Justice and Mercy
-Chapter Three-
"And I've been a fool and I've been blind. I can never leave the past behind. I can see no way, I can see no way…"
Florence and the Machine: Shake it out
The small, quaint town was in a dead silence. The little family owned businesses lined the streets with the small 'closed' signs hanging in the windows. The streets and pavement were empty, not even a sound of another soul in the night.
It was highly unnerving. The shadows may hide the alchemist faces, but it can't hide my fear. The emotion was perfectly reasonable considering the circumstances. I've never actually met with another alchemist – only Sydney. That's perfectly reasonable as well, they all hate me. They hate all Royals; even if I claim that I distanced myself from the Royals, they'll still just see Abe Mazur's daughter. Even if that bastards dies, that's all they'll ever see.
I can live with that, considering that after all hell breaks loose, I want to go off grid. Maybe permanently live out here, hopefully with Dimitri and the baby and try to forget the horrors of my pathetic life.
It's a bit of a long shot, but a girl can dream, right?
I breathe out, a small cloud forming in front of me. The air was chill and snow was already on the concrete, very little but enough ice was formed for someone to slide out of control if not careful. The last thing I needed was to fall on my ass. I look both ways on the empty street, not seeing a car in sight. I rubbed my hands together, the mittens keeping my warmth in – barely. I breathe in, calming myself as the frigid air circulated in my lungs. I repeated it several times, taking long and slow breaths to calm my ever-growing fears.
I hurried across the street, and down the long sidewalk. My cold ears perked for any movement other than my own. The night was silent and if I closed my eyes I could swear that I was the only one here. I kept walking down the street until a car parked in an empty lot caught my eye.
My feet planted themselves to the pavement and my body went rigid. It had nothing to do with the chilly air or the fact that I was meeting the Alchemist; no, more of the fact that the seemingly harmless scene smelt of danger. I'd prided myself on how to sniff out situations that just didn't fit, like forcing a piece to go with another in a puzzle. Now I'll admit the whole Dimitri is a bug thing threw me off, a one and only occasion, but my senses were still on high alert.
Plus this one wasn't all that hard to figure out.
The car belonged to the Alchemist, that much was obvious by the small golden lily on the bumper. The Alchemist can hide when they want, but they're prideful people and when they don't have to they won't.
The car was a Lexus, a luxury car. Only the finest, I assume. There were no scratches, dents or anything on the car itself to suggest foul play. Except for the fact that the lights were on and the driver's and passenger's doors were open. And from where I stood I could hear the faint beep of the car, telling whoever to close the doors.
I quickly bent down to get the hidden dagger that was stashed in my boot and a small pistol that was in my waistband. Just feeling the cold metal of the gun brought me a feeling of security and the addition of the dagger wasn't bad either.
I survey the small area, not seeing movement but most of the area was covered in shadows and the only illumination was the moon and a small flickering street lamp. Even with my trained eyes I couldn't see in the dark. I steadied myself before making a mad sprint to the car, only to almost lose my footing – and lunch as I nearly tripped over the body. The smell of the blood drifting to my nose and triggering my gag reflexes.
I used my arm to shield my nose from the smell and cautiously stepped back. My eyes darting around the empty parking lot, seeking another body. I can only assume that this one was part of a pair. The sound of boots coming from behind me brought me on alert again. I spun around, my gun pointed at the target.
"Jill?" I asked, astonished. The girl came into the dim street light, her face holding a very smug smirk. In her hand was a bloody knife that she was twirling in her fingers. I almost lowered my aim, till my mind connected the dots – the girl that was trying to sell me Girl Scout cookies is a killer. Best case scenario is that she is only holding a bloody knife, slim chance. She only gives me a sick smile before lunging after me, her knife swinging towards me. The tip latches onto my shirt, ripping it through and the tip grazing my skin.
I instantly jump into 'Kick-ass' mode and shot the gun, purposely missing the target but hoping that the loud noise will momentarily distract her. The bullet zipped past her, right by her ear which no doubt will be leaving her temporarily deaf or leave ringing in her ears. She rolls over, falling on the hard pavement and held her ear, the knife falling out of her hand. I stay still, shocked for a moment and debating whether or not to leave another – this time lodged inside Jill's skull.
"Where is the other Alchemist?" I scream, knowing my voice wouldn't carry past her injured ear without intensity. Her watery eyes open to look at me for a moment, more of a glare than anything. Still, I couldn't help but notice how innocent she looked – even with the bloody clothes and the glare on her face. Why would she do this? Did she do this? I couldn't get my answer because in seconds I heard the blaring siren of the police car
I shot one last look over to Jill, who clutched at her ear as she rang out profanities, the short-lived battle over. For now. I ran as fast as my pregnant body could carry me, only having to walk two blocks to get to the apartment complex. In what seems to only be seconds I'm behind my apartment doors, feverishly locking all the locks into place.
After the last lock goes into place, my mind is finally able to catch up with me.
Jill tried to kill me.
Sweet, annoying Jill tried to kill me.
"Why?" I asked aloud. I then realize that the situation left me more befuddled than frightened. A cocky part of me knew that Jill would never be able to take me down – yet. This was supposed to be a safe zone, where I'd get big as a watermelon without fear. Jill, as far as I knew, didn't know that I was pregnant. I haven't exactly been overly friendly to the neighbors and kept to myself most of the time. The bump wasn't that noticeable. Still it's hard to conceal at nine months.
I'm going to have to move – again. Damn.
I sighed and moved away from the door, not knowing if Jill would try to claw her way in. I walked over to the fridge, knowing food would help clear my mind. As I open the door I notice the Thin Mints I purchased from Jill. I glared at it before taking it and tossing it the trash.
After deciding on some chocolate, I went back inside my closet, looking for Sydney. My breath catches when I see that her state has deteriorated greatly. Her already skinny body seemed smaller, more frail and thin. Her hair came out of its bun, falling around her face in dull blond locks. Bruises adorned her face and cuts and scrapes have been cut into the rich fabric of her suit. The injuries were minor in comparison to what I've seen my father's henchmen do but this is Sydney; the girl can't handle much.
I lost my appetite looking at her. My stomach spun watching my friend in such distress. I need to get her out of there. But how?
I can't go into my father's lair alone, or at all. I need someone to do it for me. I momentarily think of Lissa, but immediately cast away the thought. Lissa wouldn't dare step foot in Turkey, let alone my father's house.
There is another option…
I walk over to my phone and dial.
Dimitri P.O.V
"You should just stop looking." She said with her arms folded. She had a scowl on her face, her ice blue eyes glaring at me through her thick lashes. She leans against the wall and looks over the room in disgust. I turn away from her look down at the teddy bear in my hands. The stuffed toy was white with black beady eyes and large soft belly. I placed it in the corner of the crib with three others similar to it.
The nursery was about finished; all it was missing was a baby.
The nursery was filled with neutral colors, since I had no idea of its sex. If I counted correctly Rose would be around twelve weeks. It was a bit off-putting to know that I haven't received anything concerning the child – or her. After I moved back into my normal apartment I set out to decorate the nursery, Rose did tell me the baby would be in my custody after its birth.
Since my attempts at finding Rose were futile, I decided to put my anxious hands to work. Thus, the nursery was born. However, that didn't mean that I had given up on Rose. Being with the F.B.I entitles privileges and connections, all of which I had no problem using at my disposal. All of which had come up empty.
"I can't stop looking Tasha; I need to know where she is." I responded after some time. I tried to keep my irritation at bay, knowing I needed to be patient with Tasha. Ever since Rose things have been on the rocks, putting it lightly. She moved out and when she does visit, she always leaves after a fight. Our engagement was called off, much to the enjoyment of my sister and it left both Tasha and I wondering where we went from here.
I was confused on where we were. There are times where it seems like we're in a relationship like a normal couple and other times it seems that I'm arguing with an ex.
"She obviously doesn't want to find you. If so you'd know where she is." Tasha argued. I don't give her the privilege of a response, knowing we'll just be going in circles. Rose had her reasons, I'm sure of it.
I walked past her and out of the room. Tasha followed.
"Look Tasha," I said turning around to face her. "If we're still going to work you need to accept that Rose will be a big part of my life from now on. Whether she's here or not. She's carrying my child; I can't just push her aside. If you can't accept that, then I don't see why you're still here." The truth was hard to say, but it needed to be said. The reality of the situation was that I didn't care whether Tasha walked out that door or not.
Really, I knew she'd be happier if she forgot about this but at the same time I knew both of us didn't want to throw away the years we've spent together. While we have our terrible times, it's still not enough to overshadow the good. Sadly those good memories mostly consist of the time when things were simpler – when we were friends.
Tasha looked at me with her blue eyes, her face unreadable. She couldn't hold my gaze long and turned her head to stare down at the wooden floor.
"I wanna make this work, Dimitri. You know I do." Her eyes still refusing to meet mine. "But it's hard when I know you think of her twenty four hours of every day. It's like she consumes your every thought and there's no room left for me – for us." Her voice was barely above a whisper and it had a hopeless tone, like she was giving up.
She didn't allow me to reflect on it too much, because in only a few moments afterwards she was out the door. The bang seemed to echo through the room and left me reeling. Just like always, she storms out. By next week she'll be back once again, pretending as if this never happened and the cycle with start once more. The tiring cycle.
I was about to head to bed; it was already late – 2 am. I was taking a small break from my job, Adrian filling in for me for the time being. I spent most of my days looking for her, thinking of her…
Tasha was right, she consumed my every thought.
The phone rang, drawing me out from my thoughts. I look over to the clock once again, making sure I had to time correct. Yes, after two. Who would be calling? No business calls this late for sure. I think about my family calling but I haven't spoken to them for years and when they did call they were always considerate of the time difference. Dear lord I hope it isn't Adrian. He called a week ago, drunk as hell asking me to pick him up at some bar.
I glare at the phone sitting on its base for another ring before going to pick it up.
"Adrian I'm not –"
"Do you still love me?" The voice asked, I recognized her immediately. I could imagine how she looked, her dark locks flowing down her back and beautiful brown eyes. I could even envision a small bump on her once toned stomach. Everything I could see with just her voice, with just five words.
"Rose?"
"Did you ever?" She asked once more. "If not do you love this baby enough?"
"Enough for what?" I could hear the slight panic in her voice, the urgency.
"Enough to help me," She said. "Dimitri, I need your help." She pleaded.
"Roza, I'll do anything." I said my voice slightly breathless. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I was talking to her. Concerns immediately started rattling off in my head.
"I need you to go to Turkey." She said before I could ask any questions. "Rescue a friend, Sydney Sage. She's been captured by my father and I can't rescue her. She seems like she only has a few days left, a week at most."
"This all may be confusing…" She continued. "I know it is and it's a bit unfair for me to throw you into this, trust me that's the last thing I wanted. But you're the only one I trust and I know you can do this, I know you trained with the Guardians." The last part catches me off guard. The guardians seemed more like a bad dream than distant memory. I could only guess how Rose knew of that. If she's friends with Sydney Sage I can guess she knows all the secrets of this twisted underground establishment. I wonder how many of my secrets she knew.
"Rose…" I said, getting ready to tell her no. I wanted Rose to be free of all this madness that is the only chance the child will have her in its life. It also bumps up the chances of the baby being safe from all of its grandfather's business, if Rose makes a clean cut. As cold hard as it seemed, it's for the best.
"You can say no Dimitri, but just know that I'll go if you don't." She retorted, leaving me with an ultimatum. How unfair it was for her to play with this, my concern for her and the baby's safety. I knew she wouldn't put herself in danger's way, just to 'teach me a lesson', would she? I must remember, I know Rose Hathaway – but Rosemarie Mazur is a stranger.
I won't risk it.
I breathe out and run my fingers through my hair. I take a moment to collect myself before answering.
"Fine, but if I'm doing this it'll be on my terms."
A.N – My laziness will not be tolerated, I totally understand. Sorry for waiting for like…ever to update and I'd love to give you all some elaborate excuse to why, but truthfully there isn't one. Though my mom got me Netflix and I started watching The Tudors and Merlin…the rest is history. I'll like to thank my Beta, Tatiana Belikova for being awesome and everyone who reviewed, favorite and alerted this story. O.M.G there is so many of you guys!
And even though it's a bit late, Happy New-Years!