Hey, sorry it took so long to update! My computer went downhill, and ever since then getting into my internet explorer has been murder! I know what it's like to be kept waiting and I'm so sorry, guys! I'm trying my best to work in time to be here, in my public library to work and publish the story as quickly as possible. I was also a little bummed out on receiving such little feedback on Chapter 6 (revised), please let me know whether through email or review, what you think; good Or bad!

Thank you so much, your patience is greatly appreciated!

Preventer Fire.

Chapter 8

The estate seemed too tranquil and untouched for his comfort, the caretakers and slaves all transferred from their current placement there; most likely to replace others around the land, or perhaps back to the slave market where they would be re-instated into new economical facilities. This left it stripped of any life, and even though Hilde no longer needed to fret the fate of being remarketed once again; her proof of existence remained a question begging to be answered.

With the intention of doing so, Baron Milliardo Peacecraft swiftly galloped down the elegant mall towards the ghostly domain; where he left his horse to his own entertainment to calmly cross the dust sheltered threshold. Reaching with a gloved hand to turn the crystal knob of the glass entry, his brows furrowed as the mere protest of the rusty iron hinges pierced through the silence of it all, giving you that god awful feeling you would knowledge if you stood in the hollow of a titanic bell prior to its ringing.

This feeling only lasted seconds, but even its static vibrato lingered to trail along his spine as he continued about his business; leaving the door at an opened angle to prevent any future and unnecessary clatter behind him. Zeches couldn't believe the stature of the grounds, so bizarre and rare for such an elegant place, although things seemed to have been disturbed in awkward places, such as Noin's room. He knew very well from his own knowledge that even Hilde wouldn't disturb anything of the sort, even if their owner would never come to pass through the threshold for as long as they remained. Had she beheld company unknown to them both?

The clatter of his body landing harshly onto the hardwood floor broke the silence, paused his train of thought as the back of his head throbbed with pain. He lied there unmoving, his hand coming to clutch the back of his head as he slowly stood erect on the balls and heels of his feet. His pale brows furrowed over his closed eyelids in a hard expression, his lips tight; almost frowning. The feeling of sticky moisture came over the palm of his fondling hand, his hair sharing in equal luster. When this occurred he grew slightly alarmed at the blood he established there, turning to meet the eyes of his despiser. 

His slender body was leaning against the large pillar as his jade eyes sparkled with laughter. There, in his hand was the ruined piece of pottery he so brilliantly expressed his fury with. "…Baron Peacecraft, I welcome your return with open arms…" He smirked, calmly walking over towards the familiar liquor trolley, as Zeches watched him closely. "Estefan-" "I see that you gladly take advantage of our friendship…" Estefan interrupted him, pouring the whiskey into the small crystal glass. Taking it he laughed, "First as a joyful friend of mine, then with your sensual courtesy, and then of course…" Zeches' bleeding head turned to watch him sit comfortably in a sofa, his seductive intentions of bringing him fear; useless. He wouldn't stop fighting, even if it caused him his life… "… Hm, let me explain; when I returned I was a bit aghast to find my wife missing; actually, just about everyone. Excluding that silly child…" His eyes challenged Zeches, as his lips sharply spoke her name. "Hilde…"

His whiskey breath kissed his face as he stood; walking over slowly, almost as if he were in a daze, "Don't bother defending her… She's a bayou whore. An insatiable whore who is never satisfied until she has had more than what she has been blessed with, God only-" Estefan tripped back, letting out a low grunt as the other man's hands pushed him away, "Don't speak of Him, for you are the liar… You have no space to act with such godly tactics; for you are the only role beneath any category dealing with whores."

Estefan's eyes were like fire, the fierce anger pulsing through his burning body caused them only to show none but it. Zeches kept calm, his cool, icy eyes piercing and unmoved by the threats his expressed. "Your role in this is over, you have lost…" A crashing silence followed, the traumatizing depravity of this rich man's mind coming fast and physically powerful with his first opening blow.  The quick Baron returned the blows with quick reflex of his own sixth sense, this defense against this devil not only for him; but for a beautiful angel caught in his web of merciless beating and lonely pain…

"I needed only seconds to figure what was going on below me as I sat there hopeless and weak on the floor. I knew that Zeches had returned for me, that he knew I was much overly delayed in my return and that Lucretzia thought along these equal lines. However, Estefan's cruelty had converted me into a coward… and I remained where I sat, still, quiet and afraid… Listening; the terror increasing with every word said."

Zeches continued the battle with the antagonistic brute, the anger he revealed to him almost inhumane. It seemed he grieved more towards himself, but only found relief after leaving his blows on Lucretzia's beautiful body.  This would come to an end shortly, even if it meant committing the worst of all crimes, the worst of all sins against God.

Estefan growled from his place against the wall, his face red as he cursed him with an acid tongue. "You'll burn for what you've done Peacecraft! Just you wait, both you and that wench…" He grew silent, Zeches' pants the only audible sound as he remained poised; watching him. Everything silent, until…

Estefan's screams echoed against the walls as the large conflagration surrounded him, swallowed him to only consume him; leave him at nothing. His arms waved through the air, crashing against the wall and furniture as the fire reached; demolishing his face, his long, raven hair quickly eaten by the hungry flames. "My God…" The blonde man whispered, moving quickly as the overhead construction began to grow fickle, the fire eating and eating and eating… until there was nothing remaining but ashes.

"Hilde, where are you!" Zeches cried, trying to detect where she could possibly be as fast as possible, the plantation surrounding him burning with no time to spare. He felt his heart race as the house groaned against its state, his fear growing for he still had yet to find her. Then, it hit him. He turned to run the other way, the violence of his energy shown as his sooty tassels tore through the air.

"I'm here… Zeches!" Hilde cried, through heavy tears as the smell of heavy smoke assaulted her nose. She knew she couldn't give up, he had risked his life coming to get her, fire or no fire! Hilde panted for a moment, then with all her might gathered her strength and emitted a loud screech from her position on the floor. Praying to god that he'd hear her calling…

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