This is thethird part of Luna's Point of View of the latest scheme from Luna and Maggie.

If you're trying to keep track, the first part was Newfound Depths by Luna, the Second was Unusual Depths by Maggie, The Third was Newfound Desires by Luna, The Fourth was Unusual Desires by Maggie.  Now comes Newfound Strength from this corner...notice a theme? LOL.

I hope you enjoy reading this as much as we are enjoying writing it!

Disclaimer: Laurell K. Hamilton and the Berkley Publishing Group do not authorize this author. All characters that you recognize belong to Laurell K. Hamilton except for the ones created by the people in this group. This is solely for entertainment purposes.

Rating: R just to be on the safe side

Newfound Strength

The psychological torture was the worst. It was like a cat and mouse game, with me so obviously being the mouse.

A flash caught my attention before I quickly turn away. I was shown things I was present for. It did no good to rehash them. Over and over, the images passed before my eyes. With nothing better to do I found myself watching avidly, dissecting my own techniques.

Was I supposed to be sorry? Was I supposed to feel remorse? Should I prostrate myself before them and beg forgiveness? It wasn't fucking likely to happen, not while I continued to exist.

My upper lip pulled back from my teeth, a sneer marring my features. My arms crossed over my chest. It was a defiant pose to be sure, one that they couldn't let slide.

As if conjured by the mere thought they appeared. Wearing human looking forms, they cautiously approached me. I guess my new attitude showed. Oh well, it wasn't like they hadn't been expecting it. Eventually everyone gets to a point where enough is enough. I had just reached my limit.

The tension level in the room mounted quickly. Their eyes nervously flew around the room. My body dropped into a low crouch, waiting for them to make the first move. They'd either move in tandem or they'd try one on one.

I was hoping for one on one. It would give me better odds and would let me test out my strength. There was so much going on in my head that I didn't quite know what I was. I could have been any number of things. We were about to test all of those theories.

The leader, I guessed, moved in. A wicked looking blade appeared in his hand. He glided more than walked. His flaming red eyes looked for any weakness. The longer he waited the more anxious I became. Why wasn't he attacking?

Whatever he found he must have liked; he lunged forward and I barely managed to roll out of the way. He blinked his eyes and his gaze turned to find me. He was stunned! You could see it in the way he held his body, the way his eyes never left my still crouched form.

Either he had underestimated me or overestimated himself. In any case he was letting emotion guide him now. It showed as he tried to land several blows. I ducked and dodged as many as I could.

To an outsider it must have looked like a well-choreographed ballet. The thrusts and counters acted out as we danced our way towards a deadly climax. I had no doubts as to who would be walking away from this encounter. I'd be damned if I was going to let this bastard get the best of me.

I grabbed the blade, holding it while I drew the thing towards me. I swung my arm up and cuffed him up side the head. Moving quickly while he was stunned I yanked the blade free from his hand. Blood was running like a warm river down my arm.

Standing, I jammed the knife in his chest. His eyes widened in shock, his mouth hanging open in an "O" of surprise. Without warning he vanished, disintegrating like so much ash. My eyes turned to the other he backpedaled away from me.

Even without a mirror I could tell you my eyes were wild, crazy, and definitely not human. The sound that came out of me was somewhere between an animal cry and the wail of a banshee. I wanted out and I wanted out now.

The other thing in its haste to leave the room dropped an evil looking staff. I picked that up as well. I clung to them as I made my way out of the only place I'd been for more years then I actually cared to count.

The hall, at least that's what it looked to be, stretched in either direction as far as the eye could see, doors, doors, and more doors. I wouldn't touch any of them. Now that I was out of that cell, I was afraid. What if I picked the wrong door? What if it led me back the way I'd come?

I stood there motionless, indecision clouding my mind. The next thing I became aware of was a burning sensation spreading across my back. I turned looking for someone to confront. There was no one there.

Pain enveloped my being. I clutched the staff and blade tighter in an effort to stave off panic. It felt like someone hooked me behind the navel. It was a vaguely familiar feeling, similar to the one that had brought me to this place. Oh God, please let me be getting out of here.

My eyes squeezed shut as I felt the world beginning to spin. It was hot, hotter than a flame, more alive then anything I could describe. The world faded away as pain, light, and movement engulfed my consciousness. A wordless scream was ripped from my lips as I landed hard on carpet covered concrete.

Even as darkness ate my vision I held onto my weapons. If nothing else *they* would keep me safe. The world faded to black as I heard others approaching me.