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By: Lady Isis
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon and most probably never will, I only use the characters to write fictional stories. However the story line for Cursed Blood belongs to me.
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"Urg" I growled in frustration as my bag got caught in the closing door, wrenching it out I stormed to the lounge and threw it on the floor alerting Amy and Ray of my arrival.
"Hi, bad day?" Ray asked over her cup of steaming coffee
I grunted in response as I headed to my bedroom cursing as I tripped over a pair of sandals lying in the middle of the room, scooping them up I threw them into my closet knocking over the neatly rowed shoes "Damn!" I yelled in frustration
Pushing the stay hair that had escaped my braid from my face I took off the shoes I had on and placed them with the others trying to tidy the mess I had made. Slipping my feet into a pair of pink bunny slippers I headed back to the lounge flopping on the couch next to Ray who drew her legs to her body just as I was about to crush them.
"Whats up Serena? You seem pissed" Amy asked
"Yeah, I had the exam today which totally drained me then I went to get some coffee and this bloody woman dropped her coffee down my front" pulling my jacket to the side to show a dark brown stain on the white tank top I was wearing "after that when I thought it couldn't get worse Seiya phone and said I'm starting my first day tomorrow! The indignation, I mean I've just unofficially finished uni and I'd like to relax for a couple of days but no I have to work, I need chocolate"
Standing up I headed to the fridge, yanking open the freezer I smiled in delight when I found what I was looking for...double chocolate ice cream. Slamming the door closed and shuffling in the draws I pulled out a large spoon dropped back into the couch.
"So wha av ya been doin today?" I asked around a spoon in my mouth as I used my fingers to pry open the lid of the ice cream
"Well we started decorating my room" Ray said smiling as they both watched me shovel absolutely ridiculous amounts of ice cream in my mouth
"Oooh brain freeze" I moaned putting the cold container on my lap as I caressed my forehead in my hands
"Well that's no surprise you were stuffing yourself with ice cream at 100 kilometres" Ray said to me rolling her eyes
"Oh shut up" as I threw the cushion behind my back at her face
"Thanks I needed another pillow" winking at me ash she caught it and placed it behind her head
"Oh yes Serena you got a package today." Amy informed
"Oooh fom?" I slurred through the melting ice cream
"Ah your Aunt" she replied slightly distracted as she shuffled though the post on the coffee table finding the small package she was looking for and tossing it to me.
I caught it easily before it landed in my ice cream and examined it. It was a smallish white package with my Aunts distinctive scrawl on it. Sighing I placed it onto the arm of the sofa and continued with my ice cream.
"Well aren't you going to open it?" Ray asked "I want to know what's in it"
"Here you open it" I replied carelessly tossing it to her uninterested
Shrugging Ray slipped her finger under the overlay of the package and pried the stubborn glue apart. I watched her open the package and tip the contents into her hands from the corner of my eye however I focused on her when she let out a sharp gasp. Ray had her hand resting protectively on her chest the object in the package sitting on her faded jeans.
"What?" I asked curiously
"Its beautiful" she said slightly edgily as she eyed it
"What did she send me" my attention caught as I placed my ice cream on the coffee table and grabbed the object off her lap. I felt a familiar tingle in my palm as I lifted it to my face.
I sighed in dismay when I saw the beautiful butterfly attached to the thick linked chain. Though stunning I hate this necklace, my mother gave it to me the day I was born and ever since I despised it. The diamonds and emeralds winked mockingly at me in the huge shapely butterfly wings. Snatching the package it came in I threw my hands into it finding an overlooked note slightly scrunched in the corner. Straitening it out on my knee I read what it said.
Hello Serena,
I had Fern over the other day for our coven circle and you know what she found? Your butterfly under a tree that had blown over...I wonder how that happened? I winced quietly before continuing Serena you've got to have more respect the butterfly was an antique from your mother, please don't let me find it down there again...or in any of the other places.
Love always Aunt Meredith
P.S Its clean I even used a purifying spell
"Damn" I hissed between my teeth as I crushed the note in my fist. I had hoped that that god damned necklace would never be found again, and I had almost succeeded it had been supposedly 'lost' for the last two years when I threw it down the deep hole that Fern was transplanting a big and expensive tree into. I've tried countless times to get rid of it before but it always turns up, it's like it's got a returning charm on it. I've thrown it in the local lake, a crypt, down a rabbit hole, into the incinerator, under a headstone, in a magpie nest and even under concrete but its always been discovered. Holding the thick linked silver chain I swung the butterfly in front of my face rhythmically just watching it blur past my eyes.
"Oh wow Serena, what a gorgeous necklace!" Amy exclaimed leaning forward to get a better view of it "What does the note say" she added
"Nothing much, she just thought I might need it." Feeling the tingle on my skin become more of an uncomfortable itch in my fingers where I had the silver chain dangling from. Snatching my discarded bag on the floor I shoved it uncaringly into the front pocket sighing irritably "So you guys said that you have started decorating Rays room"
"Oh yeah" Ray said enthusiastically "You want to see it?"
"Sure" I answered willing to do anything to get the awful day I had off my mind, standing up I followed Ray and Amy down the hall to her bedroom where they waited for me at the closed door.
"Ta-da!" Ray said dramatically pushing the door open. The first thing that hit me was the strong paint fumes that temporarily blocked my nose then the colour.
The colour almost blinded me when I first saw it, though it was defiantly something I would never choose for a bedroom or any part of my apartment for that matter it worked really perfectly for Ray. The colour reminded me strongly of drying blood, it was a deep dark red very sensual and extremely sexy. It totally reflected Rays fiery temper as I had found out the other day unfortunately.
"Wow!" I gawked as I spun round in the room getting a 360 view of everything "Its gorgeous" at that comment both women visibly relaxed
"We were worried you wouldn't like it" Amy filled me in
"I love it though I would never have chosen it in a million years it works here" I replied then added "So are you going to finish it soon?" I asked noticing the lumps of brand new furniture under a paint splattered white sheet.
"We'll do that tomorrow" Ray informed
"Crap I'll be at work so I can't help you, damn." I exclaimed
"Yeah I'll be at work too, I took a day off to help today but I have to go back tomorrow so Ray your going to have to finish it yourself tomorrow, sorry"
"That's fine, it will be a nice surprise for when you come back"
"Wicked room!" came a voice from the door, we all looked that direction to find Lita leaning in the door frame
"Hey Leets" I greeted
"Hi" Said Ray who had previously met her
"Hi ya guys, ya ready for me to cook up a storm?" she said enthusiastically briefly flashing the shopping bags at her sides full of raw ingredients
"As always Lita" I squealed at the prospect of food following her down the corridor to my gorgeous but hardly ever used kitchen.
Lifting the bags onto the kitchen she proceeded to unpack her groceries.
"So what are you making?" I asked excitedly jumping around and behind her. Count food to put me back into a good mood.
"It's a surprise" she winked at me
"No fair I don't like surprises" I objected
"You lie" was her response "go do something else other than grovelling over food, some people would think you've got no life"
I did a 'humph' noise over my shoulder as I left to show my annoyance. What should I do now? Sighing I stooped scooping my bag off the floor and headed to my bedroom slamming the door behind me. Sitting heavily in my swivelling chair in front of my desk I swept the old papers strewn over its surface into a neat pile and placed them into a draw. Dragging the heavy bag onto my desk I wrestled with the zip and extracted a thin folder with written papers in from Seiya, leaning back into the chair I turned to the first page.
Tomorrows meeting at Crimson Corps is to discuss the out buying of Avalanche International and shall proceed at 9:00 o'clock. As a Revell Reserve representative you have the responsibility of transferring the money legally and shall require signatures from both companies. Please Serena be careful, you of all people know how dangerous and sneaky those vampires are. I have this feeling that Crimson Corps deliberately made Avalanche International go bankrupt to force them to sell, however there is no evidence to prove this, just watch out for them.
Seiya
Shuffling briefly thought the A4 sized paper in the folder I replaced it back into my bag and began the huge debate of what to wear tomorrow. Opening the door to my walk in wardrobe I grimaced at the thought of spending the next hour or two deciding on what to wear. Moving slowly up and down the isle lined with clothes I extracted what I thought was acceptable to wear to the meeting and laid them on my bed carefully to prevent them from wrinkling.
Deciding I had enough variety I filtered though the clothes wondering what in hell possessed me to choose some of the choices on my bed, sighing I looked critically at the six or seven suits who had made it though the first faze of selection, wrinkling my nose I removed a pant suit in a bronze orange colour.
"Uh this is defiantly out, it does nothing for me." I picked up another pale pink suit "Too girly" I mumbled and grabbed at the same time the one next to it which had the wrong cut for me.
For the next five minutes I contemplated over the last four suits lying on my bed, blowing my hair out of my face in frustration I leaned out of the door.
"Ray" I whined catching her attention as she lay across the couch reading a Cosmo magazine "I need your opinion" throwing her magazine onto the coffee table she followed me into my bedroom
"I don't know which one to choose" I moaned "The black one, the blue one, the purple one or the green one I'm stuck!"
Ray looked thoughtfully at the selection crossing her arms under her breasts and tapping her chin with her fingers "I think you should wear a skirt suit, because you've got great legs"
"Okay" I answered grabbing the green pant suit and slinging it over my arm
"Don't choose the black because with your skin tone it will make you look like a ghost, I think you should wear the purple coloured one" she finished,
Grabbing the rejected ones I replace them back into the wardrobe singing praises to Ray until my nose detected the scent of food which caused my mouth to water at its delightful aroma. Latching onto Rays arm I dragged her from my bedroom and pushed her into the chair next to me babbling at how brilliant Litas cooking was.
Amy and Lita soon came though the kitchen each holding steaming dishes of food which they placed on the decorative table mats in front of us.
"Okay Serena you're embarrassing me" Lita laughed as she blushed
"Oh how I wish I had you cooking skills" I said looking mournfully at her "So what are we having" I brightened skimming over the multiple bowls of food.
"Well tonight ladies we have chick pea salad with croutons, specially grilled kebabs and an assortment of vegetables so dig in."
Taking a huge bite of the salad I tasted the wonderful flavours of water crest and the creamy texture of the chick peas "It's wonderful" I mumbled with my mouth full of food
"And now for a toast" Amy said slipping a bottle of champagne off the counter and easing the top off with a cork screw pouring a generous amount into each slender wine glass.
Raising her glass she smiled down at us "For Serena finishing Uni and getting a job with out even trying and for our new roomie" Tapping each glasses lightly against each other I took a small sip of champagne felt the bubbles prickle as they went down my throat.
For the next hour conversation buzzed and I really enjoyed it. We found some new things out about Ray. She was born in Italy April 1982 and had a brother three years older than herself, she had been going out with this jackass 'Jed' for the last few years of her life and loved him deeply but was extremely pissed at how he treated her these days.
I didn't realize so much time had passed until I looked at the clock that declared it 7 o'clock guess it must have been the champagne.
"Well guys I think I'd better get to bed I have early day tomorrow."
"It's only an 9 o'clock start" Ray chuckled
"Well Sere has a problem getting out of bed in the morning, a big problem." Lita grinned
"When we lived in New Haven she received a detention every day for being late and sleeping during class, it was really funny." Amy added
"Hey its not my fault, it was theirs for giving me so much homework to complete every day!" I cried indignantly
Amy snorted at this "If I remember correctly Serena, you never did you homework anyway"
I stuck my tongue out at the women around the table before asking quietly "Hey Amy, can you wake me up tomorrow just in case" I trailed off looking down at my hands in my lap "I sleep in" I finished in almost a whisper.
"Yeah sure we wouldn't want you to be late on your first day" Amy agreed giggling
"No I don't really mind about being late to Crimson Corp but Seiya would kill me!" As soon as these words were out of my mouth there came a crashing noise, spinning our heads to look at Ray she was staring at me nervously her champagne glass shattered on the floor.
"Crimson Corps?" she asked hesitantly as if hoping I said something else
I nodded affirmatively "Why?" I asked curiously
Ray seemed to re-gather herself easily and answered calmly "Nothing really, I've just heard bad things about that place, that's all" before pushing her chair back to pick up the glass shards.
"Here let me help" Lita offered standing up
"No no I'm fine," Ray insisted "Serena you should go to bed, you've got a long day tomorrow"
"Okay, goodnight guys" I yelled over my shoulder and headed off to my room.
Closing the door lightly I leaned against it what just happened? Feeling bewildered I shrugged it off and decided a nice soak in the tub would be positively delightful. Walking though the doors to my connecting bathroom I spun the taps on the claw-footed bath and watched for a brief moment as the steaming hot water filled the bottom. Shuffling though my medicine cabinet I extracted my favourite bubble bath combination of rose and vanilla and tipped a large portion into the water producing large bubbles.
Slipping my clothes off and discarding them onto the floor I slid under the frothy surface of the water and kneaded the knots in my neck out with my fingertips. Groaning in relief I blindly ran my hands over the edge of the bath looking for my sponge tipping some body wash into its depths and softly caressing my skin in circular movements. Sighing after a half hour submerged in the water I lifted my hands to my face and saw my palms had begun to wrinkle like a prune indicating it was time to get out.
Pulling my reluctant body from the water I wrapped a large pale pink towel around myself and walked back into my room shivering as I left the warm steamy bathroom. Grabbing some underwear from my lingerie draw I pulled them on followed by my pyjamas consisting of a pale pink tank top that had in bold black scrawl 'If you value your life, don't interrupt my beauty sleep!'and a pair of matching baggy plaid pants. Finishing the rest of my business in the bathroom I snuggled into my thick sheets. Switching my side lamp off the room was plunged into darkness the only light coming from the moon through the windows. Closing my eyes I felt myself slip into the world of dreams.
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"Aaarrrggg" I squealed as my warm blankets were torn from by body "Noo" I whined groping around trying to find them again.
"Serena!" came an exasperated voice as I curled into a ball once I had given up on ever finding my blankets "Your going to be late for work, then Seiyas going to lecture you for two hours."
"No don't want to talk to Seiya, not Seiya, not Seiya" I groaned raising from my bed like a zombie to look at an amused Ray "thanks for waking me up" I muttered as she left the room
Grabbing my suit hung out from the previous night I stripped and slithered into the dark purple skirt tucking the white blouse in and buttoning the two low buttons below the lapels of the matching tailored jacket closed. Running to the bathroom I cleansed my face and returned to my room sitting on the stool in front of my dressing table debating on what makeup to apply.
Deciding to go for something simple I twisted my long silvery blond hair into a French twist and lightly dusted my eyes with purple eye shadow finishing the look with some pale pink lip gloss. Sifting though my wardrobe I found a pair of purple shoes with a sensible heel just in case I had to do any running and pushed my feet into them. Heading to the kitchen Amy and Ray had already beaten me and were eating toast.
Seating myself beside them I grabbed a spare piece and buttered it lightly with butter followed by drizzling some sweet honey on. Looking at the clock I almost had a heart attack when I saw the time.
"Its 8.30 Amy why didn't you wake me up?" Serena exclaimed
"I did but you said 'give me five minutes and I'll be up" Amy quoted
"And you believed me!" I cried incredulously as I finished the toast and ran into my room grabbing my bag and swinging it over my shoulder "I'll see you later guys" as I headed to the door
"Hey wait Sere" called Ray, I paused for a moment so she could answer "be careful okay"
I smiled reassuringly at her "I'll be fine, I promise" and continued my path out the door.
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Serena stood outside the door of the Crimson Corp office and breathed deeply collecting herself. So far the day had been okay, she had got a taxi to Crimson Corp and was only five minutes late. Now for total bitch mode she thought as she hardened her serious expression on her face. Pushing the door wide open she entered a sleek modern room painted in a light grey highlighting the magnificent shiny black table that stretched over at least seven meters with mostly men sitting around it typical.
Smiling tightly to the group of people the most handsome man she had ever seen stood up from his black leather seat at the end of the table and greeted her with a handshake sending her a suave smile would make woman swoon. He had short silky black hair and facial structure of a god, he was every artists dream model and unfortunately an undead.
"Ms. Lennox I presume I'm Mr. De Silva" taking his hand she scowled at his grin. Mr De Silva the vampire king just my luck Serena cursed as his slender tanned hand encased her own pale one "Please have a seat" he finished walking back to the table and pulling a chair out in the middle so she could face both groups of people.
As he sat down Serena decided to get right down to business "Good morning we are here to discuss Crimson Corp out buying of Avalanche International is that correct?"
"Correct" he said "let me introduce my team, this is Jed Whittier, Nathanial Dreson, Zachary Fearon and Maxemus Bandin." Each smiling at Serena, Serena almost panicked when she saw the two familiar vampire faces that had almost killed her the other night gulping her uneasiness she smiled weakly at them. "and over from Avalanche International we have the founder Victor Green" indicating to a slightly over weight middle aged man with thinning grey hair "and his colleagues Millicent Brogen, Steven Macgregor, Robert Stephenson and Megan Bennette." All looking nervous and angrily at Mr. De Silva which seemed to make Seiya's theory very true.
Serena noticed irritably that both the middle aged woman had a stupid little smile on their faces and a slight blush on their cheeks having obviously fallen under for the charms of the young men at the other side of the table. Resisting rolling her eyes she set her laptop onto the table and placed beside it the folder full of legal forms
"Right then we shall have both companies complete the necessary legal forms." She said curtly typing on the keyboard avoiding the gaze of Mr. De Silva.
Darien watched Ms. Lennox from where he sat and felt a curious aura of mystery surrounding her. He grinned when he noticed her avoid his gaze, using this time he studied her features, the first thing he noticed about her when she walked though the door was her eyes. They were large almond shaped with long dark eyelashes framing a pair of enticing sapphire blue orbs that seemed to hold untold secrets. She had a heart shaped face with high cheek bones and strangely pale skin that looked like it would bruise at the slightest touch, her lips were full and Darien just fantasized about how soft they would feel against his. Rubbing his tongue against his upper teeth he felt his fangs elongate begging to sink themselves into her pale neck to claim her as his for all eternity.
"The first thing I need you to do is sign this contract to show that you know exactly what we are going to do" Standing up and walking to where Mr. De Silva sat she placed it in front of him. Scanning the for text for a brief moment he took out an expensive ink pen and elegantly scrawled his signature at the bottom, picking up the sheet he handed it back to Serena who took it to the other end of the table and gave it to Mr. Green.
Serena observed the pained expression on Mr. Greens face as he read the paper and looked almost pleadingly at Mr. De Silva to reconsider something. However Mr. De Silva sat straight and regal in his chair never once faltering his cold stare. Mr. Green sighed in defeat and signed the bottom beside Mr. De Silva.
Looking sympathetically at the man who appeared to have aged ten years she returned to her place standing behind her pushed in chair. "Excellent now we shall begin the transfer of assets."
Grabbing the next thick pile of sheets and walking smartly back to the Avalanche International group she placed the sheets in front of Mr. Green "Please sign this page for your consent of the selling of Avalanche International to Mr. De Silva" she said watching him slowly read the paper as if looking for some loop hole then dejectedly signed it when he couldn't see any. For the next ten minutes Serena wanted to scream Mr. Green was agonizingly slow at signing the documents which he insisted on reading before hesitating each time to decide whether to sign it.
Darien watched mildly amused as Ms. Lennox surreptitiously looked down at her watch on her wrist rolling her eyes in impatience as Mr. Green fumbled around. Darien knew what he was doing, he was trying to find some way to get out of this problem. Darien sneered at Victor who visibly shuddered and looked back down at the paper, Darien had reduced Avalanche International down to bankruptcy forcing them to sell to none other than their worst enemy.
Watching Victor sign the last sheet he collapsed slumping down into his chair as Ms. Lennox re-collected the papers and walked back to her place grabbing the second pile of papers and heading quickly in Darien's direction as he flashed his trade mark smile creating some strange butterflies in her stomach.
Dismissing them she reminded herself it was strictly business and sent him a disapproving look. Dropping the papers in front of him she leant forward slightly "Please sign where I tell you to. This is to verify the transfer of your money."
Darien felt the radiating warmth of her body on his skin and detected her wonderful scent of roses it made him want to swing her into his lap. Restraining himself he picked up his ink pen he signed the spaces where her long pale finger pointed out then continued signing every area without hesitation watching a grateful expression bloom on her face efficiency.
"Good" she said quietly as he handed the sheet back "Now we can finally transfer the required amount of money from Crimson Corp account to yours" talking to Victor.
Sitting down in her seat between the two companies she typed into her laptop numbers and codes for the transfer smiling when she was done "The transfer has been completed," as she grabbed the last remaining piece of paper and signing it herself "Last thing I need you to do is sign this temporary certificate to state that you own Avalanche International until I can get you the official one." Giving the paper to Darien he signed it examining the neat signature of Ms. Lennox.
S.S Lennox I wonder what her first names are.
"And that concludes all the legal work." She informed
"Than I see no further reason to continue with this meeting, you may leave now." Mr. De Silva said to the ex owners of Avalanche International who followed their tired looking boss out the door.
"Dare I think I'll go now" Zach said to Darien
"Yeah think I'll go too" Nathanial added
As Max stood up Jed said dryly "I guess you want to go back to your lover girl Mini or Nina what ever her name is"
"Mina" He corrected as he walked past Ms. Lennox who was packing up without a spare glance
Ms. Lennox had just finished packing when Darien came up to her waving Jed to continue out the room. Ms. Lennox looked up at Darien who noted the distrustful look on her face as she went into a defensive stance.
"Can I help you Mr. De Silva" she said icily
"Please call me Darien" flashing her a sexy grin
"Whatever Mr. De Silva" she dismissed slinging her bag over her shoulder and heading out the door to the elevator.
Admiring her courage to ignore him but feeling annoyed at being ignored he followed her into the elevator. Detecting movement beside her she notice Darien standing closer than necessary stiffening Serena then sent him a glare that silently warned 'stay back or you'll be sorry'. Chuckling throatily he moved forward again so their bodies were square and inches apart. Serena's heart skipped a beat as he leaned down the butterflies in her stomach raging.
Whispering slowly and sexily in her ear he asked "How about dinner with me tonight Ms. Lennox?" as he closed his eyes and breathed in her sweet scent making sure to memorize every thing about her.
Unexpectedly he felt her push off his chest in rejection creating some distance between them, looking in disbelief at a woman refusing him, his surprised expression was replaced a second later with one of a predator. Serena shivered the vampire alarm bells that had rung throughout the whole meeting going into overload.
Serena glared back into his stormy dark blue eyes feeling a slight blush form on her cheeks "Please Mr. De Silva control yourself." She snapped wanting to wipe the smirk off his face. As soon as the elevator doors opened she hastily sped off in the direction of the door however Darien had other ideas and clamped onto her wrist pulling her back within his clutches.
"So is that a yes or a no?" he whispered seductively his dark navy eyes boring into her own as he let go of her wrist and fingered the long strands of hair that had come loose from her clip.
Her eyes flashing with anger and embarrassment at his public display of affection "No" she hissed loudly attracting the attention of the people around them then spun on her heel and marched out.
Darien watched her leave storming though the lobby of people and darkly grinned
Mine
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Serena didn't remember much about getting home but when she did she slammed the door close with a bang. Ray rushed out of the lounge to greet her looking relived but when she saw the murderous expression on Serena's face the feeling of uneasiness washed over her again.
"What's happened?" she asked tentatively
"That stupid arrogant jackass De Silva that's what" she growled pushing past her into the lounge "cornered me in the elevator and touched me while asking me out to dinner! The nerve of that guy, we haven't even met before and he was already making his moves!"
"Serena!" Ray yelled getting her attention, clamping her hands onto Serena's shoulders to keep her still from her frantic pacing of the room as she asked urgently "did he hurt you or anything."
"No," she answered causing Ray to sigh quietly at the reassurance
"So you went to the meeting and after the meeting he cornered you in the elevator."
"Uh huh the nerve of that ass, but then" she trailed off blushing "he was the most handsome man I've ever see he had the most amazing eyes they were so dark and haunting in a sexy way"
Ray noticed the pink blush beginning to spread across her cheeks.
"I think I'm going to change into something more comfortable then I'm going to drop those god damned documents of to Seiya." She yelled walking to her bedroom
Ray sat down onto the couch thinking why are you so interested in Serena, you don't give a damn about women why are you starting now? Standing up she walked slowly to her bedroom and closed the door behind her.
The room was now complete a huge mahogany bed covered in a luxurious red satin quilt was the centre point complemented the red walls and the rest of the brand new mahogany furniture. Storming to her desk she snatched her keys up and shoved them into her pocket I think I should go say hi to my big brother.
Just as Ray was about to leave she yelled over her shoulder "I'll be going out for a bit Sere, I'll be back okay" receiving a muffled reply.
Heading to the underground parking she slipped into her convertible and drove the familiar path back to Crimson Corps. Parking her car she jumped into an elevator and made the decent up to her brothers office floor scowling What ever he wants to do to Sere it will stop now as the door opened to his corridor.
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Darien stood up from his chair and walked over to his alcohol cupboard pouring himself a shallow amount of amber liquid into his crystal glass, just as the glass almost touched his lips his remarkable hearing picked up the sounds of a scuffle out side his office followed by his secretary exclaiming "You can't go in there!"
However the person took no notice of her efforts and flung the door so hard it slammed in to the wall revealing a fuming Ray. She wasn't wearing her usual sophisticated clothes but a pair of tight faded blue jeans and a red tank top.
His secretary followed obviously flustered as she made her way to where Ray stood "I tried to stop her Mr. De Silva but she wouldn't listen, do you want me to call security?" causing Ray to send her glare that had her backing up.
"No that will be quite alright, I'll deal with this myself" waving his hand to the door to indicate a silent dismissal as soon as the secretary was gone he scowled and asked in a low voice "Please explain why you are here as far as I know you've resigned and I don't want you distracting any more of my staff." Darien said icily
"I'm not here as an employee Darien, I'm here to tell you to stay away from Serena" she hissed
"Serena?" Darien asked
"You know the woman you had a meeting with this morning"
"You mean Ms. Lennox, so that's her name. Serena." Seeming to taste the name on his tongue increasing Rays anger "And why would I do that?" Darien asked raising an eyebrow as he put his glass down and walked up to Ray.
"Look Darien I've taken a lot of shit from you over the years and I'm sick of it, so I'm telling you if you don't leave Serena alone I'll kill you!" jabbing her forefinger into his chest
"And how do you intend to do that?" continuing to walk forward so that Ray stepped back "You can't keep me away from her, I'll just keep going back."
"I hate you, you bastard" Ray screamed lashing out attempting to slam Darien in the jaw, however he easily caught her fist looking and looked down at her.
"That's no way to speak to your big brother, now is it? I think you should be punished" and with that he brought his knee up sinking it deeply into her soft stomach.
Ray doubled over in pain her breath whizzing from her lungs as she fell to the ground panting holding her stomach. Darien spun victoriously around to re-fill his glass but Ray retaliated swinging her legs around to knock him off his feet but predicting this he jumped behind her kicking her squarely into her back sending her straight into the wall with a huge bang.
Ray picked her rumpled self off the floor and held her side where she hit the wall. All his beatings did was further infuriate her "I won't let you touch her" Running towards him unleashing a new wave of martial arts moves.
"Ray you can't beat me" He said calmly as he dodged and blocked every single move she made
"I hate you, hate you, HATE YOU" she screamed increasing her attack speed getting past his defences and punching him right in the jaw Darien's eyes flared with anger and he brought his arm back slamming it across her face. Ray screamed in pain as her body went flying against the door which opened on impact so that she tumbled into the secretary's office who was startled by the sudden intrusion.
Ray had barely anytime to recover before her body was picked up off the ground and she was pinned by her neck against the wall. Grabbing Dariens wrist she tried to pull his hand off her throat but he increased the pressure pushing harder and harder on her windpipe. Dots of colour swam in front of her vision and her head throbbed with strain.
Ray heard the frantic yells of the secretary to let her go but Darien either chose to ignore it or he couldn't hear which was highly unlikely. Her body felt weak as he squeezed harder and harder whimpering quietly as her vision blacked out.
"Ray, Ray wake up!" came a soft husky voice followed by a smart slap across her cheek, moaning in response her eyes fluttered open to reveal her unfocused plum coloured eyes. Blinking away the blurriness she saw Nathanial supporting her shoulders from where she had collapsed on the floor. Panting slightly she held her throat softly with her hand gently rubbing angry red marks that had appeared.
"Darien what the hell do you think you doing!" Nathanial yelled
Darien stood about 10 meters away looking calmly down at her and Nathanial. Making sure Ray was okay Nathanial stood up and walked over to Darien. Nathanial was even taller than Darien at 6'3 with long wavy brown hair and chocolate brown eyes which held exasperation and anger.
"What the hell were you doing? Your secretary comes barrelling into me babbling about a fight and here I find you killing your own sister. You know Jed won't take kindly if you kill her, he's suffering already if you haven't noticed."
Using the secretary's desk Ray wobbly got to her feet and pushed her thick black hair that had come out from her pony tail from her eyes "Why would he care, we're finished forever" Ray yelled at Nathanial "Look just stay away from Serena, okay! Don't go near her or anything!" whirling around she made a quick exit to the underground parking to her car. Bursting in to tears she cried from the loss of Jed, the threat on Serena and the fact that Darien had won their fight like always.
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Serena stepped though the automatic glass doors of the impressive building of Revell Reserve Bank, heading to the elevator she pushed the floor button and leaned against the wall relaxing as the door opened. Stepping out she knocked softly on the office door that was clearly labelled 'SEIYA REVELL". Hearing a muffled reply she pushed the door open and walked in. The office was spacious in colour of light caramel complimenting the tan furniture dotted around the room.
"Serena I was just about to call you" he said smiling warmly at her
"Sorry I took so long but I went home to change"
"I was going to ask if you went to the meeting dressed like that" he said lightly
"Hey what's wrong with my clothes" looking down at her screaming pink tee-shirt that said 'Bitch Alert Beware' and dark blue hipster jeans
"Nothing, nothing" Seiya grinned "I wasn't going to call you about the documents but rather about a phone call I got earlier that I think you'll be interested in.
"Okay spill" Serena said sitting heavily on a tan leather seat and carelessly tossing the file that contained all the documents.
"Well I got a call an hour ago from Arthur White who specifically requested me to hire the best bounty hunter money could buy for him, and naturally I thought of you" Seiya paused as Serena raised an eyebrow for him to continue "Any way he has a daughter named Mina who was kidnapped over the weekend."
"Well I'm presuming she was kidnapped by a supernatural creature otherwise he'd have the police looking for her, right?"
"Correct Serena his daughter unfortunately has been abducted by vampires and he wants this incident to remain private to protect his reputation."
Serena grimaced "Its always about reputation, poor girl must be terrified"
"Here" Seiya said handing her a photo
Picking up the photo on top of the pile she looked as the happy young woman smiling at her. She was very pretty Serena noted as she enviously eyed at her light tan and her brilliant long golden hair that swirled around her shoulders.
"Mina, sounds familiar" Serena frowned
"Well she was the one that wrote that article on the nightclub you blew up."
"That's it" Serena exclaimed "One of the men said he was going home to Mina, I bet you that Mina they were talking about is the same we're looking for."
"I knew you were best for this job, do you know which man it was?" He asked "Because then I can bring up his files."
"Yeah, I remember his name is Maxemus Bandin."
Saiya eyes widened "Shit maybe we shouldn't take this case, all werewolves know to stay away from the five lords of Crimson Corps and Maxemus Bandin is one of them."
Standing up Serena grabbed the photo off the desk before replying cheekily "But I'm not a werewolf" winking she opened the office door and stepped out "See ya later Seiya" she finished.
"Bye" Seiya said to an empty room debating whether he had done the right thing
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GREAT NEWS I PASSED MY DRIVERS TEST!! AND MY JAZZ EXAMS!!!
IN THE NEXT CHAPTER...Serena goes on a rescue mission to retrieve Mina from Max but theres a big problem with Mina......she's...................sorry guys did you think I'd tell you! You can send me an e-mail if you know the answer.
I hope you readers enjoyed this chapter it is the fastest I've ever written and the largest!
I got a question from Thorns as to why Serena can't sense Ray as a vampire like she does in previous chapters heres my answer...Well Ray is different from other vampires she has the connection with fire which messes up with Serena's sensing abilities .
Ray maybe a vampire but she doesn't have an ambition to kill and cause destruction like Jed or Darien who crave power. That makes it hard for Serena to sense because she distinguishes vampires by the darkness within them which Ray doesn't have because she harbours an amazing gift of fire that purifies and lights up her heart.
The gift of flame gives her a sense of justice, kindness and inner strength.
Thanx to these people who reviewed Thorns, Hopeless Dreamer 1125, Serenity's Angel in Heaven, Shisei, blackest hearted angel, nitengale, starlit, Saturns Darkness and Archangel Rhapsody.
I'm sorry if I've missed anyone.
Lady Isis
-Iona
© 2004-08-19 Lady Isis