To readers, sorry for the long wait due to writers block, procrastination and life getting in the way, this chapter was rushed but enjoy anyway.
While the sacred gem guided him through the streets of Beverly Hills, California, MC's thought were miles away in a dark wood where the clear path was gone.
He spent more time thinking of his situation, hunting down and abducting unsuspecting young women, a considerable step up the ladder from petty theft and vandalism. Plodding along the sidewalk, DJ stoic and quiet didn't see his comrade's distress or refused to act on it; MC seemed to move like a wide up toy with no control over his destiny, just walking along at the whim of his master.
These feelings never bothered him before he met Cora, now they were friends he felt sick all the time for tricking her and going behind her back, she was innocent and like wolf in sheep's clothing he led her away from the truth.
An epiphany suddenly hit him; why did he want to tell her the truth in the first place, where did this guilt spring from, why would he not stop thinking about Cora?
thinking about it now it was obvious he was attracted to her, she was pretty, wilful and had a good nature, he hadn't really noticed it before, he had always thought of her as a friend. Could this guilt be the result of friendship, attraction or something else?
Noticing he was squinting; the stone was glowing so bright one would fear it would combust.
DJ Fist nudged his shoulder and pointed across the street to a group of wealthy looking women dressed in pastel dresses and gold stilettos talking amongst themselves, perfectly coifed hair and barely a natural winkle on their tanned skin, bringing a new meaning to the phrase mutton dressed like lamb.
The youngest in the group was blond and look about 15 years old, though she had the bored face of an older woman; she wore a dark green vest and shorts with white sneakers. One woman turned to the youngest, faux kissed her on the cheeks before they walked away, and the fair haired girl drudgingly jogged up the path alone.
They followed her closely but carefully, making sure not to blow their cover; after a brisk jog up for a few miles, she walked into a coffee shop.
Winded MC and DJ leaned outside to catch their breath; MC struggled to talk without gasping. "what is this girl, *gasp* a track star?"
DJ just continued wheezing, they were both young, capable martial artists but being outrun by a 5ft munchkin was a hard blow to their pride.
"Ok *gasp* how should we do this?"
DJ pointed to the back door down the alley between the buildings, he would go in from there while MC went in through the front and cut her off, not fooling around, a quick operation.
….
Early that day Jade was sneakily creeping down the hall to the jet hanger to join Jackie. Being well practiced in the art of stealth it seemed very routine but still carried the risk of being caught and the thrill.
Just another turn then it's a clear path to the hanger, don't worry Jackie the backups on the way
Jade turned the corner unseen and was about to sprint down the hall when suddenly a hand grabbed her arm and lifted her off the ground.
"hey, let me go!" she tried to tell her captor but then she was flying down the corridors still in the creatures grasp, the feeling of the wind on her face was familiar like when she ran with the rabbit talisman. Finally they stopped and Jade's arm was free; she looked around, she was on a bed with familiar blue sheets, she was back where she started in Becky room and Becky herself was her captor.
Becky looked down on Jade with look of a disapproving mother. "Your uncle wanted me to look after you, keep you out of trouble; do you think I wouldn't have agreed if I didn't think I could handle you?"
Astonished by Becky's speed and swiftness, and shocked by her failed plan, Jade sat in stunned silence as the sound of the jet engine faded as it left the hanger.
The next morning Jade woke up early to the sound of mumbling and shuffling coming from the staff kitchen down the hall, peeping through the door Jade saw Becky was drinking coffee with Captain Black and Jackie, both looked haggard and in need of food and sleep.
"Jackie!" Jade ran in reenergised, "when'd you get back?"
"Three minute ago," he yawned, "did you do your homework?"
"Yes", how could she not with Amy watching all day like a hawk, Jade had rarely ever been stopped in her mission; it seemed that Amy, though an ally, was a new challenge for Jade to overcome.
"How's Charlotte by the way?" asked Amy, stirring her coffee.
Jackie replied, "Uncle is showing her to her room, she's very tired."
A Captain Black added, "As we all are."
"Charlotte? You found them, what happened?"
"We found Charlotte in a university; luckily Jackie saved her in time. But I'm afraid we could not find the other girl, Drago's flunkies got to Virgo before we did." Captain Black explained, "We followed the trail to a café in Beverly Hills, then it went completely cold."
"Don't be distraught" Amy advised, "you saved one and there is still time, Drago can't do anything without all twelve of us, we can still turn this around."
…
Knock Knock Knock
Valmont turned the key and opened the door ajar, to three young hooligans and a young lady.
"Yo, the girls in, we gotta talk." These must be the boys Cora had mentioned. Even In the rags of a beggar Valmont held his nose high to these boys, ugh, I won't be wearing rags much longer, but how dare you butcher the English language you oik.
"Cora!" he bellowed.
"Yes." Cora came out the bedroom and saw her friends through the crack, "It's alright Mr Valmont you can let them in."
He unlocked the door fully and sneered at the four as they came in; he eyed them like an angry guard dog, "everything in this apartment is counted." To which the boys shrugged what have you got worth stealing?
"We're through here, come on in." Amy called from the shared bedroom, Ice and DJ Fist lead the young woman in to the bed between Gemma and Amy while the boys stood, she was visibly distressed; she fidgeted with her hands in a nervous display, everyone noticed the tattoo on the right hand. Virgo.
"D-man says we all meeting at the junkyard tonight," Ice announced indifferently. "You girls are getting behind on practice."
Oh yes, we forgot. After a long second Cora stood up and asked the girl "I'll make you a tea, love?"
As she left the room, MC Cobra followed her and shut the bedroom door on the way out, he wanted to speak privately.
While Amy and the others regaled the confused girl with the same story they were first told, MC stood watching Cora in the kitchen; nervous he licked his dry lips, "Cora, so how you been?"
"Good and you?" staying focused on the tea.
"Fine," he lied, he swallowed a lump in his throat, "Listen, um, I was thinking about going to the club tonight after we see D-man at the Junk yard, Ice and DJ have got their own plans; do you wanna come?"
Cora seemed to light up at the invitation, "Sounds awesome," but then she turned seriously, "but shouldn't I stay here with um, what's her name again?" no one even got the girls name.
"Not sure," he shrugged, "anyway she can stay herewith Gemma and Amy?"
"Yeah but I think I better stay here, we can go out another night, right?" Cora didn't want to leave the girl alone, she also didn't want to go out without her friends; to her clubbing was a group affair.
"OK, I'll stay here and help out," he quickly offered, if we can't have fun tonight we can still hang out.
Cora looked up in suspicion, carrying her hot cup. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah I just need to do something fun, take a break, I don't see much of you these days."
"Life gets in the way," she pouts, "but I do love clubbing, we should definitely all go out, I'm free next week. And thanks for staying to help."
"No problem, anything for my home-girls," MC too nearly forgot to add the s at the end, "So next week for reals, if Drago don't say otherwise?"
"Sure." MC nearly did a backflip in excitement, yes oh yes! This is going to be awesome.
"Oh and if you guys are worried about Mr Valmont he keeps to himself so he won't bother us." she opened the door and offered the cup to the girl on the bed, smiling warmly she said softly, "here, love. I'm Cora by the way, what's your name?"
"Beatrice," she took a slow sip, "so this isn't a kidnapping?"
"No, it's just a long story."
….
Valmont had retreated to his private room, locking the door not caring if those hoods took anything or not, not now he was growing confidant in his rise to greatness.
Over the past few days he read and reread passages from the book he procured for the antique shop, some of the writings were insightful and extremely promising, but most were inconclusive, some pages were faded, or written in a foreign language, he might read something truly clarifying then turn the page to find no clear conclusion, Valmont huffed in annoyance, that crooked old peddler, well no one ever said this would be easy.
In his notes Valmont listed what he believed to be useful, the legend of the 12 maidens, the demon war, the curse all in the past. The present was less clear of course; forever cursed to die and be reborn totally unaware of their past. And the prophecies of the future, the Maidens would either return free of their bondage, or return enslaved to a powerful evil, and the earth plunged into eternal darkness. A theme Valmont was well acquainted with.
Flipping through Valmont found what seemed to be 12 pages of an analysis of the 12 maidens. Intrigued Valmont skimmed to the last name: Pisces, already certain the tattoo on Cora's hand was the symbol for Pisces, and not just by coincidence.
Their origins were unknown, one legend said that they were from an ancient royal dynasty, tutored in the magical arts to serve as protectors of their kingdom, shame it didn't last, as the priestess of the water sign Pisces along with her sisters Cancer and Scorpio processed mastery of the kingdoms oceans, rivers and canals, and also ruled as the bringers of the rains and the frosts.
Valmont viewed an illustration featuring three godlike women in flowing robes, poised as a holy trilogy around a map of the forgotten kingdom.
Enough folklore Valmont stressed impatiently, what about the magic?
Barley any mention of any specific magic properties over than mastery of the oceans and bringers of the rains and frost. Valmont pinched the bridge of his nose, he was becoming desperate. through the door he could hear Cora conversing with one of the hoods, he walked to the door and put his ear to the wood.
"… Going to the club tonight after we see D-man at the Junk yard, Ice and DJ have got their own plans; do you wanna come?"
He then thought I'll follow them and observe them when they visit their reptilian keeper.
…..
At the junkyard Beatrice was introduced to Drago and almost suffered a panic attack from looking at him, he seemed happy by her presence, though secretly indifferent, just another piece to the collection. Despite everyone's wishes Drago wouldn't talk about his constant absence; instead he gave a short if heated lector about being on time and on schedule with their training.
Of course Drago could not train the women himself; he preferred leaving the manual labour to the help, so he could carry on his own plans. But to show he could contribute to the cause he agreed to teach the newer members a new magical technique.
Cora could already create ice with her hands, with an incantation Gemma could control small quantities of water to take on different shapes and flows, through good common sense and resourcefulness Amy found multiple uses for her sharp hearing and keen eyesight, and Drago taught her to use the moisture in the air to create mist and fog.
Through the late afternoon Cora and all practiced their own special talents; they'd have encouraged Beatrice to join in, but decided it was better to let her watch.
Like Valmont would watch from the front gates.