NOTE/CAUTION/WARNING: ok so thanks to everyone who has reviewed. Now for the caution and warning part of this notice; in this chapter is supposed to be intense so if your uncomfortable with rape themes, homosexuality, and blood and general guts. Then this is not the chapter for you. This is why this story is rated M. Also just so I don't get any upset reviewers. I'm not bashing homosexuality. I have many gay friends and I love them all dearly, but this chapter is playing on sexual themes of the time. Where good Christian women would not have much experience with sexual relations with the same sex, I'm not saying it didn't happen just that this is the social view of the time.

Chapter Nine

In the Absence of Moonlight

Serena lifted her eyelids and forced herself to see through the blurring of colors. Her head ached, and her mouth felt dry. Her small pink tongue darted out in an attempt to sooth her lips. They to were chapped and parched from the lack of moisture; she lifted her head only to settled it back down on the hard surface. She struggled, trying to bring her hands to her head in an effort to sooth the growing discomfort. They were bound with a hard leather rope, her wrist were bloody and bruised. At least she had put up a good fight she thought. But from who was the question.

She signed, the images before her were still swirling around.

"Shhh, my darling," a silky voice purred, "Here drink this, you must be thirsty." A small tin cup was lifted to her lips and Serena gulped greedily. "That's it my dear." The long soft fingers brushed her lips, and Serena drifted off to sleep listening to the soft purr of a woman's voice.

Beryl watched the young girl drift off to sleep, her long painted fingernail rubbed Serena's bottom lip, admiring her complexion of innocents. Innocents that she hadn't seen in her own reflection for years; washed out from years of rough sexual exploits that just kept her above the poverty level. She found lying on her back more acceptable than begging on the streets. She flicked a red strand of hair from her face, and scorned the gray walls of the cave. She had spent years in luxury, twisting men to her will to survive the harsh relates of life. But it seemed for a woman skilled in such manipulation she was the one who had been manipulated.

There was no other explanation than that, otherwise she would have never been able allow herself in a place like this. The moisture of the rocks was ruining her gown, and the merge conditions were becoming unbearable.

"She's beautiful isn't she?"

Beryl bristled, disliking the way he appraised her beauty; Beauty that had been lost on her over the years. She snatched her hand back from Serena's face, the caressing becoming to intimate for her liking, "I suppose she is, if one likes the frail kind of woman."

Diamond sneered as he walked toward her, his own long fingers wrapped around her throat pulling her to his height, "All the more reason I like her. She'll be so much easier to destroy and send back to him. A shell of what she once was, barely a life."

Beryl swallowed recognizing the danger of his presence; she was both wary and drawn to it at the same time, "Why?" her crimson lips moved towards him, hoping to entice him.

"She destroyed my chances at a fortune, both with her and her cousin. The other little chit as also just ran off. Now I want to destroy her and what her life could have been." His cold gaze flicked to her sleeping form on the stone floor, "He won't want her when I'm done with her, and her world will crumble around her." He laughed, biting on her lower lip, "My revenge will carry on even after I'm done toying with her."

Beryl bit back, and tried hard to ignore the stab of jealousy at his words. She should be enough to satisfy him, enough to keep his primal urges in control, "You seem too eager to destroy her. Are you sure there isn't something more."

His hand tightened around her neck, her eyes flared wide in panic, "I'll enjoy my revenge, and you'll keep your mouth shut or pay the price as well." His lips came down on hers, smashing in to them with a need to assert dominance. He was rough, and violent pulling on her hair and leaving a ring of bruised around her soft pale neck. He wasn't a soft tender lover, but he was an efficient one. Her loins heated, and she pushed back against him biting hard enough to draw blood. Smirking when his eyes flared with passion, raging deep beneath the surface of his cool exterior.

"She's sleeping…take me," Beryl gasped as he grabbed her breast, pulling on the large pink nipple. He looked up at, a mocking light in his silver eyes.

"Like you care if she sees us…a whore like you. One who has been with both men and women." He yanked on her scarlet hair, and pushed down the bodice, "Let her watch, just like you'll watch when I take her." He snarled, pushing up her skirts and forcing her back against the stone wall.

- - - - - - -

Darien held his head in his hands, concentrating on the hard wood floor beneath his gaze. The room holding the group had become small and to closed in for his taste, but he wouldn't leave. He needed to be at the center of the chaos, needed to hear the ideas, and plans. He just needed to keep going, anything to keep from thinking that he would never see her again. That the short time the two of them had was it wasn't enough. He hadn't been enough for her. He needed her back, needed to tell her he loved her, that he was sorry.

"When…When…did this happen," Mina asked, trying to hold back a sob. Darien's eyes shot upwards, just in time to see Malachite take her in his arms for comfort. He would have given anything at that moment to be able to do the same with Serena.

"Three days ago," Rei answered, touching Darien's broad shoulder.

"Have they found anything?"

"No, but we've been looking non stop for those days." Rei leaned back against the chair. Clearly exhausted, "But the servants need rest, and so do the rest of us."

"If only we had been here, maybe…"Mina collapsed next to Malachite, placing her face in his chest.

"Shhh," he soothed, "Serena won't blame you for not being here, and she'll tell you that when she sees you next."

Darien shot his friend a grateful look.

"Milord?" Artemis commanded his attention, leading in Dr. Roberts.

Darien stood, to take his hand, "Thanks for coming Zocite"

Zocite nodded, understanding the fear in his friends gaze. He would feel the same way if something happened to Ami or his son. "I have some news. A couple was seen in town this last week, newly arrivals that do not seem to fit in around here. Henry told me that the couple appears at different times, never staying in their room for long hours and as far as Henry knows only the woman has slept there."

Darien swallowed, "Did Henry give you a description?"

"A woman with bright red hair and dark eyes, the man had silver hair but he was young."

Darien nodded, "Beryl and Diamond."

---

Serena groaned, rolled on the hard floor and tried to keep her stomach from rolling. Her stomach lurched as she moved and her breathing became labored. She blinked, her blue eyes tried to focus yet again, narrowing in on a bright red head across the way at her.

"You did this to me," she said accusingly.

Beryl crossed the room, and ran her long fingernail across her cheek. "Over course," she admitted.

"Who are you," Serena asked, licking her lips. Her mouth was dry again and her tongue stuck to the roof of it. Her vision was slowly clearing, but only enough to allow her to make out basic shapes and colors. She couldn't see anything in great detail, and what she could see was blurring.

"Beryl," the woman said simply, expecting it to explain all.

Serena gave her a blank stare, and tried to keep what was in her stomach down.

The older woman frowned, "I was your husband's mistress," her fingers forced Serena's chin up and her dark eyes scanned the younger face.

Recognition lit in Serena's blue eyes. The woman who had sent the note, the woman who had pour words of affection and lust in the overly plush piece of parchment. Her dislike was instant and she stiffed against the caresses of the older woman.

"So you remember," Beryl purred, her honey tones coming out in waves, "You really are beautiful. I can see why he married you." She stopped, long enough to give her pause effect, "I wonder when your broken and ruined if he'll still want you or cast you aside like last years fashions."

"Ruined?" Serena croaked out.

Beryl continued as if she had never spoken, "You husband is a jealous man, but then I'm sure you know that. I wonder if he'll still want you when Diamond has had his way with you and you're broken to the core. Maybe even I'll have my way with you. Such desires are unknown to you I bet. Don't worry my pet I'll teach you."

Serena tried to launch backwards, only to scrap her back against the stone floor for her efforts. She didn't want the woman to touch her; she didn't want to hear the nasty words that came from such a pretty face. She shook her head and began to struggle against the bonds that held her captive.

"Calm down," Beryl hissed.

"What have you done now," Diamond raged behind her, gaining the attention of both women.

"Nothing."

Diamond's hand lashed out, sending Beryl sprawling against the adjacent wall. She shrieked in pain and indignation, and attempted to right herself. The lush folds of her dress proved a hindrance; she didn't make it before he crossed the room to her. His fist rained down on her body, leaving thick bruises upon impact. Her delicate body quivered as she tried to shield herself from him.

Diamond righted himself, gaining control of his rage. Rage he always seemed helpless to control.

"Get out of here before you ruin anything else." She didn't move fast enough to suit him; he grabbed her arm and hauled her out towards the entrance.

Serena's eyes followed them both, yet as they moved from her she could only hear the anger in their tones. She struggled to sit up, a difficult move with her hands and feet bound together but she managed. She gulped in air, and prayed she could keep down what little was in her stomach.

"Where do you think your going?" Diamond sneered, drawing her attention. Yet, he didn't need an answer, "You look frightened," he smiled, kneeling down in front of her, "Perfect, maybe then you'll beg for mercy. I would like it if you beg."

"I don't beg," she stated in her most haughty tone. His fingers reached out and jerked her chin towards his.

"You will."

He pulled her closer, dragging his lips across hers. Serena bit down in response; he jerked away from her an unholy light coming to his silver eyes. He found that attractive, she thought in disgust, he liked the pain and the fear. His finger laced through her hair bringing her head backwards, his lips moving to her neck and his other hand cupping her breasts through the soft material of the gown. Serena struggled and brought her knee up sharply in to his rib cage. His grip became slack.

She bit her lip against the pain that laced through her body. His hand stilled, satisfied that she had learned her lesson.

"Behave," he chide her.

She spit in his face. Not the most lady like thing to do, but it certainly got the point across. She was sure that he would hit her again, bring the punishment he was given out to Beryl, but nothing came accept the cold glint in his eyes as he studied her. She wasn't yet broken enough to suit him. She wasn't terrified like he believed she would be. Instead she held herself proudly beneath the grimy dress and crud bonds. She looked on her nose at him, even when held all the power.

Diamond was furious, he slapped her again. The pleasure of her muffled whimper greeted his ears. "I'll leave you for now, but soon." He walked from the cave, leaving her alone in the dim light.

Serena slumped to forward on her knees and emptied out her stomach. When nothing came she began to dry heave in to exhaustion.

- - -

Darien glanced at the horizon that Henry pointed one shaking finger at. The sunset on the sea cliffs was beautiful, but it meant danger for him. Danger in the setting light and the shadows of the night that would soon follow; if he couldn't find Serena before night fall then he would have to wait another day. A day he didn't want to waste.

"What's out that way?" Malachite asked, glancing between him and Zocite.

"The sea."

- - - -

Serena scrapped the ropes on her wrist against the sharp rock she had found. The treads were fraying the ties that bound her were beginning to lose their hold. She gritted her teeth against the pain and ignored the feeling of blood running down her fingertips. The wounds on her wrist were open, and become deeper with each motion on the stone. The tips of her sleeves were darker in shade and her palms were slick and bright red.

The last strand broken, she leaned forward to remove the bonds at her feet. Her fingers slipped against the hard rope leaving blood in their wake. Free, she staggered to her feet, her knees weak beneath her. She breathed heavy and leaned against the cold stone, giving herself time to become accustomed to her own weight once again.

"Bravo…"The clapping echoed through the narrow corridor, "I'm impressed. I thought with such beauty you couldn't be very smart. I was wrong."

Serena glared at the opening of the cave, noting the taller woman at the end. In the fading light it was hard to make out anything up the profile, even still she couldn't miss the reflection of cold steel and the clicking as the pistol locked in place.

She came off the wall quickly, struggling to hold herself up right she faced Beryl.

"Why?"

"I thought I was obvious," At Serena's arched eyebrow Beryl huffed, "By disposing of you, I'll get my revenge on him," she stepped towards Serena, allowing for the sight of her marred features, "No one hits me. No one," she finished with an angry hiss.

"Please," Serena asked, hoping to appeal to the woman's better nature, "This isn't the right way."

Beryl leveled the pistol at her chest, and Serena did the only thing she would think of to save herself.

She launched at Beryl, taking both of them to the ground, the gun clattering to the floor and sliding feet away. Landing on top, she thrashed about to untangle herself. Skidding forward she reached for the gun, grunting as Beryl lashed out. Serena never made it to the pistol instead Beryl's claws wrapped around the small weapon first. Serena reached out, intent to wrestle the weapon from the woman. With force she pushed Beryl's arms inward was the eerie sound filled the cavern, leaving stillness as the echo.

She looked down expecting to see the red to match the cold feeling that at settled over her. Instead she found nothing but the tattered blue satin of her gown. In front of her Beryl crumpled to the ground, a large dark stain spreading rapidly from the front of her. Soon her entire stomach was cover, and before Serena could reach her the older woman had taken her last breath.

Refusing to feel remorse, knowing in her heart that was supposed to be her, dead upon the ground Serena turned and fled the cavern.

Cold air greeted her as she rushed from the darkness of the cave, and the barest hits of sunlight still clung to the sea. She stumbled, unprepared for the uneven ground that greeted her.

-v –v-v-v-v-

Darien slid down the cliff's side, desperate to reach the sea and the two figures standing in the icy waves. He paid no attention to the calls of Malachite and Zocite, knowing that he was near her, knowing she needed his help.

Serena slipped, pushed forward by the force of the unexpected wave. It brought her closer to evil, the man who had waited at the mouth of the cave to bring about more pain to her. He had mocked her, backing her in to the sea and leaving no where else to run. Murder, whore, bitch…he called her. The grief evident was he accused her to killing Beryl. It was untrue all of it; she had never pulled the trigger. The next wave came sending her straight into his arms and forcing her feet out from under her.

She gasped as she submerged in to the freezing water. She fought him, desperate to be let up for air, but she couldn't find footing. The little air she had managed to keep was running out, her head was pinning and the darkness of night seemed to surround her. She gave one more violent push against his superior strength but she was too late. Her air had ran out, and her body went slack underneath his arms.

Darien pulled her from the sea, leaving Diamond to float in the diminishing red pool that surrounded his body. The shot had been clean and to the point, and the man had dropped in to the ocean, even before the sound could reach the cliffs. Tears brimmed in his dark eyes as he surveyed her frail body.

"Please Serena, wake up…pl…please," The tears spilled from his eyes as he shook her, wanting to see the life in her, "Please don't leave me…please…baby. Oh…god…I need you here with me…I need you in my life…Serena I love you," He touched her to his forehead, but it was no use.

Her heart was still beneath his hand.