I could write a waffle about why I haven't updated, but all you need to know is that I'm sorry. Well, here is the LAST chapter of this story, just another day. As always, thanks for supporting. It would be a good idea to glance over the previous chapter, but here's a short reminder. xx

Previously

"Kill her! Kill the girl!" I watched as Michaels face set in stone defiance, but then his face flushed red, his eyes flashed crimson and he pushed Eve to Shane, who caught her and backed away.

"You're my bloodline now! You have to obey me!" Oliver screeched as Shane guided Eve away, only for her to collapse on him. I rushed to them and watched as her eyes rolled backwards, her body begin to twitch as the smoke advanced.

Felicity.

Now

Michaels POV

I stumbled away from them, to get away from the whole situation. I trusted Shane to keep her safe from me and all the draug swarming the square. A direct order from a vampire's bloodline is like compulsion, maybe a bit stronger. I could feel my blood burning in my veins, a punishment for my defiance, a reminder of what I have been ordered to do. Never before have I felt such anger. Anger at Oliver and his command, and anger for myself, for being weak enough to hear the pounding voice in my head, the voice that had me crippled on the ground, punishing me for fighting it.

My vision turned into a red haze, turning everything that moved into a victim. It was an inescapable sensation, all emotions and needs boiled down to the desperation to kill. At this point of my crawl, it didn't matter who or what it was, just a part in getting at least some of the bloodlust out of my system.

The draug weren't the only ones who were attacking; it seemed that the survivors, driven by frenzy of the violence have gotten their hands on some weapons. In a few exceptions, none were needed. I was an easy target, a vampire grovelling on the ground. The stab of pain didn't surprise me; it was something real among my muddled thoughts. It was a mistake to kick at my torso and turn me over. I didn't look who it was, I didn't allow myself that luxury but I knew they were a stranger to me. Black hair, broad shoulders, the rest a blur as I jumped up and headed for the jugular, draining the stranger, the blood tasteless as I focused on the weary voice in my head.

Fool, you will kill us all. Kill her before I do it myself.

I dropped the body, feeling more in control and felt the guilt creep in, nagging at the back of my mind, judging and cynical. Things seemed clearer now; people weren't just blood bags anymore.

I was able to locate Oliver without the need to rip Eve's throat out, just barely. It looked like he was at crossways, ready to jump into action for Amelie, who was frozen in Magnus's grasp or towards Shane and Claire, kneeling amongst the weirdest fog I've ever seen, tendrils smoked around them, giving off a slight glittering as the sun tried to infiltrate into the secrecy.

Over the noise, I couldn't hear the groans or panicked voices. It only registered when a pale bloody hand rose between Claire and Shane, rising towards the sun, swaying for a moment and tumbling back to the ground, taking my breath with it.

Claire's POV

I watched as Eve twisted and shouted, her body arching upwards in an inhuman angle as the fog dimmed, racing into her mouth and through her nose, no matter how hard we tried to wave it away, no matter how hard I tried to help her, it didn't have any effect. Soothing words were all that reached her.

It surrounded us, almost chocking us but never taking over. It knew its purpose. I didn't think it would be this quick, this violent. I didn't have time to react fully, only to see her face scrunch up, her trembling hand to rise towards the warm sun.

"Eve?" Shane tugged gently at her oversized shirt. He didn't see her grim determination, he didn't see her sigh of relief when the sunlight touched her fingertips. Some sort of reassurance, something that we couldn't give her.

It was like something turned off inside her, her face so emotionless and blank. I watched her hand tumble, but I didn't register it amongst this battlefield. Maybe it was me who didn't realize what was truly happening, an automatic buffer to unpleasant events. I didn't want to accept the obvious, since no one truly would know what is happening in this situation. I'm pretty sure that possession is not that common, or whatever Magnus has done.

I reached out to touch her, to somehow prove that her stillness is not what my mind made it out to be. Shane had the same reaction, I saw his hand dart out, but something shoved us apart in separate directions, like we were children to be scolded.

"Don't! We don't know what would happen." I recognised Olivers voice before I looked up, his mellow tone not hard to place. In that moment, I remembered his previous words, his command and the power he held. I jumped up and stood in front of what I still consider to be Eve, and met his murderous eyes.

"I'm not giving up on her. She doesn't deserve this." I glanced back, to Shane who was taking her pulse and shaking her slightly, almost mechanically. I didn't really think, but I knew it was suicidal to stand in Oliver's way.

"Do we all deserve to die over your selfish act?" He spat back at me, his fangs descending, crouching slightly. I could be dead before I even managed to blink. My eyes wondered for a moment, catching a glimpse of something white near Magnus feet.

"Amelie." It couldn't be. I didn't realise I've spoken until Oliver turned and rushed towards them. That wasn't the only thing I saw, if it wasn't for his blonde hair and blue eyes I wouldn't have recognised him. We were all bloody, but Michael...he was bathed in it. His ripped clothes and Shanes hooded jacket had blotches of red, but his mouth was the worst. I couldn't see perfectly, but something dark was trickling down his chin. He stood frozen a few feet away.

I turned to Eve and Shane on the floor, just in time to see her gasp. I saw how awkwardly her lungs moved, forcing the air into her body, like it was something she hasn't done in a while. I moved closer, fell beside Shane as I felt Michael join us, his hand gripping my shoulder. I knew she couldn't have died, couldn't have left us like that. We watched her take another breath and her eyes snapped open. It was like she had contact lenses, bright blue eyes stared up, and soon faded back to brown, gradually converging and disappearing towards the pupil.

Shane fell back a little, obviously creeped out. I wanted to do the same, but Michael held me in place, his grip tightening a little bit.

Blue like the smoke.

In one second, she was up, and kicked Shane square in the jaw with her military boots, and grabbed me and Michael by the hair. She forced us up, pushing us in front of her as she walked towards Magnus.

"Eve?" Michael asked hopefully, and was rewarded with a harsher push, grunting in pain. He probably could have escaped, maybe even avoided her. She used our hope against us.

She shoved us on our knees in front of the saltline, and just let go. Magnus was busy squabbling with Oliver and didn't notice us until Oliver growled in our direction, low and feral. From the corner of my eye I saw Michael tense, like he was about to do something stupid. Without thinking I reached over and held his shoulder, trying to help him in the only way I could. At this point, Magnus whipped his head around long enough to notice us.

At first he didn't say anything, just stared. It felt like we were intruding on an intimate moment, something that shouldn't be witnessed by any outsiders. She pushed past us, walked over the saltline and stood in front of Magnus. I slowly turned to Michael, who had his full attention on the two of them.

"Felicity" That was the only word he uttered, before taking both of her hands and drawing her close. It was alien to watch her do this, how she seemed to look at Magnus almost obsessively, afraid to look away from him again. It was the name that triggered my memory, what I saw in Amelies mind. Amelie was supposed to protect her.

They weren't the only ones who were moving. Oliver took this opportunity by trying to lift Amelie, who was still unconscious. I didn't want to know what he did to her. I also noticed the stillness around us, even the draug weren't fighting anymore, and they stood and stared, lesser reflections of Magnus.

I couldn't bear to look at Michael, knowing all too well the emotions that are playing across his face, and probably have already.

I didn't know what to do; I couldn't leave Michael alone here, no matter how preoccupied and diverted 'they' are. For all I knew, they could kill him instantly. He is too vulnerable, and I wouldn't be the friend he deserves if I let that happen.

"Michael" I tugged at his arm gently. He wasn't paying attention to me, still too focused on the scene in front of us.

"Is that blood on your face?"I tried again, gaining slumped shoulders."Did you hurt someone?" I pestered. That did get his attention; he turned to look at me. It was like looking at a wounded animal, the big eyes emanating sorrow. In a split second guilt and disgust passed over his features, the corners of his lip twitching slightly.

"Who hasn't?" he almost spat it out, but I don't think he had the heart to.

"Look, you have to move away from here. See if Shane is alright, you have to check on him." I pleaded, gesturing back to the passed out Shane behind us.

"I'm not going anywhere. Eve-"he retorted.

"I'll take care of it. You can't do much in the state you're in." I persisted. I had to make him go, he'll only get hurt.

"I'm fine Claire, no-one is in perfect shape right now. You're not facing them alone." He grunted, fighting back. He was too determined, and a part of me understood, his drive, his reasons but I couldn't bear another person hurt.

"Who says you're facing them alone?" A voice like rippling velvet came behind me, a voice that I have heard a thousand times before, always making me cautious and careful.

"I thought you were out" Michael answered. I guess he was right, the last time we saw him, he was launched at the podium. A wooden podium.

"Temporarily. I'll be picking out splinters for a week! By the way, don't leave your friends on the floor, nearly tripped on him." Myrnin moaned, picking at his clothes.

"Wait, Shane?" I couldn't help but ask, I really did want to check on him, even if it did divert Michael away.

"He seemed alive. The draug weren't that interested in him, they seemed to be staring at that." Myrnin pointed at the couple in front of us, who were still holding each other. It couldn't have been longer than two minutes since they started.

"We have to do something." Michael stood up, offering me his arm. I took it and pulled myself up, feeling a little bit better.

"We have to break the line first." I suggested, it seemed too important to be kept there for longer than necessary.

"We overpower it. From what I know, it centres Magnus's energy. A high concentration of threat should break it down." Amelie appeared beside us, with Oliver. She was clutching her throat with one hand, little rivulets of black escaped her grasp.

"I'll get Shane. Even if he isn't..." Michael didn't finish his sentence and dashed off. He came back moments later, and put Shane on the ground. My fears were eased as I saw his chest rise and fall, but there was an angry red mark on his jaw. It would be stupid to leave him alone, even if he couldn't fight.

Not like we were going far.

"Just circle around and try to find a weak spot...This wouldn't have happened if you just killed her." Oliver barked out commands, obviously feeling in charge and as always assigning the blame.

We started at different points; I didn't move far away from Shane, I felt too responsible to leave him completely alone. Even if things went south, I couldn't leave him completely open. I noticed Michael placed his shotgun next to him, and turned to the task in front of me.

I didn't really know what to do, so I tried to watch the others and copy their movements. I could step over the line, we all could, but it wouldn't stop Magnus from using the book or whatever tricks he had up his sleeve. I was conscious of my footing, stood in a stance like the others.

"Looks like you've all lined up! I had plans for some of you, to make this town stronger. I can't help it if you can't see my vision." Magnus let go of Eve, or was it Felicity? This was too confusing. He approached Amelie and smirked, looking at the mark on her neck.

"You know the rules" he continued "you either become one of me, a draug, or die. Then again you could ask that faithful lap dog to send you on your way with false promises, that, of course would be more poetic." He seemed too observed in his imminent victory, and I could see why. We were surrounded by draug; people either died or have had the sense to run away, with few fighting their corners.

Maybe he was too absorbed.

"She didn't tell you, did she?" Amelie inclined with her head towards Felicity. "How she woke up, all too anxious to find you. I did protect her, but nobody can protect you from yourself." Amelie pushed him, connecting with his chest. She looked like a vicious queen, the dried blood adding to the image.

Magnus sprawled back a little, both from shock and the contact. He looked to Felicity, who was standing not too far behind him. Maybe this was a distraction, but the way that Felicity looked almost guiltily at the ground raised suspicions.

I moved further, glancing at the salt line. It was visibly thinner, but still the draug swirled, a symbol of its own.

"Somehow she still perished. In YOUR care. We'll have time to go over this, but unfortunately you won't" He advanced towards Amelie, hell bent on harming her. He reached for her, but grabbed hold of Oliver instead, and chucked him to the side, his long cloak flying after him like his personal shadow.

"Does it matter? We're together now, in this glorious sun. Don't cloud this day with violence." Felicity spoke, and octave higher than Eves voice. It was strange to hear such words from Eve's mouth, with no sarcastic references to the situation at hand.

"Yeah, listen to her, Maggie. Or do you not like that name? You seemed perfectly content with it when you were one of us. Of course, that's before you killed my lab assistant." Myrnin spoke from across Amelie, his fangs descending instantly. Leave it to Myrnin to be this childish, but he didn't have to bring me up. The less Magnus noticed me, the better.

"You always did have a way with words, and your assistants." Magnus moved closer to Myrnin, almost stalking him in the width of his circle. Instinctively, I moved in Myrnins direction, trading places with Michael, a silent spectator.

" I always had something special in mind for you. As Amelie said, nobody can protect you from yourself." Magnus smirked at his own words, and smacked his hand on Myrnins forehead, muttering something under his breath. Myrnin didn't have time to escape, and as I reached them I felt the air heat up, evaporating the moisture in that one area, like the sun was concentrating on this spot.

"How dare-"Myrnin didn't finish his sentence as his voice got stuck in his throat, his eyes fluttered and he sank heavily to the floor. I stopped mid-run, looking at his motionless body on the concrete, his hair a dark puddle on the floor, blending in with his jacket. What did he do? How powerful must Magnus be?

I felt a stab of something white hot inside of me, a vicious need for violence.

The line broke.

Magnus was walking away, his shoulders moving with laughter that I couldn't hear. I took this as an opportunity, and tackled him. With my speed I rushed him to the floor, punching whatever I could grab or see. Wasn't the smartest idea, but nobody mentioned what we were supposed to do after we broke the line. I heard shouts from around me.

I kept attacking him, my fists burning as his ooze bit at me like tiny piranhas. I felt some sort of release inside of me, and before I knew it my hands were glowing, and I was hitting with more damage. This would have been much shorter, but I took him by surprise, gaining a few seconds to act out and somehow hurt him.

He threw me off, and picked me up by my throat. I tried to stand on my tiptoes, like Shane thought me to. Struggling will only hurt me, so I decided to place my hands over those around my throat. Maybe I'll burn him somehow.

"Do you know how hard I worked to make him sane? And you just waltz in, doing whatever you want!" I screamed at him in frenzy. His icy hands gripped me tighter, over the spot he broke when he laid his hands over me last time, and killed me. I shuddered inwardly, trying to fight the de ja vu. I really hoped I burned him, or that Amelie would kill him painfully, since I probably won't be there to witness it.

Shanes POV

I opened my eyes to witness the clear blue sky. My head seemed fuzzy, and my jaw hurt like hell. I tried to recall what happened, and with a sense of clarity it all came rushing back to me. The speech, the fight, and Eve. She kicked me, knocked me out. I groaned inwardly, knocked out by a girl. Awesome.

I heard the buzz of voices around me, all shouting and clamouring together, making my ears ring painfully. I felt the hot ground under me, and my fingers closed around cool metal.

I sat up, and immediately recoiled. Draug, all staring somewhere beyond me, motionless, not seeing me as a threat. Looking right through me. I looked at the ground and saw my shotgun, placed by my side. I picked it up, trying to make out the words that the voices were shouting.

" You're always a problem, aren't you?" I heard an icy voice, and quickly placed the name. Magnus. I stood up, nearly falling over in my rush. I didn't understand, they were stood in a circle, all surrounding Magnus who was-

He was holding Claire. Strangling her.

Everyone seemed frozen, stuck there by horror. I quickly made sure my shotgun was loaded, my eyes passing over what looked like McCrackula on the floor. Probably knocked out.

Maybe it was an advantage that his back was turned to me, didn't alert him to my presence. I liked it that way.

I quickly positioned the rifle, aimed and fired at Magnus's back. I didn't stop. The shot gun pellets where loaded with silver, hitting him straight in his midsection.

He dropped Claire, who was wheezing on the floor.

I didn't stop.

He slowly turned around, to glare at me like I was a fly to be swatted away, just a little annoying insect that he could destroy within a heartbeat. It only took me a second to reload, and I focused on hitting him as many times as I could. To give Claire enough time to back away.

Amelie rushed up to Magnus, and I momentarily stopped. Maybe shocked or bewildered at her presence, I didn't really know. Without hesitation, she plunged her hand into his chest, holding something there as Magnus paled, and realized what was happening.

"Goodbye, brother" she softly spoke, her hand pulling out a mass of writhing tubes, pale green, something that belongs in a horror movie. Or Morganville. She crushed the mass in her palm, and kept grinding the mess like one would crush a cookie.

For a moment, I saw Magnus's pale eyes, how his eyes rolled back to expose the whites of his eyes. He was filled with regret, and then nothing as he fell to the floor, becoming murky water and a mass of things that would wash up on the coast. It seemed that the writhing mass held him together, and his strings were cut.

I ran towards Claire, who crawled away from the murky water that pooled at the scene. She was shaken and pale, with tiny cuts all over the place. Without thinking I hugged her, comforting her in any way that I could at this point. This day has been hard for everyone.

I looked around, as Amelie stared at the puddle at her feet, how Oliver picked himself up and approached it to stand next to her.

Michael seemed lost, standing away from everyone, withdrawn. Shouldn't Eve be around somewhere? I searched for her, still holding Claire. I found her a little away from Magnus, partly hidden, withdrawn like Michael. Even I could see her huge eyes, taking in the scene. Suddenly, she gripped her stomach and knelt on the floor.

"Look, its Eve" I pointed towards her, attracting the attention of Michael and Claire.

"It might not even be her." Claire mumbled, standing up, out of my reach to go towards her. What did she mean by that? Then I remembered. The blue smoke, her eyes. I didn't know what any of it meant.

We approached Eve, Michael already there beside her. I momentarily glanced back, to see the draug spasm, as if to try to attack us somehow, to just fall to the floor like their master. I guess they were truly copies.

Michael was knelt down beside her, holding her hand, whispering something as her vague eyes watched the passing clouds. I didn't understand, she wasn't hurt, wasn't bleeding anywhere.

"She loves you. She wants you to know that" Eve smiled at Michael, cupping his face with her hand, his slightly bloody face, looking past all that.

"How can I get you back? The real Eve?" Michael spoke softly, his voice almost cracking. I didn't want to infringe on his moment, but it seemed that we were here to stay, even if it felt uncomfortable watching this.

"You can't. What Magnus did, he risked her and Felicity's existence. Binded them together, also binded them to himself. Since he binded them to himself..." Amelie spoke coldly, letting logic to catch up with him.

"No. I can't. Eve, you keep me sane, you can't leave me." He continued, his voice becoming deeper, like he had a lump in his throat. I looked up to Claire, hinting that we should give them some space, but she was as transfixed as Michael.

"Not by choice. I want you to be happy, keep fighting the good fight. Thanks, for everything." Eve almost whispered. I'm guessing this was Eve talking, not the other person. Whoever that was.

"Don't say that." Michael moved closer, kissing her forehead. I saw him close his eyes, how his fist clenched together and how Claire reached for Eves other hand, taking it gently and squeezing it, silent tears running down her face.

I saw her limbs stop moving, her lips parted, her body relaxed. It was surreal, we've been close to death numerous times but to lose someone...to lose them now seemed unrealistic.

A lump stuck in my throat as I rocked Claire back and forth, saw Michael break, the face that looked too boyish to be replaced with disbelief, his pale complexion scrunched up in pain.

I dragged Claire away, away from the scene, half carrying her. Yet we could still hear Michael, how he moaned not too silently, his words almost suffocating him. I didn't want to look back, I didn't want to let myself feel. She was like a sister to me, and I couldn't handle anymore death. I needed to be strong for them, I needed to hold them up and remind them, that they needed to preserve, that Michael and Claire needed to remember her, for who she was.

Death was never easy.

As we walked from one scene, we seemed to walk into another. Amelie was crouched on the ground besides Myrnin, feeling his forehead. I moved away, away from all of it, catching a snipped of words.

" He seems to be trapped, trapped inside-" I didn't want to listen anymore, and Claire didn't need more worries.

I sat her down on the edge of the pavement, where the pavement meets the road. She moved towards me, seeking comfort of some sort. I didn't think anymore, I blanked my mind and focused only on her.

"Nobody can protect you from yourself." She whispered as she looked between the wreck that Michael was, and Myrnin on the floor. I guess she was right, but I wouldn't let anyone disturb her.

Nobody, not even herself.

Well, here it is. The last chapter. I hope you have enjoyed this story as much as I have had writing it.

Its strange to think that a year ago I started this story, and I want to thank you guys for sticking around to read it to the end, for either reviewing or just reading it. I'm truly grateful.

As always, let me know what you thought, its always interesting to hear your views and thoughts.

I think I will be writing a sequel, as I have ideas for one..all I need to do is come up with a title...

Thank you for coming along on this journey, and as always, love you guys. *hugs*

~Cheesepuffzapper xx