Don't skip this chapter. And don't post spoilers in the comments. I'll hunt you and haunt you as a ghost forever.

(No spoilers at the beginning of the chapter. You can post comment at the end as much as you like :)))

There's a small rant at the end.

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"They sent forth men to battle, But no such men return; And home, to claim their welcome, Come ashes in an urn" -Aeschylus

Sacrilegious (adj.)- Involving or committing sacrilege (blasphemy or crime)

Ares' POV:

His breaths were heavy, burdened with the sin of another. Burdened with anxiety and possibly fear. Fathomless, uncanny and gripping fear.

"They... sent us a death threat?"

"Seems like it," My mask weighed heavy on my face. I felt suffocated and trapped, "Call the detective and have the number traced ASAP. Tell our guards that we are leaving with them."

"On it!" His voice was firm, laced with the oath that was sworn to his blood.

"Archer?"

"Yes brother?"

"Get me the walking stick from my study."

"Y-You can't-"

"I am going."

"But it's not safe for you! You have to understand, Ares! Please listen to me!"

"The message was addressed to me. I doubt that they would be happy seeing you."

"Do you ever listen?" The low rumble of his voice was a clear indication of his annoyance.

"Archer," It was a warning, a command that held the silent message that stated loud and clear, "Stop fucking wasting our time."

A prolonged sigh was heard, followed by the tempo of his quick pace. My jaw clenched as my fingers tightened around the rim of the sofa.

They want vengeance? I will give them war.

______________________

It didn't take long for Archer to trace the number with the help of detective Joans who currently worked with the Laurel Police department. He was one of our many family connections who helped us throughout the years.

"It was sent from somewhere around Windsor ave."

A sigh escaped me, the unfurling worry gnawing inside me, my insides tearing into pieces with each passing second, An eternity must have passed within those milliseconds,

"The police will follow us from afar, they will jump in the scene only when our attackers pose a threat to us."

I nodded, allowing him to lead me to his car. I had no idea if it was a wise decision for me to go, but I fathomed whoever this person was wouldn't be too happy seeing Archer alone.

The small metal gun that was tucked inside my coat weighed heavily. I could feel the material of my cloth sticking to my damp skin, I could hear our ragged breaths and harsh heartbeats.

The mild sway of the car and the screeches of the tires against the asphalt rivened through the untrodden road.

The monster inside me reared his head, urging me to tear the souls of those that dared laying a hand on Adrianna.

Even after leaving the US army, I still practiced the lifestyle I had adopted.

Intuitiveness and sense of a forthcoming future, we were taught to know ourselves and our capabilities and predict the imminent danger. Do or die.

I live in the world of intuitiveness and prediction. Being surrounded by darkness, it had become my main survival tool.

I was always taught to trust myself. Even if my hands shook, fear gripped me and I could sense an impending loss- I was to keep myself calm and dissect the problems, like calculus; one section at a time.

One section at a time.

There was something, something major I was missing. A major piece of the puzzle.

John Miller, truck, Britney leaving me, Britney being Alexander's ex-wife. Alexander being Adrianna's lawyer. An accident that took place 13 years ago 3 days apart.

Alexander can't be the one behind this, he could have done it earlier if he wanted to. Britney can't be the one as well because she has zero interest in Adrianna and I have nothing to offer her.

Were they pawns to a mastermind?

Someone who was beyond them?

Who was it?

"What are you thinking, brother?"

"Trying to solve this dilemma."

"I have a bad feeling about this," He sighed, his breath faltering.

"I can't say I have a good feeling about this either," My jaw clenched, "But whatever happens, it will be on us."

The car came to an abrupt halt, my heart thudding in my body.

"This is the location," He was panicking, I was too.

"There's police following us closely behind," He breathed, "I am trying not to panic. I really am, tru-"

I grabbed his shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze.

"Whatever happens, we are going to come out of there unharmed. Three of us."

His breaths slowed as his shoulders sagged, the stiff muscles relaxing under his shirt.

"And we are going to leave it behind. For good."

"We will," His hand clasped my arm as a whisper of a breeze blew, whooshing past us. He led me through what seemed like overgrown grass.

"Careful with the pebbles, at your left," My boots made contact with the small stones, a crunching sound following us.

"It's a house, seems abandoned. Not in a good shape, the ceiling is seconds away from falling down. I can see light from the second floor but it's faint. Trees on both sides."

I tried to conjure up a mental imagery of the place as Archer kept on describing it.

"Is there any window or maybe a pet door?"

"Uh- there is one window," He mumbled, "The rim's broken. No pet door though."

Enough for escaping if needed.

The musty smell of soil and garbage wafted around, which let me know that the person behind this fiasco didn't live here. It was a neutral ground for us to meet.

"Archer, look up at the trees. Do you see any shadows or CC cameras?"

"No..." He trailed off, "I don't see anything or anyone."

"Take a good look around," If they were able to beat one of our best bodyguards and drug another and kidnap Adrianna from the middle of the street; it only meant that there would be more than a handful of people lurking in those trees or that house, "And tell me."

"I do see a couple of shadows around, moving," Archer breathed, "Exactly how many are there? God."

"Whoever this person is, they have been messing with records and Adrianna's case. It is only about time we settled this."

"The police will be here soon," Archer released a shaky breath, "Remember even if something brutal takes place, you are to escape."

I frowned, "What?"

"I said what I said," His tone was firm, rough- a voice that resembled me when I announced my decisions. A timbre that left no room for any argument.

I stopped, taken aback.

Since when did he grow so much?

For me he was that 12 year old boy I had left behind 13 years ago.

"Do not argue with me, Ares," He said slowly, menacingly, "Listen to me. Whatever happens inside, I want you to escape if you sense any danger. I will try to rescue Adrianna first-"

"You don't order me around Archer Theodore Estevan," I grunted, "Don't forget who you are talking to-"

"I am talking to my older brother whom I want to get out of this hell hole as soon as possible."

I let out a sigh.

"You sound so old," A chuckle escaped me, "Responsible and all."

"Stop making me sound old, old man," He grabbed my arms and dragged me to the house, "I am not the 35 year old here."

I snickered.

"Careful, stairs," He led me through the small stairs. One, two, three, four.... And then we were on what I assumed was the patio.

"Should I break it down or knock like a gentleman?"

"Whatever you deem to be efficient."

A loud sigh escaped him as he let go of my hand and knocked on the door. Once, twice... banging on it loudly on the third. A loud bang was heard on the fourth second as he broke it down.

"Turns out kicking it down was more efficient," He sighed, grabbing a hold of my arm once again. I heard the safety of his gun being removed with a loud clunk.

"Bitches woke up and chose violence," a sigh escaped him, "How pathetic."

I sighed as I walked forward, cautious, trying to sense if there was anyone nearby or attacking from behind. Sound and sense were my only friends.

"Coast seems clear. Why the fuck is it so musty here?"

Archer seemed far more relaxed than he was just a couple of seconds ago. It was a good sign, he would be able to think more clearly and defend himself better.

I, on the other hand, was anything but calm. The rapid palpitation of my heart grew more frantic by seconds. I could hear my blood pounding, feel them rushing through my veins. The warm velvety liquids.

Where the fuck was Adrianna?

Where was she?

Was she okay?

Was she unconscious still?

My hands tightened on my stick. If they laid a single finger on her-

"Adrianna!"

My heart jumped in my throat as Archer grabbed my hand and led me through the floor that was laden with broken bottles and plastics, the sound of them scrunching resonated loudly through the vast room.

"Adrianna! Oh my god! Ares she is so pale!"

"Where?" My voice was small, or maybe it was drowned in the sound of my breathing. It was a turmoil of darkness surrounding me. Gripping me.

"It's a sofa, she is here," I kneeled, feeling one of the broken glasses pierce through my skin. I reached out, hoping to feel her again.

My finger came in contact with her cold skin.

"Anna..." I whispered, stroking the side of her cheek. It seemed as if a tear had escaped and dried on her skin. I tried to seek the warmth of her, the warmth that shone brighter than any light.... Nothing.

She was unmoving.

My trembling fingers trailed to her neck, fearful, cautious. The single artery throbbed under her skin, blood rushing to keep her alive. It was faint, but it was still there.

A relieved sigh escaped me.

"Where are her injuries?"

"There's dry blood on her dress, I am assuming her neck."

"Haul her up. We are leaving."

"Now now," A third voice interrupted us, making both of us freeze, "Where's the fun in it? I invited you, be my guest."

A third voice.

A voice that was so familiar.

I searched my head. Where had I heard it? Where?

"Face me, Ares. Although I don't remember calling the other one. Why must you drag along, Archer?"

My hand tightened on the stick. I turned, making sure to shield Adrianna's unconscious body with mine.

"Who the fuck are you now?" Archer exclaimed, exasperated.

Where did I hear this voice? Where?

Impatience gnawed inside me, the ugly monsters rearing their heads.

"I am very much offended that you do not remember my face, Archer. This blind boy hasn't been telling you about me?"

Suddenly, the locks clicked together. The missing puzzle. The torn chapter. The piece I had been searching desperately for 13 long years.

The tip of my toes froze, a loud breeze whispered passed me, a droplet of cold sweat travelling down my temple.

The darkness shrunk, as if more and more. It consumed me, with it's overwhelming nothingness.

It couldn't be. Impossible.

"Now do you think you are fucking Queen Elizabeth the second the immortal? What the fuck is-"

"Liam."

His name escaped past my lips like a plea. A plea for it to be my imagination.

A chuckle escaped him, dread coiling inside me, "Hello brother."

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How are we feeling?

Feedback on the chapter?

How many of you guessed? (I know one did 😏)

A couple of days ago, someone added my book to a reading list named 'I hate it'.

The thing is, I always urge you to let me know if you dislike or hate anything about my book. I am always encouraging you to leave constructive criticisms as to how I can improve my books more because I know not everyone will like a story.

This is the first time it has happened to me so I was a bit shocked.

Guys, if any of you don't like a particular book, let the author know. I'm sure any author will appreciate a feedback and a rating. Instead of adding it to a reading list that says 'bad books' or 'i hate it', let the author know what you hate about it.

If you dislike anything about this story, let me know. I wti definitely take it into account and see to it. I am a human being so I am not beyond my mistakes. If I do, let me know 🙂

On a good note SO MANY of you have added this small book of mine to your favourite list! I AM SO OVERWHELMED THANK YOU FOR ALL THESE LOVE! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!😭😭😭😭🖐️I will make sure to treat all of you with an early update ✨