"Keeria, so glad
you could join us!" Chupa called gleefully as she entered
the warehouse. Her pale eyes searched the empty building,
her hand resting along the hilt of her sword as she turned
to look at him slowly. "I'm sure that you are,"
she began, remaining near the doorway, "Where is my
daughter?" Chupa smirked, waving Darvian and Razvan
over. "Well, she is right here, Liebe. We have been
enjoying each other's company as we discussed a few things,"
he replied. Keeria nodded slowly, narrowing her gaze as
Darvian stepped into the light. She noticed the slight bruising
around her mouth, her eyes seemingly glazed and distant.
"Darv.." Keeria spoke softly, her heart racing.
Darv tilted her head down slightly, unable to look at her
mother as she lied. "Hey mother, I'm fine. I was just
talking to Razvan about how we're related and time seemed
to pass so quickly." Darvian's words began to run together
as she finished the sentence, Razvan gripping her arm tighter.
Keeria nodded slowly, turning her attention back to Chupa.
"See liebe, they are fine," he smirked, walking
towards her. She backed up slightly, readying herself as
he stopped just in front of her. "Don't you have something
to finish, Keeria?" Chupa asked calmly, thrusting his
hands in his pockets. Keeria nodded slightly, turning and
walking away from where Chupa stood. His smirk faded as
he followed her with quick steps, the small pipe in his
hand as he approached her from behind. Keeria turned suddenly,
pulling the sword from her back and slashing it across Chupa's
arm in one, smooth motion. Chupa fell back, doubling over
as he grabbed the gaping wound. Blood poured from the cut,
his eyes narrowing as he glared up at her.
"Now why did you
have to go and do that?" Keeria smirked as she stood
before him, blood coating the silver blade of the sword.
"Because liars cannot deceive other liars, Chupa. Now,
I want my daughter," she replied coldly. "Well,
now the bitch dies," he snapped, turning and motioning
to Razvan to take her away. Darvian's screams echoed through
the warehouse, her eyes filled with terror as she fought
to free herself from the young man's tight grasp. "Then
you shall die, Chupa," Keeria smirked, raising the
sword over her head. Chupa moved quickly, narrowly missing
the blade as it crashed to the ground. Chupa grabbed Keeria
by the throat, slamming her into a wall as she dropped the
weapon. It clanked loudly as she gasped, grabbing his hands
with her own. "You may be older, maybe even more insane,
but you're still just a pathetic woman," he spoke to
her, his eyes holding a heartless glare. Keeria raised her
foot, slamming the heel of the stiletto boot into the top
of his foot. Chupa bit the bottom of his lip, trying to
keep from crying out in pain as he released his grip on
her throat. "You are no more than a pathetic, wife
beating German," she replied, spitting on him as he
raised his gaze to meet hers. "I'm tired of this game,
Keeria." He rose quickly, hitting her hard across the
head with the lead pipe. Her temple began to bleed, blood
pouring along her pale skin as she fell into a small pile
on the floor. Chupa dropped the pipe, nudging her gently
with the toe of his boot to make sure that she was unconscious.
He leaned down, grabbing her by her hair and dragging her
body through the warehouse. Blood pooled in the area where
she had laid, deep crimson lines made by her body as it
was pulled along the cold concrete.
Loeki stared at Raynee
as she laid on her side, her breathing gentle as she slept
peacefully. Her body was naked beneath the black satin sheets,
crimson locks of hair covering her bare shoulders. He laid
beside her, his heart heavy from what he had to do. Fingertips
trailed along her bare back, his lips traveling gently between
the soft flesh of her shoulder blades. "I'm so sorry,"
his breath whispered on her skin, navy eyes closing, afraid
to show the emotions they now held so visibly. Loeki climbed
gently from the bed, afraid of waking her as he grabbed
his black pants and pulled them on. He threw the black dress
shirt around his arms, buttoning just to the middle of his
chest before grabbing his shoes. He looked back once more,
guilt hiding in his pale face as he crept from the room
and gently closed the door. Raynee stared into the darkness,
her pale eyes glowing gently with the sadness and revenge
she now felt. She pushed herself from the bed, listening
to the soft sounds of an engine as Loeki started his car
and pulled it away from the mansion. She knew what she had
to do, the house was now empty except for Anna and herself.
Sabine had left, her whereabouts unknown to anyone, Morpheus
finding himself back in his hotel room once again. Raynee
dressed herself once more, walking to the large portrait
of her mother that hung on the wall and moving it aside
carefully. She toyed with the safe lock, carefully entering
each number until it clicked open. All the wealth she had
accumulated over the years meant nothing now as she emptied
it completely and closed the safe once more. Anna slept
gently, her innocent features illuminated by the gentle
moonlight that peeked through the large windows of the room.
Raynee took her in her arms, speaking to her gently as they
walked from the room and descended the large staircase.
"It's alright, sweety. You and I will have a new life."
She took her outside, wrapped tightly in the two blankets
from the bassinet as Raynee placed her gently into the carseat.
She strapped her in,
stepping back a moment to stare at her while Anna continued
to sleep. Raynee turned and headed back into the house,
retrieving the many bags of luggage from the front hall
before returning once more. "I'll be back soon, Anna,"
she whispered softly, swallowing hard as she entered the
house one last time. She climbed the stairs to the third
floor, beginning with the back rooms as she proceeded to
pour kerosene throughout the home. Finished with the job,
she stood in the open front doors, dropping the burning
book of matches onto the puddle she had created before turning
and walking back to the car. The house ignited violently,
flames destroying the lavish lifestyle they had all became
accustomed to. The kitchen exploded loudly, flames bursting
through the rest of the home as it toppled to the ground
in a mix of brick and ash. Raynee sat in the road, the car
running quietly as she looked back at her handy work. She
smiled gently through the tears, stepping on the accelerator
and speeding off through the city.
"Where am I?"
Keeria asked, her voice horse, her mouth dry as she tried
to open her eyes. Her head swam as she looked around, the
smell of the foul water of the harbor turning her stomach.
"You're getting what is coming to you, Liebe,"
Chupa smirked, crouching down in front of her. She was bound
to a post on the docks, her hands tied behind her back tightly.
Chupa stood slowly, motioning for Razvan to bring Darvian
towards him. "Mom!" she called, black make up
streaking her pale cheeks as she cried. Keeria looked at
her weakly, pushing her body to focus for her child. Keeria
pulled viciously against the ropes that bound her, but found
them too tight to free herself. "Awe, how touching,"
Chupa grinned, the small blade of a dagger glinting in the
moonlight as he spoke, "But, I am afraid that Darvian
will be going now."
Chupa grabbed the girl's
hair tightly in his hand, snapping her neck backwards as
he slid the dagger over her throat. She choked loudly, her
hands fumbling at the wound, her emerald eyes growing dim
as blood poured from her mouth. "Darvian!" Keeria
screamed, long dead emotions rising to the surface. She
felt her once numb heart beat rapidly, tears forming in
her eyes. Chupa released Darvian's hair, dropping her to
the ground before Keeria. "Pity, she was such a pretty
girl. But man, she wouldn't shut up!" he smiled, crouching
before Keeria once more. "You'll pay, you son of a
bitch!" Keeria snapped, her eyes narrowing as she looked
at him. Chupa smiled warmly to her, revenge hidden in his
blue eyes. "No Keeria, you're the one paying now. You
see, everyone has been against you from the beginning, even
Raynee." She arched a brow, confusion setting in as
he spoke. "Oh, that's right, you never were a bright
one," he began sarcastically as he stood, "Lemme
break it down for you. You brought me here for one reason.
I did my job, but I had other plans on my mind. I went to
Raynee, seeing as how she has power, money, a great ass
and I asked her for some help in completing what I needed."
He stared at her a moment, speaking calmly as she looked
up to him. "So, I paid her a good bit of money and
she complied." Keeria narrowed her gaze once more,
noticing a pair of hands stroking his sides gently as he
spoke. "And what of Anallee?" she asked cautiously,
her eyes still fixated on the hands. Chupa smiled delightedly
as Ana's head peered over his shoulder, resting along it
gently with a smirk. "I have been in on everything
from the beginning, Keeria, " she replied, "Who
do you think found Chupa?" Keeria muttered something
in old Russian, shaking her head slightly. "I should
have known, I was so blinded," she spoke finally, watching
the two. Chupa crouched beside her, his lips pressing against
her cheek gently in a final kiss.
"Well, now you
know. It's been fun, Keeria," he whispered along her
neck, the dagger stabbing her fiercely in the chest. She
gasped loudly, blood pumping in spurts from the wound as
Chupa removed the dagger, sliding his tongue along it gently.
"I always did love the taste of Russians," he
smirked, watching as she writhed in pain. Her body fought
bravely, refusing to give up until the last light of life
finally drained from her eyes. Keeria's head fell forward
slowly, her body no longer moving as her breathing stilled.
Chupa untied her hands slowly, kicking her from the dock
into the water. The black depths took her in, pulling her
down into the icy harbor to a restless grave.
He watched as she sank
down, his eyes never leaving her figure until it had completely
vanished before him. "Shall we be off?" he asked,
turning to face Anallee. He stopped quickly, staring at
the two men who stood with her. Ana smirked, stepping to
Chupa's side quickly, her hand stroking gently along his
neck. "Sure. Where are we heading, love?" she
asked calmly, her emerald eyes staring back at her son.
"I did not know we would need an entourage, liebe,"
he replied cautiously, pulling away from her slightly. "We
don't, darling," she smirked, kissing his neck softly,
"But I do." She wrapped the rope around his neck,
each end twisted tightly around her hands as she pulled
him back to her. He gasped loudly, pulling at the rope fearfully
as he felt the air escape his body. Loeki emerged from the
shadows, illuminated by the small street lamp as he grabbed
Chupa's hands and stared at him a moment. He looked to Ana
a moment, looking back down slowly before closing his eyes
and placing his hands on Chupa's face. He twisted hard,
snapping his neck violently as Chupa's body fell limp on
the ground. Ana pushed him away, releasing her grasp on
the rope as she looked to her bleeding hands.
"Well, that went
good," she smirked, tossing the rope aside as she bent
down and grabbed Chupa under the arms. She drug him to the
edge of the dock, rolling his body into the water with a
loud splash. "Don't ever ask me to do that again, Ana.
We're done," Loeki replied quietly, pain very apparent
as he spoke. She turned slowly to face him, the wind tossing
her long hair gently across her face. "Go back home
to your wife then," she spoke, hiding her own pain
beneath her bitter tone. "I don't have a home anymore,
nor a wife," he answered sadly, watching as Ana's expression
became one of confusion. He raised his hand pointing behind
her to the blaze the ripped through the trees just across
the harbor. Ana's mouth dropped open, the fire lighting
her eyes as she watched it burn forcefully. "I saw
her luggage downstairs as I left, knowing she would awaken
and find me gone once more. I knew it was coming,"
he shrugged gently, lighting a cigarette as he spoke, "But
I had hoped she wouldn't have gone this far. I guess there's
only so much sanity left in someone who has been hurt as
much as Raynee has." Ana turned to face him, pity beaming
behind her emerald eyes as she looked him over. "I..I'm
sorry, Loeki. What of Annalena?" Loeki shrugged once
more, trying to cover his sadness as he spoke. "Raynee
has taken her too, so I have nothing left of my life."
Ana held her head down slightly, the pangs of guilt rocking
her body as they passed through her. Loeki approached her
slowly, his arms embracing her tightly as he kissed her
head. "I did love you Ana, more than I am ever willing
to say," he held her tightly, taking in her sweet scent
as her body shook with soft sobs, "But, I loved my
wife too. I gave her everything I had to give, but it wasn't
enough and I blame myself. Now, I have lost my home, my
children, and the one woman stupid enough to put up with
me." Ana pulled away from him gently, wiping the back
of her hands across her eyes as she looked up at him.
Loeki turned away,
not wanting her to see the tears that had fallen from his
eyes as he spoke. "I am sorry, Loeki," she began,
her voice quivering slightly as she spoke, "I blame
myself for all of this. But, I couldn't walk away. Something
drew me into you and for the time we shared, it was the
most peace I have found since walking the earth in darkness."
Loeki nodded quickly, inhaling from the cigarette as he
looked into the black waters. "You were my peace of
mind, Ana," he replied. They stood in tense silence
for a moment, each turning to gaze at the orange haze that
now covered the horizon. "I need to go," Loeki
spoke finally, turning away from her. She turned to look
at him one last time, taking in his presence before nodding
her head solemnly. Loeki took her arm, pulling her into
a long, passionate kiss before turning away and walking
from the harbor. "Are you going to be alright?"
Razvan asked, an arm around his mother as they watched Loeki
vanish into the darkness. "In time," she nodded,
laying her head against his broad chest. He lead her from
the water, their bodies surrounded by the mist as they journeyed
back home.
"You know, it's
not easy being me," Ana spoke, her suitcases thumped
against her sides as she walked along the darkened road,
"I have had a life full of deceit and misery."
She stood in front of the iron gates where the grand mansion
once stood. All that remained were the piles of rubble and
ash, the trees laden with heavy burdens and scars from the
previous nights of burning. It had been three nights since
she killed the two, her heart free of the troubles that
had plagued her, but longing to touch the one person that
she could no longer grasp. She turned from the mansion,
the times and trials there a distant memory now as she walked
to catch her plane.
"Sometimes, life
is best lived alone. Relationships of any kind merely complicate
situations that we are just not ready to handle." She
looked down at her companion, sighing lightly as it jogged
to keep up. She thought of Epic, how he had vanished the
night she had killed Chupa. Her mind wondered to the harbor,
to the haunting black waters that seemed to call back to
her. "Razvan has already left, he's going to Greece,"
she spoke once more, finally stopping so that she could
wait for her new companion to catch up. The small dog caught
up to her, it's tail wagging gleefully as she leaned down
and patted it atop the head. "You know, I'm not usually
a dog person," she began, smiling slightly to the pup,
"But I think I can make an exception just this once."
She stood back upright, her pace quickening once more as
she neared the airport. "Now remember, you have to
stay in the cargo hold of the plane. It will be nice when
we get to Europe." They disappeared into the sliding
doors of the airport.
"How is she?"
Eilian asked, looking to Alucard with concern. The elder
man stood from his seat on the bed, shaking his head slowly.
"She has yet to come around, but she is doing better
than the other in the basement." Eilian nodded slowly,
looking towards the door for a moment. Her eyes fluttered
open as they spoke, her head spinning violently with images
of things she could not remember. She gasped loudly, sitting
upright quickly in the bed. "Sit still, meid, you're
still very wounded," Alucard called to her, returning
to his seat. She slapped his hand away quickly, her body
still healing from the attack. "Where is she?"
the woman asked quietly, her voice much more hoarse than
before. Eilian looked to Alucard solemnly as the older man
spoke, watching her with his intense red eyes. "We
could not save her, meid. She had bled dry before we could
find her. I am sorry," he replied gently, trying not
to upset her any more than she was.
She sat fully upright
now, her colorless eyes searching their faces with a bitter
gaze. "Where have they gone?" she spoke calmly,
anger laying just below the surface of her voice. "They
left, each returning to different parts of Europe. I should
tell you that she attempted to kill Chupa. Luckily for him,
Eilian was able to bring him back around," he spoke,
laying a hand on her pale shoulder. Keeria stood from the
bed, her raven hair falling in messy clumps along her shoulders
as she paced slowly. Alucard watched her with worry in his
gaze, feeling that she was not ready to move just yet. "How
is he?" she asked quickly, her mind still racing with
the memories she could not fully recall. Alucard shrugged
lightly, a soft sigh escaping his lips as he spoke. "I
am sure that he will live, but only time will tell how well
we did in the healing process." Keeria turned to face
the windows, the dark sky speaking in soft whispers to her
as stared back at it in reply. "They will all pay..."
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