Chapter 37

(Catarina's POV)

As soon as it gets dark enough we are off on our journey. I bid everyone at vampire mountain a regretful farewell. Vancha is full vampire so he can flit without a problem. I find it difficult to keep up with him. A few times he even throws me on his back and carries me. I'll need a shower when we get back but I don't mind terribly. I have gotten rather used to Vancha being the way he is.

"Are ya' sad ya' had to leave vampire mountain?" he asks when we pause for a short rest.

I nod truthfully. "Yes I am. When I first met Shan I told him I belonged at vampire mountain with the vampires. I did not know then what lay ahead of me. I've been through so much...it's been kind of crazy. But I do not regret this life one single bit. Vampire Mountain really is where I belong. The memories I have there are fond ones. It will always be my home. And the vampires I have met will always be my family."

He smiles. "You're a smart girl Catarina."

I shrug. "I do miss Shan. He's strong but I worry about him. I am eager to return to him. I love him..."

"I can see you do."

"He's my soul mate."

"He is," Vancha nods in agreement.

When we arrive Vancha hugs Shan tightly. They tell each other how they missed one another. Then it is my turn to hug Shan. He hugs me tightly in response, not letting me go for a while. "You smell like Vancha," he mumbles.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"I missed you Cat."

"I missed you too Shan, I will always miss you when I am not with you no matter how short a time that may be."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

We kiss then sit down and hold hands. We all talk as a group and decide Steve is most likely still in town waiting. Then Shan announces that he is going through the purge again. "You are? Oh my gosh, are you alright?" I look at him with concern and sympathy.

"Yeah," he nods. "I'm fine. Don't worry."

"Aren't you supposed to be going through it?" Debbie questions me.

I shrug. "Eventually I suppose."

"She will," Vancha nods. "It's only a matter of time. She's got a lot of that same blood in her that Darren does. She's strong and the purge will come soon enough. I think the only reason it's holding off so long for her is because she's still a young female."

We also decide after a little more discussion that we will leave during the night to go talk to Mr. Tall. I am left alone with Shan. I lie with him on the small bed. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah," he nods.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"I'm fine," he smiles reassuringly.

"I love you Shan," I kiss his lips and he kisses me back, wrapping his arms around me.

"I love you too Catarina."

We make out then we just lie together until he falls asleep. I bathe the best I can with the facilities here at the shelter then go find Vancha. "Hello lassie," he greets me.

"Sire...do you think we can speak privately?"

"What's with the Sire all of a sudden? Is something wrong Catarina?"

"Not really...it's just...there's something I want to talk to you about and it's kind of serious."

"Sure, of course," he grabs my arm and leads me into another room. I sit down on a cot and play with my tunic nervously. "Go ahead...you can tell me anything."

"Well, I have a question for you. I was thinking about Shan and the purge...and what you said about me...If it was my choice I would already be a full vampire but that was not possible. Honestly, there are certain aspects I will miss of being part human but I knew there would be a day where I would no longer have a choice. It is inevitable and ultimately it is what I want. A Prince has to blood me...someone who already is a full blood vampire and has the power to do that. I could wait for Shan to be blooded but I don't know when that will be and I don't know when I might start to change. It's just..." I pause, still looking down. "I could choose any of the Princes but I don't want them. I want someone who I care about, someone who really knows me and cares about me. So...Vancha, I want it to be you."

"Wow...Catarina...you've really thought this through?"

I nod. "I understand if you say no..."

"Catarina...as I said, you're a smart girl. I trust your decision to choose me but...are you sure?"

"Yes," I look at him seriously. "I am not asking for you to do it right now. I am simply asking in the case that something happens in the future where it is evident that it's the time for me to be fully blooded, then I want to know that know that you will do that for me."

"I'd be honored Catarina. I have no doubt you will be an incredible full vampire."

"Thank you," I smile. He smiles too and hugs me.

"Have you told Darren?"

I shake my head. "I do not think I will until the time is right."

When we are all ready to leave Shan says he has a bad headache. I lean up on tiptoes and kiss his forehead, running a hand through his hair. He smiles. I kiss his lips quickly then hold his hand as we travel. "Godmother! Godfather!" Shancus runs over and hugs us as soon as we arrive at thee Cirque du Freak, my second home. I hug him tightly then we go to talk about plans with Mr. Tall. Debbie and Alice are with us.

Mr. Tall announces that Steve will attack soon. He says he can see it in the future. Vancha complains that he should have tried to save Mr. Crepsley when he saw his death in the future. Mr. Tall informs us that there is nothing he could have done about it. Mr. C was bound to die. He tells us he grieved for many years even when Mr. C was still alive.

Now Shan is determined to know if he will die so finally Mr. Tall looks into the future. He starts with me, saying he sees me alive whether we win or lose the war. That means I may have to watch as our world comes crashing down around me. I choose to hope for the best outcome. We will win. We will not lose!

He says he sees Shan if we win which pulls on my heart strings a bit. It means if we loose I will be without him for a short time but not long. We will all perish if that is the outcome. He tells us the Lord of Shadows is going to rise soon no matter if we win or loose. And then he frowns slowly as he informs us that Vancha will be killed by the Lord of Shadows no matter what the outcome of the war is.

"No!" I yell. "No! You're wrong! You can't know everything. That isn't true! Take it back! You can't just rip everyone I care about away from me! That isn't fair!" I am angry and upset. I cry warm tears in my outrage. I cannot control my torrent of emotion.

"Catarina..." Vancha says. He hugs me and I cling to him, afraid to let go.

"No..." I sob.

We all hear a scream and instantly turn our heads. When we hear it again everyone goes to find out what's happening. I dry my tears and get in control the best I can. As the phrase goes, there's no use crying over spilled milk. What's going to happen will happen when the time comes so I should worry about it then. I should worry about what's happening now and fight for the people who still have a chance. There's still a chance...I mustn't lose hope. I must be strong.

"C'mon Catarina," Shan pulls me but I do not move. "Cat...look at me." I do. "I'm okay. It's alright. I promise it will be okay. You hear me? I promise it'll be alright. We're okay."

I nod slowly then follow him outside. It's Merla who screamed. The Vons are being attacked by RV, Morgan, and Darius. RV grabs Shancus and I growl. Mr. Tall tries to save him but Morgan shoots him in the chest. They run as we stare in shock at Mr. Tall.

Suddenly there is a laugh and Mr. Tiny walks over, Evanna at his side. "Your time has come to an end," Mr. Tiny says and gives the death touch symbol. "Even in death may you be triumphant."

"Thank you father, Goodbye sister," Mr. Tall responds. He is Evanna's brother! I am shocked as everyone else. He dies and I grab Shan. I am stronger again. I have composed myself. I am focussing on the now and what can be helped. Shancus has been taken. My Godson is gone.

"We have to get Shancus! We can't let them hurt our Godson!" I say, tugging him along at a fast run. RV takes Shancus to the right, towards the city. Morgan James and Darius go to the left. Vancha takes charge and makes the swift decision.

"Alice you go ahead in case one of them runs for it so you can block their escape. Evra, and Catarina with me. We'll go after RV and Shancus. Debbie, Harkat, and Darren go get Morgan and the boy."

No one argues his choice. We just go do what we have to. Evra is clearly upset. All he wants is his son. I want Shancus too. I love that little boy with all my heart. But the Vampire General side in me is focussed on the fight against the Vampaneze Lord. The duty to my people takes priority over all else.

(Shan)

Shan has a horrible head ache but fights Morgan James anyway. Harkat gets there and chops off Morgan's head, drenching Shan in blood. Shan is fully prepared to kill Darius next but Debbie begs for him not too. She says if he does he will be a monster, as bad as Steve. Harkat adds that they might be able to swap Darius for Shancus.

(Catarina's POV)

"Wait," Vancha puts his arm out against my stomach, stopping me from going any further. Before I can ask him why we are stopped, the others join us again.

"Are you hurt?" I ask Shan, noticing that he is drenched in blood.

"No," he replies. It is vampaneze blood. He has Darius in his capture.

"You should have spared Darius because it was the right thing to do, not because you might need him. You disgust me Darren. You've changed and it's not in a good way," Debbie spits at him. He just frowns. I glare at her.

"You have no right to talk like that. You are only a human. You have no idea what you are talking about. So you better watch it Debbie Hemlock. Keep your mouth shut or I'll shut it for you...permanently."

Vancha tells us that we should chase RV because he will probably lead us to Steve so we do. Along the way we hear footsteps so Shan tells everyone to go, volunteering to stay behind and fight. "But the danger!" Debbie protests.

"He's a vampire prince. He knows all about danger," Harkat responds.

"I will stay," I announce.

"No! Go!" Shan argues.

"No! I will NOT!" I growl at him. He does not argue. He knows better to and there is no time. The others leave us. We prepare to fight but the footsteps belong to Evanna only. I do not put away my dagger. I frown at her. I despise that witch.

"Let us hurry and catch the others," She suggests.

"We're not going anywhere until I hear some answers," Shan tells her.

"Then I guess I will need to hear some questions."

"It's about the lord of shadows."

"I do not think this is the time-"

"I don't care what you think! Mr. Tall told me everything. I can't be the Lord of Shadows. I'd never kill Vancha!"

"Don't be so sure. If you kill Steve you WILL become a monster, the most despised and twisted the world has seen. You are filling with hatred, Darren, hatred that will consume you. If you kill Steve it will not be enough, you will rage on. Because destiny has marked you out as a bearer of great power, you will create great havoc. You will destroy the Vampaneze but you will want more and you will seek out new enemies to fight. During that time you will seek out new enemies to fight. During that time certain vampires will try to stop you. They too will die at your hands and Vancha will be one of them. You will reduce the world to rubble and you will rule all powerful, all controlling, all hating for the rest of your long evil life."

"No! I would never-" he shakes his head.

"That's if you win. If you don't you will perish in the war or with the rest of your clan when the time comes."

"What about me?" I question. This does not seem real. It cannot be true. My Shan, my soul mate, the love of my life, would not do this...he could not.

"Catarina," she smiles. "Your world has been slowly crumbling for quite some time now. The people close to you are being ripped away and the war rages on. You are forced to listen to glimpses of an unfortunate future. Your sanity is slowly slipping Catarina. You're falling apart even if you don't want to admit that. It's only a matter of time before you finally break. You're a strong, smart, brave girl but there is only so much one is capable of. In the even that the vampires win this, you will break. You will be overcome with sorrow and you will try to stop your dear fiancé from his hatred. You will fail. He will injure you and leave you to die. From there your future gets kind of fuzzy..."

"What do you mean fuzzy?"

"Well...even I am not capable of seeing everything."

"What do you mean?" I snap angrily.

"You are destined to kill yourself. That is for sure in the event that the vampires win. What I am not sure of is when. There are two possible outcomes. One is that you survive, you find the strength inside, you seek revenge. If this happens you will kill Darren and then yourself. In the other possible outcome you will be so overcome with grief that you will simply end your life."

"What if we lose?"

"You will die with your clan."

"What if I kill Steve?"

"I cannot say."

"Isn't there any way to avoid this?" Shan questions.

"You can run now and avoid your fate but you will not. Your feelings for your friends won't allow you to. Now let us go so you can face your destiny."

I cannot run. I cannot abandon Vancha and Shancus. I cannot abandon my duty to my people.

We arrive at a movie theater where the cirque once preformed. It is where Steve and Shan first met Mr. Crepsley so long ago. Steve is no doubt inside waiting. Vancha sees Darius and informs us that he is half vampaneze. Shan says he will try to trade him for Shancus but if we can't he is prepared to fight, whatever the outcome may be. We all go inside and face our destiny.

A/N: I actually cried when I wrote this chapter. I adore Vancha. I hate that so many good people in this story died. I loved them. R.I.P.

PS: There are only 3 more chapters left! It is sadly almost the end. I almost couldn't even bring myself to write the last chapters but I did because as they say all good things must come to an end. Thank you to all my readers. I love you and hope to see as many comments as possible before the end comes.