Storms Upon the Heart
Chapter Twelve
Endymion rushed down the stairs, jumping down two at a time. Reaching Minako, he crouched down to look her in the eye and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Minako, this is urgent. Serenity may be..." he winced, "in very grave danger. I need you to tell me everything: where he took her, how long it was before you saw her leave…"
Minako nodded frantically, and began to ramble. "He was dancing with her, and then he started talking and then she nodded and followed him outside to the balcony, and I was watching the whole thing and he looked at me really mean but I just kept watching and…and…" She choked up with tears. "I turned and looked around, and when I looked again… they were gone."
Makato rushed up to her brother's side and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Endymion, the man said his name was Demando and that he was a prince of Perusia. I'm so sorry; he asked me to dance and then I sort of led him to Sere… I'm so sorry… it's all my fault." She put her other hand to her face as she also began to choke with tears.
Endymion stood and took her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it. "It's not your fault. The generals and I just discovered that a man by the name of Demando was after Serenity… to destroy me, and Hershim." He frowned deeply, his eyes dark and cold. "For one thing, there is no prince of Perusia. There is only Setsuna. That witch. She's behind this somehow; I'm sure of it." He looked behind him at the crowd of nearly one hundred of the world's royalty. Everyone was staring at him in awe, fear, and bewilderment. He ignored them, instead looking up the stairs to Kunzite. "Kunzite, as soon as the other generals return, you are to join me in the search for Serenity. In the meantime, I want all borders locked. No one is to leave Hershim tonight. Send out the entire royal guard, understood? Search every corner of the town, hills, and the seaside. If you find Demando, kill him if you must. All I want is for you to find Serenity, and bring her home." He turned and slid open the balcony doors in fury, and strode out.
Kunzite turned and fled the ballroom with the intent to follow orders.
Dermius took off his crown and placed it in his wife's hands. "I have to help him… and staying here is no way to do it."
Cassandra nodded, clutching the golden piece. "He needs you."
Motoki, by this time, had already deposited his crown in a shaking Makato's hand, kissed her, and fled the ballroom to follow Endymion. He found the man leaping down the side stone stairway, and making his way across the gardens. Motoki followed, yelling his friend's name all the way. He rushed to his side, finally catching up. "ENDYMION, WOULD YOU PLEASE STOP FOR A MOMENT!" He bellowed, grabbing his friend by the shoulder and roughly making him halt.
Endymion turned to him with eyes of fury. "Serenity out there in the hands of a killer and you're asking me to slow down! What are you, Motoki, a fool?"
Motoki was breathing heavily from his sprint. "I know; I'm as scared for her as you are." He looked into Endymion's pained eyes and winced himself. "No… that is a lie. I may love Serenity with all of my heart, but I don't think anyone is more fearful of this than you." He shook his head. "All I'm saying is, Endymion, is that you can't go into this with the mindset to overturn the town looking for her. If this Demando was smart enough to fool everyone into believing him, then he's smart enough to know not to hide Serenity in any obvious places that we might look."
Endymion's shoulders slumped. "What if we don't find her in time, Motoki?" He whispered fearfully. "I didn't make it to the ball in time because the generals and I had uncovered this conspiracy to overthrow Hershim. Demando is the brother of Saphir and Rubeus."
Motoki blinked. "I did not know there was another brother."
"There is. Demando was not a part of their previous plans, however…" Endymion closed his eyes. "Demando is not experienced in weaponry as his brothers… all he knows is killing. He's an assassin, Motoki. If we don't find Serenity in time…" He stopped.
Motoki squeezed his friend's shoulder. "Then we will find her in time."
Endymion nodded gravely. "We have to hurry." He turned and began to run through the gardens, this time with Motoki running with him.
They reached the front entrance in time to see stablemen with horses ready for them. Both jumped on and fled the palace.
Minako rested wearily on Melodine's lap, her tears dried on her face. Melodine sat gently rocking her, trying to soothe the girl.
Cassandra and Makato sat across from them huddled together, their hands clasped. Both had their husbands crowns in their laps.
The room was quiet, except for Minako's occasionally sniffling and the soft echo of conversation from the ballroom.
They had left their guests to retreat to a quiet sitting room. The guests were all certain it would be a long night and they were not permitted to go home. They were all respectful of the Hershim royalty's wishes and all sat around the ballroom exchanging words and worries with each other quietly while sipping wines that were provided.
From the doorway of the sitting room, someone cleared their throat very softly.
Melodine was the only one who looked up. Her eyes were at first angry for the intrusion, but softened when she saw who it was. Ami was the one who cleared her throat, and Rei stood beside her, both looking tired and very upset.
"Yes, Ami, dear?"
Rei spoke for the girl, who ducked her head, ashamed for having intruded upon the royalty's private mourning. "We… were wondering if we could sit with you."
Makato had looked up by this time and patted the sofa beside her. "It seems we are gathering all of Serenity's close relations and friends…" She whispered. "As is she was already dead."
Minako broke out into sobs, and Melodine looked harshly at Makato while ferverntly rocking the child to calm her. "Don't say such things like that! Serenity will be just fine, once Endymion finds her. There's nothing to fear, nothing at all." She shushed Minako, whispering in her ear.
Rei and Ami sat: Rei beside Makato and Ami beside Melodine.
Cassandra looked up at the hanging clock. "They've been out for nearly an hour and still no sign at all of Serenity."
"These things take time, Cassandra." Melodine whispered impatiently. "It could be dawn before they find her."
Cassandra lowered her head, sighing. "Oh, poor sweet Serenity."\
Coarse fabric met Serenity's cheek as she awakened. Blinking in the darkness, she sat up slowly. 'Where am I?'
Touching the fabric, she noticed it was wool… a wool pillow. Frowning, she felt around, noticing she was lying on a blanket of the same texture, on a small, cramped bed.
She bit her lip, afraid to try and leave the bed for fear of what her feet might find. Who knew what could be on the floor? If… there was even a floor at all! Her eyes widened as her mind conjured up so many theories that it made her head spin.
Suddenly, soft, flickering light appeared, and she squinted up to see it. A handsome, if stern looking white haired man stood before her, holding a tall candlestick. Gasping as memories flooded back into her mind, she inched away. "Who are you? What do you want?"
The man laughed and carried the candle nearer. She watched him as he lit a candle at her bedside, and the room lit up to the point where Serenity could make out the objects in the room, and that it was very small. The bed she was sitting on was the one large piece in the room. The candle he had just lit was sitting on a small wooden table, and on the wall next to a large wooden door, a single wooden chair sat.
"I'm sorry the accommodations are not to your liking, princess." The man smirked, taking in her digusted look.
"Where am I and who are you?" She shivered suddenly, noting the chill in the room and the light fabric on her evening gown.
"I am surprised your memory is so small, princess… if you would remember, my name is Demando."
"Yes, I know that. I am not a fool." She rolled her eyes. "But who are you and what do you want with me, and where have you taken me, and WHY have you taken me?"
"So many questions, so many questions… I have not the time and patience to answer your frivolous inquiries. When I dispose of you to your seeker, you may ask her the questions. I myself see no point in answering them." He sat in the wooden chair across the bed. "I have done my task. I have found you, taken you, and brought you safely here, with no harm done… now all we shall do is wait for her to arrive."
She frowned deeply and sat up straight on the bed. "Her?"
"Names will not be told." Demando cocked his head to one side. "You are a pretty thing, did you know that? Perhaps that is why she wants you killed… no, there must be another reason. I know she wishes Hershim to fall… but I don't see the reason. My brothers also had the hope that it would fall, but still, I see no point." He laughed suddenly. "Then again, I do not care for politics. I do what I must to survive… I perform my tasks and go on with my life with no intrusions."
"What… sort of tasks?" She asked, hoping to keep him talking while she looked around for a means of escape. So far, she had found none. There was no window, and the only exit was the door he was sitting by. She frowned.
He raked a hand through his shoulder length hair and sighed deeply, as if thinking. "Yes, yes, my tasks… there have been so few for so long. I am glad to have finally at least been given this one. Even if, the pay was not much, as, killing is not required."
She yelped and backed away.
He laughed loudly, cruelly. "I am not going to harm you, princess… I was given strict orders not to. No, she is who will kill you. Which is a pity, really, as you are so very pretty to look at."
He was staring at her so deeply, she was sure that he would pierce holes into her skin. She gulped, wishing she had never accepted the wish to switch dance partners.
She cleared her throat. "So… when exactly is this 'she' supposed to get here to kill me?" She gulped over the words, but was much happier with the thought of trying to escape from a female like herself than any man… especially one who was as strong looking as Demando.
"Within the hour, at least. I sent message to her that I had you held prisoner."
"How wonderful." She said sarcastically.
Looking down at her dress, she wrung out her hands and sighed, feeling hopeless. "Oh, Endy…" She mumbled, closing her eyes.
"Yes… Endymion… that is why, that's why she wants you dead."
Her eyes snapped open and she looked up.
Demando was smirking at her. "She has quite the attraction to your prince."
"Setsuna." Her eyes widened, and she reached a hand up to bite her nail.
He grinned evilly. "How convenient. You've met your killer."
End Chapter Twelve