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Date Posted: 14:25:35 06/22/02 Sat
Author: moondreamer (who went to work - but has only done this)
Subject: Instinct - Chapter 21
In reply to: moondreamer 's message, "Instinct" on 11:51:56 05/22/02 Wed

Chapter 21.

Sara and Luke left in his car, while Gabe and Ian took off in Gabe’s. The idea was for Gabe and Ian to sneak in one of the many back ways he knew into the mansion while Luke took Sara in the front. The idea was to catch Irons by surprise while his focus was on Sara and The Witchblade. Unfortunately for them, with Jake’s assistance, Kenneth Irons was patiently waiting for them all.

Sara reached out and took Luke’s hand while he drove. Her fear and mistrust of him had totally vanished in their moment of spiritual joining with Ian. Now her only fear was what she would do if she lost either of them now.

“It will be alright, Sara.” Luke spoke softly to her. He could sense her barely contained panic and attempted to soothe it.

“Oh Luke, I’m so scared. I know I’m supposed to be strong. I know I’m supposed to trust The Witchblade. But I just want this over.”

“It will be soon. I promise.”

They pulled up in front of the massive gates and Luke paused at the retinal scanner. The gate swung open and as they made their way into the foyer of the mansion Sara paused to take a deep breath. As she did so The Witchblade started humming and whirling madly. An odorless gas began dispensing from the ceiling. The hiss audible in the gloomy quiet.

“Sara, look out.” Choking as he spoke, Luke tried to push her out of the way but it was already too late. Both Luke and Sara swayed slightly before they collapsed to the floor, already partially unconscious.

As Luke hit the floor he could see the polished gleam of Kenneth Irons’ expensive, hand-made loafs as his feet approached. He looked up and could see the cold gleam in the icy blue eyes over the respirator that covered the lower half of his face.

“Shockingly predictable. Horribly sloppy. You counted too much on the element of surprise young Nottingham. And that was an element you did not possess.”

Luke attempted to send Ian a warning as darkness overcame him.

***

When he came to again he was strapped to a chair in Kenneth Irons’ great room. The fire was burning hotly and sweat covered his forehead. He tested his bonds, feeling for the effort it would take to free himself.

“What a quandary to be sure? Hmmm, Ian?” He looked up as Kenneth Irons came once again into his field of vision.

“Why did you not tell me the original lived? Or…perhaps, are you the original? Either way it does not matter. You are both dead.” Irons reached down and lifted Luke’s chin until their eyes met. “Were you blinded also by the fair Sara? Did she take you into her bed as well? I wouldn’t have thought she had enough spirit to bed both of you. Perhaps I should try her out for myself?”

Luke tightened his jaw until his teeth hurt as his fists clenched in anger at Irons’ words.

“Since you did not kill the other one, I can only assume you joined with him. But, you have served me well. You have brought me the wielder, and her blood. For that, you will die quickly. It’s the least I can do.”

Luke could see Sara, strapped down to another chair. She appeared to still be unconscious.

“Don’t hurt her, she is willing to give you the blade. She just wants to walk away.”

“Of what good is the blade to me without her? An item in a display case? An object to admire from a distance? Only she can wear it. Only her blood can keep me alive until I can wear it myself. And her blood I shall have. Make no mistake about that.”

“Ian was right then.” Sara raised her head and spoke groggily. “You are mad, obsessed. You are trying to stay alive until you can finally figure out a way to totally possess The Witchblade.”

Irons crossed the room to stand before Sara. “Yes my dear. I regret how things have come to pass, but so be it. I will have your blood. And eventually, I will wear The Witchblade. It is my destiny.” He paused, reaching out a hand to trace the strong line of Sara’s jaw.

“Mad you say? Obsessed? No more than he is of you, Detective. Each of us has our own obsession; our own grail to seek. I just require a bit of assistance from you in my quest. It could have been different, you know. I offered you the world. But no, you had to reject me and bed my servant. Excuse me, my servants. Corrupt my most useful tools. I did not take either lightly.”

Luke could feel the rage build within him as he watched Irons’ put his hands on Sara. With a supreme effort he tensed his muscles. Finally the metal bands snapped and he stood with an animal growl even as Ian and Gabriel burst into the room.

Gabriel held a gun on Irons as Ian freed Sara. She rose to her feet, The Witchblade springing into gauntlet and sword form as she let her anger reign free.

“Are you going to kill me, Detective?” Irons spoke mockingly. His posture was relaxed and sure, even with Gabriel and the gun in front of him, and Luke and Ian to the sides.

“Whatever would your partner Detective McCartey think of that? How will you explain this to him?”

“Jake?” Sara replied. “What does Jake have to do with any of this?”

“Why he is the one who gave this whole charade away, my dear. His jealousy of you and my servants has been your undoing.”

Sara stepped closer to him. Her anger fighting with her will as The Witchblade came closer to Irons.

“Jake meant nothing to me. He is just a friend. And in the end, that won’t matter either when the blade cuts through your lying neck.”

“Ah but it will my dear. He and several others are on their way over even as we speak. I called him, you see. As soon as you all pulled up. I told him that Ian and his brother were planning on killing and robbing me and abducting you. Do you really think I would let you all get away with this?”

He laughed once again. “Even now, the heroic Detective McCartey is on his way to kill the boys and save you, Sara. Save you from yourself.”

“I’ll tell them what really happened.” Gabe spoke up decisively. “No one would believe you.”

“Mr. Bowman, you are obviously still deeply distraught over the death of your friend, Sly Marcus. Who is going to believe you over me – a respected businessman? Especially when you will be dead also I may have happened to mention that you were in on this little ploy also.”

Upset by his words Sara moved even closer. The sword of The Witchblade seemed to leap in her hands towards Irons.

“It doesn’t matter.” She repeated. “I don’t care anymore. I just know this has to stop. Here and now. No matter what else happens. This will end with your death.”

As Sara leaned forward she was surprised when Irons’ moved suddenly to the side. Before Luke or Ian could move he had one arm around her neck and torso, pinning her to his chest. His other hand held an ornate dagger, it’s blade gleaming as it hovered by her carotid artery.

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