A/N: I own none of the characters. They all belong to L.J Smith. Except for my own Shadow Men, I created.

This chapter could only be created by this song:

Artist: Evanescence

Song: Imaginary

Chapter Eight: Darkness

Fire.

It left a trail through every nerve ending in her body. Like a slow frostbite puncturing the marrow of her bones, like a pin cushion, drawing out a soundless scream from the agony. Jenny fought to break to the surface.

Just as quick as her eyes snapped open, the pain abruptly vanished.

"Ugh..." Jenny clutched at her head as she struggled to sit up. She let go only for a split moment, just to steady her sweaty palm to the floor. The oil from the pad of her fingers left a smudged print blemishing the glossed surface of... marble.

Pure. Black. Marble.

The ground was so vividly clear she could see herself reflected. Her eyes were wide, and long strands of gold framed her, now, pale-stricken face. She was on her feet in seconds, arms crossed securely over her fitted jade tank top. As her eyes tried to peer through the darkened room, a feeling of unease passed over her. Already her imagination was running wild. A familiar instinct told her she was far, far away from home. Like Dorothy when she was swept away from Kansas by a tornado, into the Land of Oz. A movie Jenny used to watch countless times as a kid.

"Hello?"

At this she noticed her voice echoed and seemingly stretched around a cavernous silence. It was dark here, but not blinding. Which gave her some comfort. Be strong, Jenny. Whereas Dorothy was greeted by munchkins, there were no rosy, little faces greeting her here.

"Is someone there?"

"Hello, Jenny."

A deep voice whispered from the quiet.

Jenny stilled as it reached her, her body instantly locking up in defense. It was as if she'd been touched by a frostbitten wind, the same symphonic voice from the vicinity of her bedroom.

Jenny rubbed her fingers together, nervous, as sweat collected inside her palms. Right then solid gold caught her attention, felt between her fingers. As she surveyed the band positioned there on her ring finger, her eyes widened. That was not the engagement ring. Her hand flew to her chest only to realize the necklace was no longer there. Wait, she'd taken it off. So how had it gotten there? Was this some machinations of Julian's? But Julian's voice held a distinct quality not easily replicated; water running over rocks.

It was definitely not his.

"Who are you?" Jenny called out in a braver voice, ancient anger prepping her once more, beginning to stir.

As if on cue, the voice echoed back to her smoothly like a flowing symphony:

"I am what you fear

I am what brings you back here

I'm neither flesh nor blood

I cannot be warmed

I am like a flood

I am what you see

Now come and find me,

Jenny."

Adrenaline slammed into her, heating her blood and sharpening her focus. Jenny had been right all along. The Shadow Men had found a loophole.

They're back.

Ignoring the hair as it rose on her arms, she started towards the invisible eyes she sensed waiting in the darkness. There's a fire within your spirit that has prevailed always..." Julian's words echoed back, spurning her on.

Laughter, jarring as a tolling bell, stopped Jenny in her steps. "Little Blondies lost her way wonder if the big, bad wolf will come to play." The gruesome twist on the Red Riding Hood fairy-tale brought an image to Jenny's mind she wouldn't soon forget as the voice added, "C'mon, Blondie. You know the answer to this riddle, so say it."

Jenny glared through the blackness hoping the queasy feeling in her stomach would ease. "A Shadow Man." she spat, venomous.

Clapping surrounded her.

Jenny looked around from where the sound bounced off. "My, my, what a sharp tongue you have." the voice appraised, sarcastic.

A spotlight suddenly appeared on a distinct figure approaching.

Jenny bit her lip.

A silk blood-red cape fluttered to the ground as they emerged. Loose, glossy curls shined in the lighting and fell across a broad forehead belonging to an eerily angelic face. Silk, ebony cuffs of their sleeves were rolled up against brawny forearms, long legs framed in black jeans. But what held her attention, was the ruby creature in the likeness of a dragon, pierced into one winged brow. Above impeccable eyes that shined like polished silver.

"Welcome," the stranger greeted.

He.

His eyes glittered with dark intrigue.

Jenny took a step back uncomfortable with the proximity.

Charmed by her endeavor, or amused, he backed up into a leather lounger. Sinking into the plush cushions with ease he gestured for her to do the same, but she rejected.

"Suit yourself." He shrugged.

A wave of heat lanced her backside. Jenny yelped and jerked away as a fiery cobra sprung out. Before she could react, the creature hissed past her, leaving a fiery path that brought the room to light. As Jenny's eyes adjusted her surroundings sharpened into focus. It was as if the entire establishment were built from the same, black marble. The ceiling curved up into a dome-like structure like the inside of Notre Dame. Yet the shape of the room was quite different from a monastery, circular in shape with a raised seating.

An arena.

"I'm assuming this isn't the most comfortable abode, but it does hold a certain expose' doesn't it?" He grinned, predatory.

No doubt she was supposed to feel like the prey and he, the predator. Reminding her of the Roman Colosseum where Christians were once slaughtered for pleasure. For trial. Or sport. "Where are we?" Jenny said in a tight voice, ignoring his attempt at conversation.

Oh, was she about to fight in an arena?

He smirked as if reading her thoughts, crossing his hands under his head. "Where do you think?"

Jenny eyed them.

He was an odd impression.

Unlike the past Shadow Men she'd met he wasn't hostile or carnivorous. Rather he reminded her of a handsome jester waiting for her to guess his next trick. Finally, she forced herself to look away to survey his habitat, taxing the place from wall to ceiling.

Julian's games always had exits.

Slowly she inched forward.

"You can try every nook and cranny of this place if you fancy. You'll never find an escape route unless I conjure one. No doubt."

Jenny started to glare at him and his use of riddles—

When something silver glistened in her line of vision. Much like jeweled droplets. Bestowed to her by a mystical being that donned the disguise of a certain Erlking King. Back in the first game of the dollhouse in Dee's nightmare with rabid elven creatures.

It was Julians rose.

He caught Jenny looking at it and smiled rather cruelly as he twirled it between his fingers. "Delicate piece of work, isn't it? What a fool."

Jenny grit her teeth. "He was never a fool. You capricious things can't touch him anymore!"

"Yes, I know." He rolled his eyes and raised one hand with a flourish as if leading an orchestra. "He lives in a world of light where peace follows absent of shadows. Blah, blah, blah."

Jenny hadn't expected that. "Wait, how did you...?"

He looked up at her and the full effect of his eyes lanced through her even at a distance. Jenny took a half step back—

When suddenly he was before her, nearly nose to nose.

"Why, hello there, Blondie." His chuckle slithered inside her skin, rattling her nerves. Jenny could feel it in her bones that this strange Shadow Man was of a superior rank. The surety of his words and the power he could weld with merely a hand demonstrated this.

Within those eyes of silver, a film reel rolled back. Sending her mind spiraling to the Dark Ages: Witch hangings, bloody carnages across battlefields, torture, screams that jarred her senses and morbid beheadings by the blade of a guillotine.

Shut it out!

It curdled the nausea so strongly in Jenny she had to squeeze her eyes shut and take a deep breath.

A new fear birthed in her womb.

"Aw, the Shadow Man slayer is afraid." His voice now held a dark, sinister edge that bordered on a sadist. He graced a petal of the mystical rose along her cheek. "Little girl, little girl, let me come in." He seemed to breathe her in as if drinking in her fear. "The big bad wolf is ready to play, Little Red."

The tip of his nose brushed along hers and Jenny inhaled shakily as a shiver encompassed her. Such weakness consumed her in that moment and she loathed it.

Your spirit... your spirit always...

What had Julian said about her spirit again?

Because every single part of Jenny wanted to flee in the opposite direction. Just as he pressed her up against the wall she gasped out, "What do you want from me?"

He sneered satisfied from eliciting such a reaction and drew back. "Nothing worth on my chinny, chin, chin." His bark of laughter echoed and sent a cold chill down Jenny's spine. Such a use of an old folk tale was like a cruel joke. Just as Jenny made an attempt to move—

He slammed his hands against the wall just inches from her head causing her to jump.

"Now, Little Red, here's what has been spun

You're going to wake up and the game will have already begun

That's all I will tell you until you meet the other

Their words will be a little more fierce

Than what I just uttered

Goodbye, adieu, until we meet again

For future reference, the name is, Jadan."

"Wha-"

But Jenny was cut off as Jadan's hand slapped against her forehead.

A strangled scream escaped her lips as an unfathomable pain speared her senses. It was as if she was repeatedly skewered with shards of ice.

Over and over and over.

Hot tears stung her eyes. Jenny dug at the hand holding her and longed for the feeling to cease. She could feel her strength wane just before the familiar arms of darkness enveloped her a moment later.