A/N Ok, I know I left you on a teenie cliffhanger back there. Ok, it was a pretty big one... lol, but I had a myriad (you may have noticed I love that word) of coursework to do. But now textiles (the biggest coursework ever!) is done. WOW! My princess dress has been finished, yey lol! And this story can finally continue to the final chapter! Oh yes, I'm afraid this is the end. It is over.

Here we go, fasten your seatbelts, etc. as we commence with Rose of Red, chapter 14...

P.S There will be no author's note at the end, but please review!

The room was frozen as if time itself had frozen. No one moved, no one even blinked. No one knew what would happen next. Beast and Calla looked into each others eyes, neither daring to look away for fear time would begin again.

"You didn't make it in time," Kairos said, her voice quiet and unsure. She was shaking, never had the Beauty said the words that would break the curse... but if the spell was broken, why was Adam still a beast? She turned to Adam, "You are still mine... you agreed..."

"I did," he said, closing his eyes wishing this had never happened to him. He was sick of himself, such a coward, such an idiot... he had felt sorry for himself and let that take over. He deserved whatever fate was his.

"You agreed... and by doing so bound your soul to my master," Kairos said, her voice emotionless, the words sounding faintly robotic.

"No, but I..." Calla said, she was sure she had got here in time, "Kairos, please, don't do this."

The enchantresses looked at each other, blue eyes locked for what seemed like a small eternity. "You don't understand, I have no choice... I am truly sorry," With a wave of her hand Kairos and Adam disappeared from the room. Calla leaned against the wall and slid to the floor, her legs no longer any support. Somehow she had thought herself able to save him... but this whole thing was little more than a game, her and Adam mere counters being played from either side. But who were the real players? Evil and good? Fate? Greater beings who realised nothing of the small lives of mortals perhaps. There was nothing to be done now, he was gone, the only person she had ever... fallen for.

Calla had seen the change in him, from that first day, his anger had been imense. He was rude... he was selfish... but he had truly changed. He was a true friend. And she had loved him. In what way she wasn't sure. If only she could have saved him. She had pleaded with Kairos for him, but that woman seemed to feel nothing. At least that is what Calla could have believed if she hadn't looked into her aunt's eyes. For they were one and the same, she and Kairos. Calla knew there was a reason why Kairos had no choice as she had said. But her father had always told her there was always a choice, whether you could see it or not.

She steeled herself for whatever would come. She must not give up hope, for to give up hope was to lose everything. When her dad had died she had lost hope of ever finding happiness again, and in the most unlikely of circumstances she had found both hope and happiness. She was not willing to lose either. Calla stood and looked in the mirror opposite her. She was an utter mess, tears still fresh on her face, hair stuck to her cheek, clothes ripped and muddy. Aside from all this her eyes shone fiercely, she hadn't given in yet.

Calla wiped her cheek with the back of her hand and turned away from the mirror. She opened the door and walked out of Beast's room, then she followed the corridors until she reached the stairway to Kairos' room. She climbed it quickly, refusing to think about what she was doing, she was travelling in the same manner that she had returned to the mansion. Her thoughts were hardened, and the only thing in her mind was her destination, what she needed to do. She entered the room and walked around the throne to the mirror. Then she stepped into it.

When Kairos and Adam had transported, they had arrived in a place so dark he could no longer see a thing. He didn't know where he was, but he guessed he must be in the presence of the master Kairos had talked of. "Who's there?"

"Be quiet," Kairos muttered, "Just... shut-up alright?"

He had growled, but said nothing. There wasn't much for him to say anyway. His brain was scrambled, a mix of raw emotions- fear, confusion and... love. He had never thought Calla would truly return for him, and the fact that she had, the fact she had tried so hard... it made him feel such strength that he knew he could cope with whatever torment lay ahead, for a while at least. Hope was still fresh and warm in him. It had been yesterday at the fountain when he'd realised his feelings for Calla had changed. No longer were they simply warm, he trusted and respected her. And yes he had fallen for her. Such a strange thing to feel, but he had truly been knocked over by her. But his cowardice and hopelessness had ruined any of their chances. He almost wished he hadn't looked into her eyes when the petal had fallen, for all he saw was hope for him still. That was the only reason he himself still had hope.

A voice spoke then, interrupting his thoughts. It was a voice of power, that much was true. But of the speaker he could guess nothing. "The thirteenth soul. You have fulfilled your side of our deal Kairos. You must be proud of yourself... truly I never thought it would happen, but your power has grown much over the centuries."

"True," Kairos said. Her voice was still feeling-less. Her eyes were closed tight, even through the pure darkness she could see them. All their faces haunted her. Pale eyes, so familiar. If only she could shut out their pleading voices too.

"Of course an enchantress' soul is worth thirteen mortals so I have no choice but to return yours to you. Of course you shall be mortal once more, but free to live as such." So, Adam thought, she was doing this to save herself, to save her soul. Could he really blame her? Would he not take such a chance if given it? Had he not taken such a chance?

"I know what will happen."

"Good..." Whatever might have happened next didn't for suddenly a light emerged in the darkness. It illuminated a person. Calla. Except the light didn't illuminate her, it was coming from her.

"Calla," both Kairos and Adam whispered under their breaths. Calla blinked, obviously unable to see from her own light.

"Kairos, I have come to plead with you. Please let him go. I know this seems useless, I know you say you have no choice, but there is always a choice."

The Voice laughed, much the same as the laugh Kairos had, "Fool of a girl. There is no choice for any of you. It has already been done,"

"I am no fool," Calla said stubbornly, "Kairos, whatever help I can offer you is yours."

"And how do you expect to help her? You think your hope will overcome, or your love?" The Voice was mocking them all. It knew nothing could change the inevitable. And this is true, nothing can change the inevitable. But who can tell what the inevitable really is.

"I have power more than you know!"

"Calla, quiet yourself. I know what you want, but there is nothing that can happen. I must do this,"

"What reason is there for imprisoning him, he is innocent! Nothing can be worth this!"

"It's her soul," Adam said, "The Voice has her soul. She must make a trade. And we all agreed," for he too could hear the voices around him, the voices of his foolish and scared ancestors. They were so like him. He deserved this.

"No," Calla said, hearing the finality in his tone, "She tricked you into this!"

"Calla, there is nothing more to be done. Please go home, remember me fondly, when your married and stuff... tell your children our new fairytale as they go to sleep... but perhaps you should change the ending."

"I will change the ending, this isn't how it ends!" He could see the tears on her cheeks now, and the anger in her eyes.

"I'll never forget you, Beauty."

She opened her mouth to speak but the Voice interrupted, "Touching indeed. I do feel like crying. But there are some finalities to get through. Kairos,"

"Yes... I... Master, I give to you..." She faltered. "No, I give you nothing. There is a choice, however bleak that may seem."

"He is here, there is nothing you can do about that, girl. He is mine whether you wish it or not!" The Voice said angrily.

"I am an enchantress, my soul is worth thirteen mortal souls. I give you mine in return for theirs."

"You don't have to do that," Adam said

"Yes, I do. Calla is right... she has a gift for that... I wish you both well." Adam heard a footfall as she stepped forward, giving her soul away. There was another moment of frozen time and then a scream of rage.

"No!" The Voice shouted, "You will not do this!"

"It is already done,"

"It is not you I wanted, I wanted them! Their souls are mine for the taking."

"You are no one and no one but me belongs to you."

"I am everything!"

"No you are not," Both Calla and Kairos replied. Calla stepped forward to Kairos, illuminating them both. She took her hand.

"Thank you," Calla whispered, squeezing her hand.

"It was the right thing to do, my niece." Kairos said, a brief smile flitting across her face. The Adam was blinded as light shone for the first time into the realm of darkness.

There was one last scream of rage from the Voice and then silence. Until another spoke, different to the Voice of before but with just as much power.

"So... good has triumphed. The prisoners are to be set free and all have chosen the right path. It proves that there truly is good in the human race after all."

"Who are you?" Kairos said,

"That is of no importance Enchantress. I have been watching as this tale played out, I did think you were to fall on the side of your supposed Master, but there are surprises even for me."

"I was right," Calla said, "This is all a game... do you care nothing for the lives you may have ruined?"

"I think this is a little more complex than a game but... it's true perhaps I could have intervened, but look how wonderfully you managed Young Beauty."

Calla scowled, "That is not the point and you know it."

"Alas I do... what can I give you as an apology for my negligence? Anything you wish for."

"I wish for nothing if all here are to be set free."

"Of course they are. And such a great statement but... are you sure there is nothing? I can grant you anything?"

"I..." Calla didn't know what she could possibly wish for, she was in shock, none of this seemed real. Perhaps she had hit her head as she walked into the mirror... but then that would mean that all that had happened before that had been true. Perhaps her accident had happened earlier... or perhaps...

"What of your father? I know that he was taken suddenly from you... would you perhaps wish for one last meeting?"

Calla's eyes widened, "You could do that?"

"I said anything,"

"Then yes, that is what I wish!" The light dimmed a little for only a second or two, then it brightened once more. A new figure was standing before Calla. She dropped Kairos' hand and hugged him tightly. He stroked her hair and held her tight too.

"Calla... I am so proud of you... I've seen all you've done and I am so very proud."

"I'm sorry Dad," she said with wide eyes.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Sweetie. I love you so much you know that don't you?"

"Yes... I love you too. We miss you."

"I know. I miss you all terribly... but I am always there for you, or Dan, or your Mum if any of you need me, please tell them that. And tell them I love them."

"I wish you hadn't gone Dad."

"I as well but these things are meant to be and you will all be stronger for it. Pull together. I have to go now Calla-Rose. But I love you so much, and I never thought I could be as proud as I am now. Be happy,"

"Goodbye Dad, I love you." Calla's father kissed her on the cheek and then was gone. Calla thought she should feel all the grief again but she didn't. She had known it would be brief, but she had said goodbye. And he was proud of her... that was all she needed to know.

"I'm afraid that was all that was possible, and it is time for you two to leave now, sad as I am to say it."

"What about the other souls?" Kairos asked.

"They will be set to rest, as will you. I expect you wish to say goodbye."

Calla turned to Kairos, a woman she had hated once. But now there was no hate, only warmth. She understood now. "Thank you Kairos."

"As I said, it was the right thing. Goodbye my youngest Beauty." Kairos turned to Adam, "And goodbye to you my Beast. I congratulate both of you and wish you well... live as the others should have been allowed to." She ran her fingers lightly down Calla's cheek then smiled.

"Your souls are set free, no longer tied by any bonds."

Kairos watched as Calla and Adam disappeared, fading away with smiles on their faces. Then she saw them all, the other souls she had imprisoned. The clearest one was Patrick, his green eyes shining. He mouthed the words thank you, and a weight lifted from her. Then they were all gone, their souls free to rest at last.

Calla found herself back in the courtyard of the mansion, the fountain was tinkling and the sun shone brightly. Nothing that had passed seemed real... but neither did this. She closed her eyes, basking in the sunlight. When she opened them a figure was standing by the fountain. He was around her age, with blonde hair. She walked towards him as if in a dream. He turned to her and she looked deep into his green eyes.

"Adam?"

He broke out in a smile, "You still recognise me then."

"Of course," she smiled too.

"It doesn't seem real does it?"

"No..." They were standing in front of each other now. "It did all happen didn't it?"

"I think so..."

They stood there, just looking at each other, as if for the first time. Which it was for Calla. "Thank you," Calla said.

"It should be me thanking you, you saved me."

"You saved me too." He smiled, and leaned down, slowly, uncertainly. Then their lips met.

Calla awoke in her bed, sunlight pouring through the open window. A bird was singing outside in the garden. She got out of bed and looked in her full length mirror. A normal sixteen year old with red ringlets and light blue eyes. Not an enchantress. Not a fairy princess. It must have been a dream...