And here you are ladies! The next chapter into the series! I know it's been years, but honestly I've just been busy. I always think about this story and write bits and pieces every so often. At the very least I want to finish this arc in the story. I'm thinking it should all be wrapped up in the next chapter. Whenever that'll be lol.
As always, I have tried to catch as many spelling and grammar mistakes as possible.
The Little Boss Pt 3
Pain...
That was the first thing that registered. It wasn't so bad at first but gradually it spread across my temples, to the back of my head and then settled in the front. The accompanying pounding only made it worse, to which I voiced with a groan. I wanted to rub my head but that's when I came to my second realization. My hands were bound behind my back. Next came my sight, and as I blinked my surroundings into focus I saw Cherry, who seemed to be trying to get my attention. I stared blankly at her while I tried to organize my thoughts though the headache...
'That's right...we were being followed...I tried to fight back and...and they...knocked me out...'
Having gained some solid ground, I could feel myself become more present and I looked at Cherry. Upon finding nothing out of place, outside of her bound hands, I smiled.
"You don't look hurt...Are you ok?"
A look of surprise crossed her face before she turned away with an angry pout, and red burning at her cheeks.
"S-stupid...you should be worried about yourself."
Though her answer came equipped with an insult, it made me feel better since that meant she was definitely alright. I sat up with minimal difficulties and tried as best I could to stretch from having been laying so uncomfortably on the floor before surveying our surroundings. We were clearly in some motel, a rather decent one as well but that was as far as my observation got me. I saw the hotel's logo but I didn't recognize it, and the window was being blocked by heavy, dark brown curtains. Well, at least we were alone for now.
"You're unbelievable." Cherry huffed, "Why would you go and get yourself involved? Your just a muggle."
"I already told you. I wanted to help you."
"You did a real fine job of that."
Ok, its true that I didn't actually do anything to prevent us from getting kidnapped, but would it kill her to be a bit more grateful of the sentiment? Well, whatever, I guess it didn't matter. What mattered is what we did next. Before our kidnappers returned, maybe I could get some info out of Cherry.
"Cherry, can you tell me why those guys are after you?"
"No. It's none of your business."
Ugh, why was she so stubborn? Even my patience with her was starting to wear thin. I took a deep breath and tried again.
"I know they're from your clan. I saw their tattoo."
A dark shadow fell over her face, and I frowned thinking that such a look didn't match her young face. Peaking through that growing dark expression was sadness. I didn't want to make her upset but I needed something to work with. Suddenly a thought hit me,
"Where those the same guys that picked you up from the field trip?"
A silent nod.
"...And...the same people who tied you up, and you ran from?"
She didn't answer but her expression said it all. But why? Why would they kidnap their own Voldemort? It didn't make sense.
"Well...hopefully Tom will be able to find us."
"You really think he cares? He'd be better off cutting his losses. That's what any smart person would do."
"Don't say that!" I didn't mean to shout but her pessimism was getting on my nerves. Maybe she was right, and Tom wouldn't actually come for us. I thought back to the phone call I had with him. He was calm and didn't sound any different from normal, but at the very least it sounded like he was trying to find us. He was the only life line that we had. The only person who knew we were missing, and though I'm sure my friends would become suspicious after I had ghosted them, they wouldn't know the situation. Tom was all we had.
I looked at Cherry who seemed shocked that I had yelled, "He'll come, and even if he doesn't I won't let anything happen to you. Clan member or not, I'm the older one here so I'll protect you."
She didn't look convinced and if she had anything to say it was interrupted by the door swinging open, allowing for our kidnappers to enter. I noticed Cherry's demeaner change to her usual haughty, better-then-you expression. I was almost impressed at how quickly she was able to switch gears.
"Shit, those guys are crawling everywhere." The larger of the two growled, the veins in his neck popping from how hard he was clenching his jaw. "Can't even fucking wipe my own ass without getting caught. I can't wait to get out of this dumbass town. The bitches here aren't even any fun. Too easy to break. Just a fucking waste."
The second guy was a thinner. However, just like his companion he looked ready to burst out of his shirt, and his buttons were doing their best to hold on.
"Let's just wait for our orders. For now we ain't got no choice but to lay low."
"Grrr, it's all that bitch's fault!"
At this they both turned to Cherry, and though only one of them looked visibly angry, the second guy's gaze wasn't any kinder.
"If she didn't go running off and get all cozy with those snakes we could've been back home by now."
Cherry sneered, "Ha, you couldn't even kidnap a child properly. It's not my fault you guys are big dumb-dumbs."
I shot her a wide-eyed look. Now was not the time to be making them any angrier!
"You better watch that mouth'a yours." The larger of the two warned, "You already know how this is going to end. Don't want to make it more painful do we?"
"Please! Having to listen to two idiots talk is torture enough. Doubt you could do any worse."
The smaller guy just laughed as he sat down with a newspaper. The more riled up one stomped his way over until he towered over us. Unlike me, who was trying not to show how much I was shaking, Cherry fearlessly glared at him. Despite our predicament, it was an odd sight to see. Cherry was so tiny in comparison, but the way her eyes peered at him it was like he was the one being looked down on. It was the very same gaze that Tom often had and seeing Cherry with that same look instantly made me realize something. People who were to become Voldemort were cut from a different cloth. At that moment I really felt that a single word from her could move mountains.
From the way the guy's face reddened and muscles tensed, I think he felt it too. Before I could do anything he lifted Cherry off the ground by her collar. She grunted in surprise but otherwise grit her teeth.
"Don't rough her up too much. We haven't been ordered to kill her yet."
The air went stale as his words registered. He said yet. Did that mean that they planned on killing her regardless?
"That's up to the brat."
Cherry scrunched up her face and leaned back as far as she could. "Yuck, if you don't want me dead yet then maybe you shouldn't stand so close. Your stinky breath has me halfway to the grave already."
"Cherry!"
I was just as shocked as the guy holding Cherry. He probably thought she would scream and cry to be let go - that's probably what I would've done - but instead she did the exact opposite. The second guy laughed at his friend's expense.
"Told you to stay away from the garlic."
"Shut up!"
The man bellowed, his voice rattling the room around us from it sheer force. His surprise had long sense faded into eye bulging anger. His nose flared with his heavy breathing, knuckles having turned white from how hard he was clenching his hands and veins looking but a heart beat away from bursting through his skin. He looked like a rabid beast ready to tear through the first thing he laid his eyes on, and those eyes were glaring at Cherry in pure hatred. Cherry made a choking sound as the man ruthlessly tightened his grip around her collar.
"Bitch! I don't think you realize your fucking situation!"
Ok, this guy need to do two things. One, let go of Cherry and 2, find a dictionary to help his clearly lacking vocabulary. He couldn't seem to go a single sentence without cursing.
I worriedly turned to Cherry, stomach dropping when I saw the annoyed expression twisting her cherubic face. I just
knew she was about to say something that was just going to make him more angry. Surely she knew that this was not the time to be poking the preverbal beehive. The words dancing on the tip of her tongue turned to a scream as she was tossed roughly onto the floor.
"Bitches like you only understand one thing."
"Don't kill her." The other guy sighed out not even bothering to look our way.
His eyes darkened, pools of black seeming to swallow his entire eyes making me think this wasn't a man any more. But a beast. A demon, who's thoughts worked with single minded fever to inflict pain on Cherry in any way possible. When he took a step closer it was like I could feel the very vibrations rush through my spin, turning it into stone. How could she sit there, matching his anger, his bloodlust with such calmness. It was like the things around her didn't bother her, and I had to wonder just what did she go through to not even blink an eye?
Using his foot he pushed against Cherry's shoulder, roughly shoving her onto her shoulder. My eyes widened, doubling when I saw him rearing his leg back again to kick her. I scrambled onto my knees, ignoring the burning from the movement and threw my body forward as far as I could to cover Cherry. My hands were tied so I couldn't catch myself and my face slammed against the ground, but the pain in my nose lasted but for a moment until I felt a far stronger pain in my side. His foot dug into me, right between my ribs, forcing the air from my lungs so quickly I felt the room begin to spin around me.
His heavy foot collided with me again and my body rocked so violently from the impact that I had to scramble to reposition myself to shield Cherry as much as I could. It felt like I was being rammed into by a car at full force, and with each kick I felt my stomach being pushed further into my throat, ready to spill it's contents. After the fourth kick landed on my shoulder, which was already in pain from the awkward position I was in, I let out a broken scream and the taste of salt from my tears, and blood from having bit into my lip in my attempt to endure the pain.
"Fuck! What's up with this bitch!?" He yelled breathing heavily from his wild release of aggression, but it appeared that using me as a punching bag - or more appropriately a kicking bag - was enough to calm him down a bit. Now his aggression had shifted to bewilderment.
The second guy, who had been uninterested up until this moment, fell in line with his partner.
"That's a good question. We dragged you along since we didn't have a choice but, just who are you?"
I didn't answer, though in my defense it wasn't out of spite, or some futile act of defiance. I was just trying to get a grip back on reality and try to fend off the tendrils of pain that continuously spiderwebbed through my body. Not to mention I was still coughing and hacking as my lungs worked to restart a steady breathing rhythm. They didn't care and again my vision swam as I was yanked up by my collar, his aggressiveness causing the top button to rip off and roll harmlessly onto the ground. The added constriction of the fabric and his bulging hands added pressure on my neck, but I was still able to breath.
"Ra-!"
"R-rachel!" I wheezed out, ignoring the bits of drool that escaped from the corner of my mouth. "M-my...name is..R-rachel-ng!"
I was thankful Cherry, though unaware of the reason, didn't say anything to contradict me. If they didn't know who I was then I was going to take advantage of that. If they found out who I was then who knows what would happen. The worse case scenario they just kill me outright, or they somehow try to use me against my father. Neither one of them were roads I wanted to travel so best I just lie.
"Rachel, huh?" The other guy looked me over shrewdly. He was so calm as he scanned my face, eyes dropping down to my chest, hips and all the way to my feet tiptoeing along the floor in my struggle to remain grounded. It made me nervous. Would he somehow recognize me? The guy clearly was the smarter of the two and if there was a chance I was found out, it would be by him. Luckily, however, he didn't seem to notice anything. Instead, he locked gazes with me again and said,
"You don't look like one of us."
"That's because she's just some stupid muggle who doesn't know when to quit!"
Cherry yelled out from behind me, but her usual bite was no where to be heard. Instead she almost sounded worried, and shouted with a hail-mary attempt that it would get them to release me. The bigger guy's grip did lessen, but only because he was surprised to hear I wasn't a part of a gang. At least it was easier to breath now.
"A muggle? Now I know you're a dumb bitch." He threw his head back in cruel laughter.
"Do you even know what you've gotten yourself into?"
Seeing my lowered gaze, and the recognition in them only made him laugh more. I'm not sure why it only clicked in my head now, but as I stood here, hoisted up my a man who could rival any linebacker and body racked with pain, I realized this wouldn't be like before. The last time I was kidnapped those guys had wanted to use me to get to Tom. I had some kind of value to them so at the very least I didn't have to worry about being hurt or killed but this time...This time I wasn't worth anything. I was only here because I tried to help Cherry and they took us as a package deal.
"You're from that Hogwarts school aren't you?" The smarter of the two spoke up, hands tugging at the blazer of my uniform. "This is their uniform."
"The hell does that matter?"
"The Marvelo brat goes to that school to." He explained, "He's got a hit out on us right now. He can't pull that maneuver for Cherry since that would mean he's letting everyone know he was harboring another clan's Voldemort. Not only that but how did he find out about us taking Cherry so quickly? As soon as we took her those bastards were on our asses."
I squirmed under their gazes, praying that this guy who was proving to be even smarter then I initially gave him credit for wouldn't figure anything out. Eventually, a light went off in his head, "Wasn't she on the phone when we found her?"
Instantly the grip on my shirt tightened and I was lifted higher until my feet could no longer touch the ground. I coughed, and wheezed as his knuckle dug into my throat. I kicked and struggled hoping it would help but he only tightened his grip, and he growled at me, "Who da fuck where you talking to?!"
All I could do was babble, broken sounds and spit the only thing leaving my mouth. Black was starting to fill my vision followed by fear at just how quickly it was spreading, and how my chest burned with the lack of air. My heart pounded in my ears, and my hands struggled against their bindings in a last desperate attempt. I could still, just barely, hear some yelling, maybe the guy still trying to get me to answer his questions, but it was now warped like I was sinking deeper and deeper into water. It was then, a sharp jarring pain shot through my knees and the darkness receded as air passed through my lungs. Apparently I had been dropped onto the ground once he realized he had almost killed me.
"Damn whore was drooling on me. Fucking disgusting." He wiped his hand on my shirt as I flinched away, thinking he was going to grab me again.
"Dude, you gotta control yourself. This is why can't get anywhere. You're always killing our leads." He sighed, "How on earth did you even get into our clan?" He turned back to me and I tensed under his detached gaze, "You good?"
I hesitated before nodding slowly.
"Good, now who were you calling?"
"...M-my dad..." I whispered. Somehow even the act of speaking felt akin to running a full mile. "B-but...It never...connected.."
Before he could ask another question the guy's phone rang. He shared a look with his partner and they both left into another room connected to this one. There was muffled talking on the other side, and when I was sure they were occupied I allowed myself to relax for a moment. I slowly pushed myself only my knees, rubbing my face against my shoulder as much as I could to try and clean my face. My body protested with my movements, and though my entire body both inside and out was in pain, my right side had the worst of it.
"...You're crazy..."
I turned to Cherry who was watching me with an unreadable expression.
"First you get yourself captured and then you jump on top of me...I don't get why you're going so far for me." She looked down confusion clear on her face as she tried to figure out my reason. "...Did Tom promise you something? Or maybe...maybe..."
"Maybe I just care?"
She went quiet and I could see the struggle on her face. How many times have we had this same conversation? But...I suppose I could see why she was so hesitant to trust other people. That's the life what was raised in. Even these guys who were in her own clan were out to get her. For her, trusting someone meant death even when she was home. A place where most people were supposed to feel safe.
"Cherry, I'm not a part of any clan. And I don't know if you can tell, but I kind of hate Tom. If I could I wouldn't have anything to do with him." I spoke in hushed whispers, since I didn't want the other two to over hear me and my throat was still hurting. "Like you said, I'm just some muggle who don't know when to quit. I saw you in trouble and I just had the desire to help you. That's all. I don't want anything from you...Well, I suppose it would be nice if you weren't so rude all the time, but it's kind of cute...I guess."
"...Liar..." Cherry mumbled, "...Everyone is a liar...They all say things and do things that only benefit them. They lie and twist your own words against you...but..."
Cherry's lip trembled as she violently jabbed her face into her shoulder to rub at her eye, before tentatively looking at me, "...You didn't...at least not to me...You've only tried to h-help me and even..." Her eyes fell on my right side and I thought I saw them start to gloss over with unshed tears, "...D-does it hurt?"
I tried to laugh but it came out as a mini-coughing fit that made Cherry's eyes go wide with worry.
"Don't worry, it only hurts a bit. I told you that I was going to protect you, and I meant it."
"Aren't you scared?"
"Enough to piss myself."
Cherry's face scrunched in disgust and I chuckled, this time being spared hacking up my lungs. "I wish I had your courage Cherry. You don't seem scared at all even though you're so much younger than me."
The door slammed open and the violent guy stepped out, glared at us before leaving the room altogether. The second guy was still in the separate room, and from the brief glimpse I got of inside, on the phone. The silence settled once again before Cherry asked me why I didn't tell them my name. Now I was in a bit of a pickle. If I made up some reason and she found out later, it would only feed her belief that everyone only lies. Now that it finally felt like I was getting somewhere with her I didn't want to lose what little understanding we managed to build. But if I told her the truth then...How would she react?
"Cherry I...I don't want to lie to you..."
Seeing that I wasn't going to tell her, I could see that creeping shadow of distrust beginning to swirl and thicken behind her eyes. Her body began to tense, telling me she was going back on guard. I bit my bottom lip wincing as my teeth dug into the cut I made earlier. After so long I had finally gotten my toe in the door to reaching her, but all at once I was being pushed back out, and I knew if the door closed it wouldn't open again...
Fine...
"So I'll tell you...It's a secret though, so you can't tell anyone."
Despite the situation I smiled as the ebbing darkness halted, making way for a faint flame ready to singe away at her fears. What was a stupid secret to helping someone get over their fears and insecurities? I can worry about the consequences later. For now this was what I needed to do.
"Do you know about a police officer named Travis Clark?"
"Yeah, most people do."
"...He's my father. My full name is Raven Clark."
"...Oh, so you're a police kid."
Was that it? A simple 'oh'? I was expecting something a bit more. Maybe her not believing me, or calling me an idiot or maybe something worse when she realized that I was the daughter of one of the main people trying to take them down. But instead she just accepted it like I was telling her about the day's whether.
"Yeah, it's probably smart to keep that to yourself."
"Wait, wait, I mean I'm glad you believe me but...You believe me?"
"If you were going to lie why come up with something as stupid as that?" She shrugged, "So I figured you must be telling the truth. But you were an idiot for telling someone in a gang that. You're going to get seriously hurt one of these days."
Before our conversation could go anywhere else, the door to the other room opened again and the one who I saw talking on the phone came out, and his eyes landed right on me. My body went rigid. My eyes wide and only growing wider as the man strode over to where I sat and grabbed my chin, forcing my head still. I winced under his painful grasp, but after the sound of a click and a flash his hand was gone, and he went back into the room without a word.
'Did he just...take my picture?..."
A terrible feeling twisted my gut, making me want to vomit. Was he trying to use that picture to search for me?
For as long as I could remember I didn't really like taking pictures. I don't exactly mind them, and if one of my friends ask to take them I will. But, honestly, I'd prefer not to. I had always chalked up my aversion to them being because of how hard my father always tried to keep me out of the media, or papers. He would always say it was for my own safety. That being said, if you tried hard enough, due to my friend's posting them on their own social media you could find me. According to Tom these guys were like super hackers, so I could only imagine if they wanted to find out who I was it wasn't a matter of 'if'. It was a matter of 'When'.
'I don't think I like where this is going...'
"Hey..." Cherry's small voice pulled me from my growing panic. "Do you really think he's going to come?"
"...Yeah, I do."
I wasn't lying when I said that. I wholeheartedly believed that was the truth, but it wouldn't be for any of the normal reason. He wouldn't come solely just to rescue us, but because his plans had been ruined. Tom's ego and pride wouldn't allow him to sit back and let things be. Whenever he does something he always makes sure to do it completely, and while I haven't the faintest clue, he obviously had plans for Cherry. Her being kidnapped would've put a wrench in that. I was certain that at least Cherry still had enough value for him to come.
As for me...I didn't know. Our last interaction was back at school when I tried to question him about Cherry. He made it clear that he only saw me as his new toy to play around with until he was bored. When I think back to that moment all I can remember is how devoid of any sort of human emotion in his eyes. I didn't feel like there was an thread of humanity that I could try to latch on too. He was just empty...
I shook my head.
Right now, what I believed in was Cherry's value to him that he would come. And by proxy, I'd also be rescued.
'But if it was just me...I really don't know. Maybe he would just cut his losses...'
The thought came with a painful ack in my chest.
"Are you ok?"
Not realizing I had been frowning I quickly smiled, "Yeah...Yeah, I'm fine."
Saturday
~Tom's POV~
Saturday morning started early for me. Right at the crack of dawn Nanashi and his crew returned, but they weren't alone. A group of three men in matching sharp black suits came with them, and were now sitting on my office sofa. They even had the same hair cut making them look like carbon copies of each other. I sat across from them not letting anything show through my expression. Behind me to my right stood Abraxus and Antonin. Mr. Millaro stood near the door, while Nanashi stood at the end of the table.
The silence continued to drag on, broken only by the sound of breathing, the cooling system and the ticking clock. I made no intention to hide how I scrutinized the three men before me. First thing I noticed was that, not only did they have the same haircut, but their faces were completely identical. They were triplets. That, however, is where the similarities ended.
From the left, closest to the door, the young man sat completely straight. His hands were clenched around his knees and his body was tensed. Every so often he would glance at me, only to look at the other two guys he came with. The creased in his brow had only became deeper since the beginning. He seemed nervous, and compared to the other two easy to manage.
The one who sat in the middle also sat up straight, but his energy was starkly different. He was confident. Assured in himself. Relaxed. His hands were folded over his lap, and of the three was the only one who maintained eye contact with me through the silence. His expression just as stone faced as mine.
The last of the three was a slouch in comparison. He leaned back against the sofa, one hand hanging over the back of the chair and the other resting on the arm rest. He hand his chin in his hand, and looking off to the side. He looked annoyed, his jaw constantly tightening and loosing. The intervals between the action growing shorter as the silence persisted.
Though I couldn't say for sure, clearly the one in the middle seemed to be the person with him I could hold a proper conversation. I didn't like dealing with the hotheaded types for too long, and the timid ones even less so. That being said, I felt there was something dangerous about the three of them. The same type of feeling that constantly hung over Abraxus and Antonin when I was with them. Despite outward appearances, they didn't feel like people to be trifled with.
It was only after I ended my preliminary assessment of the three did I glance at Nanashi, who only then began talking.
"Boss, allow me to start at the beginning. After heading there to find any information into the Cruciatis clan we found ourself at a wall relatively quickly. Which wasn't at all surprising considering our opponent. Not only, but our arrival was also quickly sniffed out, and within a few hours of starting our investigation we were already on the ropes."
"I was honestly impressed with how quickly they work. I would love to get my hands on their information network. It wasn't long before we were found by the the three men you see here. That was within my expectations as we had our own measurements in place, however-"
He looked at the three men sitting on the chair, "What I hadn't expected was the proposal the three of them offered."
Those words appeared to be the signal for the one sitting in the middle to start speaking.
"I apologize for the late introductions. I am Shao Hui. Beside me are by brothers, Hao-" He gestured to the agitated looking man, "And Hua." Then pointed to the fidgeting one. "I'll get straight to the point. I want to form a temporary alliance in rescuing Cherry."
Hao clicked his tongue, shooting me an annoyed glare. Clearly they were not all in agreement with this plan. "Rescue Cherry? Odd thing to say when its you're own clan in custody of her."
"As this only child you'll be spared, but it's no secret that things can get messy within clans when it comes to succession disputes. While what determines a Voldemort for a clan varies per clan, for us it depends on it being the first born, regardless of gender. Ms. Xiāo, Voldemort's mistress, gave birth to the first born. However this was out of necessity due to Nagini's difficulty in getting pregnant. Cherry was a happy accident between our Voldemort and his Nagini against all odds, which in turn rendered Ms. Xiāo's child dispensable."
Hui took a brief pause to sip from the glass of water before continuing. "Our tradition says that it is the clan's first born who should become Voldemort. Some people take that at face value, while others believe that yes it's the first born, but the first born between Voldemort and Nagini. Technically it isn't written, but while either a Voldemort or Nagini can have side partners, there can ever only be one Voldemort or Nagini. Due to how special a title it is, many people believe that it was implied as common-sense when written. Furthermore, it's not all that uncommon for Nagini and Voldemort to be alluded to as 'the clan', as without them there can be no clan." For the first time he looked down, an emotion of sadness flashing in his eyes. "Because of this the clan is now split between two factions. One side who believes Ms. Xiāo's child, Voldemort's technical first born, that should be Voldemort, and the other side who believe it should be Cherry, the legitimate first born of Voldemort and Nagini."
Again he paused, glancing between his two brothers. A silent conversation passing between them. "Well...To be honest, factions were split well before the children came into the picture. This is just part of a long drawn out battle between the Mistress and Nagini. Ms. Xiāo wasn't some randomly chosen woman to play mistress. At one time she was a candidate to become Nagini, and her family in it's own right has quite the pull. Our Nagini was a soft spoken, delicate woman of influential background. Yet proud and firm in her beliefs. One such belief was that Voldemort should sire an heir even if it wasn't with her, and Ms. Xiāo took it as her way to weasel back in."
"And now with both Voldemort and Nagini dead the split is only growing worse. Many are even starting to lean towards her side."
"She's a cunning little bitch." Hao suddenly growled, speaking for the first time. His voice sounding like the roaring start of a motorbike, rough and brash. The ever present snarl on his face only growing worse the more he spoke. "When you picture the typical Cruciatis member she's exactly what you'd think. Cold, scheming and keeps her cards close. But those are the types of fuckers I hate the most. We all know Nagini's and Voldemort's deaths weren't an accident."
The third brother squirmed in his seat, at either the tone or what he said I didn't know, but remained silent.
Hui also seemed to react to what his brother barked out but didn't elaborate, "Regardless, with his passing someone should have been placed as Voldemort and yet the Right of Allegiance has yet to happen. Not even a temporary one."
Though no one said a thing, I could almost hear the internal gasp from everyone in the room. Even I couldn't help but lose my composure and show my surprise. The 'Right of Allegiance' was an important show of documentation that proved without a doubt one was Voldemort. For every clan it was the same. Those of the highest rank in the clan all come together to pass on the rights and pledge their allegiance to the new head, with each person signing their name on a binding contract, which completes the Right of Allegiance. Without this, one could claim they're Voldemort but no one would recognize them.
However, when it comes to unresolved succession disputes, or in other extenuating circumstances, a temporary 'Right of Allegiance' can be made. In that case the names of the potential candidates are written down and sealed away until a solution is decided. Without this it would mean that the clan is leaderless, and a clan without a Voldemort is considered up for grabs.
This was dangerous information they shared with me, and from how all three of them were now watching me they fully understood. If I wanted I could take this information back to my grandfather, and with Cherry or not, we could essentially attempt to overpower the leaderless clan. If their desperation wasn't clear before, their willingness to share such information made it crystal.
The three of them let the information sit for a while, as though waiting for some change. When nothing did, Hui continued. "Right now Cherry's disappearance is being kept on the hush, even in our own clan. Those of us on Cherry's side are being kept in the dark."
"That alone should tell you the lengths that bitch will go to keep the information secret. Cherry has a fucking tracker and we just now figured out where she was." Hau hit his fist against the armrest in anger.
"This is why we ne-need your help!" The third brother finally spoke up, his voice quivering with nerves and broke in the middle of his sentence. Like he wasn't used to speaking up that much. "They may be against us but they're still our clan...If...if we had outside assistance and better yet someone from another Deathly Hallows then...maybe..."
I took a moment to reflect on the information that was just presented to me. The day was just fully of surprises. Never would I have expected them to share so much information as willingly as they have. Clearly they had casted their die for Nagini, and by extension Cherry. Their ire for Xiāo clear in the way the spoke even just her name. Still for as many answers they provided, there were still many more unanswered. One being, why here?
"What does she get out of bringing Cherry here? It would be much simpler to kill her in secret. Take her out on her own playing field."
Hui answered my question with one of his own. "Are you aware of what happened a few years ago?"
Is that what this was? Some sort of ill-thought out revenge? "I know enough. But in the end it wasn't our choice." I sighed. "How foolish."
At this Hao let out a mocking laugh, "That's something we agree on. If the vindictive bitch wasn't so hell bent on getting even then she'd probably have already succeeded by now."
At that moment, the phone rang and Abraxus went to answer it.
Somehow I ended up in the middle of a succession war, and Xiāo wanted to dispose of Cherry as an obstacle but on my turf. Were the body of another clan's Voldemort were to be discovered here that would be a cause for a panic. It could be interpreted as a vie for power. Deathly Hallow targeting Deathly Hallow. All hell would break loose and sow distrust in an already fickle power balance. The Marvelo Clan isn't so weak that it would fall over such a plot but...the potential for trouble is there. Who knows how the other clans would react.
There was no proof to show for it. But knowing she plotted all of this intentionally was as much a declaration of war as anything. She was attempting to discredit and destroy our reputation. The greatest insult was she chose here. She chose my turf to carry out her plans. I glared at the ground, doing all I could just to keep myself from trembling with the bubbling rage I could feel festering inside. 'I may not be Voldemort, yet, but you've made a mistake thinking you can underestimate me.'
"Boss."
My gaze slid up from the ground at Antonin's call, who motioned towards Abraxus holding out the office phone.
"Ms. Xiāo wishes to speak to you."
"Does she now..." I accepted the phone and leveled my voice. "To what do I owe the pleasure."
"You must be the young boss I've heard so much about. Tom Marvelo Riddle Jr."
A soft, and thickly sweet soprano tone vibrated through the phones speaker. All I had was a blurry picture to place with the voice, but from the tone alone I could hear the condescending smirk on her lips. It was a voice that both felt heavy with the weight of the secrets she held, but also light at knowing those same secrets would mean the end to any man that crossed her. Unfortunately for her I was not a man who scared easily. The only person worthy of my fear was the same man keeping me from claiming my rightful title of Voldemort.
"And you must be the one brave, or should I say foolish, enough to make trouble on my territory."
She hummed on the other side. "My, aren't you unfriendly. As for trouble, well, you're no stranger to a bit of that now are you?"
She knew something, and I had a good idea of what it might be. "Of course, in our work who isn't. Though, I will say being forced into a secret murder attempt on your Voldemort isn't your garden variety trouble."
"No. I suppose the trouble you're more interested in are little birdies dressed in blue." Her following chuckle sounded as pleasant as nails on a chalkboard. "Oh, is that silence I hear? But no matter. I didn't call because of that. I only wanted to congratulate you on your popularity. When headlines find out about those poor unfortunate bodies found washed up and abandoned in some dump, I can only imagine how many people will be dying to meet you."
My grip tightened on the phone. Her voice was pitched into false sympathy, her thinly veiled threat pushing my anger to it's limits. With my other hand I dug my nails into my palms before speaking.
"I'm surprised. To think you'd go this far to make enemies of us. You must be quite confident in whatever info you have."
Ms. Xiāo giggled, "You small naïve child. I wasn't the one who started this. I'm only returning a favor. As for what I know. Let's just say, I wonder what the other Deathly Hallows would say about the company you keep."
I couldn't help it. I laughed. I'm sure I looked insane, but this was honestly perfect. She was infuriating. The way she spoke. The sound of her voice. The way she looked down on my. All of it. Pissed. Me. Off.
A slow smile crawled along my face. People like her. Confident. SO sure that nothing could go wrong were just this type of people I enjoyed breaking the most. It's a different kind of rush I get when playing with Raven, but it was all the same drug to my addiction. Witnessing the way their faces fall once they realize that everything that fought for was meaningless only made defeating them better. Iwagaki didn't quite give me the high I was looking for when toppling those who perceived themselves 'above me'. But Xiāo...She checked all the boxes and more.
The thing with Raven would be problematic should it get out. Admittedly I didn't think I'd still be so interested in her this far along. But even if things get bad, the backlash to the clan could be easily managed. Grandfather's reaction to knowing, and yet not going anything was proof enough. The blow to my pride, however, would be heavy. I'd be back to square 1 with the clan. I couldn't care less about why she's doing this, but I'm going to be damn sure she regrets it.
"You've set the stage quite nicely. I'll be sure to give you a show to remember."
"Oh don't worry. I'm expecting it to be."
The line cut and I handed the phone back. It was silent, but I felt everyone's gaze on me. Watching. Waiting for my next move. I looked towards the three brothers, surprised but not showing it when they jumped. Though I had I known how blood curdling and chilly the smile on my face would I would've understood. I hadn't even noticed how tense the air in the room had become after hanging up the phone.
"Does she know you're here?"
"...N-no." Hui cleared his voice. "I don't think so. But I can't imagine for how long."
"You said Cherry is chipped. Can you find out where?"
Hui looked at Hao, who flinched but quickly covered it up when I followed suit.
"I'd have to break into Cruciatis systems for that. I guess it's possible as long as what you got here isn't complete shit."
"Nanashi, show him to our systems. Give him whatever he needs, but watch him closely. I don't want him seeing anything he shouldn't. Abraxus I want you to get some people and comb through every single camera in the area. You see anything remotely suspicious I want you to report to me."
Hui raised his hand before speaking, "Parden me, but perhaps I should help. Just incase there are any members of the clan around I can point them out."
"Fine, take Hui with you. Antonin, while they're on cameras I want you and Hua to take some men and cover ground on foot. Mr. Millaro, you're with me."
I checked my watch, "Our deadline is to find them tonight, before tomorrow. That gives us over 10 hours to work with. At the slightest change I want to be informed directly. If you can't reach me then call Mr. Millaro. You're dismissed."
"YES BOSS!"
~Raven's POV~
The inner room door slammed open, roughly jarring me from my restless sleep. The night before I was too worried about one of the guys trying to do something to either of us that I couldn't sleep. My body eventually gave out to the call of sleep and exhaustion, but it surely didn't feel like that was very long ago. I was the only one though. Cherry was out like a light. Lucky her.
While I was still trying to work out what that loud sound was, and my body struggling for clarity, I was hauled to my feet.
Well now. I was awake now.
"What are you doing!?" All of my struggling was in vain. It only made his grip that much tighter. It was only then I realized that it was the smaller of the two that had me in his grip. Unlike the bulkier one, his fingers were wiry and thin. It felt like any wrong move and he would pierce through my very flesh with his fingers alone.
"Shut up and just follow me, Rachel."
My blood went cold. I didn't like the way he said my name. Like he knew it wasn't the truth. He dragged me behind him into the adjoining room and forced me into sitting at a small table. The only thing on it was a single laptop. On the black screen I could see my reflection, but at the same time it didn't look like anyone I recognized.
Heavy bags hung under wide eyes, bulging from both fear and uncertainty. My heart wouldn't slow down, and the overbearing pounding in my head was driving me crazy. Or maybe I was already crazy. That's the only reasonable explanation for why I was even here in the first place. Really what was I thinking? I was so stupid and now look at where I am. My emotions were threatening to push me to my breaking point, but somehow I forced myself to swallow it all down. Tearing my eyes away from my own terrified expression looking back at me in the screen helped.
Just as I was wondering why I was brought in here, the screen flickered to life and the picture of a woman popped up. No, it wasn't a picture. It was a video. The woman have a smile pulling on her thin lips, the corners curling into what some would call 'gentle'. But the happiness that came with a smile stopped there. In her eyes was a wicked brew of cold disinterest and disgust that made me felt bolted to my seat. I wanted to look away. I wanted to run, but I felt that the second I took my eyes off of her there'd be nothing left of me.
"So you're her." She began, voice sounding like the sweetest siren call that beckoned lost sailors to their deaths. And I was most certainty lost.
"It's a pleasure to see you. Raven Clark."
Ok! For anyone that's still here, thank you for waiting so long for this next chapter.
Until then stay golden and safe. Also please review and tell me what you think
