Author's Note: Wow, it has been like two years since I updated this. Hell of a cliffhanger huh? Anyway, I wanted to add the last chapter, just to sort of tie everything together. Yes, a happy ending of sorts. I doubt anyone will read this now, but I didn't want to leave it unfinished either...
Enjoy. This is pretty much what I envisioned from the start. All nice and neat, a bit like Sherlock Holmes. Though if you comment, please keep it positive?
Disclaimer: I do not own Trinity Blood or its characters. No money is made from this.
Beauty and Power
Chapter 10: Poisoned Apple
Now William had two friends in the infirmary. This was actually too much to deal with. Where was that boy from the kitchen staff? If he could just get his hold on him, then everything would be solved.
He was certain the boy was not all he seemed to be, the more he thought about it. Infirmary personnel informed him that Abel would actually be quite fine, with his boosted immune system with a bit of rest.
William needed to contact Kaya again, just to double check. As he strode for the kitchen, hoping against hope that the boy was hanging around, he tried to raise her on the communicator.
"Gypsy Queen here," her soft , child voice floated through the airwave.
"It's the Professor again. I know I keep bothering you, but I really need the results of the tests now, not in two days."
"I was just about to contact you, they arrived early."
"How fortunate!"
"Has anyone sipped any more of the tea?"
"Yes. Now Father Nightroad is in the infirmary."
"Goodness! The tea is poisoned," she told him, though William had already figured that out. Her explanation continued, but the Professor was watching a familiar figure adding an extra ingredient to the teacup he had on a tray.
"You!" he shouted, pointed. The youth looked up and William realized who it was at once. Isaak did not have a son. He had a means of disguising himself with lost technology. The teacup fell from his hands and shattered as the priest gave chase.
Isaak swore under his breath, his glorious plans ruined of poisoning Caterina and destroying the AX from within. How shameful to flee now, in his ridiculous altered body! Dietrich would never let him hear the end of it!
As hard as William tried and as many guards as he got involved, he could not catch his arch enemy, though everyone searched long and hard.
Instead, he retreated back to the sick bay to check on his patients while Gypsy Queen gave him the details of the poison and how to counteract the effects.
He explained to Caterina as attendants treated her effectively.
"So your arch rival was behind it? But why?" she asked. Already she was looking better.
"I'm going to find out. I'll return later my love," he told her, smiling as he kissed the top of her head and left her in the care of Alec.
He returned to his office, hoping to dig up some information there. Instead, he was surprised.
The book of Rosencreutz Orden members was sitting on his desk with a note in a familiar handwriting. That was odd. He had not thought of the book since the day Caterina became frightfully ill.
This is not over yet, not by a long shot the not read ominously. It was signed Isaac Butler. William crumpled the note and threw it at his wastebasket nearby.
Isaac was trying to raise the Orden once more. It could not be clearer. From here on out, the war would be more complicated. He sank into the chair, his head in his hands. But his love for Caterina would endure.
X
"My lady, I am relieved you have recovered," William told her as they walked the garden. It had been a week since Caterina had nearly lost her life.
Today she was in full spirits, her cheeks flushed with rosy color as she gripped his arm for support. The air was deliciously fresh in her lungs and on her face.
Abel had recovered the same day, no problem, except that he complained he was still starving.
"As am I," she told him. This was exactly what she wanted. Quiet time with the man she loved. They shared a kiss in the early morning light as they continued on about their tour…
X
The End