Dark Kingdom 41

Her head hurt. Her eyelids seemed incredibly heavy. And there was such a bitter taste in her mouth that she was on the verge of vomiting.

Usagi raised her hand, something seemed to be preventing her.

When she again had no strength to move her limbs, she opened her eyes in shock.

She sat on a chair. Her hands were tied to the armrests, as were her feet to the chair legs.

What was going on here Where was she?

She looked around. A windowless, dark room that was only supported by two dirty neon tubes on the ceiling. A garage? Or a cellar?

"The princess is awake."

Usagi looked in the direction from which the strange voice was coming.

She recognized the man immediately. The old man who had spoken to her so kindly. Just before her eyes went black.

"Who are you? What's this going to be? Where am I?" , her voice almost cracked. She was afraid. Fear of death. This wasn't a game, she knew that straight away. And she also knew that this time no one would help her at the crucial moment. Nobody knew where she was. She didn't even know herself.

"So many questions at once.", remarked the old man with a smile as he slowly approached her and stopped right in front of her. "Unfortunately I can't answer all of them. But it would be advisable if you answer mine."

"I don't even know you.", Usagi snapped at him. "Why should I .."

"It doesn't matter who I am." , interrupted the old man, much too friendly. "At least not for you. Just answer my questions and we'll let you go again. Ok?"

She just glared at him.

"A brave look for a bound girl."

"Ask your questions."

"All right.", the old man took a chair and sat down across from her. "How do you relate to Diamond?"

Usagi raised her eyebrows in surprise: "What? In none at all."

"You met him several times."

"That was accidental."

"Really?"

"Really. Can I go now?", that was a joke. She was only kidnapped because someone thought she had something with Diamond?

"Not yet.", the old man put his wrinkled hand on her thigh and leaned over to her. "What exactly is Diamond planning to do with the villa on the outskirts?"

"What villa?", she tried to shake off his hand, but could not move through the cuffs. "I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about."

The old man sighed loudly and got up with a groan.

"This should actually be friendly here. I ask, you answer. But since you don't want to cooperate ..."

He opened a dark bag, like the one she had often seen at doctors, and took out a small shiny thing.

It took a moment before she could see it clearly. A small, thin knife. No, a scalpel.

Her heart seemed to skip a second before it beat at double speed. Her stomach contracted and she suddenly went ice cold.

"What is that supposed to be?" , she gasped in shock when the man turned back to her.

"There is a kind of ritual with the yakuza.", he explained calmly.

"Traitors have to sever a finger. I usually don't think much of such traditions. But maybe it will help to convince you."

What? No!

What was he up to? It had to be a nightmare. She must have fallen asleep and she was about to wake up. At any moment she would wake up and just shake her head at this nonsense. Most certainly.

The old man leaned over her, took her little finger.

"It's a shame, actually. You are really pretty.", he said, lowering the scalpel.

Usagi caught her breath. She saw the instrument lower, reaching her skin.

Great God please just make this just a dream.

A loud bang made her startle.

The old man winced too, looked up in amazement.

"What's going on?", he asked more to himself and carefully walked towards a rusty metal door.

Before he could reach for the handle, it was pushed open and the old man thrown back.

Usagi sucked in a sharp breath.

In the open door stood Diamond, looking down contemptuously at the old man lying on the floor, in his hand he held a still smoking black pistol.

"You are alone?", asked the old man, his eyes not turned from Diamond.

"Do you think I'm that stupid?", he asked back and opened the door.

Another person appeared out of the darkness.

"Mamoru.", Usagi whispered breathlessly.

His eyes were ice cold, the blue of his eyes giving way to a frightening black.

She got goosebumps. She had never seen him like this before. It was the first time in all that she felt real fear.

"I should have known.", panted the old man and got up on his knees. "You know that you could cause a war if you kill me."

Diamond looked down at him in silence for a long time before he finally replied, "I think I can take that risk."

He turned to Usagi, slowly walking towards her. His hard features softened.

"What is so special about her?", the old man called after him.

"Didn't you see it?" , Mamoru asked icily, pointing his weapon at him.

Usagi's stomach tightened at the sound of his voice. That wasn't the man she knew. He looked the same, yes. But his behavior, the way he moved, the way he talked and the way he looked at this man. There wasn't Mamoru there, there was pure evil.

"Everything ok?",

Diamond's voice got her out of her mind. Slowly she turned her head in his direction, watching as if in a trance that he released her bonds.

"Close your eyes.", he ordered gently and covered the view of Mamoru and the old man with his head.

She obeyed, heard Diamond say just one word: "Mamoru."

Shortly afterwards she heard a shot, a dull sound. Startled, she widened her eyes, wanted to look around, but Diamond took her chin, gently but firmly.

"No, look at me. Just me.", he whispered and picked her up from the chair.

Usagi stared at him in confusion. Everything looked so fake.

As he carried her to the door, she tried to catch Mamoru's gaze, but he avoided her. His features were still hard and cold.

"Take care of her." , he said with still cold voice to Diamond and reached into the inside pocket of his black leather jacket.

Before he closed the door behind them, Usagi could see him pulling out a red rose.