Sonata sat in a rocking chair in her bedroom looking out the window to her vibrant garden. She waved her hand as all the plants on the property except in the graveyard withered and died. They would remain that way until she found happiness once more. The storm had worsened. The howling wind blew so relentlessly it made the mighty trees bend in its powerful wake. Above the estate lightning weaved its long web like fingers across the blackened sky and was immediately followed by the loud roar of thunder as it passed overhead like a herd of angry horses galloping across a tin roof. There was a loud crash from downstairs in the Forer. She looked to her bedroom door and got up slowly opening it and peeking out.
"Who's there?" she called out a bit frightened. There was silence followed by the sound of foot prints. Her eyes widened and she shut the door, locking it. Then she ran outside onto the balcony closing the doors and hiding behind a large rose bush she had planted. The rain and wind chilled her to her core, but she did not move. She turned her back away from the wind and hid her face in her hands. She only hoped that they wouldn't find her.
The two men trudged up the stairs and separated to check every room on the second floor. The slamming of locked doors as they were forced open echoed through the house. They check every room, upturning furniture removing everything from the closets and pushing over book shelves looking for any hiding places. The human man made his way to sonata's room followed by the wolf
"Last room." He replied and looked to his larger counterpart who charged the door tearing it off its hinges once his massive frame made contact.
Out on the balcony sonata flinched and looked over the railing. She used what little magic she knew to create a ladder out of strong vines so that she could climb down and get away. As she was about to climb down, she froze seeing several men walking around the back yard. She retreated to her hiding spot and had the ladder wither and die. She sat down and pulled her knees to her chest tears streaming down her face. She couldn't understand what was going on. Who were these people? Why were they breaking into her home? What are they looking for? She thought to herself.
In the bedroom everything was in shambles. "She's not here said the human."
The wolf stopped and noticed water on the floor and growled "That's because she's on the balcony." He walked over and ripped the doors open. She pressed herself as far into the rose bush as she could to hide. He knocked over the plants and patio furniture before turning to the rosebush. He smirked as he saw the tips of her small feet behind the pot. He reached over and grabbed her ankle pulling her out from her hiding place. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward him. She had no choice. She snapped the stitches that anchored her arm to her torso and ran into the room and to the hallway.
She rushed down the stairs only to be met with the hilt of a gun hitting her in the back of the head and knocking her out. The wolf came down the stairs her arm in his hand.
"She's a smart little pain." He huffed. The men entered their cars and returned home while two men shoved her limp body into the backseat of their car and drove once more to the apartment where the Boss and his brother lived.
The smaller man knocked on the door timidly.
"Enter." came the older man's voice.
The two reptilian men looked up as their men walked through the door carrying Sonata.
As she started to come to, she heard a voice ask, "Did you really have to tear her arm off?"
"Hey, she did it herself." Came the wolf's reply. "We had to tear up the entire house just to find her." He huffed.
The Tall man groaned "Why didn't you just knock and ask her to come with you so your boss could give his condolences? She probably would have complied then." He huffed "You two are imbeciles." He took sonata and her arm from them.
The younger man scoffed "Even I would have tried the polite rout before resorting to brute force." He glared at the two men "Go wait outside until I call you in."
The human protested " But sir it's storming out there." He said hesitantly.
The Older man shot them a glare "Now." He hissed. The men hurried out the door closing it behind them.
Sonata slowly opened her eyes to find herself sitting on a couch while the Dark scaled man stitched her arm back on. The younger one stood.
"Good, you're awake. I apologies for my men. They aren't fully trained." He said and sat in an armchair across from her.
"Why am I here?" she asked warily.
"So that we may give you our condolences on your friend's passing." Commented the older one as he finished with her arm.
"And to inform you that you must now take on his debt." Stated the younger man.
"But… I don't even know who you are." She frowned. Looking between the two men. The one next to her stood "I am Calien Londaver and this is my younger brother Devorak." He walked over to the younger one, who glared at his brother.
"I am the Boss and the one you will answer to from now on." He said coldly "Your friend owes me $873,000." He saw the look of confusion on her face and gave a sinister smile " did he not tell you?" he feigned sympathy " how else do you think he paid for that little campaign of his?" he chuckled and his face grew serious " you have three months to come up with the money or I'll take your house."
Sonata stood frowning "You can't do that!" she protested. Devorak took a revolver out of his suit jacket and sat it on the coffee table in front of him. Her face paled "Yes I can." He said sternly and stood reaching across the table and roughly pushing her back down onto the couch before returning to his seat.
"You see my dear, Tanuke used you're house as collateral. Therefore, I have every right to take it." He said in a taunting tone. She looked down at the ground sadly. She knew she couldn't get the money in time. Devorak leaned back with a smug look "But since it is a large estate it will require constant upkeep. That is where you will come in…" he trailed of to let his words sink in as she looked up at him. "You will be settled with upkeep, as well as tend to our needs. Such as cooking, laundry, sewing, etc. You will not be paid. Your living in the house is payment enough." He finished then stood you are dismissed. Then paused " One more thing… to make sure that you tell no one your current predicament Calien will be returning with you where he will stay until the debt has been settled…" he grinned " And don't let his formality fool you, he is a deadly man when upset. Good bye miss Sonata." He laughed and went to his room.
Calien walked over to her "Let's go." He coldly instructed. She stood and silently followed him outside. He looked to the men "Dismissed and dragged Sonata to his car. He opened the door for her, and she got in. The drive home was silent. Calien kept his eyes on the road and soon they pulled up into the driveway. He got out and opened the door for her once more. She got out and followed him inside. He looked around at the ransacked house "Get to work cleaning. You may rest once the house is in order." He instructed. And went to a room on the first floor that wasn't destroyed.