Fatum Universus
A/n: Thank you so much for reviewing to those of you that did. It makes me feel a lot better about writing now. It's funny though that the chapters that I like the least seem to be the ones that get the most positive responses. I think it may be that it's because those are the ones that I wait the longest to post because I'm self conscious and everyone is so happy that I actually updated that they don't care how bad the chapter is, lol. Now to reply to all my wonderful, marvelous reviews (in alphabetical order):
AgiVega: I actually have developed a taste for Earl Grey tea myself (with sugar!) because, being such an AF fan girl I bought some that I found at an overstock store place, determined that I would make myself like it. Without sugar it is quite terrible though… it smells nice though. Anyway, la vida loca is Spanish (or at least American Spanish) for "the crazy life". Nevada is in an area that is mostly desert and is very close to the Mexican border so the phrase is associated with it, seeing as they speak Spanish in Mexico. La Vida Loca is also the title of a song.
Aperfectattitude: I feel like I'm being a bit melodramatic with Anthony. I need to make him seem more realistic. And I think everyone has figured out who Ariana's secret. I made it a tiny bit too obvious but so long as the characters seem to be still in the dark, considering they aren't omniscient like we are, it still works.
ArtyChick: It may be moving but it's moving entirely too slowly for my liking. But a good friend of mine has made me have a bit more hope for it and getting such a good response for this chapter also helps.
gavrilnagarian: Okay, glad to see interest.
Lindsay: Thank you and sorry I take so long to update. I've been scurrying to get through school. I am home schooled and was behind really badly.
(You) me, obviously: I think I've decided to at least try to finish it. It just may turn out to be a little bit shorter than I had originally planned. And I think that'd be weird for almost anyone. Thanks for encouraging me.
Paige-rossi-black: Thank you very much for the compliment but AgiVega's Artemis Fowl: The Aztec Incident is far, far, better than my story! And about Ariana, yes that's what I was trying to imply, it may or may not be an important plot point later. If not it just makes Ariana have more depth.
Chapter Eight: Tying Knots… Sort Of
Anthony may have been setting a trap for his enemies, but he had no inkling the trap that he had unintentionally set for himself. Anthony had at one time been a very different person than he was now in spite of his family. He had been compassionate and fought for things… at least the one thing, he came to believe in. Now, however, all that was gone, except the shadow of his former self that he still saw when he looked in the mirror, and the vivid image of that person Daegana saw when she looked at him.
Anthony was, in fact, at the moment looking into a mirror. His hair was messy and there were dark circles under his eyes. He was clean but his clothing was ragged, he was the very image of someone who lived in apathy. There was, however, one thing he did care about. That was vengeance. He wanted vengeance for his father and grandfather, so he had convinced himself. But in truth, more so than that, he wanted revenge for the loss of who he was. Before his father's death he had tried to steer clear of the deception, the pain, and the greed. Now his life consisted of these three things. Maybe that was the reason he held onto Daegana. He didn't treat her properly, he knew he didn't, but she was his last window to who he used to be. In truth he hoped that once this was all over that they could forget all about this, leave and start a new life in a new world, a world that he could control.
He lazily ran a brush through his hair and pulled a black concert t-shirt over his head. He brushed his teeth and walked out of the bathroom again, something wasn't right and he could feel it. He picked up the phone to call and ask if things were going according to plan but just as he pressed the first number key he heard his door sling open and bang against the wall with a thud.
He sighed exasperatedly without looking up but placing the phone back on its cradle, "Please, Claudia, I've told you over and over that the paint on that wall is worth more than your medical insurance… very good medical insurance."
"Oh, they give medical insurance to call girls in this era do they?" said a familiar, but usually meeker voice.
"Daegana?" he asked, surprised as he turned to look at her.
"Yes, that is what you call me," she replied.
"What're you doing up here?"
"You didn't expect me to stay down in that dungeon forever did you? I'm sick of this. I have cried myself to sleep for months for you and I'm fed up with it. I don't care what you do to me. I cannot take believing in the memory of something that's obviously become a monster!" she cried with uncharacteristic anger and frustration, advancing toward Anthony.
"Don't speak to me like that!" Anthony said and without any thought in his head he did something that he never imagined he'd do.
He slapped her. He slapped her so hard that she had to grab the edge of a table awkwardly to keep from falling to her knees. But she refused to fall to her knees for him, not again.
She looked at him with anger and hurt, but also searchingly. She was mentally pleading though on the outside she was the epitome of defiance, Please, come back to me Anthony…
Seeing her eyes, so convicting but so lost made something snap momentarily in Anthony. His concrete blockade apparently wasn't working as well as it had in the past. He'd become just what he knew his grandfather had… The very thing he despised because of the pain it'd caused his family, his father.
"Daegana… I… am so sorry," he said, slowly, knowing that words were at this point all but completely meaningless.
Daegana opened her mouth to say the most hurtful thing she could possibly think of with her meek and tender spirit but then, looking into his eyes, she saw the person she'd been looking for break free. She didn't know how long it would last, but that person was there. She felt the tears well up in her eyes, and instead of wanting her hurt him she suddenly felt nothing but a desire to hold onto the person as tightly as she could. After only one more second's hesitation, and only then to make sure she wasn't dreaming, she leaned in and kissed him.
Anthony was very surprised at this. He was disgusted with himself, he felt so terribly filthy for what he had just done. Yet she still seemed to love him. After all he had put her through she still loved him. Finally accepting this, though he didn't understand it, he kissed her back.
When she pulled back, seemingly satisfied with being merely acknowledged she said quietly, "I love you, Anthony." Then she turned to walk away, content to do what he wanted. Once again, whatever she could give to him to make him accept her was what she was willing to do. Even more bound and broken, but momentarily happier she sighed heavily.
"Daegana, wait…" Anthony said, firmly but softly.
"Yes?" she asked, looking into his eyes, her grey ones flashing in the light slightly.
"I," he paused for a moment, trying to determine if what he was about to say was true, "love you."
Her eyes widened a little, but she heard the truth in his voice.
He fought desperately in his mind for a way to prove his words to her and finally said the only thing he knew to say, "Please, stay with me?"
Daegana hesitated, but finally made the decision that she was willing, whatever it took, to get the person she loved back for good. Maybe this was her last chance.
A/n: This chapter was shorter than I wanted it for me but implicate things are hard for me to do. Also, again, it's very late. This chapter seems like a place holder again. It may be short but that's not why it's here. There is a major reason for it later, trust me. It seems like in-between material but isn't. Thanks for reading! Please review. Now that I'm on summer break (mostly) I'll try my best to make updates more frequent if people are still interested.
