Chapter 3

"Hmm very interesting." Kraus was in his private lab looking over the samples from the two girls with a microscope. He pressed the button on the tape recorder next to his work station that he used to document anything he found out.

"There seems to be more to the Smith girls than meets the eye. On examination of their blood I found four components. Red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and and unknown component that I have never seen in humans or fey folk. Though the amount is relatively small it is still there and tests should be administered to find it's purpose. Could this be the 'power' the alpha werewolf spoke of?" He stopped the recorder for a second to put the two vials of blood into the mixer that would separate the different materials of the blood. He put away his microscope and grabbed two more vials that he would use to collect the unknown substances. The machine beeped signalling it was done and Johann carefully poured the clear contents into the new vials.

"Hello Dr. Kraus how is it going?"Abe came in the room with a few books.

"Good I have isolated a mystery substance in the girls blood."

"Really may I have a look?"

"Please you may be able to tell what it is." He said and Abe took off his glove and took one of the vials.

"Oh this is definately strange I've never seen anything like this."

"Neither have I but its more likely than not what the wolves were talking about."

"I'm not sure about that. It doesn't seem like there is a lot here and I'm not feeling any sort of charge or anything that I associate with magic or anything like it."

"But the alpha did say the power would be miniscule."

"You have a point there." Abe said and handed it back to Kraus who took it and handed him the other one which got the same result. They brainstormed for a minute on what it could be when Red walked in with one of his cats on his shoulder.

"What's up?"He said and sat on one of the stools. They filled him in on the events."Weird. You think they're like Liz?"

"Perhaps anything is possible. This might be a family trait too we should look in further to this."Johann said. Hellboy reached for one of the vials but dropped it.

"God dang it." He said.

"Get it!Its heading for the transformer!"Kraus said but it was too late. The vial had rolled to the transformer used in many experiments and was promptly shocked with a large amount of wattage.

"Sorry."

"Don't worry I don't think we could have picked up anything from the sample anyway. I believe we've reached a dead end." Johann got a pair of rubber tongs and picked it up,"What in the world?"

The substance which was once clear was now glowing a light blue.

"Merow."Hellboys cat had jumped off his shoulder and walked up to Kraus and just sat down staring at him. He moved the vial back and forth in front of it and watched as it followed its every move.

"Interesting is it just responding to the glowing?" Kraus asked.

"Let me see it again." Abe said and was handed the vial," I take back what I said. It's still like nothing I've ever felt but there is definitely power now and not electrical either."

"Hmm it seems to have some kind of affect on your cat." Kraus said to Red who just nodded and watched the cat stare intently at the vial. Heavy knocking sounded at the door and Kraus told them to come in. The door opened and a flood of cats came through the door all presumably from Hellboy's room along with a disgruntled Liz, Nuala, and Nuada.

"Your infernal cats stampeded through the halls."Nuada said irritated,"Could you bear to control them."

"Hey it's not my fault its..." Kraus shushed him and took the vial back from Abe. He shook it in front of the heard of cats faces and everyone watched as they followed it as if mesmerized.

"So what it's a vial of extra strength catnip?"Liz asked.

"According to the label it's a mysterious substance in Miss Arianna Smiths blood."Kraus said," It seemed to activate after Hellboy dropped it into the transformer."

"I've never seen anything like this."Nuala said as Kraus grabbed the other vial and dropped it in the electrical current.

"Is that what those wolves talked about?" Liz had taken grabbed the vial and was slowly walking around the room as the cats followed her."This is really weird."

"Hmm Miss Penelopes blood doesn't seem to work."Kraus had the other vial and none of the cats seemed very interested in him.

"Its glowing a different color than the other one is." Abe said,"It could do something different."

"Possibly we'll have to look into it. Everyone sit." Kraus said. A crash and what sounds like a curse in an unknown language. Everyone looks to see the Elven prince and princess flat on their asses with bewildered looks.

"Stand up?" They stood up seemingly against there will.

"Ok then so the other girls blood controls Elven royalty, good to know." Liz said.

"Can I see that one?" Red asked.

"Do not give it to him." Nuada said.

The agent named Myers, who we learned was the librarian, had been called into the hall by another agent and we were left alone.

Somethings off P.

Why do you say that?

I don't know hunters instinct I guess but something feels weird.

"Well it looks like you two are free to go." Myers said when he came back in,"Right this way we've prepared a car to take you back to the city." We walked with the librarian and I could feel Artie getting more and more on edge and it was starting to worry me. We reached an elevator and took it up to a higher level. I had no Idea how big this place was. Once there we saw the man Manning with piles of paperwork on table and he was trying to calm down a barking doberman.

"Ahh hello girls we'll get you out of here as soon as I get this paperwork done."He said,"Spike down!"

"Trouble with your dog?"I asked.

"He just doesn't want to listen." The dog knocked over the papers and Manning groaned,"Maybe you should stay for a minute longer while I calm him down."

For the love of...That's it I've had enough P watch out.

"Sitzen!"Artie said in a firm voice. The dog instantly stopped barking and sat down.

"How'd you do that?" Manning asked slightly wide-eyed.

"I've had dobermans before. German works best for training. The language of discipline." She replied. He just nodded and began collecting the paperwork.

Maybe now we can get something done.

I smiled a bit but no one noticed. I watched him get out a pen and he began to ask us questions while he filled them out. I noticed there was something in his ear but I couldn't tell what it was I needed to get closer. I walked over to the dog and kneeled next to it and began to pet him. Manning glanced down at me and I looked up at him letting some hair drop from my face.

"He's a very cute dog." I said.

"Oh! Ah, thank you." He said and went back to his work.

What are you doing?

I see something i'm trying to get a closer look.

I glanced up through my hair and added a bit of power to my eyes. It looked like a little piece of metal but why would he have metal in his ear. I asked Artie this.

It's an ear-bud someone's talking to him through it. This might be bad I used my power to shut up the mutt hopefully they'll buy the German thing. Can you probe his mind or try to find the people telling him what to say and tap into their thoughts you're better at linking with non-family members.

I'll try.

I sent out a little power too Manning and found out that his informers were on the other side of the wall prepared to capture us if something happened. There were several strange life forces and I assumed it was those supernatural creatures that saved us. If I concentrated I could hear their conversation.

They could be doing it completely without conscience and have no control over it.

Or they could not have any powers to begin with.

But what their blood did Brother they must have something.

I pulled out and sent a thought on what happened to Artie who wasn't very happy.

Well I guess they can't really prove anything. They got our blood to work somehow but if they think we don't even know what we can do they should let us go.

I was pulled out of the connection by a loud buzzing alarm with blinking lights that turned the room crimson in short bursts.

"Warning warning break out in sector 3"

"That's where we are." Manning said. A loud bang was heard and the iron door to the room shook. More bangs and it began to dent under the force of blows from and unseen enemy. Artie pushed me down of the floor. The door suddenly flew across the room and a hulking beast walked through.

"Free me from my curse." It was a Minotaur a horrible half-man half-bull,"You have the power to do it." It was looking at us and could possible blow our cover.

"We just can't get a break today can we?" Artie mumbled under her breath.

"Free me from my curse!" It shouted and the walls shook.

"What are you all talking about! First the wolves now the freaky bull thing! What power!" She shouted.

"Don't play dumb." The beast snarled,"You can fool the mortals but not me. I know exactly who you are Huntress and Trapped One." Artie and I froze. I reached out to see if the ones in the other room had heard.

Well? Did they hear?

The locks on the door had been busted by the Minotaur and they were trapped in the other room and had heard him. I told Artie this and she cussed under her breath.

"I will not be ignored!" The Minotaur charged and she pulled me with her across the room as it buried it's horns three inches into the steal walls. She sighed and stood up while it tried to pry itself out.

"Get down!" Agent Myers said.

"Peace human it couldn't harm us even if it tried. P check on the people in the other room." Artie said. The biggest one was ramming the door trying to get it open.

"They're coming." I said and she just nodded. Screeching metal and the Minotaur was out. She took my hand and we ran around with it chasing us. I would have laughed at the sight if it had been anyone but me. A gunshot sounded through the room and the people from the alley poured into the room most with weapons and one on fire.

"Ok you overgrown cow time to eat lead." The red one said.

"Why do you attack me they are the threat!" It shouted and pointed at us and I tried to look pathetic and harmless but Artie met the Minotaur stare with ferocity.

"Silence creature you know not the forces you're dealing with." She said. So our pretenses fall now. She held up her hand and the air around it shimmered and a light formed in her hand. It faded and revealed a bow made of silver. Another shimmer and an arrow appeared in her hand which she notched. The Minotaur took a step towards her and she let it fly. It embedded itself into the steel wall above its head.

"Warning shot unnatural beast next one strikes true." She said.

Well all hell's broke loose. I honestly didn't think I'd be here when I woke up this morning staring down a Minotaur surrounded by mortals who wanted to experiment on us. Thousands of years and nothing like this has happened to our family. I can practically hear my brothers insults now but it can't be avoided I guess.

"Can you run to the exit." I murmured at 'Penelope'. Why we had to hide I'd never known. We use to be able to walk freely but now we can't even speak our own names.

"They are blocking the way sister." She said. Half-sisters to clarify though most of my family is half-brothers and sisters.

"Then I'll get them to move. Use your power to find the outside and I'll follow you."

"Ok." She moved closer to the wall as I stalked the half-man beast.

"I have to say I'm shocked mere humans were able to keep you locked up." I said to it.

"I hardly have reason to fight look at me trapped here. No one to kill to stop my pain like I use to have. I might as well rot here." It said,"But now you two are here and beings such as yourselves can break my curse."

"A rather talkative murder aren't you well let me remedy that." I hopped onto a table and used it to jump closer to the beast. I shot my arrow aiming for his lungs. His right arm came up at the last second and took the blow. I muttered a curse under my breath and notched another arrow.

"What are you doing standing there get them!" That annoying human Manning said. After a glare or two the warriors sprang into action. Wonderful. I saw the male elf inch towards Penelope while the fish-man and demon headed towards the Minotaur leaving a woman with black hair and the female elf to me. First order of business get Penelope out of here. If they put us in here hopefully this was the place to get to the outside. I looked at a wall and noticed a complicated looking machine. There was a part that seemed attached to the ceiling, I noticed that part was slitted. Must be some kind of platform that goes up to the next floor.

Where is outside?

We're underground but not to far.

Ok you see that little control panel in the corner?

Yes.

Go to it and figure out how it works tap into someone's mind if you have too. Then get on it once it comes down.

Ok how do I get past this man though?

Leave that part to me.

I turned around fast and shot at the elf. He moved out of the way and she ran as fast as she could to the other side of he room. I ran after her after a half-hearted shot at the black haired woman. She burst into flames and melted it and I made a mental note not to stand too close to that one. Lucky for me the Minotaur decided to charge and it distracted the warriors from us.

"Have you got it yet?" I asked her and she pulled down a lever. The sound of screeching metal hit my ears and the platform began to lower.

"You will not get away that easily!" Minotaur again just doesn't seem to know when to quit. I turned and hit the lever again and I broke the handle. I pulled Penelope on with me as it began to rise. It didn't raise quick enough and the beast jumped on with us.

"I'm very tired of you." I said. Two arrows and it was on the ground nursing both it's shins. The machine ground to a stop. I looked over the side and saw the fire-starter had melted the tracks and now the demon and elf were coming up.

"Even more tired of you people." I muttered we were about 15 feet from the top. I grabbed Penelope and threw her up there as the two reached where we were.

"Freeze you freaky super soldier chick." The demon said. I dropped my bow and it faded back into white light and disappeared. I held up my hands in the surrender gesture before dropping them to my sides.

"And who exactly are you two?" I asked calling forth two more arrows behind my back.

"I'm agent Hellboy or Red whichever you prefer and this is Prince Nuada and you're coming with us." The demon said.

"With all due respect Mr. Hellboy there's no way that's going to happen." I jumped up and over the Minotaur putting it between us.

"You know Minotaur I won't be able to cure you if these people keep coming after me and my sister. Get rid of them and I'll get rid of your curse." I put a little bit of my power into it and he was on his feet and going at them full speed. He tackled into Hellboy and sent them flying off the platform unfortunately the Prince got out of the way.

"Well looks like it's just me and you now Nuada." I said.

"What are you? Humans? Fey folk?" He asked twirling his two swords and getting ready to attack.

"Something much older my dear." I summoned my bow and pulled the arrows out and fired them in quick succession. He dodged and blocked them and came at me. I pulled a sword out of the air and met his blows. I managed to knock one of his weapons out of his hand and gave him a good cut on the arm holding the other one. I heard a cry from below and saw the female elf clutch her arm which was bleeding.

"Brother!" She shouted and it took me less than a few seconds to piece together what happened. Of course! The royal Elven twins that are said to be bonded together! I don't know how I didn't figure this out sooner.

"Would you sacrifice you sisters life to follow the orders of the annoying human?" I asked him,"Back down and I'll cause you no harm."

"Never." He said and sheathed his sword. I was confused until his pulled out a spear. Silverlance indeed I thought when he came at me with renewed strength. I'd have to finish him quick or he might get the upper hand. The Minotaur picked this moment to jump back on the platform which sent the prince sprawling and knocked his weapon out of his hand. I walked up to him and kicked it out of his reach. I picked him up and slammed him on his back onto the ground with all my strength. He dented the metal and let out a grunt as the wind was knocked out of his lungs. I put one foot on his chest and held him down while I got a dagger from his belt and raised it over my head.

"You die here Prince Nuada Silverlance. I beg for your unfortunate sisters forgiveness." As I brought it down hands stopped me. I turned and saw Penelope holding me back.

"Artie stop!"She shouted.

"What do you expect me to do? They're chasing us like game animals." I snarled at her. She ignored me and knelt next to him. He grabbed her wrist and she didn't so much as flinch but her eyes glow green.

"Release me and stay still until I'm done." She said with a calming voice laced with her power. He dropped his hand and sat still looking shocked. She grabbed the arm I'd hurt and placed a hand over the wound. It glowed green and I knew she was healing him.

"Go down there and keep your friends busy for as long as possible. Kill no one and make sure they stay away long enough for us to get outside." She finished with her healing and walked over to the place where the spear had landed.

"You're too soft." I said to her,"They'll come for us."

"And if you kill them then I will still have to deal with them." Point taken. She walked to the prince with his spear and he was shaking with effort to break her control. She grabbed his hand and gently placed the spear in it. She stepped back and gave him a little push like a mother bird with her chicks and he was off. I saw him head for the fish-man and take a swipe at him much to his sisters surprise. I turned and pulled P with me to a ladder she must of used to get down.

"Wait we had a deal!" The Minotaur, I'm so sick of hearing it.

"Deals off." I whipped around and shot at it. It landed right in it's murderous heart. I followed up Penelope to the next level which looked to be some kind of hallway.

"Artie this way!" She had found a door to the outside and was waving me over. We ran out and were met by a large field with a lake beyond it.

"We should have turned him into a human." She said and I saw remorse in her eyes.

"Even if we had the power it would have been impossible." I said,"His soul is tainted with innocent blood, the transformation would have turned him into something even more horrible."

"Perhaps your right but you didn't have to kill him."

"I've done worse and so had he probably. He should be lucky he's only dieing and not paying for his crimes. This way we can get back to city and hide there until morning." I went east and she followed me. The moon had gone down long ago and the sky was the dark before the dawn.

"We must move quickly." I said. She just nodded and looked back at the manor we had come from. She muttered something which I recognized as a protection spell.

"Whats with that?"

"Just a little apology." She said and walked quicker to keep up with me. One of these days she's going to have to give up her compassion. You'd think He would have taken it away by now. My fist clenched at the thought. Then again maybe this thing she holds onto will pay off for her.

Wahhooooo another chapter probably destroyed everyones point of view and what the would say especially Hellboy.I've also noticed each chapter seems to get longer which is actually a good thing for me. well review tell me how Im doing.