Destiny Scorns

  ~~~~~~~~~~~

  Sometime after Wendy was done with the saloon and they were walking through the deserted streets, the former was thinking of something else to say. She normally had questions and no doubt she still had questions. The only problem she always had was putting the pressing question first.

  `Right after you told me your age, you disappeared.' Victor looked at her then back at the road. He seemed to be expecting something but she didn't know what. `Why did you tell me that that is not really old for a wizard?'

  `With reference to a three thousand year old wizard, I didn't think I needed to be clearer.'

  `You want to know what I think?'

  `Yes,' but Wendy didn't seem to want to say it. `Amuse me, please,' he coaxed.

  `I think that you wanted to make me angry.'

  `Why would I want to do that?'

  `Because of what happened in the forest,' she folded her arms before her and smiled wittingly.

  Victor looked at her and then back at the road and turned to look if they were being followed.

  Wendy didn't press. `I admit I was a little mad but I understand why you didn't want me.'

  `And what reason would that be?'

  `Doesn't matter now.' She was about to open her mouth before he added, `I know now that I shouldn't have kissed you in the first place'

  She turned away to hide the disappointed look on her face but Victor had seen it. It didn't matter though because he knew she still didn't need distractions and he would be the biggest one. He agreed with Gorham on that but that didn't mean that he liked it. His thoughts were drawn to a group of people before them.

  He grabbed Wendy's arm and pulled her through the alley but halfway through, there was another group before them. He turned to go back but the other group was behind them. Victor stopped short.

  `She's not going anywhere,' a voice said before them. Both groups were closing in on them then they stopped. `You just have to give her up then we'll let you walk out of here.' `How did you know I was here?' Victor asked.

  `Madison tracks both you and Henry. The minute you set course out of Henry's residence, she knew you were coming.'

  `Why didn't you just keep Wendy instead of letting her come here?'

  `Madison knows how you think, Victor.' One lone person stepped out of the group. `She is after all your mother!'

  `What?' Wendy gasped but no one was paying her attention.

  `She knew that if you didn't feel Wendy's presence then you would sense the trap. She had to lure you in.'

  `You used her as bait.'

  The lone figure moved further towards them. `Now,' he stopped. `Madison knows about

  Wendy's feelings for you. With one answer, you can put her doubts at rest and she will let you live.' `What's my question?' Victor didn't beat around the bush.

  `Do you love her?' Both the lone figure and Wendy watched Victor carefully.

  `What kind of question is that?'

  `Your mother is concerned. You don't keep in touch and she doesn't like finding out from other people, you know that.'

  `I'm not going to answer that.'

  `Why Victor? Aren't you sure of what you feeling?'

  `That's why you still haven't attacked. She can't stop being my mother, can she?' Victor made a step closer. Wendy tried to stop him by grabbing his arm but he pulled away. Another step. `Why won't you finish me off?'

  `I need an answer.' They were standing inches away from each other.

  `How about I give you this, Andrew? My mother's faithful servant,' he hissed into his ear. The next thing anybody heard was Andrew's painful howl. He sank into the ground. Victor put his hand on the latter's head. The screaming continued and then it was suddenly cut off. Everyone watched Andrew turn into dust. Victor looked up at the stunned faces, `Well, well, it turns out I did learn from my mother after all.'

  It took a moment longer for the groups at the back and in the front to realize what had happened. They both started moving towards them at the same time both in panic and in fear. Then two people ran ahead of both groups. Wendy was about to defend himself when Victor lowered her hands. The two people came and stood defensively beside them.

  Victor stepped away from the group of four now. `Unless you want to start something that you cannot win, go home!' he ordered.

  The others were a bit unsure but with their leader dead, they decided that they had risked a lot and whether or not Madison will be disappointed, she wouldn't kill them for giving up. They turned to their heels and left.

  `What's going on?' Wendy asked.

  But she was again ignored by everyone. `What now?' one of the people who had joined them asked. She was called Amber, if Wendy could remember well. She stood like a soldier in front of Victor as did the other one.

  `We need to land in a familiar safe place when we teleport.' `You can't be serious! From here?' Amber objected.

  `Yes. We need to go before Madison decides to come over.'

  `I know a good place,' the young man said. `Just a couple of more blocks from here.'

  `Where will we land?'

  `In a warehouse in Australia. I just hope it is empty.'

  `We don't have time to be cautious. We need to go now.' Victor grabbed Wendy's arm and as the young man started to lead the way. She wanted to object but she knew whatever she said would fall on deaf ears. She was guided through the streets. The man walking in front of them. Amber behind and Victor at her side. She seemed to be covered all round.

  When they got to the alley that the man was talking about, it was as if they were stepping into another country. She didn't even notice the transition. They went into a street in a place where she assumed was Australia and then Victor took the lead. They went into an apartment which was obviously his and again with the transition. It took them a few more of those transitions before they again appeared in another apartment. This one had boxes in it but nothing was arranged or unpacked. They walked into the bedroom and that was the only comfortable place.

  It had a large bed which was well made. The curtains were opened and there was nothing out of place. The others were about to go when Victor held them back. He went to the closet and opened a cabinet and behind it he opened a safe. Took something out and then closed it. He went and joined the others. Barely nodding, they were standing before Henry.

  Henry looked at the two additions then he understood. `Problems?'

  `Just the expected one.'

  `Your job is not done,' he was talking to the two.

  `Yes, your Lordship,' they said in unison then bowed their heads respectfully.

  Henry turned to Wendy and walked to her. `Are you alright?'

  `I'm fine but...'

  `You should eat something and get some rest. You will not be safe here anymore. We need to get you moving.' `But...'

  Henry's attention had already moved from her. `We need a perimeter lock down around the estate. Victor, all the wormholes should be blocked and Amber, you are with Wendy.'

  `I guess that leaves me the perimeter,' the young man said as he started walking away. Amber didn't also seem very enthusiastic with her job but she went, grabbed Wendy's arm and dragged her out of the room leaving Victor alone with Henry.

  `Hey, watch it,' she pulled her arm away with force and stopped.

  `We need to get moving. We need to get you some food.'

  `I know my way to the kitchen. There no need to get brutal with me.'

  `If you'd move faster perhaps I wouldn't see the need to do so.'

  `Well, don't touch me.' they walked to the dining room and when Amber stopped Wendy continued on into the kitchen. Two seconds later, the former was walking into the kitchen door.

  `Do you ever think of what you do before you do it?'

  `I'm here to get my food. I thought that was what you wanted me to do?'

  `Whatever you are supposed to do, I should not leave your
side at any given moment. I'm here to protect you.'

  `I don't need protecting.'

  `You don't?' Amber laughed sarcastically. `What kind of queen are you going to be when you can't even recognize when you need help?'

  `And who are you supposed to be to lecture me on how to be queen?' Wendy could feel the anger rising in her. `You should get out of here before I lose my temper.'

  `I'm not afraid of you,' she walked over to Wendy. `Go on and lose your temper because you know what?' she stopped in front of her. `I have spent the last ten years waiting for you to arrive and here comes the ungrateful bi...'

  `Ladies,' Victor's voice interrupted. They both turned in shock at him. `Is there a problem?' `No,' Amber looked slightly at Wendy then she stormed out of the room.

  Victor didn't take her eyes from Wendy. After Amber had gone and her footsteps faded into nothing, he said, `I understand that it isn't in your nature to feel grateful to wizards but it wouldn't hurt if you were a bit courteous to Amber.'

  Wendy was going to open her mouth but again, like before, Victor left before she could say anything. She turned and faced Charles and Greta, who like the other servants, were shocked at the exchange. `Can you believe that? He turned on me but it was Amber who came storming in here.'

  `Honey,' Greta started, `We don't know what is happening.'

  `Because I am partly from the Izanami bloodline everybody thinks that it’s my fault if something goes wrong. Look at now what happened. Victor comes in and starts assuming that I am the one on the wrong,' she stood up. `Even my father ignores me because I'm not one of them.' She headed to the door.

  `Aren't you going to eat?' Greta called after her.

  `I'm not hungry.' She walked away.