A.N – And we are back again with more maiming! Sorry for the delay to update this story (I think it was 3 months, oops), but I had an important exam to do and I felt really bad wasting any of my precious spare time writing fanfiction instead of studying. The guilt didn't let me indulge in it. But the exam is done, so hopefully I can carry on and finish this story soon if I stop going in tangents and adding more subplots and unnecessary drama. Hum, so difficult… As I had lost the plot completely on where I was going with this, I had to re-read the whole thing in one go. I have to admit I was gladly surprised the story reads like a book, quite coherent and without many continuity mistakes, although I still found lots of typos (where do they come from? Why I didn't see them before? Arghh. Sooooo annoying). If you haven't read it all together in a binge-reading afternoon, I highly recommend it. And if you do, please say something along the way!

I also read the reviews and personal messages of the last chapters.

Now, I don't know if you have noticed this, but every time a reader expresses a concern about the motivations or seemingly odd behaviours of the characters, or situations in the story, I try to include an explanation for them in the next chapter, sometimes embedded in the narrative. I do know perfectly well what their motivations are in my head, and sometimes they relate to something that will be known in future chapters but I don't want to reveal that too early. For example, someone questioned slapping Lucía is OOC for Diego. Yes, it is, you are right, but the explanation for that is because I am making him increasingly irritable and ill-tempered on purpose thanks to the cocaine abuse (which Felipe had already noticed and Victoria is not going to be happy about later on in either of them, D or Z, but of course, she will not make a connection when they both behave oddly… do'h!). And someone else stated Don Emilio as a bad father for leaving all responsibility on Diego when he goes to bed. To me, it is self-explanatory Don Emilio is too worried to be of any use, as he has been unable to follow simple instructions as "remove the trousers", and as Diego is the only one with medical knowledge, and for extension, so is Felipe, he is happy to watch Esteban over the first few critical hours treating his cousin himself and sending the oldies to bed and out of the way to indulge in his drug abuse with a valid excuse this time "to stay awake". Still, I will explain that in this chapter. So, carry on expressing your concerns, because they are very helpful, but I have to say it: it is exhausting. Sometimes I try to cut corners and keep the word count down by leaving you guys to get to the right conclusions on your own, and I end up writing longer explanations for everything! Like this rant. Which is over now.

Thanks for the all reviews and letting me know your concerns and opinions. Carry on reading and reviewing, please. And once again, sorry for the delay.

Chapter 36 – By the sword

"Lucía, you cannot stay here. You have to go," Don Luis said when she showed up at his hacienda late that night.

"I have nowhere else to go. Come with me. Let's run away, together."

"Are you out of your mind? Look, you have to go before someone sees you. Here, I'll give you some money. You can stay at the cottage tonight, but you'll have to leave at dawn."

She looked at the few coins he had placed in her hand, disappointed, but she put them in her purse nonetheless.

"Come with me, please. I'll love you. We can be together now, and we can be happy," she insisted.

"No, we can't be happy. You are sick, Lucía. There is something wrong in your head. You need help, but I can't help you."

"Of course you can. And you will."

Don Luis didn't like her menacing tone, neither he liked her determined facial expression. He didn't know what she had done to suddenly become a fugitive because she didn't tell him the details, but he was sure that, whatever it was, it would be something serious and he should tell the authorities her whereabouts. However, as he still wanted to avoid the scandal, instead of bringing her to justice, he decided to help her with the hope she would go away for good. Far, far away.

"Go to the cottage now and I'll see you in the morning. I'll bring some supplies and you can travel south to Mexico."

"We can travel south."

"Go now, please. I'll see you later."

He closed the door behind her when she finally walked away, resting his back against it. What a mess. Why on earth did I get involved with that crazy woman?

ZZZ

As he had promised, Diego didn't fall asleep and carried on pumping air into Esteban's lungs at regular intervals all night while he thought about Lucía.

After checking on Esteban when he arrived with the doctor, Don Alejandro had returned to the hacienda Beltrán to talk to his friend about the situation. When he came back home, he told Diego what had happened: Lucía had disappeared and Don José was quite reluctant to seek justice for the murder of his wife, Lucía's stepmother, because he didn't want to accuse his own daughter. That way, if Esteban survived, Lucía would only be charged with attempted murder, because Don Alejandro wasted no time to return to the pueblo that same night to inform the alcalde, who promised to launch a search party first thing in the morning. On top of that, the issue of Don Luis's wife was still pending, because they didn't know why she would want to kill her, or where the Padre's accusation came from. That could also be investigated at Lucía's trial.

Diego was angry because Lucía had fooled everyone, including him, and he was cross and ashamed because, with his cousin's reputation, he had only partially believed him when he said he had been framed. When he asked Lucía for the kind of poison she had used and she laughed at him, Diego was surprised by his own willingness to hurt her and erase that smile from her face with a mighty slap. If his father had not held his arm, he would probably have carried on slapping her to make her talk, and he was ashamed of that aggressive behaviour towards a woman. Recently, Diego had been more irritable and short-tempered than usual, and he had to wonder if he was acquiring the infamous De la Vega temperament, and if such family trait came with age. Unfortunately, he didn't question if such irritability was caused by the use of the coca leaves, something Felipe had noticed already.

He continued pondering what to do the next day, because if the alcalde and the soldiers didn't find Lucía to bring her to justice, Zorro should ride to stop her. As the alcalde disliked Esteban so much, Diego doubted the official search to find someone who wanted to see him dead would be very efficient. He could bet Ramón was very cross because Lucía didn't succeed, and he would probably put the clueless sergeant in charge of the search party, with no intention whatsoever of finding her. But Diego could not let her get away: she was a danger for everyone that met her, and she should be locked in jail or in a mental institution because she had allegedly killed two people already, and the method she used was certainly lethal, fast acting, and difficult to prove.

In the silent night, all he could hear while thinking was the monotonous wheezing sound of air going through the bellows every time he pressed the handles. He didn't mind to be the only one still awake, carrying on his shoulders all the responsibility of keeping Esteban alive. Actually, he was glad his father and his uncle had finally agreed to go to bed after some intense arguing, because they could be a nuisance for him rather than any help, especially his uncle Emilio, who was too anxious about his son to do anything right. He had managed to convince the elders it was completely pointless they all stayed awake all night watching Esteban, and that it would be a better idea if he watched him with Felipe over the first critical hours while they rested. Then, when Esteban was able to breathe on his own again, hopefully in the morning, they could take care of him while Diego and Felipe slept. However, Diego knew that if he had to go out as Zorro, he would not get much sleep the next day either. That would have been a concern for him in the past, but now, thanks to the wonderful powder in his pocket, he thought the sleep deprivation would not be a huge problem.

ZZZ

Lost in thought, Diego had closed his eyes while he mechanically continued to insufflate air into his cousin's lungs. When he suddenly felt a finger poking his arm he jumped, startled.

"Let me carry on with that. I think you are falling asleep," Felipe signed in the first light of dawn.

"No. I'm awake. But you are right: I could do with some sleep if you don't mind carrying on with this. I'm tired now."

Felipe took the instrument and sat at the other side of the bed, trying to get a comfortable posture to carry on blowing air into Esteban's mouth.

"Let me put some water in his mouth first, because I haven't done it for a while. His mouth is still quite dry, and it gets even drier with all this air forced in."

After he poured a bit of water into his cousin's mouth, Diego rested his head over his arms at the side of the bed to take a nap, while Felipe carried on blowing air with the device.

He woke up after a short while when he felt a soft touch on his scalp. When he lifted his head and opened his drowsy eyes, he saw Esteban looking back at him.

"Hey, you are awake! And you can breathe now!" Diego said with a big smile.

"Just," Esteban mumbled, making a great effort to speak and breathe at the same time. He could move his chest a bit to breathe on his own now without the help of the bellows, but the rest of his muscles were still too weak and unresponsive, including his facial muscles and tongue.

"And you can move your hand. That's very good," Diego said taking it in his, shaking it enthusiastically, but it felt like shaking a rag doll's arm.

"Yes."

"How are you feeling?"

"I feel… like shit," Esteban said, taking his time between words. "You must… feel… the same... Go… to sleep… And you," he added, looking at Felipe.

Don Emilio came into the room then, with dark circles under his eyes for the lack of sleep.

"Esteban! Thanks heavens you are awake! And breathing!" he said, rushing to his side.

"Well, I think I can leave you with your father now. I'll take your advice and go to bed."

"Thanks… for… your time… smartarse."

Diego smiled back then, still holding Esteban's floppy hand.

"De nada, idiota."

Esteban chuckled, and Diego was glad he could feel a slight pressure in his hand when his cousin tried to squeeze it.

ZZZ

Diego didn't go to bed. Instead, he hanged the sign "Do not disturb" at his door and went to the cave to get dressed as Zorro. Before he got out, he sniffed a small amount of the powder in his pocket for another instant boost, and then got on Toronado with an energetic hop.

"Come on, boy. Let's go find that mad woman."

He didn't know where to start searching, so he headed to Don Luis's hacienda to ask him some questions about Lucía, already suspecting he could have been involved with her. When he arrived there, Don Luis was leaving, riding his grey Andalusian. Zorro caught up with him at the main gate, positioning Toronado right in the middle of the way to stop him. Don Luis halted his horse then, visibly annoyed.

"Good morning, Don Luis."

"Zorro! What are you doing here? What do you want?"

Don Luis looked agitated, and his horse was carrying a large saddle bag, as if he had the intention of travelling for a few days.

"I want to talk to you about Lucía Beltrán."

Don Luis gulped, looking even more nervous then.

"What about her? I hardly know her."

"He tried to kill Don Esteban de la Vega yesterday. She poisoned him."

"Poison? How?"

"She used a tincture of yellow jasmine and monkshood. It may look shocking, but I'm afraid this is not the first time. She killed her stepmother last year, probably using the same drugs. I came because I suspect you know where she is. And judging for the amount of luggage you are carrying there," he said pointing at the large saddle bag, "you are about to meet her."

"No. I don't know what you're talking about. I'm going to visit my relatives in San Diego," he said very unconvincingly. "And it's getting late, so get out of my way, por favor."

"Don't waste my time, please. Tell me where she is. I'm not here to judge your actions, but I know you got involved with her despite the age difference. And you already paid a high price for your mistake, because I suspect she may have poisoned your wife as well."

"What? My wife? She died of a heart attack!"

"Did she get sick all of a sudden, vomiting, and then had a fit, convulsing until her heart stopped shortly after?"

"How do you know that?"

"Because those are the symptoms of the poison she used."

Don Luis broke down crying then, unable to pretend any more, covering his face with his hands, but still shaking his head in denial.

"No. It can't be. She didn't… or did she? Oh, my God!"

"Yes. She did it, and you know it. Your wife was young and healthy, and she shouldn't have died of a heart attack like that. Now, tell me where she is. She can't get away with this."

"I don't know how this whole mess happened. I didn't want to get involved with her, I swear, but I did," he said while sobbing like a lost child. "She blackmailed me, threatening to tell everybody. I couldn't live with that shame…"

"Never mind the details now. I don't care. Where is she?" Zorro asked again, growing impatient.

"In the cottage at the far end on my land, to the east. That's where we usually met."

"Send one of your servants to the pueblo right now to get the soldiers. We'll meet them at that cottage."

Don Luis hesitated then, so Zorro insisted.

"It's the right thing to do. Come on, there is no time to lose. She could leave at any moment, not waiting for you."

Don Luis dismounted then and walked to the main building. He came out shortly after and got on his horse again.

"Juan will alert the lancers. Venga, vámonos."

ZZZ

"Why did you bring him here?" Lucía screamed when she saw Zorro getting inside the little cottage behind her lover. "Are you crazy?"

"I didn't bring him. He was already on his way," Don Luis said defensively.

"You, idiot!"

"Lucía, I'm going to bring you to Justice for the murders of your step-mother and Don Luis's wife, and for the attempted murder of Don Esteban de la Vega," Zorro said.

"I did not dosuch things. And even if I did, you can't prove anything."

"You confessed to your father."

"He'll never testify against me!"

"Oh, no. I think he will, because you killed his wife and he loved her very much. You know he loved her more than he ever loved you," Zorro said to spur her.

Lucía growled then, and like the insane person she was she produced a dagger from her bag, got it out of its leather sheath, and attacked Zorro with it with the speed of a viper. Caught by surprise, he hardly managed to get out of the way of the sharp blade before she turned and attacked him again with it. She looked so determined to hit him with it by any means he had to contemplate the possibility the blade could be poisoned as well.

He recoiled to get his sabre out, avoiding her while she continued chasing him inside that small room.

"Lucía, stop it! This is ridiculous!" he shouted when he finally unsheathed his Toledo blade, using it to keep her at a safe distance away from him. "Put that down before someone gets hurt!"

But she didn't stop. She threw the dagger at him, but he fended it off with the sword easily. Unfortunately, the dagger flew away in Don Luis's direction, scratching lightly his arm.

"No! Not you! I didn't mean to hit you!" she cried hysterically.

"It's all right. I'm fine, Lucía. Don't worry, it's only a scratch," Don Luis said, taking his hand to the superficial wound, puzzled by the whole scene.

Zorro advanced the sword close to Lucía's throat then.

"Did you poison the blade? Tell me what you used!"

Lucía stopped moving, like a frozen rabbit. She looked at Don Luis, and then back at Zorro.

"There is nothing you can do," she said, giving up. "Or me." Then, she suddenly jumped forwards and impaled her throat with Zorro's blade, deep into her neck.

"No!" he cried, pulling the sword back, but it was too late.

"What have you done?!" Don Luis cried while Lucía dropped to the ground with her hands over her bleeding throat, gagging.

"Nothing! She did it to herself! You saw it!" Zorro said, panicking.

Lucía lay on her back in the middle of the room, spurting blood from the wound in the base of her neck, over her throat, with her mouth open and gasping for air, making all sort of horrific gurgling sounds. Zorro dropped the blood-stained sword, kneeled at her side and tried to stop the bleeding, pressing with his gloved hand on the puncture wound, but it didn't make any difference. The sword had cut through the trachea and the carotid artery, and she was dead within minutes in a pool of blood.

"Why did you? There was no need for that!" Zorro said.

Don Luis was behind him, reluctant to look at Lucía's dead body, in shock. He suddenly felt dizzy and fell to the ground in slow motion then, on his knees.

"Are you all right?" Zorro asked, but Don Luis didn't answer. "Let me see that wound."

"It's nothing."

Zorro tore the sleeve to have a look at the scratch. He cursed when he saw the abnormal dark tinge it was acquiring at the edges. At that moment, the alcalde and the soldiers arrived at the cottage, storming inside, shocked to find the unexpected, macabre scene.

"Madre de Dios!" Mendoza said. The room resembled an abattoir, and there was blood everywhere.

Zorro collected his sword and stood up quickly. Mendoza gasped when he saw the blood at the end of the blade.

"Zorro! What have you done?"

ZZZZZ