Jim drove through the town; they had stopped at several abandoned building and checked it out. Michael moved through the buildings, like a soldier from special ops. Jim wondered if this was the way he had been when he had been Rath. He wouldn't mind having Michael at his back if he were in trouble.
Michael watched MZ, and never let him out of his sight. MZ was hiding behind the blank face he showed the world, but Jim felt the young man was still hurt by his father's actions earlier. However, he stood as if nothing bothered him, it was his eyes that gave him away.MZ seeing Jim looking at him, and he took out his sunglasses and put them on. 'I hope that you aren't guilty boy. I would pity you if you were.'
Jim's cell phone buzzed and he answered it. He listened and then answered they had found nothing so far. Then he closed the phone. Michael was gone. He looked around and wondered where he was. "MZ, where is your father?"
"I don't know, he was over there a moment ago. I was checking that back room." He pointed towards a long hall off the right. Jim began to move down the hall. MZ, and Liz were following him.
Michael found a place in the wall that gave it's secret away. A secret passage and Michael opened it and slowly moved down the stairs.
OOOOOOO
Kivar walked into the room, and over to Isabel. He looked down at her, he didn't try to hide the love he felt for her. He would take her with him, back to Antar and they would be happy. He was sure she would love him; he would make her a queen. She would have all she wanted. Sure, she had been Rath's before, but he wasn't here. That Michael, well he had a girlfriend, though why he would want a human, disgusting.
Kivar picked her up in his arms, and carried her through a door to a beautiful room. A big canopy bed, softly scented candles burned in the room. He even had Antarian love songs softly playing just for her. He carried her over to the bed, and gently laid her down. He ran his hand over her and her clothes changed to a soft negligee.
Isabel opened her eyes that were distant and unblinking. She smiled a smile that didn't touch her eyes. Her hands came up as if to embrace him. Energy flew from her fingertips, and hit Kivar. He screamed, as the energy grew stronger. He began to change, his skin boiling, as he turned to sludge. The bed was on fire, it ran up the curtains, and Isabel still sat there. She dropped her hands and sat there, staring at nothing.
OOOOOOOOO
Michael came into the room where she had been held, and he saw what remained of the body, he saw the few blond hairs. 'NO, it couldn't be, not his Isabel.' He reached down a shaky hand and ran it just above what was left, picking up the essence, and sighed in relief, it was his beloved Isabel. But it was his daughter. He would never get to know her, never be her father. He stood up and looked around. Seeing the other door he moved towards it, when the scent of smoke reached him. He moved through the door, his hand raised, prepared. He saw Isabel sitting on the burning bed. He ran over, grabbing her and moving away. He turned and carried her out of the burning room.
OOOOOO
Jim was surprised when the wall opened up and Michael came through it with Isabel in his arms. MZ moved over to him, and looked down at his mother. "Mother?" He glanced at his father. "What happened to her, where is Angelique?"
"Kivar, he's dead. So is Angelique. I think Kivar killed her." Michael saw his son turn away, and his shoulders shook. Michael glanced down at Isabel seeing the fixed gaze. Jim came over, and touched Isabel's cold arm.
"She's in shock; need to get her out of here."
Michael carried her out into the sunshine, and over to Jim's car. Liz got into the front seat, and pulled out her cell phone to call Max. MZ got in the back seat with his parents. Jim drove towards his house,
OOOOOOO
When Max rushed through the front door, with the others on his heels he barked at Jim. "Where is she?"
Jim pointed to one of the back rooms. Max hurried down the hall. Jim stopped the others, figuring the new couple and their son needed the time alone with Max. "How about I fix us all something to eat?" He moved to his kitchen, as Kyle turned on the TV, and onto a talk show. Everyone sat down. Maria sat down next to Liz who looked worried. Kyle went over and hugged both girls.
"It's going to be alright, we're all a team. They are going to need us. I don't know what it's like to lose a kid, but I am sure I wouldn't handle it very well."
"You're right Kyle." As Kyle went back to his seat, Tess came down the hall and sat down next to him.
"How is Isabel?"
"Not good. I dream walked her. I saw what happened. Kivar killed Angelique before Isabel. Angelique was working with Kivar, and don't any of you say, like mother like daughter. MZ wasn't part of it. Isabel has shut down; she believes it's all her fault. She killed Kivar."
"We would never say that to Isabel. She is not at fault, she isn't Vilandra."
"Can we do anything to help?" Tess looked up at Jim, and shook her head.
OOOOOOOO