Author's note: Hi again everyone, I'm really sorry it's taken me so long to update, everything always seems to get in the way, whenever I want to write, lol. Anyway, in this little installment, we'll be introduced to Macavity, then later to Bombalurina and Demeter, and is Demeter all she seems to be?

Please review this, especially if you have something constructive to point out, I'm trying to improve my writing and unfortunately I can't do that with no feedback, so please let me know what you liked about it and what you didn't.

On with the story…

****************************************************************************

We crouched outside Macavity's lair, preparing to enter its forsaken darkness. The long abandoned hotel loomed before us, as silent and eerie as a tomb. This establishment was once the finest in London, but now it had fallen almost into a state of ruin, old and dilapidated. Rumours of hauntings in this condemned building were whispered throughout the area, but there were no ghosts here, only vampires, among the cold stone of the hotel.

Fear bit into my heart like a rabid Pollicle as I recalled what I was about to face. Breathing deeply I managed to get a grip on my feelings.

"Right everyone, this is simple, you get the queens, and then get the hell out. I don't want you stopping for anything, not even me," I had a strange feeling about what their next question would be, even before it was spoken.

"And where will you be?" Alonzo asked; a frown etched into his features.

"Keeping Macavity busy."

It wasn't a job I wanted to do, in fact it was the last thing I wanted to do, but someone had to make sure Macavity didn't attack the rescue team. It had to be me; I didn't want to risk anyone else's life.

A murmur of protest rippled around the group of Jellicles.

"No Munk, you can't win if you face him alone," Misto said.

Tugger, for once, remained in the same stony silence he had been in since I caught up with him again at the junkyard.

"I'm not planning to fight him," I told them.

Misto took a step towards me; his aura was already pulsing with the magic he possessed,

"Let me come with you then, I can get us out of there if anything looks bad."

Reluctantly I was forced to agree, knowing that one way or another Misto would get his way this time, and I must admit I preferred the easy option rather than getting a bolt of lightning to the backside. Misto may not look much but his powers made him a force to be reckoned with. I suppose I didn't say it often enough, if at all, but I was glad the tuxedoed cat was on my side.

I paused at the threshold, steeling myself against what horrors lurked inside,

"Meet you all back at Deuteronomy's," I whispered before the darkness of Macavity's lair swallowed me whole.

***

"I see we have visitors," Macavity's smooth voice alone was enough to send shivers down my spine.

Misto and I had searched many rooms in the hotel; all were silent and eerily empty. There wasn't a sign of Macavity, or any of his henchcats anywhere, but now it appeared we had caught up with the vampire himself in the Grand Ballroom.

"Show yourself Macavity!" I ordered, just about managing to keep the tremor that threatened to take control of my body, out of my voice.

Shadows lurked in every corner and behind the large stone pillars. They danced wildly in the glow of the flickering candles that adorned every table in the room. I had no doubt that Macavity had placed them there, to create a sinister atmosphere. It was almost as if he had been expecting us.

I glanced about me, waiting for the almost inevitable attack. I couldn't let Macavity see my nervousness, my fear; I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of it. The only problem was that I was scared, just like a child in the night is scared of what may lurk in the darkness around them, and with fear comes its damned unmistakeable aroma. There wasn't only my fear in the air, that realisation almost calmed me. The scent of my own fear could be hidden amongst others so like it.

The room we stood in had seen many Jellicles, Pollicles and other beings, all begging for mercy. Pleading to the one thing they should be running from, if they had known what I knew, most wouldn't have even wasted their breath. Long ago, this room must have seen much happiness, and dancing. Now it was soaked in blood, in death, and I suddenly began to question why I was even here. This was Macavity's ground, where we had to play Macavity's game by his rules. Even now Macavity's silence, the uncertainty of his whereabouts set me on edge. And that son of a Pollicle would be loving the effect it had on me.

They say that vampires can move faster than the eye can see, if that's so then it would explain why I felt Macavity's attack before I even saw or sensed it. It came quickly, a heavy blow to the shoulder, knocking me to the ground. Rolling with the momentum, I was back on my paws in an instant, but at the risk of sounding clichéd, Macavity, wasn't there.

"Looks like you're loosing your touch there, Munkustrap."

Macavity's mocking tone came just to the right of me and I spun round to face him.

The monster was reclining on what could only be described as a throne. Even in stillness his grace could plainly be seen, I describe him as a monster, dear reader, and yet he also has this grace, this charm. He is a cat of many contradictions, a beautiful nightmare.

I became aware of Mistoffelees presence once more, as he stepped beside me, his power bleeding into the air, forming a protective field around him and myself. The tuxedo was one powerful conjurer, however he was also young. He was in his early twenties at the most. Was his new magic enough to stand up to Macavity's ancient magical abilities? Maybe we'd find out sooner than we ever imagined.

"I must admit I expected you, and your light brigade a few minutes earlier. Have a little trouble finding the place?"

I refused to let Macavity rile me, the longer I could keep him talking; the longer the rescue team would have to find those two queens.

"Oh don't worry Munkustrap, I have no intention of going after your little team, why would I when I have the leader right here, all ready for the kill?"

"I don't want to fight."

"Finally learnt that you can't win?" Macavity raised an eyebrow, his trademark smirk played on his lips.

I gripped the axe tighter,

"However, I will if it is necessary."

"Spoken like a true Lutador. But you have overlooked one slight little detail."

"And what might that be?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"If I wished, I could kill you before you had a chance to lift a claw against me, never mind that little axe you seem so fond of."

"Then why don't you Macavity?" I moved away from Misto's protective field, closer to the devil's reach, "Why don't you kill me?"

Macavity laughed, a deep and unnerving laugh, but instead of moving away to safety I stepped closer still.

"You always did like to dance with death, Munkustrap. You wondered about it often, how it felt, if it hurt. You did a little more than wonder after she died; you sought it out. Tell me the truth, you wanted it didn't you?"

I kept my silence, Macavity's remark burning deeper than any lie could, because it was the truth. After she was gone I wanted nothing more than to join her. I patrolled every night in the hope of some creature getting lucky and taking me out of this world. The ironic thing was, that I wouldn't let them. No matter how much I wanted to die I couldn't bring myself to throw the fight, the demon had to be worthy of killing me.

Macavity smiled, able to interpret my silence,

"Such a shortage of first-rate demons these days don't you think? All those months of searching and not a single one who could kill you, although one did come close tonight. Weren't you tempted to just stop struggling, to let go?"

"I had a job to do, Macavity," I struggled to keep my voice calm.

"Free the prisoners, slay the evil villain. You certainly accomplished that," the monster chuckled, "We're so alike, Munkustrap, and yet each on opposing sides."

"We are nothing alike," I hissed.

"Oh really? You enjoy the kill don't you, the feeling, that rush when there's just you and the demon, and you realise that you're going to win. You can't tell me you've never felt that."

I scowled,

"There is a difference between fighting demons and picking off helpless Jellicles."

"Funny, I wouldn't have called your lady helpless," Macavity carefully gauged my expression, "That was a hell of a night, and I never did thank you for the meal. How thoughtless of me, I'd never tasted anything as sweet as her blood."

I tensed up and was vaguely aware that Misto had taken a step closer to me, making sure I didn't fly off the handle. Anger burned deep in my heart, anger towards Macavity.

"Think I could do it again Munkustrap? Drain this little friend of yours just like I did your mate, do you think you'd be able to save him in time if I just bit deep into his throat?"

"I'd like to see you try," Misto growled deeply at Macavity.

The vampire continued, ignoring Misto.

"Amazing how you can save all these 'innocents' of yours, but when it came to her you couldn't do a thing," Macavity smirked, "Maybe you just didn't want to, eh? You're better off without the bitch."

With a fierce growl I dived at Macavity, wanting to rip him limb from limb. I didn't count on Macavity doing a disappearing act, and I crashed into the now empty throne.

"Tut, tut, is that any way to treat your host?"

I tried to get a grip on my anger, but it was almost as impossible as trying to grab hold of a wet bar of soap,

"What is it you want with me?" I demanded fiercely, "You killed the others, why not me?"

"It isn't time for you yet, but when the end comes, your powerful blood will help me achieve what no one else in the world has dared to do."

"And what's that?"

I felt Misto pulling on my arm, but resisted his attempt to pull me away.

"You're so full of questions today," Macavity smirked, "And don't you know that curiosity will kill the cat."

"You're going to kill me anyway, just tell me what it is you're planning!"

"Time to go, Munk," Misto again grabbed hold of my arm, this time firmly, Macavity's dark lair seemed to explode in a flash of light and I found myself in Deuteronomy's hallway. Misto visibly sagged from the energy he used to move us both.

"Misto, I can take care of myself, what's with the magic?" I demanded coldly.

"They've rescued the queens," Misto replied simply. He studied me for a moment longer.

"Why didn't you tell us?" he asked, "We would have understood, been able to help. Instead you tried to kill yourself?"

"It's not the sort of thing one brings up in everyday conversation, is it? 'Hi you lot, I'm going to go out patrolling tonight, and oh by the way I want to die. I might see you later depends on whether I decide to let the demon kill me.' Get real Misto, it wouldn't have happened."

"Maybe not that way, but you have to let us in sometime Munk, otherwise you'll have nobody left."

"And maybe that's what I want!"

"Is something wrong?" Deuteronomy had appeared at the door.

"Nothing at all, Deuteronomy," I replied mechanically, Misto seemed like he was going to tell all for a moment, but kept quiet.

"The queens are here, the other toms decided it would be best to go home, Jelly's been around to check on them. They seem a little shaken by their ordeal."

"Well anyone would be," I replied moving into the living room.

"Munk, wait there's something I have to tell you about..."

I stopped dead, the rest of Deuteronomy's words falling on deaf ears.

It was a ghost; it had to be. Sitting there, that lovely red fur and slim, toned body. She was the image of Gaia. I tried to say something but the words caught in my throat. The ghost turned around,

"You must be the leader of this little group."

With her words, the spell was broken. This wasn't Gaia, just someone with a remarkable resemblance to her.

"I'm Bombalurina, thanks for asking. This is my sister Demeter."

A small ball of black and gold fur was curled up in Bombalurina's lap, seemingly asleep. So these two were the ones we rescued from Macavity's lair, what would Macavity want with these, seemingly ordinary queens?

"Hey, leader dude! You still with us?"

Her question brought me back to reality and away from my thoughts. I turned back towards the scarlet queen.

"Would you care to tell me what the hell is going on here?" she asked. Her voice was low for fear of waking up her sister, and yet still conveyed her anger rather well.

"Vampires, demons, the usual."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

This time her voice was raised, causing her sister to sit bolt upright, shaking and whimpering.

Bombalurina now held the smaller queen gently but firmly,

"I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to wake you. Shhhh we're safe now. It's ok."

"We'll all protect you here," I added quietly, chivalry was an instinct with me.

At the sound of my voice Demeter looked at me fearfully, her eyes would haunt me, the tortured look, the fear in them and yet, there was something else, something buried deep down. It was strength, and lots of it. I couldn't put my finger on it for a moment, then it hit me and I knew, the queen that trembled in Bombalurina's arms was a Lutador.

Deuteronomy, who had taken up residence in the doorway, must have seen that something wasn't quite right, because next minute he was pulling me out of the room,

"What did you see?" he asked, looking concerned.

"Power, it's in her eyes, in her soul. She's a Lutador," I shook my head, not even believing my own conclusion.

"I had a suspicion, but I needed you to confirm it," Deuteronomy confessed to me, "This must certainly be the reason why Macavity wanted her."

"He wanted her blood, um my blood," I frowned recalling the conversation.

"Your blood? The blood of a Lutador, it certainly sounds ominous. I'll have a look for any spells needing that, um particular ingredient."

"Macavity let the queens go, without a fight, why would he do that if he needed Lutador blood?"

"There's always the possibility that he didn't realise she was a Lutador."

I frowned, "Not a chance. Macavity wouldn't make a mistake like that, he knew what he wanted from her the moment he kidnapped them."

"Then maybe the fact that she's not trained has come into play. Lutador blood holds power, the stronger and better trained the Lutador, the more powerful the blood," Deuteronomy had that tone in his voice again, the one that made him sound like a walking textbook.

"So now he's after my blood?"

"It would appear so."

I sighed, "And the queens?"

"Well they appear to be safe for now, still, as a precautionary measure, I'd like them to stay at your house for the moment, Munkustrap."

I tried to say no, but unfortunately I've always been a sucker when it comes to queens in distress, damn chivalry. I nodded,

"I'll go back in and check on their condition."

*********************************************************************

Author's note; Yep it's me again, with another plea for reviews. Please, please, please review.