Back Behind the Bars

"This is my fault," Annika cried. She sat sombrely on her bed, allowing the void of oblivion to surround her. She was comforted by her sadness because it was easy to wallow in her own grief. The past three months seemed like a blur; sometimes it was a beautiful blur, painted by love and happiness, but other times it was scorched by the fire of jealousy and hate.

Annika moved a few strands of her hair out of her face and looked out of her window, the window that led to another room - the Garden Room. She saw her roses and how they looked sick and frail. Several of the red petals had fallen to the ground, and even more were on the verge of falling, yet new buds were sprouting and growing. Soon they would bloom into beautiful flowers. Annika couldn't help but draw a connection between the rose buds and the child growing within her abdomen. Soon she would give birth, and Oame would blossom into life. More petals tumbled to the ground, catching Annika's eye, and she knew what she had to do. Ripping the sheets from her bed, she tied them together and lowered them out of the window. She was disappointed to learn that she could no longer use the Force; whatever magic Lamia had used to give it to her had worn off. So Annika slowly climbed down the sheets, trying to be extra careful, but as she got nearer to the ground, she still slipped and landed on her backside. Sparing no time to cry, she ran from the room, and from the Temple, and straight to Selket.

Fourth Level Coruscant was packed with the seediest of criminals. Pirates, bounty hunters, mercenaries, and several politicians banged their way past Annika as she walked down the crowded street. She shuddered because she knew they would be more than happy to find out she was a Princess. Royalty always brought in good ransom money.

Selket was busy as usual. Annika stood back, hidden in the shadows, and watched as people pushed inside the doors. A poster hung on the black-brick wall advertising that Alexi Nemov, the famous violinist, would be performing.

Someone grabbed Annika from behind. A warm hand clamped over her mouth so she couldn't scream. She struggled and pulled, trying to get away from her assailant, but the grip around her waist only grew stronger. A few people turned to watch as Annika was dragged, kicking and squirming, into Selket; they shrugged and went back to their own business.

Annika was tugged through the room with the main stage; she could hear the soulful sounds of a violin, and she could see hoardes of people lost in the blissful melody, none of them even looking her way. The strong arms around her tightened, causing her to stop struggling, and a few minutes later, she was tossed back into her cage, and the iron door swung shut and locked.

The person who had captured her outside now stood watching her and she got her bearings. "How does it feel to be back home?"

"Akira," Annika whispered. "Where is Ame?"

"Don't worry, she is fine. And, now that you are here, she will be released. I give you my word."

"But I don't give you mine," a cold voice said from the doorway. Lamia walked in wearing a short, tight, black dress with silver buckled garters holding up fishnet stockings. She smiled upon seeing Annika's frightened face securely locked behind the bars. "Aren't you glad to see me, Love?"

"Where is my daughter?"

"What? Oh, her. Well, she's somewhere around here. I might let her go... then again... I might not."

"No! You promised!" Annika yelled. She wrapped her hands around the bars and followed Lamia's figure as she paced the floor slowly.

"I did?" She feigned innocence. "And you trusted a Vampire? You really are back to the Light Side. No self respecting member of the Dark Side would have believed me." She laughed and shook her head in disbelief.

Akira stared at Lamia with hatred in his eyes. "Ibara, you will free the child, unharmed."

Rolling her eyes, Lamia said, "Anything for you my beloved. Well then," she said turning back to face Annika, "consider it done. I'll have Cinnamon deliver Ame to the Jedi Temple. How's that?"

"Do it now," Akira said. Lamia stomped over to her bedroom door and threw it open. She called for her assistant and ordered her to return Ame, unharmed. Annika sighed in relief.

Lamia stretched her arms above her head and smiled seductively. She rounded on Akira and physically shoved him out the door. "Leave me alone with her," she cooed. Akira scowled, but turned and left; he didn't go far, however. He stayed right outside the door - it was impossible to trust Lamia, and he wanted to make sure she didn't hurt Annika.

As Lamia ascended the steps leading into the cage, Annika backed up against the back bars. She was terrified. This was not the woman she remembered. This version of Lamia was purely evil and corrupt - the epitome of the Dark Side.

"It is good to have you home, Love," Lamia whispered into Annika's ear. "I have to apologise to you for the nasty things I said to you on Neelgaimon. I didn't mean to hurt you; I shouldn't have hit you. It was Akira's fault! He's so evil and twisted... he makes me do mean things. I wasn't uncaring until he got here... do you remember?"

"Well..." Annika began. "That's true..."

"Of course it is. Why would I hurt you? I love you... you carry my child. I could never do anything to make you hate me."

"You did hurt me, Lamia, and you made me dislike you!"

Her lips turned into a grin. "I know, pet, but like I told you, Akira emits an evil power. He has control over me and makes me do whatever he wants. He made me strike you because he wants you all to himself, and he knows that you'll leave me. I wish Akira would go away - he frightens me." Tears came to Lamia's eyes, and she slid her arms around Annika's neck and hugged her.

"Lamia... I..." Annika didn't know how to finish her sentence, so she hugged back. What if she was right, and Akira was the one behind all the evil? What if she had misjudged the situation? Suddenly, Annika pulled away from the still-crying Lamia and shook her head. "You're lying to me again. You're trying to confuse me."

A look of shock crossed her face, and Lamia gasped dramatically. "How can you say something like that to me? I'm pouring my heart out to you - how can you be so heartless?"

"You kidnapped my daughter!"

"No! I didn't want to - Akira made me! He literally puts words into my mouth; I'm like his little marionette. Oh Annika... I'm so alone," she cried again. "Don't leave me all alone!"

A sharp stab hit Annika hard, she knew the pain of being alone; it was her biggest fear. She looked at Lamia, who had collapsed to the floor in tears, and said, "I won't leave you alone! I'll stay here until Oame is born, okay? But I don't want to be a prisoner!"

"All right," Lamia sniffled. "You don't have to stay in the cage. Maybe you can work for me in the club. Would you like that?"

"That would be great!" Annika smiled. "Lamia, can I go back to the Temple, to see my friends? I'll come back, I promise!"

"But they'll try to hurt you and Oame! I'm so worried for you... for us and our future!"

Annika bit her lip. "Lamia... I know that while I was on the Dark Side I did a lot of things, but I love Obi-Wan Kenobi. I can't imagine myself with anyone else; he's my whole life. I don't want to ever be away from him."

The tears filled Lamia's eyes again, and her bottom lip trembled. "You said you loved me."

"And I do!" Annika said hurriedly. "Just not in the same way as Obi-Wan."

"Maybe in time, that will change," Lamia smiled. Annika didn't want to hurt her feelings any further; but by the same token, she didn't want to give her false hope, either. She started to say something, but Lamia placed a well-manicured finger on her lips. "Say nothing now, Love."

"If I stay, can my friends visit?"

"Of course! Name them - I will send Cinnamon to fetch them right away."

"Obi-Wan?"

Lamia nodded and said, "As you wish. I'll send for him immediately. Annika?"

"Yes?"

"You do believe me, right? That it has been Akira this whole time? Wait until he comes back into the room - then you'll see how me makes me behave. Please believe me! I'm not a bad person... it's Akira."

Annika smiled and slowly nodded and watched as Lamia left the room. Akira entered after her and walked over to the cage.

"I see she still keeps you prisoner," he said. Annika didn't say a word; she just stared wide-eyed at him. "You're going to stay here willingly?" Annika was quiet and started to shake with fear. Akira sized her up and realised that she was terrified of him. He frowned. "What did Lamia tell you?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying, I can tell." He took a few steps up the stairs and opened the cage door. Annika got as far away from him as possible.

Lamia walked back into the room and flew into a typical rage. "Get away from her!" she screamed. The clacking of her high-heeled shoes was heavy and loud as she thundered her way across the room. Her black curls framed her face, which was twisted into a fierce glare, and her silver eyes bored deep into Akira's black eyes. She placed her hands on her hips, and a small growl emanated from the bottom of her throat. Suddenly she seemed to remember something long forgotten, for she rushed to Annika's side and gripped her upper arm.

"Please, Akira, leave her alone. Don't hurt her!" Lamia urged.

The black-haired man glanced around the room as if he were looking for someone else. "What are you talking about?"

"Just go, leave us."

Akira raised his eyebrow and said, "I don't know what you're up to, but I'm not going anywhere. I think I'll wait right here." He climbed down the stairs and sat in a nearby chair. He crossed one long leg over the other and folded his hands to watch Lamia closely.

Lamia leaned near Annika's ear and whispered, "I told you. I'm afraid he'll make me do something I don't want to." Lamia rested her head against Annika's and closed her arms around her shoulders. She felt Annika's warm flesh next to her own, and then she made to kiss Annika, but the other girl pulled back.

"I can't. Please don't touch me in that, Lamia," Annika whispered sadly.

Lamia's serene smile dissolved into a vicious sneer, and she made a sound as if she were being choked. Her eyes flashed with pure anger, and she forced out, "What did you say?"

Annika looked half-concerned, half-frightened, but she whispered, "I can't kiss you."

"How dare you deny me?!?" In a spilt second Lamia grabbed Annika around her neck and hoisted her several feet off of the ground. Using the Force, she slammed the cage door shut; it collided with a loud clang that echoed around the room. Akira jumped to his feet and quickly tried to pull it open.

"Lamia, open this door now!" he yelled, but the woman refused to hear, as she was too busy choking the life out of Annika.

"You are never to tell me no. I take what I want, when I want it. I do not need your permission for anything! You are never to reject me again! Do you understand?" Annika's eyes watered and began to roll back in her head.

"Bara no Kuroi! You are killing her! Drop her!" Akira bellowed. Annika's limp body crumpled to the floor, and she gasped for breath, trying desperately to stop the burning in her throat. He looked on helplessly as Lamia bent down and kissed Annika hard on the lips.

"I take what I want," she said. Akira put his hand over his mouth and gazed at Lamia in shock. There was a light tapping on the bedroom door, and he slowly walked over the answer it. Lilith stood on the opposite side.

"The Jedi is here," she said with more than a hint of disgust in her voice. Akira nodded and walked after her, keeping his sharp eyes on Lamia until he could no longer see her.

Annika's hands were around her throat as she coughed and sputtered for more oxygen. She could still feel Lamia's strong, cold hand around her neck, strangling the life out. Annika used her feet to push herself away from Lamia, whose demeanour switched from one of evil to one of innocence.

"Annika! Are you okay?" she cried, running over to her. "See? I told you! He made me do that! I'm so sorry!" Lamia ran her long fingers over the red marks and bruises that covered Annika's neck. "Here, let me help you." A soft golden glow illuminated Lamia's hands, and she placed them gently over the wounds, healing them instantly. "Do you see now, Love? Do you see?" she repeated, silver tears dripping down her face. "I know that the Jedi you claim to love is here, so I'll leave you to be with him - but remember, you promised to stay."

Lamia slowly backed out of the cage and out of the room. Annika was shaking violently, and although she no longer struggled to breathe, her heart was still beating so rapidly that she thought it would explode.

Obi-Wan walked in with him hand clasped over his lightsaber; his eyes were narrowed and his brow furrowed as he concentrated on raising his senses. This place was full of so much dark energy; it was hard to stay focused. He saw Annika sitting behind the iron bars with her arms wrapped protectively around herself. The Jedi ran up to her and ran his hands soothingly over her face.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded.

"Why did you leave the Temple?"

"It was my fault that Ame was stolen - I couldn't let her suffer because of me."

"That girl, Cinnamon, told me that you agreed to stay here."

"I did. They'll leave everyone alone that way." Annika stood up and walked over to the swing. She sat down and looked up and saw the beautiful flower vines that wound up along the ropes and onto the top of the cage. It seemed like so long ago when she was in Selket last, but it had only been a few days. Annika was ready to forfeit her life to insure the safety of her friends.

Obi-Wan cleared his throat and sat on the bed to look into Annika's eyes. He saw a sadness and loneliness that was unlike her. Yet, he also saw the determination and stubbornness that was almost a trademark. She would do anything for the people she loved, including resigning herself to being Lamia's slave. Obi-Wan sighed and said, "If you're staying here, I'm staying here."

Annika laughed. "I don't want you to; I don't trust Lamia. She says she's sorry... but I don't know if she's sincere or just trying to trick me again."

"Does it matter?"

"Yes! If she really is being controlled by Akira, I have to save her!"

"Annika," Obi-Wan whispered. "My senses tell me this is an unhealthy situation."

"Do not worry, my friend! She is perfectly safe!" came a lush voice from behind them. Obi-Wan whirled around, lightsaber drawn, and saw a blonde man with piercing green eyes. He was very tall and gentlemanly. Smiling warmly, he took another step forward. Annika noticed he carried a black case in one hand and a black bag in the other. The blonde man sat the case down on a table, then walked into the cage.

He extended his hand to Obi-Wan. "My name is Alexi Nemov. I am Annika's doctor."

"Doctor?" Annika asked.

"Yes. Akira asked me to take care of the expectant mother. I can sense your trepidation, my Jedi comrade, but rest assured, I am a real doctor. I have been one for over six hundred years, and my mother was a midwife, so I have plenty of knowledge when it comes to babies."

Annika looked surprised, "Six hundred years? You're a vampire too? But your teeth aren't... you know."

Alexi grinned, "Not all vampires have the teeth. Not all vampires drink blood."

"Wait a minute! You're the violinist from earlier!" Annika smiled, and so did Alexi.

Obi-Wan didn't sense the same kind of evil from Dr Nemov as he did from the other vampires, but he couldn't shake the feeling of dread around Alexi. "I would prefer," Obi-Wan said, "to have a Jedi Healer look over her."

Alexi laughed and said, "I am a special kind of vampire. My food of choice isn't blood; it is psychic energy. I can drain someone's life force in less than a minute - it won't kill them, just make them very weak. I have great stores of psychic energy that I employ in my medical services. Your friend is in very skilled hands."

The doctor instructed Annika to lie on the bed and relax; however, Annika hated doctors and she was shaking so much that Obi-Wan was afraid she would slide off the bed. Dr Nemov touched her temple and said a few soothing words, and she immediately calmed down. Then he placed his hands on Annika's abdomen and closed his eyes. A couple of minutes later, his eyes flitted open and said, "Well, everything is progressing normally. She is healthy, and so are you."

"So it's definitely a girl?" asked Annika.

Alexi nodded. "Were you hoping for a boy?"

"Well, sort of. I already have three future daughters."

"I suppose this makes four," he chuckled. "I have to report to Akira-sama now, so I'll leave you alone for the night. I don't want you over exerting yourself, so take it easy and rest."

The doctor left the room and ran straight into Lamia. "Well?" she snapped.

"Madam Valentine, you will be pleased to know that mother and child are progressing naturally. However, Annika's affiliation with the Light Side is corrupting Kurai Oame's soul. Her energy is changing - she is losing that side of her that rightfully belongs to us."

"I knew it!" Lamia said through gritted teeth. "This calls for drastic measures."