Redwing's laughter ran through my blood. "Ha ha ha ha.. So you three made it this far.. I'm impressed..." I saw Frank sheath his rapier and unsling his shotgun. I moved even closer towards Tellka as she clutched her staff.

"But no one... NO ONE messes with my plans!" He turned to face us.

Tellka.. I really don't feel like fighting..

"It's now or never, Kate. Here we are, now are you going to fight or not?"

I.. I don't know... I felt myself shiver, and then I heard my mom.

*Don't be afriad, Kate. You have Tellka and Frank here to protect you.* Redwing's voice broke my thoughts.

"Heh heh heh.. I know about you three... Frank Maynard.. The boy who stuck his curious little nose in my plans... You will die here. I can guarantee that." I saw Frank go into a fighting stance.

"Kate Harlow..." My blood seemed to stop as he spoke my name. "Or should I say, Kate Chan? Hmm?" I blinked.

What? Chan?

Redwing continued. "You will die as well. I will kill you, just like I killed your precious mother." He flashed me a sinister grin. I knew that in any other case I would have been scared. I would have wanted to run, to hide, but not this time. I felt a different kind of flame flicker in my mind and although it only lasted about two seconds, I realized then what it must feel like for Tellka when she would talk about hatred. I had never felt hatred before this, but no one had ever talked about my mother in such a way either. I felt my ears lay back and I crouched into a fighting stance.

"Kate?" I heard the surprise in Tellka's voice.

"Are you OK?" This time it was Frank who asked. Suddenly I felt my strength leave me. I was like a little girl against Redwing, but, for my mother's sake, I wouldn't stand down. I turned to look at Frank.

"I'll be fine. No one talks about my mother like that..."

"And finally you, Tellka." Redwing continued. "A certain demon told me about you. One from your extensive past, I must say. It will end here. So that you will no longer interfere." I glanced over at Tellka. A growled rumbled from her throat and she bared her teeth, flashing her huge canines.

"Tellka?" I heard Frank ask at the same time I did. How did he... Redwing.. how did he...

"I don't care how he knew, but he's wrong.. It won't end here...."

"I'll explain if I've got the time." Tellka grumbled. I knew this was directed more towards Frank. Everything that had happened with Katt and Tellka, and now this, he must have been really confused. Tellka continued. "We've got more important things to worry about now."

"Enough of this. It's time for you three to die. I'll make sure to kill Kate in front of you and Tellka, Frank." Redwing said as he chuckled and extended his bright red wings. My eyes went wide.

"I really don't like how this guy keeps talking about you, Kate..." I could hear Tellka growl again.

"You're killing no one, you sadistic freak. In fact, you're the one who is going to die!" Frank said bravely.

"So brave for such a little pest. I shall show you my true form, and then we shall see who wins!" Redwing said. As he spoke, he was surrounded by a deep glow and his voice became raspy and deep.

"Oh crap.. FORM UP!!!" I didn't even hesitate as I heard Frank's command. I moved into formation between Frank and Tellka and waited.

In the place of where Redwing used to be, there was now a huge blood red, bird-like demon. It took to the air, hovering a bit, and then dove straight at me. I closed my eyes and waited.

BLAM

SHRIEK

I opened my eyes to see the creature tumble to the floor and glanced over at Frank who was holding his shotgun. I let out a long sigh of relief.

As soon as the creature hit the floor Tellka rushed forward and smacked it with her staff. Hard. The demon recovered as Tellka moved back into formation.

It leaped back into the air, circled, and this time dove towards Tellka. She didn't move, but watched it as it approached untill...

BLAM

THUNK

Tellka raced forward again but the demon was too quick and was back in the air before she could land a hit on it. She scooted back into formation and the creature dove again, this time at Frank. I waited for the sound.

*click*

That's not right.. I turned and looked at Frank with fear.

"Oh no.. I forgot to reload!" He began fumbling around for his ammo as the creature slammed into him. I watched as he and his gun seperated. His gun landed a few feet infront of me. Frank, on the other hand, was thrown opposite of me and Tellka.

"FRANK!!!" I screamed helplessly.

"NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Frank screamed as he slamed into a wall. The creature turned toward Tellka and I. I rushed forward and retrieved Frank's gun before the demon began advancing on us. Watching it with horror, I could only back up slowly.

The demon took to the air again and dove down at me. I jumped back as Tellka lept up into the air and smashed a blow across the creatures face. It shrieked angrely and wheeled around, flying towards Frank.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of power flow through me and I raced towards the demon. I was almost upon it and about to strike when the demon turned back around and slammed into me. I was sent flying back towards Tellka who, thankfully, managed to catch me. I groan as she helped my up and rubbed my sore ribs. When I glanced up I could see the demon advancing on us.

Tellka raced forward and tried to fend it off with a few blows. The demon circled away again and prepared itself for another charge. Tellka backed up next to me and took a defensive stance.

"Listen, don't try to attack just yet."

What about Frank?

"I don't know.."

Tellka.. is he....

"I said I don't know Kate. Now listen, don't worry about Frank, we'll do that later."

Tellka warded off the demon with another blow and I raced forward and managed to hit it myself. I drew back quickly, in fear that it might turn and hit me again. I was still backing away when I heard a noise that made me jump out of my fur.

"DIE!!!!"

FRANK! That's FRANK! I know that's Frank...

The demon cried out in pain and turned around to face Frank. "You're supposed to be dead!" It growled out angerly at him. I saw Frank bring his rapier down on the creature, and it reared back, readying itself to strike. Tellka and I raced forward and lunged at it from behind. I managed to smack it in the back of it's head.

"I've had it with you!" I heard Frank's voice again. "Trying to kill us, for killing Kate's mom, AND for trying to kill the girl that I love! You... deserve.. to.. DIE! For all the people you've made suffer!" Frank struck the demon repeatedly as he spoke. I watched as both he and the demon weakened.

"Heh heh... Humans.. Always weak..." The demon hissed as Frank went down on one knee. "Now I shall... finish you..." The demon reared up in preperation to strike down on Frank.

"Heh, typicall, he forgot about us..." Tellka leaped forward and smashed her staff down on the demons head, hard. I backed up as she landed and circled for another attack. I headed around to where Frank was, to make sure he was okay.

"No...." I could hear Redwing wheezing. "How... Could I lose... I... had it all... money... power.... Why?" Tellka came up beside me.

"Is Frank okay?"

I think so...

"Why... did you fight?" The demon asked weakly.

"For everyone. My friends.. and those you killed." Frank answered as the demons body went limp and lifeless. I turned to Frank.

"Is... that true?"

"Hmm?" Frank looked at me.

"You fought for everyone... Liek you told him." I asked.

"Right. I did it for you two.. and your mom, Kate." Frank said.

"Kate was right, Frank... There aren't a lot of people like you." Tellka said thoughtfully as she twirled her staff.

"Are you both OK?" Frank asked.

"We're fine. We didn't get injured." I ignored the ache in my ribs. I knew it would be fine, and, I didn't want Frank to worry.

Redwing's body melted and dissapeared. A flash of light filled the room and then faded, leaving the room a bit brighter then before.

"The demons are gone now. We can leave without getting attacked." Frank explained.

"Frank?" I asked quietly. Frank gave me a tired look. "Did you mean what you said.. when you were fighting him? YOu... love.. me?" I said quietly.

"I do, Kate. I truly do."

I didn't say anything but thought about it for a bit. Frank smiled. "C'mon. I'll take you home, Kate." Frank reached out and put an arm around me. We leaned against each other for support. As we left the room, I could her Tellka muttering something behind us.

What?

"Nothing..."

Truth be known... I kinda liked his violin playing...

Tellka didn't answer.

e-mail author, talonr@hotmail.com