along the walls, several grates here and there. A few ragged bits of furniture attempted to make the place seem homelier – vampaneze of various sizes mostly congregating around the kneeling, bound figures of Annie and Perri, all looking towards Gannen and myself – to one side, sitting jadedly on the edge of a table, Marcus – lurking forever in the shadows, the little Hooded Stranger, a sullen figure in black, his hands deep in his pockets. Strewn around the room, like discarded toys, were what suspiciously looked like bodies – but I tried to ignore them, instead concentrating on the girls. They looked a bit harassed, Annie's shirt torn slightly, Perri looking dangerously defiant, but otherwise unharmed.

"Steve!" Annie cried, almost with relief.

From his table, Marcus yawned, and jumped down lightly. He sauntered towards me with a cat-like grace, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Ah, so Herr Feisty's name is Steve, then? Interesting. It comes from Steven, which means 'The Crowned One'. Very interesting indeed," he said, stopping in front of me and leaning in close, as if inspecting my face from millimetres away. I glared up at him, willing myself to stand my ground and meet his disturbing crimson eyes.

"You said you wouldn't harm them," I said through gritted teeth, clenching my fists. Marcus shrugged, sending a brief glare at his men. They quickly stepped away from the women, instead occupying themselves with different tasks – some picking up a pack of cards, others disappearing into little nooks to sleep while others wandered off completely.

Again, Marcus shrugged.

"They are men. It is not common for them to see a woman. Who am I to control them?" He smiled at me, then glanced up at Gannen. "You may release him now. I believe his shoulder is sufficiently bruised, danke schon."

With a stiff sort of nod that seemed almost grudging, Gannen released my shoulder and walked away to stand next to the Hooded Stranger. Together, they seemed to share a glare towards Marcus – obviously, he was not well liked by the two.

Rubbing my shoulder, I motioned towards Annie and Perri.

"May I?" I growled. Marcus inclined his head almost regally, that smile still tugging at his lips.

"Of course," he said. "It is not my place to control one such as you."

To cover my confusion, I just glared at him and quickly made my way to the girls. I could feel Marcus following close behind me, but I tried to ignore him, and instead kneeled down and hugged Annie.

"Are you all right?" I asked her. She nodded, her blue-green eyes hard.

"These bastards kept trying to touch her," Perri growled, her eyes never leaving Marcus. "I wouldn't let them, of course."

"Ah, yes, meinelittle falcon," Marcus purred, kneeling down next to her and taking her chin in his hand. "You are so adorable when you put up a fight."

In response, she spat into his eye.

I was impressed. It was a pretty good shot for someone who had her mouth pretty much clamped shut.

"Get your filthy murdering hands off of her," Annie growled at Marcus. Still smiling, Marcus stood slowly, wiping away the gob of saliva with his sleeve.

"Hmm. I believe the ladies may need a little more restraining. Jecka?" He called. A vampaneze was immediately at his side, and he nodded towards the ladies. There was nothing else said – Jecka produced two strips of material from supposedly nowhere, and proceeded to gag the girls.

I stood up, watching helplessly. Perri was swearing her head off again, her words muffled and slurred under the disgusting material, while Annie's eyes were daggers.

Once he was done, Jecka stood, bowed his head briefly, then disappeared to wherever he came from.

"I thought vampaneze had no ruling system," I growled, watching Annie. She held my eyes. I was trying to reassure her. Telling her to stay calm. She just continued to glower.

Get me out of here, her eyes were saying.

"They don't," Marcus said airily, waving his hand as if waving away the subject. "They just tend to listen to me because of my military background. And other reasons…"

While he talked, he stepped behind me, and before I could do anything, he had grabbed me around my waist with one arm, the other cradling my face, much the same way he had held Perri the night before. "Would I be able to have another taste of your delicious blood, oh Crowned One?" He whispered into my ear, his long fingers stroking my cheek.

His breath was hot.

With a growl, I wrenched myself from his grip and whirled away, my hands clenched into fists.

"Look, I managed to survive an hour without being molested, and I want to keep it that way, thanks!" I found myself shouting despite myself. Marcus' hands dropped to his sides, that smile still on his lips. Damn. It was so damned annoying.

"My apologies, Crowned One. I just enjoy… touching… others…" He said, a little smugly. I was really beginning to dislike this man.

"Yeah, well, I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your hands away from me," I growled. "And stop calling me 'Crowned One'. My name's Steve. Steve Leonard. Get it right."

Marcus bowed his head slightly, still smiling away.

"Of course. My apologies again, Leopard," he said softly. My eyes narrowed.

"How do you know that name?" I asked. He shrugged, his arms going out wide.

"I have the ability to see what animal a person's spirit is bonded to," he told me, "for all people are bonded to an animal. I, for instance, am a snake. Our lovely little Peregrine follows her namesake – she is a falcon, a bird of prey. Your little dear one with the lovely eyes is a puppy – eager to follow, loyal to a point, with a hard bite and a lack of foresight." He swung around, pointing towards Gannen and the little shadow. "My dear friend Gannen is a bear – well, of course, just look at the size of him! And the young –"

"This is all nice and good and such, but I don't really care at the moment," I snapped, cutting him off sharply. Marcus' hands dropped once more to his sides, his long face still smiling. "I'm here now, which means I can take Annie and Perri and go, correct?"

"Incorrect," Marcus said softly.

"What do you mean, 'in-bloody-correct'!" I cried.

The room had fallen quiet now. Everyone was looking towards us – towards me, in particular. I resisted the urge to move, trying to keep my unease in check.

"I want you to do something for me, Steve," Marcus said softly, his eyes never leaving mine. I glared at him.

"What?" I growled.

"You are a man filled with vengeance, with hatred, for another that you cannot reach. Don't say anything – I know it. I can see it, in your eyes, in the way you move – in the scar you bare on your hand."

At this, I glanced down at my left palm, where my scar was showing through the hole I had cut into my glove. The skin was beginning to itch.

"You made a blood oath to find that man, did you not? When you were young and did not know the nature of such things. For, when one makes a blood oath, there is no escaping it. He is forever bound to the person he takes an oath against, their destinies intertwined forever. So, I suppose you could say you yourself have bound yourself with the man you so hate."

I closed my fist, clenching it as tightly as possible. That face was back in my mind again… that person… Darren

He had taken my place.

"I will strike a deal with you," Marcus continued, his long arms folded neatly in front of him, his even longer fingers stroking the side of his face in thought. "If you come with me, I will give you everything you ever dreamed. I will give you the power to fulfil your blood oath. And," he paused, letting the word hang in the air as he smiled wickedly, "I will let the ladies go. Only if you agree to stay with me."

I stood, looking from him to where Perri and Annie sat, bound, gagged. Their eyes were screaming out to me. They wanted me to say no.

But… I…

My left hand began to burn. I looked down at the scar, and indeed, it was bright red, reminding me of my choice, of my oath, of my destiny.

I looked up.

I could see Darren's face once more, mocking me, taunting me with the power he held.

The power that was meant to be mine.

Mine.

I made my decision.

"I will stay with you."

There was what sounded like a strangled cry behind me – next to me, Annie was shouting at me through her gag.

"No…!" The Hooded Shadow had started, but Marcus sent him a deadly glare, his smile all but gone.

"Shut up, boy!" He hissed. The Shadow, who had taken a slight step forward, paused. Then he stepped back and looked away. Marcus stared at the sullen figure for a moment, then he glanced towards Perri and Annie.

I was looking down once more, at my scar. It was burning.

Just like the emotions inside me.

I could feel the burning want for revenge in me rise up once more. Over this last year, it had laid hidden within me, buried under a childish want for a normal life.

But I had finally accepted that I couldn't get my old life back.

I had finally accepted I wanted my revenge.

I saw, but did not see, as the girls were hefted to their feet, their bonds cut and gags taken away. Annie was talking to me, but I could not hear. Something about 'Steve, snap out of it', or something to that effect. Perri was staring at me as if she didn't know who I was, slowly shaking her head from side to side.

I saw, but did not see, as they were led towards the entrance of the cavern. I saw, but did not see, Perri stop.

"No," she said softly.

She turned around. Wrenched her arms out of the powerful grips of the vampaneze that had held her.

"No," she repeated.

"Perri…!" Annie – and the Hooded Stranger, but I might have imagined that – shouted. Perri had begun running back towards Marcus, her hands turning into fists, her eyes burning with hatred.

"NO!" She yelled.

Marcus was watching her, his lips twisted in a lazy crooked smile. He didn't seem at all fazed by the fact that he had a crazy mad woman bearing down on him.

She swung her hand back, ready to punch him.

He lifted his hand and grabbed her by the neck, and lifted her easily from the ground.

Her eyes bulged.

"Perri!" There they were, both of them screaming again.

"Steve, do something!"Annie was screaming, struggling against her guards.

But I did not move.

Vengeance held me in its grips.

"Tsk, tsk," Marcus tutted, bringing his hand forward to stroke the tattooed side of Perri's face. "My poor little falcon."

Then he brought his hand back.

And dug it into her chest.

A horrible sound.

Two screams – neither of them from the victim.

His nails had ripped straight through the back of her jacket.

Blood spread along her clothes, began dripping to the ground.

But I did not do a thing.

Perri stared down at Marcus, her eyes wide, blood bubbling from her lips. She was spluttering.

"Bastard," she whispered, spitting blood onto his face. Marcus smirked. He withdrew his hand from her chest, covered in blood and gore, then flung her over his shoulder almost as if she were nothing.

There was another strangled cry, and the Hooded Shadow ran forward to Perri's side. In his rush, his hood fell away.

It was a boy. He looked no older than fifteen, his face pale and withdrawn, shadows under his too-wise, too-sad brown eyes, his hair brown and slightly curly. There was something familiar about him. Something I couldn't place.

Perri could.

Her eyes were wide as he came to a kneeling rest beside her, cradling her head in his lap. Tears were coursing down his cheeks unashamedly, his normally sad eyes almost painful to look at.

"Perri… Perri…" He was moaning, shaking his head.

Wonder filled Perri's eyes. Blood trickled from her mouth.

"…Toby…?" She whispered.

And then the light disappeared, and Peregrine Walters died.

It was funny. One of the most influential people in my life had just died, and I had done nothing to prevent her death. I didn't feel anything. I was empty. Empty of any sorrow, or pity, of anything –

Except for that burning need for revenge.

But not revenge for her death.

Revenge for myself.

For the taking of what was mine.

At the door, Annie was howling for blood.

"You promised!" The Hooded Shadow – Toby – Tobias Cole – the lost 'adopted' brother of Perri - was shouting at Marcus, the tears streaming down his cheeks, his nose running freely. "You promised you'd spare her life!"

Marcus shrugged.

"I promised I would spare her life for that one night. I did not say anything about not killing her on another date. And anyway, you are a pathetic assistant – you are not really holding up your end of the bargain, are you?" He said lightly, then turned away from Toby's hateful eyes to look towards Annie, who was screaming and struggling against her pair of vampaneze.

"Steve!" She screamed. "Steve, stop them! Do something! STEVE!"

I couldn't hear her.

"Bring her to me," Marcus said quietly, crooking a finger to beckon them towards him. The two vampaneze did as they were told, dragging a kicking and screaming Annie towards Marcus. When they finally had her in front of him, she became quite.

"You're a monster," she said quietly, her voice laced with venom, her eyes filled with an absolute hatred. Marcus' smile widened.

"Would you like to join the ranks, then?" He asked her softly. Her eyes widened in confusion. "Hold out her hands.

The vampaneze did as they were told, holding Annie's hands out palm-up. Her right hand was still wrapped in part of Perri's jacket, where she had cut herself on the glass shard.

She began to struggle again.

Using his clean hand, Marcus pressed his nails into her skin and cut at the fleshy tips, drawing blood easily. He repeated this process with her other hand, until all ten of her fingers were bleeding.

"No…!" She cried.

Marcus just smirked and proceeded to reopen the scars on his fingers. He watched his blood flow with interest. Then he looked at Annie.

"Do you understand what I am about to do?" He asked her softly. Her only answer was to struggle harder. Marcus smiled, brushing the side of her face, leaving a trail of blood. "Do not fret, meine leibling. It won't hurt. Much."

He was just about to press his fingertips to hers when a large hand clamped onto his arm.

"No," Gannen said gruffly. Marcus rose his eyes slowly to glare at the big vampaneze.

"Remove your hand," he said softly, menacingly.

"I don't approve of what you're doing," Gannen growled. Marcus smirked.

"You never approve of anything I do – yet you cannot stop me, can you?" He said, then his face hardened once more. "Remove your hand."

For a moment, it looked as if Gannen was going to refuse. But then he did as he was told, cursing under his breath, and stood back next to Toby. The boy was bowed over Perri's still, bleeding body, his own body wracked with sobs.

Marcus smirked.

Then he pressed his fingers to Annie's.

Engulfed in my own feelings, I paid no attention to what was happening to those around me. I did not see Marcus and Annie connect, Annie whimpering in pain while Marcus gritting his teeth. I didn't see the vampaneze all around us looking edgily at each other. I did not see Toby on the ground, continuing to cry, Gannen resting a hand on top of the boy's head as if in reassurance.

I didn't see how Annie arched in pain.

I didn't hear her scream.

I didn't see as she broke away from the connection.

I didn't see her stumble back.

She held her hand out, fingers streaming with blood, tears running down her dirty cheeks, her beautiful eyes glaring hatefully towards Marcus.

"On this blood, Marcus van Kütriht," she said, her voice wavering, yet at the same time strong and filled with hate. "I swear, on this blood, I shall slay you. By this blood, I will kill you."

I did not see her turn to me.

I did not see her turn that same hate at me.

"And you too, Steve Leonard. I will kill you too."

A whisper that I did not hear.

I did not see her stumble from the cavern, lost, bloody, frightened, confused, alone, all alone.

I did not see the vampaneze go to move after her.

I did not see Marcus wave them off.

"There is no need – she will perish from the loss of blood," he whispered.

And me?

I was stuck in the glare of a pair of blue-green moons, fire built up around me, a sea of blood lapping at my legs.

On the other side of the wall of flame –

Darren.

My fists clenched.

I would kill Darren Shan.

No matter the consequences.

I began to laugh.

-

A.N And so, Peregrine Walters descends the ranks of Mary-Suedom. Sigh. In the original fic I'm writing, she ain't no Mary Sue. She is so much cooler there. And so's Toby. I'd plug it and point you in the direction of my fictionpress account, but I'm not going to put that story up on the net. Hehe.

Oh dear. I randomly added Gannen Harst. Blame Book 11. –pouts- He just seems so… noble. XD I get why Kikyo and S-A like him so much.

I have to admit though… that was fun! I finally got rid of Perri! Yay! And now I can finally keep going with Annie's diary! Yes, that's right, Annie's diary will now be in full operation as of now! Mwuahaha!

And now it's also the countdown –

ONLY TEN CHAPTERS TO THE END! MWUAHAHA!

CHEER WITH ME NOW!

YAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOO!

Die Kikyo Die: Darren will come eventually in this story, because obviously, Steve and Darren do meet again. Hmm, let me count… Ah, yes. Darren will make his first official appearance in five chapter's time. Mwuahaha. XD. Yay! I'm happy someone liked this chapter, cos I personally loved it! –glomps Daegan- he ish mine. All mine. Mwuahaha! And nuu, I'm sorry, as much as both you and I want it, Steve is not gay. Sigh. Woe is us. But don't worry, I think I'll be writing some slashy stuff soon. Ehehe. Side stories, of course. Mwuaha. And, as much as I love FMA, I didn't get Furher from it. It is the title Germans use for their presidents/leaders, or so I presume. I'm pretty sure they ran around calling Hitler furher. Yesh, actually, I think they did. 'Heil, meine Furher!' or something to that effect. Mwuaha.

Just as a note, I am in no way obsessed with Germany. I just know a few odd things. Hehe.

In other news… I finished book 12 today, after my Little Person Carrie bought it for me from Hong Kong. God I love my Little Person. –hugs her- Anyway – IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! The ending was so sad, yet so happy! I loved it! But sooo sad… -hugs Steve- I will love you forever, my crazy evil person! –glances at Darren, sighs, and glomps him to- I'm sorry for disliking you too, Darren! I love you too! –big group hug and tears all around-

Ahem. Just to let you know, my version of this little story will turn out much different. Much, much different. Oh yes, my pretty… my love… my… preciousssss….

It's funny, though. Either I've read too many books, or I'm psychic, because everything that happened, I knew would happen. I knew that that would be the only way Darren could outsmart Tiny. I knew something had happened between Annie and Steve. I knew, I knew, I knew… Eh heh. I'll shush now and continuing hugging both Darren and Steve.

Darren: Need… air… please…

Steve: x.X

-

Next Chapter:

Twenty: How Long is the Night

The moon was shining down on me. For once, it was not a strangely coloured one of blue or green or even brown. It was a normal one. A normal, grey moon.

I appreciated the normalcy.

I sat there for a long time, on the slanted rooftop, watching the moon slowly picks its course across the star-studded sky, wisps of grey clouds lit by the brilliance of the moon. Of course, it wasn't the moon's own light, but rather the light it reflected from the sun – but let's not go into specifics.

I looked down, down, down at the ground below me. I imagined what would happen if I jumped then and there. Would I splatter? Or would I just flatten, like what happened in the cartoons? If I closed my eyes… would Perri magically appear and save me?

Of course not. Who was I kidding?

She wasn't there anymore.

No one was.

No one could save me now.