Pacing like a tiger trapped in a cage Navea was seething, as she was certain that Sarah was starting to use her powers. Long strands of her curly red hair dangled about her pale face as the rest was lavishly twisted up in a mass of curls away from her face. Her dark blood red lips stood out from her pale skin as she fumed with rage. She was getting impatient as the day prevented her from venturing above to start the plan that she had so craftily devised. The long emerald dress trailed behind her as she passed by a very calm Jonathan.

His cold brown eyes looked to her with amusement, “My dear, pacing about like a mad vamp will not make the night come any sooner.”

Navia stopped her pacing, she knew that he was right but she wanted so much to have her sweet revenge. The meddlesome King would soon learn to mind his own business when she would finish with him. He was a fool to meddle in affairs that were none of his concern.

  Jonathan rose nearing his beautiful yet deadly creation, “A kiss for your thoughts,” he purred in her ear.

Navea smiled loving his intimate touch, “I’m just a little antsy that’s all. I want that Goblin King to pay for his meddling!”

Nuzzling against her throat from behind he whispered in her ear, “Navea, he is too powerful. I don’t want you going about this revenge alone. You’ll need help.”

Pulling away she smiled as she turned to look at her Sire, “What makes you think that I’m not powerful enough to kill him?” Narrowing her eyes she walked back towards him, “I don’t need any help, besides most of the vampires here are nothing but incompetent fools who couldn’t get an idea if they stole it from someone.”

Jonathan smiled at this, “True, they are a little lacking in that area but I don’t need them for their vision. That is what I’m here for. Besides, I wasn’t thinking of sending any of them. You know how I like to watch you work.”

Navea smiled placing her fingers to his lips, “Oh, I love it when your bad…Alright, as long as you stay out of the way and let me do things my way.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, my sweet.”

Leaning back within the chair, Giles tiredly removed his glasses as he rubbed his throbbing head. He had spent hours at the book before him translating and had yet to find anything about a vampire elf. There were no references to having any such creature within the Underground and there was nothing in the legend that referred to Sarah about it either. Closing his eyes for a moment to rest he felt a small tap at his right.

Taking the offered cup of tea Giles sipped at its contents thankful to having something to quench his thirst. Looking up to thank the individual who had given it to him he was somewhat taken back as he saw no one standing beside him. Placing the cup of tea down upon the desk that he sat at he returned his glasses and looked down. Shocked at what sat on the desk before him Giles stumbled back falling out of his chair tumbling to the floor. “Ah, Good Lord! I say, please tell me I’m not seeing what I think I’m seeing.”

The small blue worm wobbled slightly to the edge of the desk looking over the edge at the man sprawled out on the floor, “Allo! You alright down there?”

Giles stumbled to his feet, a loss for words as his tongue fumbled over itself until a coherent sentence finally escaped, “Did…did you just speak to me?”

The small blue worm smiled warmly up at the now standing Giles, “Sure I did, why wouldn’t I?” he asked innocently. Giles now just gaped at the creature before him as the worm continued to speak to him, “I’s saw you in ere all alone readin and thought you’d like a cup a tea. I’d invite you to come and see the misses but she’s out visiting her mum. Did you like it?”

Giles blinked in bewilderment still stunned at the sight before him, “Like it?”

“The tea…it’s an old family recipe it is.”

Giles faintly smiled at the blue worm before him, “Oh! Y…yes I did. Thank you.”

The blue worm shrugged up at the gapping man before him, “You’re most welcome. I say we don’t get many visitors within the library now a day’s. Goblins aren’t much for readin. I’d stay and chat but the little ones are needin me and all. Good day to ya then.” As the small worm finished speaking he turned wobbling towards a small crack that was at the end of the desk disappearing into it.

Picking up the toppled chair from the floor Giles shook his head as he mumbled to himself, “Will wonders ever cease.” Continuing his vigil over the large book he tried to ignore the incident but was having a hard time in doing so as his eyes kept glancing back at the small crack that the blue worm had disappeared into.

Standing at the edge of the large four poster bed Jareth watched Sarah as she slept. His eyes lingered over her unconscious form as she rested from the strain of what she had accomplished that day. She was powerful indeed, what she had accomplished was difficult for even the most skilled welders of magic. Circling to the side of her bed he gently sat at its edge soaking in the vision before him.

Her long dark brown hair cascaded out over the white silk pillows as one arm lazily draped up, her hand lightly touching the side of her cheek and the other remained hidden underneath the dark red silken sheets. He could spend hours just watching her, memorizing every detail of her beautiful features.

Sarah stirred in her sleep as she shifted her position to lay on her side facing him, her hair falling over hiding her face. Jareth reached out gently placing her hair away from her face careful not to awaken her. Leaning over her sleeping form his lips lightly caressed her cheek just before he rose to leave. He smiled slightly as he saw her smile in her sleep and then proceeded to leave.

Making his way towards the throne room he couldn’t help but to smile as he pondered on what Hoggle’s reaction to his new relationship with Sarah would be. It was obvious that the dwarf feared and disliked him immensely which made his attempts at helping him impossible, Jareth’s presence only drove Hoggle further into the hiding place within his mind. Entering his throne room he was greeted with the presence of both Sir Didymus and Hoggle.

The fox like knight stood tall and confident as he waited for the King’s arrival where as Hoggle stood shifting uncomfortably on his feet as his head was lowered to the stone floor. Hoggle hated the idea of having to wait for Jareth’s return. After all that he had gone through he did not want to face the Goblin King. He couldn’t believe what Sarah had done for him, she risked her own life to save his but could he believe what he witnessed when he came out of the condition he was in. Sarah was willingly in the arms of the infamous Goblin King! Hoggle shook his head at this but froze as he saw at the corner of his eye a tall figure entering the room and he knew it could be only one person, Jareth.

With his familiar mask of indifference in place the Goblin King made his way towards the throne barely giving the two within the room a sideways glance. Taking his place in his throne Jareth folded both hands within his lap as he coldly looked to the two before him.

“Now Hogbrain,”

“Hoggle,” Hoggle corrected him. He always hated it when the Goblin King got his name wrong.

“Yes…Tell me what it was that was so disturbing that you had withdrawn so within yourself.”

Hoggle shifted uncomfortably under the King’s gaze, he did not really want to talk about it. It was something that he was hoping to forget, but never could, the young elfin woman’s lifeless form always springing to mind. “I…”

Jareth leaned over hand to his ear waiting for Hoggle to speak, “Yes…”

“I was…in the hedge maze. I uh, was tendin to the hedges when I’s heard someone coming. I hid, he didn’t look like any creature that I’ve ever seen in the Labyrinth…” Hoggle trailed off not really wanting to talk about what he had witnessed and his inability to help, due to his cowardice.

Jareth stood from his throne, this might be the lead that he needed to finding the creatures that were threatening his kingdom. Summoning his power he materialized one of his crystals within his hand allowing the image of the Vampire that had attacked Sarah. “Did he look like this?” he inquired as he tossed the crystal to Hoggle.

Hoggle caught the crystal in hand looking at it as an image was starting to form. At first the image was blurred but as it had focused into view Hoggle dropped the crystal as if stung.

The Goblin King’s brow rose slightly at the dwarfs reaction to the image, “I take that as a yes. What did you see him do Hoggle?”

Hoggle’s body slightly shook uncontrollably, “He…he killed that elfin woman. I’s wanted to help her but…” Hoggle trailed off as the guilt for not trying to help her fully sank in.

Jareth made his way down the steps that led to where the two stood. Not taking the consideration of Hoggle’s reaction he willed another crystal in hand as he forced Hoggle to look at the image within. “Is this the elfin woman?”

Hoggle swallowed hard as he recognized the image but there was something different about her appearance, almost dark. “How’d you know?”

Jareth sat on his heals so that his eyes were level with the dwarfs, “She is not dead but she soon will be when I find her.” Hoggle visibly blanched, “Oh, come, come Hogbrain, that woman tried to kill Sarah.”

“She…she did what?”

Sir Didymus, who had been completely quite the whole time spoke up, “Tried to kill Lady Sarah? Why would any wish to harm her? I pledge thyself to her service, non shall try to harm Lady Sarah as I shall protect her.”

Jareth annoyingly looked to the noble fox night just before standing back to his full height to look down at the two, “That will not be necessary. She is under my care and protection. Now Hoggle did any of the two mention their identities, who they were?”

Hoggle wrinkled his brow in concentration as he scratched his head in thought, “Yea, the man or whatever he was, says that his name was Jonathan…Jonathan Novay and the elf was ere…Novea Dalula I’s thinks. She’s not dead?”

“No Hoggle, she is not dead, well technically she is. Humans call them vampires.”

Hoggle was stunned and shocked that the King had actually said his name right. Looking down at his feet he wondered about how Sarah had acted around the King. She didn’t look like she was enchanted somehow by his magic but he still couldn’t get himself to believe what he had seen. “Where’s Sarah?”

“She’s perfectly safe and is resting,” Jareth snapped. ‘Why must they always question my actions? Ever since they helped Sarah to…def…get to the castle they have done nothing but try to defy me. That will soon change.’ “Leave,” he softly spoke this word but with a force so deadly the two did not dare question as to why.

As they left the room Jareth grimaced, ‘I will not put up with their attitude towards me. Sarah’s friends or not I can not have my subjects openly defying my wishes and commands.’ It was a wonder he hadn’t sent them to an oubliette by now. Making his way back towards his window he looked out at his labyrinth that spread out before him. He could sense change within the kingdom and he shuddered too think of those long sleeping evils of the Underground’s past awaking. The bloodshed and tortures that echoed throughout the kingdom were memories he could never forget. Leaning forward his grasp of the windows edge tightened as he fought against the horrid visions of his past, a past that he would give anything to have never experienced. Shaking the images from his mind he released his grip of the windows edge as he straightened summoning his power he quickly transported himself to the library.

Giles was so wrapped up in the book before him that he hardly noticed the slight stir of air around him. As a form was suddenly standing beside him Giles almost jumped out of his skin. Removing his glasses he looked to the source, being Jareth, “Must you do that?”

Jareth ignored the question, “Have you found anything that will help Sarah to fight this elfin vampire?”

Giles sighed, “No, I’m afraid not. There is nothing in here that references to such a creature. Though I think that to destroy her would be the same as to destroying any vampire.”

The Goblin King thought for a moment, “I see, then it is up to me to train Sarah how to use her powers being that she will have to be able to counter any magic that Navea might throw at her.”

Giles looked to the Goblin King, “You know the creatures name?”

“Yes, it seems that poor Hoggle had witnessed her transformation into what she is now. Also the name of the vampire that was with her, Jonathan Novay.”

Standing from his seat Giles felt his heart wrench, “Jonathan Novay?”

Jareth glanced to Giles in question, “You know of this vampire?”

“I wish that I didn’t. I’ve heard things about this one that would make Angelus’s deeds weak by comparison.” The Goblin King did not reply as he awaited Giles to continue. Giles seeing this, sat back down onto his seat, “He’s been around longer than any vampire that we’ve been able to chronicle. The council thought that he was dead, the last that anyone’s seen of him was a century ago. He’s killed quit a few Slayers in his time. If he is behind any of this, we’re going to need all the help that we can get.”

Without further word Jareth disappeared from the room leaving Giles alone without a by or leave. Giles not at all happy about being so rudely treated could only remove his glasses and fume at a nearby wall. He was starting to feel homesick wondering how the others were faring with his absence. He also wondered how much timed had passed in his world since he knew that time worked differently within the Underground. It had only been a day but in his world it could be weeks.

Sarah relaxed in the gentle embrace of the darkness that surrounded her. Her mind was content with the peace that she was feeling, she had no idea how long she had been like this but really did not care. It was a welcome break from what she had been going through the past week. Then something brushed up against her mind. Suddenly the darkness that surrounded her was not so welcoming as the sense of a coming danger tugged at her senses.

No matter how hard she tried to grasp it, it seamed just out of her reach. A flash, the blackness gone replaced by a familiar scene. The two vampires that she remembered from not long ago, one female the other male. The woman had a sweet expression about her face yet still sending a wave of chills down Sarah’s spine. The long dark red curly hair draped over the pale white skin of her shoulders, as her dress was a strapless gown of the darkest blue. The darkest of green stared almost through her, as she stood motionless before her.

The other stood beside her with hands held behind his back dark chocolate brown eyes holding an unknowing darkness within their depths. Sarah could feel that he was very old and the evil that emanated from him made her spine crawl. They both stood before her staring at her as if she were nothing of significance.

Sarah found her voice as she stepped forward addressing the two, “What do you want?”

The woman vampire smirked, “Oh, Sarah you poor thing! So much pain and sadness you have within you. Why wont you let us take that away?”

Sarah folded her arms over her chest, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The woman vampire slowly started forward and then started to circle her, Sarah only being able to stand motionless as she felt her eyes looking through her, “But I think that you do. Why, your own mother refused you, your father barely recognizes that you exist, you barely even have any friends.” She now stood just behind Sarah waiting for her response.

Sarah couldn’t move the words hitting her with the force of a shattering blow to the face. Nothing, she could not answer nor deny what the woman was telling her. She almost flinched when she felt her hands clasp softly onto her shoulders and her voice in her ear.

“Aren’t you tired of always doing what is right, what everyone expects of you. What have they ever really done for you, hmm?”

“I…” Sarah struggled for words something that would defend against what this vampire was telling her but nothing. Her heart literally sank as she couldn’t come up with any sort of reply. So wrapped up in her inner struggle she did not notice the other approach.

He was directly in front of her now, startling her out of her own thoughts, “There is so much that we can show you Sarah, so much more.” With his finale words he traced his fingers across her collarbone sending a wave of heat throughout her body.

Sarah was in turmoil, as her emotions troubled her from the way they had just reacted at his touch. She wanted to flee, to run away from the two vampires that were both so close to her, to push them away.

Navea grinned to her lover as he tempted the young Slayer, brushing her lips against her throat she smiled at the now trembling Slayer. “Do you remember how it felt as I tasted your blood? The excitement with a hint of pleasure, that can be yours. That’s what it is like when we feed.”

Sarah was trembling now, frightened, as a part of her wanted to give in to the temptation. ‘No, they’re toying with me. I have no desire to be one of them.’ Her thoughts were brought to a horrifying halt as the other vampires lips met hers. Sarah wanted to push him away but her body would not listen. A stinging sensation at her neck caused her to gasp out against the deepening kiss of the vampire before her. It was a title wave of pleasure and pain, she felt weak against it unable to fight. His kiss trailed from her lips down her jaw line as he made his way to the other side of her throat just before his fangs sunk deep within her flesh.

Sarah felt so weak, her will slowly fading from her as the deep kiss of both vampires took its toll. Eyes slamming shut she jerked up from her sleeping position on the bed, breathing heavy as she tried to chase away the dream, her nightmare. Rolling to the side of the bed she sat up rubbing against her throat. As if fearing that it was not a dream Sarah quickly got to her feet and made her way towards the full size mirror at the other end of the room. Examining both sides of her throat she sighed in relief, as she found nothing indicating that the dream was not a dream.

Making her way towards the window she watched as day slowly drifted into that of night. Hugging herself she could still feel both vampires at her throat. “Was it just a dream?”