… Mary stood in her bedroom, putting away laundry when she sensed something was terribly wrong. She closed her eyes to envision what was going on, but could only see the familiar face that had haunted her dreams as a young woman.

"I won't let this bother me" she said, through clenched teeth as she opened her eyes again "Garnet is not in danger. He is locked up and sealed in that room. There is no way he can escape."

Just then, the phone rang, startling her out of her thoughts.

"Hello?" she said, after picking up the receiver.

"Hello, Mary" Simon said at the other end "There's been a robbery at the office. Someone tripped the alarm. It looks like an inside job"

"Is everything okay?" Mary asked, slowly sitting on the bed "Who tripped the alarm?"

"It was Justin McCartney" Simon said, sounding defeated "He tried to override the security system. The whole place is a mess. I don't think I'll be home in time for supper. We have a lot of cleaning up to do"

"What shall I tell Garnet?" Mary asked, knowing full well about her daughter's fondness for Justin.

"Tell her nothing regarding Justin" Simon said sharply, before calming down again "I don't want her getting involved in our investigations"

"I won't tell her anything then" Mary said, standing up "Shall I wait up for you tonight?"

"You can if you want" Simon said, sighing "I'm not sure how long this will take"

"I will talk to you later then" she said, before hanging up "Call me if you need anything"

"Okay, darling" he replied softly "Enjoy your day"

With that, Mary hung up, swallowing the fear that was building in her throat. She just knew something was wrong and that Simon wasn't telling her everything.

"There's no need to worry about anything now" Mary said to herself, trying to regain her composure "Simon will let me know if there's any immediate danger to me or Garnet"…

… Garnet and Serena stood among the throbbing lights of Eternal, ready to take on what the night had in store for them. Garnet scanned the room, still feeling uneasy.

"This is great!" Serena yelled, admiring the many gorgeous guys on the dance floor, just waiting for a piece of ass. "I feel like I haven't been here in forever"

"Let's get a drink first" Garnet said, grabbing Serena's arm and pulling her to the bar "Then we'll circulate the dance floor"

"Sounds like a plan, chief!" Serena quipped, laughing as they approached the bar.

"Hey Marty!" Serena called out to the young serious-looking bartender "Long time no see! Vodka martini shaken not stirred and a double shot absinthe!"

"Hey ladies" Marty replied, smiling "It looks like you both beat your previous land speed record with drinks"

"What are you talking about?" Serena said, cocking her head in a sexy manner as Garnet leaned against the bar lazily, gazing at the dance floor.

"Two guys just bought you a round of drinks" Marty said, handing them their martinis "You both certainly know how to get a man's attention"

"Who are these generous guys?" Serena asked, taking her vodka martini and having a tiny sip.

"Those two over there" Marty said, gesturing towards a table next to the bar "They send their fondest regards"

Garnet and Serena both looked in the direction he was gesturing to.

Sure enough, two very handsome men sat there, staring at them intently.

"Which one do you want?" Serena asked Garnet as they sized the men up.

"I'll take the blonde one" Garnet said, staring at the man with blonde hair and aquamarine eyes "He looks very well built and looks like he could use some attention"

"I was hoping you'd say that" Serena said, giggling as they walked towards the table "The dark haired guy is dreamy"

"Hello ladies" the dark haired man said, flashing both girls a whiplash smile. He spoke with a deep French accent "Would you like to join us?"

"We thought you'd never ask" Garnet quipped, smiling flirtatiously at the blonde man as she sat next to him "Thank you for the drinks"

"Anything for two beautiful ladies" the blonde man said, with a light British accent "We noticed the both of you as soon as you walked into the club"

"Nice to know we left a lasting impression" Serena said, winking at the dark haired guy "My name is Serena, and this is my friend Garnet"

The blonde man took Garnet's hand and kissed it, all the while rubbing the palm with his fingertips.

"Such beauty" he said, squeezing her hand "Like an angel"

"My name is Patrice" the dark haired man said, kissing Serena's hand "This is my friend Julian"

"Are you guys from around here?" Garnet asked, taking a small sip of her absinthe.

"Actually, we live in a flat a few blocks away" Julian said, his eyes locked on Garnet "And what about you?"

"We both live a few blocks away as well" Serena said, twirling her hair as she smiled at Patrice "Closer to campus"

A pulsing song came on and people started dancing. Garnet realized, as she looked away momentarily, that she couldn't keep her eyes off of Julian.

He was exactly what she wanted…a nice guy who she could pass an evening with. Suddenly, she wanted to dance with him…to feel his closeness.

"Would you like to dance, Julian?" Garnet asked, setting her glass down.

"It would be my pleasure" Julian said, standing up and extending his hand to her. She eagerly accepted and they walked to the dance floor, hand in hand.

"Has anyone ever told you how beautiful your eyes are?" Garnet said, giggling as they started to dance. He kept his hands on her hips as they moved together rhythmically in a primal dance.

"They're such a brilliant aquamarine colour"

"My eye colour is all natural" Julian replied, smiling as they moved closer to each other "But people hardly notice"

"I don't see how" Garnet said, smiling at him "They're so beautiful…and so clear"

Julian didn't reply, just kept his hands on her hips, guiding her to the music. Another song started and he turned her around and put a hand on her fluttering stomach.

"Such beauty" Julian breathed, bending down to whisper in her ear as he guided her lithe body to the rhythm pulsing between them.

She could feel his hard lust for her throbbing against the small of her back as they moved together, in a primal dance that spoke of its own carnal body language.

Garnet closed her eyes, sensing how intoxicating his closeness was. His hot breath caressed the nape of her neck, making her shiver with anticipation of what was yet to come…

…He stood in the shadows of the pulsing room, watching her dance. His pulse quickened as he envisioned himself alone with her, as he had envisioned many times in captivity.

She was everything he knew she would be…he could sense it.

There was nothing stopping him from getting what he had searched the earth for, through many centuries.

As the song ended, he glided soundlessly across the room, inching closer and closer to her. He was well aware of all female eyes falling upon him as he passed many young women to get to her.

After all, he could have any woman he desired…but he wanted her…Garnet.

He scowled at the blonde man dancing with her…who did the boy think he was? He obviously had no idea who he was dealing with.

He saw her take his hand as she let him lead her away from the dance floor. Watching intently, he saw her say goodnight to her friend before leaving the room. This was truly the impeccable moment to strike…

…"It's so nice to sit outside." Garnet remarked to Julian as they stood in the alleyway next to the club.

"Yeah it was getting too humid in there." Julian agreed, pausing to ogle the younger girl before putting an arm around her shoulder "How about we go grab a coffee?"

"Sounds like a plan" Garnet grinned, glad she had planned ahead and told her mother that she was sleeping over at Serena's place that night.

"Are you and your friend regulars at Eternal?" Julian asked, leading her into an area of the alley filled to the brim with gang graffiti.

Garnet felt slightly nervous, noticing two figures approaching them.

Julian sensed her unease and said "What's wrong, sunshine?"

Garnet saw the figures come closer, her eyes widened.

"I wouldn't worry" Julian said, scoffing as they were even closer "They might pass us"

"That's what you think" one of the figures taunted as they jumped in front of their path. "It looks like you're trespassing on our turf, pretty boy"

"Oh shit" Julian moaned, seeing the moonlight glitter on their switchblades. Garnet stood frozen, a silent plea for help resounding in her subconscious.

"Oh come on, guys" Julian laughed nervously, gulping before pushing a stunned Garnet forward "I bet you want her more"

Garnet gasped in disbelief as one of the thugs grabbed her.

"She's our main course" the taller thug taunted, advancing on Julian "Give me your money, pretty boy"

Julian blindly charged, stupidly falling into the thug's path with his fists raised. The thug then slashed Julian's arm before picking him up and throwing him against a wall roughly. Julian's eyes rolled into his head as he slumped down, slipping into unconsciousness.

Garnet struggled against the other thug's grip, silently praying for intervention as the tall thug advanced on her. She couldn't believe how useless Julian had been and how much of a coward he was.

"It's your turn, princess" the tall thug said, wiping the blood from his switchblade casually "But my friend and I will definitely have fun with you first. You'll like it...that's a promise"

Garnet wrinkled her nose in distaste. His face was tattooed with a long scar that went from his left eyebrow down to the cheekbone, almost as if that side of his face had been slit open a long time ago. He was definitely ugly by all standards and his partner was no better...short and piglike, almost like Chief Wiggum from the Simpsons.

'Try to talk your way out of it, Garnet' she thought, swallowing nervously as she recalled advice her father gave her a long time ago in case of an attack. 'Don't fall victim to them.'

"I'd rather die" Garnet hissed, spitting in his face "Men who have the need to rape aren't my type. You, my friend, are a fucking weak loser if you have to hurt a woman to have sex. Why don't you go fuck yourself while you're at it?"

"Shut up, you slut" the thug growled, slapping her face viciously, sending her head back from the impact "I'll cut you into little pieces while I ravage you again and again"

He then advanced on her again, brandishing his weapon in her face. Garnet braced herself for the attack, closing her eyes. What she heard next caused her eyes to fly open sharply...