A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth was sitting on Elsie's balcony, staring out at the garden. Her eyes looked red with bags under them. She was so lost in her world that she failed to notice another presence in Elsie's chamber.

"Hello there!" A man whispered near her ear, startling her.

She shrieked in surprise and was about to lose her balance, but he held her hand securely before it.

Ruth blinked her frightened eyes to see the mischievous smile on Lester's face. His olive-green eyes held the humour which Ruth barely shared.

He laughed heartily, shaking his shoulders. "I can not believe that Edwin's Luna is so gullible!"

Ruth frowned at him, pursing her lips. She pulled herself up and stood straight after pulling her hand from him.

"I swear when I will get a chance you will be my first target Lord Lester!" She grumbled angrily.

Lester slipped his hand in the pockets of his pants, pulling an innocent look. "Well.. seems like I am quite likable man because Thea was also saying the same to me yesterday!" He gave her a toothy, sheepish smile.

He looked so adorable that Ruth hardly suppressed her smile. How could anyone be mad at this man? She shook her head mentally.

"Enjoying the view?" He then asked as he rested his elbows on the railing.

Ruth bit her cheek before shaking her head. "Not really."

"What happened?" Lester asked sincerely.

Ruth joined him, resting her elbows on the railings too. Looking ahead, she told, "That dream I told you about..."

"The one with Edwin?"

She nodded her head with a sad face. "I am afraid, Lord Lester. What if.... what if it also turns out to be true as the last time?"

Ruth had searched about her dreams in the literature, which she had gathered on the witches. Although Mrs Payne kept telling her that she was just a human and the snippets she had got from before her birth also indicated the same, she had this doubt in her mind.

As far as she had learned, her dreams could mean she was able to see the future. But she had not got reference of any witch or wizard possessing that power naturally.

They had to learn it and use their magic to see the future, and yet not every wizard or witch could do that.

"Are they really that bad?" Lester asked after a minute.

"Yes. I could not sleep every time I get those dreams." Ruth said in a low voice.

They both gazed ahead in silence, not knowing what to say more.

"Do not worry! I am always with him... no matter what!" Lester said in assurance.

She knew he was!

"I know! Let's just hope that at least this time it must be only a bad dream and nothing more."

After speaking with Lester, Ruth felt a little at ease. She was running some errands for Elsie. She was walking through a corridor, lost in her thoughts.

But when her eyes moved ahead, she came to an abrupt halt. Her body tensed, and a thin layer of perspiration formed on her forehead.

Her brain screamed at her to run or hide, yet her body refused to move. Her eyes remained glued to the man in front of her.

Harold was speaking something with Augustus. He must have got her scent because his eyes moved in her direction, and as soon as they fell on her, they glinted evilly.

He wrapped up his conversation hurriedly and turned in Ruth's direction but was taken back by surprise. She was not there.

He marched to the spot where he had seen her not a minute ago. He looked around for her, but she had slipped away from his clutches... again!

Cursing under his breath, he had to walk away empty-handed. But he promised himself to get his hand on that woman the next time he saw her.

Ruth watched him walk away with wide eyes. Her mouth was still covered by a large palm. As soon as Harold disappeared from her sight, her body visibly relaxed. She let her head fall on the hard chest and closed her eyes.

She felt being lifted by two strong arms. She did not complain, nor did she open her eyes. Because she was safe! She was safe at her 'home'!

"Look at me!" She heard that deep demanding voice, and without any resistance, she did what she was told.

"Are you alright?" Edwin asked, his cerulean blue eyes filled with worry.

Ruth nodded her head. "Because of you!" She smiled gratefully.

But that did not change his mood. Instead, his face hardened even more if it was possible.

"You should not be afraid of him or anyone else." His voice sounded gruff.

"I... I am sorry."

But that also did not calm him.

Boring his eyes in hers intensely, he said, "How long you are going to act like a scared rabbit in front of him Ruth? He is a wolf... a predator. He would not hesitate to eat you alive if you keep getting scared of him!"

He held her face close to his. "You are my Luna! My love! You can not let anyone intimidate you like that. You have to win over your fears Ruth because...."

"Because?" She asked.

Edwin paused for a moment before he continued. "Because things are going to be messier than you can ever expect. And to deal with them... I need your strength, your support, your love and your hope!"

The way his voice sounded, made a cold shiver run down her spine. She put her hand on his chest, searching in the depths of his eyes.

"What are you saying Edwin? Please tell me what it is?" She sounded alarmed.

He looked around before determination flashed in his eyes. He had made his decision, and this time nothing could stop him.

"I promised to answer your questions after two days. I know its overdue but I am still firm on my promise. This is not a right place. Meet me near the old building at eleven in the night. I will tell you everything tonight."

Ruth did not know if she should be worried or happy now that he finally agreed to enlighten her. But she was glad that he was willing to keep his promise.

She stood up before nodding. "Tonight it is!"

Edwin gave her a single nod of his head.

Ruth began walking out of the room before he stopped her.

"Ruth"

"Yes?" she asked, turning around to look at him.

"Be prepared and... just know that... that I love you! and nothing can change that!!!"

*

*

*

Leaving behind the lights coming from his home and the neighbourhood, Hilton walked in the darkness with soft steps. He was careful to not gain any attention.

His family thought he was asleep in his bedroom, and his guards stood alert outside his room when he slipped out with great precautions.

Now that Darius had asked his father for a chance to prove himself, Hilton was sure that Ambrose's eyes and his ears must be on high alert.

He was not yet sure if Ambrose would be happy after finding out his son's genius plan. Nor he could wait for Darius's plan to execute as he still doubted Reznor's will of helping Darius.

And the burn of vengeance kept painfully charring his insides that he failed to contain his desperation to see Edwin O'Dell's head on the silver platter.

He saw shadows moving under the dim moonlight. Hilton daringly walked towards the shadows.

As he neared, he saw two pairs of red eyes staring right back at him.

"Did anyone see you coming here?" Hilton asked as soon as he reached near them.

"No." Came a harsh, rough animalistic voice.

"Good." Hilton said in satisfaction.

"Are you keeping a good eye on him?" Hilton then asked.

"Yes, we are." Came another voice that sounded similar to the first one.

"Hmm... any chance you think you can use?"

"Not yet. But we are on alert."

Hilton was silent for a minute. The night that devastated his complete life reflashed in front of his eyes.

"I want his head at my feet. Do you understand? I know it is not easy to get him alive, and I don't care what you do to him. All I care is, I want to kick his head with my leg."

He looked down at his feet as his whole body stilled. The shoes he wore that night were still kept securely in his bedroom as a reminder of vengeance.

That night Hilton had pledged to have Edwin O'Dell's head on his feet and kicked it wearing those same shoes that still had bloodstains on them.

"Yes, My Lord. We will get him soon!" The men with red eyes said in unison.

"Good. You must leave now before anyone sees us." Hilton told them.

The men disappeared into the darkness.

Hilton smirked, praising Darius's intelligence. Who would have thought that they could use their enemies for their destruction?!

And if Darius's large plan executes successfully, nobody could stop the Vampires from acquiring the supreme rule over the whole world.