Chapter Ten – Vena Amoris

Right, I rewrote this because I thought it had gone very bad. I was not in my best time. Now it got a little better.

John was walking with Shayera on a sunny Tuesday morning. Despite the beautiful day, Shayera wore dark glasses as John guided her through the park to an area surrounded by a yellow stripe.

"And think I'm missing out on a relaxing morning of inventory for this." She commented. "Do not you have experts?"

He scratched his head.

"We did, but I needed a different opinion."

Despite raising an eyebrow, Shayera followed her friend the rest of the way without further questions. Shortly after, she found herself in the mess that was a crime scene. Her look of shirt, skirt, and high heel was unlike the overalls and uniforms of the experts.

"Scary?" He gestured.

"Different. Usually, it's not my job."

"They needed a specialist, and you're my specialist."

When Shayera saw herself, she was in an unpleasant scene.

"Cut gags? What a day!"

Despite the unpleasant morning, the day went completely quiet for Shayera. There were no alarms, no police calls or anything to worry about. And Wally was in his beloved laboratory when John arrived.

"What do you have for me, Wally?"

"A great curiosity to ask why you called Shay to a crime scene, but since I'm a pro, I'll let it go."

"When are you going to avoid it? You know she had no choice."

The redhead shrugged. He walked over to some papers and analyzed them.

"They were doped, but that's kind of obvious."

"O'brien was missing a week ago. For Shayera, it was some sort of ritual of cannibalism."

"When did she become your consultant?"

"Wally ..." John chided him. "Stop."

"There's no one who spoke ..."

The woman cried, still half groggy. The cold blade touched her neck as a hand covered her mouth.

"I'm sorry, my love." The male voice said. "Close your eyes. It's all right..."

Despite her fear, she did. Die at the hands of her beloved. At least it would be quick, though, nothing painless. She screamed, feeling the blade cut through her flesh, yet soon her life was gone.

The man, too, in tears, dropped the knife. He looked from the inert body of his beloved wife to the sinister figure before his.

"Satisfied?" His voice between pain and anger. The Latin accent accented. "Now, let me go ..."

But the figure denied him. Calmly he took a knife from his sleeve and pulled it toward the man.

"Sorry, Mr. Alba, but you've seen my face. Moreover, you proved that you didn't love his wife so much, or sacrificed his life for her."

"It was fast. Juliete didn't suffer!"

"You were selfish. I hope she will forgive him when you find her in paradise. Or hell. I don't really care."

Alba tried to run away, but his legs softened and he fell, also under the vestigial effect of the drug they gave him. Even with blurred vision, he can see the old figure approaching with a knife. It was his end.

Shayera woke up at five in the morning with a call from John. She answered, half asleep.

"You can only be kidding me. Okay, okay. Give me half an hour."

With a heavy sigh, she forced herself out of the warmth of her covers and headed for the shower. A shower would improve her mood.

She was in another crime scene. But why did everything seem so familiar? Oh, yes, the way the murderer acted. Another couple lay on the ground. Juan Alba, a 45-year-old Latino man, and his wife, two years younger. Already the O'brien were very young 22 years each. As if reading her thoughts, John said aloud.

"What is the connection between the O'brien and the Alba?"

"Besides being both marital problems?" Wally said, with his camera, taking pictures. Then, he noticed Shayera. "Hi."

The redhead responded with a nod. But Wally must be right. He always was.

"What couple does not argue?" It was John.

"Linda and I never fought, so I thought everything was okay. When I realized, she traded me for a rich middle-aged guy."

John had to laugh, so he got a disapproving look from his friend.

"If it's any consolation, Wally, there's nothing worse than watching your husband die in front of you." Shayera said.

"Seeing my girl with another was quite painful for me."

Shayera was not sure, but those harsh words were directed at her. John coughed, trying to get back to the focus of the investigation. Throughout the experiment, the redheads traded barbs. It was not hard to see the tension between them. Glad it's over, and Shayera can go back to her boring routine at the museum.

That late night, after a turbulent day, Shayera was in her office, working late, as she usually did. She heard a noise like glass breaking and went to check it out.

Something hit her neck. More than quickly, she took the object away. A tranquilizer dart. She tried to lean, but her legs weakened and she fell.

Across the town, Wally also worked late. He was angry with John, and also with Shayera. Despite the distractions, he was about to finish his report when he heard a noise.

He was usually alone, and it would be unusual to have someone else, but not impossible. With the resolution that would be another co-worker, continued his report.

Suddenly, something hit him, and the world went dark.

When he woke up, he realized he was tied up, but he was not alone. The familiar female voice came to him.

"I'm glad you're alive, Wally."

"Shayera? Can you let me go?

"I will, after I can untie me."

They were in a dark room and when someone switched on the light, they had to blink a few times until they could make out the old male form standing at the door.

"I see that the pigeons are awake."

"Who are you?" Wally pointed out.

"I'm a friend, and I'll help you solve your problems."

"Tying is a good way to solve problems."

John was in the crime lab, where there were broken objects, and his best friend had disappeared. He picked up the report Wally worked on.

"Hum, interesting ..."

The old man paced.

"I would like to be known as Vena Amoris. "Vena amoris" means "vein of love". I usually bring couples with problems, so they finally realize they love each other. Before their death, of course."

"Really?" Shayera questioned. "Do you think that works?"

Vena amoris then drew a concealed weapon from the waist.

"I would be surprised to know how much people can do if pressed."

"She knows." Wally snapped.

"It's not the time, Wally."

"Oh, yes, yes. It's the perfect time to discuss the relationship."

He placed the gun on a small table, alongside other torture equipment. He took an enormous needle and a glass with a clear liquid. Soon, Wally felt the needle in his arm. A little later, he felt a little dizzy. Something like being groggy for lack of sleep.

"I feel funny. Looks like I smoked about ten based."

"Mr. West, tell your beloved Miss Sanders how you feel."

"How do you know my name?" He asked.

"I have my means. And then?"

Wally had his back to Shayera, tied in her chair. He lowered his head and sighed.

"I'm disappointed in you, Shay. I thought you were better than that, but now I see that it's just like the criminals you hunt. Wait! Why did I say that?"

"Serum of truth. Since you work for the police, you must know what it is."

"I was drugged?"

Shayera tried to see Vena Amoris, who was in front of Wally.

"Yes. Why him and not me?"

"It will be your turn, Miss Sanders. Now tell me, Wally, where Shayera and hunt criminals connect?"

"Shay is the Hawkgirl." A pause. "I know you shouldn't be saying these things. I'm sorry, Shay."

"All right, Wally." She admitted, though she was not so sure.

Vena Amoris turned around and stopped in front of the heroine. She touched his face. She tried to deflect, but he held her tight.

"I got someone famous."

When he released her, with a mocking laugh, Shayera spat on his face.

"Bitch! "The slap came right, and it would turn red for a while. "You leave me no choice."

He took the needle, and it was her turn to feel dizzy. She felt soft and heavy.

"Say it, my face. How does it feel to hear the truth coming from your beloved?"

"Wally is not my beloved. But I feel terrible knowing he hates me now."

"I don't hate you, Shay. You just let me down."

"Fine." He jumped. "We're working the feelings out. It's a start. Who will be the first?"

"First what?"

"From this to a better one."

He pretended to think, then walked to his torture table. He took a knife and approached Shayera. Contrary to what she imagined, he let go of the ropes that held her.

"Why did you untie me?"

"I'd rather have husbands kill their beloved wives, but it will be fun to see someone like you reap the lives of your beloved."

Shayera looked from her oppressor to Wally. He looked away, and she did the same.

"Make me."

"Ah, I can make you regret asking."

Shayera also did not answer his calls.

Where were your friends? John was beginning to worry seriously.

Maybe it was time to put the police behind them.

The redhead was tied in a chair. Vena Amoris made cuts in her arms, and the purple bruises appeared on her handsome face. She screamed as he turned the blade into her skin, but then the old man pulled away and started to leave.

"You're strong. It will demand all my arsenal."

"Why don't you stop that, Shay?"

"Shut up, Wally. If you trust me, I'll get you out of here later, you can stop talking to me again."

"Sorry, I ..."

"I know ..."

A little later he came back.

"I've decided I want to end this." She said.

Vena Amoris smiled and walked to Shayera.

"Good girl. But I've changed my mind."

"And what did you think?"

Wordlessly, the old man bent down and kissed her. The surprise of the moment bewildered her, but she just released herself and stole his knife. When he realized it, he had the blade against his throat. She smiled, winning.

"It's not so much fun when you're threatened, right?" Her expression changed. "I will cut and make you suffer much more than these small cuts that you infringed me."

An hour later, John received a call from a residence outside the city limits. He sent the vehicles to the place, and found, besides the redheads, the body of an old man. Shayera and Wally told a short version of the incident.

Some time later, the redheads were alone. They stared at each other for a few seconds, and the silence grew uncomfortable.

"Thank you, Shay."

"Okay, I would do it for anyone."

"I still love you, though."

"I know, I understand."

She started to walk away, but stopped and turned to her friend.

"Would you like to take me home? We have a lot to talk about ..."

Wally left her in front of her apartment. he was about to go when Shayera hold his hand and pulled him close.

"What?"

She kissed him.

"I love you, too. Don't let me regret it."

Still not understanding, Wally let himself be led to her apartment.

Shayera opened her eyes slightly out of her sleep and looked at Wally. She felt warm and loved for the first time. He smiled at her and she returned it. The rays of sunlight streamed through the partially open window.

"I can not move." She said. "But I still want to-"

"What? No! You don't want to, I can not."

"It's not what you're thinking." She leaned closer against him, still sleepy. "I just want to hold you. I love you, Wally."

"I love you too, Shay."

Soon they fell asleep again, hugging each other, feeling the love that was so necessary to them.

Outside, Carter watched with increasing anger at his wife's betrayal. He saw when Shayera arrived with another man, saw her go upstairs, and it did not take much effort to imagine what they were doing together.

It enervated him to imagine another man touching the one that once was his. That it was still his. He wanted to break into the house and end it all. But a greater force made him turn and walk away. A dark shadow followed, his laughter echoing through the room. The Hawkgirl could not wait for what was to come.

Thanks!