A MAZE OF GREED

The building complex miles away to the west of Vincardine buzzed with many people, men and women, walking from one floor to another, from one building to another, while some engrossed themselves in serious conversations.

In the various offices were working people with the skills of writing and the knowledge of their respective fields, like law and order, administration, security, trade and business, agriculture and so on.

Some were oblivious to the words that fell on the sharp ears of the creatures disguised as humans. That was the beauty, as well as, a pivotal point of this society- the harmony between the humans and the supernatural creatures. The only thing that maintained that balance was the incognizance of the humans of the existence of others.

It was necessary to be that way, or there wouldn't have been any other way!

For a common man, the vibe of the place was intimidating, and to some it was monotonous. But that didn't lessen the importance of the place. Because it was a headquarter of the Council.

The royals administered their land with the help of this Council, and hence it held a very prestigious and paramount position in the society. The limits of their powers were beyond the understanding of the common people. And those who understood it never dared to aggravate the Council.

The place had been a seat of the Council for centuries. It started with a single three-storeyed building then. With the passing time and rising need, other buildings took shape over the years.

The only limitation to the jurisdiction of the Council was it was meant for humans only. For every breed of supernatural creatures, they had ruling families and a leader and the existence of these were unknown to the Council of humans even though some supernatural creatures worked for it.

The five-member Council still had their offices in the same building where their history had begun. The topmost floor of the old brown-coloured building had the office of the influential person in the politics of the land- chairperson of the Council, Barret Addington.

The spacious office room had sumptuous looking furniture of the best quality. On the front wall were portraits of the first members of the Council along with the then ruler of the land.

A man in his late fifties with grey hairs and a serious face sat in the large and comfortable chair behind a massive table.

His glasses with golden chains, was on his nose while he read the papers in his hand. His long face was set in an expressionless mould except for the slight furrow in between his brows. His dark suit suited his light complexion well.

After running his eyes for five minutes on the scrawled letters on the papers, he sighed. Putting down the papers on the table, he leaned back in his chair. Something clearly was on his mind.

"Mr Addington, what do you think of this?" A council member asked.

Instead of meeting with all four members, Barret Addington had called only for one of them named Ripon. He was his trusted man, his executing hand.

After a minute of silence, he perked up his brows while looking at the Council member.

"Should I be concerned?"

The Council member was at a loss for words. He blinked at the chairperson, trying to come up with an answer but then he gave up.

"I- no."

Barret's face split into a wicked grin. "Exactly!"

Not able to find peace, the man concerned, "But how we are going to handle this situation? We had not predicted this turn of tables. We can't let them have their way, Mr Chairman."

Barret's sharp eyes pierced through the man's. "Do you think that they are capable of overpowering me?"

That was not only a question but a declaration of his authority. As a chairperson of the Council, he had achieved the place and had concentrated power in his hands that even the powerful representatives of the elites also tried to not get on his bad side.

His close connection with the royal family and their blind trust in his had made him do whatever he pleased. He had exhausted more than thirty-five years of his life to reach this peak, and now he wanted more of it!

Shifting in his seat uncomfortably, the man mumbled. "But they are among the strongest ones in the land."

Indeed they were!

Barret's eyes hardened at his reply. But he was known for maintaining his cool even in grave situations. He was not on the top for no reason. He had dealt with many of them, and he would not hesitate to go to any lengths this time too.

"You are overthinking it, Ripon. Let them believe that they are the ones in the power. I will wait till the right time to show them who is stronger. They can't do a thing without me. I will not let them. They have to learn my importance, my position and my capabilities." His voice was hard.

The Council member named Ripon gulped down nervously. As a wise man, he didn't want to stretch the topic longer and bring out the Chairperson's dark side.

"Do you want me to arrange another meeting with them?" He asked tentatively.

Barret showed his palm to him and said, "No need. Not yet. Before that I want to take another look at the proceedings of the investigation of the five deaths case."

Now that there was nothing left to discuss more, Ripon took his leave. Barret took the beautiful green and yellow shade stone that he used as a paperweight in his hand and started playing with it. His brain was running faster than a horse.

Though he had dismissed Ripon's worries, he couldn't ignore them for long. There were few left in between his path to the throne of power and he had his mind set on removing those obstacles by hook or by crook.

'I think it is time to see how the almighty O'Dells are doing.' That same wicked smile again appeared on his face that could have sent goosebumps on Ripon's skin if he had seen it.

*

*

*

"Thea, will you please slow down a bit?!" Ruth groaned while panting.

"Don't complain, Ruth. You are slower than an eight year old. Hurry up!" Thea called her.

After a short break, Thea had resumed her work in Mr Cooper's shop and no one was happier than Ruth. As per Mr Cooper's condition, he had made Thea complete all her pending work for which she had cursed the old man to the moon and back.

But Ruth had offered her help and the two women had finished every order in time. To celebrate their weekend, they had decided to go to the market and enjoy their time with some delicious food.

Ruth couldn't say no because who doesn't enjoy food?!

Thea had spotted a seller of roasted salty peanuts. It was her favourite snack in her childhood. As soon as she spotted the seller, she ran grinning like a small girl and Ruth had no choice than following her.

"Thea, slow down! He is not going anywhere." Ruth again called her friend but to no avail.

Thea had already reached the seller and was gawking at the bag full of peanuts like a hungry bull.

"Hello, milady! Shall I pack some for you?" The man asked.

Thea's face brightened up and she nodded her head vigorously. Smiling at her, the seller started feeling the paper cones that he had already prepared for the crunchy roasted salty peanuts.

Ruth finally caught with her friend with heavy breaths as if she had run a race. "O-one more, please!" She glared at Thea for not ordering for her but the other woman was too excited to notice that.

After paying the money to the seller, they both walked towards the public park and found a good spot to rest. They spent the next hour while talking and enjoying their peanuts. They laughed, they shared every happening of these past days, they were happy… very happy.

"Do you know Ruth, when my father brought me to the market, he used to buy these peanuts for me. And if he didn't I used to cry till my throat burned." Thea reminiscent her childhood memory.

"Really?" Ruth looked at her in surprise.

Thea nodded her head, "yes. My mother used to scold my father for giving into my wishes easily. That was fun to watch and I enjoyed my mother pinching my father's ears with my favourite peanuts." She winked at Ruth and they two burst into a fit of laughter.

"O-oh, I-I can i-imagine angry Mrs Green s-scolding poor Mr Green and you l-little devil playing innocent." Ruth said in between her laughs, the corner of her eyes moistened.

Ruth abruptly seized her laugh, her brows knitted in confusion. She turned her head to look back but her eyes met with only strangers walking around. For some reason, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she sighed deeply.

"Ruth, what happened?"

Thea's voice brought her attention back. "It's nothing. What were you saying?" She dismissed her instincts with a smile and again the two women lost themselves in the puddle of words.

But Ruth had no idea that her instincts were right. Someone was indeed watching her from the distance. The cerulean blue orbs hungrily took in her sight, her laughs, her beautiful face, her enchanting hazel eyes, everything of her.