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"Then I’ll die," Steve sneered

"You don’t knohat you’re saying!" Harst hissed

"I do," Steve replied softly "I’ll let the others go, but Crepsley dies now, because he said I was evil" Steve glared down at the silent Mr Crepsley "And if I have to die with him, I will - consequences be daape, Mr Crepsley looked to where Vancha and I were standing As our eyes locked in gri, Debbie rushed up beside us "Darren!" she shouted "We have to save him! We can’t let hi her forehead, holding her close

"But?" she sobbed

"We can’t do anything," I sighed

While Debbie moaned and buried her face in my chest, Mr Crepsley addressed Vancha "It seems our paths must part, Sire"

"Aye," Vancha croaked bitterly

"We shared soood times," Mr Crepsley said

"Great ti my praises in the Halls of Vampire Mountain when you return, and drink a toast to lass of water?"

"I’ll drink a crate of ale to your nas till s to extreaze settled onaardly I felt like crying, but couldn’t There was an awful emptiness inside of me and my emotions wouldn’t respond

"Hurry!" Gannen Harst shouted "My grip is slipping A few more seconds and I’ll?"

"A few seconds will suffice," Mr Crepsley said, not one to be rushed, even when death was beckoning S sadly at me, he said, "Do not let hatred rule your life My death does not need to be avenged Live as a free vae-driven creature of despair Do not become like Steve Leonard or RV My spirit will not rest easy in Paradise if you do"

"You don’t want me to kill Steve?" I asked uncertainly

"By all means kill him!" Mr Crepsley boomed "But do not devote yourself to the task Do not?"

"I can’t - hold - any longer!" Gannen Harst wheezed He was tre from the strain

"Nor shall you have to," Mr Crepsley responded His eyes passed fro He stared as though he could see through the layers of rock, concrete and earth above to the sky beyond "Gods of the vampires!" he bellowed "Even in death, may I be triumphant!"

Then, as the echoes of his final cry reverberated around the walls of the cavern, Mr Crepsley let go of the chain He hung in the air an ih he could fly - then dropped like a stone towards the steel-tipped stakes beneath