The Consequences of being Wrong

Phoenix spent the day alone in the bookstore researching everything she could about Onyx and the Ironshade. She found Taetrulf in a file. He had a son who was named Zegrath and a mother who was unknown. Although Taetrulf was a part of Ironshade, he wouldn't do anything to hurt his family. His wife died when Zegrath was born, and Taetrulf had to provide for Zegrath alone. Until one day when he disappeared, nowhere to be seen, no one knowing what happened to him.

The ironic part? It happened the same day a girl disappeared. Her family had been mutilated and slashed while her house robbed of anything easily carried and of value. Her name was Soleil and she was the oldest out of her siblings. No one had seen her, but had forgotten about her after a year or two, thinking she was dead. No one even remembered to keep an eye out for her.

Zegrath, Anthrax's son, was taken in by Neclord who said he thought of the boy like his own son. There was a picture of Zegrath when he was ten, the age he lost his father. Phoenix looked closely at the boy. He was skinny and malnourished. His hair seemed uncleaned and dark, whether from dirt or not, she couldn't tell. But it were the eyes that made her throat clench, that made her heart race. Dark brown, almost black emotionless orbs that held no smile whatsoever.

Onyx!

Onyx was Zegrath. Zegrath was Onyx. Phoenix couldn't imagine having her father leave her helpless and taken in by a ruthless boss who only wants you for killing people. But, then again, she could…

Now she doubted him. She doubted he even knew what his father had done. But Phoenix wondered if there was more to him than he let on, wondered if he knew who Neclord was. She highly doubted he could do much about Neclord, but maybe she could. Maybe she could even find Anthrax and bring him home to Onyx…Zegrath. Closing her eyes, Phoenix remembered back to the miracle that led her to this life, to getting revenge.

She researched some more and by late night, was exhausted. She was about to go upstairs to bed when a knock sounded on the door. Surprised and a little confused, she went to open it, yawning and struggling to keep her eyes open.

Phoenix opened the door and blinked in shock to see Onyx…Zegrath standing there. "I thought you weren't coming till morning?"

"I had some news for you. And I need you to follow me."

"Why? I'm exhausted and want to go to bed."

He looked her over and rose his brows. "You look like a wreck."

She glared at him. "I've had a lazy day. And I can't talk about anything exciting right now. I can't think straight."

He smirked and crossed his arms. "You're the one who asked me to come pick you up. I'm picking you up. Come with me. You're not going to regret it."

She looked at him suspiciously, but shook her head. "Good night, Onyx. Come get me in a few hours."

Before Phoenix could close the door and walk up to her room, Onyx wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him, surprising her and pissing her off as well. She went to shout, but he put a hand on her mouth, whispering in her ear, "I said come with me, Phoenix. I think you might enjoy this."

Phoenix, now wide awake, had no way of defending herself. All her weapons were inside and he was too swift for her kicks aimed for his groin. She felt helpless for the second time in her life. Nothing could have prepared her for something like this. Her struggling didn't last long since her body was exhausted, so she fell limp in his arms, breathing heavily.

"Stay awake, Firebird. I have a wonderful surprise for you," he whispered in her ear. Slowly, he released her mouth then her altogether.

Phoenix turned slowly and hugged herself. "Let me go get dressed."

He shook his head, grinning. "I don't think so, Phoenix. I don't have time."

"Why not?"

Shrugging, he held out his arm for her. "Because I'm on a deadline."

"When is the deadline?"

Onyx thought for a moment, calculating. "An hour…thirty minutes, depends on how long my distraction works until I can get there."

"Where are we going?"

Onyx smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Phoenix silently realized something in the past twenty-four hours must have happened. He said, "My place."

She nodded and circled around him until she was past, then saw two horses waiting nearby and stopped. One was white and the other was black, both beautiful in their own ways. "Where did you get them?"

"They're mine," he said and nudged her with a hand on her back. "Let's go."

She walked, but defied him by choosing the black horse instead of the white. He looked annoyed, but didn't say anything, then he grabbed her reins and led them to his place. As they rode, she still saw the boy in the picture in some of his features now: eyes, the deep frown, ears, and nose. She decided to confront him. "I know who you are, Onyx."

"Really?" he replied, not looking at her. "Who am I?"

"You lost your father when you were ten. You were abandoned and Neclord took you in and used you. But I bet you anything he was the reason your father is in hiding."

Onyx glared at her. "Is that what you think?"

Her eyes grew wide at the bottomless rage in his dark orbs.

"Neclord, yes, took me in and used me. But no, he wasn't the reason my father is in hiding, and no, my father didn't abandon me."

"Then where is he?"

"it doesn't matter," he muttered and continued looking ahead. "Who am I, Phoenix?"

She hesitated, wondering where his father was, wondering if she should even say anything. She knew she was right about his name, but not about anything else about him. Phoenix said, "Never mind."

He glanced at her, seeing her suddenly defeated face. He almost stopped the horses and pulled her into his arms, wanting to comfort her, but his father flashed in his head. Some voice inside his head told him something about this picture is wrong, that maybe this small woman sitting across from him had something to say, but wouldn't. She looked like her life was already forfeit and there was no point in fighting anymore.

Her soft whisper came to him barely audible over the pounding of the horses' hooves. "Can you please tell me why you decided to bring me to your place?"

"Because I must and because there is something I want to show you."

Blue eyes flicked up to his for a moment, then back down to the passing ground underneath them. "If I'm going to die, then do me a favor and take care of Gwen. I know you have a heart for those who can't defend themselves, and she's someone who might need it someday."

Taken aback by her words, Onyx didn't say anything. They were almost there and he still wanted one answer from her before they weren't alone anymore. He pulled the reins and halted both horses, then got off and went around to help Phoenix as well. She held her arms around herself and didn't look at him as he guided her to a bench. She sat down and Onyx sat beside her, crossing his arms. "I want to know one thing and I want no delays."

The woman tensed, but nodded. "Okay."

Onyx took a deep breath and said, "Tell me what happened that night, who killed your family, who saved your life."

A tear slipped from her eyes and her body was as rigid as a board. Memories flashing behind her eyes, reliving it as she started her story: "I don't know each and every man, just their faces. We had just finished evening meal, and my mother took my sister inside to sleep while my father played with my brother and I. It was a perfect night, until we heard my mother's scream."

She hesitated, and tried to catch her breath.

"My father set us on the hammock and told us to not move as he went inside to help my mother. We heard glass breaking and shouts, then nothing. I stood up to go see what had happened when blood splattered me. My brother was stabbed, and dead, and I saw the man behind him, smiling with cruelty. I ran, not even thinking about my family, and only for myself. I didn't get far when another man caught me, held me against him, with a hand over my mouth. He whispered that he was going to help me, that I should stop struggling and let him help. I was a child and trusted him, but saw all the men come out from inside my home. They had jewels and more men went in to take their share.

"The man slowly backed away as far as possible and let me go, told me to run away. I told him that I wanted my family, but he shook his head and said that I'd die if I went back. He said I didn't have a lot of time and that was the only time he'd save me. So, I ran. I ran all the way into the trees, climbed one and watched as he was led to the group where a man stood, looking powerful and scary. Even as a five-year-old, I knew he was the leader. I heard my savior's name and have never forgotten it. I heard the leader's name as well, and have never forgotten that name either."

"Who were they?" Onyx asked, sounding desperate. Why, Phoenix didn't know.

"Tariel Ingerina was the leader, the powerful one, the one who had the most jewels filling his pockets." She looked up at Onyx then, and saw the same eyes as that night, only with more rage. Onyx seemed surprised she suddenly looked at him and held his breath. "The savior's name was Anthrax."

Black, bottomless eyes widened and then narrowed, but Phoenix wasn't finished.

"The man, out of love from his heart, saved my life," she said, her voice growing angrier with each passing word that came from her lips. "And he was beaten before my eyes. Tariel Ingerina not only killed my family, but beat up the one person who I owed my life. And I promised myself that both men would see me again, for different reasons. I would get my revenge for my family, and pay tribute for what Anthrax gave me."

Onyx thought back to what Neclord and Advandth had said to him about his father's intentions, though, he never got Advandth's side of the story. He only knew that a little girl with similar features as the woman who sat beside him now had, and it was because the girl had used magic on him. Onyx stood and paced, trying to find an answer to all his questions, trying to make sense of everything he had been told tonight. "You're lying!" he growled.

Phoenix, who was already angry from her story, was now furious. "Why the hell would I make up my family's death?"

"To make me feel sorry for you, so I might forget about taking you to my place."

Phoenix was shocked, wishing she had actually thought of it, but couldn't believe he thought she was so stupid. "I don't want your pity! I don't want anything from you. If you think I'm so stupid as to think that my little story could suede you, then you are an idiot."

Onyx paused, finding she was serious. He crossed his arms, as if in defense. "Where have you been in the past twenty years? Why did you disappear and where would a five-year-old go?"

Phoenix straightened. "I went to a different archipelago and found someone kind enough to care for me, and others who became friends. I came back when I came of age and started on my revenge, found Elliot two years ago in a slave auction and fought for him as property, and have been living in my family's house ever since, keeping to myself. I wasn't going to let anyone know who I was until their last dying breath."

Again, Onyx paused to take it all in. She had just moved, running like any child would. And like most peaceful commoners, someone took her in and kept her safe, only letting her go when the girl was ready. He had suspicions, but wouldn't voice them aloud. Instead he turned his back to her and stared at the Ironshade's establishment, knowing they were waiting for them. He should've already been there with her, but he had to know.

"I know Anthrax is your father," she whispered behind him. Somehow, he knew she knew, and was scared to know what she'd do with the information. "I don't care about you or anyone else in this damn world, but I do care debts. He saved my life, and I am willing to repay him if I can. Help me save him, then I will leave Tariel for you and the Ironshades. I will end my rampage and disappear forever. You won't have to see me ever again."

"Even if I accepted your help, I don't know where he is. But you can't defend yourself against the men of my gang. They will mutilate you like hungry wolves. And Neclord will be the worst of them all."

She snorted. "That fat ass is too lazy to do his own dirty work. What makes you think he can take me on?"

"Because I can't," he whispered and tried not to hang his head. "No one in the gang can. He'd be dead by now if we could."

"Maybe you need my expertise in order to be free?" she suggested.

"You're full of yourself," he sneered. Turning, he saw she was looking down at her feet, eyes distant and without seeing. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her lips were pulled into a thin line. He sighed and looked back at the establishment. "We need to go."

Phoenix stood, determined not to be weak in one of the worst situations she'd ever been in. "Then let's go.