Chapter 14

'Of all the places in Thornton, who would have thought I would find you here?' Haren said, staring at Miles and Scourge. The two were seated at a corner table in a quiet tavern, the Stain Stand. Several people glanced their way, whispering amongst themselves.

'And I thought I was the popular one,' Scourge mumbled as she sipped her cup of ale.

Miles sat quietly stirring the cold broth before him, listening to the whispers going on around him.

'What do you expect, the Lord Inquisitor in a closed tavern in the Black Damps, far away from his exquisite castle? I am curious' Echo said, shifting closer to Miles, taking in his scent.

'You smell good as always,' Echo whispered in his ear seductively.

'Oh give up already, Echo. What are you lot doing here in the Black Damps anyway? Scourge asked, staring at the four faces around the table.

The Imperial Black Ops team was an elite covert squad, handpicked by Lord Imperio himself for secret missions. Their identities were known to only the Lord, his family and a few select councilmen. They were an elite group of specially trained militants with an extraordinary range of skills, different from the average vampire, wolf or any other creature.

Echo Hans was the light skinned black vampire next to Miles. She was a class A rank archer with special tracking abilities. Furry Lycan was the long white haired man seated next to Scourge. Both his eyes were covered with a black band tied to his head. He wore a long coat that covered his mouth and everything below it. Like his brother Draken, he was a daemon. He had extraordinary vision and could manipulate his empathic powers. He was reserved and didn't speak much.

Hog Burn was a wolf, strong-muscled, and a seven-foot giant of the group. He had incredible strength and was surprisingly fast for someone his size. He was seated next to Haren Lock, the short, ginger-haired with a scar on his neck. He was a vampire with no special physical abilities. He was entirely useless when it came to combat but he had an unprecedented mind. He could create tactics to get him out of the direst situations. He was smart, a talker and always two steps ahead of his opponents.

'He hit my butt again. I told him I was a boy but he said that did not matter'' a sandy haired boy about fifteen years old approached their table furiously. He had a feminine face which often, misled people. He was Vander Fray, the leader of the squad. He looked the youngest but was the oldest on the team. He was a five hundred year old fairy with intense light power which had properties similar to firepower.

'Again? Burn of his face?' Haren said with a groan.

'Come with me', Hog quickly stood up from his seat after Vander. Minutes later they returned with several cups of ale and bowls of hot broth.

'Hands off the merchandise, Echo,' Vander snapped once he sat down.

Echo groaned, taking her arms off Miles's shoulders.

'I think you know why we are here: To clean up the mess The Dronish made in his wake, of course', Vander said.

Miles chuckled. 'What did he do now?'

'Furrfold, Hold town, Brekshire, name it,' Haren told them.

'What would he possibly want with fairies?' Scourge asked.

'Not him but for his sister, Elvira,' Miles replied.

'Elvira the Mad!' Scourge mumbled.

'We are to bring her back to Valeria unscathed. The Lord has plans for her,' Echo said.

'He always does, does he not?' Miles muttered, pushing away the bowl of broth with a sigh.

'Mind sharing yours?' Echo asked, his small mouth curving into a mischievous grin.

'You know why we are here, cut the bull already,' Scourge said.

'Well, someone is in a foul mood,' Haren snickered.

'It is Scourge, she is always in a bad mood,' Echo said with a chuckle.

'I do know why you are here, but It will not hurt to hear it again,' Vander said, glancing in Miles's direction.

'We heard there was a hideout of the name that can not be mentioned around the black damps….'

'And…'

'We found it. But everyone was dead,' Scourge told them.

The squad suddenly exchanged looks.

'You did it?' Miles asked softly with a narrowed look.

'I wish!' Hog spat.

'We did not. But I did see who did and you will not like it,' Furry spoke up for the first time. Miles sighed in exasperation. This day kept getting better and better.

Miles ran down the stairs leading to an underground tunnel. Behind him was Scourge who was still in a foul mood. They stopped at a round metal gate. Scourge banged the gate impatiently. A tiny rectangular window was opened to reveal a pair of hazel eyes staring at them.

'Scourge!' Scourge said.

'Behind you?' The masculine voice asked.

Scourge stepped out of Miles's path. His eyes met with the man's and the window suddenly went shut.

Several locks were unlocked behind the metal door following a loud creak of metal when the door was open.

'Lord Inquisitor, Scourge,' The two guards bowed their heads quickly.

'Tell your Master I have come to see her,' Miles told him.

'Yes. She awaits you in her chamber,' the first guard said.

'This way, my Lord,' The guard led them towards a quiet hallway. They walked past a series of chambers as they passed the hallway. They were welcomed by moans, the sound of whips and shrill laughter. The Golden Dance: An underground whorehouse that the elites of Thornton visited. Miles used to come here in his younger years when he liked to experiment. But those days were over now.

They stepped into a quiet hallway leading to a large double door. The doors suddenly burst open to reveal a beautiful woman dressed in a long silk dress. Her curly brown hair lay on her shoulder with a pearl necklace around her neck. She glided towards Miles with a smile.

'Mmm, what a lovely surprise, my Lord Inquisitor,' She extended her hands towards him.

'Stay back, Lucky!' Scourge stepped before Miles protectively.

'Oh, Scourge, always the serious one,' Lucky placed a hand on Scourge's face caressing her cheek.

'Please come in,' She turned away from them, leading them into a well lit room with several half-naked men walking around.

Lucky slouched into a chair, crossing her legs. Her dress slipped off, exposing her thighs.

Miles and Scourge slowly sat in the opposite direction, facing Lucky.

'Some blood tea to quench your thirst or a more exotic drink?' Lucky asked, gesturing towards a group of half naked men lined up at the corner of the room.

'That is not what I came here for. May we have the room?' Miles said, in a no nonsense tone.

Lucky frowned, slowly clapping her hands, with everyone else vacating the chamber leaving two guards at the door.

'I do not see the handsome Draken anywhere. Trouble in paradise?' Lucky said with a small smile.

'My dear Lucky, I did not come to discuss my love life. I found an Enclave hideout along the black damps, a source tells me you and your men rampaged their hideout last night. Why?' Miles asked.

'Straight to business, aye? Fine! how about you give me something in exchange and I tell you whatever it is you want to hear?' Lucky said with a sly smile.

'This is not a negotiation…' Scourge snapped.

'You want information and I have it. You can take it or leave it. It is your call, not mine,' Lucky said, lying back in the armchair leisurely.

'What do you want?' Miles mumbled knowing exactly what she was going to ask for. He and Lucky were once lovers. Things did not work out as she hoped. She wanted more than his company but his heart and mind belonged elsewhere.

'All the information you want for a single kiss from you, Lord Inquisitor,' Lucky said softly.

Scourge chuckled. 'You snake!'

'Alright!' Miles replied with a sigh.

Lucky smiled. 'Yes, my men did the deed but that was before I received a huge chest of gold the day before. Along with the gold came an exclusive bid for a blueprint I have been wanting to get off my hands for some time now. Mind you this was only business, no hard feelings, my Lord. You know I would never….'

'What are you talking about Lucky?' Miles asked with a furrowed brow.

'In exchange for the gold, I sold the blueprint to the Runen manor,' Lucky said abruptly.

'You did what!' Scourge snapped.

'You heard me, love. As I said, this was just….'

'Please let me kill her!' Scourge said to Miles with a hiss.

Miles glanced at Lucky with a frown.

'Do you have any idea what you have done, Lucky?' he asked her.

'This is the underworld, love. I had to get it off my hands one way or another. Besides, I know I signed my death warrant the very minute I saw that gold. The Lord Imperio is going to kill me. But I am not an idiot to sit and wait for him. Am I?

'You know better than to run. He is going to find you. And when he does, you are going to be dead than you already are,' Scourge spat.

'As I said, it was solely business,' Lucky said with a smile.

'Why did you rampage their hideout?' Miles asked abruptly.

'The Enclave is not a mere band of thieves and misfits anymore. They are so much of a unitary now, there was an internal conflict two days ago. The why still bugs me, but my little birds tell me there has been strife for power among the leading ranks, both with different ideals,' Lucky told them.

' I was simply paid to kill the one faction's followers. Now that I think about it, I was just a pawn, hmmm,' Lucky said to herself.

'And these two factions, do you have the name of any of the leaders?' Miles asked.

'No!' Lucky replied.

Miles gave her a narrowed look.

'You are Lucky Golden, bloody Queen of the Underworld. Nothing goes on here without you knowing,' Scourge said.

'Hmmm, you know I would tell you if I knew…' Lucky smiled, throwing Miles a look.

Scourge rolled her eyes. Oh, she wanted so badly to snap her neck right now.

'We are…'

'But there was one name or say face, I remember. The face of the messenger… pale, skinny Horigan Wills,' Lucky told them.

Mouse. What has that good for nothing gotten himself into now? Scourge thought.

She stood to her feet with a displeased look. 'I will be outside. I hope I never see you again because if I do, I am going to kill you,' Scourge said stepping out through the door and slamming it behind her.

'She never liked me,' Lucky stood up from her seat heading towards Miles slowly.

'She has good reasons not to,' Miles replied, staring at her with a look of pity.

'What reasons? I am a bloody bitch? Greedy? Evil?' Lucky enclosed in on him, leaning over his chair with her face hovering over Miles'.

'Why did you do it, Lucky?' Miles asked him softly.

'I have always had a soft spot for you, Miles, so I am going to tell you. Others do not believe in the one rule. A powerful man like your brother should not be given all the power he has right now. For centuries, the witches have rebelled against him but now they want to align with him. Imagine the unfathomable power he is going to have with the witches at his side.'

'That is what you are afraid of? My brother conquering the supernatural world?' Miles asked. Lucky's lips were inches away from his now.

'That and wanting more money,' She leaned in placing a feather kiss on his lips. Her hazel eyes met with his olive ones with a smile. Lucky sort for his lips again with Miles kissing her back this time. Their tongues intertwined with each other passionately. Miles pulled back abruptly breaking off their kiss.

'I hate him so much, you know. For taking you away from me and tossing you aside like you were nothing,' Lucky leaned in again with her lips lingering on Miles.

Miles touched her cheek, gently rubbing his thumb on her face. Lucky held his hand with both hands. She placed a kiss on his hand and held it against her cheek with a sigh.

'I hope he never realizes how incredible you are. I would hate to see you happy with someone who is not me,' Lucky told him.

'I thought love works the other way round?' Miles asked, smiling at her.

'I am very selfish when it comes to you, Miles, and that is never going to change,' She placed another kiss on his hand. Miles slowly moved away from her heading for the door.

'Three days ago, a woman came knocking at my door, a vampire. She was hungry, wounded and agitated. I fed her and gave her a bed to sleep in. For my generosity, she offered me three questions? Some say she is mad but I believe otherwise?' Miles slowly walked to a stop.

'Elvira was here?' He asked over his shoulder.

'She was. It is fated to rise. A morbid surprise, out of its corpse it is birthed. Who am I?' Miles suddenly turned around with a stunned expression.

'My reaction exactly. If I know, how many more out there do you think, know of this as well? I already planned to leave London but this gives me more reason to make haste. I do not want to be here when all hell breaks loose,' She told him.

'You were always the clever one. Goodbye, Lucky. Take care of yourself.'

'You too, my love. You know where to find me if you ever need me,' She told.

Miles smiled. Sometimes he wondered why he couldn't love her back. For all her flaws, Lucky genuinely loved him.

'Thank you, Lucky!' He stepped out through the door to find Scourge leaning on the wall with her arms folded to her chest.

'That was touching,' Scourge mocked.

'More than you and Thorne on a typical day?' Miles said, only to receive a frown from her.

'I thought as much. Let us go, we have wasted enough time as it is.'

Miles led the way, taking long strides towards the path they came through.

'What was that about a corpse's birth?' Scourge asked.

'Let us hope they found Elvira already. She has some answering to do,' He told her.

'Is Annie going to be fine?' Claire asked, looking at Eloise through sleepy eyes. Eloise smiled, patting her head gently. She had a bandage on her head from the attack the day before. Unlike Corianne who had already healed, Claire's wound was slowly healing.

'Annie is fine, sweetheart. You want me to give her a kiss for you?' Eloise asked with a smile.

Claire nodded with a smile. Lu purred, moving in closer into Claire's arms. Her wounds were already healed as well.

'Good night, Claire!' Eloise placed a kiss on her cheek, as well as Lu's. She stepped away from the bed with a sigh.

'Lady El!' Eloise stopped at the door turning back to her.

'Are you… can I call you mummy?' Claire sat up on her bed with her huge green eyes staring at Eloise.

For a second, Eloise stood speechless. Was this it? Was she going to stay here forever? Was it time to already settle?

Maybe it was time. She didn't want to go back to the future. Honestly, she never wanted to, from the very beginning.

She moved back to Claire's side, slowly pulling her into her arms. She was a mother now and she was not going back, she thought to herself.

'Of course sweetheart, you can call me mummy.' She kissed her head gently.

Claire buried her face in Eloise's chest, hugging her.

'Now go to bed, you have an early appointment with Doctor Morden tomorrow,' Eloise tucked her back in and blew out the candles.

Eloise stepped out of the room with a small smile. She pulled the black shawl closer to her body as she walked down the stairs to the first floor. She walked towards her chamber to find the room empty. Wrath was nowhere to be found like he was, on the day of the attack.

She was worried about him. He seemed very unstable after the attack on Corianne.

Eloise strode along the hallway, searching their rooms one after the other. She checked their private library to the drawing room to find no sign of him.

She stopped at the door at the edge of the hallway. She remembered Elric telling her this was a no go area on her first day.

She placed her ear to the door to hear a slight grunt from within. There was a loud crash from within. She stepped back abruptly, a little startled.

Eloise slowly pushed the door open. She was too curious to walk away without a peak. The door creaked loudly to reveal a dull lit room. It was tossed upside down with a broken canvas lying all around. Amid all the chaos was Wrath seated on the ground. His hair was damp and his eyes were trained on the canvas on his lap. Eloise was stunned as she watched him speak to himself, laughing maniacally.

He slowly turned toward her. His eyes were crimson with veins sticking out of his face through to his neck.

'I can give you a million reasons why you should not be here right now,' he said in a hoarse tone.

Eloise swallowed hard. Of course, this was a bad idea, that's why she was going to take it anyway.

She stepped into the room slowly closing the door behind her.

Wrath sat quietly staring at the blank space on the small canvas he held. The door slowly creaked close with Eloise stepped inside. Her heart thudded loudly in his ears.

She was scared, he thought. She ought to be, anyone else would be.

'I thought you would be at the docks to France by now,' he mumbled hoarsely.

'Why would I?' She asked softly.

'I will hold no grudges if you leave. They all leave at some point.'

He glanced her way with a smile.

How sad, Eloise thought. Behind those bloodshot eyes and smile was a lonely and sad man.

Eloise slowly walked to his side, sitting next to him on the ground.

'Who were you talking to?' she asked him calmly.

"Myself" he mumbled.

Wrath looked up at her confused. 'Just go on and say it, already' he said with a frown.

'Say what?' Eloise asked.

'Say I am a monster and a terrible person for what I did to that boy. You found out about my father yesterday. I saw the look on your face, you do not have to pretend,' He said quietly.

'You should know by now I am not one to pretend. Do you honestly want to hear what I have to say?' She asked him softly.

'I do!' he mumbled with his eyes trained on the blank canvas on his lap.

'I admit, I was shaken when I heard about all the things you've done. You may have your reasons but there is no justification for taking life much more, hundreds of it…. But I see things from your point of view. I understand why you'd turn to violence instantly. It's all you've known. I will not encourage you but I do understand you.' Wrath turned to her with his crimson eyes searching her green ones as if he was expecting her to laugh and say whatever she just said was a joke.

'You do?' He asked with a confused look.

'I do. Remember the promise you made to me in the hallway that day? You promised to wait for me until I wanted to talk to you. I am going to do the same for you. I want to be your friend too, the ones you have are either too scared to tell you the truth or more wayward than you already are,' Eloise said, thinking of Cole.

Wrath chuckled, thinking of Cole too.

'You do not think I am way past redemption?' He turned to her with a smile.

'You don't need redemption, Wrath. You are perfect the way you are, just poorly wired in that circuit of yours,' She said with a smile.

Wrath chuckled, staring at the blank canvas on his lap.

'Making a painting?' She asked, noticing the paint stains on his fingers

'Not until now,' He turned to her with a smile.

'What are you…'

'You!' He replied softly, looking at her as if it was the first time he was seeing her.

Eloise smiled, shyly tugging a strand of her hair behind her ear.

'That can wait for tomorrow. It's pretty late, you should feed and take a shower, you reek,' Eloise told him.

Wrath burst into laughter.

Eloise couldn't help but smile at the sound of his laughter. She stood to her feet, giving him a hand.

Although his eyes were still crimson with veins all over his face, he didn't look as scary as he did minutes ago.

Wrath slowly took her hand. He slowly stood his feet, almost losing his balance. Eloise quickly held onto him.

'Whoa, Easy there!' They both laughed glancing at each other, and then suddenly holding each other's gaze.

'Thank you, Eloise,' He told her, still holding her gaze with their faces inches away from each other.

Eloise smiled meeting his eyes. 'You are welcome. Come on now, let's go,' she told.

Wrath stepped out of the bathroom to find Eloise in their bed. She looked up from the book she held, with a smile.

'Better?' she asked.

'Yes, thank you!'

He stood in a black robe. The two man servants stepped out of the bathroom after him. They bowed, quickly stepping out of the room.

Wrath slipped into his side of the bed, slowly resting his head on the pillow.

'You know, from where I come from, you don't take your bath with help,' Eloise told him.

Wrath chuckled. 'They do not have kings from where you come from?' he asked, turning towards her.

His eyes were back to their bright gold again with a beautiful smile on his face.

'They do but in a more… modernized sort,' She replied.

'Mmm, I see. So these modernized Kings, they are still called kings?' he asked.

'They are called Presidents but there are countries with Kings and Queens,' Eloise told him.

'Pre-si-dents, Presidents, wordy,' He muttered and she chuckled.

Eloise placed the book by the bed stand and laid her head on the pillow.

For a while, they lay quietly staring at the wooden canopy roof with a passing silence between them.

'Are you awake?' Wrath asked quietly.

'I am!' She replied.

'Apart from a double shake laite, what do you like?' He remembered Eloise thought with a smile.

'I love a good avocado ice cream,' she told him.

'Avocado? The frozen dessert I know comes in milk and cream. Avocado sounds amazing,' He told her.

'It does. What about you? What are some of the things you like?' she turned to her side, looking at him.

'I am a vampire, Eloise. Our food choices are not….'

'I didn't ask for all vampires, Wrath. I was talking about you. What do you like?' Eloise asked softly.

Wrath turned to find her with a calm look and a small smile.

For a second he was silent. 'I…I like…'

There wasn't a single thought that came to mind that didn't include gore, murder or torture. She wouldn't want to hear about that and he hated to ruin the moment.

Wrath sighed. 'I love to go horse riding,' he told her with a smile.

'I love to watch the sunrise from the balcony in the mornings. It's peaceful and beautiful…'

He looked up at Eloise to find her looking at him with a look in her eyes.

'What?' he whispered.

'I was just thinking how different you look with that smile. It's almost like you're a different person.' Eloise reached out touching his face.

Wrath pulled closer to her, hovering over her and leaving no space between them. He placed a hand on hers with their fingers intertwining.

'I love to see more of him. I like him,' She said to him with a smile.

Wrath smiled, staring at their intertwined fingers. He looked back at her and he didn't have to be told the time was right.

They both leaned into each other and their lips met. Wrath leaned into her with his whole weight crushing on her. He grabbed both her thighs, roaming his hands beneath her undergarments.

Eloise moaned, taking his lips in hers passionately. He wasn't rough or gentle either, he just worked his way around her body, like it was the most natural thing to do. He slipped off her dress, exposing her body to him. Eloise slowly turned away from him burying her face in the pillows.

His eyes roamed her back to her round, large buttocks. He reached out to touch it but stopped with a frown.

'Eloise, what is wrong?' He crouched on his elbows, whispering into her eyes.

'You shouldn't see me…I'm not….'

'Do not tell me, you are shy!'

He laughed heartily.

'So what if I am?' She snapped looking at him with a small pout.

Wrath laughed slowly stroking her buttocks and feeling her soft skin beneath his palms. He felt her ease into him, as he held her hands away.

'There is nothing you need worry about. You are beautiful in every inch of your body. Even the freckles running from your breasts towards your belly button,' He whispered into her ear, slowly kissing her shoulder with his left fingers travelling towards her core.

Eloise turned towards him with a surprised look.

'How did you….'

'Let me see you, El. It is just me' He whispered from behind her, with his fingers finally touching her orifice.

Eloise let out a soft cry, writhing in his arms as he held her to him. He slowly turned her towards him, with his eyes feasting on her

He looked at her to find her with a worried look.

'You're beautiful, El. Not that you have to know, you have sixty seven freckles on your body,' He laid his weight on her, resting his hands on the sides of her head.

'You counted them?' Eloise chuckled, wrapping her arms around his neck.

'I did. There are three freckles here.' He licked her neck gently.

Eloise giggled as it tickled.

'Fifty eight spread from here to here.'

He roamed his fingers in circles from her breasts to her belly.

'And six of them running in a line, here.'

He traced his hand down the line of freckles on the left side of her waist. He tickled her even more and she laughed.

'Wrath, stop it!' She giggled heartily in his arms.

Wrath slowly stepped away from her taking off his robe, to reveal the black pants he wore beneath.

Eloise's disappointment was almost too audible.

Wrath laughed as he unhurriedly unzipped his crotch. The pants fell from his waist to the ground with Eloise's eyes following in motion. He strode magnificently towards her, towering over her slender form with his huge body.

He grabbed the sides of her waist, positioning himself right between her legs. Eloise grabbed onto his shoulders raising her body to him. He held her body to him wrapping her legs around his waist. Wrath's golden orbs met with Eloise's emerald ones. There was no doubt in them as she held onto him, gently running her hands through his thick silk hair. She leaned into him with her lips lingering on his and her arms tightly wrapped around his body.

'Do it already!' She whispered on his lips. Wrath's hands slipped to her butt cheeks spreading them wider for him. His movements were harsh and fast as he thrust her and kissed her mouth, muffling her cries.

Outside on the balcony, stood a dark lone crow watching the couple intently through the open balcony doors. It turned its ears to Eloise's moans and Wrath's grunts. From where it stood, it could see their bodies merged into each other as they ravaged through the walls of ecstasy. Suddenly there was a loud crash from within, followed by the sound of laughter and more moans.

It slowly flapped its wings, flying away from the balcony towards the south winds. It flew through the Elm forest, past the ruined Creak fort, across the Vale lake then finally settled on the roof of the Crone fort. The Crone Fort rested peacefully on an island on the black waters of the Vale lake.

The crow flew into the fort through an open window, down the brick shaped spiral stairs and swooped right through an open door on the first floor. It transformed midair, transforming into a naked black haired woman, landing right on her feet.

Aries stretched her limbs with a groan.

'Oh, nothing beats a good stroll. You would not believe what I saw today,' she said with a sigh, walking towards the corner of the room and grabbing a coat.

She glanced around the quiet drawing room with her eyes landing on the bottle of wine next to the piano.

'I have heard what a great lover the Lord is, but I had no idea he was that intense. Oh, I envy Eloise. What a lucky lass!' She said with a sigh, recalling Wrath's fangs biting into Eloise's fine neck as he took her from behind.

She poured herself a glass of wine, took a long sip then smashed the glass into the wall.

'Uh, I could feel my insides quivering as I watched them move so beautifully. I would give everything to have a threesome with them someday,' Aries said dreamily, grabbing the wine bottle and heading towards the closed double door at the right wing of the room.

'I mean you should have seen them….'

A man suddenly flew overhead once she opened the doors. He went flying into the wall breaking his neck and falling to the ground dead.

Aries rose to her feet taking a long sip from the bottle.

'Okay, that was fast. You know there will not be any left if you keep killing them,' She muttered, staring at the long line of strong men with terrified looks.

'Next!' A voice yelled.

Aries watched as a tall, well-built man walked towards the circle with his legs trembling with every step he took. He took a fighting stance with a sword in his hand.

'Did you find what I wanted?'

Aries clicked her tongue. 'No. I mean he was busy fucking the hell out of his wife but he saw me. I could not just stand there….' The man came flying overhead, screaming and smashing his face into the wall. His blood splattered on the wall with his body falling to the ground, dead.

'Hello! Will you bloody watch it?' Aries yelled.

'What did you just say?' Aries turned to meet furious glowing crimson eyes staring at her.

'Uh, he was fucking his wife?' Aries said, slowly retracing her steps back towards the door.

A rapid wind blew past her, shutting the doors behind her.

'No. The one after….'

'He saw me,' Aries replied slowly, the very hairs on her back standing on end.

A strong force suddenly hit her slamming her into the door. Her hands were ceased behind her, crushing her face into the door.

'You do not have to be this rough because you are jealous,' She hissed with blood running from the fresh cut on her face.

She felt a tongue lick the blood on her cheek.

'You disappoint me, Aries.'

Aries turned to find dark crimson eyes staring at her. The huge serpent tattoo running from Agrona's neck to her face shrilled to life. Agrona hissed, sending a spasm of shivers down Aries's spine.

'I had to leave…There was….' Agrona suddenly smashed the wine bottle on Aries's head. She fell to the ground bleeding profusely.

Her vision blurred as she began to lose consciousness.

'I am tired of your excuses, Aries. Maybe I should have taken Lu when I had the chance. Have a good night's sleep, we are going for a real hunt tomorrow and you are bait. ' Aries's face trailed towards Agrona's face. The scar running across her face was uglier than before. Her white hair was cut short like a man's. The serpent tattoo roamed her body. She looked even more terrifying than before, she thought.

Agrona's wicked snicker was the last she heard before the darkness took her.