Nikki leaned against the trunk of a scrawny old pine, her breath ragged gasps that tore at her throat. She'd thought she was reasonably fit, but climbing this mountain had quickly put that notion to rest. She eyed the darkness ahead and wondered how much more they had to climb. And how in hell she was going to make it? The muscles in her legs were on fire. She couldn't possibly walk another step.

"Have a drink.” Michael took a soda from the backpack he carried and handed it to her.

"Thanks,” she replied and popped the top.

He nodded, his gaze sweeping the still night.

"Anything?” she asked, after a long drink of the lukewarm cola.

"Nothing. You?"

Her gaze skimmed the darkness. Ice crawled across her skin. There wasn't anything she could pin down, just instinct, warning her. “He's here, somewhere."

Michael nodded. “He'd hang around to watch the fun."

She looked at him in irritation. “Attempted murder cannot be classed as fun."

"To a man like Jasper, it can be.” His gaze when it met hers was assessing. “Ready?"

No. She quickly drank the remains of the cola, and handed him the can. As she followed him up the slope, she couldn't help noticing his free and easy walk. He looked like he didn't have a care in the world. Yet tension and worry washed down the link. She still couldn't fully read his thoughts, but then, she didn't really want to. Not if it meant knowing how small their chances were of pulling this rescue off.

She wrapped her fingers around the fob watch in her pocket. Its warmth comforted her, as did the slow but steady beat that told her Jake was still alive.

The entrance soon loomed before them, a cavernous hole framed by timber that looked older than Lyndhurst. Older than Michael.

"The timber's not that old,” he said, half smiling as he handed her the flashlight. “Here, hold this."

She shined the beam at the entrance. The light penetrated only a few feet of darkness before being swallowed. But it was enough to see the footprints. Michael squatted on his heels and ran his fingers around the outline of the prints.

"Zombies,” he said, indicating a scuffed section on one print. “See? Their step is heavy, and they drag their feet. Jasper would leave no prints, and he would have carried Jake in."

"We knew he'd have traps waiting.” So why hadn't her psychic senses kicked in and warned her?

"They won't.” Michael stood and brushed the dirt off his hands. “Jasper's using the psychic net again—I can feel it pulsing. It's shielding this entire area, and probably interfering with your abilities."

Yet the watch still beat between her fingers. “I can still feel Jake."

"Only because Jasper wants you to find him."

She shivered. “Then the rest of my abilities will be useless?"

"Probably. You can't find out without trying, and the net will catch you if you do."

Her stomach twisted. While she'd often wished to be normal, to be free of the gifts that had somehow always set her apart, she'd known deep down that she relied on them too much to ever let them go. And her brief time with Jasper had proven just how useless she was without them.

Michael wrapped his fingers around hers. “You're not alone, Nikki."

She closed her eyes, fighting the warmth that sprang through her body. It wasn't right to want someone as much as she wanted Michael. Wasn't right to need his touch, the comfort of his arms to chase the demons away.

"I'll always be alone,” she said, and stepped away from him. It couldn't be any other way. Not when her love was a curse of death. Michael might be a vampire, but that didn't make him invincible. Monica had proven that vampires could die as fast as any human. “Let's go."

He made no comment and turned away. She followed him into the darkness, her shaking hands making the flashlight's beam dance erratically.

The steady drip of water was all she could hear above the sound of her footsteps. Michael made no noise, as silent as a ghost. The chill in the air crept past the layers of her clothing and touched her skin with icy fingers.

She shivered and inched closer to Michael's broad back. Her psychic senses might be useless at this point, but she could still feel Jasper's evil all around her. Even the air they breathed seemed tainted by it.

She swept the flashlight's beam across walls slick with slime. Rivulets of water ran down the slope past their feet, but to where? She remembered how damp Jake's clothes had been and guessed somewhere along the line they'd hit water. Hopefully it wouldn't be too deep. She was not a swimmer.

Michael stopped abruptly, and she plowed into his back. “Give a girl some warning next time,” she muttered, rubbing her nose as she stepped around him.

The path led into a wide, still lake. She groaned. The path didn't seem to resurface anywhere near, if at all.

"How well do you swim?” Michael knelt and dipped his fingers in the water.

"Like a rock.” She shined the flashlight down onto the water. There was no telling how deep it was. It was too dark to see the bottom.

Michael sniffed the water on his fingers, then carefully tasted it. “Putrid,” he muttered, and spat the taste away. “Whatever you do, don't swallow it."

"I don't even want to go in it, let alone drink it.” She backed away from the edge. The more she stared at the water, the more certain she became that it was a trap. She had to get out of this tunnel and away from the death closing in on her...

And if she did, Jake would die.

Michael touched her hand. This time she didn't pull away.

"Keep close and hang on to my hand, no matter what happens."

His concern ran down the link, a fire that warmed her soul. She squeezed his hand lightly. “I intend to, believe me. Whether I'm allowed to is another matter entirely."

He brushed his fingertips along her cheek. “Just hold on to me. They can't drown me, but you're vulnerable."

As if she needed reminding. He tugged her forward. Black waves rippled across the lake's surface and raced away into the darkness. The water crept up her leg, then past her hips, and every step forward became more difficult. She kept her arm raised well above the lake, allowing the flashlight's beam to wash across the darkness. But she kept an eye on the water—just in case something jumped out and tried to grab the light. What she didn't need right now was utter darkness.

The link flared to life, and Michael touched her thoughts. Warmth wrapped around her, a cocoon of comfort and strength. A girl could get used to this, she thought, and alarm stabbed through her heart. Because she was getting used to it, and it would only make his leaving all that much harder to bear.

They plowed on through the icy water, but each step felt as if they were forcing their way through molasses.

Michael squeezed her hand gently. “Halfway there. Don't worry, we'll make it."

"You mean there is an end to this lake?” If there was, the flashlight couldn't pick it out.

"Yes. And the path's beginning to slope upwards again."

They'd been following a path? She stepped on something slimy and slipped sideways, yelping in fright. The flashlight dipped under the water and darkness closed in, thick and heavy. Oh no...

Michael yanked her upright, almost pulling her arm out of its socket.

"Great,” she muttered, hoping she didn't sound as scared as she felt. “Now I'm completely wet."

Amusement and concern ran down the link. “Are you okay?"

She gave the flashlight a shake. Droplets of water sprayed across her face, lightly burning. The bright beam flickered then stayed on. “Now I am."

"Good. Don't slip again. You'll give me heart failure."

She glanced up sharply. The seriousness behind his light remark shook her. It sounded like he cared—really cared. He'd told her vampires didn't have feelings—that they couldn't love. Was that a lie? Every now and then he said or did something that made her think it was.

"Ready to move?"

She touched the fob watch. Its beat was shallow. “Let's go,” she said.

Besides, moving was definitely better than standing. Moving made them harder targets. Shivering, she shined the light across the water. Tiny waves continued to roll away from them, fanning out across the darkness. In the distance water dipped steadily, but the lake seemed to swallow all other noise.

But someone was out there, watching them. She licked her lips. It was getting harder and harder to ignore the urge to run. “Michael—"

"I know.” His voice was terse. “Just keep moving. There's nothing we can do here, anyway."

The water level began to drop, inching down from their chests to their hips. But it still held the consistency of glue, making every step difficult.

Something pushed at her wet jeans. Biting her lip, she battled the desire to run. The soupy water made any sort of quickness impossible, anyway. She'd only fall ... and that was probably what Jasper had in mind.

But she wished she knew what was touching her ankle.

Again it trailed past, more solidly this time.

"He's playing games."

Though Michael's voice was calm, anger burned along the link. “Then you don't think we'll be attacked?"

"Not here. Not yet."

She wished she could share his certainty. The dark water receded further, and walking became easier. She swept the flashlight's beam across the darkness ahead, noting the tunnel was beginning to close in around them. The roof was only inches above their heads.

"Hope we don't have to crawl,” she muttered. The thought of getting down on her hands and knees to wade made her stomach churn.

"I can't imagine Jasper doing it, so I doubt we will."

"You really do know him well, don't you?"

"It pays to. As I've said, he's eluded our circle for years."

"And was your circle after him before or after he killed your brother?"

"Before."

But it became personal when Jasper killed Patrick. “Does the circle attempt to kill every vampire who has a thirst for human blood?"

He shrugged, a movement she caught in the edge of the light. “Not all. There are some who can restrain the urge to kill and live long lives."

Some, but not many, she deduced from his tone. She wondered how he'd managed it, how long it had taken him to curb the lust all too evident in Jasper.

"Jasper is a killer,” Michael continued grimly. “Always was. Even before the change, he feasted on the suffering of his victims."

And now he feasted on Jake. Her stomach turned. She swallowed and forced a little lightness into her voice. “And his sort gives the vampire world a bad rep, huh?"

He squeezed her hand. “Something like that."

They continued on in silence. She swept the light across the layers of darkness. Nothing moved, yet something was out there, stirring the darkness ahead.

Michael stopped abruptly. “Movement ahead."

"Where?"

"The tunnel rounds a corner just ahead. Something moved in the shadows."

She shivered. It had to be the zombies. It wouldn't be Jasper, not this soon. He'd play with them a little longer.

"We could go back.” But that would mean leaving Jake to die.

"No. I doubt if Jasper would allow a retreat, anyway.” His answer was absent, as if his attention was elsewhere.

Power washed through the link. He was using his abilities to study the threat ahead. Why didn't Jasper's net affect him?

"It's not aimed at me. And there are two of them up ahead. A tease, nothing more."

Some tease. “What do we do?"

"We do nothing. I'll take care of them.” He brushed a kiss across the top of her head then faded into the darkness.

"Michael?” she hissed as his hand left hers. “Michael!"

No answer. Wonderful. What if the zombies were just a diversion to separate them?

Movement whisked around her legs. Biting back a yelp of fright, she shone the light down at her feet. The water stirred, and something slick, brown and long rose briefly to the oily surface before slithering back underneath.

Her mouth went dry. Snakes. There were snakes in the water with her...

Sweat broke out across her brow. The dark waters began to churn, the snakes bumping and entwining their sleek bodies around her legs. Were they real, or some form of illusion?

They sure felt real. One entwined around her legs, and she kicked out. A sleek brown head rose from the water, hissing. She screamed and swiped at it with the torch. It sank back down and joined the circling pack. She leaped over them and ran forward, heading for the zombies and Michael.

The beam of the flashlight jumped erratically, creating crazy shadows on the slick dark walls. The darkness beyond the light seemed oppressive, a monster waiting to pounce. She splashed on, cursing Michael for leaving her.

The snakes pursued. Real or not, they were coming after her. She gripped the flashlight tightly and tried to run faster.

Michael! Frantically, she reached for the connection between them. There was no answer, just a sense of absence. Could he hear her when he was little more than a shadow?

It was just one more thing she didn't know. Heart pounding as fast as her feet, she listened to the sounds of pursuit above the noise of her own panicked flight. She was tempted to use her psychic abilities, but knew this might be what Jasper wanted. He'd snare her the minute she tried.

Damn it, she wasn't helpless without her abilities. She had her knives. She could use them to defend herself. Why play Jasper's games any more than she had to? She stopped and swung around. The water was still, silent. The snakes, if they'd ever been real, were gone.

Almost with you, Nikki.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm her churning stomach. It had been nothing more than a game. Once she'd stood her ground, Jasper had backed away. Maybe Michael was right. Maybe Jasper did fear her abilities.

The thought did little to ease the sick tension in her stomach. She turned and shined the light across the waters ahead. Ripples of movement stirred the surface, but she couldn't see Michael. Only when he was near her did he shake himself free of the shadows.

"Are you all right?"

He brushed his knuckles lightly against her cheek. She wished he'd just take her in his arms and hold her until the chill and the fear left her. But they had no time—Jake was dying. They had to get to him quickly.

"Yeah, sure.” She ran a hand through her damp hair. What would he think if he realized she'd been running from nonexistent snakes? “This place is just starting to get to me. What about the zombies?"

"They've disappeared."

She raised an eyebrow. “How can zombies just disappear?"

He shrugged, his gaze on the darkness ahead. “I don't know. As soon as I neared them, I lost all scent of them."

She studied the darkness uneasily. If Jasper could fool Michael's keen senses, they might be in big trouble.

"Come on.” He ran his hand down her arm and clasped her fingers gently. “There's nothing we can do but move forward."

The warmth of his touch made her feel more secure as they walked on. But after a few minutes, they stopped again.

"Fork in the tunnels. Which way, Nikki?"

She closed her fingers around the watch fob. It pulsed lightly, but its rhythm was slower, more erratic. They had so little time left.

"Left.” She swung in that direction, but Michael jerked her back, again almost dislocating her shoulder in the process. She swore softly. “What's wrong?"

"The zombies are back."

She shined the light into the tunnel but could see no movement. “We can't just stand here, Michael. We have to get to Jake."

He hesitated, then shrugged. “Let's go, then."

The walls began to close in, threatening to smother them. Ghostly tendrils of slime brushed against her clothes and felt like long green fingers of the dead.

Twenty feet on, they came out of the ankle deep water and into a cavern. She blinked and stopped, taken by surprise. The flashlight filled the cavern with dancing shadows, dark demons that teased her imagination. Something about the air gave a feeling of vast emptiness.

Then she saw the figure huddled against an outcrop of rock. With a small cry, she ran across. Squatting next to Jake, she frantically felt for a pulse. It was there, slow, erratic and weak.

"He's dying,” Michael said softly, stopping just behind her.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked back sudden tears. “No. I won't let him die."

He couldn't die and leave her alone. She couldn't cope with it.

"Jasper has fed on him. There's barely enough blood left to pump his heart..."

Michael's voice faded, and she glanced up quickly. He was listening to the silence, his face as still as his thoughts, giving nothing away. Evil closed the air around them, and her heart lurched in sudden fear. Jasper's plans were about to be revealed. She reached out and touched Jake's pallid cheek. His skin was colder than her fingers.

"Jake? Please, wake up."

No response, nor did she really expect any. They had to get him to hospital if they were to have any hope of saving him.

"We can't stay here—"

"And I won't leave him!"

"Nikki—"

"I don't want to hear it, Michael.” She clenched her fists and glared at him. She wasn't about to leave Jake here to die, as she'd left everyone else in her life she'd cared about to die.

"I was only going to say we have to get going. Now, move aside, so I can pick him up."

She rose and stepped to one side, watching him haul Jake's unconscious figure upright. Something quivered in the air between them. She spun—too late to see what it was. She bit her lip, and clenched her fists. Jasper was playing games, again. Damn it, she had to ignore him, had to...

An explosion ripped across the silence. The ground bucked, and she screamed, staggering sideways as the darkness filled with fire and imminent death.

Michael grabbed her arm and held her upright. An ominous rumble ran through the darkness. Jasper hadn't finished with them yet.

"Go,” Michael shouted, and thrust her forward.

She ran, dodging falling dirt and stone, the flashlight's beam barely picking out the ground a foot away. Dust filled the darkness, a thick cloud that tore at her throat, making it difficult to breathe. She had no idea where she was going. She just ran, staggering from side to side in rhythm to the earth's contortions.

Michael was at her back, his breathing labored. She didn't want him to die, and knew they all would if they didn't get out of this tunnel soon. The thought sent fresh energy though her legs.

"Swing left."

Her foot slithered on the slick footing. She threw out an arm for balance and struggled to keep upright. Hopefully, Michael had a far better sense of direction than she did. The falling debris made the darkness an alien world. It was difficult enough to breathe, let alone remember which tunnel was where.

Another explosion ripped across the darkness. Rocks rained down from the ceiling. She threw up her arms, trying to protect her head. Debris hit her, bruising her hands and shoulders. She stumbled, falling, and jarred her knee. Michael's arm went around her waist. With a grunt, he lifted her up and ran them all out of immediate danger.

After several minutes, he released her and pushed forward once more. “Move, move,” he said.

His fear was tangible, filling the darkness. Not fear for him but for her. The knowledge lent her feet wings.

"Turn right now!"

She swung, dodging rubble, her breathing sharp and labored under the thickening cloud of dust.

"Watch it—"

Michael's shout echoed as her instincts cut in. She twisted sideways, barely avoiding the foul gasp of a zombie. She slipped, and cursed, then twisted around and shone the light into the creature's eyes. It leapt at her anyway. She dodged and flicked her knife into her palm.

Michael grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Let me,” he said, and thrust Jake at her.

Jake's weight hit her, and she grunted, staggering backwards until she hit a wall. Rock dug sharply into her back and pain ran hot down her legs. She cursed but wrapped an arm around Jake's chest, holding him upright.

Another rumble ran through the darkness. She glanced upwards, wondering uneasily if Jasper's plans included bringing the entire mine down on top of them. Maybe it was just a neat extra.

A chill ran through her. Jasper was close, so very close. She sensed his evil, felt his gloating...

A figure loomed out of the darkness. Nikki swallowed, fingers clenched around the knife. Michael, not Jasper. Relief shot through her, its intensity shocking.

"Go,” he said, and took Jake from her.

The water grew deeper, inching back towards her chest. She remembered the snakes she'd encountered earlier. Real or not, it wasn't an experience she wanted to relive. She faltered, not certain what to do next.

Another explosion ripped across the darkness. The roof above her collapsed, and a rush of rubble and dirt swept her off her feet.

"Nikki!"

Michael's cry was cut off as she was swept under the water. Dirt and stone fell around her, encasing her, trapping her under the foul waters. Panic swelled. She kicked her legs, desperate to get free, to get back to the surface. Fire burned in her chest, and she fought the desire to breathe. More rocks fell, churning the water, confusing her senses. Pain exploded through her body, and the need to open her mouth, to suck in air, grew desperate.

She thrashed sideways as rock smashed against her shoulder, and her head hit something solid. Red fire spread through her brain. She gasped in agony, swallowing water, crying a denial as darkness engulfed her.

Nikki, Nikki! Hear me!

The frantic call pulled at her consciousness. She frowned, unable to move, unable to see, her body a motionless weight tying her down.

Nikki! Listen to me!

Golden light surrounded the stillness around her, freeing her from fear, filling her with peace and an intense need to be one with the light.

NO!

Gentle music washed across her senses. It flooded her cold body with warmth, releasing her from the dark weight of pain holding her captive. Suddenly free, her spirit rejoiced, dancing in radiance as she drifted towards the long golden tunnel.

Stay with me!

Something in that urgent plea made her hesitate, and the call of the golden light muted. Yet she didn't have the strength to go back, didn't have the courage to face the fear and the pain. The honeyed light pulsed, welcoming her, calling...

Nikki, I need you. Don't leave me.

The cry made her heart weep bitter tears. She wasn't worthy of the urgency in that entreaty, wasn't sure she was even capable of understanding it. And it was too late. Far too late. Dancing in brightness, she drifted closer to the light.

Nikki, do you want to live?

Did she? The question echoed through the soft warmth surrounding her. Did she want to live? Images of Michael ran through her mind. Oh yes, she wanted to live. But only with Michael. And that was an impossible dream.

It was too late anyway. The choice had gone.

No! If you trust me, there is a way.

No! Not as a vampire! Better death than a vampire.

Cold steel filled his thoughts. Do you trust me?

Trust was a flickering fire, so easily put out. So few people had earned its warmth after her parents’ death. Only Jake, and he too was dying.

Jake needs you Nikki. I need you.

She closed her eyes against the pain in his entreaty. Michael didn't need her. He didn't need anyone. Maybe that was half her problem. He could walk away, and it wouldn't matter to him.

But Jake had to live. He couldn't die because of her.

Come to me Nikki. Let me save you. For Jake's sake, if not for mine.

She spun in confusion, afraid to go forward and afraid to go back. The warm light pulsed, healing and calming. She sighed. Here at last was the peace she had searched so long for. It would be so easy to give in to its warmth. Easy, but was it right? She didn't know, and that scared her more than the thought of dying.

Forgive me, Nikki. I can't let you do this.

Something grabbed her soul and yanked her down into darkness. The golden light began to recede. She wept and reached out towards it, a desperate swimmer fighting the tide pulling her away. Her efforts were ignored. The light disappeared, and she was thrust through layers of darkness and gathering pain.

Then the red mist enclosed her brain and swept her away.