The Hellions - Death of A Queen

[Avalanche]

The Hellfire Estate - The Maze

Juliette: "So dze lovable scoundrel 'as a 'eart, it is not a crime. If you can't trust any of us, dzis vill be 'arder dzan it 'as to be."

Archer thought for a moment at what angle Juliette was working with bringing Alec in, and he connected the dots. Even if he wasn't necessarily "king" material...he was an ally that they needed for this to work. He was already eager and easily defectable to their cause. Bringing him in would in turn sway Bretta as well. He was slowly beginning to see the tactician behind the woman.

Alec merely glanced at Archer’s hand before shrugging it off. He would’ve laughed at Archer’s feeble attempt to be the Alpha Male in the group if he weren’t so offended.

“Listen, MATE, you may call it ‘stupid’ but I call it wisdom. You really think people would take great steps to advance ME before Bretta? This IS me we’re talking about. I know my reputation around here and I also know Bretta’s reputation. Speaking of which, did you not just hear me when I said that she can’t see Rebecca for what she is? Of COURSE she is as loyal as they come.”

Alec shook his head. Honestly. Sometimes he wondered how they even got anything done at the Hellfire Club. Too many egos in that organization it was a wonder how any of them survived each other. He wanted nothing more than to deck Archer right then and there, but he also knew that though it would be extremely satisfying to HIM, it wouldn't be helpful for what they were talking about.

Archer shook his head.

"Call it whatever you would like, Thatcher...I'm merely pointing out that defending The Red Princess so obstinately might not be your best option..but your choices are your own..AND..the fact that you are here DOES speak volumes to me...I am only trying to expand your own view of yourself...You've been told you are worthless by Rebecca for TOO long..."

Juliette: "Dze funny dzing about trust; it must be given and earned simultaneously. You are uncomfortable vit a leap of fait.... dzat is all right, I vill make it for you. I vill reveal my plan to you ALL.... You dzen have a choice. You may take part and reap dze revards, or you may expose my treason and ruin my carefully constructed coup. It is up to YOU to prove your allegiance, I vill take dze first risk."

Archer laughed.

"Duchess..you HAVE proven yourself with your words to me...not that you needed to...but in MY line of work..there are no contracts...or formal agreements. The only oath worth taking seriously is one of blood..."

Juliette: "I vill execute dze White Knight before sunrise. I vill not disguise my involvement in his death. It vill be known troughout dze club, and it vill be your cue. All dze focus vill be on me. Archer, if you vish to join forces, you vill 'ave a clear opportunity to eliminate dze White Bishop. DZAT vill earn my loyalty to YOU. Once she is gone, Dze White Queen vill be isolated and vulnerable. Ve vill NOT vait for dze vote to determine dze Black Court's new Queen. Voting is for democrats and sycophants. You vill declare yourself King, Lord Ravena and I vill back your play. Dze Supreme Council is likely to name Brienne Queen, but dzey vill be bogged down vit politics vhile ve crush dze competition. Lord Ravena, I vill be counting on you to recruit or distract dze Black Knight. Duke, you vill deport dze American Daniel Reed by any means necessary, preferably an untimely demise. Vhy Rebecca vanted a tourist in dze inner circle is beyond me. Dze colonists LEFT dzis country, ve should leave dzem across dze pond vhere dzey belong. Once dze support system is crippled, ve vill all join forces to take out dze remaining Queens, and dzen declare ourselves successors. Any rebellion vill experience dze full spectrum of our combined might."

He thought about what Juliette was saying, and the risks she was willing to take. Being here at The Hellfire Estate he sometimes found himself operating in a mode that was not true to how he operated in his everyday life. In his everyday life, if he was betrayed, he KILLED...not just KILLED..he mutilated. If a vendor did not come through...he would torture said vendor's family until the promise was made good..he no longer understood why he was being so careful in this moment.

"You are a convincing speaker, Juliette. We have an agreement. You bring me the body of The White Knight and I will bring you what's LEFT of The White Bishop...and we shall turn the court's on their HEADS..."

Now Alec had to rethink the whole Reed situation. He shrugged again and decided to let them in on his suspicions of the American.

“Deporting Mr. Reed, now THAT will take some miracle. It seems as if our good American chap has found favour with Rebecca. You guys are all suspicious of Bretta because she’s the eyes and ears of Rebecca. Well, I have a feeling that Reed is the eyes and ears for Rebecca in regards to The RED Court. I have noticed him…lurking about when he thought I wasn’t watching and he definitely seems to be more INTERESTED whenever he finds me and Bretta together. I have a feeling that Rebecca doesn’t completely trust anyone on her Court…aside from THAT barbarian.”

He looked intensely at Archer.

“Not even BRETTA. In fact, I doubt she even knows she’s under suspicion.”

Archer looked to Alec and then back at Juliette.

"Deporting Daniel Reed will be a task in and of itself. His abilities are all but UNKNOWN to The Courts, and while he HAS garnered favor within The Red Court...he has FAVORABLE ties with American allies...it's why she keeps him around..."

He looked at the group around them before turning his attention to the night sky.

"It appears we have work to do..I will make good on my word and deliver you the White Bishop's body by sunrise...Good luck, comrades."

Archer began to walk off, back through the entrance of the maze. He felt a jolt of electricity run through his body as he always did when he knew he was going to murder somebody. If The Red Queen wanted a shake up...she was most CERTAINLY about to get it.

 

[Lord Ravena]

Ravena stood, proud of the plan as it was hatched. It was a simple plan overall, execution and power was key.

Juliette and Archer had murders to commit, and he had something he was asked to do himself. Deal with the Black Knight. He expected to be asked to do that. He knew that no one wanted to try the enigma that was Maxine. He had his ways. The night would be fruitful indeed.

"Deporting Daniel Reed will be a task in and of itself. His abilities are all but UNKNOWN to The Courts, and while he HAS garnered favor within The Red Court...he has FAVORABLE ties with American allies...it's why she keeps him around..."

He looked at the group around them before turning his attention to the night sky.

"It appears we have work to do..I will make good on my word and deliver you the White Bishop's body by sunrise...Good luck, comrades."

Archer began to walk off, back through the entrance of the maze. He felt a jolt of electricity run through his body as he always did when he knew he was going to murder somebody. If The Red Queen wanted a shake up...she was most CERTAINLY about to get it.

Ravena looked at the pair remaining. Reaching his hand out, he grasped that of the White Princess. Looking at the Red Rook, he spoke again.

I am pleased that you chose to join us. There are many ways to deal with the American; none of them have to deal with killing. He is more VALUABLE to us alive and he is only as loyal to Rebecca as is necessary for his likely TRUE mission: to keep an eye on the European Court for the Americans. Give him a greater in and he likely will stand aside for what is to come. Now if you will excuse me, I must speak with Juliette...ALONE.

Turning arm in arm with the vampiress, Lord Ravena and Juliette simply seemed to disappear in a dense mist.

 

[Juliette De Lacroix]

Her plan was well conceived..... but she had not hatched it over night. Hours spent observing, calculating, measuring and revising. Juliette was the quiet one, never quick to anger, never rowdy or overbearing.... but underneath her cool, calm surface, a diabolical mind was always at work.

It was also well received, as she had expected. They ALL benefited from her scheme, and they would ALL have to commit to making it happen..... but the benefits far outweighed the cost.

They had differing opinions on the Red Bishop, but she left that issue up to their judgement. As long as he would no longer be a threat, she would be perfectly content.

Lord Ravena took her hand, asking to speak with her in private, and so they went.

********************

One hour later.......

Juliette traveled through the forest to reach another massive castle on Hellfire's property. This was the White Court's stronghold, where the rest of her court remained. It was quite late, but some pawns had returned and were gossiping in the common room. She made her way up the grand, sweeping staircases and down the private halls, making no effort to hide her movement.

Her private chat with the mysterious Lord Ravena had gone very well indeed. She had every confidence in him, and could easily see why Evelyn had favored him so much.

Juliette arrived at the penthouse doors of Damien Wickham, the White Knight. He was the farthest thing possible from a knight in shining armor. He was a psychiatrist who sold his prescriptions. He thought very highly of himself and because of his ability to pass out valium, he was very popular. He was also a womanizer and a scoundrel, and not in the good way. He had been sleeping his way around the White court, and had even nailed the Queen..... but Juliette had resolutely kept him at a distance. He was slimy and boorish and reminded her of a prince who'd tried to court her in her youth.

She had never sought him out. Until now. She knocked on the door lightly, her guards still flanking her. One of his guards answered the door.

Guard: The Knight is indisposed. He doesn't want to be disturbed.

"Tell 'im I 'ave come for 'im, and you vill see if 'e vishes to be disturbed."

A few minutes passed, and then the guard let them in. She entered, bottle in hand, looking for his gross smile. There he was, leaning against a darkened threshold, bare-chested, wearing nothing more than basketball shorts.

Damien: you've come to MY suite in the middle of the night? I would act surprised but I think I'd just rather say that I've got a rather thick, juicy vein for you to--

She cut him off by throwing the bottle of wine into the stone fireplace, shattering it and splashing its red plasma everywhere.

Damien: So you didn't drink it all, then?

" 'ow DARE YOU?! You--"

Damien: yeah, you know what, hold on a minute. (To the guards) you guys better wait outside, she's not here to shag, she's gonna tear me a new asshole. Maybe after she does, we can have makeup sex!

Juliette glared at him as he poured himself a drink and the guards went out and shut the door. He sank into his sofa, leaning back casually, stretching his arms over the back rest, showing off his chest.

Damien: Do you have to be so very dramatic about it? You could have just said 'no thanks handsome, I don't like it.' You French bitches are so rude.

He was an IDIOT. He had some power over human's minds and he thought that made him invincible. But he was only human. He may have been in great shape for a human, but that didn't mean much to Juliette. And he was just putting himself on display for her. How many times had her intended prey just offered themselves up tonight? She'd been provoked endlessly.

She finally acted on her instincts. In the blink of an eye she straddled him, capturing his attention by clamping down on both sides of his face with her hands.

"You vill enjoy this, but it can nevair 'appen again."

Damien: oh, hit it and quit it, I like your style.....

She nuzzled his neck, then kissed it many times, savoring the moment. Damien was trying to undress her, but she could put a stop to that. She slowly drew her dagger and brought her arm around behind him, carefully, quietly slipping the blade tip in between his third and fourth vertebrae. His hands slacked loosely on the sofa. She sat up, savoring the look of panic in his eyes.

He was paralyzed from the shoulders down, and struggling to breathe. She waited for him to send a mental distress call to his guards. When she heard the door handle turn she zipped into position, and ambushed the guards as they came in. She moved with such speed and grace that they never saw her, yet she was able to deal with both of them with precision. She leapt onto the back of the first one, closing her fangs around the back of his neck. His spine was as easily crushed in her jaw as a carrot. His body went limp and collapsed beneath her and she turned, pouncing on the second guard with a vehemence that overwhelmed him. Her teeth closed around his jugular, and blood filled her mouth, tangy and tart. She ripped his esophagus in its entirety from his body, then released it as if it were a toy she was done playing with. She hated wasting so much fresh blood, but collateral damage was par for the course. She watched the blood pour out of the shredded remains of his throat, soaking his clothes and pooling beneath his body. She pulled the handkerchief from the first guard, wiped her face, and closed the door again.

She returned to her prize. He was still fighting for each breath he was taking, with wide eyes and a sweaty brow. She sat in his lap once again. Now she could take her time.

"I vas not lying, you know.... You VILL enjoy dzis.... but I vill enjoy it MUCH more."

She could smell the fear and anger on him like cologne. It smelled delicious. She bit into his carotid artery, filling the blood going to his brain with a poison that simulated the release of endorphins. He sighed as deeply as she drank, finally slaking her thirst. It was worth the wait.

When she had taken her fill, she sat up, her eyes glowing gold, her skin flushed and warm. She felt invincible, and she nearly was. After a kill she could dance through sunlight without taking damage. The more powerful the victim, the longer the immunity would last. A faeries blood would give her a full day in the sun. Damien would simply give her a few hours.

She picked up his body with a pirouette, whirling around the living room in a foxtrot, guiding his body along like a life sized rag doll. She dropped him unceremoniously on the floor by the fireplace, right into the puddle of absinthe laced blood he had sent her earlier. The broken bottleneck still had his note attached to it, just in case she hadn't made herself obvious.

"Did you find dzat to be so very dramatic, Damien? I doubt it, since you are so very DEAD. (Drawing her dagger once more) I also doubt you vill miss dzis very much."

She said, carving through his wrist joint to separate his hand. It would have been easier to simply take the ring bearing the symbol of the White Knight, but she didn't want Archer thinking she conned Damien into just giving her the ring. There was no room for double crossing in her plan, and no room for doubt either. There would be news of Damien's death in the morning.... but to get the ball rolling, she'd give Archer this as motivation to take out Heidi.

 

[Seer]

The stage has been set...

<< The Wake of Evelyn Pierce had brought along the beginning of a revolution in The Hellfire Club. Bad blood and bitter rivalries came to light as members of the courts began to plot their next moves on a night that was supposed to be dedicated to the memory of The Black Queen. >>

<< The Black Knight, Maxine Dupont had made a crash landing at the estate, letting her disgust of the members of The Inner Circle be known...but after a rather eye opening conversation with The Red Queen, Rebecca Everhart...she seemed to be softening in her resolve to see Rebecca murdered and was now about to set her sights on somebody else within the circle...Juliette De La Creaux. >>

<< Juliette herself seemed to be in quite a hurry to turn the entire club on it's head and install a brand new regime, with herself at the helm. She had used her signature charm and way with words to begin to gather the troops she needed to head into battle...specifically The Rooks of The Black and Red Courts, Archer Fairchild and Alistair Thatcher respectively, as well as the less than tacit approval of Lord Ravena, advisor to the courts as well as a close and personal confidant of the fallen Black Queen. >>

<< Rebecca was trying her hardest to try and get a pulse on what Juliette was planning and although Ravena had smartly dispatched The Red Princess, Bretta O'Malley for the night, The Red Queen had another set of eyes with an incredible set of skills; her Red Bishop, the mysterious Daniel Reed. >>

<< As the moon began to fall and the sun began to rise, Archer and Juliette were about to prove their loyalty to each other with a 'blood for blood' exchange. The next several hours would prove critical in the plan that was set to transpire. Would the two unlikely allies learn to trust each other and work as a unit in order to overthrow the courts? >>

<< Alistair was not trusted by The Black Rook and his care for Bretta had not gone unnoticed by anybody. Would he be able to prove his worth to the others and stand alone as a power player in the upcoming war...or would his feelings for Bretta be his undoing. >>

<< Speaking of Bretta, she would be the ONLY member of The Courts to get a good night's sleep due to the handy work of Lord Ravena, but she was not out of danger. Rebecca was beginning to suspect something was wrong with Rebecca and she would have to work overtime to either prove her loyalty...or defect. >>

<< In the next few hours, blood was to be spilled..and a WAR was to begin! >>

<< And So We Watch... >>