A/N: Sorry everyone. I was unable to post on Monday. I'll be posting two parts today. Enjoy.

Requiem III: The Search for The Truth

by Bonnie Eagan & Alisa Joaquin

Part 24: A Betrayal

Jake entered the Master's private quarters, glad that he had arrived before Mia. He had called the Master on his cell phone and told him it was urgent that he speak with him. The Master had granted him an audience at once. So, here he was, in the presence of the man. He had not been here for some time. Though he feared the man, he respected the man's powers and his way of doing business. He had hoped to learn from the man, but all he had been doing was playing gardener for a lady who was fast becoming a pain in the butt. He did not understand why the Master continued to keep her alive. He felt it was a waste of time. Even Mia was beginning to turn soft, and what he learned today, he thought it best that the Master know about it as soon as possible so she could be dealt with.

"What is it, Jake? I am supposed to meet with a very important client. This had better be good."

"It's Mia, sir," Jake began.

"What about her?"

"She's betrayed the order."

"In what way?"

"The shop that she goes to every week belongs to her uncle. He knows of you."

The Master pondered what Jake was telling him.

"There is more. I came as quickly as I could and without being seen. Mia is being followed, by the woman's husband."

The Master remained silent throughout the report. When he spoke, it came as a surprise to Jake. "It is time that the woman is freed, but the young man that is with her must remain here."

"I don't understand."

"He is Shaolin. He is also the grandson of Matthew Caine. I want Matthew Caine to suffer for the humiliation that was done to me and my family. The woman is no longer important. She was merely a tool to draw the Shaolin out. Though it took years to do it, I now have an opportunity to be rid of Caine completely, by destroying his whole family. As for Mia and her betrayal, she must be made an example of. Go to this shop and see that the uncle does not leave it. Then bring Mia to me." The Master tossed Jake a small video camera. "We will show her what happens with traitors. Afterward, you may do as you wish with her."

"But what should we do with Marlene Pei? She is beginning to suspect."

"Her suspicions are unfounded. All she is aware of is that an old priest tried to keep her safe from an unknown enemy. It is time once again that old priest return, this time to free her."

"How will you explain his re-appearance and what about Caine's grandson?" Jake asked.

"Let me worry about that and I will deal with him as well."

"But if you free her and not the young man, won't she try to help him?"

"I am counting on it. Go, you have your assignment."

Merlene Pei tried to help the young man who turned out to be her nephew. She had managed to get him up on the bed so she could deal with his wound more easily. The gash that had opened across his left temple was angry and red. A bruise had formed around the outside as well, making it appear far worse. It had been at least three hours since the young man had been struck and he showed no sign of waking up. Marlene feared that her nephew might die, but when she checked his pulse last, it still held a strong and steady beat.

'At least he wasn't going to die from his wound,' she thought. 'If only Mia would return, I could ask for a first aid kit, or maybe have her take the young man to a hospital.'

But Marlene knew that request would be impossible. The large man who attacked Peter frightened her. She had never seen him before, and she had never heard of The Master. What had happened to Kim Luc? He had been such a kind soul. She feared that something might have happened to the old priest and somehow, her life was now in the hands of strangers that wanted to do her and her family harm. It was apparent with her nephew lying beside her, wounded and unconscious.

"Oh, Peter, please wake up. You must find a way to get us out of here," she pleaded to the unconscious young man. But he did not hear her, and Marlene was beginning to give up hope of help ever arriving.

As she pondered her next move, Marlene suddenly heard the telltale sound of a key being inserted into the lock. She dashed off the bed and grabbed the only nearby object that she could find, the pitcher of water that Mia had left behind earlier that morning before Peter's sudden arrival. She emptied its contents into the sink and hid beside the door. As it was slowly being opened, she lifted it above her head, bent on bringing it down on the person who was entering her room. She suddenly stopped when a familiar face peered up at her.

"Master Luc," Marlene breathed a deep sigh.

"I am so sorry to have frightened you, my dear."

"Master Luc, where have you been? I haven't seen you in years."

"I must apologize again my dear. Too much has happened. I could not tell you where I was going or where I have been. But I am here now. And I have good news for you. You no longer have to remain in hiding."

"What? You mean I can go free?"

"Yes, my dear. You may go at any time."

Marlene looked over at her nephew still lying unconscious on the bed. "I can't leave him though. He's hurt."

"And who might this young man be?"

"He is my nephew, Peter Caine."

"Ah, tell you what. I will take care of him for you."

The words Kim Luc said caused a chill to run down Marlene's back. Something was not right here. If she left, her nephew could be placed in great danger. But if she didn't, something worse might happen but she could not think what that might be. If she were to leave, though, she might be able to bring back help. "If I leave him with you, you promise me he will be safe?"

"Of course, my dear."

Marlene looked back at her nephew and realized for his sake and her own, leaving was her best option. She only hoped she could bring back help in time.

"All right, but I will be back. He is my nephew, and I would not want to lose him."

"He will be in good hands," the old priest smiled to himself as Marlene left the confines of her room for the first time.

Continues With Part 25