A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth was very ecstatic after meeting Mrs Payne. It was the first time in about a year and a half that Ruth had to stay away from her for that long.

Ruth inquired about Mr Payne's cousin, to which Mrs Payne had genuine answers ready. She thought about telling Ruth about her real intentions for that trip, but then Ruth needed to know so much in a very short time.

She had to take baby steps.

Ida, Thea and Rees came to meet Mrs Payne in the evening. They had a long conversation over tea and snacks.

After they left, Ruth found it as a right time to fill up Mrs Payne with the recent events in 'The great manor'.

She told Mrs Payne about how Lady Theodora insulted Ruth along with Mrs Linlithgow. And then how Lord Augustus got involved and Lady Elsie had to save Ruth from their clutches.

Mrs Payne was furious. She knew that something like this would happen. But then, she had no reason to worry as Ruth was slowly evolving into the woman she should be. Besides, she had people who really cared about her around.

Ruth then informed Mrs Payne about the physician's death and how she got involved in that.

That put Mrs Payne in a place of worry, but then when she got to know that Edwin was not suspecting her, she felt relieved.

And then Ruth asked the question that was nagging her for quite a long time.

"Mrs Payne can I ask you about... about my father and... Theodora?"

Mrs Payne was silent at first. "I thought you understood everything from the flashbacks of past that you saw with the help of that white feather."

"Yes but I still have many questions. I want to know more... all about it!"

Ruth still had no idea who Mr and Mrs Payne was or why they were thieves.

"Ruth, that white feather was given to me by your father. He had put only those memories which are necessary for you to know. You know enough, and if you try to dig deeper...

I do not think that was what your father wanted. Some things are best left in oblivion, my child. Besides, I am here for you. If a situation comes when you must know more than you do now, you have me with you to guide you through it." Mrs Payne told sincerely.

Ruth was disappointed. She did not like that she was living with only partial truth. But then she knew Mrs Payne too well to be sure that the lady would not give her any more information.

However, she nodded in understanding.

"Only one question please! It is important for me to know before I tell you the next news."

Mrs Payne thought about it. She wondered what her little detective might have found now.

She gestured to Ruth to ask her question.

"Did... did Theodora ever considered my mother as her friend?"

That took Mrs Payne by surprise. She anticipated a question about Gerald and Theodora's relationship.

"How should I explain you this?" Mrs Payne murmured softly, as she try to find a simple and effective way of telling Ruth.

"Bertha had always been a selfless woman and loved Theodora dearly. But I always felt that their bond was only one-sided. I can not give you the exact answer unbiasedly. I hope... you understand!"

Although Ruth was not satisfied by her answer, she got the gist of it.

"Mrs Payne, Theodora did not only hurt my father and me but she is also cheating on Lord Augustus."

"What?"

Ruth nodded her head before reciting the incidence where she saw and heard Douglas Morgan and Theodora.

Mrs Payne was speechless after hearing it.

Now she understood why Ruth was asking so much before.

"Are you alright Ruth?" She asked.

No child should witness their parents committing such mistakes.

"Yes... I am. That woman does not matter to me anymore Mrs Payne. And after she attempted poisoning Edwin, she lost that last ounce of mercy from me."

Mrs Payne was shocked to hear that. "You... you know?"

Ruth had a taunting smile on her face. "Even though you all tried to hide it from me, the fate wanted me to know it."

Mrs Payne did not say anything for a minute but then asked, "What are you thinking now?"

"Now I am thinking about how to bring that woman down. I will not repeat the same mistake of showing her mercy. Because she is not worthy of it. I will do everything in my power to protect my man!"

That night Mrs Payne slept a peaceful sleep with a satisfying smile on her face.

*

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*

Darius took Reznor to Kinsville and to his secret place where Hilton was already waiting for him. Darius did not want to bring Lisa there, but then, he had no choice as he could not tell her to wait outside or go back to the Garfield mansion alone.

Lisa was now excited to see what was Darius planning all these days. When they stepped out of the portal, both Reznor and Lisa were shocked to see the whole world built by Darius.

"Welcome to my place!" Darius smirked.

Lisa was astonished seeing the large space and the number of people dressed in black with pale skin working there, following Darius's orders.

"Mr Hilton! See who we have here... finally!" Darius had a victorious smile on his face.

Hilton knew that Darius would reach Reznor, but he had doubts if he could get him there. But now, seeing the dark wizard standing silently beside Darius, Hilton was more than just happy.

"Welcome to Kinsville Reznor!" Hilton's face glowed just like Darius's.

Reznor's greenish eyes swept over the place, yet he could not understand what was exactly Darius's plan.

But then, a heavy door was opened at the end of the place, and a group of Vampires walked inside. However, what took both Reznor and Lisa by shock was two rows of small children following the group in good discipline.

Lisa was counting the numbers two, four, six, eight... twenty... forty and then she lost the count.

She panicked, seeing the children's teary eyes, tattered clothes, marks of hitting on their bodies and that fear in their innocent eyes that once was her companion too.

Her blood boiled inside, and when she saw Darius looking at them proudly, she just wanted to kill that man right then and there.

Lisa and Reznor's eyes met, and she realised that he was in no better situation than her.

"What is this Darius? Who are these kids?" Reznor finally asked with an edge to his voice.

Darius walked ahead, then turned on his heels swiftly, throwing his hands in the air dramatically.

"This is my MAGIC!" He had a broad smile on his face.

But that did not help Reznor or Lisa to understand a thing.

"What are you planning Darius?" Reznor's voice was raised by an octave as he glanced at the terrified kids and then at Darius.

"Reznor, the dark wizard... you must be aware of the uses of Painite as the witches and the wizards were the pioneer of research on it." Darius finally began talking some sense.

"What about that?" Now Reznor was alarmed yet confused.

Lisa did not understand a single thing they were discussing, yet by the sudden change in Reznor's mood, she figured that it must be something peculiar and dangerous.

"After I tasted Painite in that human's system, I began studying more about it. And with the help of Mr Hilton I finally decoded the formula."

"Wh-what formula?" Reznor's nerves became tensed with every passing second.

Darius laughed, throwing his head behind. Lisa's eyes shifted to the children, who stood silently and frightened in two rows. The way they avoided looking at the laughing demon in front of them, Lisa's heart pained for them.

"Darius please tell me, who are these kids? Are they also from Kinsville?" Lisa asked in a panic.

Darius shook his head. "No Lisa! What are the human kids of my use?"

"Then... who are these children?" Reznor asked, narrowing his eyes.

A malicious smirk appeared on Darius's face. "They are werewolf cubs!"

Lisa felt like she would collapse right then and there.

"I am using Painite on these small, innocent creatures. Aren't they cute Lisa?"

Lisa felt disgusted with that man for whom her heart had begun blooming feelings.

"But I have already exhaused a lot of Painite that I got. Now I want you to increase the efficiency of the remaining painite, and accelerate the speed of this expermiment too." Darius explained.

"But Darius you do not know what effect it will cause on their body. They might..."

Darius showed his palm to shut up Reznor. "I know. And that is exactly what I want!"

"Wh-what are you going to do with them?" Lisa asked, as her fingers began turning cold.

Darius smiled a harmless one. "I will show Edwin O'Dell his real place- at my feet!"