A/N: This chapter's a short one, so I'll be updating the story soon...maybe. I'll have to see if I can find the time to type up the next chapter. Well, read on, young fan fiction browser...and then review if it's not too much trouble. I like to know people's reactions to what I write. It makes me a stronger writer so CC is always appreciated.

Chapter 8

Trades, Threats, and Promises

Britva was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet-not out of excitement, but out of anxiety. "Where is Butler?" he fumed to himself. Britva was in front of a fountain in London in the middle of a police strike for higher wages. Police officers swarmed all around the Mafiya leader, his two body guards, and the pale Irish youth, but there was no Butler to be seen. Exactly an hour earlier, had Butler called Artemis' cell phone (which Britva had possession of) informing the Russian man to be in this location at this time. Britva looked around again: nobody except police officers holding picket signs.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen."

Britva could not help but jump from the sudden appearance of Butler right behind him. The Mafiya leader turned to see the mountain of a man with a deck of CD cases, presumably protecting the incriminating DVDs, in one hand while the other hand's pointer finger rested on a button on the manservant's wristwatch.

Butler warned the Russian trio, "Don't try anything funny or I'll detonate another one of those bombs like the one Artemis took your men out with at the Manor." Britva very clearly remember this bomb and his eyes darted around the area searching for the hidden device. It proved, however, to be hidden well.

Britva sneered at the Eurasian man and asked, "Can we get on with this bloody trade?"

Butler nodded as one of Britva's body guards shoved Artemis the Second towards Butler while Butler told hold of his charge's shirt and pulled the boy towards himself while, at the same time, Butler handed the CD cases to the other body guard of Britva's. It was a strange circle for the moment when all three body guards paused the exchange just long enough to ensure they received their end of the bargain.

Butler keep a hand on his charge and finally released the cases while the other body guard released the boy. The manservant then nodded towards the others and began to back away, hoping to disappear into the crowd, the youth in tow.

"Hold on," demanded Britva, obviously angry. The receding pair paused, "Fowl, you had this whole thing planned from the start, didn't you? How did you know what I would do?" the Mafiya leader asked the cold-blue-eyed youth.

Those cold blue eyes shone with mystery and amusement as Artemis answered, "I've already told you, Mr. Britva, it's magic."

"Fine then. You can have your little secrets for now. I'm not through with you yet. Your ruse here has only fueled the fire and the fire is ready to consume you. I'll be back for my revenge, and know, before your end, I will know all your secrets. I despise you, Fowl. I will take everything away from you little-by-little, your possessions one-by-one, starting with your jet! As of now, it belongs to me." He was, of course, referring to the Fowl's personal jet. It was Britva's final parting shot at his opponent and the Russian's eyes showed that the man was already planning how the boy would die.

Artemis, however, was not intimidated by this threat and only responded coolly, "By all means, take the jet if it will get you on with your life for now and out of mine. I'll be ready for the next time we meet and you will be no match for me. Take that, Mr. Britva, as a promise, not some mere threat. Now, good riddance to you."

With that, Artemis and Butler turned to leave again, but had only managed a few steps before they were hailed again.

"Butler," called Britva, "Where are my men?"

The Eurasian man halted and called back to the trio by the fountain, "In those four white vans parked there." Butler threw a ring of keys to one of the flanking Russian body guards and then pointed behind the men to four nondescript vans parallel parked on the side of a nearby street.

The three men followed Butler's finger to the vans and when they turned back around, there was nothing to be seen of the giant Eurasian man nor of the pale youth. They had already melted into the surrounding crowd.

A/N: The End...J/k! Don't worry, I'm not ending it here. There's at least another two chapters coming. Thanks for reading and be careful as you make your way back out to browse some more AF fanfics. It's a dangerous world out there and I happen to know the best way to gain an advantage over that danger is with a bit of good luck, or haven't I told you before! Don't you know that dropping a line in the review box on your way out is a sure-fire way to receive good luck? Well it is! Why don't you test it out!

Thanks again for reading.