Title: Trust and Betrayal
Summary: Continuation from 'Destinations'.
Authors Notes: This fic is like a soap opera. It just goes on and on. This picks up 3 months after Destinations. For those who wanted more Raphael when I wrote the other books, this is the story for you. Continued gratuitous thanks to Jaxink for the beta read and edit.
Chapter 7:
For sss979, who showed me the way.
"Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love."
Morihei Ueshiba
Two weeks earlier …
She gathered her heavy cloak more closely around her neck, but it did not suffice. The bitter wind and snow bit at her, finding any crack and crevice to freeze her flesh. Taka followed the path through the mountain village tiredly. The Transmat had brought her here only moments ago, and she had been forced to walk up the narrow track to this place. There was no transportation to be had on Belgard other than by foot. It was all the Utrom could do to keep their delicate equipment working on a world of such harsh conditions.
Taka shivered, looking up at the surrounding jagged peaks. Belgard was utterly unlike her own planet. Her world was mostly temperate in climate, and there technology flourished. Belgard was, to the Lady's eyes, backwards and hopelessly unsophisticated. And yet, this was the one place in the dimensions to find what she needed.
She bent against another flurry of snow, and finally gained the gate. A Belgard male stood straight, seeming not to feel the intense cold, guarding the gate.
"I am Lady Taka," she explained to the guard. He nodded silently, and opened the gate. Taka stepped through, reading the words engraved in the metal plate that hung above the arched entrance. For Justice. Taka continued on, following the narrow track through the snow. Ahead was a stone building, appearing to be carved from the rock of the surrounding mountains. To her right, Taka observed trainees of the order firing crossbows at targets made from mounds of snow; their light attire only made Taka feel the cold more intensely beneath her heavy layers. It felt like hours passed before she reached the door. It opened at her approach, and Taka walked gratefully through the portal into a warm hall, lit by a fire at the far end. The door shut with a clang behind her, and the male Belgardian who had opened the door looked up at her.
"Lady Taka," he greeted evenly. "Welcome to Belgard." Taka nodded, her teeth clenched to keep them from belatedly chattering. "Please, my Lady, let us sit by the fire." Taka followed her host to the far end of the hall, and seated herself carefully on the simple wooden bench. She held her gloved hands out to the fire and felt her fingers thaw a little. Her host sat on a nearby bench, and a moment later a youthful female approached from a side door with a tray bearing two goblets and a dark green liquid in a glass bottle. The female set the tray on a table near the male, and then exited without a word. The Belgardians were a quiet race, preferring an economy of words, and said so little in the presence of visitors as to be considered mute by many who had come to the wintery planet.
Not that many visited this hostile planet where the denizens eschewed the creature comforts and lived a spare and, to Taka, barren existence.
Taka's host poured the liquid into the two goblets, and then held one out to Taka. She grasped the glass goblet, and nodded her thanks. She took a sip of the murky substance. For all its unpleasant appearance, the cool liquid warmed and soothed her.
"Hunter," she addressed him formally.
"Please, Lady Taka, you may address me as Hadden," the hunter offered politely, tossing back the contents of his goblet. Taka frowned; momentarily disgusted by his lack of manners, and then her face smoothed out into the mask she typically wore.
"Of course, Hadden" Taka said, her voice soft and musical. So like her daughter's, only Sen's gentle voice was not a disguise.
"I have reviewed your request with the order. A hunter has been assigned," Hadden explained directly.
Taka smiled. The Belgardian Hunters were nothing if not efficient. The most feared assassins in this or any other dimension for their record was nearly spotless. A hunter, once released, would face any hardship and even give up their own life to ensure a kill was completed.
"You have brought the necessary documentation?" Hadden asked.
"Of course," Taka answered. She had the records in an interior pocket of her robe.
"Good, the hunter will be here shortly. Once the hunter accepts your testimony, the writ of execution will be completed." Hadden leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Did you still wish to go to Earth before the hunter is sent, Lady Taka?"
"Yes," Taka responded. "It will be difficult, but I must know if there is another option …"
Hadden nodded his understanding. There was no sympathy in his gaze, but Taka required none. One way or the other, this business with Sen would be completed soon.
777
Entering the house slowly, Don glanced around. He heard and felt that no one was present. Sam must be out with Sean …
Don went upstairs first, and started with his and Sam's bedroom. His hand swept under each side table, under the lip around the dresser, and his fingers skimmed the top of the door frames. He found the first device above the closet door. He continued to search in the hall, and found a second inside the smoke detector. Don entered his son's room and found a third stuck to the bottom of the antique rocking chair Sam had found at a flea market.
Don could feel his anger mounting as he uncovered listening devices throughout his family's home.
He was working on the living room when he heard the front door open. He spun toward it and watched his wife walk in carrying their son in her arms. Sam opened her mouth to give a greeting, and Don put his finger to his mouth. Sam's mouth snapped shut. They stared at each other across the living room. Don approached his wife, and opened his right hand. Sam looked down and her eyes widened at the collection of tiny listening devices. Her eyes swung back up to his. Don put his left arm around her and led her over to the sofa. They sat side by side and Don dumped the pile of bugs on the coffee table. Sean burbled, and grabbed one of his mother's curls in a chubby fist, but Sam didn't even flinch. She swallowed her fear, and watched as Don pulled out a small pad of paper and the stub of a pencil from inside his jacket. He scribbled something there, and turned the pad so Sam could read it. His handwriting was atrocious, but she managed to puzzle it out.
There may be more.
Sam nodded, indicating she understood. It wasn't safe to speak in their house, obviously. She mouthed a question. Who?
Don wrote on his notepad again and showed her.
British government?
Since it was a question, Don obviously thought there were other options. Sam mouthed again. Or?
Utrom don't want Transmat built.
Sam's shocked look gave Don a twinge of guilt. He should have told her what he was working on, top secret or not. She started mouthing something, but he couldn't catch it all. He handed her the pad and pencil, and plucked Sean from her arms so his wife could write. She paused a moment, and then printed a message and showed it to him.
You were building a Transmat?
Don nodded at Sam's neatly printed question. Sam tapped the pencil against her lip, and then bent to write again. Don patted Sean's back and settled the child against his neck. Sean rested his head there, and sighed softly. Sam turned the pad to him again, and Don read what was printed there.
Leave London?
At the shake of Don's head, Sam frowned, looking ready to start an argument. Can't, he mouthed at her. Her expression was mutinous. Don held out his hand for the pencil, still holding Sean in place. Sam held the pad for him while he wrote.
Have to go to lab. Destroy research.
Sam met his eyes, and then stood up, dropping the pad on the coffee table. She walked to the built in cabinet on the wall by the fireplace. She opened a drawer, and pulled out a gleaming black handgun. Don hadn't liked having it in the house, but Sam knew her way around guns, and she felt more comfortable having one. Sam opened a box on the shelf to the right, and retrieved a clip. She slapped it home, and turned back to Don.
Don didn't need it written down to get this message. Sam was going with him to the lab.
777
Entering the Transmat station, Raphael swung his head from side to side, searching for Haven. They hadn't spoken since their argument at the restaurant. Juliet was right. It was time he cleared it up one way or the other. Keeping Haven in limbo wasn't the kindest thing to do, but Raphael still didn't really want to give her up.
Raphael finally spotted a familiar blonde in a black suit. He walked toward her, and she caught sight of him when she looked up. She didn't look too happy to see him.
"Raph, what are you doing here?" she questioned when he reached her.
"Haven …" he started, intending to apologize, or something, but he was cut off.
"Raph, I really don't have time for this today. There's a V.I.P. due any minute," Haven stated distantly. "And I've never even seen one before." Haven continued.
"One what," Raphael said flatly. Not that he was interested. She wouldn't even give him the chance to say he was sorry. Maybe there was no fixing it.
"An actual Belgardian Hunter!" Haven enthused.
"What's that?" Raph asked, curiosity stirring.
"Only the most feared assassins in cross dimensional history," Haven reported, turning away from him with the ever present black folder in her hands. "I have to go meet the hunter and check him through. There are special procedures for a hunter's arrival." Haven nearly skipped toward the Transmat. Raphael followed, his interest piqued. A badass assassin from another planet might actually be interesting to see. And maybe after the assassin's arrival he would get the chance to talk to Haven. When they reached the Transmat checkpoint, Haven spun and glared at Raph.
"You have to stay here."
"Why?" Raph questioned, frowning.
"You'll be able to see him from here, but you're not an authorized delegate of the Utrom," Haven explained impatiently. Raph's eyes narrowed further, but he shrugged and remained where he was. Haven turned back to the checkpoint and stepped through. On the other side Raph could see the Transmat lighting up. He squinted at the brilliant glow, and a moment later a small, black robed figure appeared. The figure stepped off the platform carrying nothing.
"Welcome to Earth." Haven greeted the arrival with a friendly smile. "Are you the Belgardian Hunter?"
The visitor walked closer to Haven, and Haven was shocked to discover that the black robed figure was shorter than she was.
"I am." With the hood of the robe up, Haven had no idea what the hunter even looked like, but that was a female voice if Haven had ever heard one. A pale, nearly white hand reached out from the robe and offered a folded parchment to Haven. Haven took the paper gingerly, still puzzling over the diminutive hunter. Haven had sort of assumed the hunter would be a male, and was expecting someone tall and dangerous looking; someone a little more like Raphael.
From his vantage point, Raphael watched the exchange with some amusement. So this was the dreaded assassin; looked pretty tiny and ineffectual from here. Raph stifled a yawn, and wondered if he could catch a quick lunch before heading back to the school. He would have to try talking to Haven another day. On the other side of the checkpoint, Haven unfolded the paper and quickly scanned it. Something must have been wrong, because her eyes widened and she studied the paper again. Then Haven turned her head and looked at Raphael with shock, and what Raphael thought looked a lot like fear. Raph stepped forward, intending to go through the checkpoint, but Haven shook her head emphatically and turned back to the hunter. She handed back the papers, and pointed the hunter to exit out the other side of the Transmat area, away from Raph.
Raphael watched the black robed figure walking through the station until Haven charged up to him. She grabbed his arm and practically shook him to get his attention.
"Raph, you have to get Leo out of the city," Haven ordered sharply.
"What? Why?" Raphael questioned, his eyes now on Haven. She was clearly freaked out about something. But what did it have to do with Leo?
"The hunter," Haven explained rapidly. "She's here for Leo!"
777
Raphael halted on the rooftop. He had followed the Belgardian Hunter from above as she walked down the sidewalk. He'd been trailing her for hours as she had gone up and down streets the whole afternoon, and now it was late evening. They were in a club district, and Raphael could feel the bass line thumping through the concrete beneath his feet. Below Raphael on the street, the hunter paused at the opening to the alley to his right. She stood perfectly still, her head cocked to one side. Abruptly, the hunter turned into the alley and Raph nearly smiled at her mistake. This alley was a dead end. No way out. It would make a perfect trap. Raph headed for the fire escape, checking his weapons.
At the bottom of the fire escape, Raph deliberated. The alley was darker than it needed to be. A single bulb flickered at the rear door of a well-known club. The buildings on each side seemed to loom. He had lost sight of the hunter in the shadows. Raphael flipped to the alley floor, and tucked into a roll to the alley entrance. He came up in a crouch, his sai in his hands, and blocking the only way out. He waited, his eyes scanning the darkness. A shadow detached itself from the space beside the overflowing garbage cans and stepped into the meager light.
With no forewarning, the hunter lifted her arm and fired a crossbow at Raphael. He leapt, flipping forward and avoiding the first bolt, but another swiftly followed, causing Raphael to spin right. The hunter walked forward, pace steady, loading and firing without pause. Raphael held his ground, knocking a bolt aside with his sai. The hunter was nearly on him and Raphael sprang, flipping over the hunter's head. He landed behind the hunter, he thought, but she had already spun to face him. The crossbow was loaded, and the bolt was pointing directly between his eyes. This one he wouldn't be able to duck, but the hunter hesitated.
"You are not my prey," she intoned, lowering her arm.
"Nope, but you're mine," Raphael threatened, tightening his grip on the sai in his hands.
The crossbow came back up in an eye blink, but before the hunter could fire Raphael dropped a sai and grabbed the crossbow with his right hand. He wrenched it away from her, and tossed it toward the garbage cans. It clattered against the wall, and fell into a pile of debris. The hunter back-flipped twice, gaining distance, and landed lightly on her feet. Her acrobatics had caused her hood to fall back, revealing a pale face, and eyes that were entirely black.
"You are similar to the one I hunt," she questioned. "What is my prey to you?"
"My brother," Raphael declared.
The hunter nodded once, and pushed back the sides of her black robe. Sheathed at each hip were knives that she drew with a hiss of metal on leather. The blades were black, and wickedly curved. Her humorless smile arched above the crossed knives.
"You choose to act as your brother's defender?" the hunter queried formally. "Think well, Warrior, for to do so is to join your brother in death," she warned darkly. Raphael bent and retrieved his second sai. He rolled his neck on his shoulders, and met her gaze evenly.
"We gonna do this or what?" he challenged. Almost before he saw the motion the hunter dived toward him, her blades flashing at his face. Raphael threw himself back, and aimed a vicious kick at her mid-section as she flew over him. He connected, sending her straight up. He heard her gasp as the air was knocked out of her lungs. Raph rolled right, expecting her to be to his left. Instead the hunter twisted on her return to the ground, and landed in a crouch closer at hand. Too close. One of her ink colored knives slashed at his arm. Raphael flinched and spun away, gaining space. The hunter rose to her feet, but had an arm across her stomach like something was hurting her there.
"You wanna give up?" Raphael offered. It wasn't his nature to knock girls around. The hunter looked briefly startled, but then shook her head.
"You underestimate me, Warrior," she said. "A dangerous thing to do." She circled, and Raphael turned with her. The alley was close quarters fighting, and they were surrounded by obstacles. Her next move was a frontal assault, but at the last moment she feinted left. Raph intercepted her with a strong blow to her jaw that sent her reeling back, but he had felt the sting of another cut from her knives on both forearms.
The pair faced each other across the dim alley. The hunter spit blood, bright red, onto the alley floor. For a moment, her form wavered before Raphael's eyes. He shook his head, trying to clear his vision. There was also a strange tingling in his fingers. He gripped his sai harder.
She was fast. Too fast. Raphael knew his own strengths and abilities well. He was the brawler, the brute strength among his brothers. Leo was the one with the speed. If he could get a hold of her, he could end it. He had a feeling she might be fighting with a broken rib right now from that kick. A broken leg or arm might slow her down. But first he had to get his hands on her.
"Takin' a break?" Raph taunted, readying himself.
The hunter arched an eyebrow at her adversary. "Giving you one, Warrior," she replied.
"Don't do me any favors," Raph growled, rushing her. She turned sideways at the last minute as he brushed by her. But Raph wasn't trying for a strike with his sai. He dropped them with a clatter at the last moment, and grasped her left arm, wrenching it around behind her back. He twisted her wrist in the same motion and was gratified to hear the sickening crack. Instead of crying out, or dropping from the pain, the hunter used Raphael's momentum to spin herself around and strike out with the knife in her right hand. Raph felt the blade drive deep into the back of his left thigh, and he dropped to one knee, releasing the hunter's arm. The hunter leveled a kick at his head, knocking Raphael onto his side.
The tingling in his hands was creeping up his arms at an alarming pace, and was matched by a similar weakness appearing in his legs. Raphael rolled onto his shell and blinked up at the slice of sky above the alley. The distant stars swam away from his vision as everything turned gray briefly. He heard the hunter's footsteps approaching, and tried to lever himself up again, but his arms were dead weight, useless.
The hunter appeared in his dimming vision, looking down. Raphael peered into the hunter's eyes. Those pupil-less pits in her head held no mercy. For the first time since the fight began, Raphael felt fear. Leo. If he couldn't stop this assassin … The hunter tucked her remaining knife into the sheath with her good hand, then she lowered herself to squat at his side. She cradled her injured arm, and watched him.
"You have been brave, and loyal, to your family," the hunter complimented. She leaned over him, meeting his glazed eyes. "Now, tell me the location of your brother, and I promise a swift and merciful end to him and to you."
"Not … kill … Leo," Raph husked, struggling to breathe. Poison. Her blades had to be poisoned. He couldn't feel his limbs at all, and the paralysis was spreading fast through his torso.
"Warrior, it must be done. Justice must be served."
"What … justice," Raph demanded with what little strength remained.
"For the death of Lady Sen," the hunter explained. Her adversary shook his head in sharp denial. "I admire your courage, Warrior, but I will not tolerate false denials."
"Not … dead," Raph argued faintly. The hunter leaned closer still, attempting to hear his last words. "Sen's … alive …"