Ruechari came back to camp. She couldn't believe it. If what Van Helsing said is true then there was really no reason her and Billy... the thought made her heart sing.

Geronimo too could see the change in her.

Their training session left him weak and breathless. She shone brighter than the brightest desert star. "You're ready my child. Whatever has brought you such joy; hold onto that hope and it will guard you against him. He will wither in your light."

Ruechari kissed Geronimo's weathered cheek. "I will."

Jujube and Van Helsing were waiting. "Ready to pay Drake a visit?" Jujube looked at Van Helsing. "We're going to Crimson City?"

"We could wait for him to come to me," Ruchari said, "but honestly I don't see the point in waiting."

"Fine by me," Van Helsing said cocking his cross bow. "I was never good at waiting."

"So, what exactly are our odds of beating this... Drake," Jujube ventured to ask after helping Ruechari into her saddle.

"I don't know, but I know I don't plan on making this easy on him," Ruechari told him.

"Well, that's comforting," Jujube scoffed and Van Helsing chuckled.

"Cheer up Mate. You'll make it through. Just remember to keep this girl alive."

Jujube nodded. Van Helsing was right. His life depended on it.

The three rode off to the city, they would be there before sunset.

-------------

Drake played with his cigarillo. Inhaling the smoke that billowed around him. He could feel her. She was coming to him, her presence became stronger the closer she came.

Drake looked at the massive black wolf at his feet. "Take a party out and welcome our guests. Do whatever you would like to the Dark One and the Brave but remember Ruechari comes back to me."

The wolf let out a howl and several others followed it out into the desert.

Drake looked into his near empty glass, swirling the amber liquid within. "Soon my bride we will be together and we will rule the day and night. Our power will know no bounds and the west and beyond will fall at our feet."

He heard his Mother's cackle from down below and it's sound soured his mood. He descended the stairs. "You seem is a cheery mood, Mother."

She smiled and her canine teeth flash at him. "You will loose. I have seen it."

"You mean you've been praying for it? But the Shaman will fall. She will be broken and when she is, she will be mine."

Long Leg Liz, the White Queen, laughed again. "Don't believe me. Even better. She'll take you then with ease."

"I am no longer prey to your head games, Mother. Your opinions are nothing more than that. Opinions."

"Is that so?" the Queen says playing with her raven black hair over her shoulder. "Then why is there fear in your eyes?"

"Fear? Me? The only fear I have Mother is that you may have gone mad in your confined state, but no worries it will all be over for you soon."

-----

"I don't like it," Van Helsing said, riding with his cross bow at the ready. "It's too quiet."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Jujube said.

"It is a bad thing," Van Helsing added checking his side arms to be certain they were loaded with silver bullets.

"How is not being ambushed by..."

"Shhh!" Ruechari said, she sensed something or someone was following them.

Van Helsing immediately smiled and cocked his guns. "Here we go."

Just as he said this a large wolf leapt at him, knocking him from his horse. Jujube let one of his silver tipped arrows loose and the wolf howled in pain and Van Helsing rolled the beast off of him, but not before adding a few extra rounds for good measure.

Suddenly they were everywhere. Coming from every direction. Jujube let his arrows fly, Van Helsing emptied his peace shooters. Ruechari who transformed into a bear was swatting them away like flies.

That was until she seen him. She transformed into her human form. "No! Doc?" She stood still for a moment until Jujube knocked her to the ground as the wolf leapt at her.

"Drake... he's gotten to Doc. These wolves won't stop until they've gotten what they've come for. He's their alpha. They'll all die first."

"What they've come for is you!" Jujube hollered.

"Then?" Ruechari made a motion to stand.

"No!" Jujube yelled grabbing her arm and running for cover.

"Let go of me!," Ruechari demanded. "They are innocent. They are under his control. They don't deserve..."

She could hardly be heard over the gunshots being fired from Van Helsing's guns as he lay waste to so many of them.

"Stop!" Ruechari stood and yelled at the top of her lungs.

All motion came to a halt. She pulled free of Jujube and started walking towards the black wolf. The dire wolf stalked slowly towards her. Ruechari held out her hand.

"I will not harm you. Doc, your will was broken, but you are stronger than this."

Jujube stood together with Van Helsing both holding their breath without realizing it as they watched Ruechari and the black wolf come closer and closer together.

"She's going to get herself killed," Jujube said readying an arrow but Van Helsing put his hand out to lower it.

"Wait. Look."

Jujube watched astonished as Ruechari knelt in front of the wolf and put her arms out to him. "You are not this savage beast he would wish you to believe you are. I know who you are, I see you," Ruechari said.

The wolf snarled and sneered as it neared her, the low growl rumbled through the pack that watched what its alpha was doing. Van Helsing stared mesmerized. "She's getting through to him."

The wolf shook its massive head and sat before Ruechari. She reached out her hand and stroked its fur. The wolf lowered its head against hers and her arms wrapped around its neck.

"Shhh," she soothed. "You're safe. Tell your pack, they are all safe. I won't let any harm come to any of you."

The wolf lifted it head and howled. The pack barked back, all suddenly sitting on their haunches.

"Come back to me, Doc. I need you," Ruechari said. The wolf let out a painful bawl and suddenly the man face was cradled in Ruechari's hands. She let out a small laugh.

"You look like hell, Doc."

His piercing yellow eyes stared at her, he tried to smile but couldn't bring himself to do it. "How did you...? How did you drag me from that place? I was pushed so far down I did not believe I would ever return."

Ruechari smiled as she helped him to his feet. "The wolf is MY totem. Mine to command.He turned you savage but I could feel you within the animal. I know what it's like to lose yourself to the darkness. You're free now."

"No, not so long as my son lives. My people and I will never be free. He wants you, Rue. He wants your power. He wants that control and he's expecting us to bring you to him."

"Then lets give him what he wants," Ruechari said, without hesitation.

"No! It's too dangerous. If he get hold of your mind... we are all lost," Doc told her.

"It's not going to happen. Trust me when I tell you this is the only way. I have a feeling I will get only one shot to take him down. Should I fail...take your pack and get as far from him as possible."

"If you fail, it will not matter where we run. No man or beast will be safe from him."

"Well then I guess, I best not fail."