creeppieness – I'm sorry if I confused you in any way whatsoever with my characters. No Merlin was never killed. He had been told to take care of the old man in a way he deemed best and so he shot the old man and his handler. I hope that clears up the matter of his mortality. As to your review! Thanks so much! I really appreciate it and I'm glad that I have been able to update with such frequency. This story seems to have run away with me and when I get stuck I fall back on someone that has become a muse for me.

dancing in rain – Speak of the Devil! Its my muse! To answer your question hun about the pain of the collar, I had covered that in chapter 3. Here are a few snippets for you:

but instead of hitting the guards with her spell she cried out loudly and collapsed down to her knees as the collar around her neck sent bolts of electricity down her spine.

And

Pain equivalent to the Cruciatus curse racked her body and she collapsed down onto the ground, curling herself into a ball as she screamed in agony.

As to Merlin and Hermione..I think you will get a taste of that in this chapter. ;)

moonyNZ – Thank you so much. I myself was frustrated with the down time and was dancing the happy dance when I was able to read new stories again!

Mai Gamit – I hope your not having to say anything about the chapter was a bad thing. lol! If it was then I hope it will only get better and not worse for you. Thanks so much for the review!

Well onto the story!

"What the fuck do you want Merlin." Malcolm growled as he entered the observation room.

Merlin smirked over at the man and purred. "I just want you to know that Hermione is no longer your charge."

"Like hell she isn't!" Malcolm yelled.

"I would watch that temper of yours boy." Merlin's face turned dark in an instant and Malcolm recoiled in fear. The man wasn't dumb and knew what Merlin was capable of.

"What the fuck do you want her for?" Malcolm ground out as he started to detach the bracelet around his wrist.

"That is none of your business Malcolm. All I'll tell you is that your treatment of that witch has been abysmal and you will never tame her that way. Me on the other hand…I'll have her as a willing partner, not an unwilling sex slave." Merlin purred.

He took the bracelet that Malcolm handed over to him and attached it to his wrist. "I will tell Devon what a good boy you have been. It seems Draco Malfoy is in need of a new handler, and I know we won't have to fear you wanting to fuck him."

Malcolm gave Merlin an angry look. "Is that all you need of me?" He ground out through clenched teeth.

"Yes my boy that is all." Merlin said with a smile, turning his face from dark and evil to angelic and beautiful.

Malcolm walked out without another word, storming down the hallway until he crashed into someone. "Will you watch where you are fucking going." He spat out.

"My, my, looks like someone is in a snit." An oily voice replied.

Malcolm shot the man a glare and recognized Marcus Flint as he leaned up against the wall with arms crossed over his chest. The man was regarding him for a moment before he spoke up.

"Well, looks like someone lost their charge. Did you kill her or just try and fuck her too much?" Marcus said with an evil leer.

"Fuck off Flint." Malcolm growled as he tried to walk away. Marcus's hand was too fast though and he gripped Malcolm's arm tightly.

"Now, now, lets not be hasty. I think that you are not a happy camper having the beautiful Hermione taken away from you." Flint regarded him for a moment. "I'm not a happy camper either this morn. The one I was out to fuck lost her head and now I find myself wanting to use my frustrations for more advantageous purposes."

Malcolm looked at Flint, regarding him and wondering if the guy was speaking true. He could see the anger in the man's eyes and the muscles in his jaw were tight. Perhaps if they worked together, they just might be able to work their way up in the company and Malcolm would have an opportunity to get rid of that piece of shit Merlin.

"You don't sound happy with our boss yourself at the moment Flint." Malcolm said softly.

"Indeed I'm rather pissed off at the man and I look forward to when I can rip the man's fucking head off and piss down his neck." Flint growled.

The two men radiated anger when they stood there together and eventually a matching pair of evil grins formed on their faces. "This could be just the partnership needed to take em down don't you think?" Malcolm asked.

"I think that it would be the first time that I would have to agree with you my boy. How about I buy you a drink?" Flint responded.

"Sounds good." Malcolm replied and both men turned to leave the building.

Colin watched Hermione as she struggled to get herself back onto the chair. Gods where did she get her strength from? The pain that the collar seemed to give her looked extreme and he felt helpless that he couldn't do anything. They had been working so hard on infiltrating Crane Industries secret division and he could not ruin it now with his emotions.

He had no clue if these people were really witches or wizards, but he did know that Devon McCain would do anything to make his company top in the world. Their main headquarters was located in downtown Paris, but this division was in a remote location just outside of the city limits.

When Colin first arrived to work here he was shocked. Walking along the grounds would show nothing, an empty forest, but if you knew where to look you would find the entrance to the underground facility. It wasn't overly large, only 3 floors below the earth. The top level was the main security level. Here was the room with the multitude of monitors that were tied to the multitude of cameras throughout the building. The arms room, dog kennels and the security control room were all located on the first floor as well.

The second floor of the building was a medical facility for the new arrivals as well as living quarters for guards that never left the premises and deluxe suites for the likes of Devon should he choose to visit and his right hand man, Merlin. The third floor was where he was located currently. All the training rooms along with the main cell block were on this floor. It wasn't a large facility by any means, but the security was tight and its purposes were beyond evil.

Hermione rolled her head and glared at him while she sat there. He tried not to show any expression on his face lest he give himself away. Soon he hoped. Soon their contingent would sweep through like a wave and these people wouldn't have to endure this torture anymore. What he wondered though was what Interpol would do with the likes of these wizards and witches when the knowledge of their existence is fully known.

The door of the room opened but instead of Malcolm walking through Colin saw the right hand man himself. Dread filled him and he wondered what this poor woman would now have to endure at the hands of this vicious man.

Merlin watched Hermione as he walked into the room. She looked like she was trying to fight the involuntary twitches of her muscles but there was not a trace of pain showing on her face.

"Who are you?" She croaked as she looked up at him and he saw the recognition in her eyes.

"You. You are the bastard that killed them." She spat out.

"My dear, please. First let me apologize for the imbecile that was assigned to train you. Malcolm is a first class idiot that thinks with his cock instead of his head." Merlin said softly as he knelt down in front of Hermione. His hands reached up and he saw her flinch slightly before she realized his intentions.

"I won't disagree with your assessment." Hermione said softly as Merlin's fingers undid the leash attached to her collar.

"This will no longer be needed. You are a woman, not a pet to be dragged around." He said with a friendly tone.

She gave him an odd look, confused about his demeanor. "When was the last time you had a nice hot bath?" He asked softly.

Her eyes flickered hotly for a moment and he was able to taste a hint of desire from her. He chuckled softly. "From the look you just gave me I would say it has been too long." His expression changed and he looked sympathetically at her.

"Come." He said as he stood up and held out his hand. "I am to be your new handler and our first order of business is to get you into a nice hot bath and get you out of those ridiculous clothes." Merlin said with a smile.

Fear and distrust filled her eyes and her hand never moved from her lap. He watched her for a moment and then his mouth opened slightly in surprise.

"Oh dear. No, no, it is not like that my dear. Not at all like that. I just wish for you to feel comfortable and happy. Not like a whore tied up to a leash." Merlin said with a shocked tone.

Silence reigned for a moment before she hesitantly lifted her hand, placing it into Merlin's. "There you go." He said as he helped her up. He leaned forward, causing her to step back in fear again suddenly and he once again looked contrite. "I apologize again Miss Granger, I was only going to take your wand. I'm sure you will wish to keep it with you." His hand lifted the length of wood and pressed it into her palm.

Once again she looked at him with confusion. "Please, I really do want for you to feel as comfortable as possible. I know that removing the collar would give you the most comfort, but I'm afraid that my hands are tied on that one. I hope one day you will forgive me for that. For now though I hope that a bath, some proper clothes and a nice hot lunch will help."

He lifted his arm up to escort her out of the room, but she stood there warily looking at him. As if she made a mental decision to herself she lifted her hand and placed it upon his arm.

"Now I don't want you to worry about Malcolm again. He will not be sniffing around you anymore. Oh dear where are my manners. I have forgotten to introduce myself haven't I?" He watched her as she nodded silently.

"Well let me fix that." He turned to face her and took her hand in his, pulling it up to his mouth for him to kiss the back of her knuckles. "You may call me Merlin lady fair."

She gave him a 'you must be joking look'. "Ah I see you do not believe me. So was the existence of my childhood." He said with a chuckle. "Ridicule followed me everywhere, but I have survived and come to even like my name. Seems kind of fitting now with my involvement in all this doesn't it?"

She nodded slightly but still remained quiet. He smiled inwardly as he knew she was gauging him just as he would his own enemy. Every sentence that she neglected to utter meant he had to fill the void and possibly give her more information that she could use to her own advantage. Oh yes he had indeed picked right when he picked Hermione.

"Shall we away then?" He asked as he placed her hand upon his arm again.

She gave a slight nod and he led her out of the room towards the elevator. "We won't be needing you anymore. You may go back to guarding the block." Merlin threw over his shoulder at the guard.

"Yes sir." The guard called back.