Chapter 32: Emotionally Labile
Tonight, I trample on my promise to be well,
the ashtray is full and now it's natural-
to fall and break the floor,
to come down and break the floor!
He also tramples on his promise to be only mine,
the lips are wet from tears and now it's natural-
to drink more and more wine, to drink more and more wine!
My heart is emotionally labile,
for only drunk I stand stable!
He may take all, but the bottles on this shelf,
tonight I'm here from him to cure myself!
My heart is emotionally labile,
it has a birth talent to feel dire-
when only one desires me out of all these men,
why did it have to be, exactly him?
When the clapping stopped, Nerissa bowed and left the scene for a short break. Her transparent, sheathed with golden powder body-stocking stage outfit, glowed under the lights. Hooked on with garters, silken leg warmers went down her shines, keeping her pointed, thin heels semi-covered. She made her way to the dressing rooms in the back.
Nerissa was in her zenith tonight. The audience was roaring with rapture. It was her time to shine. This was her night.
She sat herself down in front of the big mirror and opened a bottle of water. There was something amazing in being able to compose a melody and adjust it to your text, but the performance part had to be what she loved most.
Harold Hale was playing with his infant grandson, elated by the way the little boy held his index finger with his small hands. There was something enchanting in the capturing of such a life event- having a grandchild. Especially for the bank owner, who had two daughters. Yes, he loved his girls dearly, but having a male descendant brought him an entirely new strain of pride.
Elizabeth entered the living area with a plate full of lamb shoulder and citrus-fennel salad, which she handed to Caleb with a smile. The young man returned the smile as he took it from her and nodded amicably.
He and Cornelia were visiting the Earth guardian's parents in Garden Plaza that evening, together with their son. Lillian and Chris were also there, by some odd chance, currently in the middle of a poker game with Vera. Normally, they preferred to be only in each other's company, but tonight they were here with the Hales.
Cornelia came from the upper floor and flipped her long hair back before seating herself on the sofa next to Caleb, who was too busy eating. This was his second portion after they had already had dinner all together around the dining room table. The guardian rolled her eyes in amusement as she watched her boyfriend devour the food like a hungry wolf. Then again, he had always had a healthy appetite. With all the physical exertion he performed all the time, it was inevitable.
"Look at him, mother."- Harold exclaimed from his sofa. Killian was giggling. "Look at him! He's trying to get my watch. My grandson has an eye for good quality!"
"Well, but of course, Harold."- Vera replied from the dining room area, setting her very next hand of aces down. "He's a Hale, after all! We're born winners with flair!"
"What, again?!"- Chris whined and threw his cards down, defeated. "Come on! That's your third ace hand!"
"As I said- winners."- the grandmother stuck out importantly, fixing the sides of her ritzy blazer.
"You must be cheating, grandma."- Lillian rolled her eyes.
"What?! What's that? Me and cheating? Please, Lillian. Take the defeat like a lady."- Vera snapped.
"And most of all, accept the fact that you two shrimps stink at poker."- Cornelia teased them. She stood up and walked to put her arms on the back of her grandmother's chair with a wicked smirk aimed at the younger blonde.
"Shut up, Cornelia."- her sister pouted and shuffled the cards once again.
Cornelia rolled her eyes and went on her phone. No matter how much time passed and how old they'd get, teasing Lillian back was something she'd never get tired of.
The program was suddenly interrupted, and Elizabeth, who was not at all interested in the news, headed the remote to switch channels. The last thing that excited the successful gallery owner were some annoying reports about other people's troubles, that were, for the most part, entirely their fault.
"Babette!"- Vera grabbed the remote from her daughter-in-law's hands. "Are you deaf? They're talking about that cop who ruined my social function! I intend to follow what's happening with him, thank you very much!"
At that, Cornelia instantly perked up. Jessie? What could they be announcing about him again? She met Caleb's eyes, who just nodded barely perceptibly.
"James Alexis?"- Elizabeth narrowed her eyelids. "Didn't they already report him dead, two weeks ago? Someone run him over while he was trying to escape the police-"
"They're still searching for his sister and accomplice."- Vera explained, irked, as she increased the volume. "After the big scandal they got into by abusing authority and pressing false charges against the Vandoms, they're getting sued by many instances. I would go to law with them myself, for what they did at my event, but Theresa advised me not to. She said that the city has already taken the needed measures and that man did die; he got what he deserved. Although things with Tony Vandom are still quite uneven- "
Elizabeth huffed and seated herself next to Harold, who winked at her soothingly, placing a hand on her thigh. She pushed it away; she hated when her mother-in-law spoke of Theresa in such a prissy way and with so much respect. Something which she never seemed to have for her. Her son's actual wife.
Cornelia already had her phone ready. She wanted to hear the end of the reportage before calling the girls. Two relatively peaceful weeks had passed. Peaceful for Heatherfield, at least. But not for them. They were still under pressure and Mrs. Vandom's idea of revenge only further strained them. They had to reach Serena before her and Tony, otherwise, things could get unnecessarily dark...
"...Serena Sanchez, who had taken the false identity of Emilia Thompson, has been seen at Midgale's national rail station earlier today. Eyewitnesses allege that the 39-year-old attempted to leave the state by train, but run away when recognized by one of the security officers at the train station. We remind our viewers that the fugitive was blocked in the region two weeks ago, after her brother's full confessions in front of a mass of policemen at an annual event in Heatherfield. Serena will be tried for proven fraud, unproven attempted murder, hiding from the law, and complicity in the actions of her brother, who died before being caught by police. The hot-line you can call in case you recognize Serena Sanchez will appear on your screens-"
"They recognized her but didn't stop her?! What dullards!"- Vera shook her head and turned to Chris. "Say, when is your father coming back? The police around here seem to be unable to do anything without him!"
"We hope that he'll be back this Saturday. They've found him a replacement there- "
Cornelia didn't wait to hear Chris's answer. She headed for her old bedroom, dialing her friends on the way. Their telepathic channels were still sore after Irma's overuse of mental control magic...
In another part of town...
"So, we know that things are not at they appear. We know that the Dark Descendant is not necessarily a person. We know that it's more of a curse that affects many people, but its main purpose is to get rid of the unworthy. Many years ago, Coronia's Golden Spring and its abundance turned everyone into rich people. The cult of the Dark Descendant wants to restore the previous rows- the previous classes and castes of the kingdom."- Taranee left her pen down and looked at her iPad's screen.
Over the last weeks, quite a few things had cleared out to her. The book on cults, which described the Dark Descendant, and Icona's sources and explanation of the hidden room, created by Magana, had helped greatly. The fire guardian had finally managed to fix a few particular verses of the always-changing prophecy, that made sense. And all the versions she stumbled upon no longer baffled and confused her as much. She had her main verses which helped her understand things best. However, one question was still burning Taranee's mind. And that question was: what to do from now on? Yes, they had all this information at their disposal. They had their legend and their suspects located and under lock. But even with all that, nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. The danger which Icona had spoken of was nowhere to be seen, yet that dread lingered around them... The Oracle shared her concerns to the most minimalist extent. Kandrakar was positive- Phobos and Leonida had to be guarded thoroughly. That was the guardians' task now. The entire story with their unborn child seemed to trouble the elders more than the old prophecy. Taranee got that. One had to have critical thinking, not blindly believe and await legends and prophecies to come to life. She had learned that the hard way, yet still... Icona's words echoed in the young woman's ears at night. The Countess's hoarse warning and Monica's empty gaze...The Dark Descendant is rising...Things are not as they appear...
Taranee frowned. She needed a break, but this was just eating her on the inside.
"Someone has to be able to tell us more, I have the dire feeling that we're not doing enough..."
"But Tara, who can we ask? They're all dead. Not to mention Magana locked essence from the previous queens to ensure that the 'evil' will never linger free again, casting away the spirits forevermore. You heard the Oracle."- Hay Lin said. She had just finished painting a portrait of Eric, who was also in the room- posing shirtless. They were going to compete in yet another one of Hay Lin's countless contests, and for that, they had gathered in the university's arts and crafts room.
"I know what the Oracle said-"
"...Over the years, Coronia has been in this situation many times, but they've taken care of things on their own. Every couple of decades, a potential 'Dark Descendant' has come to the stage, but the realm has never died, nor have they caused any damage to the rest of the Universe. It's in those books of yours. And the book which Nerissa stole from the Forbidden Wing. The changing book."- Eric finished his narration with an innocent smirk, to Taranee's irritation. He had the nasty habit of exposing other people's bad habits- in this case, Taranee's wont to repeat things that bother her again and again, which she had done again, obviously. Since even he had memorized all that.
The guardian scoffed. He's lucky he has those blue eyes and is dashing, otherwise...
"This would come to show that even if Phobos, Leonida, or their child, happen to have that 'Dark Descendant' scintilla, we're already doing all that we can."- the air guardian concluded, putting one of her brushes in one of her buns. "I mean, what better way to have control over a situation than keeping the suspects under constant watch?"
Taranee didn't say anything. She went through the verses which she had put together from the books, once again:
When all leaves fall in spring,
despite the power of the Queen,
a fruit of sin that comes and goes
will blast and smitten all the foes.
A truth so sweet and yet so bitter-
the crown will fall and she will wither,
secrets all hidden, but not escaped-
the gold will be once more unstained.
The sacred source that's for the worthy
will no more be topsy-turvy,
the power will come to the royal,
bad blood they'll spill, the savior's loyal-
and end they'll put to the independent,
all hail the Dark Descendant!
The Descendant is local and a stranger,
he, she or it are walking danger,
but danger harnessed and attained,
will serve the founders of the way.
The way of the pure-blooded and the holly,
the way to walk with pride and glory!
"Are we talking about that again?"- Will and Irma had just returned to the art room with beer and snacks. "Cause, by now, I know that little poem by heart."
Taranee sighed. Thinking time was officially over.
"Boy, you don't have a shirt or something?"- the water-witch winked at Eric, who smirked.
"I'm leaving you, ladies."- he held his hands up jokingly, but Irma knew better. He was actually doing it to flex his muscles. The fire guardian rolled her eyes in amusement before thanking Will, who was handing her a bottle.
"I'll be giving dad a hand; he has to pack a lot of luggage and equipment. He and his mom will be taking another study trip. One of those that take up to two months... Gotta run. See ya!"
"See you at home."- Hay Lin waved happily, as her boyfriend put his hoodie on and headed out.
The others also voiced their goodbyes before the young astronomer left the room.
"Alright, Hay Lin, spill the tea. Did you do an entirely nude sketch of your boyfriend and where are you hiding it?"
Will and Taranee looked at each other meaningfully, but Hay Lin just blushed:
"That's only for me to look at, Irma."
Taranee used the time which Irma spent in making different kinky assumptions about their Asian friend's love life, to go through her phone. And then she saw it. Right there, on top of her lock screen wallpaper, that happened to be a picture of Nigel in his basketball clothes; 10 missed calls from Cornelia.
"Oh boy..."
It was already 10 AM when Nerissa woke up to an empty house. It was only normal since she had returned late the last evening when everyone had already been asleep. After a whole night of pursuing her career-related dreams. Coming to think of that, it almost made her seem like a normal, working woman.
Nerissa smirked at that thought before she rose from the bed. In spite of all the changes that had occurred for her, she was far from normal and everyone knew it. In fact, doing all these 'normal' things only further proved that, for she did it all with such otherworldly flair and aptitude...
The ex-guardian started to get ready for her day. A hot shower, a new pair of clothes, hair, and makeup... Doing all that to the extent of perfection, which she was striving to reach, would normally take hours upon hours, but Nerissa used her magic to get things done faster, as per usual. She was so attached to the power of making her brushes and appliances do the work for her while she did something else. It was so empowering.
Today was a day when she needed not go to Meridian. She knew that Julian was already there, attending his duties. Caleb was at the restaurant. Nerissa frowned. Thinking of that now, she realized that she hated the idea of her son working for the Lins after so many years. He deserved better than that, but unfortunately, when it came to life on Earth, he didn't seem to have great ambitions. On Meridian, he was completely different of course. There he was the main lead. He was perfectly happy with his positions in his homeland, and that source of income and his little job on Earth was just something which he could easily fit in his schedule. His mother, however, knew better. She knew that her son needed and deserved more than that. And even though Yan Lin had officially made him what she called a "host" at the Dragon, her friend wasn't impressed. Serving food and attending to the needs of customers? No, that wasn't for Caleb, even if he had gotten comfortable with it over the years. He was a born leader. He had to lead others, to great, new heights. His place on Earth would be as the boss of some big corporation or notable organization.
Yes...Nerissa thought as she sprayed more hairspray over her long half-ponytail, which consisted of but a fraction of her giant hair. The rest fell freely down, blending in with the ponytail at the back of her head, creating a voluminous, rich black waterfall of waves. Caleb would fit such a position perfectly. My father used to be head of a big cooperation. I should too have some sort of rights over it, shouldn't I? I will have that checked out.
She had been thinking about these things more and more in recent times. To be honest, the ex-guardian had started considering her son's professional future on Earth ever since she had returned in his life, but many things had happened since then, distracting her from what seemed of lesser importance. But in fact, it wasn't all that trifling.
After all, Caleb would be spending a great part of his life on Earth, undoubtedly, as he was bound to Cornelia, whose roots were here. And given the fact that she was the guardian of Earth, trying to tamper with her roots was a pointless task, even if her mother-in-law was to take it into consideration. Moreover, Cornelia wasn't to be underestimated. She still needed to finish her little college, but she had already started with the modeling, as Nerissa knew, she had done in the past also. With her looks, success followed her along. The last thing which Nerissa wanted for her son was to one day be financially dependent on his wife, as trivial and simpleton-like that sounded, even to her. She just knew.
On Earth, one had to be aware and in time with every trivial detail. That cop's death and actions had reminded her once again- people on Earth could be much viler and more dangerous than all Meridianites and otherworldly races. And if one was to, God forbid, have no status or money in a world deprived of magic, one was most definitely to be thrown down the stairs of life. That's what she hated about Earth. That's what she had to fight against now; very different qualities were needed for life in Heatherfield than those she had learned over the years spent in other worlds, and taught to her son, in one way or another. Caleb was already so very familiar with his father's culture. He had been raised with it. It was time she showed him the ropes of his mother's world.
And even if many were to stigmatize her opinions, the brunette didn't care. It was her maternal instinct and debt that assured her she had to provide the best she could for her son in a dimension full of injustice.
Nerissa stood up from her vanity and headed for the kitchen. She decided to get something cooked before going out and about with her day. She had no urgent errands or specific plans for the day since Killian was with his other grandmother.
The ingredients were already flying around the kitchen. Nerissa had settled her mind on a rabbit stew recipe, which she had learned to prepare during the times she had posed as a maid in the royal Meridian palace. Perhaps it didn't sound like the most delicious meal ever, but it was actually quite tasty, especially the way she had learned to make it. The rebels, her son included, used to love it. And she knew that for sure, because unlike the older men, the kids would never say such a thing out of courtesy. Many rebel kids had told her they lick their fingers after eating her dishes; that used to bring her happiness during those hard times. And so traditional Meridian cuisine she had mastered. Feeling useful, she had missed it so much back then. She would never forget secretly bringing food over at Julian's house, in her disguise as Trill... The fact that nowadays even Cornelia, who was quite a picky eater, enjoyed her stew and ate it, never even able to determine its nature, spoke for itself.
Nerissa chopped a few of the vegetables manually, the rest she threw in the kitchen robot, before plopping everything together in the pressure cooker. All that was left for her to do now was set the timer on the stove and was good to go. The plus side of the pressure cooker was that she didn't have to stir the stew repeatedly like she had been obliged to do in the past. Everything was sort of happening on its own.
Nerissa leaned over the kitchen island and rocked a smirk. She sure had non-standard takes on womanhood and motherhood, but she knew she had to be doing quite a few things right. And if after so many years she could have a family and take care of them, although in her own way, she was up for it. Nobody had ever expected of her to be a housewife, anyway. Not even her husband's father...
She remembered Lucas, even though she hadn't met him all that many times. And of course, he hadn't been aware of her true identity; neither the fact that she was now Mage, nor that she was Kandrakar's detested, sentenced to a life of isolation and pain, head-guardian. She had used her magic essence to make him, just like many others, see the real her, even if with dulled contrasts. Multidirectional glamouring- yes, it had many benefits, it didn't alter her true appearance, the one she had had before being thrown on top of Thanos. That had been more than fabulous. It helped her keep her pride, yet appear like a new person to those who had seen her in the past. (if there were even any such people left back then. She had just wanted to be sure.) The weak sides? That type of glamouring used a hell lot of life force. After a certain point, she hadn't been able to use it any longer- under the glamour, her real body had been suffering the immense usage of life force, and her potions no longer helped. That had been when she had switched to standard glamouring.
Nevertheless, Julian's father had liked her. Not knowing a thing about her true identity, he had shaken his finger and said:
"This girl. This girl is not the type of girl to stay home and do the housework, are you, my dear? No, you're too...too intriguing for that. Listen what I tell you, Julian, she's not the type you'd think would take care of you in your old age, even if she does, but she's the one who's going to rock your entire life and make it an adventure. For the better."
Nerissa would never forget these words. Especially because, to a certain extent, they had turned out to be prophetic. Lucas had been a handsome man with a charming personality, and she had genuinely liked him. Three years after the real Mage had died, he and his son, Julian, had entered her life to give it a new idea of sense. Two years of bliss and happiness for her, a time in which she had forgotten almost all about her agenda. For the first time in ages, she could feel love. Purpose. Happiness, even...She had given birth during these times. At the end of the second year, only months after Caleb's first birthday, Lucas had found his own death; quite untimely too. He had been two years younger than her husband was nowadays. For all that, they hadn't had the time to mourn him. At the time, Phobos had been 12, but his tyrannical grip had already started to be felt around the realm. Meridian was all black, awaiting a terrifying future, which no one had had the power to stop from realization. No one, but the rebellion which her Julian had already started to gather. The rebellion whose future leader she had birthed...
Nerissa jumped in her place, rudely ousted out of her own thoughts and memories, by the purple portal that had opened in the middle of the kitchen. A purple portal?! Nerissa gave it a dirty look. What the hell did those morons from Kandrakar want from her now?! Their precious Will had already managed to somewhat step back on her feet after over a month of trials and tribulations, hadn't she? She was the true hero for resisting the dark side even during dark times. Then why didn't they call her?
Or perhaps they have, Nerissa adjured in the end. Perhaps they want to gather all of us for something. Obnoxious fools.
Eventually, she just crossed through the portal. What else could she do? Whether she liked it or not, she was now obliged to work with these back-stabbing hypocrites from Kandrakar. And if she couldn't annihilate them, it happened to be the second-best option.
The portal closed behind her and she looked around herself. This room she wasn't familiar with. It was a room in the Fortress of Infinity, alright, but which one? And why was it empty?
Nerissa frowned. For a moment, she couldn't seem to wrap her mind around it. Why had she been summoned here? Where was everyone?
Then, as her eyes passed over the white stone walls and the dark marble floor, she happened to notice the silhouette behind one of the gray columns.
"It was about time, Orube. You've been pushing your snout in my footsteps ever since you came to Heatherfield. I was wondering when you'd finally gather enough courage to confront me openly. Is this your little hovel? Of course, it is. Kandrakar wouldn't want to keep one of their pets out of sight."
That reaction caught Orube off guard as she emerged from behind the column and stared at the ex-guardian. Her red suit, majestic, haughty posture, and smug smile were too unrealistic for the warrior, even after all these weeks. Was it really possible for someone to be as pleased with themself all the time? So very in love with themself?! But then she remembered her teacher's words. That was Nerissa. Nerissa was a reflection of all the demonic traits that a woman could possess.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"- Nerissa winked at her before throwing her head back in a laugh. "Orube, if you're going to just stand there like a statue, then this whole trick with the portal would turn to have been pointless, don't you think?"
"What you call lack of courage, I call time needed to gather intelligence. Evidence against you, sorceress!"-the feline fired back. "I could not allow myself to lay a trap and serve as an iron in anyone's hands before making sure that you are indeed a menace! That's how I was raised to be!"
"Really?"- Nerissa lifted her eyebrows mockingly, calmly placing a hand on her waist. "And were you raised to be so silly and careless too? I've sensed you following me since day one! You think that you've made big discoveries about me, but actually, that's just because I haven't intended to hide anything. Tell that to your pathetic Luba, I know she's the one who sent you after me. Tell her that I know she'd give anything to see me suffer again, but these days are over. After years upon years, Himerish has finally decided to get off my case; I've earned it, actually."- she added spitefully. "And your teacher can't do a single thing to change it. A single thing!"
"Don't be so sure in that, Nerissa."
Orube turned around when she heard her teacher enter the premises, but Nerissa barely acknowledged her with a glance.
"Speaking of the dirty kitty."- she mused, unimpressed.
Luba lined up with her student, a dark grimace on her face.
"You're overbearing as usual. You didn't even listen to the introduction which Orube made. She revealed that she has laid a trap for you. A trap which you fell into by crossing through that portal."- her cat-like snout widened in a sinister smile. "Don't you get it, Nerissa? You're not here to receive Oracle's reprimand. You're here to once and for all pay for your sins. Pay with your life!"
Nerissa's reaction wasn't delayed. After making a dramatic pause of a few moments, she burst out laughing:
"You find all this amusing?"- Luba shook her head with a scoff. "Why am I even shocked, you've never given death any credit or value, that's true. But this time the one left laughing last won't be you. This time you'll be on the other side of the gun-"
"If you think that you of all people have the ability to kill me, then you must really be in a bad place. Mentally, that is."- Nerissa interrupted her with a cold smile. "Cross me and I will send both of you beasts to oblivion effortlessly. We've known each other a long time, Luba, but you have not yet seen the worst of me. I will not have someone as mediocre as you, halter my new life. I give you one last chance to rethink your hollow threats before I personally take your head to his Excellence, your supreme Oracle."
In response, the catwoman laughed in a low tone. Her burning eyes met the spark throwing orbs of her opponent, as she bared her fangs and stated:
"The only hollow thing here is your head, Nerissa. Over-confidence will be your undoing again. You haven't even asked yourself yet: Where am I? What is their plan? You're so certain that your cleverer, that you do not even consider the danger, but anyhow. That's perfect! Perfect for me! Because I'm sick and tired of having to suffer the injustice of witnessing you being given new chances and opportunists. New chances which you've never deserved!"
"I know exactly where I am, of course, I'm in Kandrakar, your forever shutter!"-the ex-guardian exclaimed venomously. " You've been here for ages, practically having wasted all your years on serving your golden calf, Himerish, but in vain, of course! In vain, because even after all that time, you're still that pathetic, insolent creature that I remember. You've never been anything different than an also-ran. Even though you've served Kandrakar longer, he still preferred Halinor over you, didn't he?!"
Luba listened, tightening her fist in fury. Nerissa didn't even know it yet, but she was using the most suitable insults against her. She was such a darned bitch, but soon...Soon she was going to be history. The Basilidian swore to that.
I will do what your friends could not execute to an end, Nerissa Crossnic. They couldn't erase the evil which you are, because there were still tinges of love for you left in their hearts. But I... I've never had anything but hate for you!
"- and who are you, pray tell, to determine whether I deserve new chances or not?! Luba, you're an insignificant pawn whose sole task is to be a playground monitor for the Aurameeres. And let's face it, you are quite bad at your job. If it wasn't for the mystic Aurameeres' property to never be taken away by force, the guardians would've lost their powers numerous times during the big war from ten years ago and not only. You must agree with one- you're not only a wretch, you're a poor keeper too!"
"SHUT UP!"- Luba roared. She was throwing mad looks at the other woman at this point, possessed by the old affront and the bitterness which she had carried for so long. No, Nerissa's taunts definitely didn't help with all that, they only made it worse. She deserved to die because she was not a good person. How had she ever become a guardian over her?! "You're in Kandrakar, but do you know which part of Kandrakar, witch? You're in the parlor of the Tower of Mists, where all magic relinquishes. Your magic didn't enter that portal with you. Your biggest pride and strength! You're dependent on my will now."
In a swift second, all color left the ex-guardian's face as she tried to conjure a charge in her palms. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. The parlor to the darned tower was magically insulated. Witty... What was that pathetic creature thinking of doing with her?!
"All your mistakes, you never truly felt remorse for any of them. You've never deserved all that you had; all that you have."- Luba shook her head as Nerissa took an involuntary step back. "You killed your teammate and pushed your guardians to the edge, and what of it? You never even did your full time on Thanos. You found a way to escape without time and continued your evil! Your curse! And then what? After you tried to conquer the entire Universe, you got amnesty just because you suddenly decided you could play the role of a doting mother?!"- Luba spat at that. "No. I do not agree. It wasn't fair one bit, but you've never been all that big on fairness, have you? You have been playing roles, Nerissa. You've been playing roles for far too long."
Nerissa glared back at her, but her confidence was diminished and so was her hauteur. Without her magic, she didn't stand much of a chance to the warriors. And even though she didn't exactly feel fear, she felt bitter. Bitter dissatisfaction for the situation she had got into and the unfolding of events...
"You won't do a thing, Luba. I know you."- she averred in a low, dark voice. "Not a thing behind your dear Oracle's back. I know all of you so very well-"
Luba cocked an eyebrow and then started laughing hysterically. Her laugh seemed to make even Orube, who stood by silently, uncomfortable. Nerissa frowned:
"Caw as much as you want, doormat. We both know that you're just a bluff!"- and she coldly crossed her arms on her chest. "Act behind Himerish's back and be thrown out of here forever. He won't spare you if you intervene in fate's ways."
"Interesting, he always seems to spare you! What makes you so special?!"- Luba hissed in her face and grabbed a hold of her hair at the back of her head. Nerissa blinked and outrage and harshly pushed her away.
"Don't you dare touch me!"
"As much as I hate to touch someone as dirty and twisted as you, I have no other choice."- Luba shook her head hatefully. "You have to pay, hag."
Insulted, Nerissa, who despised being called that, shoved her index finger in the Basilidian's face with an infuriated scoff:
"Heey-"
"Enough!"
The keeper of the Aurameeres had met her index finger with her own, pushing it away with a burning look on her face. A burning look of intolerance. Intolerance for that darned traitress, who dared act up even now.
"What's the reason."- was all which the former guardian could say before Luba knocked her to the ground.
"I beg your pardon?"
"You know what I'm talking about! What's your personal problem with me? The reason for your attempts to take revenge on me. As far as I can remember I've never done anything in particular to you. I even left you out of the mini veil which served as a shutter for the main elders, for months."- she couldn't stop the gloating emerge in her voice at that. Luba scoffed.
"Hah! You must be ridiculing me, right? Perhaps breaking the council and nearly destroying the fortress is not a reason to explain my hate for you well enough? Or the fact that you and your little friend, the traitor Halinor, did all that under my nose, playing me for a fool in the midst of that dire battle... Very well then, let us add some more reasons by saying it this way: you took something which was supposed to be mine. Then, when your incompetence showed and you lost it, your friend Cassidy got it. But never I. I was never truly considered capable, even though I would've done much better than all of you! All of you lacked the heart of a true warrior!"
Nerissa, who had found herself on the floor, looked up with something between shock and ridicule. The ridicule soon took precedence:
"I beg to differ!? You thought that you could be a guardian? And how the hell is it my fault that never happened? I didn't choose to carry Xin Jing's essence in me, the Heart chose me for it, you idiot! Just like it did the others!"
Luba ignored that sentence and turned her back on her. The room started unfolding with one big transparent box-shaped figure coming into view. Nerissa knew the Tower of Mists had many properties. She just didn't know what this specific place was supposed to do...until it hit her.
"Yes, the Heart did choose you, but you didn't deserve any of the chances which you got after your very first failure. At this point, every new mistake that you get forgiven for is a mockery."
Nerissa started laughing again as if to annoy her. And it worked. Luba turned around and gave her a side glare as the ex-guardian's laugh kept going higher and lower, and vice versa, almost like a song. As if she was actually finding a decent dose of amusement in the entire situation. Nutjob. She had a beautiful laugh. Beautiful voice, beautiful face, beautiful everything, and yet such an ugly soul, Luba decided and bared her fangs. She hated this terrible woman:
"Would you stop chortling, insolent witch? This is your funeral ritual! Have some respect for yourself, since no one else is here to mourn you."
Nerissa stood up and threw her hair aside. A part of her confidence was back in her gaze:
"I don't plan on dying for the sake of your jealousy, Luba. You're a coward for tricking me here, where I can't use my powers, but I do not blame you. After all, if you were to face me in normal surroundings, you wouldn't even get to finish your lousy little speech!"
Luba shook her head again, her ears perking up intact with her overflowing anger:
"Oh, no. I'm not a coward. I shall give you a chance to defend yourself; I never said that I wouldn't."
The catwoman then gestured at her student with a coy smile.
"You know how to hold a sword, don't you, Nerissa? You must know. All the years which you spent on Meridian, instead of inside your cell, should have given you different types of experience. I come from a planet where everyone learns to be a decent and proud warrior, hence I cannot allow myself to simply end you like you'd do. I will defeat you in a noble sword fight and then vanquish you. Pick your weapon, be my guest."
Nerissa lowered her gaze to the swords which Orube had brought in. It first occurred to her to grab one of them and stab the fool in the chest before she could react. But it would be of no use, Orube would still be here to stop her from escaping...besides, Luba would probably be able to stop her herself. Nerissa knew that her capabilities in sword fighting were surely not as advanced as those of the two Basilidians. Then she considered piercing Orube instead, but that was also turned down by her brain. She had to do something smarter, but what...
Then, by chance, she happened to meet the yellow eyes of the younger feline-creature. Was she...was she giving her a sign?! Nerissa frowned and quickly looked down at the swords, as suggested by Orube's gaze. There, between the handgrips of the two weapons. Was that what she thought it was...Yes...
Nerissa cautiously stole another glimpse of the young warrior's face. Orube seemed to nod in response. All the time spent in Resadora's herb room... she knew. She couldn't mistake swami valerian when she saw it. The question was why? Why would Orube be helping her upon tricking her to come here in the first place? Then her eyes moved back to the space that had expanded behind Luba and the ethereal shield which she had set. A shield or much rather a cage for her...Nerissa knew much about these ethereal shields and their purposes- they were used to trap magic users and disable their escape options.
In the end, she decided that wasting the opportunity was pointless and just took advantage. She demonstratively threw both swords at the other end of the room, secretly taking the leaf between her fingers...
For a swift second, Luba looked almost shocked by her action. But then her wide-eyed stare morphed into a glower:
"What do you think you're do- "
"You know not what I'm still capable of. You're not going to separate me from those who love me again!"- Nerissa bared her teeth and threw the swami valerian, which she had powdered between her fingers, in Luba's face. "I've been a prisoner to Kandrakar's will already. No. Never again!"
The herb instantly affected the feline nature of the keeper by blinding her eyes. Luba let out a yelp, but her enemy had already taken advantage; she pushed her right in the ethereal shield, trapping her in her own trap.
Not even leaving herself time to gloat, Nerissa attempted to flee the darned room which restricted her magic, but Orube stopped her by getting in her way.
"What, you sold your teacher for the chance to take me down yourself? Please."- Nerissa began mockingly, putting her hands on her waist. "Don't even think about it, fleaball. If you do something like that, your dear friends won't ever forgive you. W.I.T.C.H and I do seem to be having some...relations lately. My abduction and every other violation you make, you will be held accountable for. Have that in mind."
"You thinking that I did anything for you, is preposterous. But on the other hand, it does go so fluently with your self-absorbed, pointlessly smug persona."- Orube shook her head sternly. "You have to be the most narcissistic, horrendous female I've ever encountered."
"Oh, I've definitely heard worse ones than that. If that's all, do something useful for yourself and go get a hobby."- Nerissa retorted coldly. "I don't feel like looking at your whiskers anymore. Scat!"
"You're going nowhere."- the warrior averred icily. "I suggest you stop being disrespectful at once, or else I will humble you down myself. The fact that I saved you from my teacher's wraith doesn't mean that I care about you. In fact, I did it for her. I don't want her bitterness to cost her with another big loss because of you. I knew you're vile from the tales I've heard about you, but I had no idea that you were a coward, also."
"A coward?"- the ex-guardian repeated. "You're the ones who tricked me to a place where I can't defend myself. You know, Orube, you might look feline, but you're actually rats! Both of you!"
"And you're the one who's nothing without her magic. Magic which you've gained in dishonorable ways. You should've seen yourself. You tried to keep up with the image of that confident leader, who stormed the Forbidden Wing of Kandrakar... Yes, I followed you that day. Next time you feel like breaking into a certain place, wear less perfume. I easily followed you all the way from Heatherfield thanks to that. Nevertheless, you tried to keep up with that image today. The image of the omnipotent Queen of Spades, but you failed, because you're no near as confident and dangerous without your powers. You rely solely on magic and stolen Hearts to make room for your obnoxious attitude, which no one would put up within a different case scenario. One in which you don't possess the lethal power of the head element."- Orube pointed at her fearlessly, making her index finger the only target of the green eyes. "I think you should get to know humility and respect for others before you end up on the other side once more. Every medal has two sides. Every situation! My teacher Luba won't be the one to punish you, but someday, someone will. You should be grateful to every single star in the sky, for you have the opportunity to live this new life, even after all your crimes and mistakes from the past. Exude gratitude, not sheer arrogance. At your age, it's a shame not to be aware of all that."
A dangerous shadow passed over Nerissa's face at that line, but she didn't say anything in response. She couldn't even if she wanted to, in the next minutes the guardians were already there-
"Orube?"- Taranee looked around herself with concern, but relaxed when she saw Luba disarmed.
"Everything's under control."- the young Basidilian confirmed with a meek smile, and Nerissa turned her attention to the five women, who had just appeared. She narrowed her eyes. So, they had known about this...
"The façade of the warrior hides a gentle soul. Thanks, Orube."- Will smiled at their old friend. "You did the right thing."
"Yeah, the moment you told us the truth about Luba's past, we knew better than to wait with hands in our pockets."- Hay Lin said. "We knew that we have to save both her and Nerissa from their past demons."
"True. How did you like that one surprise, Prissy?"- Irma exclaimed deviously, drawing the attention of ex-guardian, who stood aside statically, on herself. "Did you even suspect that Luba has these scores to settle with you? I think that you have to give us credit this time, we were ahead of you and we saved you. We're good at this, huh?"- she winked at her, knowing that would infuriate her.
"Irma, that's about enough."- Will said and cautiously turned her gaze to Nerissa. "Nerissa, Orube told us about your endeavors in the Forbidden Wing on the day when you sent us on that fake mission to talk to the Mage's brother. We've known that Luba has a revenge plan in store for you ever since, and we worked on forestalling an unnecessary ugly situation."
"Yeah, so even if you choose to be umbrageous again-"
"Like you were when Ari nearly kicked your ass-"
"Irma, silence."
Taranee waited to see the Latina calm down, before finishing what she had begun saying:
"...it was actually for the better good of both of you. We have bigger problems and we'd appreciate if you concentrated on them instead of some old petty conflicts. No offense, Luba. What you've been experiencing is surely too much to stomach and handle-"
"- but that doesn't give you the right to take law and fate into your own hands. What you tried to do was wrong."- Cornelia finished, glowering at the ethereal shield.
"To sum it all up, we would like what happened here today to be forgiven and forgotten by both parties."- Hay Lin announced, moving her eyes between Luba and the ex-guardian, who snorted under her nose.
"Orube, you betrayed me. You betrayed me for the guardians?!"
"I did not betray you, teacher. I did this for you!"- the younger feline shook her head, kneeling close to her teacher's cage. "The pain of your old wounds has been clouding your judgment and locking your wisdom under an illusory lid. What you wanted done would've resulted badly for you, and I don't want you to suffer more than you have already."
Luba looked down but said nothing more. The guardians focused their expectant gazes on Nerissa again:
"You cannot be serious."- the brunette rolled her eyes.
"Come on, if you and Kadma could forgive each other, then the same could happen with Luba."- Irma urged her. "C'mon, babe, don't make me be a kindergarten teacher for you!"
"You tend to forget that I and Kadma have always been friends, and even when we fought, past emotions and memories connected us. The case with her, however, is totally different. Luba has never been anything but a pest and, as we learned today, a bitter jealous fool!"- Nerissa narrowed her eyelids at Luba. "All my life she has been wishing me ill because the Heart chose me and not her! How is that forgivable? I do not care what happens with her, I won't tell the Oracle as she would do, but don't ask of me to move on with her!"
"You promise you won't tell the Oracle?"- Irma asked distrustfully.
"Of course! If you're comfortable with such a dog in the manger keeping your Aurameeres, then so be it! After all, you're the guardians."
"No, you'll have to swear on that. You'll also have to swear that you won't seek ways to punish her for her attempt to take revenge on you. Don't you see what this is becoming, Nerissa?"- Will stepped forward, locking eyes with her predecessor. "A vicious cycle. And for what? It's ridiculous. You have to grow, leave your goddamn ego aside for just a minute, and focus on what's truly important!"
"I'm doing that, but people never seem to leave me at peace with what's important for me!"- Nerissa hissed. "She dragged me here, she's the one seeking revenge for her unfulfilled dreams! She's weak! I've paid my dues and suffered each and every failed dream of mine in silence and loneliness, I swallowed down every bitter insult and punishment, and moved on for my son! I did all that, didn't I? Then why should I be forgiven again, and why should I forgive people for being bad losers?!"
"Because that's what it's like to be a selfless person!"- Taranee exclaimed. "Selflessness is a quality which you really need to learn. You have to acknowledge more than your own pain and sacrifices. I know that you once dreamt of ending all war and conflict in the Universe. Now that you know that's impossible, grow by showing the world that you can drop all grudges towards those who have wronged you. Be magnanimous!"
Nerissa blinked in outrage, but her contra-arguments seemed to have come to an end. Luba had already come to agree with what she heard and lowered her head in shame.
"After what she said to me-"- Nerissa clenched her teeth at Orube, who stood by her teacher's cage, gently touching it.
"What she said to you was pretty much the same, Nerissa. Don't take it as a grave insult."- Hay Lin sighed. "I know that you can do the right thing if you decide to. I know that you can understand why it's better for everyone, including for you if you and Luba bury the hatches for good."
"And sure she did a ton of shit over the last months, but think about what it has felt like for her."- Irma said. "Can't you at least take mercy on those who have only this Fortress and their position in it?"
"Luba's dream to be a guardian never came true, while people like me, who've never even wished for magic in the first place, get to be guardians. That only comes to show that it's now always up to us. Luba, do you now understand that Nerissa played no part in what happened to you."- Cornelia turned to the keeper. "And the chances which she received in her life came to her exactly as the Heart did. They chose her. You have to be above petty injustice if you wish to remain a worthy ally to the good. It's sometimes way harder said than done, but it's true. Some things are bigger than us and we can't change that."
"Like the better good of the Universe, for example."- Will added. "Don't you see? We're all equally as important for that. We have to work together, not fight each other. All of us, who've chosen to stay on the side of the light, are a team."
Luba looked up, full of resignation and understanding. She was concordant with the statement:
"I've never been prouder to see such amazing growth of wisdom and character in you, guardians. Today you've taught even me a lesson. You taught me that being a true ambassador of the Fortress in the Heart of Infinity means that we must not forget our initial goals. You're all so young, yet again, you've proven to be worthy guardians."- Luba brought her hands together in a prayer pose. "I apologize for my actions. And Nerissa, I want to take that step and apologize to you too."
Nerissa lifted her head in disbelief. The corners of her eyelids were beginning to sting as the storm of different emotions roamed in her.
"I'm older than you. I've seen you both young and old, once you were just like these girls. Even younger...I tend to forget what that means. I've allowed my own unfulfillments to cloud my judgment and have anger conquer me. I regret being so weak and selfish."
She let her green eyes pass on everyone present in the premises of the room, blown away by what she had lived to see.
So many words echoed in her ears as she thought about what Luba had just said. Was she sincere? It didn't matter...
- ...the most narcissistic female I've ever encountered...
- ...Man, she's such a cheater!
- ...So, that's it. That's how you survived the trauma; not by knowing that it will be alright, but by knowing that there is no other choice!
- ...Yeah, you're mother of the year...
- ...New chances and opportunists. New chances with you've never deserved!
Many of these words she had heard about herself years ago, but they still came back to her. The spiteful remarks which people had had for her, in moments of weakness, gloating or defeat. In moments when she had dominated them and brought them pain... But their pain couldn't match hers at the time. No... But perhaps that was just narcissistic to think again. She'd never know, neither did she care to... Even some of her own words and most ruthless actions came back in vivid flashbacks...
All these images that attacked her at once meant to say something, to prove something, but they were just painful reminders to her. Painful reminders of the past, which she'd never regret, in spite of all the hurt it had cost her with...
I've paid my dues and suffered each and every failed dream of mine... swallowed down every bitter insult and punishment and moved on for my son!... Only you can make my vision complete. My dear boy... My son...
My son...Nerissa came back to her senses and shook off of the overwhelming words that had attacked her. None of them mattered. She had chosen to focus on the only word that gave her life a complete shape:
"Likewise, Luba. Absolve me of all wrong I've done and know that not being chosen by the Heart might have actually been good fortune for you. Your position as keeper of the Aurameeres may have had you dodge a bullet. You'll never know of the tremendous burden which very few can carry on their shoulders long."
Taranee and Irma exchanged meaningful glances. Will, however, just looked at her. She could relate to what Nerissa was saying, and it was scary.
"A burden it is for sure, yet you never gave up on it. Why?"
The ex-guardian shook her head and wistfully wrapped her fingers around the chain of the Heart which Will had just used to break the ethereal cage.
"Once it chooses you, it starts to beat intact with your own heart. Every beat it takes away from you makes you feel this appalling sensation of a void. An endless void in which you start to fall, unable to live without the Heart on your own heart."
"The two always inosculate in each other."- the redhead finished, meeting her predecessor's eyes. "You feel every pain and worry, you start to think with one mind. You hear the thoughts of the Heart and it hears yours..."
"Yes, but not anymore."- the brunette shook her head. "It's a part of your heart now. To me, its voice is so faint, I barely ever feel the same connection, even if it's is still there. It is, but it's fatigue and distant."
"And the void?"- Will wanted to know.
"I no longer lose my balance in it."
"How?"
"It's now filled, that's how."- Nerissa replied with a smile and Will just nodded through tears; so, there was always hope. Now she knew that there was always hope and there would still be...even for her. "My son's love was the first thing to forever free me of the demanding need to have my ripped-out heart back. Because my actual heart beats for him now. That's the true power of the heart of a mother. It heals even the deepest wounds and helps you move on. Move on for the hearts yours beats for."
Midgale, 4:35 PM
The window of the black jeep went down as a disguised Tony Vandom approached it with two tall cardboard coffee cups.
"Well?"
"Well yourself, Susie- Q. Here, hold these. I spoke to our man. Not a trace from her."
"I told you not to call me that, Ryan!"
"And I told you not to call with that stupid name-"
"Get in the car, we're leaving! And don't forget that someone might be watching or following us, you drone!"- Susan hissed and fixed her sunglasses on her nose.
"Please, nobody cares for who you meet and what you do. Nobody is going to follow you around in case you get in touch with me, especially now that Tom Lair is back in Heahterfield."- Tony said smugly, putting on his seatbelt reluctantly. She knew he loves fast cars; that's why she had insisted on driving. His ex-wife was such a tease. "And Tom Lair knows just how bad our divorce ended. Over the years, you've publicly shown everyone the big amount of dislike which you have for me. Nobody will ever consider the possibility of us being in cahoots. Don't worry your pretty little head-"
"You're so unreflecting. You forget that Anna saw you."- Susan growled under her breath, taking a sharp left turn. "And you can be sure that she won't hide such a thing from her husband for long. You're still a suspect of a murder case, Tony-"
"I doubt that she will."- he shook his head. "I think that she can put herself in our place and she understands. Especially since you said that the last time she stood by your side when Serena's fake pregnancy was discovered."
"Last time was different. Last time I was on the right track, and she knew it. Now my position is moot. I don't want to take chances, Tony. We're running out of time. If we don't get to that bitch before the next hearing-"
"Even if we don't, we'll just postpone!"- her ex-husband waved his hand. "What's the big deal? Her stupid brother screwed her up big time. I still can't believe it, he must have been heavily drugged or something... Her last trump card was destroyed. With the new information, she'll wish that the court accepts that dickhead Phelps's death to have been an accident. She is in our hands now. Justice will be served, Susie- Q, lose the scowl-"
"That's not enough and you know it! I want to punish her for what she did to Will's baby."- Susan averred icily. "She deserves only the worst"
"Of course, we will! She will be punished! She'll collect all the blame, and she will rot in jail, what better payback than that?"
"We've already discussed this, she's not going to make it to court! She's going to be ended. Terminally!"- Susan interrupted, shocking him.
"You want to kill her?!"- Tony exclaimed as they sped off. They were already at an open road. The weather was beginning to gloom again. "Susan, are you listening to yourself?! That's insane, what's the point? We'll throw her in jail where she belongs, clearing our name. How is that supposed to happen if she dies beforehand?! Nobody will believe us-"
"You mean clear your name?! Is that what you care about because I don't!"- his ex-wife yelled. "You said that you didn't care what happens to you! You said that you'd anything to punish the monster who killed our unborn grandchild! What happened now, Tony? Now you care about whether you'll go to jail or not, huh?"
Tony was having a hard time keeping with the novelties and her anger which were hitting him one after another. Susan was surely beside herself and in that state, his words were doomed to remain unheard, even if he could find the right ones:
"I...I said it and I mean it, Susan, but not like that. No, don't take this as something for myself, I'm trying to talk you out of this for your own sake- "
"This is not about us, it's about Will! That bitch hurt our daughter, Tony, grow a pair! Typical for you! My own sake, please!"
He put his hand on her lap and started talking in the softest voice he was capable of:
"I have a pair which you're quite familiar with, silly..."
"Zip it!"
"...I don't want you to commit murder and ruin your life, Susie. I care about our future-"
"Oh, you thought that I'll do it? You brought that hooker into our lives, you're gonna get her out! She hurt us all, she stole, she shot, she poisoned; I've had enough of her! You'll have to take one down for me and Will, Tony. You'll have to!"
"Susan!"- he was beginning to get truly angry by that point. Was she drunk?! "You're talking nonsense! Are you seriously asking of me to commit a murder?!"
"Yes, I am!"- Susan fumed back. "You owe this to us! What's your fear with that, it won't be the first body you hide in a freezer!"
Tony pulled back in his seat, taken aback by her outburst.
"Your maternal affection has blinded you again! You're crazy! I did that for you, you know that I didn't kill Phelps, how can you mock me when that man harassed you and- "
Their scandal had taken the better of both of them by now. Susan, who was hardly paying attention to the road, turned to Tony again and screamed:
"Just like Serena did, yet she has succeeded, unlike him! Serena, who you brought into our lives, has been trying to destroy us ever since you decided to leave her! How is that fair, I ask?! How was it fair for Will to suffer a miscarriage because of your crazy whore?! TAKE SOME FUCKING RESPONSIBILITY!"
"SHUT UP!"- he yelled back. "Would you ask the same of your dearest Collins? No, of course, you wouldn't! Tony's the yes-man and the punching bag as per usual, Tony has to take shit tone of damage for his sinless ex-wife!"
"You broke this family apart!"- Susan screamed, hitting the steering wheel like crazy. "You! You made us believe that you have died! Do not drag Dean into this, he has absolutely no responsibility to take for YOUR MISTAKES!"
Tony suppressed the desire to hit her. No, she wouldn't let him hear the end of it if he did. He just fell silent and for a whole minute, the entire car was silent too.
"Is that all you had to say?!"- Susan started barking again, throwing her sunglasses on the backseat. "Typical for you, fine! Fine! Don't do anything. Why do I expect any different from you, anyway? I'll be the one looking out for our daughter, just like always- "
"You know what, Susan, you just made me remember something, thank you!"
"What are you talking about?"
"You reminded me just why life with you was unbearable and why I didn't want to change again. When you decided to end our marriage-"
But he couldn't finish, because suddenly the car jumped and waggled. The woman turned the wheel with a new squeal, as she somehow managed not to go off the road. Then they stopped in the bushes; they had just run something over.
"Now what have you done?!"- Tony exclaimed as they got out of the vehicle at the same time. "I told you I should drive! You're a ball of nerves, you need to calm down before you do something stupid. Right now, you're emotionally labile and that's why you talk and do nonsense. Had we run over someone, you would've wanted me to take the blame for that too, wouldn't you? "
"You know what, Tony Vandom? Our teamwork is over!"- Susan announced and abruptly opened the door of the car again. "Go fuck yourself! I'll get even for our daughter on my own!"
"Just where will you go, all your tires are flat!"- her ex-husband growled, kneeling down to the level of the tires. "It's crazy as if you've just gone through a line of spikes of some sort- "
"What?! Let me see-"
Tony was right. But how had she managed to get all her tires flat at once? Unless they had really gone through a chain of spikes, but what would a chain of spikes be doing at the middle of the road leading to the highway?
She got next to him, but she couldn't finish her sentence. Someone stroked him down, and Tony fell to the ground. Susan turned around and screamed, but it was of no use. To her absolute shock, five men with dark ski masks and baseball bats circled them. Two of them grabbed ahold of Tony, who was close to losing consciousness. The other two grabbed her, while the fifth one busied himself with the car.
"No! NO!"- Susan screamed and fought with them, but one of her abductors placed a wet cloth to her nose and mouth, stopping the words in her closing throat. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head...They had been ambushed. Someone had purposely sabotaged the tires. Someone had just kidnapped both of them.
The last thing which the afflicted mother saw before fainting was the lid of the truck she had just been thrown in.
A/N: Had to wrap up Luba's storyline, but that won't be the last we see of Orube. :) I published this chapter faster because I'm excited about chapter 33, which is going to be a collab of sorts. Stay tuned!
