Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Joanna and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.

Between Love And Blood Chapter 20

It's all hands on deck for the relocation of the Brisby home. A majority of the men and soldiers would be participating in this complicated move once the project is actually officially established by the full Council.

Even Joanna is lending a hand, assisting in loading some supplies and the young lady must admit that she is getting even more suspicious of her brother's intentions with each passing second. While Jenner had vocally had a change of heart and voiced his support he's been evasive since the decision was made. She'd kept an eye out for him and hadn't one glimpsed Jenner taking part in the preparations.

So Joanna eventually decides to do a quick search for him.

At first Joanna doesn't have any luck. It's like Jenner just vanished.

Then, down a deserted corridor nearby the chambers belonging to Nicodemous, Joanna catches his voice speaking to Sullivan. As she gets closer and begins to make out what they're saying to each other Joanna's heart slowly sinks in dread.

Tiptoeing so no one can hear as an indication she's there Joanna creeps to the nearest corner, pressing her ear to the wall and discreetly peering at them.

Jenner and Sullivan were spying on Nicodemus. He's in the company of Mrs. Brisby being escorted by Justin to the boats.

"I don't get it. She-," whispered Sullivan.

Chuckling darkly, Jenner said "With Nicodemus out of the way, what's to stop us from taking over?"

"Jenner, you can't kill Nicodemous," said Sullivan, reluctantly.

"No taste for blood, huh? They've taken the animal out of you," said Jenner, jeeringly.

"What if we're discovered," said Sullivan, fearfully.

"Ah, listen, the Brisby house is a large cement block. In the moving what if it should fall," suggested Jenner in an implicating tone.

"An accident," said Sullivan, brow raised.

"Of course. Cut the lines and the weight of it shall crush his bones," said Jenner, coldly.

Joanna presses both hands to her mouth to prevent the horrified scream from escaping her at this admission. He's being so unpredictable now she's afraid of what he might be capable, would do if he realized she was there overhearing everything. He's never once touched her in an aggressive or abusive manner, but with him exhibiting these types of signs she's no longer so sure her safety isn't so paramount to him in this state.

"It's risky," admits Sullivan.

"Once rid of Nicodemous, the plan will die. We can stay here as long as we like," reassured Jenner, confidently.

"What about Justin," asked Sullivan.

Wrapping his cape closer to his form, Jenner said "Leave him to me."

With nothing else to say between them Sullivan and Jenner move off separately so as not to be seen plotting together.

Once they're out of earshot Joanna slumps to the floor.

Jenner is on the verge of madness that'll have him committing treason. He's taking things too far. She always knew he was prolific in ambitions, but to resort to something like this extent…

Joanna has to warn Justin. She has to warn him now before does reckons her brother will do the ultimate crime that cannot be rescinded.

And the fact her brother wants to kill Justin to make sure he goes unchallenged is something she simply cannot let stand.

Joanna loves him too much.

For the first time since Jenner set them down this path, it's Joanna's turn to intervene.

Authors Note:

WE ARE ALMOST THERE AT THE END!

Heads up everyone there's someone on fanfiction you need to seriously watch out for. Early a couple of days ago after I woke up I was checking my email and I saw I had a new guest review on my A Dog's Purpose Is Strange Magic 2 sequel. I took a look at it and got a very big shock. Some random person I've never spoken to before on here or anywhere else in my life was basically threatening me. Intimidating and practically ordering me to write a threatening letter to someone on their behalf, telling to stay off of for life or else they and everyone else close to them would be killed, disgustingly telling them to kill themselves. And at the bottom of the message this crazy person wasn't done. Warning me that if I don't send the letter then they would kill me and for confirmation to email them to make absolutely sure I complied with their demands. Of course I did nothing of the sort. Instead of doing what they wanted I reported them to the website, sent copies of this deplorable guest review message to police officer cousins of mine so they could have it on file, and I went to a nearby police station and reported it.

When I spoke to the police officers and they checked everything on the message they saw, that while the address and names of business were accurate the people and their names were not. They agree it was more than likely a scam because of the email address on the bottom in order to perhaps get access to personal information or potentially hack my computer. Despite that I'm still very happy they took it seriously as I showed and told them everything. All the same I'm still very happy that I brought this to the attention of law enforcement. Even though the entire thing might be fake I'm still very happy to have brought this to the attention of those who can do something about it if it was legit in someway. This may have been a scam, but it's obvious these people are beyond irresponsible if they try to goad people into sending death threats to random strangers just to get access to info.

Be that as it may if this does unfortunately happen to you do not send any messages to the email addresses they put down and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you bring the message to the authorities immediately whether it is legit or not.

Because it's a guest review it might not be visible for a couple of days as it loads if it is sent to you. But when it does you should definitely pressing the report abuse button and send it to the email that leads to the support staff that is available.

Just a heads up to those of you who aren't aware of this yet, Email alerts for this website are now only active if Email opts is enabled in account settings.

I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.

So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.

I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.