Chapter 8: Pandora

"Sharon!" Persephone's voice rang through the halls. It was her second day at the Rainsworth Manor and she had tried to make herself comfortable.

At the moment, however, Persephone had been forced into a scarlet corset and skirt that shown vibrantly against her pale skin. Unfortunately, her regular outfit had been fixed, but Sharon would not give up that easily.

"Get back here!" she yelled again. Nothing, not even a single footfall could be heard. "Fine, if you want to play that way." Her four Card Soldiers emerged suddenly. "Find Sharon, now." They were off. The mansion was much bigger than it looked on the outside and Persephone was beginning to think the younger girl was hiding in the immense courtyard out back.

She was infuriated as hair streamed behind her and her arms flung doors open searching the rooms for Sharon. "When I get my hands on you…what the?" something grabbed her and pulled her into a room.

"Break got Persephone!" Emily sang.

"AH…" She began to scream but his hand covered her mouth.

"Shhhh…someone will hear us." Persephone's eyes narrowed and her fist clenched in the darkened room. The only light came from the curtains in the room that happened to be open just enough to let a slit of light in.

I'm going to kill you if you do not let go of me in five seconds…what the hell are you doing?

Her thoughts flared as his hand ran down her side. She bit his hand hard and twisted away throwing a punch, he parried her attack easily.

"What the hell are you doing?" she whispered harshly.

"You look much lovelier in that dress. Sharon did a good job of dressing you up," he said massaging his bitten hand lightly.

"What was that, grabbing me like that? You…"

"Ah, ah, ah. Watch your language."

"Damn you!" she hissed anyway.

"Well this will be harder than I thought." Break's smile tugged across his face.

"Answer my question!"

"You asked me something?" Persephone felt the heat rise in her cheeks.

"You son of a…"

"Oh! She is ruder than Emily!" Emily yelled.

"If you want to know why I did that, I just wanted to give you this," he held out a piece of hard candy.

"What is this?" she glanced into his eyes and then back down at the piece of candy.

"A peace offering," he said unwrapping it and letting the sugary piece fall into one of her hands.

"I…uh…" she looked back up and watched as Break slipped out of the single stream of light and into the darkness. Persephone marched over to the curtains and threw them open. Xerxes Break was gone.

"Hmmmm…"She put the piece of candy in her mouth. It was sweet, nothing that she had ever had before. Cheap food or stolen food was her easiest find…this was…rich…

"Persephone! I got her!" Club called. Persephone quickly left the room to find Sharon walking in front of Club and Spade.

"Where are my clothes?" Spade held the dress out and dropped it into her hands.

"What is in your mouth?" Club asked. Persephone swallowed the candy quickly.

"Nothing," She said.

"Oh…"

"I'm going to go change," Persephone said walking away. Break turned the corner in front of her.

"Hello Persephone!" As he spoke her fist made contact with his shoulder and, as a result, Emily fell from her perch. Persephone caught the doll.

"You know, I like you better than I like him," She promptly tossed the doll back to Break before disappearing down a corridor and into her room.

"Persephone likes Emily the most! We're best friends!" Emily shouted.

"Break, are you alright?" Sharon asked.

"Fine, I'm just part of her violent rampage today, it seems!" Break grinned.

"So, when are we going to take her to Pandora?" Break was fully aware of the card soldiers hovering over her as she asked this question.

"My Lady…Our guest is part of Pandora already." Break glanced up at Spade who glowered down at him.

"Wait…than what household does she serve?" Sharon asked.

"I was hoping our source could tell us," Break looked at the Chain hovering over his master.

"B-" Club began and received a sharp knock to her shoulder form Spade. "What?"

"Try not to give away everything," Spade growled.

"Hmm, looks like I will just have to find out myself," Break skipped away and Spade tried to follow, but found Club's grip holding him back.

"If he keeps shoving his nose in our business…" Spade began.

"Oh, do not mind Break. He might act like he is going to use you, and he probably will, but he means well," Sharon smiled.

"You are a pretty relaxed kid," Club said.

"Oh, really? Thank you for your complement…but I'm twenty one," She smiled sweetly.

"Well that not surprising Persephone is…" Club received another hard blow to her shoulder. "Hey!" Spade just gave his fellow chain a hard look.

"You are amusing," Sharon giggled. "I like having more people in the house."

"Glad we could be of some worth," Spade said stoically.

###

It was dark and Persephone sat on the foot of her bed, her card soldiers surrounding her. Not using much energy a day it was easy for her to keep all four open at most times. It was a significant change from the full energy drain of forty or so cards that she would let out at a time.

She was back in her normal raiment, but Sharon had insisted on her keeping the red dress, which meant she shoved it into her new closet and tried to forget about it.

"So…" Diamond tried to start a conversation.

"Persephone," Heart looked directly at her. "I was in contact with…Barma…today," her silent look told Heart to go on.

"As was I..." Diamond interjected. "…one of his servants heard we came out here and he sent someone."

"He would like us to stop by…the headquarters," Heart said.

"Of course he would," Persephone lifted her skirts and unclipped a charm from underneath them. The charm held the Pandora Crest. "Rufus Barma…this is the first time he has called on me since…well right after the contract…and…" Persephone gave a sigh and fell back onto her white sheets.

"Persephone…it will all be fine," Spade said.

"Right…I'm going to sleep," she moved under the covers and placed her head on the pillow. The Ace's nodded at each other and they tapped their necks, all except for Heart. She stepped over toward Persephone and brushed some hair out of her face. "What?" Persephone asked darkly.

"How are you?" Heart asked.

"Tired…" Heart sighed and reached up to her own neck about to fold. "…and scared," Heart stopped. "I want revenge, and I want them back and I want…I want…my mom," her eyes let a single tear slip onto her pillow.

"Shhh…" Heart stroked her face, wishing she could comfort her like a mother would, knowing she never would be able to. "…everything will turn out okay." Heart stayed by her side until her master was fast asleep.

###

Persephone took a carriage to Pandora Headquarters. She was…mad…Barma was a jerk to call on her now…she hoped he was as angry as she was or she was going to punch him, right in the face...

It also disturbed her that Break was not at the Rainsworth's this morning. Sharon had said he left for Pandora early which meant he was already there and that meant he was going to be prying into her business…again. Persephone asked Sharon to come, but the girl said she would be down later. Which meant Persephone was alone as the carriage pulled by the large building…

Pandora Headquarters…a place she barely remembered. She had only been there once before. She stepped from the stagecoach and instructed the driver to go back to the Rainsworth Household.

When she entered the main door she was amazed by the giant marble hall and grand staircase. Her breath was taken from her as she descended into the magnificent entryway. She glided gently stopping a few steps from the bottom to run a hand over the white marble.

Footfalls behind her made her turn suddenly. There was a man with glasses and light brown hair, two earrings swung from his ears as he stared at a piece of paper in his hand.

"Liam?" Persephone asked, recognizing another one of Barma's servants. He looked up and froze at the sight of her.

"Wha—Persephone?" He gazed at her in shock. "I thought…you…"

"It is not that easy to get rid of me," Persephone said with a small grin.

"Oh, well, I just…you are back…are you here to see Barma?" He finally managed to stutter out.

"Yes," He walked to her level.

"It is good to see you again. I never thought you would come back."

"I never planned on it…" her voice was laced with anger. Liam had been the loyal servant who had no brawn, she was the one that did what was asked as long as it was in her control she may not have his brains, but she had more pride in herself than in any kind of "master".

"I see…" he muttered to himself. Persephone felt her shoulders tense.

"Still don't trust me?" she asked as he glanced at her eyes, quickly looking away.

"No…actually..." he stuttered again.

"That is fine." She relaxed and they began to descend the rest of the steps and across the floor. "Liam, it is nice to see you again," Persephone turned toward him. "This sounds melodramatic but I was afraid something happened to you and that was why…"

"No worries," Liam said. "I am glad you are...still among the living"

"It seems you two have met!" Xerxes Break entered from the shadows under the stairs making both of them jump.

"Oh, hello Break," Liam said, fixing his glasses out of habit.

"Use the door," Persephone muttered.

"Persephone! I hope Liam has been sweet to you," Break smiled.

"More than you," Persephone said sarcastically.

"Well, how was it to meet someone new?" Break's grin grew wider.

"Actually, I have known her for awhile," Liam said and the smile on Xerxes' face vanished for a moment.

"I have known Liam since I became a servant to the Barma household," Persephone said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"That is wonderful!" Break's smile came back as quickly as it had gone, but his tone was sickly-sweet.

"Liam…" Persephone turned toward him. "Will you take me to Barma please?"

"Liam, the letter." Break smiled pointing at the piece of paper now crumpled in his hand.

"Oh right. I will see you later. I am sorry Persephone I need to…get to something. Maybe Break can show you around?" Persephone began to shake her head but it was too late.

"I am afraid I have some business to run also. I guess you are on your own." He left just as quickly as he had come, except this time he walked up the staircase before he vanished. Persephone let out a grateful sigh, anything was better than that.

"Sorry, I think Barma is in the study past the garden," Liam said. "It was nice seeing you again."

"Same," Persephone hummed walking across the floor.

"Persephone?" She turned around. "You might want to go out the other hall," He pointed in the opposite direction and Persephone felt a light red blush in her cheeks as she turned around.

"Right…thanks."

"Just like old times." He gave a small smile walking opposite her as they both left the hall.