Hey Guys, so I know it's been awhile, but life has been hectic, anyway finally as promised here is the next chapter.. We're getting really close to the end now, i hope you all enjoy...

Leaning over her kitchen counter, Maria is scrolling through her phone. With an anxious look on her face, Prue can't help but notice that something is wrong with her younger sister when she enters their kitchen.

"Hey…" Prue greets her sister, glancing at her with a worried look. "Is everything okay?"

Still leaning over the counter, Maria just glares at her sister. "No… I have a bad feeling that something is wrong."

"Wrong… With who?"

"It's Zara… I can't sense her anymore… And she's not answering my calls or texts."

Prue can't help put expect the worst. "You don't think?..."

Maria looks at sibling once again. This time confused. "What? That Zara is working for Mallorax? No… Of course not… But I can't help but feel that she is in trouble… I think he may have her."

Sitting down at the counter, Prue can't help but have a look of uncertainty spread across her face. "Well are you sure?"

"There is only one person, or rather being on this planet that can block my magic, and that is Mallorax… So yes, I am pretty sure." Saying no more, Maria abruptly shoots up from the counter and heads towards the back door, which is exiting the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" A confused Prue calls after her.

Maria stops and turns back to face her. "I'm going to get answers from the one person that I should have right from the start." Finishing on that last statement, Maria opens the back door and leaves the house, leaving Prue to worry alone.


Holding someone captive can be stressful work, and Bianca is starting to feel the strain as she arrives back at her apartment. Letting out a big sigh, she's startled by an unexpected guest.

"Pressure starting to get to you?''

Bianca quickly turns around in shock, and just stares at Maria who is sitting on a chair in the corner.

"Maria! What are you?"

"Doing here?" Maria quickly cuts Bianca off, in order to remain in control. "I'm just curious." Maria gets up off of the chair, and walks towards Bianca. "Did you know, before you went after Zara and her family, or after, who Mallorax really was?"

"I'm sorry, what?" Bianca, feeling tense bites her bottom lip with worry… "I don't."

"Yeah, I figured you'd try to deny it… Where is she Bianca? Where is Zara?"

Realising that Maria knows the truth, Bianca's facial expression changes from a worried look, to slightly cocky as a smile creeps onto her face. "I have no idea what you are talking about?"

Starting to feel a little annoyed, Maria walks closer towards Bianca. "It's no secret, that I never liked you… To be honest, I never trusted you… And I always knew that Chris was way out of your league… And knowing now, the truth that you are nothing more than Mallorax's puppet, just confirms it… Now, I'll ask you one more time… Where is Zara?"

Bianca stands her ground and says nothing.

Now, starting to feel really pissed off, Maria just lunges for Bianca. "Fine, I'll find out for myself." Grabbing on to both of Bianca's arms, Maria sees flashbacks of Bianca, and Mallorax, and many other interesting facts. Knowing all that she needs to know, Maria snaps herself out of Bianca's past. "Hmmm… If this is how you want to play it, why don't I just let Chris deal with you." With that, Maria fades out of Bianca's apartment, still holding onto Bianca, and fades in to the Valentine's attic, where Maria calls out for Chris.

.

"What, you can't do your own dirty work, so you get Chris to do it."

Waiting for Chris to appear, Maria looks back at Bianca. "I have a lot of problems to deal with right now, and you Bianca, are not one of them… 'Chris'." Maria calls out for Chris once again, and this time he appears.

Noticing Bianca, Chris looks at Maria confused. "What's going on?"

"Chris, whatever fairy tale stories she has told you, none of them are true." Bianca cries out pleading with Chris.

"None of this is fairy tale, Bianca." Maria angrily scolds at Bianca. She then looks at Chris, and still holding onto Bianca's arm, practically throws her into Chris's arms. "She is not my problem, Chris… So you can deal with her." Saying nothing more, Maria fades away.

Chris can't help but look at Bianca with hurt in his eyes.

"Chris…"

"Don't…" Chris cuts Bianca off before she can say anything else. "Just answer me one question... Why?"

"It was me or Zara… What would you have done?"

"One, you didn't kill Zara… You killed her baby sister… And two, that statement just there, is the difference between you and me… Because I would never put myself before an innocent."

"Despite what you might think of me right now, I do love you."

Trying not to show his pain, Chris just holds a blank look on his face. "They're just words, Bianca… They don't mean anything, anymore."

"What are you going to do to me?"

Chris just shakes his head. "It's not my place to punish you."

"I don't understand."

"It's hers…" As Chris tilts his head towards the shadows, a familiar figure emerges from them.

"Hello Bianca… We have some unfinished business." Standing in the middle of the Valentine's attic, Zara comes face to face with her captor.

.

Wyatt is pacing up and down the living room of the Manor, when he is startled.

"Wyatt, we need to talk."

Wyatt suddenly stops and faces his younger cousin. "Maria, you shouldn't be here."

"On the contrary, Wyatt, she is exactly where she's meant to be."

Hearing the familiar voice, showing no emotions, Maria slowly turns around. "Mallorax."

Wyatt just steps back from them with the look of confusion spread across his face.

So that's it for now... I'm currently working on the last chapter, which I will post as soon as possible, but I want it to be perfect as a lot of twists and answers will emerge. anyway I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and i look forward to you reading the final chapter. Please feel free to comment. :)