AN: W00t new chappy XD I've had this chapter for awhile.. I'm just lazy XD
Nice and long one, I really like it too XD starts setting things up :cackles:
WARNING: This chapter contains violence and death, just your warning XD
"I'm worried about Kai." Enrique murmured, blowing his unruly black bangs out of his eyes. "He's normally quiet, but he's never dead silent. He hasn't said anything since that Brooklyn guy disappeared and we left Sweden…"
Anza wrapped her arms around his chest and leaned her head against his shoulder. He responded by circling his arms around her shoulders and pressing a kiss into her hair. "Can you really blame him? He's lost everything that was important to him…" She replied softly.
Enrique sighed, leaning back into the train's seat. "I know, and we're all feeling their loss. But …as much as I hate to say it… we need Kai. He's the heart of the resistance."
"Kai is just mourning. It's been an extremely rough couple of days. He'll snap out of it soon, especially when he comes up with a plan to get them back." Oliver put in from his place across from the two. "Kai won't let Tala win."
The three looked up then as a weary looking Robert stepped into their section of seats. "Kai's thinking. It's best if we leave him be and concentrate on getting our own strength back. As well as on hiding our identity. Traveling as such a big group is dangerous."
Enrique shuddered. "It makes me nervous." He glanced out the window at the bleak German landscape. "It seems like our escape was too easy."
"I wouldn't call losing ten of our friends too easy."
Enrique's worried blue eyes flickered towards Oliver. "That's not what I meant."
Oliver smiled. "I know."
"Enrique's right," Anza put in, "Shouldn't the airports and train stations be watched? I mean we just walked right on the boat, and then right on the train, no one questioned us." She sat up a bit, but still continued to lean on Enrique, perfectly content in being sheltered in his arms.
Robert exhaled, rubbing a hand over his eyes. "They don't need to follow us. They know that we'll eventually come to them."
The other three were silent at the quiet proclamation. They knew Robert was correct. Tala and the Demolition Boys didn't need to chase their little group around the world, or to waste time and resources on trying to apprehend them. They knew that sooner or later, if their teammates were kept alive then they would come after them.
"So even if we wanted to save them…it would be a trap? They know we're coming." Enrique's voice was sullen and abnormally quiet. He didn't like to admit when they were hooped, which it was becoming incredibly obvious that they were. "We can't beat that."
Robert's eyes focused in an instant. "If that is what you believe, then it is true. Tala has defeated us only when he has killed our hope. Remember Enrique, the man that visited Kai today did so for a reason. You will find out what that reason is when we reach our destination."
"But can we trust him?" Oliver asked, looking directly at Robert.
"Only time can tell."
Anza had to hold back a sigh. No we can't trust him. He's using the Angels, just as he is using Biovolt. He plans to have the two organizations destroy each other. I would inform Kai and Robert…but even though Brooklyn only wants to use them, they might benefit. I have no idea what exactly Brooklyn has planned, and Kai and Robert will be suspicious anyway…what do I do…?
"Hey babe, what's wrong?" Enrique asked softly, seeing the brown haired girl in such deep thought.
She sent him a reassuring smile, her heart fluttering slightly when his eyes blinked innocently down at her. He was the reason she had joined the Angels in the first place…the reason why Jade was now ultimately on her own in their whole scheme. She didn't have the heart to betray Enrique…not after falling in love with him.
"Nothing's wrong," she said, snuggling against him. "I just get a funny feeling about that man…like he shouldn't be trusted. Like…he's using us or something." There, place the seeds without actually telling them that she knew. If they didn't take her warning…there wasn't much she could do.
"Aw well," Enrique grinned charmingly, "Robert 'n Kai know what they're doing… if he is using us, they'll figure it out."
"I hope so…"
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Tala tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair thoughtfully, his other hand cradling his face casually. His face was a mask of calm calculation and thought, but Ian couldn't tell exactly what he was thinking. Tala was, as usual, unreadable.
"It could just be someone using Sergei as a cover to put the blame on Spencer," Ian said, shoving his hands into his pockets and rocking back on his heels.
"No." Tala stated firmly, his lips twitching upwards. "It's Spencer. It makes perfect sense and I find it amazing I didn't see it any sooner." He made a sound of amusement. "Very clever Spencer." His eyes narrowed.
Ian frowned in confusion. Why wasn't Tala angrier? "I would have thought you'd be pissed at Spencer's betrayal."
Tala's turquoise eyes flickered to his short friend, his expression one of light amusement. "Well, truth be told I've had suspicions about both him and you being their informant. I realize now that suspecting you was ridiculous. I apologize for doubting you Ian."
He shrugged, not bothered in the least. "I figured, especially when you stopped telling me anything and started sending me on menial, pointless missions. I knew eventually you'd see that I'm as loyal as Bryan is." His voice was cool, and indifferent. "Either way, it turns out that Spencer is not only their informant, but apparently he's their leader."
At this Tala's eyebrows shot up and his gaze sharpened. "Leader?"
Ian nodded. "The weak American said he directs all the groups from here. That he has an agent in America, said her name is 'Zero'."
Tala laughed, leaning back in his throne-like chair. "So that's where she disappeared to. I wondered where he sent her. I noticed that she was conspicuously absent from his side after the attack in Hong-Kong." He ran a finger along his bottom lip. "Little bitch would die for him, and just might I think."
"What should we do about him?"
Tala was silent for a moment, the wheels turning in his head. Just what to do with probably the biggest threat to him besides Hiwatari? Spencer was a traitor, and the thought did anger him, but not nearly as much as the thought of Hiwatari. Spencer was controllable because he feared him. Spencer was smart enough to do what he was told and could be easily manipulated. "Nothing," he answered finally, earning a confused look from Ian. "We'll watch him, and use him. There's no sense in killing him yet; that will just alert the little Angels that we are on to them. Jeffries is dead yes?"
Ian nodded. "Yeah. Weak bastard died over night."
"Good," Tala replied, "It wouldn't do if he were to blab his weakness to his pathetic friends. No one is to know that we know. I'll in form Bryan when he's better, or when that little wench of his is not in the room."
"You're not worried about Bryan yapping to her?"
Tala threw a look at Ian before breaking out laughing, shaking his head. "Of course not," he said between chuckles. "She's a toy, someone to warm his bed, and now someone to spawn and raise his brats. He tells her nothing she doesn't need to know."
"Bleh," Ian shrugged. "I've been out of the loop remember."
Tala sobered, tilting his head towards the navy haired teen. "How true, something we shall make up for I'm sure. Your days of babysitting Kehl are over. Speaking of which, did you find anything?"
Ian shook his head. "Nah, he's just as you said he was: incredibly ruthless and intelligent, if a bit obnoxious. The only thing that bothered me was his interaction with the three girls. It was like he was trying to make them feel better about being captured while at the same time emphasizing who was in control. It was odd."
"Hm. Perhaps he just has a soft spot for women? I myself do not like killing them unless absolutely necessary. Killing women and children is weak and pathetic." Tala replied, waving his hand. "But now that the topic has come up, I just remembered about those pretty little girls inhabiting our dungeon."
"They're still there?"
Tala inclined his head as an answer and stood, stretching his long arms over his head. "What to do with them…hm… You," he motioned towards a guard that stood beside the door. "Retrieve the two females from the dungeon, the two Angels. I wish to speak to them."
"Yes master."
"What are you going to do Tala?" Ian asked curiously, not really knowing what his captain had in mind.
Tala smirked. "I'm not sure yet, let's see how our meeting turns out first hm?"
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She sighed, rubbing her wet hair absently with a soft crimson towel. It was rather disturbing really, Bryan's color scheme that is. It was clear that Bryan favored three colored: crimson, blue and orange. His entire bathroom was decked out in these three colors—and a little black here or there—and now that she thought about it so was his room. And his clothes. She wondered absently if he realized his color choice clashed horribly.
Lowering the towel a bit, Liika dried the dripping tips of her jagged, short hair. Almost ten washings it had taken to get the navy dye out of her hair. Ten. And even then, here hair still had a darkish tinge to it. The side-effect of using really dark hair dye I suppose, she thought sadly.
It was strange, even though she was extremely frightened of what Bryan might do to her now that he had her, she was surprisingly calm about it. Perhaps Nadie gave her extra courage, or maybe she resigned herself to her fate, but somehow he didn't seem nearly as daunting as he had a year and a half before. Maybe she had changed? She certainly wasn't the naïve fifteen year old she had been when she first met him. She had grown, matured. They all had. It was necessary for survival.
She wondered how the rest had faired. Tala had said he was sending Mariah and Emily to be with the 'others' but what others did he have? How many Angels had fallen to his malicious trap? How many people would die this time?
And what of those that escaped? Of Garland, and Michael…of Kai.
Her heart sank at the thought of Kai, tears springing to her tired turquoise eyes. She missed him already.
He had been her pillar of strength, her protector for so long that she was lost without him. Could she be strong without his familiar, reassuring presence? Could she fight Tala, Bryan and Biovolt alone? Could she escape the torment and fear she now faced?
She just hoped that he wasn't the ones that were locked in the dungeon, though she highly doubted he was. Tala had been happy, but not that happy.
Had Kai been captured in the initial fray she would have known about it. She had no doubt that Tala would not have hesitated to rub it in her face. To taunt her with his eminent death. He was just that sick.
Liika sighed again, dropping the now damp towel onto the counter top. She had delayed the inevitable long enough. She had to go back into the room that haunted her, if not for her own sake, for Nadie's. She had to, no matter how much the prospect terrified her.
Stepping over to the closed door, Liika took a deep breath and steadied herself before cracking it open and slipping out. She padded slowly into the darkness, heading for the single light at the far end of the large set of rooms.
However, before she even made it half way, she came to a stop, taking in the peculiar scene with blinking eyes.
Nadie was crawling, as fast as her little limbs could carry her, across the plush, expensive rug that dominated the center of the main room. She had a large grin on her face, and her eyes practically lit up when she caught sight of Liika standing at the edge of the rug.
"Ma!" She shouted gleefully, speeding up her pace and making a bee-line for Liika.
Bryan stood on the other edge of the carpet, his cool lavender eyes moving from the speeding baby, to Liika, and for the first time since she had been in the room with him, actually looked at her, his eyes raking down her form.
She suppressed a shudder. His eyes were just as intense as she remembered them, clearly stating what he thought of her, and what he wanted to do to her. Luckily this time, she had an advantage. Hurrying the few steps forward, she leaned down and scooped the squealing baby into her arms, cuddling her tightly against her chest. Nadie giggled, wrapping her chubby arms around her mother's neck and tugging at the slightly damp strange of hair that brushed her nape.
Bryan practically drank in the sight of his little wench cuddling his child. It looked so right, her standing in his rooms, mothering and loving a child that looked exactly like he did. He was pleased, a strange sort of pressure building in the center of his chest.
Yes, he liked the thought of having a child.
Despite his initial reaction of having a brat crawling over him when he was already in a great deal of pain, he did actually like the idea. Especially since she looked exactly like him, hair, eyes, facial shape, everything. She was beautiful, and she was his.
However, the best part of having a child was the fact that it bound its mother to him. It made the little blue wench even more his, sealing her to him in an undeniable bond that could never be broken.
He laughed at the thought of Hiwatari's face when she gave birth to his child. Yet, the ever so familiar anger rose again when it came to his attention that Hiwatari would have been around his brat more than he had. Hiwatari had raised her…and the thought enraged him.
Oh he wasn't surprised that she had hidden the child from him, after all, he knew very well that she hated him, that she feared him. But did the little bitch have to go to Hiwatari? He almost growled. Of course she did. Weak little bitch needed support, and who better than the man that loved her? He felt a twitch start to develop as his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
Never again.
He had been forced to give her up once, but it would never happen again. He would not allow Hiwatari to touch his woman, or his brat. They were his and his alone! No one would touch them…look at them, but him. Not until he had his fill. Not until he squelched the burn, the ache, that arose every time he thought of her.
Liika could tell when his rage started. It was like a beacon went off in her head, warning lights screeching "Danger, Danger!" Risking a glance at him, she peeked through her bangs in his direction, only to find him standing inches in front of her. She gasped, how fast could he move??
Before she could say anything, his hand darted out, grasping the hair on the back of her head and pulling back gently, careful not to hurt her, or to disturb the happily gurgling baby in her arms.
Darkened lavender clashed with frightened turquoise. Bryan stared down into her eyes, drowning himself in the aqua depths. Such emotion…such fear…such…loathing. She hated him, he could see it as plain as day, yet it didn't phase him. One day she would look to him for strength. One day she would love and worship him. It was only a matter of time.
Liika met his gaze with quivering defiance. He was devouring her with his eyes and Liika didn't know how to react. She tried to hide her fear, her hatred, but she knew the two emotions shone all too clearly in her eyes. One couldn't hide what they truly felt.
"Did he touch you?"
She blinked at the sudden rough words. His voice was caustic and dangerous. "Touch?" she replied, brow furrowing in confusion.
"Did he touch you?!"
She sucked in a deep breath, now he was beyond angry and she suddenly knew exactly what he was talking about. "No… no matter what you think, our relationship isn't like that." So that was a bit of a lie. Her relationship with Kai was sort of like that, but he hadn't done anything. He treated her like glass, sometimes skimming his lips over her cheeks, or pressing kisses to her forehead, but nothing else. He was obviously afraid to scare her off. A sentiment that probably not too far from the truth.
Bryan narrowed his eyes, judging the truth in her words. She was probably lying, but the time for her punishment would come soon enough. "Good," he finally stated, before pushing her head forward and pressing his lips to hers.
It was not the most awful kiss in the world, but it wasn't the most pleasant either. At least it was gentle, far more so than any other kiss she had received from him. She merely stood there, not reacting at all, not even when he forced his tongue into her mouth.
Eventually he pulled away, his breath slightly short and his eyes glittering dangerously. "You are mine." He stated firmly. "Don't ever forget it wench. Is that understood?"
Liika was silent for a moment, her eyes flickering away from his face. "Yes."
"Hn." He snorted, pulling away, dropping his grip on her hair. "Good."
Liika watched him grimace in pain as he turned away, his hand automatically coming to his side. "You shouldn't be up. You should be resting," she said softly, taking in his slight stumble. Apparently even Bryan of the Demolition Boys felt pain.
He grunted, ignoring her words and slowly stepping towards the alcove part of his rooms that housed his bed. However, when he stumbled again, nearly falling this time, Liika sighed, knowing she couldn't allow him to hurt himself. Tala's threat was all too clear in her mind. So, putting Nadya back down on the floor, she made her way to his side.
Without a word she stepped up against his good side, picking up his arm and draping it over her shoulder, and then wrapping her own around his waist, careful to avoid the wound. "Let me help you," she murmured quietly, trying to urge his massive body forward as it sagged against her. "You should have never been up in the first place."
"I don't need your help woman."
It was her turn to snort. "The hell you don't, you can barely stand, let alone walk." She snapped, shooting him a glare.
An eyebrow flickered up, and lavender eyes glanced towards her. He had to suppress a smirk. He liked it when she got feisty. It made it all the more interesting. "Very well," he said indifferently, allowing her to guide him back to the bed.
She then tucked him in, pulling the blankets up to as far as he wanted them and making sure he was comfortable. A strange sort of irony struck her them. Who would have thought she'd ever be taking care of one of the Demolition Boys? Let alone Bryan. It brought a strange bitter smile to her face.
"Bring my brat and lie beside me."
Liika glanced at him, gauging his seriousness. He was staring at her with glazed, but challenging eyes. He was daring her to disobey him. Testing to see if she would willingly bring punishment onto herself. She sighed heavily, nodding. She was in no mood to fight him, and not willing to risk Nadya. She knew all too well who held the power in the situation, and it wasn't her.
Nadya had, by the time Liika retrieved her, crawled almost into the alcove. Liika was slightly amazed at the child's speed. It would not be long before she started to walk. She smiled a bit at the thought. Her baby was growing up.
She then made her way to the other side of the bed, placing the baby on the top, who instantly zoomed across the large surface to Bryan's side and proceeded to crawl up on top of his chest. Liika didn't know how to react to Nadya's seemingly instantaneous bond with Bryan. The only other person she'd do that to was Kai. Normally, she was rather shy and quiet around people she didn't know, but for some reason, she had taken instantly to Tala and Bryan. It puzzled Liika.
"Come on wench."
Liika looked at Bryan, who had Nadie braced against his chest with one arm and was motioning to her with his other. Nadya for her part looked sleepy at once and was looking as if she were going to fall asleep. Liika sighed quietly and crawled up onto the bed, cautiously approaching Bryan, unsure of what he wanted from her.
"Come closer."
She winced, crawling directly to his side, and when he motioned, crawled under the quilt he already shared with Nadya. His free arm had wrapped itself around her small waist and pulled her against his side so that her front pressed his injured side. She had to be careful not to bump his wound.
"Sleep." He murmured quietly, his own eyes closing and his breathing evening out.
She pushed down the bile that rose in the back of her throat.
God she hoped someone saved her.
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Mariah hissed, her arm jerking away from the burly soldier that was trying to grab it. "Don't touch me!" she spat, sending the large man a dark glare. "I can walk fine on my own!"
"Mariah…" Emily whispered harshly, her eyes flickering around fearfully.
The soldier predictably ignored the pink haired girl and grabbed her arm again, squeezing it tightly, causing Mariah to cry out.
"I said-"
"I believe the young lady told you not to touch her." A dark, almost annoyed voice drawled.
It was then that Mariah realized they had reached the throne room. Tala had risen from his haughty perch on his 'throne' and was stalking towards them, a predatory air surrounding him. Ian stood off to the side, his arms crossed over his chest, scowling.
"But master, she was to be escorted."
Tala's eyes narrowed. "Escorted not manhandled."
"But she is trouble. She attacked the prison guard, he had to stitches from where she bit him."
Tala's eyebrows shot up, his eyes darting towards Mariah, smirking when she met his eyes directly. She denied nothing. He then turned his attention back to the guard.
"They were not to be harmed."
The guard paled. "They weren't master, I assure you-"
"Then what," Tala paused, stepping after to the pink haired girl, his hand rising and grasping her chin. He tilted her face to grasping her chin. He tilted her face to the side, "Pray tell is his?"
Right under her eye, along her cheekbone, was a long yellowing bruise. Mariah's teeth clenched and air whistled through her teeth as Tala's gloved fingers brushed the wound.
"Poor little kitty," he cooed, running his finger down her cheek, "I'm sorry that they mistreated you." The apology rang completely false. Yet the glint in Tala's glittering turquoise eyes scared Mariah. He was angry, and she couldn't figure out why.
"Fear not," he pulled away, the smirk back in place. "I'll avenge you." Then he pulled out the gun that was holstered on his hip and shot the two soldiers that escorted them, one after other, in the middle of the forehead.
The two girls let out terrified screams. Emily fainted dead and Mariah paled, her entire body quaking in fear. She felt the violent urge to vomit, her stomach doing violent flip flops. She had a near fear of Tala, one that had never been present before. Sure she knew that he was capable of killing someone heartlessly, but to openly murder two men because of her? She was horrified. Two relatively innocent men died because of her. They hadn't even been guilty! How could someone be so cruel?
Tala snorted, putting the gun away. Women were so weak stomached. Well, except his woman. A fond smile usurped his smirk. She had nerves of steel, that one. She could look death in the eyes and not flinch. It was part of the reason he was determined to have her.
"Stop your quaking Kitty, I'm not going to hurt you," he said dryly, turning and stalking back to his 'throne' motioning for her to follow him. "And for God's sake don't faint like that weak little mouse by your feet."
Mariah puffed up, her fear fueling her anger as she followed him. "Don't talk about Emily like that! She can't help it if she's scared! Unlike you, we don't make it a habit of watching people get shot in the head," she shuddered at the thought. "At least have a little understanding for people who don't have cruel black hearts like you or your cronies."
Tala slumped down in his throne, throwing his head back and laughing. "You're a brave one Kitty, I'll give you that." He smirked, running a finger over his bottom lip. "But I'm offended, I do not have a black heart," his smirk turned into a sneer, "In fact I think I have a rather open heart don't you? After all, you are still alive, and in good health. Of course I don't make it a habit of injuring women."
"No you just kill anything precious to them!"
He shrugged. "Someone has to die Kitty. They wouldn't have to if they would just bow before me."
"But why should we have to?!" Mariah exclaimed, her fists clenching at her sides. "Why should you get to rule the world? Why shouldn't people decide who they want to head their government? What gives you the right to decide the fate of millions of people? To deprive a child of their father because you've killed him?!"
The red head was silent for a moment, his cold turquoise gaze studying. "People don't know what they want," he answered finally, his chin rising. "The governments of the world were chaotic, now they flow in harmony together. Somebody had to take control, why not me? I'm smart enough, strong enough."
"But you're evil!" Her voice had risen to almost yelling decibels.
"Careful Kitty," Tala warned, his eyes darkening, "Remember who has your life in their hands. Besides," he smirked, "Evil is all a matter of perspective. For example," he turned to Ian who had been watching the whole proceedings with a faint bored air to him, "Ian, do you think I'm evil?"
Ian blinked, grinning. "Yes," he laughed teasingly, "But not the same kind of evil she thinks."
Tala grinned back. "How true. See?" he turned back to Mariah. "Evil is in the eye of the beholder."
Mariah rolled her eyes. Why was she not surprised at his arrogance? "He doesn't count," she snapped irritatedly. "He's just as evil!"
Both young men laughed, sending each other looks. "How utterly amusing you are," Tala drawled lazily. "But we should really move on, as much as I'd like to sit here and banter with you all day, I am a very busy man." He sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "The question is, what to do with you," Tala hummed, "The little mouse is easy," he grinned. "Ian," he motioned at his friend, "As apology for doubting you, I put the orange haired one in your custody. Do with her as you like."
Ian's eyebrow arched, his crimson eyes gleaming with interest. "Really?"
Tala smiled. "Yes. She's yours."
"No! You've already taken Liika! You can't separate us!" Mariah cried, flying to her friend's side. "You can't give her away like a possession! She's—we're—not just things to trade you know!"
"On the contrary," Tala replied calmly, "You are possessions—my possessions. I have no need for the mousy one, and Ian has earned more responsibility. If he wishes to keep her, so be it."
Ian grunted, stepping forward to the girls' sides. He gently shoved Mariah aside, causing her to fall on her behind, then picked up the unconscious girl and cradled her in his arms. His crimson eyes flickered down to the now crying Mariah. "Don't worry," he said roughly, "I'll take care of her." And then he was gone, striding away into the darkness that encroached on the borders of the room.
Mariah just cried. Now she was alone. Alone and as much as she didn't want to admit it, afraid. Her life, existence and happiness rested solely in the hands of a madman.
"Shh…" a voice murmured as a hand stroked her hair. "Don't cry Kitty. You are not so bad off," he continued. She looked up and into cold aqua eyes. "You're much too pretty to cry."
"Leave me alone! Just take me back to the cell…at least there I won't be alone." She whimpered pathetically. She was tired of being strong…tired of Tala Valkov.
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Tala stated, his hand never leaving her hair. "Those traitors are set to die, and as I said, I don't kill women. I would be a disgrace to men if I killed the weaker of our species." He smiled placatingly and stood, turning his back on her.
Mariah froze, her heart coming to a complete stop. To die? He was going to kill more of her friends?? Of course he was. He hated them, and they opposed him. Tala was ruthless in gaining control, and the Angels were all that stood in his way. They had to die…
Rei had to die.
She felt the blood drain from her face, and a new set of sobs rake her body. He was going to kill the only boy she had ever loved.
"I grow weary of your crying. Where is the strong girl that so openly defied me?"
"You killed her."
An eyebrow shot up. Tala chuckled inwardly. So melodramatic. "Did I now? Well that's too bad. But on the plus side, I suppose you won't fight me so much hm?" He turned slightly to look down at her. "But still we don't know what to do with you. Hm," his eyes ran down her quivering form, "I'd keep you myself, as you are rather nice to look at, but I'm afraid that would hinder my plans where another is concerned," he winked, smiling. "So, I'm afraid that leaves Bryan. I'm sure he can find something to do with you, what being a new father and everything." Tala's smile grew when she stiffened at the mention of the baby. "Yes, that's what I'll do. I'll give you to him. He'll decide your fate. Warning though, Bryan hates Angels. He might just decide to kill you after all."
Mariah's head shot up and her ringed, bloodshot eyes stared at him. "But-but you said you didn't kill women!"
He stared back blandly. "I don't, but I make no guarantee of Bryan. You never know with him," he chuckled. "But you have the advantage of any influence the little wench has over his decision. Maybe he'll let you be her companion. It could go either way. Now," motioning with his hand he began to stride away, towards a doorway that stood tall and imposing in the darkness of one of the corners of the room, "Since I'm feeling generous, I will take you to your new master."
Mariah had no choice but to sigh and follow. On the bright side, she would get to see Liika one last time.