Echoes in My Mind

Chapter 14: Enemy Territory

My mind raced as the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place. "That's why you've been so interested in me," I said to Fane. "Ever since we met…"

The vampire nodded solemnly. "When I first laid eyes on you in the Professor's library," he replied, "it was all I could do to refrain myself from showing my astonishment. I thought my senses were deceiving me. The resemblance is remarkable."

I glanced back up at the portrait of the young woman on the wall. He was right; it was like looking in a mirror.

"But it goes far beyond the physical appearance, Miss Amber," he continued. "Everything about you: your personality, your mannerisms, your shy nature…"

As I took a step back, I bumped against a side table, knocking over a small picture. I glanced down and gasped as I saw the drawing inside the frame; a bouquet of roses… just like the ones I drew in Ratigan's garden.

"…Even your artist abilities," Fane added. "Just like my Adrianna."

I recalled Fane's reaction to seeing my drawing of the rose when we were in Ratigan's garden, how shocked and amazed he had seemed. After seeing this picture made by Adrianna, it made sense why he acted that way. Fane had seemed to take an even greater interest in me that day, asking about things such as my home, how old I was… I suddenly realized that Adrianna must have been the "friend" he was referring to when he said they shared the same birthday as me.

Fane sighed and shook his head sadly. "You've no idea the pain and suffering I have endured all these years." Fists clenched by his sides, a pained expression crossed his face and when he looked up again I was shocked to see tears in his eyes. When he spoke again his voice shook with emotion. "What good is being immortal when you have to spend an eternity alone? It is a fate infinitely worse than death."

For some strange reason, I couldn't help feeling just a tiny bit sorry for the poor mouse. He was a bit like Ratigan in that respect. Even if he was a criminal, a monster… no one deserved to be alone. I couldn't imagine being separated from Basil forever. The thought terrified me.

Chills went down my spine as he suddenly let out a mirthless chuckle. "But I have paid for my sins long enough." My heart fluttered in fear as Fane stepped toward me, a dark gleam in his red eyes. "I've spent decades… nay, centuries… searching for you, Amber."

As Fane gazed down at me, I felt as if I would drown in those dark, haunting eyes. "Fane, listen to me," I insisted, backing further away from him. "I'm sorry for what happened to you both… no deserves that. But I'm not Adrianna."

"But you are her doppelganger," Fane replied, "and therefore the only one who can help me. Since I first gazed into your eyes-the same deep, dark, intelligent orbs as my love's- I knew you were the one."

"The one for what?" I whispered, though I dreaded to know the answer. I suddenly felt my back against a wall and found myself trapped. I shivered as Fane reached up and brushed a stray curl away from my face.

"The one who will free Adrianna's soul."

I gulped nervously, though I tried to hide the fact that I was trembling slightly. "You said there was a spell to bring her back. So what do you need me for?"

"Because the spell will only work with a doppelganger."

The more I heard about this "spell," the more my fear grew. I already felt like I was about to start hyperventilating.

"T-There must be another way—" I stammered.

"Don't you think if there was another way that I would have tried it already?!" Fane suddenly shouted, his normally handsome features twisted into a snarl. Having never seen him act this way, I was shocked and terrified by the outburst. But he instantly regretted it and turned away, sighing tiredly as he ran a hand through his hair. "My apologies, Miss Amber. But wouldn't you be willing to go to any lengths, do anything in your power, to be reunited with the one you love?"

"Yes," I whispered softly, wishing Basil was there with me right now.

"Then perhaps you understand my situation."

He had a point. I probably would have done the same thing if I were in his position. "When..." I had to stop and swallow the lump in my throat. "When will you do the… the spell?"

"Tonight."

So soon. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. I wouldn't even have a chance to tell Basil goodbye; to tell him I loved him…

I felt Fane's hands rest on my shoulders. "I am sorry that it has come to this," he said quietly.

Not sorry enough to not go through with it, I thought bitterly, pulling away from him only to be grasped firmly by my arms and held in place.

"The spell will require a great deal of power," Fane continued, tilting my face up to look at him. "and I will need all my strength to perform the ritual. How fitting it would be for your blood- the blood of the doppelganger," he added, his red eyes taking on a dark hue, "to provide me with the power I need."

My eyes widened as his meaning sunk in. I pulled away again and made a dash for the door, but gasped as Fane grabbed my wrist and pulled me back to him. "No, l-let me go-!" I demanded, all to no avail. I then cried out as his fangs sank into my flesh. "S-Stop…" I whispered, beginning to struggle again, but Fane's hands snaked around my waist to hold me firmly in place. With my back against his broad chest, I tried to pull his hands away to get free, but to no avail. "Fane, stop," I pleaded. "Please…"

The world around us faded, and all I was conscious of was him holding me in his strong arms. Sensing a dark fearful shadow wrapping around my mind, one similar to the one I experienced when being compelled by Ratigan, though much bigger and radiating an infinitely darker and more ancient evil, a panicked scream began to build up in my throat. However, I was silenced as Fane whirled me around and pressed his lips to mine. It was an equally soft yet forceful and almost desperate kiss, as if he were afraid to lose me.

This can't be happening… it's all a dream, please let it be a dream…

As my legs gave out beneath me, Fane gathered me up in his arms. Carrying me over to a sofa in front of the fireplace, he gently lowered me down onto my back and brought his mouth down to my neck again as he hovered over me. I placed my hands against his chest in a feeble attempt to push him off, but was too weak to do so. After what seemed like an eternity, he raised his head and sighed deeply, his thirst apparently satisfied. I was vaguely aware of him raising me up slightly and sitting down, holding me in his arms. I watched in confusion as he unbuttoned his shirt and then, to my horror, made a cut below his collarbone with a sharp claw, causing blood to flow freely. As he cradled my head against him, he compelled me to drink… and I was powerless to refuse.

…..

As the wind howled through the trees, I drew the collar of my coat up higher to shield my face from the cold. I wore old worker's clothes beneath my large gray overcoat, not risking the possibility that I would be too recognizable in my Inverness coat and deerstalker hat. I hadn't slept in well over twenty-four hours. Even if I had had the chance, I knew I wouldn't be able to knowing that Amber was in such danger. Instead my mind was tortured by the thought that she was now in the clutches of Fane cel Rau.

After finally reaching the Count's homeland, we had spent some time among the locals trying to learn more about the vampire, who had quite the reputation here in Romania. From the legends and stories they told us, it was clear that he was feared throughout the land. They told us he lived on the mountain overlooking the village, but no one seemed to know the exact location, and the few who had found it had never returned.

We considered hiring a guide to take us at least partway up the mountain, but we wanted no attention drawn to ourselves, and from the way they spoke of the vampire it was clear that no one would be willing to guide us on such an endeavor in the first place. And so we found ourselves hiking up the mountain in search of the vampire's lair.

Our little group paused for a brief rest. Trudging through the snow at this high altitude was difficult work and was taking its toll on our bodies. However I paced back and forth restlessly, anxious to be on our way again as time was of the essence. Breathing raggedly and feeling as if a panic attack were about to take over, I felt Dawson's comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Hang in there, chap," he said softly. "We'll get her back." The exact words I had said to him during the Flaversham case when Fidget had kidnapped Olivia in the human toyshop. I turned and regarded the mouse smiling up at me encouragingly. I never give Dawson enough credit. In times when I was at my lowest state, there he was to pick me up again. A brave military veteran with the kindest heart of anyone I had ever met, he was so much more than my most trusted and loyal colleague and biographer… he was my best friend.

"Thank you, Dawson," I replied with a grateful smile.

Ratigan, who had been scouting ahead, soon returned with a scowl on his face.

"Any luck?" Janssen asked.

"He's near," the rat replied with a nod. "But if I can sense him, that means he's sure to sense me as well. He'll know we're coming."

"So much for the element of surprise," Damien remarked sardonically.

"He'll most likely be expecting us," Janssen admitted, "but Ratigan is our only connection to him." He gestured ahead with a grim smile. "Lead the way, Professor."

As we resumed our journey, a thought that had been lingering in the back of my mind was brought to the forefront again. This connection Ratigan had to Fane could actually prove to be our demise. What if the Count was in fact controlling him now, luring us into his trap? What if he turned on us? He was my enemy after all. He had spent years trying to destroy me. Here in a foreign country deep in the woods where there was no shortage of places to hide a body; this would be the perfect opportunity to get rid of me once and for all.

"Please, Basil," came a chuckling voice from behind me, causing me to jump in surprise, "if I really wanted to get rid of you, I'd have ripped out your heart when I found you sticking your nose into my business as usual."

"How did-? Ugh, never mind," I trailed off, massaging my temples as my head pounded from a migraine. "So why haven't you killed me yet? You've certainly had plenty of opportunities."

"For the same reason you asked for my help. As much as I hate to admit it, your intelligence nearly equals my own." I rolled my eyes at that statement, my fur bristling at his use of the word nearly. "And two minds such as ours will stand a better chance against Fane if we face him together. And besides… Amber is counting on us."

We walked on in silence for a few moments before Ratigan spoke up again.

"I am truly sorry she got mixed up in all this," the rat admitted, much to my surprise. "I know you don't trust me—as well you shouldn't," he added. "But I honestly had no idea that Fane would involve her. She was not part of our bargain." Ratigan clutched his fists tightly in anger. Perhaps he really did care for Amber as I did. Either way, if he hadn't kidnapped her she wouldn't be in such danger—

No. If she had never met me, she wouldn't be in this mess to begin with. However, I pushed the thought aside to focus on the task at hand, and was glad for the distraction as Ratigan continued.

"I've been wary of the Count since we first met," he said. "But stupidly, I ignored my suspicions about him and let him inside my domain. I only allied myself with him thinking that I could use him, that he would help me gain more power; but the tables have turned."

I nodded, knowing that Ratigan was used to being the one in control, not the other way around. "Not so fun being a pawn is it?"

With a snort of annoyance, Ratigan threw a glare in my direction. "Don't push me, detective," he warned. "Just because I agreed to help doesn't mean I won't hesitate to sink my fangs into your scrawny neck."

"If you two lovebirds are done," Damien interjected, folding his arms over his chest and tapping his foot impatiently, "I think it's about time we come up with a plan of attack."

"Damien is right," Janssen agreed. "This is no ordinary vampire we're dealing with. If the stories told by the locals are true, Fane is one of the oldest, most powerful vampires to ever walk the earth. We need to be prepared for the battle ahead."

We certainly had no shortage of weapons among the five of us. We were each armed with wooden stakes and guns loaded with silver bullets. But Janssen spoke of preparing ourselves mentally as well.

Suddenly Ratigan stiffened, pausing to sniff the air curiously as his ears twitched as if he had heard something.

"Do you sense him, Professor?" Janssen asked excitedly. The rat only nodded with grunt in response, the fur on the back of his neck standing on end and a wild look appearing in his eyes. "Then we must be close," Janssen responded, shifting the quiver of silver-tipped arrows and crossbow on his back as his pace increased towards our target.

After what seemed like an eternity, at last a dark structure loomed out of the darkness ahead of us. Fane's castle was a veritable fortress, its tall towers jutting up into the sky, casting dark shadows from the setting sun.

"Prepare yourselves, gentlemen," Janssen remarked quietly, starring up at the castle with a determined look in his eyes. "Once we enter the demon's lair, there is no turning back."

Whether he believed that Maria was still alive and being held prisoner by Fane or not, it was hard to tell. But one thing was certain as the hunter starred up at the castle; he would exact revenge for his fiancé. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered if Amber had suffered the same fate… No, I couldn't think like that. I had to keep my head clear.

"Then let's not waste time," Ratigan said, echoing my sentiments exactly as he once again took the lead.

…

It wasn't long before we found ourselves inside the fortress. Using a secret passageway Ratigan somehow found, we were able to gain entrance without being discovered. However, the place was crawling with guards. We tried to remain hidden as much as possible; but if confronted, we were forced to fight our way through.

During one particular scuffle, Ratigan and I became separated from the other, and I found myself standing back to back with my mortal enemy. I would have laughed at the irony if not surrounded by six other bloodthirsty vampires. Ratigan's true form came out as he fought our adversaries, a snarling, raging monster. I shuddered as I was reminded of the Big Ben incident, and was thankful that this time, he was on our side.

Just as I shot the last guard, I paused to rest, leaning against the wall for support as I panted heavily. "Not bad, Professor," I remarked, half joking. However, I was cut short as a clawed hand wrapped around my throat and I was lifted into the air.

"Ratigan? W-What are you doing?!"

"What the Master commanded me to do," he replied, his voice a low hiss, eyes seeming to glaze over.

I knew it. He was being controlled by Fane.

"You… y-you traitor-!" was all I managed to shout just before a searing pain erupted in my skull.

"Find the others," I heard Ratigan instruct the guards as the world began to fade around me. "And destroy them."

….

I groaned as I finally came to, wincing as my head throbbed with pain. I tried to sit up, but found that I couldn't move very well because my hands were shackled above my head, chaining me to the wall. Perfect, I thought disgustedly as my thoughts began to catch up with me.

I should have seen this coming. Why had I ever trusted him? He was a criminal… No, the world's greatest criminal mind, and I should have expected no better. Although… he was being controlled by the Count. Perhaps he couldn't help it. He did tend to lose control of himself when he was angry… in fact, that could very well be how Fane had gotten such a hold over him. Either way, I had trusted him to help us. He was our one hope in stopping Fane. Now that was gone as well.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I surveyed my surroundings and found that I was in what appeared to be an ancient dungeon, smelling of dust and decay. The only light came from the moon as it shone through a small window high up on the wall near the ceiling, and there was another small window on the wooden door. I shivered from the cold, realizing that my overcoat and hat were gone, leaving me only in my shirt, trousers, and work boots. Feeling an eerie sense as if I were being watched, I glanced about hastily and started when I heard chuckling come from one corner of the room.

As two ladies stepped out of the shadows and approached me, I recognized them as being two of the ones who attacked us. One had soft light brown hair that fell in ringlets down her back, and she wore a dark red dress and golden bangles on her wrists. The other, with raven black hair and piercing dark eyes, appeared to be Egyptian, wearing a long white dress accented with gold jewelry.

"Aw, how lost and helpless he looks, Acenith," said the brown haired one, her voice a sultry tone with what sounded like a Romanian accent.

"Yes," replied the other with a smirk, "and so deliciously handsome."

"What did you do with Dawson and the others?" I demanded, pulling at my bonds.

"Don't fret, darling," replied the first, smiling wickedly. "Your little friends will be joining you shortly."

"For now…" the dark haired one replied, kneeling down beside me, "Nadya and I will just have to settle for you." She reached up and caressed my cheek, and I recoiled instantly, turning my head. "Now, now, we'll have none of that," she reprimanded firmly, grabbing my chin and turning my head back to face her.

"Just relax," Nadya said, sitting in front of me, placing her hands on my chest and pressing me firmly against the wall. "You're not going anywhere for a while."

"What do you want?" I asked, feeling very uncomfortable at the closeness.

"You."

My eyes widened as she began unbuttoning my shirt. The chains on my wrists rattled as I renewed my struggles. I would never strike out at a lady, but these were no ordinary women. I kicked out at them, but in return was viciously backhanded across the face.

"They always fight in the beginning," Acenith remarked with an amused laugh.

"It wouldn't hurt so badly if you would just give in," said Nadya, tilting my head back forcefully and hovering over my neck.

"N-Never," I hissed through clenched teeth.

"Suit yourself."

I braced myself, but it wasn't enough to prepare me for the pain as her fangs sank into my throat. I let out a hoarse yell, but was silenced as Acenith placed her lips on mine. My eyes widened in shock; I had never kissed anyone other than Amber and then only a handful of times. Ours kisses had been full of love and passion; this kiss was possessive, invading. I tried to turn my head, but let out a muffled yelp of pain as Acenith bit down on my bottom lip, drawing blood. But even that wasn't enough to distract me from the pain on my throat.

"Where… w-where is...Amber?" I stuttered, struggling to form a coherent sentence.

"Don't worry," Acenith replied, trailing a hand down the side of my face. "I'm sure Master Fane is taking good care of her."

I strained against the chains holding me. "Y-You won't get away with- A-ahh…!" I cried out as Nadya dragged her nails down my exposed chest. I shuddered as she ran her tongue across the wounds, licking the blood.

"In case you haven't noticed," Acenith remarked, pulling down my sleeve, "we get whatever we want." I tried unsuccessfully to stifle a groan as she bit down on my forearm.

The rest was a blur of pain, with hands roaming across my torso, fingers tangled in my hair, teeth sinking into my flesh and tongues lapping up my spilt blood. A horrible, yet terrifyingly real nightmare.

Author's Note: Whew, so sorry it took so long to update. Work and all... Had some trouble with dialogue, but hopefully it worked out ok.

And I had WAY too much fun writing that last scene... I'm evil, I know ^^

The Great Mouse Detective and characters (c)Eve Titus and Disney
Amber, Fane, Janssen, Damien, Acenith, Nadya, and Maria (c) Me
Please don't use my characters without permission