Hey there! well ive got one more chapter before i leave for a week of no computers!! lol nvr mind, more time to plan i guess!
Disclaimer: as before
Chapter 13- Blackmail
Selene and Tala had not been alone when they left the safety of the trees. No, someone else had seen everything, and that person had gone straight to Voltaire.
"Well… you have done well haven't you?" Voltaire smirked down at the boy from his chair behind his desk, "It seems as if it is now necessary to force her to concentrate… to focus… to win." Voltaire seemed lost in thought for long moments then he spoke again, "Send Trainer to me."
The boy nodded and left the room, almost instantly Trainer appeared in his place. "You wanted me, master?"
"Indeed." Voltaire said, smirking evilly, "I believe that our experiment needs another reminder of what is important…" Trainer seethed inside and began to flex his hands, but Voltaire shook his head, "no. It would seem she is beyond reasoning with." there was silence, as Trainer tried to comprehend what Voltaire meant. Then the man sighed and said impatiently, "Bring the other daughter of Ivan Alassandrov to me. Immediately."
Trainer grinned and left the room. As the door swung shut behind him, trainer began barking orders to the guards that stood there. They jumped to obey him and Trainer left the building flanked by two other men, each running swiftly and silently away from the building.
Voltaire, meanwhile, had picked up the phone from his desk and dialled a familiar number. The voice on the other end answered almost immediately, "Yes, Voltaire?"
"Ah, Ivan. How are you old friend?" Voltaire asked warmly.
"Well, and you, my friend?" came the reply.
"I've been better. Now, I'm sure you cant wait for an update on the weapon's progress, so if you would come here tomorrow night. I am sure I can provide some er… entertainment for you." he chuckled lightly.
Ivan understood immediately, "of course, Voltaire! The usual time?"
"Yes."
"Good, perhaps this time, my daughter" he almost spat the word, "will not be so… unwilling to display her powers." Ivan replied, "until tomorrow, Voltaire."
"Yes, until tomorrow." Voltaire agreed and both hung up. Voltaire leaned back in his high backed chair, sighing contentedly, and suddenly much happier.
As the Demolition Boys were training the next day, Trainer strolled into the room, disrupting the practice as the four teens stood to attention before him. Selene ignored him, concentrating instead the exercises she was doing, until he called for her.
"Girl! Master Voltaire wishes you to dine with himself and Mr Allasandrov tonight." he said coldly, glaring at her. Selene looked up at him in shock. Her father hadn't visited for months. She couldn't fathom why he was here now of all times. She looked up questioningly at Tala who shrugged slightly. "Well, don't just stand there, come on." Trainer snapped impatiently and she jumped, following him quickly out of the doors. They took a limo back to the hotel and Trainer glared at her silently all the way. When they reached the hotel he said, "You are not to speak unless told to. You will not answer with any of the attitude I get and if you do even the slightest thing wrong…" he began threateningly, "I personally will beat you within an inch of death. Do you understand?" he hissed. Selene nodded and made her way to her and Tala's room.
On the bed was a black dress and matching shoes along with a note. She picked it up and read the spidery writing;
Wear this dress to dinner tonight and behave yourself. You will be collected at 6pm sharp. Be ready.
Selene snorted, as if she would be late! She looked at the clock and realised with a jolt that it was already 4 o'clock. She quickly strode into the bathroom to get ready.
Two hours later Selene was waiting outside the hotel for the familiar black limo to pull up. She was wearing the black dress it was long and fell to the floor, but it fitted her snugly. She was wearing the black heels that had been laid out and had pulled her long hair up into a bun. As the clock struck 6pm the limo pulled in outside. With a sigh Selene got in and it drove to Voltaire's residence.
Ivan Alassandrov had already arrived at the house and was sitting drinking brandy with Voltaire in the study. Ivan was dressed formally in a black suit and he had a cold, hard face but was smirking as he and Voltaire discussed business. He was a tall man and his hair was the same auburn colour as his eldest daughters, but his eyes were a cold grey.
"And Selene? How has the last er… concoction effected her?" Ivan asked, curious.
Voltaire smirked and replied, "Well, Ivan, she seems to be showing some signs of improving. I am hoping my experiment tonight will show you just how much stronger she has become since the last visit."
Ivan nodded and thought back to his last visit to see how the experiment was working. It had ended dismally. Selene had refused to show what she could do, and when she did she had been unconscious for days afterwards. Of course, he thought to himself, that had been three years ago now.
"Ah, here she is." Voltaire said as Selene entered the room. She looked around uncomfortably, bowing her head to Voltaire and her father. Ivan looked at his daughter and raised an eyebrow. She was different than he remembered. More submissive too. Last time she had had to be restrained to keep from attacking him.
"Daughter, you appear to have more of these streaks in your hair. Your reason?" he said, lifting a stray strand of hair from her face.
"It is the transformations, Ivan. When she transforms, she gains another streak. And if you observe she has another blue streak. From where she retreated too far yesterday evening." Voltaire answered for her. Selene looked up in surprise, she had not realised he knew, and now she would be in trouble. "Yes, I know all about that evening, stupid girl! You almost betrayed everything to that boy!"
"You did WHAT?" Ivan exploded and backhanded her across the face, "You are a disgrace to this family!" he said glaring at her.
"Now, now, Ivan. She has done remarkably. Although I'm sure a little demonstration will lay your doubts at rest." Voltaire grinned evilly at her.
"No!" Selene exclaimed before she could stop herself.
"Oh I think you will." smirked Voltaire and lead the way through corridors to a downstairs arena. Selene was still protesting as they reached it. When they entered, Selene was surprised to see it was empty other than themselves.
"Now, Selene, if you will show us what you can do." Voltaire ordered. Selene shook her head defiantly. "Well, I had hoped it would not come to this. Enter!" he called and two guards entered, carrying a third person between them. They laid the third person on the floor and retreated.
"Oh no." Selene muttered as she recognised her sister, laying there. "You promised!" she shouted at Voltaire, "You promised she wouldn't be involved!"
Voltaire slapped her hard and growled, "Do not shout at me. Now, could you use a little persuasion?"
"You wouldn't dare." Selene growled back, glaring at him.
At that point Hilary stirred and stood, blinking at her surroundings, confused. She looked in surprise at Selene who was stood at the other end of the arena. As she began to stumble forward, Voltaire gave a signal and three fast spinning blades launched themselves at Hilary. She fell to the floor and swung up her arms in an attempt to defend herself, but Selene got their first. The blades connected with Selene as she ran to protect her sister. Hilary whimpered in surprise as she saw blood falling, but not from her, from Selene who stood over her. Selene leant down and helped Hilary to her feet.
"Are you alright, Hils?" she asked, examining her closely.
"I… I think so… where are we? What's going on?" Hilary asked fearfully looking around.
"Don't worry about that now. Just do what I tell you and you'll be fine." Selene said, trying to sound convincing.
"How touching." commented Voltaire. Hilary looked up in surprise to see the two men sat there watching. "But perhaps a little more…" With another gesture, three more blades were launched from nowhere and Selene knocked Hilary to the ground, shielding her. She hissed in pain as they grazed her back, the material of the dress tearing easily.
"Hmm, I wonder how long you can last, Selene, without changing. 2 more rounds? Three? Four? It will be interesting to find out." Voltaire was grinning now, as was Ivan as he watched in anticipation.
"Let her go Voltaire. This has nothing to do with her." Selene yelled back.
"That is not the case, Selene. You always seem to need some persuasion to act. And now I have found the perfect leverage." Voltaire was almost laughing now as Selene once again covered Hilary as more blades were launched.
Hilary looked up at Selene, scared and saw that her sister's eyes were flashing angrily. She also realised that her sister's actions were slowing and that the blood had stained her dress a dark red, despite the black original colour.
"Le? Are you alright?" she whispered, putting a hand on her arm.
Selene smiled, "Yeah I'm fine. I've had worse." she said and glared up at the two men. Despite her reassuring words, Selene could feel herself wavering. On her own she could have managed, but having to protect Hilary was costing her stamina and damage that she didn't have to spare. She knew that sooner rather than later she would have to change, but she didn't want Hilary to see this.
This went on for half an hour, with Selene gradually getting weaker and weaker. Then, as Selene leapt to divert a blade Voltaire spoke again, "Enough of this childish play. Let's bring on the real thing."
To Selene's horror and surprise the door opened and Tala, Brian, Ian and Spencer walked in. Tala took in the situation with a glance, eyes widening as he saw Hilary. The others stared at the two girls, Brian and Spencer confused.
"Now, boys. Launch your blades." Voltaire smirked.
"But, sir-" Tala started, but Voltaire cut him off.
"There will be severe punishments for any of you that resists. So I suggest you launch and attack the girl. Now!" he roared at them. The four boys readied their blades and looked at Tala for instructions. Ian launched first, his bade flying into the arena at top speed. Brian and Spencer were next, although their blades wobbled as they landed, shwoing their unwillingness to do this. Lastly, Tala launched, looking apologetically at Selene.
Selene watched all this and felt her heart sinking, if she didn't do something, Hilary would be killed. As she thought this, Ian's blade flew at Hilary and Hilary shrieked as it left a deep cut on the back of her arm. Selene turned from Tala to see Hilary holding her arm and crying. Instantly she grew angry and ran over to her.
"It's alright Hils, it's not deep." she lied, ripping a strip of material from her dress and holding it tightly against the wound. Before she could do much more, the other three blades reached them. Brian's connected with Hilary's ankle, Spencer with Selene's outstretched arm and Tala's barely brushed the two girls.
"Release your bit beasts!" Voltaire ordered, yelling at the four boys. With flashes of light, all four bit beasts emerged and as one turned towards the two girls.
Hilary fainted when she saw this. All she could imagine was death. Death and not being able to see Tyson ever again. Selene however let out a yell of rage and, when Hilary regained conciousness, surprised, she saw that her sister had disappeared, and instead there was something she recognised from Tyson's battle earlier that year. The Angel of Sacrifice.
"Selene? Where are you?" Hilary yelled, looking around.
"I'm right here." The Angel said, but it was Selene's voice and as she looked closer, Selene's form too. Hilary just looked at her in total shock and wonder and watched, transfixed as The Angel threw herself at the nearest btibeast, sending it flying away from them. This happened until only Wolborg was left. Hilary watched as the Angel glided towards it and bowed her head, the wolf did the same and lifted it's forepaw. The Angel smiled sadly and stroked it's muzzle, the wolf disappearing.
"See, she has indeed become a formidable warrior." Voltaire was saying to Ivan.
"Yes, I can see that." Ivan said smirking, "But there seems to be a few design flaws. Why did it not attack the wolf? And why did it take to long to transform?"
"Well, Ivan," said Voltaire, his smile dropping somewhat, "It cannot attack the wolf without further damage to itself, as it is necessary to bond the beast to another, in order for it not to take over completely. And the time it took, well that is a flaw in the subject, stubbornness. But now we have found the solution it will no longer be a problem. Now, Ivan, dinner should be about ready." and the two men left the room.
Selene watched them go before changing back. She felt the clothes melt into her bloodstained dress and she could now feel each and every cut and bruise she had sustained. When she was finished, she turned to Hilary and helped her up.
"Are you alright?" she asked, steadying her.
"What… What's going on? What's happened to you? How?" Hilary stammered in confusion.
Selene smiled sadly, "I don't know what's going on, I'm assuming that dear father, wanted a demonstration of what he has paid for and you were brought in to fulfil that. I'm so sorry, if I'd known you'd really get hurt I wouldn't have taken so long about it." Selene's eyes filled with tears and she hugged Hilary. Hilary hugged her back, Selene wincing as she hugged tightly around her.
"I'm so sorry, Le." Tala's voice said and Selene turned around. Tala looked dejected and ashamed of himself.
"It wasn't your fault Tal, you did what you could." she replied, "Don't feel so bad, it's my fault really." Tala smiled gratefully, but not believingly and stood back to let Selene explain. Selene sat down and Hilary sat carefully beside her.
"But- How? When?" Hilary asked.
Selene sighed, "I've been going to the abbey, since I was almost three years old. When the divorce happened, I overheard father talking to Voltaire about experiments and they mentioned us. That was why I decided to stay with him, Hilary, because otherwise what happened to me would have happened to you, and what kind of a big sister would I be if I let that happen?" she smiled wryly, "So, after you left I was sent to the abbey as a boarder, like Kai. Then…" Selene swallowed and looked uncomfortable, "Then Kai disappeared. We had been trained together and he was my closest friend. But he just… vanished. So Tala was trained as his replacement and then my bit beast was bound to Wolborg and me and…" she shrugged and didn't continue.
Hilary looked at Selene, concern clear in her eyes. She knew what Kai had gone through at the abbey and I made her feel terribly guilty to think of her sister in that place. Alone. "I'm so sorry." she whispered, hugging her.
Selene, was surprised by this but hugged back, "Don't be. It's not your fault. I volunteered. What happened happened, we have to deal with it." she said firmly.
"How sweet, Girl. I'm extremely touched." came Trainer's voice from behind them. Selene jumped up quickly, swaying slightly as she stood defensively in front of Hilary again. He was smirking at them, a group of 6 guards stood behind him, "Now, enough sentiment. Two of you, escort our guest to her room, the rest of you, return the girl to her cell." Selene protested as Hilary was pulled away from her, but she was unable to do anything. Partly because she was physically drained, and suffering from blood loss, but mainly due to the two men holding her arms tightly, whilst the others stood between them.
"Trainer… please…" Selene begged, watching Hilary who was being taken away, almost completely petrified at the situation.
"Silence!" he roared, and walked over, lifting her head up to meet his eyes, "You have failed me tonight. Have the knowledge that this is of your doing. That you could have stopped it but you didn't. What happens to her is your fault." he snarled, then moved back, looking around, "Ah! Brian! Good thing you're still here, you'll be needed soon." he smirked and left the room.
Brian ran over and quickly used Falborg to heal Selene's wounds. Tala was ranting as he paced behind him. Finally Brian told him to shut up, or go away, and Tala crouched down beside them.
Half an hour later, Selene regained conciousness, coughing and spluttering. "Thanks Bri." she said weakly, "Where's Hilary?" she asked suddenly.
"They took her away, Selene, they're going to use her to make you behave." Spencer said sadly, and bluntly.
Selene's head drooped, and Tala picked her up, cradling her in his arms, "It'll work out, Le, alright, we can do this."
Meanwhile…
"She didn't show up! I waited for four hours! FOUR HOURS! And she didn't show!" Tyson was yelling, angry and upset.
The rest of the Bladebreakers watched him pace around the dojo floor, yelling angrily.
"Maybe she was busy?" suggested Max, looking at his friend in concern.
"I phoned her house! Her mobile! No answer!" Tyson yelled in reply, then he was quieter, "What if she's gone off me? What if she's with someone else and doesn't want to tell me?"
"I'm sure that's not true, Ty," said Ray, keeping the worry from his face, "She probably just forgot, she's been stressed lately. Maybe Mariah took her shopping for some girl time."
Tyson nodded, "I hope you're right Ray." he said.
Well, chapter 13 done, hope you liked it!
It's supposed to start to explain why Selene's soo protective of Hilary and why she decided to stay behind... i thought this was a bit of sad chapter actually :-(
ah well, hope it's ok! R+R!!
adios for now!