"Where did you get those?!" the second man shouted, and tore the key and marble necklace from Ana's grasp." Woman, answer the question!"
And even though Ana was terrified, she gathered all her courage, her whole body shaking like a leaf, and looked him straight in the eyes, ready to reply.
"They are Christian Grey's possessions. You know him, I am sure of it. Cause he was once part of The Phoenixes. And your boss, Mr Niarxos knows Mr. Grey, because he is still the leader of your 'secret organization'." Ana explained, her voice trembling heavily." Please, I need to speak to your leader. Christian has been missing for a while and I need Mr. Niarxos help."
"Stay." The first man said and pulled the other one aside.
Ana watched the two men, as they argued in Greek. One of the two still looked shocked, after seeing the two objects that Ana had showed them. At a certain point they kept arguing, making her impatient. So, Ana decided to act that instant and boldly walked up to the two large security men. While clenching her hands into small fists, she gathered her courage, only thinking of finding Christian. (That was the only thing that kept her from running away from there.)
Ana cleared her throat, making them turn their faces towards her." I'm really sorry, but time is running out. I need to speak with your leader, now." She said firmly with a tad tremble in her voice.
They both looked at her and one of the men said." No, you have to go. Right away."
At this point, Ana got so impatient and angry. She had enough! Her whole body shook from anger, as she closed the gap between her and one of the men, and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Tell your leader that my name is Anastasia Steele and that I came here in Tinos to break the Niarxos' family curse." She said, while glaring up at the 6' 5" tall man, her voice loud and firm.
At that, the two guards didn't hesitate anymore and looked convinced. They immediately made a call to someone.
[] [] []
Ana was led into the building by another guard. She walked inside and was surprised about the interior of the house. The man who showed her the way, didn't say much. As she walked down the hall, Ana saw paintings on the walls.
'Were said paintings of the members of this secret organization?' she wondered.
At the end of the hall, Ana stumbled and almost fell but the guard grabbed her on time.
"You OK, Miss?" he asked, as he helped her on her feet.
"Yes… yes, I am fine. Thank you." Ana replied, embarrassed that she didn't look out where she was going.
And then… she saw it! Ana's eyes bored into the last painting at the end of the hall. It was of Agathe and Soterios!
OMG. Soterios… Soterios looked just like Christian!
"Come, madam. Mr. Niarxos and the rest of the Phoenixes are waiting in the office to meet you." The guard said.
Ana took a deep breath and nodded. She didn't know what was coming her way; she was beyond terrified. However, for Christian she was willing to do anything!
Literally anything and everything.
So this was it… Ana will finally meet the members of this secret elite organization. She didn't really care much about that though; all she wanted was Christian back in her life. Ana knew that the Phoenixes were powerful enough to help her find him…
As the guard opened the red door, she stepped inside, while attempting to push away the fear that washed over her. At that moment Ana's heart rammed against her rib cage, her hands trembling uncontrollably.
Everyone was looking at her. Every single man in the room was observing her. There were approximately 40 men in the room. Young and old and all of them were Grecian. At one point, she stood motionless at a spot, while attempting to fight off an upcoming panic attack.
It was then, when one man walked towards her. Ana swallowed, as she observed him. He looked like Christian though…
While a small smile graced his handsome face, he stood in front of her.
"Welcome, Miss Steele. I am Parthenios Niarxos, Christian Grey's cousin." He announced, while grabbing her hand and shaking it firmly.
Ana nodded." Yes, it's a pleasure Mr. Niarxos. I'm so glad that you want to see me." She said, while smiling up at him." I've a very urgent matter to discuss with you, sir. It's about Christian; he's missing and I need your help to find him."
Niarxos immediately froze, as those words reached his ears." I'm so sorry, Miss Steele. But Christian Grey, my cousin is, not part of this organization anymore." He replied, his voice lower than before." We cannot help him. He broke all ties with me… with us, a couple years ago. I'm really sorry, you are on your own." The look on his face was sad, when he said it though.
As those words tumbled from his lips, she didn't care anymore about her fear. She shoved the fear rudely away and instead felt something else in its place. Ana's anger rose inside of her, burning the bowels of her stomach. At that moment she was outraged!
"What?! What do you mean you cannot help him? Wasn't he part of all of this?" Ana pointed out, while using her hands to emphasize her words." Doesn't he deserve your help? He's your cousin for God's sake! How can you stand there and tell me you can't help him? Huh?" Her voice was loud and her body shook heavily.
An older man got up from his seat and walked over to Ana." Sorry, Miss. You have to go now. You don't belong here. There's nothing we can do." He said, while looking at Ana with a serious look on his face." Christian Grey left this organization 6 years ago; we are bound by the rules. We're really sorry, and I mean that… However, like our leader pointed out, we cannot help him. He's on his own. Now… please leave, Miss."
At that moment Ana felt so lost and didn't know what do. She couldn't do this without their help. As she pushed her tears back, Ana pulled the key and the marble necklace out of her bag again. (The security guard had given her the objects back before she walked inside)
"Look at this! You all know what this is, right?! And you all know about the curse!" Ana said, while locking eyes with Christian's cousin." Mr. Niarxos, I beg of you. Help me find your cousin. He's your family, don't you care what happens to him? Maybe he's dying right now! You don't give a damn about him? You'll let your cousin die, because of some stupid rule?!"
As those words tumbled from her lips, Christian's cousin attempted to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat. 'She was right. I must do something…' he thought.
Out of desperation, Ana grabbed Christian's cousin by his wrist." Parthenios, I don't know why he left your organization, but please help Christian." She pleaded, as her eyes welled up.
Parthenios watched Ana, and cleared his throat. As he observed her beautiful face, he felt a tug at his heart. He also had seen a picture of Agathe in one of their precious books… This woman who looked exactly like his ancestor, was completely in love with Christian. There was a possibility that she was indeed the one to break the family curse, liberating the whole Niarxos line.
Including himself of course…
And right now, Ana Steele really needed his help. Parthenios contemplated what to do, the wheels in his head turning like crazy. Their rules were centuries old and he couldn't just break them, because of a woman… a stranger. Right?
It was then, when Ana handed over the 2 objects to Parthenios that belonged to Christian." Here, you can have these now. I don't need them anymore." She said, while a stubborn tear rolled down her cheek." To break the Niarxos' family curse we need: me, these objects and the one I've fallen in love with. But said person is missing, and maybe is dying right now. So, I don't need those objects anymore. "She said angrily, her voice breaking at the end…
Parthenios was speechless at that, looking at the objects in his hand. Oh, he was torn and Ana knew exactly what she was doing.
"How old are you, Mr. Niarxos? 35? Do you want to stay like that till you die? You just got married, right? When you have a son or two, do you want them to suffer like you and Christian have?" Ana accused, the venom in her voice evident and clear." Do you really want to do that to your own children? You and Christian have a nephew, right? Xylia's son. Don't you want to make his suffering end? Don't you? He's your nephew!"
Ana couldn't hold back anymore and let her tears flow… "Think of him and your future children. Don't you want me to break your family curse, Parthenios?"
He let out a deep breath, while his eyes fluttered shut. He was indeed the leader, but Parthenios couldn't just change the rules! At the moment, every single member in the room waited in anticipation for what was to come. What will their leader do?
Ana waited five more minutes and noticed that he was on the verge of making his final decision. She placed her hand on his upper arm and whispered." Please, help me find Christian. After that, I will do everything in my power to help you and him break this curse from hell. Please, Parthenios…"
Ana was holding in her breath and clenched her left hand in anticipation, as she watched how the wheels in his head were turning. She waited impatiently for his answer.
Everyone else in the room was holding in their breath, curious what Parthenios was going to decide. He was their leader and they all knew that what he said was final. No one can make him change his mind, no one can go up against him— even if the rest of the members of 'The Phoenixes' don't agree with his decision.
They all knew Parthenios Niarxos took every rule very seriously and never ever broke a single one…
"Mr. Niarxos. Will you help me?" Ana asked softly.
He nodded and said." I've made a decision."
Ana looked hopeful at him, while her heart pounded against her chest." And… what will it be?"
He opened his mouth, about to answer. But just as he was about to do so, the red door flew open! Someone barged in…
Oh, God! It wasn't someone! It was something! (An animal/ human?)
The monster leaped at Ana, grabbed her by her shoulders and threw her against the wall! Everything went by so fast, no one expected that to happen!
And then The monster and Parthenios stood face to face. Everyone was terrified; all frozen at their spot. But Christian's cousin didn't look afraid at all. Ana had bumped her head hard; God it hurt!
As her eyes darted to the monster then towards Parthenios, the hairs on the back of her neck immediately stood up.
Was it…? No, it was most definitely not Christian…
Ana watched, as the monster roared and wanted to hurt Parthenios with his sharp claws. But fortunately, he avoided the blow and looked the monster in the eyes without any fear whatsoever.
Within seconds, they all watched as Parthenios changed into something else… Oh, God!
Ana wanted to close her eyes, but she wasn't able to tear them away from Christian's cousin. She watched in horror, as his fingers changed into claws, his teeth turned into fangs and his face changed into something else! His eyes were glowing yellow, just like Christian's did the night of the fire.
As fear crept into her heart, Ana watched powerless at the sight before her. In the next moment, everything turned into chaos when the two monsters (the other one and Parthenios) leaped at each other, fighting for their lives.
At one point, Ana's eyes landed on one of 'the Phoenixes'. The man pulled out a gun and aimed at the two! Was it a real gun? Was it a tranquilizer? God… She wasn't sure. As the man fired, Ana's eyes fell shut.
She heard exactly five shots and then heard two bodies fall to the ground with a loud thud…
No, no, no… Oh, God! Was Parthenios dead?!
Note: OMG! Who could that other human/monster be?!
What do you think of the chapter, you all? :)
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Thank you all for the amazing support, for reading my story and the wonderful reviews! :)
Till the next one.
J
