Michael turned to his son, and before anyone could say anything he had him up against the building two feet off the ground. His eyes hard, his words cutting.
"Alright, MZ or whoever you are…what did you do with Isabel?"
"Dad! I didn't do anything. Angelique is gone too. Why would I do anything to my own mother?"
"Because you may work for Kivar. How do I know? Max said you are my son, but he doesn't know if you are on the right side, does he?"
Max grabbed Michael's arm, as Jim got out of the car, and moved over to the three. Michael dropped MZ down, and stepped back and raised his hand. MZ looked up at his father, and then at Max.
"Tell me all you know, now! I want Isabel back now. I don't know why I trusted you, maybe because I wanted it to be true. I wanted a family, and Max his reading of you…made it easier to believe. Usually I don't believe anyone, until they prove themselves to me."
"Don't Dad. Uncle Max?" He turned to his uncle as he sat there on the cement.
"Michael, he is your son. You can't hurt him."
"Can't I? If he is behind this, and anything happens to Isabel….I will kill him." He stated it simply, and his ominious words hung in the charged air. Max could feel the energy building up, as Michael drew the power, his hand still out stretched.
"Michael Zan, you had better tell him what you know."
"I guess Kivar knows we are here, and has shown up. It could be the skins, or the government. I don't know. But I will do anything to get them back. I will prove you can trust me, that I am like you. I never hurt those that I love."
"Michael give him the chance. If he has betrayed us, then you can do what you want."
Michael turned to Max. "Save it Max. This is my decision. I don't need a royal decision here. You aren't king, I don't take orders." Max just stared at him, his lips tightened. Michael lowered his hand, as he studied his son.
"As for you, I will be watching you. You will lead the way,and I will follow. You may be my son, but I wont accept betrayal from anyone. I wont have anyone hurting Isabel."
MZ stood up and smiled at his father. "What we heard was right, you are fierce. You really do love our mother as history says. I will show you that I am no traitor. Then we can go home."
Jim was releaved that Michael hadn't done anything to MZ. He stood waiting. Max took a deep breath and let it out. Michael followed MZ to Jim's car, along with Max. Max got in the front seat with Jim, and Michael shared the back with MZ.
OOOOOOO
Isabel woke to bright lights and restraints. Looking around she saw a face that sent shivers down her spine. Her throat suddenly dry, and her pulse rapid. "Kivar!"
"Yes my dear." He walked over to her and smiled. His hand running over her face. "I finally have you."
"Where is my daughter?"
Kivar smiled even more as he motioned to the door. Angelique came in, and moved over to the table. Her eyes hard and cold when they looked at Isabel.
"Angelique, what have you done?"
"Why mother, I am just like you. It's tradition for us to betray our people and family. Aren't you proud of me?"
"NO! Why? I was a fool to trust Kivar's word, too young to know better. If I had told Rath about it, he would have prevented what happened."
"But you were with Kivar, he says he is my real father."
Isabel looked at Kivar. "He's nothing! Do you hear me Angelique? I was never with him, your father is Rath. I never loved or wanted anyone else."
Angelique looked at Kivar. "Is she telling the truth?"
"Yes!" He turned and energy burst from his hand, and Angelique was killed, her crumbled body lay there on the floor, as Isabel screamed.
Kivar laughed. "Stupid girl, I would do anything to get Vilandra. I don't want any reminders of Rath around. You should have been my child, but you weren't."
"Kivar, I will kill you!" Screamed Isabel as she looked at him tearing streaming down her face. "I will kill you."
"No you wont my dear, you will love me." He turned and left the room, speaking over his shoulder. "I'll be back later, so we can spend some quality time together."
OOOOOOO