'It was nice meeting you, my Lady' Harry told Blaise.
'And congratulations on coming out first' Harris told her. Blaise smiled casting a glance around the hall. Not everyone was happy about her victory right?
'We will take our leave now. See you tomorrow, my Lady' Harris drew her attention.
Harris and Harry left leaving Blaise with Adrian when they stepped out of the hall of Fates.
Blaise couldn't wait to tell Keith she came out first. She was so excited.
'Congratulations, my Lady.' Two councilmen passing by said.
Blaise nodded with a smile. Within minutes, news of this had spread throughout the council. She had no doubt Keith was already aware. She wondered if he had something to do with this.
'Sir Adrian, I will take my leave now.' Blaise told him.
'That's such a pity, I was looking forward to talking with you but it's alright. We can do this another time. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, my Lady' Adrian kissed her knuckles. His lips lingered on her hand for a second and Blaise pulled back uncomfortably.
'See you tomorrow' She said hurriedly and turned away to leave.
There was something weird about that man. His smile and the way he carried himself seemed so familiar, she thought. She wondered where she'd seen him before. An image of Samuel came into mind, she instantly shook it off. It wasn't him.
Blaise turned back to look at him only to find him staring at her with a crooked smile. His blue eyes glinted with mischief.
He gave her a little wave and she hesitantly waved back. She was just seeing things wasn't she? That was Adrian, there's no way one person could be two people, that was impossible.
'My Lady' She met the royal head guard, Lewis halfway up the stairs.
'Yes, Lewis' Blaise replied.
'The Lord ordered I take you back to the manor immediately' Lewis said.
Blaise furrowed her brows, she thought they were to go back home together.
'Where is the Lord?' Blaise asked.
'He ordered I tell you this if you asked, I am attending to something important, my Lady' Lewis said with a bow.
'Oh is that so' Blaise said a little disappointed.
'Yes, my Lady. Shall we go now?'Lewis asked.
'Before that, Lewis, can you show me to the ladies, I mean if there's any' Blaise told him.
'Of course, my Lady. This way.' Lewis led the way.
Blaise stood at the large washroom. It was empty and tidy. This was the men's washroom. The constructors who built the council had no idea a woman was going to join, even in two hundred years. The guards stood outside while she used the washroom.
Blaise stood in the mirror staring at her reflection. She felt upset and silly for being upset. There she was all excited to see Keith and he had important things to do.
'I have important things to do' She mumbled.
Blaise pulled off her gloves, turned on the faucet and washed her hands. She was never going to be his sole priority, was she? She understood he was ruling three kingdoms, his attention would be on other kingly duties. But a little part of her hoped he would put her first. There was this selfish part of her, that wanted to be the only one on his mind. But that was never going to be possible. Was it?
She splashed some water on her face and glanced into the mirror.
'Hello, love' a hand touched her shoulder. Blaise turned around quickly.
'Corentine' She gasped.
'Oh, my apologies if I startled you' Corentine said with the sweetest smile.
'How did you get here?' Blaise asked.
'Aren't you the smart one, figure it out' Corentine moved in next to her. Blaise stepped away from her cautiously.
'There's no need to be alarmed, love. I mean no harm... or at least not now' She chuckled.
'What do you want, Corentine?' Blaise asked.
'Can't we ladies have a little chat?' Corentine asked.
'We would have to be friends to chat and a lavatory isn't the most ideal place for a chat, don't you think?' Blaise snapped.
Corentine pursed her lips and observed her.
'Aren't you too sad for someone who just made history?' She asked.
'What do you want?' Blaise asked again.
'Why do you think there's something I want? Can't I just come to you because I want to help you?' Corentine asked.
'And why on earth will I want your help?' Blaise asked with a furrowed brow.
'You never know, love, you never know. Oh, before I forget, congratulations on becoming the first woman to set foot in this bloody manhole. It's about time we Ladies made a stand' Corentine smiled extending her hand.
Blaise glanced at her hand and back to her.
'Thank you but I don't have time for this, Corentine' Blaise grabbed her gloves and turned away to leave.
'There is no need to be rude, I was just being courteous. Anyway, since you're being so hasty, let's get on with it then. I woke up feeling very generous today, so generous than I have ever felt in fifty years. That is why I came to give you some advice' Corentine walked closer to her.
'The mirror, if you don't mind.' She said with a smile.
Blaise stepped away from the mirror. She watched as Corentine pulled a small lipstick from her little pouch and retouched her red lips.
'What makes you think I would want your advice?' Blaise asked.
Corentine turned to her with a raised brow.
'Eh...because you would be a bloody fool if you don't' She said in an obvious tone.
'From one previous Lady Valerian to another, this thing you have with Sol won't last. It's only a matter of days before he shows you the other side of him. The terrible side I mean' Corentine said in a dark tone.
'So you came from wherever you came from, just to advise me about my husband?' Blaise asked curtly.
'Oh you poor thing, such complacency, I was once in your shoes, you know. Head over heels for him, ready to jump into the bloody Atlantic for him. I would have killed to be forewarned about him but unfortunately, there wasn't any Lady Valerian before me. Or was there? Who knows?' Corentine said with a mischievous smile.
'Goodbye, Corentine' Blaise mumbled turning away.
'You love him, don't you?' Corentine said abruptly.
That was enough to stop Blaise in her tracks.
She slowly turned back to her. Corentine giggled.
'What has that have to do with this?' Blaise asked.
'It has everything to do with this. You love him so much, I can see it in your eyes. That pure glow and the pounding heartbeat whenever you see him. That feeling of forever when you are in his arms' Corentine slowly walked towards her.
Blaise trembled a little from where she stood. Corentine stepped right before her staring directly into her eyes.
'That feeling when he calls you by your name, with his lips lingering on yours' Corentine ended in a whisper.
'What do you want from me, Corentine?' Blaise asked.
'You do know the feeling?' Corentine pulled back with a smile.
'Open your eyes, Vivian. Sol is not what you think he is. I wish someone had told me before he buried me. The look in his eyes when you look at him, that same look that makes you feel invincible. Beneath that look is a very terrible man you don't want to see. I only wanted to warn you. It's only a matter of time when he feels you are a threat and buries you too. Luckily for me, I escaped with my life… maybe you won't.' She whispered into Blaise's ears.
She handed her a small folded sheet.
'What is this?' Blaise asked her.
'An unending list of people buried before us and even after us. By the Lord' Corentine said with a smile.
Blaise frowned, she wasn't going to let Corentine get to her. She knew the kind of man she married. Keith had a bad side and she was aware of that. Nevertheless, he had another side she could call good. Not entirely but good enough for her.
'Why are you doing this?' Blaise asked.
Corentine's smile wavered.
'As I said earlier, I was feeling generous. As much as I would love to come to your funeral, I promise you there won't be one. Just a plausible story about the threat you posed to his family and of course the kingdom' Corentine said.
For a moment, that got to her. Blaise remembered what Keith told her.
He wouldn't blink an eye if he felt she was a threat.
Still, behind that was Corentine. Everything Keith had said back then was because of her. Because of what he'd gone through with her. Blaise knew the story of Corentine's treachery too well, well enough to know this wasn't about her, it was about Corentine.
'Let me tell you why you are doing this.' Blaise stepped closer to her.
'Enlighten me' Corentine smiled.
'You love him too' Blaise said. Corentine's smile slowly died.
'It doesn't matter how many years have passed, you still love him. You're just envious of the fact he is with me now not you. You are still holding onto the past. Still calling him Sol, the name you love him by.' Blaise said.
For an instant, Blaise thought she was wrong because Corentine didn't react. Suddenly, Corentine grabbed her arms.
'Of course, I still love him!' She yelled.
' Of course, I envy you, Vivian. But I also hate you. I hate you, I hate you so much for taking him away from me.' Corentine yelled.
Blaise stepped back instantly. Corentine's eyes were wide with fury. She looked as if she'd been possessed.
'I will give everything to kill you, Vivian. I hate you so much. But there is nothing more pleasurable than seeing him kill you with his bare hands.' She laughed wickedly.
Blaise watched as she calmed down and composed herself. Corentine sighed and put on a smile.
'Oh, silly old me. Pardon my misbehaviour, got carried away for a second' She instantly turned calm with a perfect smile.
'Where were we? Yes, the part where I still love Sol. Don't be too complacent, love. There's one thing I've learned, Keith Valerian never loves anyone or anything more than his family. I thought I was part of that family, but I found out the hard way. I would hate for that to happen to you too.' Corentine told her.
She reached out and touched Blaise's cheek. Blaise slapped her hand away.
'You know that's a lie, right? I would love to see your tombstone. There lies Vivian Valerian, the fool who never listened. What a sight to behold, oh, I can't wait. Till we meet again, love.' Corentine blew her a kiss.
Blaise stood rooted to the spot while Corentine exited the washroom.
She stared at the paper in her hand. She unfolded it to find a single name.
'Elizabeth' Blaise read.
She rushed to the door to find the guards on the floor. Lewis was scrambling to his feet.
'Where is she?' Blaise asked.
Lewis looked up in confusion. Blaise looked around to no sign of Corentine.
She glanced at the paper in hand, Who in the world was Elizabeth?
' Dunesville. That's where it came from' Heath told Keith.
They rode together in the royal carriage back to the manor.
'Dunesville? A little town on the outskirts of Valeria?' Keith asked.
'Yes. Is it a coincidence they share a border with Pitsbellow?' Heath asked.
'It surely isn't' Keith replied with his hand massaging his temple.
'Then it's another mystery to solve later' Heath replied.
'Something isn't right, Evan' Keith said with a sigh.
'Any progress on the case?' Keith asked.
'We found the maid who was on the scene at Pitsbellow. She had no idea what happened. One moment she was serving the governor, the next minute she was lying somewhere she didn't remember going' Heath said.
'She doesn't remember because she wasn't there' Keith said.
'I gathered she was possessed. I haven't uttered this to anyone else but there's only one person I know who does that…'
'Corentine' Keith said abruptly.
Heath nodded.
'I suspected that too. It wasn't a coincidence she happened to arrive in Valeria the same day the governor was murdered' Keith said.
'You think she has something to do with this?' Heath asked.
'For her sake, I hope she's not. I'm getting bored of all this. The sooner it all ends the better' Keith said with a sigh.
'She was seen at HQ today. She spoke with Vivian' Heath told him.
'I know.' Keith replied.
Heath glanced at Keith with a questioning look.
'She told me she would.' Keith said.
The carriage stopped upon reaching its destination. Keith stepped out of the carriage and headed for the entrance. Morgan met him halfway to the doorway.
'Welcome back, my Lord. A letter came in from Eldovania for you.' Morgan said.
'Was it from Klaus?' Keith asked.
'Yes, my Lord.' Morgan replied.
Keith headed up the stairs to his room with Morgan behind him.
'Burn it' Keith told her.
'Yes, my Lord. There's another…'
'Where's my wife?' he stood at the doorway to his room.
Their bed was empty and the light from the fireplace was dim.
'Probably in the library. Would you like me to go get her for you?' Morgan asked.
'No. Just get the fire going. She likes the warmth' He told her.
Keith headed straight for the library.
He stopped at the library door to find it ajar. He stepped inside and looked around. There was a dim light from the far end, she was probably learning for the second test, he thought. He walked slowly towards the light. He walked to a stop upon seeing Blaise. She was seated on the ground with books scattered all around her. She laid her head on a pile of books, fast asleep. She wore a black shoulder strap nightdress and her dark copper red hair was sprawled on her face and over her shoulders.
Keith knelt by her side staring down at her. The candle by her side was already burning low. He tucked her hair behind her ear and stroked her face.
She muttered something inaudible and he smiled sitting down next to her. She looked exhausted and even more beautiful. He took the book in her hand and placed it back on the shelf.
He slowly carried her in his arms and stepped out of the study heading for their bedroom.
In their bedroom, he laid her down and sat next to her. Blaise slowly stirred from sleep.
'You're back' She said in a sleepy tone.
'Go back to sleep, you have a long day tomorrow' He told her.
She pulled away and went back to sleep. Keith pulled the black sheets over her.
'Leo…' Blaise mumbled.
'Yes, Vivian.' He replied.
'Don't go.' She told him.
'I'm right here, love' He said caressing her cheeks and watching her as she slipped off. She was looked so peaceful. He wondered what Corentine told her. Nothing good probably.
Blaise pulled closer to him and he smiled at this.
A black cat ran into the room quickly morphing into Ares.
'I have some news' She said instantly.
'I'm busy.' Keith mumbled.
His eyes were glued to the peaceful figure next to him.
'But my Lord…'
'It can wait, Ares' Keith said curtly.
Ares glanced from Blaise's sleeping figure to Keith.
'My apologies, my Lord. I will take my leave then.' Ares morphed into her cat form and ran out the same way she came.
As days go by more challenges and more enemies keep showing up, he would have to deal with them later but not tonight. All he wanted to do tonight was to stay here, by her side.
Three weeks before...
'She's lovely' Corentine said as they entered Keith's study.
'That's what you came here to say?' Keith asked.
'No. But is that all you have to say?' Corentine asked in a disappointed tone.
'What do you want me to say?' Keith sat down at his desk.
'I don't know. I'm glad to see you or…'
'I buried you, Corentine. And you show up after fifty good years thinking I will be glad to see you?' He asked.
'You kept count. Did you miss me that much?' She walked towards him.
'What if I did?' he asked.
Corentine placed a hand on his cheek staring into his eyes. Her eyes traced down his tender lips. She yearned to kiss him like she used to.
'I couldn't believe it when I heard you remarried. I had to see for myself. I knew you'd never love another the way you love me.' Corentine pulled closer to him.
Keith suddenly pushed her away from him. Corentine stumbled back stunned by his rudeness.
'Don't get the wrong idea, Corentine. I only kept the count because of my daughter. I stopped loving you for a very long time' Keith said with a smile.
Corentine frowned.
'You used to treat women properly' Corentine said straightening her gown.
'What can I say, I'm worse than you thought' Keith said with a sigh.
'Do you treat her this way?' She asked.
Keith raised a brow in question.
'Vivian. Do you treat her like this?' Corentine asked.
'What do you want, Cor?' Keith asked abruptly.
'Do you love her?' Corentine asked.
'Jealousy never looked good on you' Keith said.
'Does your wife know who you are?' She asked.
'She knew the kind of man she married.' Keith stood up.
'I doubt she knows, everything' Corentine insisted.
'You know I hate to repeat myself. What do you want?' Keith asked.
'I want you' She insisted.
Keith slowly walked to the window.
'Is that why you came?' Keith asked.
'Apart from coming here to see my replacement, yes, that's why I came here.' Corentine replied.
'What about your brother?' He asked.
'Samuel can fend for himself' Corentine said.
'Then, you wasted your time. There is nothing for you here, Corentine' Keith turned back towards her.
'I will not accept that, Sol. You are mine. Only mine. Even in the grave, you will still be mine.' Corentine yelled.
Keith headed towards the door.
'I have nothing else to say to you' He told her.
'Then I will destroy her.' Corentine said abruptly.
Keith stopped in his tracks.
'I will make sure she sees you for what you are. She will hate you, Sol. And you will hate her too and bury her with your own hands the way you did me.' Corentine said.
Keith glanced at her with a bored expression.
'Do whatever you want, Cor. Your five minutes are up.' He held the door open.
Corentine walked towards him.
'For her sake, I hope you don't regret this, Sol.' She whispered before fuming past him.
Present day…
Dunesville.
'This is horrifying' Harris whispered to Blaise.
Before them was a gruesome and horrifying scene, the whole town of Dunesville was burnt to ash with its inhabitants burnt along with it.
'Who could have done this?' Blaise asked.
'Rumor has it, the mass killer was involved' Adrian said with a small smile.
'You look thrilled about it' Albert Harlow turned to Adrian.
'It's not every day you wake up to see a real life crime scene this close. You see the chief councils over there' Adrian pointed at the men gathered ahead.
They were about six men engaged in an intense discussion. Amongst them was Heath, Nicholas and Ewald. Blaise was familiar with the other three but she imagined they were men of high ranks.
'They are probably discussing possible theories to what happened here. In no time, Councilman Ewald will walk to us and tell us to find out what happened here. That would be the second test. What's more thrilling than solving your very first case' Adrian said with a wide smile.
'This isn't something you should be thrilled about people have died. You should be more sympathetic' Harry said.
'Sympathy is for the weak, Lebanoire. Ambition is key to success' Adrian said.
'That's where you're mistaken, Sir Adrian. Ambition is just a basic factor to success. But good judgment is success itself' Blaise said.
Adrian's smile disappeared.
'Ambition without good judgment. Is like a fish out of water without, you will soon wither and die. Good words, my Lady' Councilman Ewald approached them.
Behind him were two councilmen.
Blaise nodded with a smile at Ewald's compliment.
'Good morning, to you all. I hope you all know why you are here but to those of you who have no idea, this is your second test. These gentlemen here are Lincoln Archer and Herman Saltzman. Can someone tell me who they are?' he asked.
Blaise had no idea who they were. But Lincoln Archer sounded familiar. She'd read about him somewhere.
'They are the heads of the department of weapons and security' Adrian said.
'Correct Sir Adrian. Can someone also tell me why they are here?' Ewald asked.
'To solve the case, of course' Harris blurted.
'Speak with reason, Sir Harris' Councilman Lincoln said sternly.
'We are not here to just solve this case. We are here for more than that. The council is an institution for competent and serious individuals. It is no child's playground. So if you are here to just talk mindlessly this is no place for you' Councilman Herman said looking at Harris.
'Passing the first test means nothing. The second test means something. At this moment you are nothing until you make something of yourselves if you pass this test' Councilman Lincoln said.
They sounded like military men, they were both vampires in their mid forties. The department of weapons and security was the military of the council. Councilman Lincoln was the head and Herman was his assistant.
'I will be your supervisor for this test as well as the third. You will divide yourselves into two groups. Each group will comprise three members. What happened here is obvious but I want the why, when and what. You will spread out and bring me findings when you find any. Any questions?' Lincoln asked.
No one amongst the six said a word.
'Good, now make something of yourselves and…'
'Councilman Lincoln' Two guards ran towards them.
'Sir, we found something' They told him.
'What in the bloody heavens' Christopher Aiden gasped.
They all stood at the town square. Before them was a huge circle of ash and within it was a huge symbol of the Phoenix. Beneath was a sentence written in ash.
'The order of the Phoenix' Blaise mumbled.
Her heart raced as she looked at the terrified expressions on the faces of the men around her. Her eyes fell on Heath who had a quizzing look on his face.
'My Lady' Blaise turned quickly to find Harry and Harris behind her.
'Are you okay?' Harry asked.
'I... I am fine Blaise lied.
This was horrifying, the perpetrator had moved in a whole different direction now. He'd burnt a whole town to ashes and left a message in the ruins. Whoever was doing this was dragging her into this somehow.
Councilman Lincoln walked towards them with Ewald and Herman behind him.
'What do you think happened here? Sir Harris' Councilman Lincoln asked him.
All eyes fell on Harris. He cleared his throat nervously.
'Well, whoever did this is sending a message, Sir' Harris began.
'And...'
'And...eh the...'
'So far the perpetrator for these crimes has not been identified. But we can identify them now. Whoever is doing this is a witch' Adrian said.
'You can not make such an accusation without any evidence, Sir Adrian' Blaise said.
'No offence my Lady but isn't it clear. This town was massacred on one single night. There can be only one way such an atrocity can happen. The lost power of Phoenix has been recovered and this symbol proves it. The last time I heard, only witches could wield that power and not just any witch. A witch with the royal blood of the Elda' Adrian said.
'What are you insinuating?' Blaise asked.
Adrian noticed the furiousness in Blaise's tone.
'I am just saying. Maybe the witches have been misleading all of us all this while. Pretending they know nothing about all this' Adrian said.
'As the Lady said Sir Adrian, you can not make such an accusation without any evidence. And the subject of the Phoenix is a touchy one. I will advise you all to refrain from that subject' Ewald said.
'We are yet to decide on how you will undergo this second test providing the new evidence at hand. You are free to look around. Gather here in twenty minutes to hear the final decision' Lincoln said.
'You can use this time to group into two parties' Herman added.
The councilmen left leaving the six behind. Blaise watched as they walked back to Heath and Nicholas. Nicholas glanced at her with a worried look. He gave her a small smile and turned to Heath.
'I believe we can all make a decision now' Adrian drew her attention.
'What decision?' Harry asked.
'Which party to join of course. I stand by myself. Whoever cares to join me will be on the right side' Adrian said.
'There are no sides, Adrian' Harris said.
'That's where you are mistaken. As Councilman Herman said, the council accepts only competent individuals. Why do you think they would ask us to form two factions? Namely; the losing team and the winning team. I think I have a better chance of winning than any of you. So what's it going to be, who is joining me?' Adrian said with a smile.
Blaise glanced at Harry and Harris. They gave her a little nod.
Christopher and Albert joined Adrian quickly.
Adrian smiled mischievously.
'So it's been decided. We are the winning team' Adrian said.
'Nothing has been decided, Adrian' Blaise said.
'Are you sure because I don't see you three making it out' Adrian said.
'What is your problem?' Harry asked.
'There's no need to be riled up, Harry boy. I speak the truth, this is a man's world. You have a woman on your team. How much weaker can you be?' Adrian said.
Adrian was showing his true colours now, Blaise thought. She was almost fooled by him on their first meeting. But it was all clear now, he was a hypocrite.
'There's no need for insults Adrian. The decision has been made and we have two groups now. Which team to lose or win is yet to be decided. Let the best team win. Let's get going boys' Blaise turned away only to bump into someone.
'Pardon…My Lord?' She looked up to find Keith staring down at her, behind him were two guards.
The others quickly bowed.
'Watch your step, my Lady' Keith said with a smile.
'How long have you been standing there?' Blaise asked.
'Long enough to know you are on the winning side' He whispered into her ear and she smiled.
'There are no sides, my Lord' She said.
'We shall see then' Keith said before stepping away from her.
He threw Adrian a cold glance before walking away.
'I didn't know the Lord was coming here' Harry said.
'I didn't either' Blaise said.
'News travels fast, doesn't it? ' Harris said.
Blaise turned towards the twins.
'Thank you, both of you. For a second I thought the worst' Blaise said.
'There's no need to thank us. Adrian wasn't entirely wrong, we have to join someone who has a greater chance of winning' Harry said.
'And between the two of us, you are that someone' Harris said.
Blaise smiled.
'I hope I don't let you down' She told them.
'You won't. That's why were are here to help' Harry said.
'We should get to it then. Let's start looking around. Who knows what we may find?' Blaise said.
'Where should we start, my Lady?' Harris asked.
'That way since the other team is using that side and please, call me Vivian' Blaise said.
Harris and Harry nodded and together they walked towards the left side of the town to begin their search.