Chapter 2

Helena smiled slightly as she saw her mark. It was a shame she had to use him so, and yet he was so easy to use. A pawn of a pawn, so easily bent to her wills, playing a game he didn't even know was in existence. "Now, my dear, it would appear you are improving since my last visit," she said appreciating the surprise that sprung to his face.


"I. . .I didn't hear you come in," he replied as she scanned the empty PT room.

"As was my intent," Helena sighed as she moved further into the room, all the while enjoying the chance to admire the young man's chest. "I hope other aspects of your life are going as well."


He laughed slightly at that: "I can only wish."

"Your relationship with your father hasn't improved?"

"Not with the shrew hanging around," he replied on a sigh as he pulled a T-shirt on, much to Helena's disappointment.

"Well, perhaps you'll just have to take the time to reexamine things."

"I'll have it. They've all gone to a coronation leaving the embarrassment at home."

Helena raised an eyebrow at that as her cell phone rang. Frowning, she answered it. "What?!?!. . . And you are certain of this development. . . How--- interesting. . . No, just keep an eye on them and keep me informed," she finished as she hung up, a plan already spinning into mental place and real world action. A plan that would have the young man before her as bait. "Accept my apologies for that, but a matter needed my attention."

"I understand."

"Of course you do, dear," Helena said with a smile. "And perhaps I can help you with the other."

"The other?"

"Your father," Helena prompted. "The Coronation is of the Van Amburgh Princess, is it not?"

"Yes, but what does that. . . ?"

Helena smiled smugly, "Everything, since I too was invited to attend," she informed before pausing dramatically. "And it would make my job so much simpler."

"I don't follow."

"The call was a lead on your mother's where abouts. There's a chance that she may be attending the ceremony."

He inhaled sharply at that, "but doesn't that mean that she could be in danger? If what you told me about my father and Marlena is true. . ."

"And why wouldn't it be?" Helena asked defensively.

"I didn't mean it like that. . . " he paused. "It's just . . . if they're there and she's there, won't she be. . . I mean. . .what if they decide to
hurt her again before anyone else finds out the truth?"

"Then my child, you'll just have to help me make sure nothing does. You have my word that they  won't hurt her."

He nodded at that as he drew a quick breath, "Wow, I can't believe that I may actually get to meet her. Find out what really happened."

"Yes, I suppose you will find out the truth . . . all of the secrets . . . all of their betrayals," she smiled as she rose. "I'll send a car for you
later this afternoon."

"I'll be ready," he said on a smile, unaware that the conversation had been partially overheard.