A PAINFUL LOVE OF VIOLENCE AND BRUTALITY

I don't want to see this bitch tonight every part of me feels tense about the whole meeting. The very reason I was put in the pit was because I trusted her I never should have gotten involved with Adrienne sexually it was the stupidest thing I ever did. I did it because I was lonely and depressed and she was there and it was covenant. I used her to make myself feel better but she only made me feel worse because she treated me like a fool and she loved to get her way even if it meant I got hurt in the process. I haven't told the Empress the full story, I don't want to, I don't want her to know that some woman took pleasure in hitting me and that I submitted to it. The battle I mentioned to Thaleia was not a even battle it was a punching match and I lost, yes I always hit Adrienne back but she always hit me harder and then she'd try to kiss me and make up and I just let her because I was starting to give up. I couldn't escape her I could leave the Grand City, she was like my jailer and I was her prisoner she was around me every minute of everyday, I did try to get away from her when ever possible or make excuses for not turning up to the places where she wanted me. She was my lover and we were in a very happy relationship to every one on the outside but that was an illusion, behind closed doors it was not that way she wasn't my lover or even my mate it all boiled down to sex nothing more and nothing less.

I was only having sex with her because it was the only time I ever felt anything emotionally was when I reached an orgasm I'd just become so numb to everything else by the end. Maybe that was why when they asked me to go the Palace in Corinth I wanted to feel again even if what I felt was pain and agony from my bleeding wounds. What I should have done was ended our relationship some years before but I clung to it like a fool I don't love Adrienne I never have in fact I hate her. I've never stopped hating her since the first time she struck me she knew she had a hold of me and she must still thinks that now, even though I'm not hers. All she ever had from me was my body but never my soul and I know she wasn't my mate even in werewolf form as all werewolves when they pick their mate who will be with them for life they have an over whelming urge to bite them in the neck during sex and from what I've heard the urge is so powerful that it can drive werewolves in to a very primal and violent state if they don't do it. I confess though I've never had it, Damokles and I weren't together long enough for it to start and I never got it with Adrienne despite how long we spent together.

As the legendary werewolf scholar Cyrano once wrote. The urge to draw blood to you canines only comes when your body and soul have embraced the soul of another unconditionally and with an open heart. To force desire will never bring that urge and to force the heart will only harden it, the soul must desire it and the body must crave it and to ignore this will bring about primal needs which can't be controlled or sutured as the beast with in is unleashed. Gabrielle looked down at the floor as she carried on walking following the warrior who had told her about Adrienne's arrival, she could see that Xena and Phrixus were waiting for her outside the door. She wouldn't lie she'd stalled somewhat and she hadn't come right away she had, had to force herself in the end to stand up and follow the warrior who looked slightly concerned because she had remained seated and not followed him out of her room. She took in a deep breath once this was over it would be over she would never have to go through it again and Adrienne wouldn't be in her life anymore. As long as Adrienne thought that she was her lover the more it held her back and she wanted nothing more than to be free of her. She wasn't loyal to her and had betrayed her and she really didn't care about was the Imperial Councils approval. Adrienne had always been a compulsive liar and she fully expected her to lie again if it meant keeping in control, only this time she wouldn't have it, she was not the fool Adrienne thought she was.

Xena looked up she had started to feel concerned as Gabrielle was over twenty minutes late in fact and she was about to go and get her, but now she was here she could see that she was tense and apprehensive. She clearly didn't want to be here but she was forcing herself to be she turned eyeing Adrienne through the crack in the door. The woman had been eating the meat and drinking the wine she'd now pulled out an ivory pipe and had lit it. She was slightly taller than Gabrielle and had dark green eyes her hair was shoulder length and brown with red henna highlights. On her right arm was a Norse serpent, which was the Norse Jormungand the Midgard Serpent. If Gabrielle was anything to go by it was clear werewolves worshipped who ever they wanted. The woman was wearing bronze armour which had overlaid plate on the chest much like Roman armour but there was a huge difference. She could see hinges which meant that the sections could shift on the both sides of the chest her shoulder armour had the same type of hinges and underneath it was a white shirt whose short sleeves hung down in tattered.

She was wearing a white hanging skirt which was tattered at the edges and knee high black leather boots on her back were two Sparth axes which could be held in each hand. She didn't look very dangerous but there was something about her though which made her feel uneasy maybe it was her overly arrogant attitude and the way she was lounging about. It was the manner of someone who thought they had control over everyone despite that they didn't. She knew well enough from experience that warriors like that were very dangerous as they would kill others even if it was just to prove a point about their own self importance. Iona was very close by although she was at the other door, her and her men were there and if Adrienne got out there orders were to bring her down in anyway possible. Frankly didn't care if they ripped of her legs she had no love for this woman, as it was clear that she had caused Gabrielle so much pain. She turned watching as Phrixus stood up fully as Gabrielle came to a stop in front of her. She eyed the younger woman as she spoke unable to keep the concern out of her tone. "There you are I was getting worried about you."

Gabrielle breathed in deeply. "I don't mean to hold you up I just needed to think of what to say and I know what to say." Xena leaned over putting her arm on her shoulder stroking gently, she knew that wasn't quite true she could see fear in Gabrielle eyes. She wasn't going to bring that up though this was already a difficult situation and she didn't want to make it worse by bringing up the subject of fear. "I understand I'd rather that you take all the time you need and be ready." Gabrielle looked up slightly. "I'm ready, I just want to get this over and done with." Xena eased up her hand away moving towards the door. "Then let's go." Phrixus breathed in turning to Gabrielle. "I'm here to translate for the Empress just in case Adrienne switches to your language." Gabrielle nodded as she lowered her gaze. "I understand." Xena smiled pushing open both of the doors she walked through watching as Adrienne looked up from where she was sitting at the head of the table with her feet up. She watched as the guards closed the door behind her. There was only one other way out of this room other than the doors and that was through a thick plain of glass which made up a very large window.

This glass window was more a decorative item as all the other windows in the palace had wooden shutters this window this was the only one of its kind. She had to say though that there was nothing outside of that window it was just a long drop to the gardens bellow and you'd probably clip at least two of the balconies on the way down before you hit the grass between the two huge lions that made up one of the entrances to the royal gardens. She didn't see anyone human or werewolf attempting that jump it would probably kill them out right. This room was after all on the third floor at the highest level for a reason, it was another room which wasn't easy to escape from, just like the bottle neck study. She hoped this room wouldn't be damaged but she was beginning to think that with werewolves damaging things came with the territory because of their size and power and in a small space that power meant things were damaged regardless. Though the room Gabrielle had fought Kalika in had been smashed up it wasn't all that bad and the builders could easily fix it. She was seriously considering having a group of permanent builders in side the palace so they could deal with damage right away rather than her calling in builders who asked questions about the damage which the staff wouldn't answer.

She snapped out of her thoughts as Phrixus came to stand next to her and Gabrielle eyeing Adrienne whose face formed a leer as she looked the younger woman up and down in a lustful manner. She felt her eyes dart as the silence clung to the air she wanted to break it, she hated silence but she knew this was not her conversation and she'd just have to wait till someone spoke. Adrienne put her ivory pipe in to her mouth breathing in the opium. She eyed Gabrielle nothing had changed she still had a great body she breathed out the rich smoke as she spoke in the werewolf tongue. "You know it's not nice to keep me waiting Gabrielle." She turned eyeing the Empress and the man next to her who was whispering in to her ear even from here she could tell that he was translating but badly. She breathed in her pipe seeing that Gabrielle hadn't moved and was keeping her distance. "You know I hate waiting." Gabrielle felt her body tense as she spoke in an emotionless tone in werewolf tongue. "What do you want?" Xena blinked as Phrixus translated. The werewolf language spoken sounded so strange it was unlike she'd any language she'd ever heard before and she'd heard a quite a few different languages during her time in Rome. Most had been translated for her with the help of a translator.

Adrienne felt a sneer form as she stood up. "What do I want as if you don't know?!" She eased out a copy of the scroll which Gabrielle had written and sighed along with the Empress, she opened it so her lover could see it. "I'm here about this! Do you have any idea how much trouble this has caused in the Grand City?" Gabrielle folded her arms eyeing her ex lover. "I was doing what was right for my people." Adrienne eyed her for a long moment she moved forward so she was standing in front of her. "You don't make policy that is what the Imperial Council does!" Gabrielle felt her teeth grind together as she spoke. "Why are you really here?" Adrienne eased out her hand maybe a different approach was in order she spoke again but this time in a low seductive tone. "Why I am here, I'm here to see you." She eased up her fingers running them down her cheek. "I missed you so much." Gabrielle pulled away sharply she knew what her ex was doing it was nothing more than seductive play to win her over and she wasn't interested anymore. "I doubt you missed me at all, you do after all like your conquests."

Adrienne blinked in surprise she had not expected those words or these kinds of actions from Gabrielle she normally did just as she was told. "You know that I love you." Gabrielle laughed but it was a cold laugh. "You have never loved anyone but yourself." She felt her teeth grind together as she spoke feeling her hand form a fist. "You must think me a fool, I know about the assassins the Imperial Council sent to kill me and I also know that you swayed that Roman cruentus creatura to do your bidding. Were you pulling down her underwear and giving her a really good time so she'd play along with your little games by any chance?" Xena felt a smirk appear on her face she watched as Adrienne gave her a cold look. Adrienne turned back to face Gabrielle. "You know this is the reason Damokles left you for another woman, Gabrielle you never quite know when to shut your mouth it's also the reason the Imperial Council are always unhappy with you."

Gabrielle turned sharply meeting her gaze. "Damokles didn't leave me he was taken from me! He was murdered by one of you so don't lie to me Adrienne his body was here in this palace it was stuffed and mounted!" She felt her knuckles crack as her fist tightened even more. "You sent Bastiaan to kill him didn't you because you wanted to take his place as my adviser?" Adrienne felt an evil smile form as she put a hand on her shoulder not caring that it was a painfully tight grip. "Don't walk down this path Gabrielle you know better." She paused. "Be a good girl and come back with me, the Imperial Council demands that you return to the Grand City today. They said that if you do so they'll forget this whole incident and talk to you about your request, the one you made about the killing of human children." Gabrielle ignored the painfully tight grip on her shoulder. "I have no interest in returning with you to the Grand City and I don't care for the Imperial Councils offer they've never been true to their word."

Adrienne eyed her for a long moment as she put her pipe down on the table breathing out the opium smoke. "Why do you wish to stay here?" She turned eyeing the Empress up and down feeling something click. "Is it because of her?!" She felt a sneer form. "Oh she's just your type isn't she, what is it the dark hair the tallness or those light blue eyes? You always did have a weakness for that look Gabrielle but let's face facts you have no place being here this isn't your home and that bitch doesn't care about you." Xena looked up sharply she spoke unable to stop herself. "I know you can understand me Adrienne, so let me be very clear this is Gabrielle's home and she has every right to be here!" Adrienne looked up sharply eyeing the taller woman as she spoke again in normal Greek. "This is none of your concern human so stay out of personal matters which are none of your business I'm talking to The Golden Hind, not you." Xena narrowed her gaze unable to keep the venom out of her words as she spoke. "Yet you treat her with so little respect, you don't rule her, she is above you and she is your king you should be on your knees in front of her."

Gabrielle blinked feeling the surprise hit home as the other woman's words sunk in along with their truth. She was right Adrienne was bellow her and not above her she was king and Adrienne should show her respect, she'd never showed her any respect not in all the time they'd been together. She spoke in normal Greek once more. "I'm not going with you Adrienne I'm staying here so you can leave and take this message back to the Imperial Council, that the Golden Hind has no interest in their offer." Adrienne breathed in suddenly feeling the anger take over this was not how she had wanted this to go! This was not how it normally worked Gabrielle knew better than this she knew just what would happen if she didn't comply with her demands. "Don't take this road Gabrielle we both know that I don't like hitting you, but sometimes its necessary but you know I do it because I love you." Xena breathed in sharply gods she had been so right and yet she hadn't wanted to be. Gabrielle's forma lover was abusive and she could see the fear in Gabrielle's eyes as she suddenly lost her nerve and lowered her head.

She hated abusive men and women it was one thing she couldn't stand, she felt her hand move towards her sword. "If you touch her I will have your head, you don't own her and you have no right to threaten her." Adrienne turned sharply eyeing her. "I said stay out of this!" She turned back to Gabrielle. "You are my lover and you will come home with me right now!" Gabrielle breathed in trying to keep her fear under control only to feel something hit home as what Xena had just said repeated in her mind the older woman was trying to defend her. She pulled herself free of Adrienne's grip stepping back as for the first time in what felt a very long time she felt a deep strength over take her soul which had been missing for so long she looked up speaking in an even voice. "I'm not going with you Adrienne I'm not your lover anymore our relationship ended when you left me to my fate in this palace over two years ago. I don't love you I never have in fact I've always hated you and your lies. The truth is I only ever slept with you because I was felt so numb emotionally that the only time I felt anything was during sex, as pathetic as that sounds."

Adrienne watched as Gabrielle turned fully to face her she was now very close to the table. "Don't be foolish, you're in no position to make demands!" Gabrielle eyed the men around her. "Nether are you, so go crawl back to the Imperial Council and go and find another sexual conquest because you mean nothing to me." The next moments turned to blinding pain as the other woman's fist impacted with her face causing her to smash back first in to the table causing food to go flying through the air. She felt the blood as trickled down her chin as the other woman's hands found her throat. Adrienne smiled as she tightened her grip ignoring the bows and swords as they came free from their scabbards and holders all at once. "It was Cyrano who once wrote that a candle which burns twice as bright burns half as long he believed that even a short life could be lived with great impact."

Gabrielle eyed her in disgust Adrienne didn't care for writings and she doubted that she even knew what that statement really meant she spoke ignoring the pain. "He went on to say…only the finest of candles can burn the longest…with intense brightness and still burns even when the light has faded away in to darkness." Adrienne felt her grip tighten as Gabrielle started to struggle trying to break free. "The Imperial Council believes in Cyrano's first statement in fact the way they see it, is that very Horn Hind must reach their peak then their light must be extinguished. You've now reached your peak Gabrielle you've burnt incredible brightly but now your time as Horn Hind is over but don't worry you'll leave a huge impact in your passing one the Imperial Council will use to their advantage."

Gabrielle pulled up her boot feeling her hand grab at the hilt of a long dagger which she had hidden there. Adrienne smirked only to feel a cold point push its way in to the back of her neck she turned catching sight of the Empress. Xena narrowed her gaze. "Let go off her now!" Adrienne eyed her in utter disgust. "Or you'll what, kill me? I don't think so you don't stand a chance against me in battle!" She felt a sudden agonizing pain as something was thrust in to her exposed leg causing her to lean forward and cry out painfully as her hand instantly let go off Gabrielle's throat. She turned only to feel Gabrielle's boot as it smashed in to her chest sending her crashing in to the marble floor. Xena stepped back quickly watching as the warriors all around her raised their loaded bows pointing them towards Adrienne she could see Demetrius waiting for her signal so they could fire.

Adrienne winced watching as Gabrielle pulled herself back on to her feet her two swords coming free in an instant. She smirked as she got to her feet eyeing the dagger which was embedded in her upper thigh she could see blood pouring out from the wound. She leaned down pulling the dagger free ignoring the sharp stinging pain. She eyed the bloody weapon throwing it to one side she pulling both of her axes free in a violent motion twirling them. "If you want to play it that way Gabrielle then that's fine, but you know that you've never defeated me in battle, you tried once and you lost, remember." Gabrielle felt her feet slide in to position as she brought both sword blades forward. "That wasn't a battle that was you hitting me until I submitted to you!" Adrienne roared in anger as she swung the weapon only to see Gabrielle duck avoiding the first axes blade.

Xena turned watching as Demetrius raised his sword she pulled up her hand sharply. "No." She ignored his surprise, this was Gabrielle's personal battle and she wouldn't interfere. This woman had caused Gabrielle nothing but pain and suffering and if she took away the chance to put her in her place it wouldn't help Gabrielle to overcome her pain or her fear. She watched as Phrixus slowly moved towards the door he knew this was a very personal matter of pride and his Spartan nature meant that he didn't want to interfere. She slowly lowered her blade stepping back ignoring the looks she got from the guards who lowered their weapons slightly. She breathed in Adrienne couldn't leave this room and that was all that mattered in truth she'd rather they battle here then anywhere else at least here she could keep an eye on everything which was happening.

Gabrielle stepped back avoiding the second axe it skimmed very close to her face she didn't think as she brought up her sword watching as the other axe collided with it with immense force. Adrienne had always been someone who liked to use force in battle and it was something she was very wary off she brought up her hilt smashing it in to her exposed shoulder ignoring her grunt of pain. She also had werewolf weapons which were far better than her own the tempered polished bronze was much harder to break than normal and there was a real risk that her own weapon could be shattered by it. She turned on her heel only to feel the intense pain as one of the axe's blades sliced past her knee cutting in to her trousers she winced watching as blood ran free. Adrienne smirked watching as Gabrielle stepped back. "You never were that fast on your feet, it lets you down."

She turned about to laugh only to watch in surprise as a heavy boot came towards her face. The next moments turned to agonizing pain as her feet left the floor and she hit the table back first only to slam in to the ground on the opposite side of it hard as food hit the ground all around her. She winced watching as blood dripped on to the marble floor as it ran down her chin. She spat it out feeling her anger turn to blinding rage no one ever hit her! Least of all some figure head that deserved to die! All she could say was that she'd been a good ride in bed but everything else about her deserved to rot. She got to her feet turning slightly as she raised her axe blades she would not make that mistake again. She felt her feet slam in to the floor as she ran around the table raising both weapons higher as she swung them in Gabrielle's direction only to feel the force as her axe blade collided with Gabrielle first sword blade she swung her other axe only for it to hit the other woman's second blade.

Gabrielle felt the force as both weapons pushed together their blades grinding against hers violently. She felt the agonizing pain as Adrienne's foot collided with her already wounded knee causing her to step back unlocking their weapons blades. She felt the force as both their weapons started to repeatedly collide as Adrienne tried to get through her defences forcing her to step back further in to the room centre in the process. She grabbed her sword hilt tighter as Adrienne's weapon collided with it causing sparks to fly through the air. There would be no perfect opportunity she knew that already this would be all about wills and she wasn't as strong as Adrienne, she could only wait for her to screw up. She thrust her weapons blade forward watching as Adrienne avoided it only to feel intense pain as the other axe blade sliced through her white shirt close to her stomach, she winced watching as the blood ran down staining it red from the cut which wasn't deep but hurt none the less.

She stepped sideways avoiding the other axe as it came with in inches of her face. She could feel her heart starting to beat faster in her chest as she started to move faster, only to feel blinding pain once more as the axe blade sliced past her shoulder causing red blood to flow down her sleeve. Xena felt her eyes dart clearly Adrienne was as good as Gabrielle she was just as quick on her feet but her blows were much harder. In her opinion though they were evenly matched the wounds they given each other spoke for themselves. Adrienne howled in pain as Gabrielle's hilt hit her in the jaw causing her to stumble slightly her feet were suddenly taken out from under her causing her to smash in to the floor hard on her side. She snarled turning on to her back swinging her axe watching as it smashed against Gabrielle's sword blade violently she sneered as she got up slowly. Gabrielle watched as the other woman got to her knees raising her other axe so she could see the wooden hilt. She swung her blade watching as the wood shattered as it sliced through it taking the axe blade off in one go, she ignored the other woman's stunned surprise as the heavy axe blade hit the floor hard.

Adrienne blinked she turned eyeing Gabrielle as she let go off the end of the wooden weapon she grabbed Gabrielle's sword hand as it came towards her shoving the blade straight in to her boot above her toes ignoring her cry of pain. She let go getting slowly to her feet eyeing her remaining axe swinging it watching as it sliced across Gabrielle's lower chest as she painfully pulled her weapon free from her expensive boot causing blood to run free. She smirked watching as the new wound bled in to her white shirt as the other woman stumbled back the pain in her eyes. She raised her axe moving towards her swinging it watching with joy as the sword was smashed free from her left hand it hit the floor hard clanging as it came to a stop on the solid tiles. Gabrielle ignored the pain as she spun on her heels in a looping motion swinging her remaining sword around watching as it sliced across Adrienne's waist just under her plate armour causing her to scream in pain.

She tuned turned kicking the other woman's feet out from under her seeing her hit the floor on her back. She slammed her boot down hard on her axe hand before she could raise it as she brought the blade forward so it was touching her exposed throat. She forced her boot down harder causing the other woman to let go of her weapon which she kicked to the side of the room. She felt a sneer form. "Surrender or I will kill you." Adrienne grabbed her sword blade not caring as the blood ran down from her palm. "Oh no, we aren't done yet!" Gabrielle watched as claws burst through the other woman fingers she felt the pain as the sword was ripped free from her grasp she stepped back quickly watching as Adrienne threw her weapon to one side violently. She eyed the darkening sky outside watching as Adrienne started to change as her clawed feet tour apart her boots. Fine if that was the way she wanted to play it then so be it! Xena breathed in sharply watching as Gabrielle closed her eyes she knew what was coming and it meant that this room was about to become very dangerous.

She breathed sharply in turning to Demetrius. "Get everyone out now." Demetrius eyed her feeling the uncertainty take over. "Empress you need my men." Xena shook her head. "No I need your men to leave you remember what happened to my throne room." She felt her hand clutch her sword tighter. "Line them up with Iona's men outside both doors Adrienne will not leave this room alive ether way." Demetrius put a hand through his hair in frustration he knew she was right but he hoped it wouldn't come to this. He eased up his sword signalling watching as his men started to move heading for the doors on both sides. He wanted to tell her to leave to but he knew there was no point she wouldn't come she wanted to stay with Gabrielle despite the risks. Adrienne stood up feeling her jaws slam together she eyed her clawed hand as she looked up watching as Gabrielle slammed in to the floor on all fours as her transformation ended. Her clothes were lying on the floor in tattered pieces she could see the large antlers which were covered in velvet they looked much healthier than the set she remembered which had been twisting at the points.

She winced feeling her still bleeding wounds her armours chest plate had now opened fully covering her upper chest and the shoulder guards had extended slightly. The torn shirt remained as did her skirt only her boots had been destroyed but she didn't care she still had the advantage. She was wearing armour Gabrielle had nothing she was in werewolf form naked and because of that the bitch didn't stand a chance. She stayed on all fours feeling her claws dig in to the marbled floor she could see Gabrielle doing the same in the now empty room. The guards were pulling back and leaving the room, only the Empress remained even the head warrior had now left the room as to avoid what was going to happen next. She sneered slightly eyeing her remaining axe which lay on the floor close by she didn't need it anymore and if the worst came to the worst she still had the killing weapon that really mattered. It was still attached to her plating at her side though it wasn't noticeable as it was under the torn area of her skirt.

She tapped her claws on the marble floor she couldn't wait to taste Gabrielle's blood on her lips she used to love the taste of it during sex even though Gabrielle had never bitten her in return. Maybe she'd hoped to force her mating instinct but it hadn't worked but now she just wanted to taste it one more time before she killed her just to remember its flavour. She opened her jaws licking her teeth as Gabrielle stayed still waiting for her first move. Xena eyed the two werewolves once more she could see differences in how they both looked Adrienne had a very long mane which was much longer than Gabrielle's and despite that the fur was brown the red hues remained. A patch of fur was much darker where the tattoo had been and the image could still be made out although not as well, her tail wasn't as long as Gabrielle's ether. Adrienne also had a much shorter shout but despite this she had the same protruding teeth as Gabrielle on her upper and lower jaws they were both the same size and build which meant this wouldn't end well.

Gabrielle looked up as Adrienne ran at her raising self on to her hind legs she breathed in hearing her own roar of anger hit the air as she pulled herself up on her hind legs. She knew this would be a true fight in werewolf form winner take all and no mercy to the loser. Adrienne slammed in to Gabrielle digging her claws hand in to her shoulder as she struck her across the face with the other watching as blood flew through the air. She ignored the pain as the other woman's claws sliced across her exposed leg creating a deep wound. Gabrielle ignored the blood as it ran down her snout as she grabbed Adrienne by the shoulder throwing her whole body weight to one side watching as she smashed in to the table back first causing it to smash in half in the process sending the remaining food and drink everywhere. She moved closer only to wince in agony as Adrienne leapt at her causing her back to slam in to the floor hard as she was forced down violently by the other woman. Adrienne's jaws found her shoulder causing her to howl in agony as her teeth penetrated her skin sinking in. The pain only got worse as Adrienne twisted her head violently forcing her teeth in deeper tearing her flesh.

She felt the pain as she slammed her claws in to one of the woman's arms ignoring her cry of pain as her jaws came free of her shoulder causing blood to fly through the air. She grabbed her mane close to her ear throwing her head to one side causing it to smash in to the solid marble causing blood flew out of her snout. She pulled her head up only to smash it down harder watching as the marble tiles broke with force of her blow causing one of Adrienne's upper canine teeth to break in half in the process. She couldn't get through her armour not that she really cared she'd go for every other exposed spot on her body instead. Adrienne winced eyeing her broken tooth which was now lying on the floor she pulled up her foot up forcing her claws in to Gabrielle's leg causing her to let go as she cried out in pain she snarled forcing herself free from under her. She eased out her tongue licking the blood from her teeth nothing had changed she still tasted just as sweet. Gabrielle sneered she hated that look it had always made her blood boil, the other woman had always given it to her after sex it was her way of emphasizing that she owned her. She grabbed a fallen chair throwing it at her with her might watching as she dodged it as it smashed in to the wall shattering to pieces.

Adrienne laughed only for her laugh to be cut short as Gabrielle's whole body weight collided with her own causing her to be thrown backwards she felt the pain as she smashed shoulder first in to the solid wall causing one of the Greek statues to topple over crashing in to the floor. She turned only for Gabrielle's claws to rack across her face. She brought up her claws slicing it across Gabrielle's waist before kicking her hard causing her to be thrown across the room. Gabrielle slammed in to the cold floor skidded across it coming to a painfully stop she pulled her head up only to see the other woman leap up in to the air she felt the intense pain as Adrienne's collided with her pushing her clawed hands in to her back deeply. Adrienne smirked watching as Gabrielle started to struggle under her grip she leaned forward whispering coldly in her ear. "What did you hope to achieve? I've always been stronger than you." She sniggered coldly. "Now you're going to die under someone, which has always been your place." Gabrielle felt her body tense she roared feeling the blinding rage take over as she forced her whole body up wards on to her hind legs ignoring Adrienne's surprise. She grabbed her clawed hands throwing her violently over shoulder watching as she smashed in to the floor back the intense pain appearing in her dark green eyes.

She kept hold of her clawed arm bending it backwards enjoying her screams of pain she slammed her clawed feet in to her chest plate keeping her in place. She watched as blood flowed down her arm, she spoke unable to keep the venom out of her tone. "Kneel to me you bitch I am your king!" She forced her arm downward with all her might seeing blood spattered across the floor as the bone broke through the fur as it shattered in half. She let go of her broken arm going down on all fours locking her jaws around Adrienne's exposed throat ignoring the pain as the other woman's claws raked across her back as she struggled to get free. She watched as Xena stepped closer to her a concerned look spreading across her face she would give her, her chance to tell her stop after all this was her palace and she would respect her wish. The dark haired woman's face became emotionless and she knew that was a signal which was telling her she could end this how ever she pleased.

She closed her jaws further as Adrienne carried on struggling oh she could kill her quickly but what was the fun in that? She wanted to see her suffer she wanted to see the light die in her eyes. She felt a sudden overwhelming feeling of clarity take over as the world froze around her she had dreamed of this moment for years she had wanted nothing more than to kill this woman and yet now as her life was ebbing away it's felt like such a hollow victory. Why had she wanted this victory to start with? It was because she hated what they'd done together during the androphonomania massacre. It had haunted her dreams and her nightmares for years but the truth was killing her now would never bring all those people back. It wouldn't take away their screams or the terrible memories she had of their deaths. It wouldn't take away the guilt she felt ether it was true Adrienne deserved to die but first she should go to trial for her crimes and answers to those she'd betrayed.

She let go watching as Adrienne choked in agony as she lay on the floor trying to regain her breath truth was she'd been an inch from dying. She breathed in getting up as she backed away from her, feeling her teeth grind together as she spoke. "Get out of my home!" Adrienne coughed again as she painfully got to her feet ignoring the blood as it ran down her armour plating. She tensed painfully she didn't understand why hadn't Gabrielle killed her? It made no sense at all! She eyed her bleeding arm as she shifted in to the centre of the room. "You're not going to kill me?" Gabrielle eyed her in disgust. "No I'd rather hear about how the Imperial Council punished you for failing your mission and you know how they treat failure. For you it'll be a least thirty lashes, you told me once that you've never had the cat of nine tails whip on your back so for you it'll be an interesting experience." Adrienne coughed painfully as the cold blood ran down her snout she tried to ignore the pain of her now bleeding body as she stepped further back eyeing the Empress no this was not how this was meant to end! She watched in disgust as Gabrielle looked in the Empress's direction meeting her gaze for just an instant, despite the shortness of the glance it was a very intense and meaning full stare.

She felt her teeth grind together as she spoke ignoring the pain in her bleeding jaw. "Why don't you tell the Empress about all about the androphonomania massacre Gabrielle?" She watched as surprise appeared in the dark haired woman's face she felt her cruel smile widen. "Oh so you haven't told her yet…oh how precious how long did you think you could hide it from her?" She eyed the Empress feeling the cold jealousy take over she had seen something in Gabrielle's eyes when she'd looked at her. It was a subtle look but she knew that look it was the look which she used to give Damokles in his company. It was a look of deep look of underlying affection it was the one look Gabrielle had never given her in all the time they'd been together but a look she'd always wanted to see on her face. The thought of the Empress receiving what she'd wanted so desperately made her feel sick to the stomach. She would make sure that the bitch wouldn't get that look ever again. "Tell her about all those people you killed Gabrielle, all those innocent people, men women and children who died in the name of Horn Hind." Xena breathed in deeply. "What is she talking about?"

Gabrielle eyed Adrienne feeling a blinding rage start to burn causing a painful knot to twist in her stomach. "She isn't talking about anything!" Adrienne smiled eyeing Gabrielle's position which was close to the window. She suddenly felt a cold smile form she would not be defeated or denied Gabrielle's defences were down now and she wasn't expecting anything more. "Oh yes I am, you remember the screaming don't you Gabrielle, you still hear it in your nightmares?" She tensed eyeing her bleeding ex lover. "You wake up covered in sweat because you can't stand it." Gabrielle felt a sneer form she was going to change this subject now to one which Adrienne would hate. "Tell me, what is the Imperial Councils master plan Adrienne?" She watched as the other woman blinked in surprise. "Yes I know all about it, your stupid little Roman cruentus creatura mentioned it but we both know she's not high enough up the ladder to know what the full plan is but I know that you do." Adrienne felt her clawed feet dig in to the marble floor. "I don't know of any master plan." Gabrielle breathed in raising her bloody clawed hand. "Don't lie to me! You know what the plan is and you're going to tell me what it is right now!" Adrienne eyed her feeling her cold smile widened. "I'll never tell you Gabrielle, It would spoil the surprise and besides the Council told me that if you asked this question, I was to make sure that the light died in yours eyes and I intend to do their bidding."

Gabrielle looked up in surprise only to watch as Adrienne ran towards her, her roar of anger hitting the air she raised her hand but she knew it was to late as the other woman raised her upper arm which wasn't broken as she slammed in to her using her full body weight. The next moment turned to chaos and pain as her clawed feet left the floor. Xena stared in horror as Gabrielle's body collided with the window smashing it apart sending shards of glass everywhere which hit Adrienne as the share momentum carried them both through the shattered window. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest of all the things she'd envisioned happening this was not one of them she ran towards the window watching helplessly as both Adrienne and Gabrielle plummeted towards the ground bellow. She could see the panic in Gabrielle's eyes even from this distance they were locked together and she couldn't pull herself free of the other woman. She found herself breaking in to a run as she ran towards the doors smashing them open ignoring Iona's surprise as she carried on running her panic intensify she had to get the lions quickly she had to do something, anything, it felt as though every breath she took she shouldn't be taking.

Thaleia turned to her mother they'd been walking the garden only to hear the sound of something shatter in the distance. "What was that?" Fedora looked up sharply. "That's glass." Thaleia turned meeting her gaze. "There isn't any glass in the palace though." Fedora breathed in sharply as she started to walk faster around the torch lit garden. "There is glass, it's in the dinning room on the top floor!" Thaleia breathed in sharply. "Gabrielle was meant to be meeting her ex lover in that room!" She found herself suddenly breaking in to a run watching as her mother followed her she turned the corner only to feel her heart stop at the scene in front of her as two werewolves locked together plunged downwards towards the grass in between the lions. She felt her stomach twist painfully as the brown werewolves head collided with one of the balconies as they carried on falling downwards they both collided with the right lion before smashing in to the floor separating as they were thrown apart violently. The brown werewolf's body went still even from a distance she could see the blood pouring down from a wound in the head, while Gabrielle lay on her side at the top end of the lion unmoving.

Gabrielle opened her eyes slowly and painfully everything was out of focus the pain in her body was making it even worse. She couldn't hear anything but a painful ringing in her ear. She put a clawed hand on her face groaning in pain, she couldn't see properly she eased herself slowly on to all fours stumbling forward not really caring which direction she was heading in. Tiara moved her scrubbing brush across the floor only to stop as she caught sight of Gabrielle walking towards her on all fours. She smiled only to feel her smile fade something was very wrong she could see blood dripping down from viscous wounds all over her body. She stood up instantly dropping her brush Gabrielle wasn't walking straight ether it was a disorientated walk as if she couldn't walk in a straight line. She moved forward watching as Gabrielle stopped opposite a pillar half leaning against it her eyes were looking at the floor but not really focusing on it clearly she was in shock at least the werewolf version of it.

She stopped in front of her seeing the glazed look in her green eyes. "Gabrielle?" She paused getting no reply. "Gabrielle can you hear me?" Gabrielle lowered her head feeling her stomach churn painfully she wasn't able to stop herself as she threw up. She felt the painful sting as the sound came back in to her ears she looked up as everything slowly came back in to focus and she realized where she was. She was now on the lower floor in the large room that had the two lions outside which led out in to the gardens she couldn't even remember how she'd gotten here. She put a clawed hand on her face staying on all fours she was so stupid she should have broken Adrienne's legs during the battle the bitch had always hated to loose. She looked down seeing that she'd lost her lunch she blinked realizing for the first time that some one was in fact talking to her. She could see Tiara standing over her calling her name the concern in her eyes. She looked up slowly trying to ignore the intense pain she was spoke. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean…to mess up your floor." Tiara blinked in surprise she was about to say something only to stop as the Empress smashed open the doors running in the panic and concern in her eyes as she moved towards Gabrielle. Gabrielle felt her clawed hand grab the pillar as she pulled herself up on to her hind legs. She forced a painful smile watching as the dark haired woman smiled back at her she felt the confusion hit home as her smile faded away and a look of shock appeared in her eyes.

Gabrielle blinked why was she looking at her like that? She followed her gaze looking down realizing why she looked so shocked, directly embedded in her chest was a bronze spike almost like a spear, she hadn't even seen it or even felt it because she'd been in shock. It had odd looking coils and what looked like two hidden blades on ether side, she breathed in sharply suddenly realizing that it was a coiled spring weapon which was at full tension and ready to snap. She eased up her clawed hand only to watch in horror as the spring mechanism fired causing both razor sharp blades to come flying out like wings on ether side which in turn caused the weapon to force its way fully in to her chest. The pain was blinding beyond words and all she could do was scream as she felt her clawed feet instantly buckle underneath her as she hit the floor hard on her back, she could taste blood in her mouth as she coughed in painfully. She could feel herself shivering this was bad she knew it and she could feel it. This wasn't like any wound she suffered before she could feel its blade deep inside her chest and her lungs were starting to burn she closed her eyes wanting nothing more than for the agony to end.

End of part 66

Silvermoonlight.

Hi guys just a note to say that over the next four to five weeks I'm moving home so my updates might not be as frequent, though I will try my best and try to fix all grammar issues as best I can and try to get updates out as best I can.