10 pages
Chapter Three
Niera stepped off the plane and into the passage that bridged the space between the plane doors and the airport. The hot and humid air of Hong Kong's spring washed over her, roaring in through the gaps of the windows and metal.
Even though Niera spent most of her five hundred years in Southeast Asia, she could never get used to the heat and humidity. Over the decades, she swore it was getting hotter and more humid.
Joseph used his hat as a fan to fan his face. "God damn," he cursed under his breath. "Why is it always so hot? It gets hotter every time I'm here."
"More concrete," Yin Di said flatly, taking the lead as they walked through the massive airport. They had flown in from Bei Jing, leaving in the early hours of the morning. Niera was dressed in a long purple summer dress while Yin Di had changed, throwing away his blood-stained clothes for new ones.
The group of three picked up their luggage – which were their weapons disguised in cases – and they passed through immigration easily on visas which Yin Di had acquired for them and continued to renew. Only he had a Chinese passport and Hong Kong ID card out of them all. He made everything easy for them; after all, he did control Bei Jing's mafia.
It was not in Yin Di's nature to lead something so violent. He did not have a cruel and uncaring heart. However, he was cold and sharp. He would never have taken up the post if Niera did not order him to do so and told him of the benefits it would reap. It was not as corrupt as it once was and by rights, that should have made his mafia weaker – but Yin Di was not some human man greedy for money. He had their loyalty, inspired through respect and fear, enhanced by Joseph and guided by Niera. They would do anything for him.
Yin Di's mafia knew the secret of the three, but did not exploit it. How could they? Who in their right mind would think to disobey and blackmail three such people? Yin Di was their boss. Niera was his superior. Joseph too, had his own connections and links.
"So, what's new to Hong Kong? What's happened during the decade I was asleep?" Niera asked curiously, noting that the airport had gotten even bigger. She also noted how people glanced and stared at them. Niera kept forgetting about how their appearances forever stood out like roses amongst weeds.
"Aside from it becoming hotter," Joseph grumbled, stopping at one of the shops to buy an electric fan. Niera readjusted the strap of the long tube-like case containing her sword on her back, and took her fan which Yin Di held out to her. It still smelt of sandalwood and Niera's expression softened. She associated this smell with Yin Di . . . always.
"The population is overflowing as usual," Yin Di sighed. "Prices of properties are going up, as usual; more buildings therefore more concrete. Technology has advanced a little further, and the Cantonese are struggling to keep the influence of Communism from their island."
Niera raised an eyebrow. "I thought the Party would have been able to take control by now considering Hong Kong does belong to China, whether the Cantonese like it or not."
"Well didn't the island of Hong Kong used to be a pirate land hundreds – or thousands – of years ago? The bloodline hasn't changed so they've still got their rebellious spirit." Joseph butted in, finally coming back from flirting with the girl at the till, holding a fan in his hand which whirled away. The wind rippled through his hair.
"Yes," Yin Di agreed softly. "Though you might want to be careful with how you say that and where. I've told you before, Joseph. They don't like being reminded of that. The Cantonese don't even like being reminded that they used to belong to the Common Wealth, and that was less than seventy years ago."
Joseph exhaled at the pointlessness of it all. "The Americans aren't going to save them from the mainland's influence. The Brits would have but they were kicked out. Pity how no one ever wants to look back at history to see the mistakes made and fix them so the present and the future are smoother."
Niera chuckled as they walked. "It's the bitter irony of life it seems," she said. "Those that live in history but don't affect it are always the ones that can see the mistakes and lessons. Those that live for such a short time and believe they don't make an impact on history are always the ones that make it, and they never look back at past history to learn from the mistakes made in the past. They have too much pride. As Chiropteran, we have no impact on the history of this planet, yet we can see all the mistakes made and the lessons that need to be learnt. The humans on the other hand make the history of this planet, and they always repeat the same mistakes, too stubborn and prideful to look back and learn. They are so greedy, so . . . pathetic," she finally murmured. She was so tired, tired of humans repeating the same blasted mistakes over and over again. She was tired of searching for Ahel, tired of fighting Ianna.
Once Ahel is found and Ianna is dead, I think it will be my time to leave, Niera thought silently. I am tired of the living.
"That was hurtful," Joseph sniffed. "I am still a human by heart, even if my body no longer is."
Niera smiled sadly at him. "Sorry, Joseph. I keep forgetting that you were both human once."
Joseph grinned and waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. You get guilty so easily. Besides," he looked ahead of him, his smile fading. "They were always so greedy, so pathetic. The powerful punish the weak, the rich rob the poor, the justice walker is executed . . ."
Niera's gaze lingered on him as his eyes became withdrawn, recalling his distant past from when he was a human, from when Ahel made him her Chevalier. Every Chevalier had a tragic and painful past.
Niera glanced at Yin Di who looked down upon her with an unreadable expression. He turned his grey eyes away, silent, and Niera frowned in worry. Even though she had been with him for over four hundred years, she still struggled to read him while he seemed to be able to sense her every thought.
She stiffened. Was he beginning to sense her tiredness and lack of will to continue on with this fight? It had been growing on her for a while now. Niera bit on her lower lip. She could not tell Yin Di. The hurt it would cause him would be unbearable.
They walked out to the front where cars and taxis waited to pick up those that just landed. A sleek black car waited not too far from them. A man in a black suit waited next to it, his black hair slicked back.
"Welcome back to Hong Kong, Master Yin Di," the man greeted smoothly with a bow. Niera peered at him, sure that she recognised him from somewhere.
"Ah! Lei!" She suddenly exclaimed, cutting Yin Di off and they both looked surprised. Lei smiled and also bowed to her.
"I am glad you remember me, Lady Niera. It has been twelve years."
A true smile was drawn across Niera's lips. "You were seventeen the last time I saw you. You have grown into a fine man."
Lei's loyalty to Yin Di was absolute.
"Lady Niera is too kind."
"Have you found yourself a pretty wife yet?" Niera fired at him, making Lei jerk slightly and his face flushed a touch.
"I'm afraid not," he said lightly, opening the doors for them. "It is difficult to find one as beautiful and as strong as you."
"Woah! Hold your horses there, Lei," Joseph exclaimed. "Don't tell me you've forgotten over the past twelve years that Niera is Yin Di's."
Yin Di raised an eyebrow. "Joseph. We're right here you know. You should mention that stuff when we are not around."
Lei held up his hands in defence, chuckling. "I was only giving a compliment. No one in their right mind would attempt to come in between Master Yin Di and Lady Niera."
They climbed into the black car, the tinted windows providing some relief from the harsh sun to Niera's eyes. Lei drove the car out from the airport and onto the motorway to get them to Deep Water Bay faster. Yin Di sat in the front passenger seat, meaning Niera and Joseph sat behind in silence as they listened to Yin Di and Lei discuss mafia relations and finance between Hong Kong and Bei Jing. He was out of their league in all honesty.
"I wish I could have the same kind of influence and style as Yin Di," Joseph sighed, watching the towering skyscrapers pass by.
"Then why not take control of one of North America's or South American's mafia? There are plenty to go around," Niera suggested.
Joseph smiled wryly. "I am not as cold as Yin Di, and besides, Ahel would never agree to it. Her heart is too kind for that sort of corrupt and violent power."
Niera gazed out of her window in silent sorrow, recalling her younger sister's joyous laugh and smile. "She was always the gentlest of us three sisters," she whispered. Hwayeom's death would have broken Ahel. It was a thought that flitted through Niera's conscious often, one which she wanted to voice out loud but could not. She could not bring herself to point out the possibility to Joseph. Ahel would never be the same again.
They drove, drawing further away from the airport and into the main throng of traffic through the streets of Hong Kong, and then those began to thin as they came closer to their destination. The wealthy residents of Hong Kong lived in huge flats or houses even in the quieter and remote parts of Hong Kong. Deep Water Bay was one of these places.
Finally they arrived at Yin Di's personal property and Yin Di sent Lei away to prepare his agents in Hong Kong for the fight that would arrive within the coming five years, now that the three Queens were awake. Niera spent a good half an hour familiarising herself with the enormous house that had been refurbished to fit the current fashion and trends. Joseph went to the kitchen to grab an ice cold beer from the fridge, before moving to the lounge and relaxing into the sofa. Yin Di also went through the house, checking that everything was in order.
"When was the last time you were here?" Niera asked him while she scanned the books in his study.
"About two years ago," Yin Di said, going through files in his draws.
Niera paused when she spied the red crystal on a shelf in front of his books. Solemn despair sighed through her and she reached out to touch the fragment that was Hwayeom's crystallised blood. However, she could not bring herself to touch it.
The horrors of that night flashed through her memory. The screams and roars echoed in her ears. She recalled Ahel's horrified grief, and Hwayeom's sorrowful smile. She imaged what it would be like if it was Niera and Yin Di in Ahel's and Hwayeom's place.
Niera's breath caught in her throat and she blinked, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened without warning. She hated imagining it, but it was the only way she could understand how Ahel felt – she had to put herself in her sister's shoes.
A powerful imagination was a curse, not a gift.
Yin Di's arms snaked over her shoulders and his sturdy body pressed against her back, drawing her closer to him in his embrace.
"Will you ever stop tormenting yourself with your own nightmares?" he breathed softly.
Niera touched his cool hand. "We live in time, Yin Di. We live in the past. I have to create these nightmares – I need my resolve otherwise, how can I fight?"
Yin Di did not say anything, but she heard his unvoiced reply.
Do not fight. Flee with me. This is a fight between Ahel and Ianna. You do not need to fight. You do not need to fall into the Abyss with them.
It was true, but partly. Niera was the eldest, forever watching her sisters who were engulfed in her shadow. She was Ahel's guardian angel. She was Ianna's silent demon, and the source of Ianna's jealousy. Even though Ianna never did anything against Niera and vice versa, Ianna hated Niera for being the eldest and Ahel – even though she was not aware of it – would always pull Niera into their battle.
The two moved into the lounge with Joseph and sat down. Joseph – who had currently been relaxing back in a chilled out manner – leaned forward, his expression serious. His bottle of beer was already empty and on the coffee table. Another full one was in his hand.
"We are finding Ahel and Kylia this time for sure," Joseph murmured. "I have run out of patience."
Niera nodded in agreement. "I cannot do this again after another decade of sleep. I am also fed up with having to start again from the beginning every twelve years. This time we will succeed."
"I have expanded my people beyond Bei Jing," Yin Di said. "I have had them infiltrate the Southeast Asia governments so this time we cannot fail. Our reach is farther than ever before, as well as our power and influence."
"But it still won't be enough. We can nudge aspects of the governments and Secret Services in our favour but we are still at a disadvantage," Niera muttered. "Freya controls the British government entirely. Britain's King will not risk defying her for fear that she will kill their daughter. So in a sense, the Royal Family are her puppets. Not that it makes a difference. They are just figureheads anyway. They have power but they never use it. Annabel influences the EU to keep the continent in a mess and the Americans as usual constantly insist on sticking their nose in everyone's business. Joseph, is there any way you can threaten them enough to stay out of our way this time?"
"We have failed every time because the Americans always interfere when we are about to attain victory," Yin Di said.
Joseph glowered at both of them. "They don't do it out of scorn or evil," he said, defending his homeland.
"We are aware of that," Yin Di said flatly. "But the fact that they always interfere does not change.
Joseph exhaled deeply. "I'm not going to lie; they do get in our way. I wouldn't usually care but I cannot forgive the fact that they have stopped me from rescuing Ahel and Kylia. I will see what I can do and pull all the strings I can to keep the American's out of the way long enough. But unless the threat has something to do with a nuclear bomb, they aren't going to listen. And if they are threatened with a nuke then they will retaliate with a threat just as absurd, and most likely make the problem worse."
"Such as the constant tension between the North Koreans and South Korea's allies," Yin Di sighed. "So don't get nuclear weapons involved otherwise that will just make the situation worse."
Joseph nodded.
"Alright," Niera said. "That is one part of our plan sorted. Yin Di will mobilise his forces and Joseph, you will use that remarkable brain of yours to think of a strategy that will keep the Americans out of our way long enough for us to find and free Ahel and Kylia. However, before we can even do that, we need to know where they are being held. Have either of you managed to get closer while I was asleep?"
Yin Di neither nodded nor shook his head, while Joseph's hands clenched into fists and Niera saw his jaw tighten.
"Ianna is good, extremely good," he growled. "I can feel Ahel is alive and I feel the pull that all we Chevaliers have towards our Queen, but this pull has no direction. I can't follow it!"
Niera's expression fell in sympathy and Yin Di briefly placed a comforting hand on the man's shoulder.
"I want to think that Ahel and Kylia are somewhere in Europe," Joseph continued. "It is Annabel's territory and Freya is just across the English Channel. The entire continent is Ianna's fortress. Where better to hide Ahel and Kylia? But wouldn't that be too obvious?"
Niera frowned in thought.
"Perhaps. However, even if they are in Europe, it does not make it any less difficult for us to approach," Yin Di suggested. "Now that Niera, Ianna and Ahel are awake, we will have a better chance of tracking them down for this is where the fight begins. We will keep Europe as a likely possibility but we must hold it at arm's length in case it is indeed a false trail."
Joseph took a deep breath. "So, what do we do?"
The two men looked to Niera. She sat still in silence for a moment, before picking up her sword and she stood, moving to the massive wall that was a window. Niera gazed up at the bright sky. During the night the stars were visible, but only just, blocked out by light pollution. She remembered the days when there was no such thing.
Her gaze went down to her sword which she raised, and she pulled the sheath off enough to see the perfect blade. Yin Di had kept it in perfect condition for which Niera was grateful. A small bubble of happiness flitted through her heart as she remembered the Emperor who had given her this sword – his sword. He had been her friend and father figure, he had taught her how to fight and to treat humans as humans. She had respected him more than anybody.
Ianna had killed him.
Niera's purple eyes reflected in the smooth, steel blade. She blinked; those eyes changed to one yellow and one green. They were open. They were awake. Niera blinked again, her purple eyes stared back. Sorrow breathed her soul.
"Never fight for revenge. Fight to protect."
The words of her Emperor had become her soul and spirit. A reminder before her hate and grief took root in her heart. He lived on in the sword.
Niera turned to her two companions. "We must lure Ianna, or Freya or Annabel out into the open, where we will ambush them. They will retreat and we must pursue them."
They nodded and the rest of the night passed with them discussing methods and strategies.
Joseph walked a step behind Niera who walked a step behind Yin Di. The streets of Hong Kong were so packed it was impossible to walk three abreast without getting shoved. Joseph loved Hong Kong for its nightlife and buzz, but the manners of the people that lived there were atrocious. His looks worked to his advantage, making people move out of his way in awe. Poor Niera on the other hand had the opposite effect. It was probably because she was a beautiful woman, earning glares from other women and girls. If she was not getting that then she was either considered invisible – which was what she preferred – or getting stared at by other men. However, even the men did not stare for too long as Yin Di's presence made everyone keep a good enough distance away. His long white hair and cold expression was probably one huge factor that made people weary. But it was mainly the air that surrounded him, the manner in which he held himself that kept people at a comfortable distance.
Truly a mafia boss.
Joseph snorted, sighing that he could not make people gawp at him in that same wary respect and fear. What he had though was better in his opinion, and something Yin Di did not have. Instead of being gawped at in fear and wary respect, people stared at him in adoration, envy and amazement. He smirked, glancing at the sea of faces from behind his stylish sunglasses. The intensity of the light forced him and Niera to wear a pair.
Joseph was loving the attention.
"I would have thought that the amount of people in Causeway Bay would act as a cover but seriously, you two still draw a ridiculous amount of attention!" Niera exclaimed breathlessly, almost getting bumped into by another pedestrian. Yin Di took her hand and pulled her closer.
Joseph smiled dreamily. "You can't blame God for giving me this beautiful body. And how cute! You two are holding hands in public. That doesn't happen often."
Yin Di shot him a brief glare that had no effect, aside from making Joseph's grin wider. "But now I feel lonely. I look like the odd one out, the lost child, the guy with no girlfriend," he sniffed.
"Then get a girlfriend," Niera proposed.
Joseph chuckled. "No way. I'm a playboy. I can't commit myself to such a serious relationship like yours and Yin Di's."
Besides, he thought, his smile fading. The only woman I would have ever considered was already in love with another man. That man was now dead, but the love remained.
Eternal.
Sometimes, Joseph wished a woman could also love him with such a passion that the feelings would remain even when one died. To be loved for eternity . . . It was beautiful – but agonising. Was it worth it?
He had always respected Hwayeom. Had always enjoyed his company and jolly nature. However, he also hated him, hated him for breaking Ahel when he was killed in front of her very eyes.
Joseph gazed around him and looked out over the great harbour that was Hong Kong. He leaned against the railing, letting the wind caress his skin. Yin Di stood close by while Niera had dashed off to buy some cold drinks.
"We should go to the Peak before everything gets under way," Joseph suggested gently, thinking of the shopping mall and balcony on top of the mountain that overlooked Hong Kong and Kowloon. It was a marvellous sight to behold, especially during the night when the buildings were alight with colourful and flashing lights.
Yin Di smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes. We should. It's been too long since we saw the lights from there."
Joseph began to turn away from the sea when something caught his eyes. He paused and peered out across the shimmering water. Huge container ships and oil tankers were anchored off shore; dredgers worked away, dredging up sand from the seabed. But it was another huge vessel that caught his attention, aside from the American aircraft carrier.
"Hey, Yin Di. Can you see what I'm seeing?" Joseph questioned when he noticed the man squinting in the same direction.
"Is that Red Shield's HQ?" Yin Di suddenly said in surprise.
Joseph's eyes widened and he nodded slowly. "I think it is." The two men exchanged a glance. If Red Shield was docked in Hong Kong harbour then that changed a lot of things.
Joseph laughed. "Well, well. Mark my words. Who would have thought that we are this close to them?"
The gang knew quite a bit about Red Shield, and how they were established in the mid eighteen hundreds to act as a Chiropteran Queen's shield against her twin. It was not often that other Chiropteran Queens were seen and for Joseph, it was his first time seeing Queens aside from Ianna, Ahel and Niera.
Thirty years ago was when the real action had begun and ended. It was really quite something to watch from the outside.
Saya and Diva. He remembered those names well, particularly Diva for she was quite the opera star.
"Here. I have your drinks," Niera said brightly, handing an iced coffee to Joseph, an iced tea to Yin Di and she kept the third one for herself. Iced bubble tea it was. Joseph would have found it an extremely strange drink, as was many of the foods and drinks across Asia. But he had travelled all over the world now and nothing surprised him much anymore.
"Niera, check it out," Joseph said, pointing out over the water to the cruise ship. Niera followed his point, and she brought in a small sharp breath.
"Is that what I think it is?"
Joseph grinned. "Red Shield's HQ."
Niera made a surprised sound. "What are they doing here? Thirty years have passed so I'm guessing that Saya has awakened. Shouldn't they be off the coast of Okinawa in that case?" She turned to Yin Di. "How is it that not even you were aware they had docked here?"
He tilted his head to the side and smirked. "Just because I control Bei Jing's mafia and have connections in Hong Kong, doesn't mean that I know every little detail of what goes on in this town."
Niera sighed. "You're right. Sorry."
Yin Di took a sip of his iced tea and leaned with his back against the railing. "They must have docked during the night, and this is Red Shield we're talking about. Only a select few in the marine department and government will know their true presence."
Joseph watched the ship thoughtfully. "Yin Di. Can you arrange a small boat to take me over there. I'm short on bullets. I can stack up now that I know they're here."
Niera looked at him in disbelief. "You're worried about ammunition resupplies when they could hunt us down and interfere?"
Joseph shrugged indifferently. "Hey, unlike you and Yin Di, I rely on modern technology as my form of attack. And at the moment I am short on bullets. Do you want me to be defenceless the next time we encounter Chiropterans or Ianna and her Chevaliers?"
Niera smirked with mirth. "You can fight just as well without guns and bullets."
"I know. But I prefer guns. I don't get my hands dirty that way."
Niera just rolled her eyes and Joseph turned his attention back to Yin Di, waiting for an answer to his question.
"No," Yin Di answered dryly. "You can swim there. It will be faster and easier. And that way I don't have to risk the life of someone to pilot the boat."
Joseph sighed gruffly. "You're both so stingy," he muttered under his breath.
The three of them left the railing and continued walking, watching out for signs of familiar Red Shield faces – and feeling for the presences of Chiropteran while Joseph started to plan his thievery.
Kanade had never been to Hong Kong before and so far, she liked what she saw despite the heat that bogged them down. Hibiki and Karasu were loving it even more. Hong Kong was a huge shopping mall, a massive bank, and an enormous harbour. The four of them; Kanade, Hibiki, Karasu and Victoria toured the streets, going into shop after shop, exploring mall after mall and occasionally peering in through the windows of classy restaurants. They tried local delicacies which Kanade and Hibiki loved. Karasu and Victoria on the other hand were not so adventurous, especially Victoria.
Anyhow, the four of them were having a good time shopping and exploring and even though Kanade had never been to Hong Kong before, she was not worried about getting lost. She had a good sense of direction but it was mainly something else. Victoria seemed to know her way around.
"Have you been to Hong Kong before?" Kanade asked her.
"Yes." Victoria nodded. "Quite a while ago though. I used to visit a lot before. It has changed but the places are all still here, the names have not changed, in addition to new places in the New Territories."
"Oh!" Hibiki exclaimed. "You can be our guide then! What are the iconic places to visit? What other foods should we try? Where should we –"
Victoria held up a hand. "I have not been here in quite a while so I am afraid I cannot assist in being a tour guide. I am struggling enough as it is to remember place names and roads."
Hibiki pouted and Karasu patted her on the back. "Don't worry about it. We'll learn this place inside out soon enough."
They carried on with their expedition when Hibiki gasped dramatically and very suddenly, making Kanade jump as her sister clutched her arm.
"What is it, Hibiki?" Kanade asked in alarm. Hibiki's eyes were wide and her cheeks were flushed. She pointed across the road.
"Look at those two guys! Aren't they super hot?" She squealed. The other three followed her gaze.
"Damn," Karasu whistled, impressed. "Don't they look fit?"
"Who's that woman with them?" Victoria inquired, causing the shoulders of the other two to slump.
Kanade saw them too. The three looked like models of elegance. One of the men looked somewhat like a wild cowboy from the Wild West; the other man looked like a sharp mafia boss with stunningly beautiful long white hair, and in between the two was a young woman – a young woman with purple eyes.
Kanade's eyes widened as her brain made the link before her conscious was aware of it. A hand touched down on her shoulder, making her jump again. She turned around and breathed a sigh of relief. It was Saya and Haji.
"Saya-obasan!" Hibiki exclaimed.
Saya smiled, but it did not reach her eyes.
"What are you doing here, Saya-obasan?" Kanade asked slowly.
Saya nodded across the road where the three people of interest disappeared around a busy street. "Those three," she said in a low voice, "are Chiropteran."
The group of them fell silent in shock and Kanade stared in the direction where she last saw the three.
"That woman," she whispered. "She had purple eyes."
Victoria's green eyes flitted between them and narrowed. "Could she be one of the three from your dream, Saya?"
Saya's expression was set in firm determination. "Most likely."
"Would that mean she's a Chiropteran Queen?" Hibiki asked quietly. Hearing that question voiced out loud sent freezing shivers down Kanade's spine.
A Chiropteran Queen that we have never heard of . . . a Queen from a time long before Saya and Diva, Kanade thought in chilled silence. How strong . . . how frightening would such a woman be?
"Stay here," Saya ordered. "Haji and I will take care of it."
"Wait," Karasu said sharply, stopping Saya in her tracks and she turned her head to look at them. "If she is a Queen, then would that mean that those two men are her Chevaliers? That's two versus three. Not even you can take them with those odds."
Saya hesitated, looking like she really wanted to argue but in the end she sighed in defeat. "Fine. Kanade, Karasu, you two come with me as backup. Hibiki, Victoria, can you contact David? And inform him of the situation. Tell them to send Tony."
"Roger that," Hibiki said, turning and dashing away, weaving in between the pedestrians with Victoria parallel to her. Kanade and Karasu took off behind Saya and Haji who moved sleekly through the crowds. They turned corners and headed into quiet back alleys.
"You two stay behind me but keep close enough so you can see," Saya murmured. "I know you can both fight but this is another Queen and her Chevaliers we are talking about. They are probably just as skilled as Haji and I –"
She was interrupted by the sound of something slicing through the air, the clank of chains, there was a flurry of shapes, and before Kanade knew it, they had lost.
The man with long black, curly hair stood in front of Kanade and Karasu, holding his two handguns to their faces, wearing a dashing smile. Haji was bound in black chains, wielded by the man with long white hair. Saya had a partially unsheathed sword held against her neck, in the grip of the purple-eyed woman.
"Sorry there, Saya," the black-haired man said charmingly. "But we are perhaps far more experienced than you are. As they say, the older you are, the more experience you have."
Haji remained calm as always but he wore a dark expression. Saya's jaw clenched and Kanade and Karasu tensed, horrified at how quickly they were defeated. There was not even a fight. Karasu's muscles tensed and Kanade opened her mouth to voice a command.
"Do not move," the white-haired man ordered smoothly as the black-haired man set his guns. Kanade felt her mouth go dry. Karasu snarled under her breath but she made no other move to Kanade's relief.
"How do you know my name?" Saya questioned coldly.
"We know a lot about Red Shield," the purple-eyed woman said quietly. "We know a lot about their workings and purpose. They are . . . were . . . your shield against Diva."
Kanade and Saya's breath caught. The purple-eyed woman's gaze flickered to Kanade, holding her eyes and Kanade felt like she fell into those endless amethyst pools. Kanade's Chiropteran blood feared, respected and hated Saya's blood. It was in the nature of the Chiropteran. They were Queens and therefore equals, both of the same extremely rare and pure bloodline.
However, this purple-eyed woman was more than that. Saya was old, very old. But this other Queen felt ancient. The age was reflected in her deep gaze. Fighting such a woman was out of the question.
"It does not matter though," the purple-eyed woman said, pulling her sword away and she sheathed it. "What Red Shield does is none of our business as it is not our fight. I will not harm you as long as you do not harm us. This is just as warning."
The black-haired man lowered his guns and hid them away in his jacket again, while the white-haired man withdrew his chain from Haji. The three strangers took a step back and looked like they were going to retreat when Saya called out, "Stop!"
The purple-eyed woman glanced back. Her eyes were emotionless.
"You," Saya said. "I have seen you in a dream, a dream sent by your sister with green eyes."
Kanade watched as their eyes widened. Her heart fluttered with the excitement that this was all actually happening, that is was not just some dream after all. Tony had confirmed it was not a dream but it was not the same as seeing them in the flesh.
"Ahel," the purple-eyed woman breathed, recognition flashing through her gaze.
"Where?" The black-haired man demanded, stepping towards Saya until Haji moved in front of her protectively. "Where did you see her? Where was Ahel in your dream?"
"I – I don't know," Saya stammered.
The white-haired man placed a restraining hand on the black-haired man's shoulder. "Enough, Joseph," he murmured. "She will not know." Kanade frowned, struggling to understand what was happening.
"Oh? So Tony was not making up stories after all."
They turned to the source of the voice and found Callum at the entrance of the alley. Tony was beside him, one hand tucked within his jacket, no doubt ready to bring out his handgun – the gun that was once Kai's but had been handed down to him.
Callum, despite the situation, was smiling like an idiot, making Kanade want to jump over to him and slap that smile off his face so he wore an expression that fitted the situation. Tony's expression was appropriate. His eyes were narrowed with an echo of horrified recognition.
"You look just like her," he growled darkly. "The one with yellow eyes."
There was almost no change in the three strangers, but Kanade saw faintly how the purple-eyed woman's jaw clenched and spotted anger and hate flit through the black-haired man's gaze.
"You are sorely outnumbered, strangers," Callum said. "I ask that you come with us. Don't struggle."
The two men glanced at the purple-eyed woman and she shrugged and nodded. "Why not?" Her eyes landed on Tony. "It will be worth finding out what you know of my younger sisters." She held out her sword to Saya without argument and Saya took it. The white-haired man handed his chain and sickle to Haji, and the black-haired man held out his handguns for someone to take. Karasu snatched them from him.
"There," she snarled with a scowl. "Now you can't point those horrendous weapons in my face."
The black-haired man's expression fell in mock disbelief. "Horrendous? Excuse me but those are the best handguns in the world."
"Best?" Karasu's voice went an octave higher. "Look at this design! It's ancient, just like your old-fashioned sense of fashion!"
"Ancient?!" He exclaimed in dismay. "Take that back. You have some nerve insulting the design of a masterpiece. What is your weapon then, little miss Chevalier?"
Karasu opened her mouth and stopped. Kanade saw her mistake but Karasu was too proud to back down. Her Chevalier turned her face away, shutting her eyes and holding her nose high. "A bow," she sniffed.
The black-haired man snorted. "A bow? As in, bow and arrows? Who's the ancient one now?"
The two bickered away as they were lead back to a boat to take them back to HQ. The bickering was annoying.
"Will you two please shut up?" Kanade and the purple-eyed woman finally snapped in unison. It surprised Kanade that she had spoken an order at the same time as the other Queen, feeling like they connected for a moment, but at least it sent the other two into sulking silence. Kanade breathed a silent sigh of relief. And even though the situation was more serious than she could have ever predicted, she found herself grinning at the entertaining argument between the two Chevaliers which replayed in her head.
The sea was calm as they sailed back to the cruiser. Callum sat with the pilot, Tony stood on guard; Saya gazed down at the old Chinese sword in her hands and Haji sat nearby, calm but ready. Karasu and the black-haired man exchanged scowls and the occasional insult under their breath; the purple-eyed woman stared out of the window and the white-haired man sat next to her, eyes closed in unreadable thought.
Kanade frowned. The white-haired man was definitely that woman's Chevalier. There was an invisible link between them that Kanade could sense between Saya and Haji. There was love involved.
The black-haired man on the other hand did not seem to be that woman's Chevalier, especially from his reaction earlier. Was the green-eyed woman his Queen? But if so, then why was he with the purple-eyed woman? Kanade could not detect any romance so it had nothing to do with mating. Yet this man also seemed loyal to this woman to some extent.
Kanade's mind swam. It was awfully confusing.
Later, she thought grimly. Everything will be explained at HQ.
A/N: And that was chapter 3 folks. No fighting involved but you can't have something exciting in every chapter otherwise the links can't get fitted in. Hope you enjoyed it anyway. Thanks for the wonderful reviews! They really make my day ^_^