It had been six weeks since Magnus had brought Ashley to the old disused subway, gradually as the days past, mother and daughter slowly began to reconnect in some way, the abilities Ashley had exhibited when she brought the sanctuaries to almost extinction,we're still in evidence, but the doctor Magnus had summoned from Los Angeles had brought with him, his own treatment, injections everyday had diluted the source blood, Ashley began to respond, eventually being allowed out of the cage.
Finding Helen staring out across the city, she stood beside her 'what are you thinking?'
'I was just wondering what the future holds now the sanctuary has gone, where do we go from here'
'Im sorry mom, I could see and feel everything that I was doing and yet something inside of me was pushing me on'
'It wasn't your fault darling Dana Whitcomb, knew exactly how to push the buttons' Helen said taking her daughters hand 'we have to go on from this'
'I don't know if I can, I've destroyed your complete life's work, I've killed abnormals that done no harm to anyone'
Helen turned to look at Ashley 'it wasn't you, not the Ashley that stood by me for 23 years' she hugged her trembling daughter
Andre appeared 'Helen, we have a call for you'
Magnus returned to the carriage to take the video call, on screen, Rome sanctuary chief Antonio, appeared 'Helen, it is good to see you, we were afraid the cabal had taken you from us'
'I'm fine, Antonio,we have lost a lot but we will come back from this stronger than ever' she said 'what can I do for you'
'The remaining sanctuaries have all conferred together and we want you to take control of the Rome sanctuary, I am willing to stand aside as head of the house'
'I am honoured but I have to remain here for now, I have my own problems to see to'
'Ashley' he said
'yes, we have had a breakthrough and she is responding to the doctors treatment, I'm not prepared to leave her' she said as a commotion was heard behind her
'Magnus' he said with a sheepish look 'there is something we need to discuss'
Andre burst into the carriage 'Helen, you had better come, it's Ashley' he said
Antonio spoke 'I'm sorry Helen but we had no choice'
'What do you mean' she asked 'the heads all agreed Ashley was responsible for the deaths of many of our colleagues, we feel she has to be held accountable for her actions'
'your not serious'
'Helen' Andre said anxious
Magnus followed Andre outside, where Ashley was trying to fend off four armed sanctuary security personal, each one taking turns to try and subdue her, she grabbed the taller man and brought her knee up into his face as the second grabbed her around the neck, she grabbed him and lifted him up choking him, another struck her in the stomach with the gun, she dropped the man and reeled back
'Ashley stop' Magnus shouted
Ashley stood back as the four men aimed their weapons at her, Magnus stepped in front of them 'gentlemen please put your weapons down' she asked none responded until she shouted again 'I asked you to put your weapons down'
The leader signalled to his men to lower the guns,he stepped forward 'were here to take Ashley Magnus back to Rome, to answer for her crimes'
'not going to happen gentlemen, not while I'm still standing' she said
'the remaining heads of the houses have all agreed, she should be put on trial for her crimes regardless of whether she was responsible or not'
'my daughter is going no where'
'I'm sorry Magnus' he said as one of his men put three sleeping darts into Ashley.
Magnus jumped as Ashley fell to the ground 'Ashley' she cried out.
She went over to her lifeless daughter 'sorry Magnus' he said as he hit her with the gun butt.
As darkness overcame her, she could only watch helplessly as the four dragged Ashley off.