Chapter 8: Vengeance is a dish best served cold

Back in his camp on a mountain near the village, Ramón took out his cell phone.

"Chef, I've killed the boy. There is only the girl left. Is it necessary to kill her?" he tried to make his voice as steady as possible.

"She's a Wong. I've said every Wongs, so she must die too," Voltaire answered dryly.

"But she won't be able to transfer the family name anyway."

"Are you discussing my orders? Ah! Now I understand," Voltaire suddenly sounded amused, "She's a pretty one, isn't she? You want to fuck her? Then fuck her and kill her afterwards."

"Yes, chef."

"Enjoy yourself and don't disturb me again until the work's done."

"Yes, chef."

He hung up and signed.

That morning, the Bladebreakers were surprised to see Mariah coming down the stairs in her last night clothes, with circles under her eyes. Tyson was about to ask her what's up but Kai silenced him with a cold glance. Mariah noticed their look anyway.

"Don't worry guys, I just couldn't sleep," Mariah grinned at them.

"We're not as stupid as we look, Mariah," Max ventured.

Mariah lost the control of herself and burst out crying. Max was shocked by her reaction as much as the others presented there. Kevin eclipsed to the kitchen and came out with a teapot.

"Anyone wants some tea?" he asked.

The question zapped the boys from their petrified position and they nodded. Kevin poured teas for each of them. When he came up to Mariah he whispered, "I know it's hard for you right now but don't forget us."

Mariah gave him a weak smile. To apologize himself, Max handed Mariah a plate full of sausages.

"I think you need them," he said in his cheerful voice.

She took them shyly.

"Thanks everybody for your comprehension," Mariah murmured, "But I don't want to talk about it right now."

At that, she left the table. Kai furrowed his eyebrows after her.

Mariah retuned to her house to change. She shivered at the thought that Ramón had came in here as easily as a gentle breeze and lied in wait for his prey. As she was pulling on her trousers, her thoughts ventured towards Voltaire. How she cursed that man! Not only he used his grandson but what business did he have with her family? Had it something to do with the Balkove Abbey's work? Her mind raced as she was thinking that perhaps Kai knew something about it. But even if he did, what would she do about it? Revenge. The word tickled her ear like a shiver on cold days. Yes, that was what she wanted. She couldn't let her family's honor stay in dirt. But first, before the master, the vassals must die. And of course, the only vassal concerned, if not responsible is Ramón. How she wants him dead! That filth had taken all the love out of her, had collapsed her life, had killed half of her family, if not entirely. And worst of all, he had made her thought he loved her… Mariah ran her fingers through her hair then took a deep breath. She walked to the temple which appeared to be empty. On her family altar, one of the important families of the village laid a sword. Its bronze handle curved at the end like a cat's tale. The joint between the handle and arms was a cat's mouth. Mariah drew the sword out of the scabbard. From the cat's mouth, a long fine silver blade reflected her image. But it wasn't the image of a young girl with pink hair but one of a woman determined to kill.

"So you want to track down the lion?"

Mariah twisted around at the sound of the voice. Kai was leaning against one of the columns, his arms crossed.

"For your information, the lion is a vassal to your grandfather." Mariah put the sword back in the scabbard.

"What concerns Voltaire no longer concerns me," Kai answered shortly.

"Well, I hope you won't mind if I'd pay him a visit," Mariah said.

"I'm warning you, my grandfather is more dangerous than you think."

"I know well what he's capable of since he's sent an old friend of yours to kill my family!" Mariah shouted as she lifted her hand to punch Kai. The latter caught her wrist.

"What old friend?"

Before she could answer, someone came into the temple. It was Ray. His face broke in a sudden surprise when he saw their position.

"Oh my god, I can't believe it!" Ray exclaimed as he raised his hand to his mouth. "It was Kai?! Why have I've been so stupid?"

"Ray, it's not what you think," Kai barked, letting go of Mariah (for once, he lost his calm).

"You meant to be my friend!" At that, Ray ran away. Mariah and Kai went after him but bumped into the Bladebreakers instead.

"Hey, what happened? We saw Ray passing in a rush," Tyson said.

"He thought I'm going out with Kai," Mariah answered

"WHAT?!" Tyson, Kenny and Max chorused then broke in laughter.

"Shut up," Kai ordered, "This is serious. There's an assassin out there. Which way did Ray go?"

"I think he went into the forest," Kenny said uncertainly.

"Damn!" Mariah exclaimed as she ran to the direction of the forest. She heard the others following her. When they arrived in the forest, they stopped, not knowing which direction to take.

"What should we do?" Tyson asked.

"Look, Kenny, run along and fetch Kevin and Gary, they know the forest more than anyone," Mariah directed. Kenny nodded and ran off back to the village.

"Max, you wait here in case Ray'll return or anything. Tyson, you go that way and Kai there. I'll go this way." Mariah pointed north.

"You think you'll be alright?" Kai asked.

"Trust me," Mariah answered before getting on her way. She ran for a couple of minutes then decided to jump on a tree. Ray was nowhere in sight. Let's hope he's not in danger…Mariah thought. She continued the way through the forest, hoping to see Ray among the trees. She soon saw the river and decided to follow its course. Suddenly she saw a figure striding among the trees. Ray? She ran up to catch up with it but it wasn't Ray. It was Ramón. He saw her before she could turn away.

"Mariah! I was just thinking about you," he said. Mariah couldn't believe he was acting like nothing had happened. It enforced her hatred towards him.

"Don't play the innocent," Mariah said defiantly, "I know you've been thinking about how to kill me."

"Mariah, it's not that but… As I've told you I never get informed about the people I have to kill, just how to identify them that's all."

"Then you must know that Mao Wong was me," Mariah retorted.

"I… They didn't give me photos but plain descriptions. I couldn't guess it was you."

"Let's stop talking and pass to action," Mariah cried as she pulled out her sword. She couldn't stand his trying to justify himself anymore.

Ramón was startled yet there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"I understand that you want me dead," he said quietly, "but I regret that we've lost the chance to know each other."

"And whose fault is that?"

"I know, I've been foolish. I should have died years ago so your parents and a hell of other people won't have died. But remember this, even without my help, the Biovolt will find other assassins in my place."

"Just shut up," Mariah aimed her sword at the assassin.

Ramón drew out his double swords and blocked the attack.

"Mariah, you must know this, I never want to hurt you," he said.

"But you did and you must pay!" She stroke blindly but violently. Each strike represented for her a little bit of anger showering Ramón, who simply defended himself as best as he could. After a long moment, they both were out of breath.

"This is foolish. Let's stop it."

"NEVER!" Mariah shouted and heaved up her sword. This time she caught his right arm.

"Are you happy now, Mariah?" he asked, his left hand gripping his right one.

"Not until your body lie at my feet," she answered coldly.

"Your anger doesn't anger me," Ramón said calmly, "It is a punishment I receive wholeheartedly."

"Spare me your breath," Mariah attacked once again. Suddenly she heard he name being called. She turned to see Ray, running towards them, a dagger at hand (in case no one understands, Ray wants to protect Mariah). Mariah jumped between the two men and received the dagger in her stomach.

"Mariah! NNNOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ray and Ramón cried at once. She felt her strength leaving her as she fell down on the soft grass. She hardly saw her life blood leaving her body, hardly feel the pain, hardly have time to think, her senses were leaving her. As she laid there, her glossy eyes reflected a fight between two lovelorn men, two men fighting over her and for her, two men dead by rage. The wind blew the few leaves on the ground and lift them up and up towards the sky… The three people laid without movements in a disorganized triangle, blood shed at their sides. People who could have learnt to cherish each other, people who were played around by Destiny, people who doomed to die with love, and in love.

THE END

My God, I can't believe I've just finished it. Quite a rubbish, euh? Well, I'll try better next time. Thanks for reveiwing and reading my bla bla. Look out for the white Valkyrie!