Arvin Sloane had been escorted to a sparse interrogation room where he was shackled to the table. He had to admit that he was uncertain as to where he was or exactly what was happening. Irina and indicated in her last communique that all was going forward according to their plans. The Alliance would be in shambles shortly and the Covenant would be positioned to take over in the vacuum left in its wake. But now...Arvin was imprisoned, and had no idea who could've informed on him.

Fortunately, he didn't have to wait forever as the door near the two-way mirror opened and in sauntered Julian Sark, looking completely impeccable and non-plussed.

"Ah Arvin, I'm sure you must have some questions as to why you have been brought here?"

Arvin, believing for the moment that he still held the upper hand, replied arrogantly. "Julian...exactly where would 'here' be?"

Julian knocked twice on the door and soon another man brought in a bottle of wine and two glasses. Pouring them both a glass, Julian handed Arvin his glass and sat back observing the older man.

"So, we are back where we started, Julian?"

Sark chuckled. "Stop being so paranoid Arvin. You may have laced my wine with a radioactive isotope in hopes of tracking me back to Khasinau, but we both know that you are also immune to truth serums and inoculated against most poisons...therefore I'm sure you have nothing to be concerned with."

Julian lifted his glass in salute and took a small sip of his own wine before unshackling Arven who chuckled and followed, taking a small sip and sat back, preparing himself for the mental battle of wits that was sure to come.

.

"So exactly why am I here Julian? Irina knows I am loyal to her cause, and I find it unlikely that she would have kidnapped and incarcerated me."

"Perhaps Elena was the one who requested this little venture." Julian's face took on a predatory quality.

Arvin's eyes widened imperceptibly, but Julian noticed. "Elena would never go against Irina...you know that Julian."

"Do l?" Julian chuckled mockingly. "I think you've underestimated just how devious the Derevko sister's are when they want something. Not to mention the overblown competitiveness that defines their dynamic. Katia is dead...she was killed earlier this year...quite unfortunate actually."

Arvin tilted his head in acknowledgement. "It was a great loss."

"Hmmmm." Julian offered non-commitally. "Katia was a loose cannon I'm afraid. Irina really had no choice but to have her sister killed. Elena however, is far more ruthless, but less unhinged than her younger sister."

Taking another sip of his wine, trying to think of a response, Arvin just shrugged. "I've never been a fan of either Elena or Katia. Fortunately, Irina seems to be able to control her sister's...and when she cannot..." Arvin left the unspoken innuendo unfinished.

"Fortunately we aren't here to discuss the merits of the Derevko sister's. I am here to ask you a few questions."

Arvin smirked in confidence. "Ask away Julian..."

"Excellent.." Julian took another sip of his wine and leant forward eyeing Arvin intently before he gave the man his most wicked look and spoke. "Did you have your wife Emily Sloane killed when it was discovered by the Alliance that she had become aware of your position at SD-6?"

Sloane glowered hatefully at the assassin, but when he went to open his mouth to lie and refute the question...the answer that came out of his mouth shocked him to the core. "Yes." Sloane looked at the wine glass horrified while Julian's expression became even more predatory.

"What did you put in that wine, Sark?" Arvin glowered hatefully.

Julian took the small bottle out of his blazer pocket and placed it onto the table. "This is a very specialized truth serum that I procured just for our little conversation."

Arvin started at the small bottle. "Who gave it to you?"

"A colleague, Arvin." Julian replied quickly. "Now...where is Milo Rambaldi?"

Arvin's face contorted painfully, the man trying not to answer the question. When he opened his mouth, the answer fell from his lips most unwillingly. "San Cielo Italy." Arvin slumped in defeat while Julian just smirked in satisfaction.

"How long have you known that the man was still alive?"

Arvin's glare was glacial as he stared at the blonde. "Four months."

Nodding, Julian asked quickly, "Regale me with how that truth was made known to you."

"Intel was given to me indicating something called the 'Rose' that was said to be in San Cielo Italy. This Rose led to a place in Mt. Sebascio where the tomb of Rambaldi would be revealed. I went there and found Rambaldi in their maximum security prison and he told me whom he was and admitted that what I'd been searching for over these past 30 years was real...he then promised to lead me to his tomb, but I had to give him something in return."

"And that was?" Julian asked calmly, even though he was feeling anything but.

"He'd mentioned a woman and gave me a name...seems as though you are familiar with her Julian...although the name she goes by isn't her real name, is it."

Julian's nostrils flared at Arvin's veiled threat. "Is Rambaldi still in San Cielo?"

Arvin taunted. "I don't know."

Julian stood up and went to remove his gun to kill the man...but something behind the other man's gaze gave him pause. "Are you aware of the magical enclaves Arvin?"

Arvin Sloane's look of superiority was wiped off his face in an instant. "Yes." The man growled out angrily.

Julian slammed his hands upon the table angrily. "How long have you been aware?"

"Four months ago...Rambaldi told me he was a wizard...had magic and how he was able to obtain immortality. Told me he was after a witch named Hermione Nott...but he couldn't move against her until she'd accepted her birthright."

Julian's face paled and without thinking, took out his gun and shot Arvin Sloane between the eyes...killing the man instantly.

Quickly moving out of the room, he yelled at the three wizards who were standing there with shock. "We need to get to your magical hospital...Now!"