Echoes in my Mind

Chapter 16: Reunion

Minutes later, I followed Fane down a long aisle in a huge cathedral like room lit only by the orange light from torches and lanterns on the wall and tall golden candlesticks on the floor. I glanced about nervously to find scores of rodents gathered for the occasion. Fane's servants, slaves, and loyal subjects; all watching my every move. However, everyone went down on one knee as we passed, bowing reverently either to me or Fane, or both; I couldn't be sure. I recognized Maria among them, who gazed at me sympathetically; even Ratigan was there, his eyes a bit glazed over as if he were hypnotized. Fane's grip on him was becoming even stronger. I briefly wondered where Fane's ladies were, since they were his most loyal followers and I couldn't see them anywhere, but then I remembered that Dawson and the others were still here, so they must be searching for them. I sincerely hoped that no harm would come to them. I would never forgive myself if they were to get hurt because of me…

However, all my thoughts were disrupted when we passed several guards who as they knelt shoved another mouse down with them, pushing him onto his knees. The mouse struggled in their grip, but he didn't stand much of a chance with his hands bound behind his back, and the guards held him firmly in place, forcing him to kneel as well.

Although Fane continued to walk forward, I stopped dead in my tracks when I realized the mouse was Basil. I was frozen in place, completely petrified with fear. However, when he looked up and my eyes met his, I could contain myself no longer. Before Fane could stop me I sprinted to where Basil sat kneeling on the floor. I fell down in front of him and, catching his face in my hands, pressed my lips to his. Normally I would have never done such an impulsive gesture; but I had to let him know how I felt before it was too late. And so I poured my feelings, my very being, into that final, desperate, passionate kiss. But all too soon I felt strong hands grab me from behind, and with tears streaming down my face, I met those dark emerald green eyes one last time before we were wrenched apart.

I thrashed weakly in the grip of the guards as they dragged me back to Fane. Basil renewed his struggles as well, fighting even harder to get free. But I was even more shocked when Ratigan suddenly bounded forward with a growl and swiped with those huge claws while pulling me away from them. Several of the onlookers murmured nervously and a few screamed in fright. However, Fane's voice rang out loudly above the commotion.

"Ajunge!"

The professor, still compelled by the vampire, had no choice but to obey and froze in place, though continuing to hold on to me protectively. I glanced up to see him direct such a look of hatred at the Count that would have made any normal rodent flee in fear. With his ears pinned back against his head, a pained expression came over his face.

"I…I'm sorry," he said quietly, hanging his head in shame. "If I hadn't—"

"Padraic…don't," I whispered, interrupting him. I couldn't stand the way he and Basil were blaming themselves, especially when it was all my fault. I was the one Fane wanted. I had gotten us all into this mess. Since they were in involved with me, that made them targets as well. I wished I could just go back in time and undo all the chaos that had been caused. All I could do now was just cooperate… surrender… so that no one else would get hurt.

As Ratigan released me and stepped back in place, kneeling again with the others, I finally turned back to the Count. Facing my fears, I took a deep breath and held my head up, determined to at least put on a brave front; though I couldn't stop myself from trembling as I walked the last few steps toward Fane, where he waited on the platform with a small smile on his face, holding his hand out to me. I never thought myself to be a violent person, but never in my life had I hated someone as much as I loathed that mouse at that moment. However, there was nothing I could do about it.

It looked like he would win after all.

…

I sat in shock for a few moments after that kiss, my mind refusing to accept the truth. It was the most passionate, most emotional kiss Amber and I had ever shared, and it was over all too soon. However, when I saw that even Ratigan himself was unable to help her, I renewed my struggles but was still held firmly in place by the guards. I opened my mouth to shout at Fane, but my cries of protest were suddenly muffled by a cloth being tied around my mouth.

I looked off to the side to see if Ratigan was faring any better, but he sat crouching on his knees and clutching his head in his hands, veins standing out from his neck as he strained to overcome Fane's bond to him. However, it seemed as if we would both be forced to watch as this fiend carried out his nefarious plans for Amber.

Despite squaring her shoulders and holding her chin up bravely, she looked so small, so fragile, next to the creature as she gingerly placed her trembling hand in his before he led her up the steps to the platform.

Like a lamb being led to the slaughter.

Once she had joined him Fane snapped his fingers briskly, and a collared slave who was standing nearby immediately stepped forward at the unspoken command. The slave's brown hair fell into his face as he knelt reverently, holding up an ornately carved box, trembling slightly as he did so. The Count opened the box and carefully removed a necklace from inside. The black metal was crafted to look like delicate lace, and was adorned with a single ruby jewel that almost seemed to glow in the candlelight. Amber shivered as he placed the necklace around her throat and laid his hands on her bare shoulders; hands that could just have easily have snapped her neck. Fane turned her around so that she was facing him and brushed a lock of hair away from her face.

"It's time."

Amber nodded, closing her eyes and awaiting her fate. Fane turned slightly and began to read aloud from a book propped on a stand beside them. He spoke in an unknown language; whatever it was, he appeared to be reciting some ancient text. Sometimes he would say it from memory, as if he had practiced, but at times he would consult the book to be sure. It seemed he was reciting some kind of spell for the ritual Amber had mentioned.

I watched for a moment just trying to understand what was going on, but when I saw how Amber was trembling, how frightened she was, it caused my blood to boil inside. I let out a muffled yell and tried to fight again, only to be met with a fist to my face, stunning me temporarily. When my vision cleared, I looked up to see Amber looking my way worriedly, but then her eyes suddenly grew wide with horror and she let out a terrified gasp as her head fell back. She arched her back sharply, causing Fane to have to support her with one hand. His other hand hovered above her chest as he continued the incantation, and the necklace around her neck seemed to glow.

As suddenly as it had started, the ritual seemed to end and Fane ceased the incantation, turning all his attention to Amber, who was slumped unconscious in his arms.

"Adrianna?" Fane said concernedly, brushing her hair away from her face. "Adrianna, vă rog spune ceva…"

I was a little confused as Fane called her by another name, but let out a sigh of relief when Amber finally stirred. Her eyes fluttered softly before she spoke.

"Fane…?" she whispered, looking up at the Count in amazement, reaching a hand up to his cheek. "Fane… dragostea mea…"

At first, Fane simply stared almost in shock. And for the briefest moment, it even looked as though tears had appeared in his eyes. Then he let out a small choked laugh and embraced her tightly. "Da," he said, nuzzling her cheek lovingly. "Da, draga mea... este i." Then the two met in a kiss.

Even if I hadn't been gagged, I was speechless. Amber didn't know one syllable of Romanian, much less whole sentences. And she was now responding to "Adrianna," the name of Fane's dead lover… And kissing him…? I just couldn't believe what my senses were seeing. It just wasn't possible…

Once they finally parted from the kiss, Fane helped her to her feet, but she didn't seem to have the strength to stand and clung to him weakly. He barked a few commands in Romanian, and soon the crowd dispersed. Gathering Amber up in his arms, he descended the platform and proceeded to carry her away.

Coming to my senses, I finally managed to thrash about enough to work the gag off my mouth. "Amber!" I shouted. "Amber, wait…!"

Still clinging to Fane, Amber turned and our eyes met. "Amber, it's me…"

There was a brief flicker of recognition, but she shook her head and looked to Fane as if in confusion.

"C-Cine este asta?" she asked.

"El este nimeni," Fane answered, glaring at me. "La-l departe," he instructed to the guards, and I was dragged in the opposite direction.

"What did you do to her?!" I shouted, redoubling my efforts to escape.

I felt my skin crawl at the smirk Fane directed my way. "I've done nothing."

"Bastard!" I retorted, losing my temper. "If you hurt her I swear I'll find a way to kill you!"

The vampire chuckled darkly. "Many before you have attempted and failed. You, the so-called great mouse detective, are no different. The only reason you're not dead is because of her," Fane added, looking down at the one in his arms. "I'm allowing you to live for her sake; because if it weren't for her sacrifice, Adrianna and I wouldn't be together." Fane's voice softened as he gazed down at her. "At long last…"

"Y-You'll pay for this…" I ground out with teeth clenched.

Amber… or rather Adrianna in Amber's body… had been watching the whole scene worriedly. "Ce a spus?" she asked, looking up at Fane.

"Nimic nu ai nevoie de griji despre," Fane muttered, giving one last glare my way before turning with a flourish of his cape. A moment later, they were gone.

...

Author's Note: ...FINALLY. It only took me like what... 8 months...? ^^' Sorry for taking so freakin' long to finish this... I lost the inspiration to finish it, and combined with writer's block it just took longer to finish... A LOT longer... But I've got my inspiration back, so hopefully it'll get updated more often..

This chapter is the one I was most looking forward to. I wanted to get it perfect (another reason why it took so long). And... I still feel like it's too corny. Especially the kiss, and Basil ranting "You'll pay for this...!" But hopefully everything's making sense. The necklace had Adrianna's soul preserved inside it, and Fane used a spell to put it back inside Amber. And she's the only one it would work on because she's Adrianna's doppelganger or double. And I'm entirely sure the Romanian is correct, but I did my best... ^^'

Basil, Ratigan, and Dawson (c)Eve Titus and Disney Amber, Fane, Adrianna, etc (c)Me

And Damien (the slave that brought Fane the necklace) (c)Mimmime on deviantART (Keep an eye out for him, he'll show up more later ^^ )