In a large conference hall, a presentation was ongoing.
All were quiet, except the man making the presentation of his proposal.
He seemed composed and confident on the outside as he spoke,but only God knew the uneasiness and anxiety welling up inside of him.
His anxiety was quite understandable;after all he was in the presence of Kyra Aikin,the CEO of Endarta Blue Print Ideas,one of the biggest and famous engineering companies.
She was known to be the serious and no-nonsense type,a reputation only her brother could rival.
Finally he stopped speaking, indicating that he was done with the presentation.
The entire place became quiet, everyone waiting for her response.
She remained quiet for a while, fully aware that her silence was literally killing everyone in the room, especially the one who made the presentation;
was she going to accept the proposal...or decline it,he couldn't stop that question from popping up in his mind.
Finally,she spoke...
"Your proposition does sound profitable for my company...but I refuse to accept it,Mr O'Neil...on account of the unusual happenings in your company."
Her answer was firm, leaving no trace for the hope of her changing her mind.
"I don't understand what you mean,Miss Aikin."
He managed to say although up to this point he was speechless.
He knew exactly what was she was driving at...
Could she has have found out about his companies secrets? If so this contract is over...she wouldn't accept it. He missed it.
But it's not likely she knew though...right?
No she couldn't have found out...
But what she said next, completely disfigured the calm composure he was putting up.
"Your company is in a lot of debt,Mr O'Neil. It has also been charged with fraud. Should I not consider this fact before we venture into a partnership?
"Those are just hearsays,Miss Aikin; I thought you don't believe in rumours."
"I don't,but I just can't ignore certain things. I'm not going to fund this project and that's final. This meeting is over."
Kyra stood up and soon everyone followed suit.
Mr O'Neil didn't even try to stop her. He knew it was over; It was impossible to fool this woman.
*************
Now in the comfort of her car,Kyra closed her eyes and massaged her temples. That two hour presentation was really hectic.
Suddenly the ringing of her phone interrupted the silence.
It was her brother.
"Hey. Any new info about dad?" she said as soon as she picked up.
"Maybe. We just found an Artian."
"An Artian? You found Raiden?"
"No. Someone else with the same mark. A she."
Now all the tiredness in Kyra fled upon hearing this.
Another Artian?
How is that even possible?
"But I thought Artians were extinct; Raiden is the only one left. How come there's another one?"
" I thought so too. I'm yet to find out more about that."
" What did the Artian say?"
"Nothing. Something came up and I couldn't get answers."
"What came up?"
" Some things are better said in person than over the phone. Let's meet somewhere later to discuss things. I'll get back to you later, I'm dealing with something important right now."
"Sure. Take care of yourself."
"Hm..You too," and with that,he hanged up.
Kyra sighed and instructed the driver to start the car.
It's been long seen their dad was captured by Raiden.And up to this point they still haven't been able to find him. Slowly she was starting to lose hope...
*****************
"Aarghh!!",the loud wails of a man echoed through the dimly lit room.
He was tied to the chair in which he was sitting on.
His blood generously spread out on the floor, bruises and cuts decorating him from head to toe;with a bullet wound on both of his legs.
Three men surrounded him. Two other men stood some feet away from him,just observing him.
"Aarghh!" he screamed again when the sharp objects dug themselves deeper into his pulsating flesh.
" Stop,"the man with the green eyes standing some feet away commanded as he neared closer to the now half-consious man tied up in the chair.
" Are you ready to speak now...or do you still want more torture", Zilan said coldly;his hands in his pockets as he tried to read the thoughts of the person in front him.
Struggling to open his eyes,the half dead man who now looked like a living corpse let out a chuckle,much ironic to his situation.
" I thought I don't have to say anything...since you're a Blane,why don't you just read my mind."
He let out another laugh.
" Or is it hard for you get answers from my mind,if I don't think of what you want me to think."
His chuckle this time was louder.
"Aah!",he wailed again when one of the men gave him a fierce punch.
He coughed out more blood,his vision getting more hazy by the second.
"If you think all it takes is a few punches and cuts to get me blabber out what you want to hear, then you're a big fool,Zilan Aikin...a very-
He shut up when Zilan aimed a gun at his forehead.
" I don't have time to listen to your BS for another second. You have three seconds to answer."
All this while the tied- up man was slowly untying his hands...and he was close to freeing himself from the ropes that bound him.
" Even if I talk, you're gonna kill me anyway."
" Two seconds".
Zilan's expression remained indifferent as he now rested his finger on the trigger.
"Ok fine I'll speak... I'm a human."
"A second"
Finally freeing himself the man tried to snatch the fun away but unfortunately before he could even touch the gun...
"Your time is up."
"Bang!" The bullet pushed itself into his head,and his hands fell to his sides; his body turning cold and lifeless,as his heart stopped beating.
Zilan now lowered the gun.
"Dispose off his body."
He instructed and the men carried him away.
The other man at the far back walked closer to where Zilan was.
His eyes were amber-like ,but with a more reddish hue.And his silky hair was blacker than midnight,but the edges had traces of a strawberry blonde color.
His facial expression didn't seem so cold like Zilan's, but his aura was somewhat similar to his though.
" I hope you realized you just killed the person who could have given us info,"he spoke.
" You and I both know he wouldn't spill anything. Besides,he isn't the only one left to question. There's still one person left."
" You mean that Artian girl? Where is she anyway."
" At the mansion."
"You sent her to the mansion?"
"Yes. I need you to aquire more data about her background. I have a feeling she could be the break through we need to finally find Raiden."
" I'll find out what I can. But I can't believe there's still another Artian.
Aren't they all supposed to be dead. I remember your dad said Raiden was the only one left."
" I can't believe it either."
" I don't know why I have the feeling a lot of drama is about to happen...,"Ethan said under his breath.
"Did you say something? Zilan said as he raised a brow at Ethan.
" Nevermind what I said."
"Hmm...sure." Zilan said as he walked towards the door,with Ethan following suit.
With that,they both exited the room.
*************