Post by Admin on Aug 1, 2020 0:41:06 GMT
A Dangerous Game (Combined) Part 1
(OCC: The old threads have been combined to form a story)
Legand:
Antonio
Arianna
Franco
Frank
Richard
Shadow
Note: Real Frank enters room
When he had made sure he had gotten a nod from the imposter, Frank stepped out into the room, by himself and walked casually toward the table with a smile on his face. He looked over at Antonio and gave him a knowing stare. When he reached the table, he raised his wand and quickly bound Greene and Arianna to their chairs.
Frank thoroughly enjoyed seeing the puzzlement turn into shock on both Greene’s face and Arianna’s. Antonio was trying, unsuccessfully to act like he expected everything to happen and excepted it. For now Antonio would be alright to leave free, but Frank realized he would have to watch his friend, because he knew Antonio called the others in the room friend also.
Then he signaled the four men behind them, that he was the real Frank Cole and had them check Arianna and Greene for any hidden weapons.
Richard watched Frank walk back into the room. He was holding his head down. Until he lifted it up to look at Antonio and then made an odd movement with his hand, to which the men behind them had actually visually relaxed, Richard had not noticed the difference in the man walking toward the table. Before it finally connected the man was not his friend Franco Spellman impersonating Frank Cole, but the real Frank Cole, he had been immobilized and the men behind them were not being gentle in searching every inch of his and Arianna’s body they could reach. Glancing at Antonio, he saw there would be no help there. Richard looked at Frank Cole and focused on the man’s moves.
Arianna had almost let out a sigh of relief. It stuck in her throat when she realized there was something different about the man now coming from the storeroom. His walk gait was different, he held his shoulders different and he was holding his head down. As she tried to say something she felt the strain of the body binding surrounding her arms and legs, at least it was not a total bind this time.
Frank thoroughly enjoyed seeing the puzzlement turn into shock on both Greene’s face and Arianna’s. Antonio was trying, unsuccessfully to act like he expected everything to happen and accepted it. For now Antonio would be alright to leave free, but Frank realized he would have to watch his friend, because he knew Antonio called the others in the room friends also.
……Then he signaled the four men behind them, that he was the real Frank Cole and had them check Arianna and Greene for any hidden weapons.
Frank stood patiently waiting until the search had been completed, absently playing with his retrieved Bouie knife still in its scabbard. He was not about to bring out the imposter until a check had been made. Too many things could have happened, which would have been hidden by the table, from his lookout in the storeroom.
Watching he (Frank) saw one of the men, reach under the table and come up with Arianna’s wand. Frank only shook his head. Then he walked back to the store room and brought out the imposter,…
The imposter was bound, blindfolded and gagged but he could hear, so as Frank brought him out to the table he whispered close to his ear, “Be good and you and your friends have at least a chance of surviving this.” With this statement, he shoved the imposter toward the table, catching him so he would not fall.
“…. placed him in his original chair and roughly removed the blinder and the gag. “There now … we are all one big happy family.” Looking back toward Antonio he said, “Please join us at the table. Try something and I will put you out of commission.”
Richard and Arianna exchanged glances. Both knew their life expectancy just took a nose dive. Richard had dealt with the real Frank Cole before and it had not been a pretty story he told Arianna.
Arianna had known something was wrong almost immediately. She did not make a move because she was not sure the others had noticed and she was afraid to take her eyes off of the advancing man. Gripping her wand tighter she waited to see if they would have a chance. Suddenly her body went rigid as she again was put under a binding spell. She glanced at Antonio and noticed his eyes were lowered; no help there. She would not look at Richard because she had to allow him to concentrate on what was happening. She looked at Frank Cole and concentrated on him, as the hands of the Hit men behind here, worked their way in an ungentle way over her body all the way down to her knees and then back up again. To herself she said, “They will die, not easily.” On the way down to her knees one of the Hit men had located her wand, jerked it from her hand and put it on the table and then continued his search.
Frank had not missed one of the glances between the four people at the table. He was having too much fun trying to read them and make the four actually try to contact the others without saying or doing something he would notice. Inwardly he chuckled each time he caught one of the looks. To Arianna’s stare he just winked, to which she quickly turned her eyes away, causing him to have to hold another chuckle in.
Arianna cringed and involuntarily moved when one of the men searching her decided to check areas he had no reason to check. She would have bitten the ear so close to his leaning head, but she knew it would signal to Richard what the man was doing and she was actually embarrassed and not a little scared by what was happening.
Although Richard had not been looking directly at Ari he had caught the cringe and could guess what had happened. His face was starting to turn red with anger and he had to take some deep breaths to get his mind back under control. Visions of what he was going to do to the man sped through his mind.
Frank gave a biting look to the person checking Arianna, letting him know his conduct was unacceptable. There was no way he could take the groping back, so he just let it ride. If he apologized to Arianna now then he would lose all the stern credibility he had been working to build up.
Looking at Richard he realized the man was if not dead in dire need of future medical treatment, even if he got away from here …. Greene would find him. That basically made it a non-problem at the moment …. as long as the man took the un-verbalized warning.
(Arianna) While this was going on Antonio had come from the bar and took the seat he had previously occupied. Antonio did not look well. His face had gone whiter. Out of the corner of her eye she looked at Richard who had his eyes forward. Thinking to herself, trying to will Richard to relax she thought, “Relax Rich, go into Caretaker mode …. I need a Caretaker beside me now …. Not someone thinking with their heart.”
Frank first walked up behind Franco. Bending down so he was close to Franco’s ear he said so all could hear, “One non-verbal spell of any kind from you and someone dies, understood? You can nod and I will understand.” Frank smiled as Franco nodded.
Frank patted Franco’s shoulder and quietly said, “Good, I am so glad you are willing to co-operate for everyone’s good.”
Richard watched as Frank talked to Franco. The man was giving them all every opportunity to save themselves grief. It was interesting. If they could keep Chameleon out of the mix they might have a chance to at a minimum get out of the situation alive. Richards almost wished he could call off the plans they had made at Sara’s Tea Shoppe to send in the Calvary when Darik thought things had gone on too long. There was not any way to get a message to them, so if rescuers came they would have to deal with the circumstances then.
Franco smiled as he said with a snicker, realizing that the man thought he could do wandless magic, “Guess you don't know the difference between being non-verbal and wandless magic? Maybe you need a example?” He was a non-verbal but only Air was able to cast both silently and without a wand. She was born and raised Madjai. Arianna like all magical Egyptians did not receive her wand until the time of exile. Franco smile as he realized that meant since they started their training at the first sign of magic but were not sent into self-exposed exile until they were seventeen; Air would have learned casting without a wand long before she ever earned the right to carry one. She had wanted her brother to think she was helpless to test just how dark he had become but she was most likely the most dangerous of the Caretakers.
Trying to listen, Arianna’s mind was traveling along several roads of possibilities. She like Richard realized Frank Cole was actually giving them ways to save themselves from dying. She also realized he did not want the Chameleon out so he had made sure Antonio had well sugared tea, which Chameleon hated. The only problem was the fact Chameleon liked to emerge when there was high emotions flying about. They probably had a fifty-fifty chance of not seeing him. …. Frank wanted information and until he got it they would not find out what the next step was for them.
Franco realized that the man must have seen the two at the back door go down. Franco thought about what had happen in the store room, “I barely missed Shadow, but at least now I will know him when the next time we meet. I was head back to help the others when...dang, I have to admit he's quick! He had me as Neo would say, “packaged”, in a matter of seconds. I heard him getting his stuff back. The only thing I could think of was that blasted note that threaten Kat. Especially since Antonio hinted that the trap had been meant for me...I still have no clue if they have my sister and her son or if that was where Shadow was headed. Why didn't I check before coming? Neo, my brother would have demanded to come. I was already having a feeling that it was a set-up but I figured their target was Air. I wanted Neo to be a back-up plan and that meant not worrying him yet. Franco realized that his brothers were never going to let him live this down, especially Marco.
Looking at Frank Cole, Franco smiled as that man was in for a world of pain if Marco ever got wind of this and that was if Neo didn't deal with him first. Then Franco frowned as he realized that Frank might be having two of the Spellman's but he (Franco) would be facing all three of his brothers and Tarik for letting Air talk him into this plan and not including them.
Frank looked at the bound man sitting in the chair and caught first a smile then a frown. Putting his hand on Franco’s right shoulder and squeezing very hard, he asked quietly, “You would not by chance be planning anything my friend. Even if I could not get to you, there are four men behind you who would be glad to prove they were willing to take you down a few notches. I would hate to see that happen before we have had a little more time to discuss life in general .” Frank gave Franco’s shoulder one more painful squeeze.
Franco had learned long ago that pain was mostly in the mind. His eldest twin Marco and him were always getting into fights. Franco realized that where Marco was the better fighter, Franco had his own talent. His mouth as he loved baited his brother into losing control or just busting up laughing. Marco would always back down thinking that Franco didn't feel pain. Franco decided that it was time to see if the trick worked on Frank Cole as well. Smiling as he said laughing, “Don't worry Cole, Those four will be the first to know and I hope They Try!”
The one nearest Franco said with venom, “I gather you didn't get the last message, Maybe next time instead of having the Minister deliver it...we Will Have Your Nephew! Where do you think Shadow is...We did Warn You After All!”
Before Franco could deal with what the man, Antonio had the man by the throat against the wall as he said, “He's going after Dalton! Grandfather better not have known!”
As he squeezed the throat, “The last man that did they are still looking for pieces of him!”
Franco realized that he had to deal with Antonio as he remembered what Antonio had done. Calmly as he could, “Antonio, The man was probably lying about Charles Dalton. You know that even Khalid has a soft spot for my nephew.”
Realizing that his friend was not listening Franco had no choice but to say, “Frank, if your employer is who I think? He would have told you what one button of Antonio that even he won't push. That man just signed his death warrant if you don't stop Antonio or Chameleon because at the moment I am unsure just which one is out.”
That made Franco realize something. Chameleon had only two people he seemed to protect. Franco smiled as he remembered something Charlie said. The only two that called Charles, Dalton was Antonio and Chameleon. His nephew knew about all four and had no fear of Chameleon. He needed to talk to Kat as they might have a way of reaching Chameleon as it seemed that he did have a line he would not cross.
Arianna caught the glance Franco gave Frank Cole, it did not bode good for the Hit man. Franco was planning something. If there was someone to be taken care of his plans would include his brothers. Thinking to herself she wondered if it would not just be easier to have all of them in the Caretakers; his brother Marco, a professor at Hogwarts and his sister Kat, were the only ones of the family who was still alive not in the group. The one reservation Arianna had was when something was wrong with one of them, they instantly became a group and that could be dangerous if she needed them to work independently on some job.
Looking at Greene, Franco hoped that he remembered what he, Bren, Darik and Greene had set-up at the Tea Shop. Smiling, as he wondered, “Just how many would be coming when Darik thought he had waited long enough? The elf was the only one that could tell Tarik without Arianna getting furious. Franco just hoped he was in pretty good shape and Kat was nowhere near if Tarik decided to bring his brothers.
Franco was asking Richard something with his eyes. Arianna did not know whether to be worried or confident they had a plan. Of course if they had a plan and had not informed her of it she would have issues with them. Her list was growing longer and longer on things to talk about. At this rate they were going to have to get rooms near her office.
There was that smile again. Franco was thinking and apparently there was some type of plan in the works. Frank smiled himself because he loved a challenge. He realized if Arianna was not in on the plan she did recognize they were up to something. It really was too bad he had so much respect for the woman, because he would have loved the challenge of bending her to his will and making her beg to be with him. Thinking twice though he realized she was the wrong type, because he probably would have destroyed her before she ever came close to that point.
Frank accepted the nod from the Hit men that Greene and Arianna had been thoroughly search, and then he walked around to the back of the table and stood between them motioning for the Hit men to move over. He placed his wand in the hidden pocket in his sleeve and slowly removed the Bouie Knife from its scabbard. When he had it out he made a big show of checking to see it had not been bent and was really sharp. The sharpness he tested on the upper part of the sleeve on Arianna’s shirt, by slicing a small piece of the shirt off without moving any other part of the material. To the imposter who he had discovered was actually Franco Spellman, he said, “Thank you for making sure it stayed sharp.” With an added snicker he said, “I am sure someone will be very grateful later, that is does not pull as it cuts.” Frank smiled at Greene and then at Arianna.
Arianna fought the need to jump when the knife sliced through the top of her sleeve. Using the most confident voice she could manage she said, “Now you owe me a new blouse. I will send you the bill but maybe I will have it taken out of you another way…”
Richard smiled despite of his worry. Arianna was still thinking clearly and that helped him relax enough to allow the bindings to loosen. The bindings would never totally loosen because as soon as he moved they would take a stronger hold on his arms and legs.
A large smile spread across Frank’s face. The momentary flash of a screen where Arianna was willingly in his arms flew through his mind. He said as he gave a mocking bow, “Yes, my lady. I will be very happy to give you a new blouse. Maybe we can trade something,” With this statement he added a wink and put his hand on Greene’s shoulder, saying to the man, “It’s alright Richard, it will only be a onetime trade, I promise,” Frank gave a huge chuckle and squeeze Richards shoulder with the force of a vice grip.
Antonio heard Fixer and realized that the man had heard him warn Franco. Going over to the table, Antonio said first to Fixer, "So is this getting back to Shadow? Frank, I can think of one reason. You might think twice about telling Shadow? Tia...the girl that Shadow is threatening...is William Andreas' daughter."
Antonio was still worried as saw the looks given by the other four men. They were Shadow's men and that meant that his uncle was most likely not happy that Grandfather was showing that he still was Head of the Family. Fixer was good for his word but as long as the other four breathed, Tia was in danger. Antonio had wished that Grandfather had sent his own people but since there was few left that were, Antonio would just have to hope that Grandfather sent replacements and these four were dead before they could report back to Shadow.
Steadily looking at Antonio he (Frank) said, “What happens here is my business. I have been given total control over the situation. Sit and do not give me a problem no matter what happens and I will for now keep information, I was not told to collect to myself. Do not cross me Antonio and do not allow any of your other selves to emerge.”
At least now they knew Frank was in charge of the situation. That would help if Chameleon made an appearance, not that Arianna thought Frank would have an easy time handling the killer part of Antonio’s personalities. She was not sure who had final say-so with the four brutes stationed behind them but hopefully they were trained enough to listen to those in authority.
Nodding at Fixer, Antonio said, “You, I trust. It's uncle's men though that are your back-up. As for my other selves, that even I can't guarantee, especially one as you well know.” Chameleon was driven by strong emotions. Antonio fear for the danger to his friends and what might happen if even one of those men got to Shadow had Antonio already fighting to keep Chameleon from showing.
Frank looked at the four men leaning against the bar. When his eyes went their way, two of them stood up straighter and the other two, who were obviously older, continued to lounge where they were, drinks in hand. If he needed to relieve any of them from their station quickly he would go for the older ones first. The two younger ones could be awed into following directions.
Before he answered Antonio, Frank placed his left hand on Arianna’s shoulder and started to rub her arm. He did not have to look at Greene because he knew the wizard was fighting not to let Frank know how much he cared.
Arianna turned her head and looked at the hand that was rubbing her left arm. Then she looked at Richard and shook her head slowly from side to side to keep him from fighting, which would only make the binding on his arms and legs grow tighter. His eyes were burning to attack Frank …. She tried to tell him with her eyes to relax.
Frank could not help but lean down and kiss Arianna on the forehead and say, “You really are a good person, Princess. Whoever ends up with you will deserve all you can do for them. Don’t you think so Richard?” frank laughed because Richard could not say anything even if he wanted to …. All the man wanted to do right now was cut off various parts of Franks body and probably stuff them down his thought. This thought only cause Frank to laugh again. Frank did not really enjoy hurting people and he tried to keep the physical damage to a minimum, but he got a thrill out of being in control no matter who he was working for at the time.
As he got to the table, Antonio frowned as he said, "What now?" He prayed that his best friend's sister didn't pay for him finally choosing. He told Franco about Fixer to save Franco's life. Franco was one of eight people that Antonio trusted wholeheartedly. Three of those people were in this room. Antonio shook his head as he realized that was exactly what worried him.
“You just sit and be quiet and do not interfere,” he said to Antonio. “do not push our relationship. I am on a job at the moment and will complete it. Sit and drink your tea.”
Frank added, “Antonio at the moment I am not planning on killing anyone. Everything depends on how much co-operation I get. You should know I do not like torture, unless …. Well hopefully it will not come to that.
Antonio looked at the man of Shadow he had nearly killed as he said, “That man better have been lying about where Shadow went cause if I find out...” Antonio could feel Chameleon wanting out and it made him wonder if the weapon had been able to regain that little bit of humanity. Looking at Greene, he said, “Maybe?”
To Frank Cole he said, “We are in for a long night especially after what that one said about Dalton. Franco might have had you stop me from killing Titan but only because he is unsure if the man spoke truth.” Antonio knew exactly who Franco blamed for even the possibility of Dalton being endanger. Franco blamed himself for letting Shadow escape. Franco had no intention of cooperating with those that might have his nephew until he was sure that the knowledge would insure Dalton's safety. Antonio smiled as he realized that even Shadow had never threatened Dalton, so most likely the man had indeed lied but either way that man was dead it was just a question of who got to kill him. Khalid would have killed him anyways for the disrespect Titan had shown Arianna but him threaten Dalton had given him no chance at surviving.
Franco watched Antonio and realized that they might have a major problem in a couple of minutes. Not worrying if Frank Cole would get upset or not, He said calmly, “Tonio, what does Marc do cause there is No Way, I am allowing that one to surface?”
Antonio smiled as he sat down as he said, “I hope you remembered to sweeten it, Frank.”
Frank nodded. He had even added extra sugar.
Richard was glad to see everyone wanted to keep Chameleon from surfacing. Chameleon hated tea and making it very sweet was an added precaution to keeping him away.
Thinking about what Franco was offering, he said, “No, it is okay. I just need to relax. If need be, Cole knows what needs to be done. But since Marco usually belts me, I don't want Frank to think you were just trying to get an advantage.”
“I will be happy to oblige, Antonio. I might even allow you to take a swipe back.” Frank would not let him connect, but he would let him through the punch.
Franco realized that Antonio and Frank Cole were a lot like Antonio and Marco.
Franco smiled as he heard Antonio say to Fixer, “Though I will say one thing Cole, if Franco ever says the words That I Promise or You Can Count On It, after a phrase; I hope you pay real good attention to what he says before. Oh and Cole, I don't push relationships. Just remember I know what you both are capable of so it wasn't just his skin I was saving.”
Frank made a mock bow to Antonio. “I will remember your warning, but Antonio, you still should have not given the warning. I did not appreciate the error on you part. Do not let it happen again or I will not be so understanding. I will not ask you to chose, but stay out of the middle.” Frank liked Antonio, but even his friends must learn to fear him a to some extent or he would have no control over situations.
It was interesting to Richard that Antonio was trying to warn Cole about Franco. Antonio was being torn between two people he liked, which were making it difficult for him. Richard wondered which man he would choose if it came to saving either Frank or Franco.
Arianna was trying to really hate Frank. She was succeeding for the most part because of his methods. The man was a true “hit for hire” man so she knew he could be just as well working for what they considered the good side. She would have to do some research on the man, later, and see what possibilities existed on using him …. That was if they all survived and if Frank Cole survived and did not have to be hunted and have a one way ticket to Azkaban put on his head.
Antonio shook his head as he said, “Cole, you and Franco won't but Shadow put me in the middle when he said those words. You were put in charge by Grandfather and given certain orders that even Shadow knows nothing about. When Shadow warned me not to spoil the fun...he was not referring to yours...Remember...he made a point to instruct all eight men. The newbie’s to the doors with orders to kill if “Any” tried for the doors. Titan, his brother and those other two behind their guests. Their orders were that if “Any of three moved to cause pain but not to “Kill Yet!” So why did they let Franco go after Shadow, unless Shadow ordered it? If I had not warned Franco giving him the option to walk into the trap, he would have reacted on instinct as would you. Which means what happened back there would have been very different, cause if you had not heard me...Would you have read Grandfather's orders so soon or would you like always have waited until you were out here? Frank, think...Franco knew you were back there and yet he didn't do any spells that would have prevented his capture, now what would he have done if I had not said anything? What would you have done?”
Franco had listened and realized what Antonio was revealing. Franco said honestly, “What Antonio is getting at Frank is that as soon as I was out of eye sight, I would have geared up. That was due to the fact I would have thought only of one thing. As you saw, I took out Shadow's back guards with no problem, he would have been next! But since Antonio took the risk to warn me, I chose to buy time and thought the fight in the back would draw certain men attention. Since I had your wand and blade, I chose to play fair and decided hand to hand. My question is how did you bind me with no wand? Maybe I was wrong and you do understand wandless magic?”
Turning his attention back to Greene and Arianna, he leaned down so he could whisper in Arianna’s ear, keeping his Bouie knife well in view. Using a loud breathy whisper, he said about an inch from her ear. “So princess, how you been, care to tell me anything,” Frank, kissed Arianna’s cheek and without standing back up straight he slowly looked in Greene’s direction. It was good eyes could not kill because the look in Greene’s eyes would have put him six feet under and long forgotten.
Richard started to struggle in his chair, making the bindings grow tighter and causing pain. He knew he was letting his emotions get to him, but for some reason he had no strength to fight them. He was being played like a fish caught on a hook, which made him even madder. Soon the bindings got so tight he had to stop and let them loosen again. His breath was coming fast and his anger gained more strength as he realized he was falling into the trap Frank had set.
“Relax, professor, I may not have to hurt her …. She is beautiful though, don’t you agree?”
Standing up he chuckled. Not removing his hand from where it was slowly rubbing Arianna’s arm, he said to Greene. “So Greene we meet again. I did not think it would be this soon. Hope you fare as well this time as you did the last. ….”
Arianna remembered the debriefing she had sat through with Richard when he had first met Frank Cole. Shadow had Chameleon torture Richard for what tuned out to be information he could have gotten by other means. The conclusion they had all come to was it was a lesson for Richard and the Caretakers in general. Not all the information went into the main records of the Ministry or Caretaker unit, although the Caretakers held more information. Richard had three visits with Maxwell Sinclair, the inhouse Psy-healer before Maxwell would agree to release him back to work. Now Richard was back in the same building going through another question and answer session. Ari was worried.
Arianna shook her head again, but Richard was too far gone, lost in his emotions. “You will not have to worry about me thanking you for our time together here.” With venom in his voice he added, “May I suggest you keep your hands off of Arianna also …. Real men do not hurt women.”
With that statement, Arianna a darting glance at Richard. He had never before said anything which may indicate he thought she was weaker than he was in anything. Arianna had fought most of her life against men who thought since she was a woman she could not do what needed to be done. It looked like she was definitely going to have to have a talk with Richard.
Richard felt the stab of Arianna’s look. He thought back to what he had just said and could not find a reason for it. He was in protective mode and he was going to protect Arianna no matter what it took. Silently grimacing inwardly he figured she would explain it to him later, and he hoped it was not something he would have to apologize strenuously.
Arianna swallowed hard. Richard was not catching on to what she was trying to warn him about. Ari made a mental note to get with Darik, for major revamping of their training. If the elf agreed to take on the project she was going to give him total leeway on who and what needed to be taught and re-taught. She was going to include herself in the training. Darik would have complete say so even if he thought it necessary to pull some of the operatives in from the field for a length of time.
The situation they were in now should have never been able to go this far. Arianna was getting beyond upset.
“Ah, Professor you are a true gentlemen. As I said I may not have to hurt her. Remember it is all up to you gentlemen.” Frank made a sweeping motion with his right hand which still held the Bouie Knife.
Franco smiled as he said, “I rather go against you any day instead of her, Frank.” He knew he had to get Frank to focus on him as the man had found Caretaker's weakness. His friend knew what kind of pain Frank Cole could cause. Richard was thinking with his heart and that sooner or later would get Frank Cole to realize that threatening Arianna was the best way to get information from Green. Franco cringed as he realized that Air would skin them alive afterwards. She never seemed to understand that it had nothing to do with whether they believed her needing to be protected. It had to do with the fact that gentlemen never allow a lady to be harmed if they could prevent it.
Arianna smiled to herself. She knew Franco was kidding about the physical flaying but she knew they all respected her ability to lash out with verbal punishment. They all worked for her and knew she had absolute final say so on where, when or if they worked in the Caretaker Group. Ari tried not to take too much advantage of this fact, but when they started to get sloppy, she stepped in and did what she had to do to correct the problem. She had worked too hard to get the Caretaker Group to the respected point it was at now.
Franco knew he had to remind Richard, who was a gentleman, just what his emotions were doing. Smiling as he said, “Just like Bren, it just might be choice time. And Caretaker, Air hates it when a Caretaker makes the wrong one.” He hoped that would be enough of a reminder that unless he wanted Air to skin him alive, he better start thinking with his head instead of his heart.
Arianna said thank you with her eyes, and looked at Richard. Her eyes held a question look, willing him to understand what Franco was saying.
(Frank) “ ….. Let me get back to you though, Franco and I need to have a few words. I will even let you and the princess here,” he said as he took Arianna’s face in his hand and kissed her forehead, “stay and watch. Please feel free to add anything you think important….”
Richard was concentrating on keeping his arms and legs relaxed. He had heard every word of Franco’s and Ari’s warnings. He knew he was reacting different than he normally did, but he could not seem to find his “center” as Darik called it. Every pain Ari felt he felt. She was mad at him and he inwardly cringed at what he knew she was going to do and say later. When they got out of this, he was going to be lucky if he didn’t get pulled from the field. He may even not even belong to the Caretaker Group when Ari got through with him. Mentally he tried to school his face and center his mind.
With this Frank walked around the table and up to where Franco was now bound in his chair. “Now my friend what shall we talk about first.” Pausing just a moment, he said, “You know it is really weird to be looking at myself.” Taking Franco’s chin roughly in his hands he turned his head from side to side. “I think I would like to see what you really look like.”
Arianna was having a harder time not spitting into Frank Cole’s face even though she knew it would get her a minimum of an unhealthy slap. As she looked at the four thugs, she noticed the older one smiling at her. Whenever he caught her eye he winked. Air could take him out with a quick wandless spell, but again that bought them back to only hurting one and possibly having the group punished. She did make him drop his glass and miss the counter with his elbow, causing a nasty knock to the man’s shoulder. When this happened she smirked and made sure he saw it.
Franco just glared at the man and said, “Just because Tonio calls you friend, I choose my friends more carefully.” It did say something though about this man if Antonio counted him a friend. Under different conditions, Franco might just at least given him a job or two. He just wasn't going to right now as Franco knew that any information he gave Frank Cole would be used by the group he swore to bury.
“You took the time to learn what I looked like, how I walked and even had the voice close, but you did not take the time to find out who I am. I work for a living just like the rest of you. I have my bills to pay and the things I want in this life. But I work for anyone as long as they can pay me. I will not work for both sides at the same time but I do not care about politics. I try and not cause any overly due amount of pain, but sometimes it is necessary. You and I are a lot alike, Saint. ….. you get some more experience under your belt and maybe I will let you try me out in a real game of combat.” To this Frank smiled. It was something to look forward to for the future. Frank loved nothing better than a good trial by combat with no magic involved.
Franco said with venom, “That isn't the type of man that willingly works for the Likes of Shadow! They are more the type to kill...” Franco stopped as he realized that he too had allowed his emotions to almost get him to reveal just how much he knew about the deaths that could be link to one group. Smiling as he calmed down and said, “I did not plan on being You that Long! Maybe a couple of hours at most!”
Arianna agreed with Franco. Frank did not fit the normal scenario of those who worked for Shadow, which meant he was working for someone higher up. Since Shadow only worked for her brother the Dark Wizard, Khalid, then Arianna figured they had a better chance of surviving. Khalid my order her held where she could not talk with anyone, but he would not order her killed. It was going to be interesting to see if Frank, who was a hired mercenary in the truest sense of the definition, was walking a fine line. His job was to get information and he had probably been told not to kill. He would of course kill if he needed to, and Ari hoped to not have to push him that far.
Pulling out his wand he started to say the spells needed to release the makeup from Franco’s face. He was not really careful on how he pulled the stuff loose. Soon Franco’s face was almost back to normal, with only a few very red and raw looking spots. “Now that is better. How about if we start again.” Frank put his wand away and but the Bouie knife back in the sheath.
Franco just smiled as Frank Cole took off the make-up. He was use to his face feeling raw cause of the sticky spell that he used. Saying chuckling, “The price a person pays for perfection and not having to watch the clock!”
Antonio took another drink of his tea as he said to himself, “This is what I was afraid of. Franco has every intention of showing Fixer just what being the youngest brother does in way of handling questioning. The bad thing is Neo is so much like Cole that Franco believes he will come out on top at this battle of wills.” The problem was at least from Antonio point was that Frank Cole was like the Quads all in one with a little bit of a few others. It was why Antonio liked Frank but also why he feared for both Frank and Franco. Frank had a job to do but Franco had his childhood and his inbred beliefs. Antonio shook his head as he realized that neither of his friends would be giving an itch. Especially since they both had a point to prove to the other.
Arianna took several glances over at Antonio, trying to gauge what he was feeling about everything happening. She wanted to try and figure out which way Antonio would lean concerning the preservation of his apparent two friends. Antonio was trying hard not to watch Franco’s make being forcibly removed with no great care. Franco was suffering but holding up well under the pain. What would make Antonio choose, ” she wondered to herself.
Richard used the time Frank was working on Franco’s face to try and calm down. He tried one of the relaxing techniques Darik had taught him. You could not see his emotional fight on the outside but inwardly he was slowly making progress.
“I have been given a note on what I need to discover and information I need to give to you all.” Looking around the table, catching everyone’s eyes, he said, “I want everyone to feel free to just speak up if they have anything to contribute.”
Franco just glared back. The man might have gotten the drop on him but if he could take three brothers training him from the time he come walk then Frank Cole would be a walk in the park. Franco was trained as both a Caretaker and by a family that chose many different ways to get their brother's murderer. He had missed Shadow and that hurt as he promised Antonio that David Valentine would not be visiting anybody. He knew what Antonio was worried about but at least Tonio did not know that Shadow had also threatened Kat.
Arianna watched as every nerve in Franco’s face tightened. Franco had been taken down, even with all the training he had received within the Caretaker Group and privately. He was not taking the fact he had been so easily blindsided, with any portion of a grain-of-salt. Arianna was not sure if Franco could take Frank and that worried her, because their lives might depend on it.
Richard still trying not to stare at Arianna, focused on Franco’s face. He could almost see the wheels turning. Franco was having a better time than he was staying focused. Setting his expression to show nothing, Richard concentrated on watching for any sign, the situation was changing in their favor.
Frank looked at Franco with a questioning glance. Shaking his head he said, “My friend, Franco, glaring at me is not going to help us get through this night. …. And you are worrying the Princess. It will be alright Arianna; don’t worry your pretty little head about the two men in your life …. They are smart enough to realize what they need to do to survive, right gentlemen?” he said to Richard and Franco in an open question.
Franco realized what Air was worried about and said with a snicker, “Yeah smart enough to know, I rather have you skin me alive then her!” Their leader was worried that him and especially Richard would break to protect her and that was infuriating her.
Richard allowed a smile to turn up the ends of his lips. Franco was correct, Air’s debriefing techniques could make the strongest man cringe and just pray she was in a good mood when called in for the meeting. Eventually you were saying Yes Madame and No Madame to anything she requested you do, with no thought to what the job was. After a particularly bad debriefing one time, Richard had ended up cleaning cages at a Muggle Zoo, supposedly to watch for a Dark Wizard on vacation with his family. He had been there two weeks before Ari decided the Dark Wizard was not going to show. Richard had his suspicions there never was a Dark Wizard and he had been punished for not following the directions she had given him.
“I will definitely keep that in mind.” Looking at Ari Frank added, “Maybe you can show me the errors of my ways, privately.” Frank looked at Greene and laughter.
Looking at the men who had re-taken their positions behind Greene and Arianna, he (Frank) said, “You gentlemen man get some refreshment. Do not interfere, but if any of these people make a move you think I do not see, please let me know. Also if any of them get loose, you are dead, understand?” Frank did not wait for an answer or to watch the men move. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the note, Shadow had given to him.
Note:
Nobody dies tonight!
Find out how much The Saint knows about Family activities and then encourage him to Pick more acceptable stories...His promotion...interests me...Insure That this New Editor understands just how his family can benefit by his choice.
Encourage my sister to get into another line of work before she forces my hand as Tarik is doing. You just might need to pay my baby brother a visit as I need those translations that he has chosen to not work on!
Fixer...make sure to inform my grandson what I expect from him...as well as the penalty for disappointment! I believe I still OWE You a PUPIL...If you find my Grandson suitable? Inform Him!
The Dark Medjai
How you Fix the Problems...Is up to YOU! Do this RIGHT and I can insure steady work
Richard without showing any facial expressions considered the last statement of Frank’s to his men. It sure did limit some of the possibilities of escape. For one the four men were now standing by the counter to the bar and had a better picture of the overall situation. And two, Richard figured they would “shoot” first and ask questions or apologize later. . Sidelong glances at Ari proved she was thinking along the same lines.
Franco smiled as he realized that Frank Cole had just solved the problem of Tia. Those four men were dead meat if any of them got loose. Those men had to die so all Franco had to do was get one of them loose. Franco looked at Greene and mouthed, “You or Me?”
Richard saw Franco’s words and he minutely shook his head no . he saw Franco was disappointed by now was not the time for heroics.
Ari might not be able to take the chance of trying to overpower all of them if she was loose but she could have some fun. If Frank thought it was one of the others, then she would tell him it was her and it would give them an idea how far he would go, in his persuasions to not be a problem. She just hoped she was reading the man right. She caught a moment when Frank was not looking and mouthed the one simple word to get everyone on board. “Me!”.
Richard saw her say the word and started to fight his bonds again, but when Arianna shot him a look which she only used when she was giving a direct order and expected to be obeyed, he stopped and hung his head. His breathing was deeper, but when he lifted his head up he had schooled his features to blankness, even though every atom of his body wanted to shout at her and tell her to stay out of Frank’s target range.
Frank was having a very hard time. All he wanted to do was sit and watch the expressions on his captives faces. They were so easy to read. At times he could tell they thought he hadn’t seen them…. Well at least it added a little spice to the job and gave him some practice also figuring what each, stare, shake of the head or eye twitch meant. The Caretakers, like any other group not only had codebooks, but they had hand signals and facial expressions that told more than words. Frank was learning
Franco was surprised that Greene had veto the idea. Then he saw Air mouth, “Me!”. Nodding as he realized that she was the best option. Air could get herself loose with a simple spell. She was able to do wandless magic and most important, She was mad that everybody was thinking her weak. That look on her face told Franco she planned on putting the record straight. He mouthed back, “Wait for my signal”. Franco just hoped that Frank Cole would punish him for the non-verbal spell and not Air or Caretaker. Looking at Antonio and then at Titan, he realized that the man was about to die or at the least not be a problem.
Air blinked back to Franco. She did not dare nod because for some reason, Frank was looking more in her direction. With wandless spells though he would not know it came from her, at least she hoped he would be confused, until she owned up to it.
As he removed the note from his pocket, he caught the glance Franco gave Greene and read the silent words. Purposely he paid no attention to them. Let the men have their fun for now.
Frank looked around the table and said, “There is just so much information I need.” He took out his Bouie knife and twisted it in his hand a couple of times. Still standing by Franco he said, “It seems Franco, or Saint as you are called in other circles, your name is first on our list of interests.”
Franco just smiled.
Arianna realized Frank had not seen the information pass between her and Franco. They had a chance of making a dent in the odds. Arianna tried to relax and focus on the goon she was going to take out of commission. She was not going to kill him, because she hated needless killing but the man would need a trip to St. Mungo’s soon. Now she waited for a queue to start
Taking his knife he put it very close to the front of Franco’s face and turned it slowly. “My employer whom I am sure you will figure out soon, would like to know what you know of Onaris Family problems. He does not ask for anything specific, so why don’t you just start talking and I will let you know if anything pops up of interest.” Frank moved his knife closer to Franco’s already damaged face and rubbed the side of the blade along his cheek.
Richard swallowed hard. He had a harder time watching someone else going through “questioning” than he had enduring the pain himself. It made him feel helpless and that feeling made him feel sick to his stomach.
“Interesting, “ Franco thought to himself as he saw Greene’s adamapple slide slowly down and up his throat. “Greene is a little squeamish at watching someone else get questioned. This was a very useful point to keep in mind.”
Arianna tried to read Richards feelings. She could not hold onto them for long because they were so strong. Richard was showing a weakness which she could not allow. If he could not get himself under control, Arianna would have to consider taking him out of field work and depending on what Maxwell recommended maybe totally out of the Caretakers possibly permanently. If the decision was permanently, she would have to insist Richard went through a mind sweep and that could be dangerous. Some other memories and abilities could be wiped out if the information they would need to subtract was too intercooled around other parts of his mind. Richard had been in sessions with Maxwell before so they would have a chance of keeping here if the choice had to be made. Concentrating with all she could muster at the moment she sent Richard a mental message. “Caretaker, either get a hold or bow out. I can put you to sleep if you can not find your center.” Arianna opened her eyes and shot a visual dart at Richard.
Richard felt the words jammed into his brain and sat up straighter. He knew he needed to get on track. The words which had come through to him were from his boss not his friend. He let his chin drop to his chest to signify he had heard. He tried to clear his mind and concentrate on what was happening around him.
Looking for a moment at Greene, Frank couldn’t figure out why he had dropped his chin to his chest. Glancing at Ari, who’s eyes were stubbornly forward, focused on nothing in particular, and then back at Greene he allowed himself a small smile. Arianna had somehow got a message to Greene, probably mental and Greene had been chastised. Arianna was definitely in charge of the group sitting at the table, but the gentlemen they were, was giving her problems, because they kept trying to save her.
The youngest Spellman brother said snickering, “You don't have older brothers do you?” Marco hated Franco testing his make-up as their oldest brother never guessed. He would always use his blade to give Franco a shave as punishment.
Frank stopped twisting his knife long enough to consider the question, “No, I am a lone in this world. Have been since I was very young. Maybe I can meet your brothers sometime. I will make a point of looking them up, if they ever come within the realm of one of my jobs. It will be just as interesting talking to them as it is to you I think. But now to continue on where we are at the moment…..”
Arianna filed that bit of information away. If Frank was a loner with no family, then they would only have to worry about him if they could take him out of commission. There would not be relatives looking for revenge, like with so many of the others.
“There is also a suggestion that you do not pick shall we say familiar persons to try and impersonate. It could be very detrimental to your health if someone takes offense.” With this statement Frank, with an upward sweep of his knife cut off all the buttons from the front of Franco’s shirt, stopping the blade just short of his throat.
Arianna involuntarily took in a deep breath. Frank looked at her with a little puzzlement in his eyes and said, “Now, now princess …. Are you telling me you care for our friend here?”
The intake of breath had happened before Arianna could stop it. It was a huge mistake. She was starting to do the same thing she was mentally berating Richard doing, she was allowing emotions to cloud her judgment and movements. It looked like she was going to have to put herself back into classes on how to handle emotions, with Darik along with the others. She tried to school her face to be as blank as possible, but it looked like Franco knew what buttons to push.
Concentrating on his surroundings made it possible for Richard to hear the quick intake of breath when Franco was threatened with Frank’s knife. Richard blamed himself for the mistake Ari had made. If he had not been distracting her with his behavior she could have been concentrating on holding her own mind and behavior in check. Schooling his features, Richard looked up and glared at Frank.
There was another puzzle piece. Greene did not try to say anything and he did not fight the idea Ari had let on she cared what happened to Franco. Instead he looked sorry he had done something. It was not so much in his face, because he was trying to hide his expressions; it was more in his eyes as they fell on Arianna. They were apologizing for something. When Frank reviewed this job, as he always did when he was done, to see what he had done, right, wrong or missed doing, he would have a lot to think about in the relationship of these Caretaker Group members. The Group was turning out to be very interesting. A possible job list for the future, that was after they got over being upset with him.
When people needed things done, they tended to overlook his past transgressions and still pay handsomely.
This was a novel idea. Frank’s employer had said Arianna was a hard woman who only showed emotion around her family and then it was reserved. The woman sitting across the table was giving way to a whole range of emotions. She did not like the fact Frank was getting to her, but she was having difficulty preventing involuntary feelings. Frank smiled and winked at her.
The wink she received only made Arianna madder and determined to wipe the smile off of the mercenaries face.
Richard started to count to himself; anything not to struggle to get to the man who was being insulting to Arianna. He did not want to kill him anymore because there was probably some information Frank could give the group which would help with their job. Richard did want to put the man through some serious pain.
Frank did give Greene some credit …. The man had acted very professionally during their last encounter. Of course Frank had only been there to keep Chameleon, who was in control of Antonio’s body at the time from killing Greene, but Greene had survived without much of Frank’s help and that was commendable. Now the man was trying to take control of his emotions and actually succeeding in part.
Franco laughed as he said, “Oh, I usually do but considering two hours before show time with only one thirty second tape and a wanted poster...we were in a rush, go figure!!!!”
Franco was not allowing Arianna to answer. There probably was no romance between them as Frank was sure there was between the Professor and Arianna, but there was something which could be used.
Looking at Franco, with his knife relaxed in his hand he complimented him, “I appreciate the ability you had with what you had to work with. You are very good at what you do. Would you mind telling me where you got the tape? The wanted poster was probably the one from about five years ago.”
Franco found no threat in telling Cole where the tape come from as he said, “A hospital you had been in recently. It was all they had of your voice.”
Frank chuckled when he added, “I actually had it circulated because I was trying for a very well paying job and the employer did not think I had enough experience. I proved him wrong of course. He got what he wanted with very little mess and bloodletting, which he appreciated.”
Richard noticed Franco did not answer the question. He was definitely not jealous of his friend because he knew Franco thought of Arianna first as if she was his sister and second as his boss.
The comment he had made about the wanted poster had triggered a memory of a story he had worked on five years ago involving St. Francis. Somebody had tried unsuccessfully to kidnap Tia. The kidnapper was found in a very unusual manner. Tia had been right below her window outside in a sleeping bag. A note had been attached to each of them. The one attached to her was sweet. Franco had squashed the story after talking to Marcus Andreas.
Franco smiled as now Antonio bring up William made sense as he said, “Marcus hired you to stop that attempt on Tia? He could have only gotten your name from his father William. Frank, so why work for the same people that sent that man to begin with?”
“Very good, Franco … that was an excellent piece of deduction. The job actually paid very well. The child never even saw me or knew who I was, because she slept through the whole thing, which was good, because the kidnapper was not willing to easily let her go when I asked. I do not begrudge anyone else trying to complete their job… and we may have come to an understanding but he was stubborn. I did have to put a very weak sleeping spell on the girl but it was only because her kidnapper made a lot of noise a young one like that should never hear. She sure was a little doll though. I left a note telling whoever found her, that she had heard and seen nothing and told how good she had been.” Frank smiled remembering the child, she had been adorable.
Antonio smiled as he realized that Franco had caught how Frank and him had met. Reaching into his pocket as he said, “Frank, I gather Marcus never knew...want to see what she looks like now?” After handing him the picture, Antonio saw Franco's face and said, “Franco is James Spellman's youngest brother, Frank! I believe you remember what I said his brothers planned for James' killer? James was holding Tia. Frank, I have only one question. What do you plan to do if one of your requests from the Family involves her? Think about it...”
Franco listened and realized that something was not right. Antonio had brought up James as if trying to get Franco to understand something. Filing the information away, he said to Frank, “Marcus asked that I squash the story as did her guardian. I did even though my story would have insured the man behind the attempt was known. The man had been heard by a few people saying that the Onaris' had plans for a young orphan girl if her brother Marcus did not wise up and start doing what Shadow told him. I am just wondering if Marcus trusted the wrong man and died for it the next year?” He did not think Frank had anything to do with setting Marcus up but he hoped it would cause the man to reveal something. This “hit-for-hire” man just did not add up and that caused Franco to start wishing he had spent more time to do the usual detailed back work he did when pretending to be somebody new.
Arianna tried to relax and take some of the tightness out of the bindings as she listened to Frank and Franco. The question Franco had put to Frank was interesting. She of course had heard the story. Some of the Caretaker’s had even been involved in the investigation. Nothing could be proved, because there was total lack of evidence. There was not physical trail to follow, there were no rumors on the street; there was nothing to let anyone know who may have been involved in the attempted kidnapping.
Franco was suggesting Frank had something to do with the problem. If he was right then Frank had done everyone a huge service, in protecting Tia. Arianna hoped she would get a chance to question Frank. She thought he was in custody, and she added to her list finding out how he had gotten away, and no one had bothered to notify the Caretakers.
Frank grabbed a handful of Franco’s hair and jerked his head back. Frank looked into Franco’s eyes and said, “My dear Saint, it seems the Princess cares about what might happen to you. Look…” with this Frank still holding Franco’s hair jerked his head down so he could look directly at Arianna.
Franco laughed as he said, “Only because I told her that Khalid was to much of a coward like Shadow to show his face. To tell you the truth, I was surprised that Shadow showed most of the time he feels only safe terrorizing through notes.”
The laugh in Franco’s voice did not match the worry in his eyes. Arianna nodded making it look like she was in agreement with whatever Franco said. She could not help but snicker as he talked about Shadow.
(Franco) He heard the four men before he saw them but it looked like he got the response he was aiming for. Smiling at the four men as he said in Shadow's voice, “What, don't like that even Tony has more courage than your boss?”
Arianna concentrated on what Franco was saying … he was setting the situation up for her to be able to make whatever move she wanted to. Ari wished she could escape and get the other free …. But it was not to be this time.
Frank let go of Franco’s hair and stepped back. He had seen the four goons who owed allegiance to Shadow, quickly converging on the Saint’s seat. He was willing to allow them at least a few maneuvers because it would be easier to control them if all their hostility was not pent up
Both Richards and Arianna’s glances shot in Franco’s direction. All four of the goons had converged on Franco with wands drawn. One of them was even fast enough to get a strong fist across Franco’s already battered face. Franco’s eyes had rolled a little at the punch but he was soon back under control, working his jaw to make sure it was not broken. If Frank had not been standing there, he would have been torn apart or need major medical treatment. It showed Frank’s strength in command as he sent them back to the bar, and ordered them to stay.
Frank quickly stepped back in when the one older goon, had planted his fist firmly against Franco’s jaw. With a pointed stare, he said to the men, “Back to your station.” The two older ones hesitated, but Frank added pointing his knife at the middle of the closest man, “That was not a request ….. move now or maybe you would like to be confined as our friends here are.” They hesitated, but returned to the bar where they poured another round of drinks for themselves and stared at the group.
Arianna cleared her mind and sent out the first wave of spells. It was difficult not to smile and pretend she was wondering what was happening, when the man who had checked her for weapons suddenly jerked upright from where he was resting on the bar. His glass jerked in his hand and his drink was thrown on his other older companion. As he was helping to wipe the liquid off his mate with a bar cloth, he jerked again this time more violently. The man yelled as blood started to show on the right leg of his pants and drip down coming out of his right sleeve. Before he could wonder what was happening, his head was thrown violently against the bar and then he spun around and was hit in the midriffs by the edge of the bar. His right leg gave way and he landed on the floor, shaking so violently his head was being beaten against the wooden floor. As his partner bent down to help him, the man on the floor reached up and grabbed his shirt and started to shake him. Arianna caused one more good convulsion and stopped as the man passed out.
Frank’s thoughts were still on the little girl he had saved when suddenly, Titan one of the oldest goons, started to yell and fell to the floor. He was injured and in convulsions. “What the ….” He looked at the other older goon and said, “What is wrong with him?” to which he received a shrug. Soon the man on the floor passed out and Franks eye’s snapped back to the table. The group had caused this, at least one of the group had and he needed to find out.
She joined Richard, Franco, Antonio and Frank in looking at what was going on with pure wonder in her eyes.
Franks eyes went to Franco and his knife was up against his throat. Franco did not move an inch and just stared into Franks eyes. Finally he said, “It was not me, Frank. I told you I would not use non-verbal spells and besides you have my wand remember. I cannot use wandless spells.” Franco smiled while never loosing eye contact with Franco. It does appear your man has some major medical problems though.”
Franco watched as Frank looked over to the man on the floor and then back to him. Knowing he was probably going to regret it, he smiled even adding a very slight chuckle. Frank was undecided on what he wanted to do. They had just called his bluff and to keep his credibility with his men and with their group he had to do something. All Franco heard was “Who?” as Frank pressed the very sharp blade against his neck. He did not dare move or the blade would sink in. As it was he felt a warms trickle down his skin. Franco never lost the smile. If he was going to die, he was going to die with a smile on his face.
Frank knew he was drawing blood but was not going to cut very deep. Causing blood to flow was not one of his favorite things to use on the job … besides being very messy it normally closed all forms of communication down. With Franco, he realized it could only open up some communication and may even prevent the necessity of blood-letting later.
Ari was wondering how long she could let this go on. Franco would go to his grave if need be before he turned her in, but that was not going to happen on her watch. She held off saying anything until she saw the trickle of blood running down Franco’s stretched neck. “Frank, Franco cannot do wandless spells, only I can.” She waited until this sunk in and continued, “The man was a problem.”
Richard had watched with satisfaction as the man convulsed on the floor. At the moment he would live. He knew Ari had been the one who had caused the illness . He saw the blood starting to run down Franco’s throat, but could do nothing. When Ari started to say she had been the one to cause the problem, Richard could not keep quiet, “Don’t believe her …. I was the one who caused the man to go down. He is a piece of filth that needed to be cleaned up and out of here.” Richard threw Ari a look which dared her to say anything.
Smiling Frank bowed to Green saying “It is really nice to see chivalry and unselfishness, but I think you should stay out of this unless you want to make matters worse.” Frank raised his brows asking if Green understood. He received a nod and that was good enough for him
“Richard shut up,” Ari said. Turning back to Frank she said, “It was me Frank. You know he needed to be put out of commission or he would have massacred us all and you never would have been able to even try and complete you job.” Arianna was talking fast and hoped at least most of them would survive.
Richard had never been told to shut up before by Arianna and the shock of the words kept him quiet enough to understand she was trying a bluff and he was about to ruin it and get someone killed.
Frank could not help but smile. “Listen to her Greene …. And princess I believe you. Unfortunately you just broke one of my rules I had set when we first started this meeting … you have interfered ….” Frank fumbled with his knife in the scabbard, thinking what to do next.
Frank looked over looked Franco, Arianna and Green in turn, and then he looked at Antonio. “You want to add anything to this Antonio? ….. No…” When Antonio only shrugged, Frank looked back at the other three. “I told you in no uncertain terms if you any of you did anything someone was going to die ….. so who will it be?” All were quiet so Frank added, “Very well then I will choose.” Taking out his wand he slowly pointed it at each of the people at the table, stopping at Arianna.
Ari held her breath, but she sat as straight in her chair as the binding spell would allow. She swallowed hard, and looked at Richard with unspoken regret in her eyes. Then she gave Franco a quick glance and fastened her eyes back on Franks.
Franco was getting fidgety in his chair. Frank looked at his face and it came to him, Franco was feeling guilty at the thought Ari was about to pay any price, especially her life for what was happening.
“Do not say a word Franco” Frank said without looking at the man. “Not one word or I will make this take a lot longer than I am planning.”
Franco realized that he had allowed his true emotions to show. Frank was supposed to punish him which would keep him focused. It was my idea and instead of Frank coming after me, he is going to kill Air. And all I can do is sit here and say nothing or she will suffer even more. Franco tried to look away.
Frank smiled and without taking his eyes off of Arianna, he quickly changed the direction of his wand and pointed toward the man on the floor. One quick spell and the man was dead. Then he put his wand away, put his knife away and without warning punched Franco as hard as he could. Franco’s head snapped back with a lot of forse and there was a large cut on his lip when he turned back. “That is for making me kill. Now for the Princess….”
Franco smiled as he said with a snicker, “Was that supposed to hurt Frank? Cause if so, my sister hits harder!” Franco laughed as he wasn't kidding about Kat's punches. Kat had gotten real good at laying her brothers flat, especially Marco.
Frank stomped around the table and grabbed Ari’s hair forcing her head back. “You Princess almost lost your life tonight. Do not tempt me again…” Still holding her head back he looked at Richard. “I applaud your chivalry Greene, but I just make take you up on your offer of taking the blame next time and you will remember our previous meeting as a a pleasant outing. Oh and by the way, you do something and the Princess here, suffers. Remember I mean what I say.” Frank bent his head down and kissed hard Arianna on her mouth. Then he let go of her hair. Slowly turned and quietly walked back to stand by Franco.
When he had reached the original spot, he looked over to where the three men were just staring at him. Pointing at the deceased man he said in a threatening voice, “You three men just going to stand there…. Take him back into the store room. When we are finished we will return him to his boss … move.” The other three men hesitated for an instant, but soon came to their senses and carried the body to the back store room. When they returned they almost stood at attention in front of the bar, wands ready for trouble.
Frank did not turn to look at them because he knew the effect he had cause. It was going to take some explaining to Shadow, but he had been put in charge and what happened was his to deal with. Taking a deep breath he asked…..
After making sure the goons were settled in he looked back at Franco and said, “Now where were we …. Ah I remember.” At this point Frank grabbed another handful of hair and jerked Franco’s head back again.
Franco smiled as he said, “Short term memory? That could be bad in your line of work. By the way, Titan's brother hits like a girl, Tony hits harder than that and he runs from fights.”
As the man connected with his jaw, Franco hoped that Air would recognize that as the signal. He had hoped it would look like one of the men had released her.
Smiling a little, Frank looked at Greene and asked, “Greene are you just a little jealous, that Franco here and your lady love may have feelings for each other?”
“The Princess is a friend and colleague that is all. Stop trying to make more of it.” Richard was not overly confident he was being able to lie about Ari and his relationship. Richard was not even sure himself what the relationship was. They were friends, and Ari was his boss in the Caretaker group, but they had been closer in the last few months. They had even gone out to dinner in London and spent long hours together talking and being close. She had never said anything about taking the relationship to the next level. He was almost afraid to find out the answer.
Arianna only looked straight ahead. She knew where she wanted Rich and her relationship to go but she was not sure how to proceed. Their long talks and closeness was starting to make her feel needed in more than the way of being a boss or a friend. He had never said anything too her about carrying the relationship to the next step. Someday maybe she would get up the courage to ask him where they stood. For now though she needed to close off that relationship as much as possible. “Richard is correct, Frank. We are just real good friends and I am his boss and do not and will not allow any relationship within my group to go farther. As he said do not try to make more of it than there is,”
Frank laughed, “I do not know if you too are trying to be funny or whether you really do not see your relationship for what it is …. I think I would like to be there when you figure it out, because it could be a good show to watch.” With a snicker he could not help but add, “and maybe take part in.”
Richard stared forward wondering to himself, “If she means what she says, I do not have a chance …. So much for asking.” .
Frank looked down at Franco, who by the way he was holding his hair was being forced to look at the ceiling. “Saint, what do you think are they just friends?” With a large smile and a wink to Arianna, he added, “It may be an interesting theory to prove or disprove.”
Franco was worried as it seemed that Frank Cole had realized that Richard was in love with Arianna.
Richard realized quickly they were not fooling Frank. He had made a huge error in judgment by letting his emotions take control. Now Frank had a perfect weapon to use against him and Richard was confident he would take advantage of the facts. He could be in for a long night if rescue did not come soon. Out of the corner of his eye he looked at Ari and could tell she was furious …. He may not even have a job after this…. He knew the rules and anyone in the group who put the others at risk could be out … which would mean a mind sweep and complete lose of creditability in the White magic world. Richard tried to square his shoulders and with determination willed himself to not make the mistake again. When they were done he would talk with Arianna and get some questioned answered once and for all on their relationship.
Ari hardened her face when she felt Richard look over at her. Somehow she had to take the time and talk with him about their relationship. If they could come to some type of understanding about what each of them wanted, it would be easier to get through situations and know where the boundaries were.
Frank loved playing with the emotions of the ones in front of him bound at the table. It was not very often he got to see people’s reactions to questioning. He either did not stay while they were being questioned, or the questions were done long before he was called in to close the job.
Shaking his (Frank) head side to side he let go of Franco’s hair and using the point of his knife under Franco’s chin he raised Franco’s head up so he was looking directly at him. “Talk, Franco. Just say anything which comes into your mind, other than the wish for my death. I will let you know when you are done.” Frank stood about a foot away from Franco’s chair and started to play humbly-pegs with the knife on the table in front of Franco.
Franco chuckled as he said, “Remember that after your turn, it's mine, though I might nick you as only Neo never missed.”
Richard had thrown knives with Franco before in a couple impromptu games and Franco was good, almost as good as his older brother Neo. Richard had also seen what Frank could do with a knife. It would have been a close call even between Neo and Frank. Richard was hoping it would not come to that test.
Arianna knew Franco was purposely baiting Frank. She had to trust he knew what he was doing. He had the training to handle himself in physical fights, thanks to his brothers and the training he had to survive, with the Caretakers. Darik had also been metering out some tough training, supposedly what his elfin clan taught to its young warriors. The only problem with that training was with the Elves the training lasted over about a thirty-five plus years span and Darik had molded it into a six-month plan without leaving out any of the moves. Arianna could still feel the bruises. She was not sure how good he was with a knife though.
Frank smiled and said to Franco, “Maybe someday if we all get through this job then we can have a little contest. I am afraid now though it may be dangerous for both of us.”
Franco said, “Oh, I thought you liked living dangerously.” He just had to buy time until Tarik got there.
“I have no problem with danger, but when there are others are around, stray strikes can those who may be just watching. I know you would not want that to happen.” Frank looked at Greene and Arianna, making sure Franco knew he was suggesting them getting hurt.
Arianna could not resist the opening, “I think that would be nice. We can have a picnic. It has been a while since I threw in competition, but I will practice. Tell me Frank, I know you seem to prefer the Bouie Knife, but what other weapons would you consider as part of a challenge.” She knew Franco was trying to buy them some time. To her question all she received was a look of astonishment from all the men sitting at the table. Frank acted as if she had not even spoken.
Frank started to flip the knife in his hand. Catching it by the tip, he flipped it into the table. It landed barely an eighth of an inch away from the edge. With the strength it was thrown if it had missed the table it would have gone into Franco’s leg.”Oh, my,” said Frank, “That would have been unfortunate …. I guess my mind is not on the skill at the moment.”
Arianna watched with little emotion. She knew Frank was an expert’s expert with the Bouie knife so she was not afraid of him missing by accident. He had also shown great restraint so far in how much physical damage he metered out to the group. So he would not kill Franco and would not let the knife slip unless they made him mad again to the point he was not thinking clearly. She used the time to try and relax her mussels. They had been bound long enough now that even when they were either released or could get loose, it was going to be painful trying to use their mussels
Magically calling the knife back into his hand he flipped it once and throw it at the wall behind Arianna and Richard, just barely missing Richard’s head. “
Richard did not flinch. He had been expecting the knife to come at him sometime during this scare tactics game Frank was playing. He was reasonable sure Frank would not kill him. The knife had come so close to his head, Richard had felt the whisper of a breeze as it shot by.
“Well that was a little better shot although I still seem to be missing the spot I am aiming at.” Again he called the knife back into his hand.
Richard only gave Frank a full smile.
Frank nodded in Richards’s direction and gave him a mock salute. “Very calm Greene …. I was wondering if you had a duel personality in there.” Greene was acting like Frank expected him to from what he had seen in their prior acquaintance.
Looking at the point to make sure it was still alright, he said, “Now where were we? Ah, yes Franco, you do not mind me calling you Franco of course, you were going to give me some information”. ….
Franco was worried but knew that as soon as back up got there, Frank Cole would regret every threat he had made towards Air or Richard.
Staring at Frank Cole as he said, “What Frank? Upset that I am not taking the bait? Like I said, you never had older brothers. One of my twins Neo just loves to play! Maybe I have him teach you...Like I said He has never Missed!”
Arianna nodded. She had seen Neo throw his beloved knives more than once and Frank was right she had never seen him miss his target, stationary or moving. Neo was in the Caretaker Group, code named Cooler, and was their martial arts expert. The man was good. Even Darik had him teaching some to the students with the Allies, a small group of students at Hogwarts. Ari had even taken a few lessons from him.
Richard smiled when Arianna nodded. Richard liked Neo and knew he could be totally depended on. It would be an interesting match between the two “experts”.
“The more I hear you talking about Neo, the more I want to meet him …. Somewhere along the line you will have to introduce us, I insist. Maybe we can have a little impromptu contest. It has been a long time since I have had anyone who I could really have a duel with who gave me any kind of challenge.” Frank said with a bright smile. It really was not very often he could find someone to hone his skills on, who did not give up after only thirty minutes or so.
Looking at Richard and Arianna he added, “But I think I have spent enough time with you at the moment. I would not want my other two new friends to feel left out.”
Franco smiled as his eyes said, Neo will wipe that smile right off your face.To Frank he said, “Try the Shadow Lounge...”
Frank casually walked around to the back of the table and stood behind Arianna. He pinned the knife into the table just in front of her, looking at Franco to see if he would take the bait of trying for a non-verble without physically having a wand on him. Then he started to message Arianna’s shoulders, “Your mussels are very tight Arianna, when was the last time you had a proper message?”
Franco cringed as he realized that the man had focused on Arianna. Richard was the one that just might be their weak link.
Franks touch made Arianna shiver. He had placed the knife so that he was tempting her to use her wandless powers and see what she could do with it. She was not going to fall for the ploy though. Frank was too confident he had the situation under control, which meant he had something up his sleeve which she did not know about. She looked across the table and Franco moved his eyes from right to left several times. He was telling her to not ry for the knife, because he also knew it was too easy.
Franks hands were dinging in deeper and deeper and she was starting to feel the pain shoot down her back and her arms.
Richard watched Frank as he came back around the table. His eyes went from Frank to Arianna and back to Frank again. When he stopped behind Ari and started to message her shoulders
When Arianna shivered Frank realized she was actually discussed by his touch. That had not happened to him very often. He had never had much problem dating or getting to know the “fairer” members of the human race.
He decided to try and change her mind in the future. He could handle Greene if he objected. He could even handle Arianna if she objected. Inwardly he snickered. It would be an interesting contest to have with Arianna.
With a chuckle he did not wait for her answer but looked over to Greene, who looked like he would have torn Frank apart if he had not been restrained. “Richard, or do you prefer the name Professor, or Caretaker, I will have to admit there was nothing particular in the note about you. But since you are so concerned about Arianna here,” Frank stopped messaging Ari and roughly patted the sides of both her arms near the shoulder, then went back to messaging and continued, “I thought I might see if I could get some information from you. My employer would like Arianna to find something else to do with her life, and I was thinking if I could find out a good sampling of some of the secrets, like maybe the newest Caretaker code book, I may open up the door for her to not have to take care of the Caretaker Group. What do you think?”
Richard looked from Frank’s face to his hands to Ari’s eyes, which were straight ahead and to the knife stuck into the table. Ari would be able to use the knife with a wandless spell, but she would not be able to take out everyone at once so Richard knew she would never try. Looking back at Frank he said as calmly as he could, “Arianna likes her job and when she is ready to stop she will, but I do not think that will be anytime soon.” Richard chuckled as he said, “As for the newest Code book, can’t help you there, sorry. I seem to have misplaced my copy. I am not even sure we have one at the moment.” He ended with a wink to Ari, who was watching him out of the corner of her eye and a hard stare at Frank. “Why don’t you leave the lady alone. I am real sure she does not want your attention.”
“Now Richard,” Frank smiled, “The Princess here does not even know me very well. When we get to know each other better, she will learn to appreciate my talents, won’t you Princess?” Frank gave another very deep squeeze to Arianna’s shoulders and smiled at Richard.
Franco had to get the man's attention back on him. There was no way he was going to allow Richard to break and give up his nephew Seth.
Franco said with a bite to his voice, “What Frank? Can't find the Old One? Sorry to disappoint, it was all we had.” He wasn't lying as Seth had been too busy to put a new one together.
Air was in too much pain to talk. She may have been able to say a few words, but she did not want to give Frank the satisfaction he was getting to her through the pain.
Frank’s eyes went to Franco across the table. He still was having fun but Franco’s snide comments were starting to get on his nerves. If he kept it up, Frank was going to have to teach him a lesson in keeping his mouth shut. He knew of one thing which may cut off the comments and have the man take the situation with more seriousness, but he was not ready to use that yet.
As Frank was talking his hands were squeezing deeper and deeper into Arianna’s shoulders and her face was showing the results. Frank looked down at her, stopping the rubbing for just a moment and said, “Oh I am sorry Princess, am I rubbing too hard? I told you your mussels are very tight and need a good thorough rubbing.” Frank chuckled and went back to messaging Arianna’s shoulder, not quite so hard, because he wanted to be able to build the pressure without dislocating her shoulders, or causing permanent damage.
Arianna cringed now with each squeeze of Frank’s hands. She gritted her teeth and refused to utter a word. If it went on much longer though, she would not be able to hold in the anguish. Looking across the table Franco was trying to give her encouragement and she tried unsuccessfully to give him a smile. She did not dare look at Richard who she could feel staring at her or she would lose any control she was hanging onto. The one thing which held her together was that Richard was holding onto his emotions and was not going to give into Frank’s demands.
As he looked around the table he noticed different results to his tender care of Arianna. Richard had become very quiet and very still intently switching his eyes between Frank’s face and hands and Arianna’s eyes…… Antonio was looking at the floor, but his hands were gripping the edge of the table and his knuckles were white ….. Franco was fighting to stay calm moving his eyes from Richard to Arianna to Frank.
He had to get Frank to concentrate on him. Richard was about to crack and that would endanger Seth.
Franco said coldly, “What Frank? You forgot that I was your first assignment? You have to do us in order, man or you'll get nowhere.”
Arianna was inwardly thanking Franco for what he was trying to do, but she had little hope it would work. She glanced down at Richards hands and noticed he was gripping the arm of the chair so hard his knuckles and hands were beginning to turn white. The bindings must be biting hard into his arms and legs. There was nothing she could do at the moment. If she lost control of her own emotions, she would cave in. Over all the years she had run the Caretakers she had never given in to terrorist acts or torture, and she was not about to start now.
“Franco, my friend,” Frank started with added hardness in his voice, “I know what order I have to work in. I also know what buttons to push, so if I were you I would sit quietly and keep your comments to yourself.” Frank was hoping Franco would keep pushing. He would relish wiping the over confident look off of the man’s face.
Franco grinned as he heard Frank. He was getting to the man just like he always did Marco. Saying with a sly smile, “Maybe you just never had anybody that won your little game? Maybe it is time to find a new line of work, questioning is not your thing? Give up while you still...”
First saying to Antonio, “Antonio, drink some of your tea, NOW!”
Antonio felt Chameleon and realized that it was Frank Cole that he wanted. That was interesting. He heard Fixer and quickly drank his tea.
He waited until he had taken a very large swing of the tea then looking back to Greene he said, “You had something you wanted to say Richard …. Come on speak up we are all friends here” Frank finished with a chuckle and continued to message Arianna’s shoulders, progressively harder. He had just asked Richard for the Codebook for the Caretakers and some other sensitive information.
Start with Franco Spellman Post #10
Franco shook his head as he said, “Greene, remember our code. Unless you want Air to skin you?” He prayed that his friend could hold out until their back-up arrived because Fixer had found the only thing that Richard cared about more than himself. Richard's face was what terrified Franco.
“I got nothing to say to you Frank Cole, other than you are a coward, I think. You miss treat a woman because you realize you cannot get anything from a man. Why don’t you let me loose and we will see what you really can do.”
Frank had enough. He drew his knife and walked back around the table. Standing directly behind Franco he but the knife back on the man’s neck and brought it up his chin, not being really careful he did not remove some of the skin as he did. When he reached Franco’s chin he stopped be and thought for a moment.
Franco had to keep the man's attention focused on him. He felt the scrap and smiled as he remembered how Marco would react. Giving a sly smile as he said, “Hey Frank, you missed a spot! I guess you don't know how to shave either?”
An idea just occurred to him which may teach Franco a lesson. With the point of the knife at Franco’s chest he leaned down so he was very close to Franco’s ear. In a voice all could hear he said, “You know Franco, my friend, I am getting irritated with your comments and interference with my questioning procedures. The irritation is starting to make me want to hurt someone. Now I thought I could teach you a lesson by maybe flaying your skin in a few places, so you would have something to think about or may nicking your skin in a few places, like this.” Frank used the point of the knife and made two slits in Franco’s shirt over his chest, making sure he caught a couple layers of skin under neither the material. Continuing he said, “But I think a better way would be if someone else suffers for you un-governed mouth. So here is the deal …. I will choose the punishment and the duration of the punishment, which I will of course NOT describe to you and you will choose who at this table will receive the punishment.
Franco squeezed his lips together to make sure no noise escaped when he felt the cuts to his chest. They were not important at the moment. He looked around the table. "How was he supposed to choose which one of his friends were to be tortured? He knew Frank was going to purposely ask him questions he could not answer. Sweat broke out at his temples.
Still bending low Frank removed the knife from Franco’s chest and pointed to the people around the table as he said their names. “Will it me Antonio, which may mean you would also be getting Chameleon; will it be Richard over there who can probably take the pain I dish out or will it be Arianna who I know would insist on have it done to her, because she fancies herself your leader and would not have others hurt.” Frank laughed at the look on Franco’s face. If he had read the man right, Franco’s weakness was his self induced hatred on himself if someone else suffered because of something he did or did not do. Frank was going to make him choose.
Franco could feel the sweat moistening his temples and breaking out at the back of his neck. His mind shot back to when he was very young and some of the older kids in the neighborhood started to mistreat a dog who had done nothing to deserve any type of treatment other than love. Franco had just watched and not said anything. His older brothers had finally arrived and stopped the boys but by then the animal was badly hurt. Franco's father asked him why he had not tried to help the dog. When he had said, "I don't know." his father told him if he had helped the dog may have not been hurt so bad. His fathers last words on the subject were said as the dog was given a shot to put him asleep, "We all make our lives, Franco. We must help when we can or we are just as guilty of any injustice. We all must accept our own pain and never allow others to be mistreated because we do not act." Franco had followed that rule from that day. Now he was being forced to break it.
Bouncing the knife a bit in his hand Frank questioned, “So who will it be Saint. If you take too long I will choose and I think you may be able to guess who I will give my attention too. Speak up my friend, the longer I have to wait the worse and the longer the punishment.”
Franco caught the eyes of each one of his friends. Antonio was scared and trying to stay out of the problem, Arianna was telling him with non-verbal clues with her eyes, she expected him to choose her, but he couldn't. That left Richard who seemed to be accepting the idea he was the only logical one.
Franco saw Richard nod, and give him a half of a smile. He knew Richard also realized, they had to protect Arianna. This is the life they signed up for when they agreed to join the Caretaker Group. They would both give their lives for the lady and the group.
Richard had little hope of beating Frank in a contest of hand-to-hand, but the thing needed now was the use of time until Darik realized it had been too long since they had made contact.” The last thing Richard saw was Frank coming at him and hearing Ari yell his name. Then everything went black.
Beckoning two of the waiting goons over to the table, Frank released the magic bonds on Richard. “Tie his hands up very high over his head to the post here,” Frank indicate the post located about two feet from the table, which ran from floor to the beam overhead, “…and strip the clothes off his back.”
Franco tried to hold a stone face as he saw his unconscious friend being dragged to the pole and hoisted up so his feet barely touched the ground. When he heard the ripping of Richards’s shirt as it was ripped from his back, he jumped and could not hold in the utter of dismay which escaped through his clinched teeth. He could not look at Arianna, because he knew she was trying to fragility hold her own emotions in check.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Richard figured he had not been out for very long. Before he opened his eyes, he took stock of where he was and how he got in the position. His mind flashed back to just before Frank had delivered a blow with the hilt of his Bouie Knife against Richard’s temple.
Still not opening his eyes, Richard checked his body. He was tied to a post and his feet barely touching the floor. He had to stand on the balls of his feet in order to take the pressure off of his wrists that were already cut from dangling in an unconscious state. He also realized his shirt had been torn away from his back, which was not a good sign. Slowly he opened his eyes and winced at the light which caused his temples to throb.
Ari realized Richard was conscious again and she held a stone face so she did not let Cole or any of the others know. She had to give Richard as much time as possible to recoup and understand what was happening.
Then he stepped back and patted Franco on the shoulder, saying “for every smart remark you say or I think you may have meant, Richard gets three stripes across his back” Pulling Franco head back by his hair, he asked, “Am I fully understood in this? His punishment is totally in your control.” Frank laughed out loud and walked back around the table to where Arianna was sitting perfectly still, with true horror on her face. Richard was also starting to become conscious again.
Franco understood perfectly as he thought, Yeah but I will figure out a way to not give you anything and still save my friend from your punishments. The only thing this gets you Frank is that I won't be using the wise mouth. But believe me you will pay for making me break that vow to my father... Franco just nodded.
Just as he was about to reopen his conversation with Arianna, Frank heard footsteps on the staircase leading to the two upstairs rooms. Since no alarm had gone off the person or persons had only one way in. Frank smiled.
Counting the men as they descended the stair, Ari realized their ability to overpower Cole or the other three goons in the place had just become nil. Ten men had descended the stairs that gave Cole 13 in the room at the moment. The odds were not impossible but all of the people at the table would not survive. Air bit the inside of her lip, willing herself to not show how she felt.
Placing his hand on Arianna’s shoulder he looked up the stairs and saw several men coming down the stairs all in good spirits. Frank waved and reached out for the note the first man handed him. “Fix yourself something to drink if you like. The Bar is open for our use. You can have a seat at one of the tables or just stand up at the bar.” When the men started toward the bar Frank said to the three people at the table and Richard who barely had his feet on the ground since his hands were tied well over his head and he was facing the post, “You will excuse me, I have a very important message I need to read.”
Richard tried to look around, but could barely turn his head to look over his shoulder. He could see Antonio who was sitting close with his back to him. He could also catch a glimpse of Franco’s face over his left shoulder if he strained. Turning the other way he could not see Arianna because she was too far around the table. He had a view of one end of the bar, but the goons were no longer standing there.
(Arianna) Watching Richard try and turn to look at her, was tearing at her heart. She wanted to give him encouragement but had to settle, for just saying “Richard” in a very low whisper. She realized he heard her when he put his forehead on the pole and picked it up again.
Richard wanted desperately to look into Arianna’s eyes. He was not sure what he wanted to tell her, but it sure would do his heart good, to just see her.
Richard heard footsteps coming from the area where the stairs were and guessed others were coming down. At first he thought it might be the three goons who were still alive but when he looked at the bar area they stepped into view. It wasn’t rescuers because Franco and Arianna were still sitting quietly. Seeing the look on Franco’s face, Richard realized Cole had help coming. His spirits took a nose dive.
At first when Franco had heard the steps his heart leapt because he thought it was their backup. Looking at the men coming down the steps he realized in was Frank's backup and his heart plummeted. He could feel the tension of his friends rise at the table. They had all hoped for help, now even if it came there was going to be major fighting and people would die. Franco hung his head, but put it back up when he realized wallowing in self-pity was not going to do them any good, and could prevent him or the others from picking up on a possible escape route.
With this he walked a short distance away from the group and broke the seal on the roll of parchment.
Note:
Fixer
This note is being delivered by the men I promised you. There are twelve plus the four already there. The twelve I have sent will take orders only from you and from me with no questions asked. They have been well trained. You have full control over them.
When you are finished with this job, you may keep any five you would like to train further to accomplish jobs for you. For the first year I will pay them and will replace any you may have a problem with. They have all been told the five who please you the most will be retained by you, and receive a hefty bonus from me.
Partial payment has been deposited in Gringotts Wizarding Bank in the account you indicated. The traveling cabinet will be dismantled by the last two men. It will be shrunk and placed in the back room of the Hog’s Head, hidden very well.
Because of some circumstances here, I need a copy of the Caretaker Codebook. I also need examples of signatures of Professor Greene, my sister Arianna and Franco Spellman. It has also come to my attention Franco has been keeping files which no one has been able to locate. It would be nice to have them in my possession.
Hope you are having some luck without too much trouble.
Khalid
Frank rolled up the parchment again as he watched several other men decend the stairs. Even though ten new arrivals had made themselves comfortable around the room, it was still very quiet.
Taking it for granted the last two were taking care of the traveling cabinet upstairs in the third floor attic, Frank walked back over to stand behind Arianna, “So Princess, what do you think. It seems we have company.” Frank patted Arianna’s shoulder and then absently rubbed her hair and face.
Air tried unsuccessfully to bite Frank’s hand. He answered her movement by patting her face in what could only be a slap, which he knew had left a hand-print mark
At first Franco did not realize more men were coming down the stairs. He knew they could not have been there before so they must have apparated into the building. That did not seem logical though because apparation generally cause at a minimum a loud pop and there had been no noise. There must be a turnkey or something else upstairs. Maybe they could use it for escape but he doubted it, as more men descended the stairs.
All Franco could do was trying to give Richard as much courage as he could pass through his eyes. None of the Caretakers were squeamish, they had seen too much, but the situation was making Franco sick to his stomach and he had to fight the rising gorge.
“May I have your attention please everyone,” he said to the gathered men. “I would like t introduce you to my friends here.” Indicating Antonio he said, “This is Antonio, at the moment he is allowed to move around freely but is not allowed to leave this room or drink anything stronger than very well sweetened tea. If I say to give him some sweetened tea even forcibly, then I expect you to forse it down his throat if need be. Let’s see …. You three over there,” Frank pointed to three men sitting at a table between the captives and the stairs, “you are in charge of helping Antonio if he needs help.
“The other three at this table have been restrained because they do not really want to stay and I do not want them to leave.” Pointing at Franco first he said, “This is Franco Spellman who is answering some questions for me I hope. And the man who is tied to the pole is Professor Richard Greene, who has agreed to take any punishment which would normally go to Franco, if he continues to make un-wanted remarks or does not answer my questions satisfactorily. And finely,” Franco rubbed both of Arianna’s arms and kissed the top of her head, “this is Princess Arianna. She is also here to give me some information I require. Aren’t you Arianna?”
Trying to keep track of the placement of the new men, Ari was also trying to think tactics, but so far no plan came to her. When Cole asked her “Aren’t you Arianna?” she shook her shoulders and looked up to where he was standing behind her, “You will get nothing from me Frank Cole. This is not over yet.”
Frank squeezed Arianna shoulders very hard and chuckled. Allowing his hands to drop down the front of Arianna he continued, not paying attention to what his hands were doing, “Now …. You three,” Frank motioned to the three standing at the end of the bar, “you are in charge of Professor Greene. I have promised Franco I would give Professor Greene three stripes across his back for every remark I did not like…. Don’t do anything though unless I say to. And you three,” he pointed to the three directly in front of him, “are in charge of Franco …. I will decide all punishment no matter what they say.”
Richard had tried to keep count to see how many men had arrived. By his count there were now 12 to 13 people helping Cole.
At least now he knew what was about to happen to him. He swallowed hard, putting his head against the pole and tried to get his mind to go to that place of detachment from his surroundings. It was being very elusive at the moment. Richard had suffered pain before, but it always felt worse than you thought it would.
Richard listened as best he could to the placement. His fear was creating a buzzing in his ear which he was attempting to bury. Cole was about to cause him pain and he could not even fight back.
Frank looked at the original three when he said this. “And last but not least you three,” indicating the three who were the original goons, “you are in charge of the Princess here. She is not to be hurt and only I can touch her, unless she needs to be restrained, which should happen quickly and quietly. You three know what I am capable of…. That leaves you,” Frank signified the tenth man who had arrived, “and you other two friends when they arrive. The three of you are in charge of general security. There is a storeroom at the end of the bar with one door leading out back which has been magically secured. There is a room down that hallway under the stairs and there are two rooms upstairs as you know. Make yourselves at home because it is going to be a long night. Oh and there is meat, cheese and bread under the counter if anyone is hungry.”
Franco listened to the introductions, and the stationing of the men. They were trapped well. The only hope they had now was if Darik, got in touch with Tarik and they tried to rescued them. Franco's heart sank, when he thought of that. They had not planned for the extra dozen men now stationed in the room.
Frank continued to smile and watched the men gravitate toward their indicated charges. This was going to be fun. Not moving from his place behind Ari, he said to Franco, “Now that almost everyone is here, I have a question for you Franco. I wish to have my own copy of the Caretaker Code book. Where can I get my copy from?” Frank had purposely phrased his question to get a negative response from him. They all needed to be taught he was not bluffing about what punishment would be metered out.
Ari picked up on the fact Cole said not everyone had arrived. This meant there were probably others upstairs who had not come down yet. It was rational, someone would have been left to secure the entry gate the others had used, but her question was how many were still unaccounted for.
Richard tried to move his fingers which had grown numb and signal to Ari there were more. He knew she had probably caught the fact but just in case he had to try and let her know. It would also give her a little hope he was thinking.
Knowing Richard could not see her, Ari still nodded her head one time. Franco, who Richard could see would pass on the information.
Franco shook his head as the war inside him went on. If I answered Frank to save Greene some pain, then that meant putting Seth in danger. If I don't then Richard gets tortured for no reason accept I didn't tell Frank what he wanted. He decided to just not say anything and hoped that Frank didn't consider that grounds to punish Richard.
“Come on Franco, it is an easy question …” Frank looked at Franco studying his face, “Ah too bad, I thought I was giving you some incentive.” Frank put his hands over Arianna’s eyes so she would not accidently use wandless magic and indicated to the three watching Richard to carry out the specified punishment.
Ari jumped when Cole put his hands over her eyes. Blinded she could not use her magic. She could still use her blood-magic but that would only get someone killed, and she would not be able to gurard everyone. She tried to violently swing her head from side to side, but it only tightend to where she could not move her head at all.
Richard moaned but by gritting his teeth he did not yell. Tears had escaped from the corners of his eyes, and his breath was labored, but he had not fainted. When he heard that Cole was holding his hands over Ari’s eyes, he was glad, in a way. He knew Ari had seen her share of damage done to others, and she had inflicted pain when it was necessary. Both of those circumstances caused her anguish. The question was, had Cole done it only to prevent her from using her wandless magic or so she would not have to watch, or a combination of them both. Even though he did not show it, Richard had a deep feeling Cole liked Arianna more than Richard would have liked. His back still hurt unmercifully but concentrating on the jealousy building inside him was helping him take his mind off of the deep slashes in his back.
With their wands each of the three cut a strip across Richards back. Frank held Arianna’s head against him as she struggled to free her eyes. When the punishment had been given, Frank bent down and whispered in Arianna’s ears “I will let go of your eyes if you promise no wandless magic. There are too many here for you to take care of. If you cannot be good I will blindfold you. Please nod if you understand and agree?” Frank stood back up and when he had gotten his nod, he released Arianna’s damp eyes.
Ari felt the tears as they escaped her eyes. Over the years she had tried to harden herself against what she figured was a weakness, but no matter how hard she tried they leaked out. It made her furious. Maxwell the Psy-Healer had tried to explain to her, that tears released chemicals in the body which helped to relax and calm how the body was reacting. She still did not like them, but she dealt as well as possible when they came.
When Cole had released her eyes, Arianna’s eyes went straight to Richard and she had to bite the inside of her lip, not to scream. The marks on Richards back were deep and long. They were not bleeding much because cuts made with a wand, had the added benefit to the person giving them of cauterizing the wound so the person would not bleed to death. The wounds would still hurt bad, but the person would live to be able to accept more wounds. Ari squeezed her eyes shut to damn up the unshed tears still hiding behind her eyes.
Shaking his head from side to side, Richard tried to tell Franco not to say anything to Cole. He was not going to be responsible for setting up other friends.
Franco cringed. He had gotten Frank's message loud and clear. Franco didn't answer a question, Richard would suffer. Franco knew that the only thing that would keep him from giving Seth's name would be for the back-up to show. He had been so worried about Richard giving his nephew up and it was going to be him that broke their code and endangered the lives of their contacts.
Before he could get to the next question, an alarm went off in the back room where the bartender slept. It was at the end of the hall which ran under the stairs.
Franco's eyes lite up as he heard the alarm as he thought with a sly smile on his face, About time Tarik! He just prayed that the Amir had not chosen to come alone.
Frank calmly made his way over to where Richard was strung from the pole and cut him down and magically bound his arms to his side, saying, “Do not make any moves or your friends die first.”
Arianna heard the alarm. Thinking back on the system set up for the Hog’s Head, she knew it was not an alarm installed by anyone she knew. Her attention snapped to Cole. He must have installed the alarm. Someone was coming in through the window in the back room where Hank the barkeeper normally slept. The man had been sent away a long time ago. Ari tried to see if she could “feel” who was there. She did recognize one body signature, it was her half-brother Tarik. She watched the opening under the stairs, turning to where Richard was hanging, when Cole had moved to beside him. She begged him not to use Richard as a shield.
Richard had heard the small beep of an alarm, but it could have meant many things, from someone breaking in to a timer. When Richard saw Cole walking toward him with his Bouie knife drawn he was hoping for the break in because a timer could have meant he was out of time. Cole reached the knife up toward Richards’s hands and with one swift movement cut the ropes. Richard almost went to his knees but by grabbing the pole he was able to retain his feet. When he had made it to where he was standing up straight, his arms plastered themselves to his side and stuck. He was bound. He looked at Cole and glared as the man as he was told to be good or others get hurt. Richard nodded.
Franco watched as Frank cut Richard down. Shaking his head as he realized the man was up to something, He's too calm as if he was expecting this. Maybe he will just try to play it off and get Tarik to leave? If so, then he and Richard will be at the table. He will also hopefully make the mistake of releasing my hands, thinking I will play along...Fat Chance as my wrist has a blade with his name on it! Franco though had a bad feeling that Frank Cole had never been that stupid. He figured the man had other ideas. Ideas that would show Franco just how serious he was; Franco cringed as he looked at Richard.
Realizing Cole was not going to kill Richard outright Ari slowly let out a small breath she had not realized she was holding. Richard was still going to be a shield, but he had a chance.
Cole had taken a couple of steps pushing Richard in front of him but stopped when they were almost in back of Franco. Although Franco’s eyes went to Cole, they had passed Richard’s face and their eyes had locked for a split second.
Ari shot a look at Franco, letting him know when they were finished here; she was going to go up one side of him and down the other. It hit her hard when she realized, Franco had not been ready for this action. She had taken it for granted with brothers like he had; he would be more prepared to handle whatever came up.
Not only would Air kill them for endangering her brother but it seemed Frank Cole had every intention of using this tactic against him. Franco was sure that Greene and if Neo was one of their rescuers would be the ones that Frank made pay. The Fixer had found Franco's weakness and planned on using it.
Cole now had been handed Franco’s weakness on a silver platter and there was no hiding it any more.
(Franco) Hoping to even the odds a little as he feared that Tarik was indeed alone, he said to Fixer, “Yes, I was expecting back-up but not my brothers as I did not think Frank that this trap was for me. If it is who I believe, then you won't need all those men as he usually doesn't bring others? ….”
She had to give the man credit though for not falling apart. He was charging a head trying to draw Cole’s attention to himself.
(Franco) “….Plus you won't have to deal with me as Air is going to kill me when she finds out! Release my hands and I can talk him into standing down?”
Franco was trying to prevent Cole from killing them all outright. He started to smile when Franco mentioned Air killing them; he had used Arianna’s Caretaker Codename of Air, to try and make Cole think she was someone else other than the woman sitting with him at the table.
“This was a nice move on Franco’s part…. He had tried to hide the fact Arianna was head of the Caretaker Group. Maybe there was hope for the man.” she thought to herself
Richard did not finish forming his smile when Franco mentioned his need to have his hands released. Franco had a small spring loaded knife up his sleeve. It could not kill unless he got a perfect head or heart shot in, but it sure could not hurt their situation if he could get a chance to use it.
Frank took two steps pushing Greene in front of him toward the counter then stopped. What Franco had just said hit home. Motioning two of the goons closer he whispered to them to guard Greene, which they did instantly by putting their wands to his head and each grabbing one of Richards arms and jerking it up behind Richard’s back.
The two goons which came to hold Richard were taking a cue from Cole, and had tried to show him they had no problem causing discomfort to Richard by bending his arms upward on his back. Richard bent forward just a little to take the pressure off his arms.
Richard winced as his hands were forced against the painful cuts in his back. He realized he could see Arianna now and took the time just to look at her.
Cringing, causing his back to burn, Richard looked to Arianna, trying to give her a half smile. She had tried to set her face in stone, but over the past couple of years Richard had been able to see past the immovable muscles. She could not govern the expression in her eyes when she looked at him. There was a pleading for him to understand why the situation had to be like it was. He gave her a wink, and said without using words, “It is alright Ari, I promise.” Then his eyes went back to Franco’s arms.
She was scared, which showed even behind the granite face she was trying to present. He had known her long enough now to be able to read other signs. No matter what expression she tried to put on her face, her eyes told him all he needed to know. He wished with all his heart he could get her out of this. His eyes were drawn back to Franco’s arms by a very small flexing of Franco’s arms under the sleeve of his shirt.
Arianna kept reminding herself she was the leader here. It was getting more and more difficult because people she considered as friends were being hurt, for what a book with words in it. Mentally chastising herself she thought, “No it is not just a book with words… it is a door to destroying any semblance of order in the world. It can be used to make others think the world had changed and was being run by the darker arts. It would take away hope from those who needed it most.”
When Richard had been cut down, Arianna had worried he was going to be killed because Cole had lost hope of using him and was not going to use him as a shield.
Frank reached down and pulled both of Franco’s arms up on the table and laid them so the inner part of his arm was face up. The hands were pointed directly at Arianna. Saying to Franco, “We do not have much time. Tell me quickly what would happen if I bent both of your wrists back toward you arms?”
Richard tried to catch Franco’s eyes, but his friend was only looking at Arianna. If Cole pulled even slightly on Franco’s wrist the hidden dagger in his sleeve would shoot out. Without Franco being able to grab it, it would go into Arianna’s chest. Richard looked at Arianna, trying to give her courage. If something happened he wanted her to know he would somehow kill Frank Cole, very slowly with his own knife.
Franco’s face went white and he lowered his head. If Frank bent his wrist back the spring loaded knife up his right sleeve would jettison and hit Arianna square in the chest.
Arianna looked down at the table. She knew what was up Franco’s sleeves, and it was pointed directly at her chest
When Richard stood on the other side of the table, partially bent over from the goons pulling his arms up behind him, she could plainly see the pain in his face. She had not seen the stripes cut into his back, until after they had already been made, but she had heard his gowns. Now she only pleaded with her eyes for him to understand she could not give in to Cole’s demands. When she received the message back she had to fight the tears which were threading to again seep out of her eyes.
Richard gave Arianna a weak wink. She would be okay, he had to believe that.
Frank continued, “Which one?” When Franco motioned with his chin to the right hand, Frank lifted it higher and bent the wrist back, releasing the knife into the wall behind Arianna. “That was a mistake Franco, a big mistake. I do not have time at the moment to meter out punishment, but when we are through with our unwanted visitors; your whipping-boy here will pay dearly.”
Richard closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them they shot back to Arianna’s. He nodded.
Arianna tried not to let out an audible sigh. Her body, she had not realized had put itself on alert, relaxed. She gave Richard as much of a smile as she could muster, then turned her attention to Franco and gave him the same smile.
Richard had almost gone down on his knees when the dagger shot from Franco’s arm. It had appeared to happen all in slow motion. To show he was not totally weak though, he struggled in the grasp of the goons hold, only to have his arms savagely pinned higher on his back. One of the men even had the nerve to say, “Keep it up and I will break it; break it in more than one spot.” Richard grunted and was only partially successful in looking the man in the face.
Frank positioned Franco’s arms down by his side. Sent the two goons back to their original position and shoved Greene.
The last thing Richard saw before he was shoved toward the bar was Arianna’s face. He vowed to never see that expression of helplessness on her face again if he could prevent it.
When Cole motioned for his arms to be released, Richard tried to react, but they had not gained a semblance of strength yet.
Pointing the knife at his back he walked him toward the back of the counter, stopping only to whisper in Franco’s ear, “Looks like your delaying tactics are not going to work. Although I will admit you are good at it, and you had some help from your friends here. Maybe later we will have a chance to discuss the tactic later. By the way, just because Greene here is not on the pole at the moment, does not mean he still will get punished if you get out of step, so be good. If this is one of your brothers, I do hope it in Neo and he survives. I need the challenge.” Frank continued walking Richard until they were behind the bar and place his knife at the Professors throat.
Richard did not hesitate in his steps to the bar. He was afraid he would be in the way of their rescue if he was in the center of the room. He had heard what Cole had whispered to Franco. If it was Neo their chances were going to go up. The other most likely person would have been Tarik if there were only two. The elf Darik would be in the mix also.
(Frank Cole) His wand was pointed at the table where Arianna, Franco and Antonio sat. Putting his wand to his lips he silently told the people at the table not to make a sound.
Franco got the message and just hoped that for once Tarik brought others with him. Figuring in his head how many it would take to deal with Fixer's crew, Tarik on a good day can take four with his dagger, if he brings my brothers then Neo can take another six or eight, That leaves Marco and Leo with three and Fixer. Problem the minute they go for Fixer, Richard's dead. Any way Franco looked at it, Fixer had been right about it not working. Franco cringed as he looked at Richard cause thanks to Franco, the man could die tonight as could Tarik.
Arianna had followed every step of Cole and Richard’s progress to behind the bar. Her eyes kept darting from them to the back hallway. If she yelled, Richard would be dead …. If she did not yell whoever was coming through the hallway with her half-brother would probably be lying on the floor next to Tarik’s dead body. She clamped her mouth shut. Whoever was there would be expecting trouble so she did not need to distract them.
Signaling the men to surround the table and scatter around the room. These men were getting paid well to be in the front. They would help fight because of the possibly of a very hefty bonus and permanent employment. Frank hoped not too many of the men died.
Arianna and Franco were blocked from view of anyone coming down the hall. She could feel one of them was her half-brother. There was someone else with him who resembled Franco’s life signature, so she was going to guess it was one of his brothers. Looking at Franco he was also hoping it was one of his brothers, and was trying to figure out how to warn their rescuers.
Franco cringed as he heard the footsteps and realized that Tarik had brought somebody. Shaking his head as he recognized the step and it was the one person that Fixer wanted to show. It was Neo and thanks to him, Frank Cole was about to see just what Neo could do. He realized that even at their best, Tarik and Neo were outnumbered and that meant the Fixer was going to enjoy the payback.
Frank could feel the adrenaline starting to pump through his veins. It had been a while since he was in these close quarters in a fight. He was hoping at least some of the men would survive. Those that did would be worth taking into his employment. He would still be a loner, but he would have some extra sets of eyes, ears and muscle to use to complete jobs. For at least the first year it would not cost him anything. Leaning forward he whispered in Greene’s ear, “Do not move or say a word and you may have a chance of coming out of this alive.” With this said Frank pushed Greene face first onto the top of the bar and put the point of his knife on his neck at the base of his skull.
Richard and Cole could be seen just barely around the side of the man standing on the otherside of the table. Cole looked excited. Ari knew he was looking forward to the fight. With Richard’s head being held down on top of the bar, Ari had no hope of being able to see his face. Richard was going to have the first view of whoever was with Tarik.
Ari had mixed thoughts about Tarik trying to rescue her and the others. She was glad because she needed his support at the moment and wanted to see him. If she was going to die today, she wanted to be able to tell her brother how much she cared for him. The second group of thoughts concerned her being really upset he was putting his life in danger. This was not his fight that was why she had told him nothing of the original plan of trying to trick the Echelon into taking here to their private headquarters. If he was injured trying to help her she would lovingly add to those injuries. Shaking her head slightly she thought, “Brothers could be such pains sometimes, . She strained to see if she could see through the goons blocking her view.
Richard turned his head toward the back of the room, as Cole un-gently but it down on the top of the bar. At least he would be able to see what was happening to some extent. Unconsciously Richard had counted the men in the room. There were now a total of fifteen goons who Cole had sent to various areas. Not exactly the greatest odds, but not impossible to take down, with say three men.
The first person Richard saw coming through the hall was Tarik, behind him was Neo, Franco’s older brother. Richard kept watching to see if anyone else immerged, but there were no other shadows. With his eyes he tried to signal Tarik to the fact there was one goon hiding behind the short wall and another near the door to the storeroom, but Tarik never looked at him and noticed the two men on his own.
Neo was throwing knives as fast as he could put his hands on them, and people were dropping with each throw.
As it had happened several times before, everything went into slow motion. Frank looked around the room. Six men were surrounding the table hiding Antonio, Arianna and Franco from view with only another table between them and the hall were the would-be rescuers would immerge from … two were against the back wall behind another table ….. one stood behind the pole where Greene had been tied ….. two were at the other end of the bar near the store room entrance with one hiding behind a short wall to the right of the hall …. Built to have a counter available at the back of the room. Two men were just visible on the landing at the top of the stairs …. Apparently their friends had been able to signal to them. Frank watched the hallway.
The first hint that someone was there was a shadow in the darkness. Then one man emerged sword in one hand and dagger in another. He wore some type of Egyptian outfit. He was followed by another man, dressed all in black who had knives in both hands. Before any of Franks men could act, three knives flew through the air taking out the two men on the back wall and the one behind the pole as he stepped out to use his wand…. The man behind the short counter dropped to the ground with just a look from the Egyptian man. Frank realized this man could do wandless spells. He was about to drop him with his own wand when the man at the storeroom entrance also fell to the floor. Frank pointed his wand at the man and said a spell which would have dropped most individuals. The man wavered and kept advancing toward the group at the table. The Egyptian had looked over at him, but had seen the Bouie knife pointed at Greene’s skull and hesitated. This gave Frank time to drop him with a more powerful spell.
Richard watched and tensed because there was nothing he could do as he saw his friend drop to the floor. Cole did not appear to want to kill anyone, so there was a good chance Tarik was still alive.
Neo had advanced past his range of view, but he knew action was still taking place. Cole pushed harder on his face and the point of the knife pricked a little deeper.
While all this was going on. The other man had been able to make it almost to the table by using two knives he had drawn from holders on his back and two from his boots. The two from his boots had been used to take out the two men who had come down the stairs and had missed with their wand shots. The two knives from the man’s back had been thrown and taken out two of the men at the table, which include the other older original goon and one of the younger original goons. As the man advanced with two knives still in his hands, Frank yelled, “Show him the captives.” The four remaining men still at the table parted keeping their wands pointed at the occupants of the table and allowed the rescuer to see Arianna, Anthony and Franco.
As the goons blocking the table separated Arianna had her first view of the rescuers. Her heart stopped for several beats when she saw Tarik on the ground. She watched his back to see if he was breathing. There was a slow rise and fall of the coat he was wearing, so she let out a sigh. Around him several were on the group so he had taken out a few before he fell.
Franco cringed as he saw Neo. His brother was not at all happy with him. He mouthed, “Marco” and received a stare. Franco got a look of a small boy that was busted and knew it. Neo might be the only one of his brothers that had come but if he got out of this; his brothers were going to skin him alive for not including them.
Arianna’s eyes went to Neo, Franco’s next older brother. He was part of a quintuplet group, of four boys and one girl. Franco was the youngest boy. He was poised to continue to fight with the two knives he had left in his hand. Two of the goons at the table had dropped because of knives, so Arianna knew neo had come well prepared. She had seen a demonstration by the man once when he had first been considered as a candidate to join the Caretaker Group. He had only improved with age. He had lost a large portion of the hot-headed attitude, and all that it had left was a deadly calm and maneuverability.
Frank again yelled, “Lay down you weapons or they die.”
Arianna jumped when Cole yelled. She had been concentrating on trying to tell what Neo’s next move was going to be and had lost track of the others in the room. Looking around slowly she tried to figure out if he had any chance, but the hope soon flew off. Richard was still being held tight by Cole at the bar and the goons who had stepped away were making sure they were guarding her and Franco.
Franco knew that Neo really did not need his blades to fight; they were just his brother's babies. There is no way that Neo is going to just hand over his babies! Not without using the trick that James used on us?
The remaining man, dressed in black hesitated, looking at the table, at Frank and back to where his friend lay on the ground.
Neo was holding out and refusing to give up. Richard wondered how many of the goons still lived, and prayed none of the knives or wand fire had hit anyone at the table.
If Neo tried anything Richard knew he was dead. He tried to look at him but he was just out of Richards’s vision. Richard swallowed hard and tried to stay still expecting the point of the knife which was pricking the skin on the back of his neck at the bottom of his skull to press into his brain. If he lived he was going to find out more about this man. Frank Cole was a dichotomy. He was a mercenary first and had what Richard had first thought of as no feelings for anyone but himself. But in his treatment of Arianna there was almost gentleness. Richard knew the man had probably been raised to treat woman roughly because that showed them power, but Cole was still gentle. He had also warned Richard before he caused him pain and that showed a caring attitude of sorts.
Neo grinned as he saw the leader. Neo let the man know that if he wanted the blades so bad, then he could come and get them. The Cooler so far had been Nice as his motto said. He needed to size up the mess his brother was in. Once he did then he would show them the rest of his motto. Nobody messed with one of his brothers not without learning what Neo meant by Be Nice until It Was Time to Not Be! The Cooler was cool under pressure but when the Cooler exploded, he was deadly. He just hoped Marco stayed at the school and guarded Charlie and Tia. Leo and Gab had stayed at Shadow Lounge with Kat. That meant getting his brother out of this trap was his responsibility. It was how they worked and at the moment he liked the plan.
Frank had to respect the man’s courage. He was out numbered, and definitely did not hold the upper hand in the situation. For a split second Frank felt he was at a stand-off and wondered what he could make the man try next.
Franco watched his brother and had to smile. Looking over at Fixer still smiling as he realized that if he had counted thuds right, Neo and Tarik had dropped a total of eleven. Tarik's victims would most likely live but those would be out for quite a while. Franco looked again at his brother and by the smile on his face, Franco knew those that met his blades were dead. That left four and Fixer and that was just with his brother's blades.
Franco gave a sly grin as he said with his eyes to Fixer, “I told you my brother don't miss!”
Neo smiled. He remembered that people thought James was weak. Smiling as the plan came to mind.
Frank was really going to enjoy trying Neo’s skills in a one on one, but that had to be later. First he needed to try and get the information his client had requested. The smile Neo gave him was full of confidence, making it hard for Frank to hold back his own smile of challenge.
Franco watched the stand-off and realized that Neo had decided to give a lesson in manners and why he (Neo) was called Cooler, even at Shadow Lounge.
“You sure are easy to read, my friend,” Cole thought. The man standing in front of him was about to try something. Leaning down he whispered to Richard, “Looks like we are about to have some fun. Hope the knife does not slip.” To exaggerate the point, Frank Cole, pricked the back of Richards neck with the point of the knife.
He took half a step forward to which Frank made a great show of holding the knife pointed at Greene’s skull in better view and then questioned the man with his eyes. Quietly Frank said, “Put your weapons down and no one else has to die today.”
Arianna’s eyes kept gravitating back and forth between the standoff of Neo and Cole. When she heard Cole tell Neo to put his weapons down, her eyes went back to Neo and caught a definite glint. The man had a plan. Ari could only hope it did not backfire and one of them would die.
Richard moved his head slightly trying to see what was happening, only to have Cole try and push it through the top of the bar. The knife also felt a little sharper at the back of his neck. Forcibly he tried to relax.
“I said don’t move Greene, or I will make you bleed,” then he looked back to the man who had not moved yet. “I said put your weapons down and no one else will die today, I am not going to request this again.”
Neo smiled. He remembered that people that James was weak. Smiling as the plan came to mind.
The man looked around the room one more time then slowly bent at the knees so he could place the twin knives in his hands on the floor, and then he stood up and placed his hands on his head, looking back and forth between Franco and Frank.
As one of the men that were near Air came over, Neo backed up. As the man reached down and went to grab one of the blades, Neo went into action. With lighting speed he caught the man under the chin with a round-house kick that threw the man towards Greene and the leader. Neo smiled as he said, “Nobody touches My Babies!”
Richard held very still. He had heard Neo say that before, and two men had died very quickly. If Neo’s ply did not work, Richard figured he was a dead man.
Arianna cringed when she heard Neo you the four words she hoped to never hear put together. She looked at where Richard was being held. If Cole’s hand slipped even a quarter of an inch, Richard would be dead. She held her breath.
It had been a long time since Frank found himself interested in how another man fought. Watching the man he had determined was Franco’s older brother, was very enlightening. The man could handle knives like they were extensions of his hands. He also knew martial arts. Frank was good at martial arts but preferred, bare-knuckle street fighting. It would be interesting to pit the two styles against each other. The man had just killed another man with a kick. Frank was going to enjoy this contest.
Frank smiled because he had a feeling he was meeting one of Franco’s brothers and the way the man handled the knives he was hoping it was the famous Neo.
Franco watched his brother and started shaking his head as he saw Neo back up. Most would foolishly think that meant Neo was scared of them. Far from it! My brother is about to show these fools just how useless their wands were against him. Franco looked over at Fixer and gave a sly grin as he saw Neo send a man straight towards Frank Cole.
Saint watched as he realized what Neo was trying for. If Fixer doesn't move quick enough...That man will hit him and both will fly into the wall behind Fixer. Taking the threat of that knife with them. It all depends on Frank Cole's reaction time. Franco prepared to signal Air the moment Fixer went flying. The tables just might be about to turn.
Ari watched in amazement as Cole bodily lifted Richards head and shoulders off of the bar, moved down three feet and slammed Richards head back down, barely ducking the man as he flew by into the shelves at the back at the bar, sliding down to the floor dead. The man only nodded and slammed Richard’s face into the bar, multi times using it as a clapper for what had just happened.
Richard felt himself, with unprepared suddenness, have his head jerked off the bar, pulled by the hair to another spot and slammed back down. He did not see but felt a large shape fly by his back. It did not take a lot of imagination to realize it was a man’s body flying past. Richard felt his head being slammed into the top of the bar and desperately tried to hold onto consciousness.
Cole had paid close attention to the movement in every mussel of Neo’s body. The man was good, readable, but good. Slow motion had taken over as soon as the fool had reached for one of the knives. Every movement Neo made was fluid and well practiced. When he could set up a match between himself and this man, it was going to be real enjoyment. Cole figured he might even let Neo live …. Maybe..
“I am afraid my friend I am going to have to put your Babies to bed for a while. Decide.” As Frank was saying this he also was motioning for one of the goon to get behind Franco and put his wand to the man’s head.
Cole moved just enough to be able to keep the knife point in Richards’s neck and place his elbow so that he was pressing on the cuts of Richards back. Green was still pined enough for him to have one hand free.
Frank also reached under the bar and pulled out a knife from its hiding place and threw it at the table. It stuck in the side of the table just barely missing Franco’s arm.
As soon as the knife left his hand, just as it reached the table, Cole had taken his free hand, grabbed Richard’s hair and added pressure to his push of his head into the bar.
Frank motioned for the goon to pick up the knife and us it on Franco’s neck instead of the wand.
Neo stood his ground and got ready for somebody else to try to touch his Babies. As he watched what the leader signaled, Neo's eyes showed just how big a mistake the man had made.
Franco heard Fixer and looked over at his brother. Neo had not even broken a sweat yet. Franco smiled as he realized that like James had with them, Neo was using his Babies as bait. Any that go for “Babies” are going flying right at Cole! Franco smiled as he prayed that Cole made the mistake of going to get the blades himself, Cause if you do Fixer, It Will Be Game Over! Franco was still smiling as he felt the wand at his temple. Turning his head to face the man holding it, he said calmly, “You do know that You Are Dead Right? Look at his eyes, Man because you just broke One of His Golden Rules!”
Frank also reached under the bar and pulled out a knife from its hiding place and threw it at the table. It stuck in the side of the table just barely missing Franco’s arm. Frank motioned for the goon to pick up the knife and us it on Franco’s neck instead of the wand.
Ari’s attention had been on Richard and had not seen the knife being thrown until it was sticking into the table. Cole had a deadly aim, and it did not seem to make a difference what type of knife he used.
Neo watched the man at the bar. The man's throw was good but Neo didn't like where it was headed. He debated whether he could reach the man that was behind his brother in time. Glaring at the man at the bar that he had realized was Frank Cole, Neo realized that the blade had barely missed Franco's arm.
Reading what this leader had told his man, the Cooler got slightly worried. There was no way from where he was that he could get to his brother in time.
Franco looked at his brother as the knife barely missed his (Franco) arm. Franco was not at all liking his brother's look. Whatever Fixer told this guy behind me as Neo worried and that is not good! Franco tried to figure out what was about to happen as he had never seen something worry the Cooler.
He watched as the goon unstuck the knife from the table, after looking at Frank for a long moment in amazement and fear because he had been so close, pulled Franco’s head back by the hair and positioned the knife so all he had to do was pull it to the side and it would have cut Franco’s gurgler vain.
Richard realized Cole had thrown a knife because he had seen the backward preparation. He heard Arianna’s intake of a breath, and it took everything in his power not to move. Before he thought he called her name. She answered him with, “I am here Richard. We are alright.” Richard relaxed again and tried not to think about what else may have happened.
“Yes Richard, your friends are alright at the moment. If I had meant to kill, one of them would have been dead. Now be good while we work a few other things out.” For good measure Cole picked Richard’s head up an inch from the bar and slammed it back down. His hand was getting tired, but he would not have to stay where he was for much longer.
Franco was focusing on his brother as he felt his head jerk violently back as the guy said coldly, “I doubt it! Unless he wants to watch you die...Now Keep Quiet!” Franco felt the blade against his stretched neck and realized that this punk knew how to use a knife. He had no choice but to stay perfectly still or his jugular would be cut.
Arianna looked at Franco, but his head was bent so far back he could not see his face. Only a small amout of pressure on the blade would start the deadly flow of blood.
Saint still tried to look out of the corner of his eye to find out if Cooler was alright. It had been a very long time since Franco had seen his brother, stopped. He felt mad and confused asking himself, "Does Neo want me to do something, should I have added different?" . He was a danger to his brother and he did not know how to change that .... all he could do was wait and see what Neo wanted him to do.
Frank looked back at the man he was now convinced was Franco’s brother and raised his eyebrows.
Smiling he thought, “That’s one for me. Yes Neo, you can give up now, or watch your brother die.” He could not help the chuckle which he added to his smile.
Neo saw the knife at his brother's throat and realized that either Frank Cole knew or was testing concerning Neo's weakness. Neo looked from his brother to Cole, weighing his options. Seeing no way to take either man down without Franco and/or Richard's death, Neo was left with only one choice. I won't lose another brother, especially Frankie! His eyes met Fixer's and told the leader that he had guessed Neo's weakness correctly.
Cole nodded.
As the Cooler dropped to his knees, he bowed his head, not only in mock compliance but to hide the anger on his face showing he would make the man eventually regret the move.
Arianna let out a silent moan and dropped her chin to her chest. She knew what it was like for a man like Neo to have to surrender. He was bright enough to know when he had to stop and let circumstances make other possibilities present them but it would hurt his pride. Without raising her head more than an inch, Ari looked at Franco. Neo was Franco’s hero and it would be hard to see your hero, brought down. She wondered if Franco had the wisdom to realize Neo had no choice, but had not given up.
Franco closed his eyes. All of the fight in him left at one time and he almost collapsed in the chair. His head would have dropped to his chest if the goon had not been holding it back by his hair. His older brother, his hero had been brought to his knees. Franco would have attacked Frank, out of pure anger for what the man had done, if he had not been bound.
The fight was over and Neo allowed himself to be taken.
“That was almost too easy, Cole thought, ”What else can I do…. Ah yes I know…” ”
Franco called the knives on the ground to him and gently floated them onto the counter. Smiling back at Neo, he said, “They will be fine I promise, until either you or I want to use them.” Frank knew he had just made a violent jab at Neo. The man would be furious if anyone else touched his knives.
Richard noticed Neo’s knives float softly to about twelve inches from his face and land on the bar. He would have chuckled because he knew how Neo felt about those knives but he kept it in for now. At the same moment he realized he had not known Cole could do wandless magic.
“They are beautiful knives ….” Cole again switched position placing his elbow on Richards back. With his now free hand he picked up one of the knives and tested it balance. “Nice.” He took Neo’s knife and exchanged it for the one he had pricking the skin at the bottom of Richards’s skull and put his Bouie knife in its specially made sheath at his waist. Bending down he said, “So what do you think Richard, feel any different.” Receiving only a grown from Greene, he looked up and smiled. “Thanks for letting me borrow you baby , I promise to take very good care of it. Of course, it will be up to Richard here on whether any blood is added to it. One other promise, I will remember to clean it thoroughly, because I know what blood will do to a blade if it is not cleaned off.” Cole laughed at the look on Neo’s face.
It took everything Neo had in him not to fight as his arms were magically bound to his side and his feet were crossed and magically bound. Deep in thought, “I can't risk that the man is bluffing. I have a feeling he is not the type? For Now I have to resist the urge to fight back... But payback is coming!” He could not remember another time he had been captured and it was humiliating.
As The Cooler watched his knives float to the counter of the bar, it hit him hard to realize Frank Cole could do wandless magic. The man had never moved the hand which held Richard’s head firmly on the counter or the hand which held the knife pointed at the base of Richards’s skull. The anger in him made him stare at Frank as he said in a very tight voice, “Strike One! Want to Try For Strike Two?”
“We are just in the first inning, my friend,” Cole said with a chuckle. “The problem with this game is that I am also the Umpire…”
Arianna heard the words Neo forced out behind clinched teeth. If Neo could get to Cole he was a dead man. It would not be pretty to see the two of them go head to head. She had the feeling though someday it would happen. Both men were fast approaching the point where they had something to prove to the other man and neither would back down from the fight.
He dropped his head to his chest willing himself to relax as he was roughly dragged to a chair and thrown down. It felt like pinchers grabbed his arms to help him sit up straight. Neo looked over at his brother and realized that Franco could not look him in the eyes. Neo knew that Frankie was not ashamed of him. Cooler wondered if Franco was blaming himself. Slowly he shook his head remembering, “Marco had tried to tell me that protecting Franco every time he was in over his head was just making Frankie a weak link.” Cooler smiled as he remembered that Marco had gotten a busted jaw for that and a reminder that they were older and that meant they protected not picked on the younger ones. He would talk to Franco later as maybe Marco had a point, a small one but still a point. It was time that Franco started realizing that choosing not to fight was sometimes a bad decision.
A look of puzzlement crossed Arianna’s face. She had seen a smile curve Neo’s lips which were hidden from everyone except those at the table. Neo had thought of a pleasant thought. Neo was not the type to act rashly, but it was not going to take long, if Cole had already realized it for Cole to realize Franco was Neo’s soft spot. All the brothers would give up their lives for the others or for their sister Kat.
Franco switched his eyes from the floating knives, to his brother, back and forth. Franco still could not believe that because of him Neo had been "packaged". Franco was deep in thought and realized why Marco had picked on him all those years. Marco had always called him a weak link and now Franco understood. He was determined to fix that as soon as he figured out how.
He finally looked his brother in the eyes and mouthed the word "Sorry." Franco wanted Neo to know that he understood. It was because he was alive that Neo had not done what he would usually have done … kept fighting and taken more of the goons out.
As Ari was looking back to where Cole and Richard still stood behind the bar, her eyes passed Franco’s face and she caught the word “Sorry”. Franco was taking what had happened to him seriously. If he acted without thinking because of this they could all be in a world of hurt. Franco did not have the experience to go up against Cole. He would lose. Arianna had the sickening vision of Franco on the pole either beside Richard or in place of him. If that happened she could not even guess what the man brother would do. She could not blame him because she was having a hard time fighting with the realization Richard had been in so much pain.
The look in Frankie's eyes worried Neo. The boy was planning something and it would probably be rash. Neo shook his head sharply, “NO”. Neo had to get him to realize they just needed to stick tight to see what happened next. His brother had to realize that it was not over, far from it. Neo had every intention of paying these guys back for that look of defeat and hopelessness on his baby brother's face.
After waiting for two of the men to get to the man in black and the other two unhurt to go to the Egyptian, Frank stood Green up straight and walked him around the bar. The four remaining uninjured men were very efficient.
Pulling Richard’s head off the bar by the hair, he said quietly, “Now that we have everyone settled, time to put you back in your spot.” As he walked him toward the pole he watched the byplay in the room. Signals were flying hot and heavy between all the main occupants. It was amusing to see them try and check on each other without being able to say anything.
Before Frank got Greene back to the pole, the man in black was seated in a chair and magically bound and the Egyptian had been carried to another chair, and magically bound into it. Then two of the men came to where Frank was standing with Greene and strung Greene’s hands back up on the pole. The other two had headed out into the room to see if anyone was alive.
When Neo had been roughly settled into his chair, and Tarik had been hoisted into another chair between Neo and Franco, Arianna watched nervously waiting for Tarik to regain consciousness. It took long minutes but soon her brother raised his head and opened his eyes. When he realized where he was he started to violently fight the bonds which held him. This of course only made the magical bonds grow tighter and tighter. Soon Tarik stopped and looked at her then around the room.
Cole looked over to the Egyptian, he had seen the man before but at the moment he could not place him. Shrugging he knew it would come to him eventually. “I would not fight the bonds …. They only get tighter until you relax and then they will loosen a little. I will be with you in a moment and introduce myself.”
The glance he had given her spoke volumes and asked every question a loving brother could ask of his sister who was being held captive. Ari smiled back at his questioning look. It was all she could do.
Cole did not miss the glance. The Egyptian cared a great deal for Arianna …. Maybe husband …. No that was not it, he knew from his research she was not married ….. then maybe boyfriend ….. no the look did not hold that type of love …. Maybe brother, she was supposed to have another one other than his employer …. That was it ….. this was Arianna’s half-brother, Tarik. Cole nodded to himself. He was going to be a fun guest.
Arianna watched as Cole marched Richard back to the pole. She gave him (Richard) a weak smile and with eyes tried to tell him to hang in there. As Richard got to the pole her heart sank when she saw him hoisted back up. When their eyes could no longer stay connected, Ari looked over at her brother. She had to get him to realize using his wandless magic could get them all killed. She was also worried his blood-magic would finally get tapped and although it would probably get most of them free, it could just as easily get them all killed. Tarik had never used the blood-magic because he had been afraid of what it would do, so he had no practice at controlling it and focusing on one thing.
Richard’s eyes fell on Arianna as soon as he was around the end of the bar. He wanted to go to her and let her know …. Let her know what? … that he was alright, which he wasn’t and she knew it … let her know he would be alright …. Which was not certain either. Even in all their quiet talks they had never been overly romantic. But right now just holding her hand would feel like heaven. Trying to return her smile, Richard looked toward the pole they were headed for and knew Cole was not finished with him yet. The fear he was trying to keep in check was threatening to break through and over whelm him. It took everything he had in him to allow the goons to roughly raise his arms in the air and fasten him back to the pole. He put his forehead on the pole and tried to concentrate on finding some detachment from what he knew his body was going to suffer.
The look in Arianna’s eyes and Richard’s told Cole these two had gotten far past friendship. Cole realized he was feeling jealous and tried to push it to the back of his mind. Richard did not deserve Arianna… she was a strong woman …. With strong emotions …. And she needed someone willing to tame her and show her love. He could be that man … the thrill of taming her would add spice to their relationship.
Fixer
This note is being delivered by the men I promised you. There are twelve plus the four already there. The twelve I have sent will take orders only from you and from me with no questions asked. They have been well trained. You have full control over them.
When you are finished with this job, you may keep any five you would like to train further to accomplish jobs for you. For the first year I will pay them and will replace any you may have a problem with. They have all been told the five who please you the most will be retained by you, and receive a hefty bonus from me.
Partial payment has been deposited in Gringotts Wizarding Bank in the account you indicated. The traveling cabinet will be dismantled by the last two men. It will be shrunk and placed in the back room of the Hog’s Head, hidden very well.
Because of some circumstances here, I need a copy of the Caretaker Codebook. I also need examples of signatures of Professor Greene, my sister Arianna and Franco Spellman. It has also come to my attention Franco has been keeping files which no one has been able to locate. It would be nice to have them in my possession.
Hope you are having some luck without too much trouble.
Khalid
Frank rolled up the parchment again as he watched several other men decend the stairs. Even though ten new arrivals had made themselves comfortable around the room, it was still very quiet.
Taking it for granted the last two were taking care of the traveling cabinet upstairs in the third floor attic, Frank walked back over to stand behind Arianna, “So Princess, what do you think. It seems we have company.” Frank patted Arianna’s shoulder and then absently rubbed her hair and face.
Air tried unsuccessfully to bite Frank’s hand. He answered her movement by patting her face in what could only be a slap, which he knew had left a hand-print mark
At first Franco did not realize more men were coming down the stairs. He knew they could not have been there before so they must have apparated into the building. That did not seem logical though because apparation generally cause at a minimum a loud pop and there had been no noise. There must be a turnkey or something else upstairs. Maybe they could use it for escape but he doubted it, as more men descended the stairs.
All Franco could do was trying to give Richard as much courage as he could pass through his eyes. None of the Caretakers were squeamish, they had seen too much, but the situation was making Franco sick to his stomach and he had to fight the rising gorge.
“May I have your attention please everyone,” he said to the gathered men. “I would like t introduce you to my friends here.” Indicating Antonio he said, “This is Antonio, at the moment he is allowed to move around freely but is not allowed to leave this room or drink anything stronger than very well sweetened tea. If I say to give him some sweetened tea even forcibly, then I expect you to forse it down his throat if need be. Let’s see …. You three over there,” Frank pointed to three men sitting at a table between the captives and the stairs, “you are in charge of helping Antonio if he needs help.
“The other three at this table have been restrained because they do not really want to stay and I do not want them to leave.” Pointing at Franco first he said, “This is Franco Spellman who is answering some questions for me I hope. And the man who is tied to the pole is Professor Richard Greene, who has agreed to take any punishment which would normally go to Franco, if he continues to make un-wanted remarks or does not answer my questions satisfactorily. And finely,” Franco rubbed both of Arianna’s arms and kissed the top of her head, “this is Princess Arianna. She is also here to give me some information I require. Aren’t you Arianna?”
Trying to keep track of the placement of the new men, Ari was also trying to think tactics, but so far no plan came to her. When Cole asked her “Aren’t you Arianna?” she shook her shoulders and looked up to where he was standing behind her, “You will get nothing from me Frank Cole. This is not over yet.”
Frank squeezed Arianna shoulders very hard and chuckled. Allowing his hands to drop down the front of Arianna he continued, not paying attention to what his hands were doing, “Now …. You three,” Frank motioned to the three standing at the end of the bar, “you are in charge of Professor Greene. I have promised Franco I would give Professor Greene three stripes across his back for every remark I did not like…. Don’t do anything though unless I say to. And you three,” he pointed to the three directly in front of him, “are in charge of Franco …. I will decide all punishment no matter what they say.”
Richard had tried to keep count to see how many men had arrived. By his count there were now 12 to 13 people helping Cole.
At least now he knew what was about to happen to him. He swallowed hard, putting his head against the pole and tried to get his mind to go to that place of detachment from his surroundings. It was being very elusive at the moment. Richard had suffered pain before, but it always felt worse than you thought it would.
Richard listened as best he could to the placement. His fear was creating a buzzing in his ear which he was attempting to bury. Cole was about to cause him pain and he could not even fight back.
Frank looked at the original three when he said this. “And last but not least you three,” indicating the three who were the original goons, “you are in charge of the Princess here. She is not to be hurt and only I can touch her, unless she needs to be restrained, which should happen quickly and quietly. You three know what I am capable of…. That leaves you,” Frank signified the tenth man who had arrived, “and you other two friends when they arrive. The three of you are in charge of general security. There is a storeroom at the end of the bar with one door leading out back which has been magically secured. There is a room down that hallway under the stairs and there are two rooms upstairs as you know. Make yourselves at home because it is going to be a long night. Oh and there is meat, cheese and bread under the counter if anyone is hungry.”
Franco listened to the introductions, and the stationing of the men. They were trapped well. The only hope they had now was if Darik, got in touch with Tarik and they tried to rescued them. Franco's heart sank, when he thought of that. They had not planned for the extra dozen men now stationed in the room.
Frank continued to smile and watched the men gravitate toward their indicated charges. This was going to be fun. Not moving from his place behind Ari, he said to Franco, “Now that almost everyone is here, I have a question for you Franco. I wish to have my own copy of the Caretaker Code book. Where can I get my copy from?” Frank had purposely phrased his question to get a negative response from him. They all needed to be taught he was not bluffing about what punishment would be metered out.
Ari picked up on the fact Cole said not everyone had arrived. This meant there were probably others upstairs who had not come down yet. It was rational, someone would have been left to secure the entry gate the others had used, but her question was how many were still unaccounted for.
Richard tried to move his fingers which had grown numb and signal to Ari there were more. He knew she had probably caught the fact but just in case he had to try and let her know. It would also give her a little hope he was thinking.
Knowing Richard could not see her, Ari still nodded her head one time. Franco, who Richard could see would pass on the information.
Franco shook his head as the war inside him went on. If I answered Frank to save Greene some pain, then that meant putting Seth in danger. If I don't then Richard gets tortured for no reason accept I didn't tell Frank what he wanted. He decided to just not say anything and hoped that Frank didn't consider that grounds to punish Richard.
“Come on Franco, it is an easy question …” Frank looked at Franco studying his face, “Ah too bad, I thought I was giving you some incentive.” Frank put his hands over Arianna’s eyes so she would not accidently use wandless magic and indicated to the three watching Richard to carry out the specified punishment.
Ari jumped when Cole put his hands over her eyes. Blinded she could not use her magic. She could still use her blood-magic but that would only get someone killed, and she would not be able to gurard everyone. She tried to violently swing her head from side to side, but it only tightend to where she could not move her head at all.
Richard moaned but by gritting his teeth he did not yell. Tears had escaped from the corners of his eyes, and his breath was labored, but he had not fainted. When he heard that Cole was holding his hands over Ari’s eyes, he was glad, in a way. He knew Ari had seen her share of damage done to others, and she had inflicted pain when it was necessary. Both of those circumstances caused her anguish. The question was, had Cole done it only to prevent her from using her wandless magic or so she would not have to watch, or a combination of them both. Even though he did not show it, Richard had a deep feeling Cole liked Arianna more than Richard would have liked. His back still hurt unmercifully but concentrating on the jealousy building inside him was helping him take his mind off of the deep slashes in his back.
With their wands each of the three cut a strip across Richards back. Frank held Arianna’s head against him as she struggled to free her eyes. When the punishment had been given, Frank bent down and whispered in Arianna’s ears “I will let go of your eyes if you promise no wandless magic. There are too many here for you to take care of. If you cannot be good I will blindfold you. Please nod if you understand and agree?” Frank stood back up and when he had gotten his nod, he released Arianna’s damp eyes.
Ari felt the tears as they escaped her eyes. Over the years she had tried to harden herself against what she figured was a weakness, but no matter how hard she tried they leaked out. It made her furious. Maxwell the Psy-Healer had tried to explain to her, that tears released chemicals in the body which helped to relax and calm how the body was reacting. She still did not like them, but she dealt as well as possible when they came.
When Cole had released her eyes, Arianna’s eyes went straight to Richard and she had to bite the inside of her lip, not to scream. The marks on Richards back were deep and long. They were not bleeding much because cuts made with a wand, had the added benefit to the person giving them of cauterizing the wound so the person would not bleed to death. The wounds would still hurt bad, but the person would live to be able to accept more wounds. Ari squeezed her eyes shut to damn up the unshed tears still hiding behind her eyes.
Shaking his head from side to side, Richard tried to tell Franco not to say anything to Cole. He was not going to be responsible for setting up other friends.
Franco cringed. He had gotten Frank's message loud and clear. Franco didn't answer a question, Richard would suffer. Franco knew that the only thing that would keep him from giving Seth's name would be for the back-up to show. He had been so worried about Richard giving his nephew up and it was going to be him that broke their code and endangered the lives of their contacts.
Before he could get to the next question, an alarm went off in the back room where the bartender slept. It was at the end of the hall which ran under the stairs.
Franco's eyes lite up as he heard the alarm as he thought with a sly smile on his face, About time Tarik! He just prayed that the Amir had not chosen to come alone.
Frank calmly made his way over to where Richard was strung from the pole and cut him down and magically bound his arms to his side, saying, “Do not make any moves or your friends die first.”
Arianna heard the alarm. Thinking back on the system set up for the Hog’s Head, she knew it was not an alarm installed by anyone she knew. Her attention snapped to Cole. He must have installed the alarm. Someone was coming in through the window in the back room where Hank the barkeeper normally slept. The man had been sent away a long time ago. Ari tried to see if she could “feel” who was there. She did recognize one body signature, it was her half-brother Tarik. She watched the opening under the stairs, turning to where Richard was hanging, when Cole had moved to beside him. She begged him not to use Richard as a shield.
Richard had heard the small beep of an alarm, but it could have meant many things, from someone breaking in to a timer. When Richard saw Cole walking toward him with his Bouie knife drawn he was hoping for the break in because a timer could have meant he was out of time. Cole reached the knife up toward Richards’s hands and with one swift movement cut the ropes. Richard almost went to his knees but by grabbing the pole he was able to retain his feet. When he had made it to where he was standing up straight, his arms plastered themselves to his side and stuck. He was bound. He looked at Cole and glared as the man as he was told to be good or others get hurt. Richard nodded.
Franco watched as Frank cut Richard down. Shaking his head as he realized the man was up to something, He's too calm as if he was expecting this. Maybe he will just try to play it off and get Tarik to leave? If so, then he and Richard will be at the table. He will also hopefully make the mistake of releasing my hands, thinking I will play along...Fat Chance as my wrist has a blade with his name on it! Franco though had a bad feeling that Frank Cole had never been that stupid. He figured the man had other ideas. Ideas that would show Franco just how serious he was; Franco cringed as he looked at Richard.
Realizing Cole was not going to kill Richard outright Ari slowly let out a small breath she had not realized she was holding. Richard was still going to be a shield, but he had a chance.
Cole had taken a couple of steps pushing Richard in front of him but stopped when they were almost in back of Franco. Although Franco’s eyes went to Cole, they had passed Richard’s face and their eyes had locked for a split second.
Ari shot a look at Franco, letting him know when they were finished here; she was going to go up one side of him and down the other. It hit her hard when she realized, Franco had not been ready for this action. She had taken it for granted with brothers like he had; he would be more prepared to handle whatever came up.
Not only would Air kill them for endangering her brother but it seemed Frank Cole had every intention of using this tactic against him. Franco was sure that Greene and if Neo was one of their rescuers would be the ones that Frank made pay. The Fixer had found Franco's weakness and planned on using it.
Cole now had been handed Franco’s weakness on a silver platter and there was no hiding it any more.
(Franco) Hoping to even the odds a little as he feared that Tarik was indeed alone, he said to Fixer, “Yes, I was expecting back-up but not my brothers as I did not think Frank that this trap was for me. If it is who I believe, then you won't need all those men as he usually doesn't bring others? ….”
She had to give the man credit though for not falling apart. He was charging a head trying to draw Cole’s attention to himself.
(Franco) “….Plus you won't have to deal with me as Air is going to kill me when she finds out! Release my hands and I can talk him into standing down?”
Franco was trying to prevent Cole from killing them all outright. He started to smile when Franco mentioned Air killing them; he had used Arianna’s Caretaker Codename of Air, to try and make Cole think she was someone else other than the woman sitting with him at the table.
“This was a nice move on Franco’s part…. He had tried to hide the fact Arianna was head of the Caretaker Group. Maybe there was hope for the man.” she thought to herself
Richard did not finish forming his smile when Franco mentioned his need to have his hands released. Franco had a small spring loaded knife up his sleeve. It could not kill unless he got a perfect head or heart shot in, but it sure could not hurt their situation if he could get a chance to use it.
Frank took two steps pushing Greene in front of him toward the counter then stopped. What Franco had just said hit home. Motioning two of the goons closer he whispered to them to guard Greene, which they did instantly by putting their wands to his head and each grabbing one of Richards arms and jerking it up behind Richard’s back.
The two goons which came to hold Richard were taking a cue from Cole, and had tried to show him they had no problem causing discomfort to Richard by bending his arms upward on his back. Richard bent forward just a little to take the pressure off his arms.
Richard winced as his hands were forced against the painful cuts in his back. He realized he could see Arianna now and took the time just to look at her.
Cringing, causing his back to burn, Richard looked to Arianna, trying to give her a half smile. She had tried to set her face in stone, but over the past couple of years Richard had been able to see past the immovable muscles. She could not govern the expression in her eyes when she looked at him. There was a pleading for him to understand why the situation had to be like it was. He gave her a wink, and said without using words, “It is alright Ari, I promise.” Then his eyes went back to Franco’s arms.
She was scared, which showed even behind the granite face she was trying to present. He had known her long enough now to be able to read other signs. No matter what expression she tried to put on her face, her eyes told him all he needed to know. He wished with all his heart he could get her out of this. His eyes were drawn back to Franco’s arms by a very small flexing of Franco’s arms under the sleeve of his shirt.
Arianna kept reminding herself she was the leader here. It was getting more and more difficult because people she considered as friends were being hurt, for what a book with words in it. Mentally chastising herself she thought, “No it is not just a book with words… it is a door to destroying any semblance of order in the world. It can be used to make others think the world had changed and was being run by the darker arts. It would take away hope from those who needed it most.”
When Richard had been cut down, Arianna had worried he was going to be killed because Cole had lost hope of using him and was not going to use him as a shield.
Frank reached down and pulled both of Franco’s arms up on the table and laid them so the inner part of his arm was face up. The hands were pointed directly at Arianna. Saying to Franco, “We do not have much time. Tell me quickly what would happen if I bent both of your wrists back toward you arms?”
Richard tried to catch Franco’s eyes, but his friend was only looking at Arianna. If Cole pulled even slightly on Franco’s wrist the hidden dagger in his sleeve would shoot out. Without Franco being able to grab it, it would go into Arianna’s chest. Richard looked at Arianna, trying to give her courage. If something happened he wanted her to know he would somehow kill Frank Cole, very slowly with his own knife.
Franco’s face went white and he lowered his head. If Frank bent his wrist back the spring loaded knife up his right sleeve would jettison and hit Arianna square in the chest.
Arianna looked down at the table. She knew what was up Franco’s sleeves, and it was pointed directly at her chest
When Richard stood on the other side of the table, partially bent over from the goons pulling his arms up behind him, she could plainly see the pain in his face. She had not seen the stripes cut into his back, until after they had already been made, but she had heard his gowns. Now she only pleaded with her eyes for him to understand she could not give in to Cole’s demands. When she received the message back she had to fight the tears which were threading to again seep out of her eyes.
Richard gave Arianna a weak wink. She would be okay, he had to believe that.
Frank continued, “Which one?” When Franco motioned with his chin to the right hand, Frank lifted it higher and bent the wrist back, releasing the knife into the wall behind Arianna. “That was a mistake Franco, a big mistake. I do not have time at the moment to meter out punishment, but when we are through with our unwanted visitors; your whipping-boy here will pay dearly.”
Richard closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them they shot back to Arianna’s. He nodded.
Arianna tried not to let out an audible sigh. Her body, she had not realized had put itself on alert, relaxed. She gave Richard as much of a smile as she could muster, then turned her attention to Franco and gave him the same smile.
Richard had almost gone down on his knees when the dagger shot from Franco’s arm. It had appeared to happen all in slow motion. To show he was not totally weak though, he struggled in the grasp of the goons hold, only to have his arms savagely pinned higher on his back. One of the men even had the nerve to say, “Keep it up and I will break it; break it in more than one spot.” Richard grunted and was only partially successful in looking the man in the face.
Frank positioned Franco’s arms down by his side. Sent the two goons back to their original position and shoved Greene.
The last thing Richard saw before he was shoved toward the bar was Arianna’s face. He vowed to never see that expression of helplessness on her face again if he could prevent it.
When Cole motioned for his arms to be released, Richard tried to react, but they had not gained a semblance of strength yet.
Pointing the knife at his back he walked him toward the back of the counter, stopping only to whisper in Franco’s ear, “Looks like your delaying tactics are not going to work. Although I will admit you are good at it, and you had some help from your friends here. Maybe later we will have a chance to discuss the tactic later. By the way, just because Greene here is not on the pole at the moment, does not mean he still will get punished if you get out of step, so be good. If this is one of your brothers, I do hope it in Neo and he survives. I need the challenge.” Frank continued walking Richard until they were behind the bar and place his knife at the Professors throat.
Richard did not hesitate in his steps to the bar. He was afraid he would be in the way of their rescue if he was in the center of the room. He had heard what Cole had whispered to Franco. If it was Neo their chances were going to go up. The other most likely person would have been Tarik if there were only two. The elf Darik would be in the mix also.
(Frank Cole) His wand was pointed at the table where Arianna, Franco and Antonio sat. Putting his wand to his lips he silently told the people at the table not to make a sound.
Franco got the message and just hoped that for once Tarik brought others with him. Figuring in his head how many it would take to deal with Fixer's crew, Tarik on a good day can take four with his dagger, if he brings my brothers then Neo can take another six or eight, That leaves Marco and Leo with three and Fixer. Problem the minute they go for Fixer, Richard's dead. Any way Franco looked at it, Fixer had been right about it not working. Franco cringed as he looked at Richard cause thanks to Franco, the man could die tonight as could Tarik.
Arianna had followed every step of Cole and Richard’s progress to behind the bar. Her eyes kept darting from them to the back hallway. If she yelled, Richard would be dead …. If she did not yell whoever was coming through the hallway with her half-brother would probably be lying on the floor next to Tarik’s dead body. She clamped her mouth shut. Whoever was there would be expecting trouble so she did not need to distract them.
Signaling the men to surround the table and scatter around the room. These men were getting paid well to be in the front. They would help fight because of the possibly of a very hefty bonus and permanent employment. Frank hoped not too many of the men died.
Arianna and Franco were blocked from view of anyone coming down the hall. She could feel one of them was her half-brother. There was someone else with him who resembled Franco’s life signature, so she was going to guess it was one of his brothers. Looking at Franco he was also hoping it was one of his brothers, and was trying to figure out how to warn their rescuers.
Franco cringed as he heard the footsteps and realized that Tarik had brought somebody. Shaking his head as he recognized the step and it was the one person that Fixer wanted to show. It was Neo and thanks to him, Frank Cole was about to see just what Neo could do. He realized that even at their best, Tarik and Neo were outnumbered and that meant the Fixer was going to enjoy the payback.
Frank could feel the adrenaline starting to pump through his veins. It had been a while since he was in these close quarters in a fight. He was hoping at least some of the men would survive. Those that did would be worth taking into his employment. He would still be a loner, but he would have some extra sets of eyes, ears and muscle to use to complete jobs. For at least the first year it would not cost him anything. Leaning forward he whispered in Greene’s ear, “Do not move or say a word and you may have a chance of coming out of this alive.” With this said Frank pushed Greene face first onto the top of the bar and put the point of his knife on his neck at the base of his skull.
Richard and Cole could be seen just barely around the side of the man standing on the otherside of the table. Cole looked excited. Ari knew he was looking forward to the fight. With Richard’s head being held down on top of the bar, Ari had no hope of being able to see his face. Richard was going to have the first view of whoever was with Tarik.
Ari had mixed thoughts about Tarik trying to rescue her and the others. She was glad because she needed his support at the moment and wanted to see him. If she was going to die today, she wanted to be able to tell her brother how much she cared for him. The second group of thoughts concerned her being really upset he was putting his life in danger. This was not his fight that was why she had told him nothing of the original plan of trying to trick the Echelon into taking here to their private headquarters. If he was injured trying to help her she would lovingly add to those injuries. Shaking her head slightly she thought, “Brothers could be such pains sometimes, . She strained to see if she could see through the goons blocking her view.
Richard turned his head toward the back of the room, as Cole un-gently but it down on the top of the bar. At least he would be able to see what was happening to some extent. Unconsciously Richard had counted the men in the room. There were now a total of fifteen goons who Cole had sent to various areas. Not exactly the greatest odds, but not impossible to take down, with say three men.
The first person Richard saw coming through the hall was Tarik, behind him was Neo, Franco’s older brother. Richard kept watching to see if anyone else immerged, but there were no other shadows. With his eyes he tried to signal Tarik to the fact there was one goon hiding behind the short wall and another near the door to the storeroom, but Tarik never looked at him and noticed the two men on his own.
Neo was throwing knives as fast as he could put his hands on them, and people were dropping with each throw.
As it had happened several times before, everything went into slow motion. Frank looked around the room. Six men were surrounding the table hiding Antonio, Arianna and Franco from view with only another table between them and the hall were the would-be rescuers would immerge from … two were against the back wall behind another table ….. one stood behind the pole where Greene had been tied ….. two were at the other end of the bar near the store room entrance with one hiding behind a short wall to the right of the hall …. Built to have a counter available at the back of the room. Two men were just visible on the landing at the top of the stairs …. Apparently their friends had been able to signal to them. Frank watched the hallway.
The first hint that someone was there was a shadow in the darkness. Then one man emerged sword in one hand and dagger in another. He wore some type of Egyptian outfit. He was followed by another man, dressed all in black who had knives in both hands. Before any of Franks men could act, three knives flew through the air taking out the two men on the back wall and the one behind the pole as he stepped out to use his wand…. The man behind the short counter dropped to the ground with just a look from the Egyptian man. Frank realized this man could do wandless spells. He was about to drop him with his own wand when the man at the storeroom entrance also fell to the floor. Frank pointed his wand at the man and said a spell which would have dropped most individuals. The man wavered and kept advancing toward the group at the table. The Egyptian had looked over at him, but had seen the Bouie knife pointed at Greene’s skull and hesitated. This gave Frank time to drop him with a more powerful spell.
Richard watched and tensed because there was nothing he could do as he saw his friend drop to the floor. Cole did not appear to want to kill anyone, so there was a good chance Tarik was still alive.
Neo had advanced past his range of view, but he knew action was still taking place. Cole pushed harder on his face and the point of the knife pricked a little deeper.
While all this was going on. The other man had been able to make it almost to the table by using two knives he had drawn from holders on his back and two from his boots. The two from his boots had been used to take out the two men who had come down the stairs and had missed with their wand shots. The two knives from the man’s back had been thrown and taken out two of the men at the table, which include the other older original goon and one of the younger original goons. As the man advanced with two knives still in his hands, Frank yelled, “Show him the captives.” The four remaining men still at the table parted keeping their wands pointed at the occupants of the table and allowed the rescuer to see Arianna, Anthony and Franco.
As the goons blocking the table separated Arianna had her first view of the rescuers. Her heart stopped for several beats when she saw Tarik on the ground. She watched his back to see if he was breathing. There was a slow rise and fall of the coat he was wearing, so she let out a sigh. Around him several were on the group so he had taken out a few before he fell.
Franco cringed as he saw Neo. His brother was not at all happy with him. He mouthed, “Marco” and received a stare. Franco got a look of a small boy that was busted and knew it. Neo might be the only one of his brothers that had come but if he got out of this; his brothers were going to skin him alive for not including them.
Arianna’s eyes went to Neo, Franco’s next older brother. He was part of a quintuplet group, of four boys and one girl. Franco was the youngest boy. He was poised to continue to fight with the two knives he had left in his hand. Two of the goons at the table had dropped because of knives, so Arianna knew neo had come well prepared. She had seen a demonstration by the man once when he had first been considered as a candidate to join the Caretaker Group. He had only improved with age. He had lost a large portion of the hot-headed attitude, and all that it had left was a deadly calm and maneuverability.
Frank again yelled, “Lay down you weapons or they die.”
Arianna jumped when Cole yelled. She had been concentrating on trying to tell what Neo’s next move was going to be and had lost track of the others in the room. Looking around slowly she tried to figure out if he had any chance, but the hope soon flew off. Richard was still being held tight by Cole at the bar and the goons who had stepped away were making sure they were guarding her and Franco.
Franco knew that Neo really did not need his blades to fight; they were just his brother's babies. There is no way that Neo is going to just hand over his babies! Not without using the trick that James used on us?
The remaining man, dressed in black hesitated, looking at the table, at Frank and back to where his friend lay on the ground.
Neo was holding out and refusing to give up. Richard wondered how many of the goons still lived, and prayed none of the knives or wand fire had hit anyone at the table.
If Neo tried anything Richard knew he was dead. He tried to look at him but he was just out of Richards’s vision. Richard swallowed hard and tried to stay still expecting the point of the knife which was pricking the skin on the back of his neck at the bottom of his skull to press into his brain. If he lived he was going to find out more about this man. Frank Cole was a dichotomy. He was a mercenary first and had what Richard had first thought of as no feelings for anyone but himself. But in his treatment of Arianna there was almost gentleness. Richard knew the man had probably been raised to treat woman roughly because that showed them power, but Cole was still gentle. He had also warned Richard before he caused him pain and that showed a caring attitude of sorts.
Neo grinned as he saw the leader. Neo let the man know that if he wanted the blades so bad, then he could come and get them. The Cooler so far had been Nice as his motto said. He needed to size up the mess his brother was in. Once he did then he would show them the rest of his motto. Nobody messed with one of his brothers not without learning what Neo meant by Be Nice until It Was Time to Not Be! The Cooler was cool under pressure but when the Cooler exploded, he was deadly. He just hoped Marco stayed at the school and guarded Charlie and Tia. Leo and Gab had stayed at Shadow Lounge with Kat. That meant getting his brother out of this trap was his responsibility. It was how they worked and at the moment he liked the plan.
Frank had to respect the man’s courage. He was out numbered, and definitely did not hold the upper hand in the situation. For a split second Frank felt he was at a stand-off and wondered what he could make the man try next.
Franco watched his brother and had to smile. Looking over at Fixer still smiling as he realized that if he had counted thuds right, Neo and Tarik had dropped a total of eleven. Tarik's victims would most likely live but those would be out for quite a while. Franco looked again at his brother and by the smile on his face, Franco knew those that met his blades were dead. That left four and Fixer and that was just with his brother's blades.
Franco gave a sly grin as he said with his eyes to Fixer, “I told you my brother don't miss!”
Neo smiled. He remembered that people thought James was weak. Smiling as the plan came to mind.
Frank was really going to enjoy trying Neo’s skills in a one on one, but that had to be later. First he needed to try and get the information his client had requested. The smile Neo gave him was full of confidence, making it hard for Frank to hold back his own smile of challenge.
Franco watched the stand-off and realized that Neo had decided to give a lesson in manners and why he (Neo) was called Cooler, even at Shadow Lounge.
“You sure are easy to read, my friend,” Cole thought. The man standing in front of him was about to try something. Leaning down he whispered to Richard, “Looks like we are about to have some fun. Hope the knife does not slip.” To exaggerate the point, Frank Cole, pricked the back of Richards neck with the point of the knife.
He took half a step forward to which Frank made a great show of holding the knife pointed at Greene’s skull in better view and then questioned the man with his eyes. Quietly Frank said, “Put your weapons down and no one else has to die today.”
Arianna’s eyes kept gravitating back and forth between the standoff of Neo and Cole. When she heard Cole tell Neo to put his weapons down, her eyes went back to Neo and caught a definite glint. The man had a plan. Ari could only hope it did not backfire and one of them would die.
Richard moved his head slightly trying to see what was happening, only to have Cole try and push it through the top of the bar. The knife also felt a little sharper at the back of his neck. Forcibly he tried to relax.
“I said don’t move Greene, or I will make you bleed,” then he looked back to the man who had not moved yet. “I said put your weapons down and no one else will die today, I am not going to request this again.”
Neo smiled. He remembered that people that James was weak. Smiling as the plan came to mind.
The man looked around the room one more time then slowly bent at the knees so he could place the twin knives in his hands on the floor, and then he stood up and placed his hands on his head, looking back and forth between Franco and Frank.
As one of the men that were near Air came over, Neo backed up. As the man reached down and went to grab one of the blades, Neo went into action. With lighting speed he caught the man under the chin with a round-house kick that threw the man towards Greene and the leader. Neo smiled as he said, “Nobody touches My Babies!”
Richard held very still. He had heard Neo say that before, and two men had died very quickly. If Neo’s ply did not work, Richard figured he was a dead man.
Arianna cringed when she heard Neo you the four words she hoped to never hear put together. She looked at where Richard was being held. If Cole’s hand slipped even a quarter of an inch, Richard would be dead. She held her breath.
It had been a long time since Frank found himself interested in how another man fought. Watching the man he had determined was Franco’s older brother, was very enlightening. The man could handle knives like they were extensions of his hands. He also knew martial arts. Frank was good at martial arts but preferred, bare-knuckle street fighting. It would be interesting to pit the two styles against each other. The man had just killed another man with a kick. Frank was going to enjoy this contest.
Frank smiled because he had a feeling he was meeting one of Franco’s brothers and the way the man handled the knives he was hoping it was the famous Neo.
Franco watched his brother and started shaking his head as he saw Neo back up. Most would foolishly think that meant Neo was scared of them. Far from it! My brother is about to show these fools just how useless their wands were against him. Franco looked over at Fixer and gave a sly grin as he saw Neo send a man straight towards Frank Cole.
Saint watched as he realized what Neo was trying for. If Fixer doesn't move quick enough...That man will hit him and both will fly into the wall behind Fixer. Taking the threat of that knife with them. It all depends on Frank Cole's reaction time. Franco prepared to signal Air the moment Fixer went flying. The tables just might be about to turn.
Ari watched in amazement as Cole bodily lifted Richards head and shoulders off of the bar, moved down three feet and slammed Richards head back down, barely ducking the man as he flew by into the shelves at the back at the bar, sliding down to the floor dead. The man only nodded and slammed Richard’s face into the bar, multi times using it as a clapper for what had just happened.
Richard felt himself, with unprepared suddenness, have his head jerked off the bar, pulled by the hair to another spot and slammed back down. He did not see but felt a large shape fly by his back. It did not take a lot of imagination to realize it was a man’s body flying past. Richard felt his head being slammed into the top of the bar and desperately tried to hold onto consciousness.
Cole had paid close attention to the movement in every mussel of Neo’s body. The man was good, readable, but good. Slow motion had taken over as soon as the fool had reached for one of the knives. Every movement Neo made was fluid and well practiced. When he could set up a match between himself and this man, it was going to be real enjoyment. Cole figured he might even let Neo live …. Maybe..
“I am afraid my friend I am going to have to put your Babies to bed for a while. Decide.” As Frank was saying this he also was motioning for one of the goon to get behind Franco and put his wand to the man’s head.
Cole moved just enough to be able to keep the knife point in Richards’s neck and place his elbow so that he was pressing on the cuts of Richards back. Green was still pined enough for him to have one hand free.
Frank also reached under the bar and pulled out a knife from its hiding place and threw it at the table. It stuck in the side of the table just barely missing Franco’s arm.
As soon as the knife left his hand, just as it reached the table, Cole had taken his free hand, grabbed Richard’s hair and added pressure to his push of his head into the bar.
Frank motioned for the goon to pick up the knife and us it on Franco’s neck instead of the wand.
Neo stood his ground and got ready for somebody else to try to touch his Babies. As he watched what the leader signaled, Neo's eyes showed just how big a mistake the man had made.
Franco heard Fixer and looked over at his brother. Neo had not even broken a sweat yet. Franco smiled as he realized that like James had with them, Neo was using his Babies as bait. Any that go for “Babies” are going flying right at Cole! Franco smiled as he prayed that Cole made the mistake of going to get the blades himself, Cause if you do Fixer, It Will Be Game Over! Franco was still smiling as he felt the wand at his temple. Turning his head to face the man holding it, he said calmly, “You do know that You Are Dead Right? Look at his eyes, Man because you just broke One of His Golden Rules!”
Frank also reached under the bar and pulled out a knife from its hiding place and threw it at the table. It stuck in the side of the table just barely missing Franco’s arm. Frank motioned for the goon to pick up the knife and us it on Franco’s neck instead of the wand.
Ari’s attention had been on Richard and had not seen the knife being thrown until it was sticking into the table. Cole had a deadly aim, and it did not seem to make a difference what type of knife he used.
Neo watched the man at the bar. The man's throw was good but Neo didn't like where it was headed. He debated whether he could reach the man that was behind his brother in time. Glaring at the man at the bar that he had realized was Frank Cole, Neo realized that the blade had barely missed Franco's arm.
Reading what this leader had told his man, the Cooler got slightly worried. There was no way from where he was that he could get to his brother in time.
Franco looked at his brother as the knife barely missed his (Franco) arm. Franco was not at all liking his brother's look. Whatever Fixer told this guy behind me as Neo worried and that is not good! Franco tried to figure out what was about to happen as he had never seen something worry the Cooler.
He watched as the goon unstuck the knife from the table, after looking at Frank for a long moment in amazement and fear because he had been so close, pulled Franco’s head back by the hair and positioned the knife so all he had to do was pull it to the side and it would have cut Franco’s gurgler vain.
Richard realized Cole had thrown a knife because he had seen the backward preparation. He heard Arianna’s intake of a breath, and it took everything in his power not to move. Before he thought he called her name. She answered him with, “I am here Richard. We are alright.” Richard relaxed again and tried not to think about what else may have happened.
“Yes Richard, your friends are alright at the moment. If I had meant to kill, one of them would have been dead. Now be good while we work a few other things out.” For good measure Cole picked Richard’s head up an inch from the bar and slammed it back down. His hand was getting tired, but he would not have to stay where he was for much longer.
Franco was focusing on his brother as he felt his head jerk violently back as the guy said coldly, “I doubt it! Unless he wants to watch you die...Now Keep Quiet!” Franco felt the blade against his stretched neck and realized that this punk knew how to use a knife. He had no choice but to stay perfectly still or his jugular would be cut.
Arianna looked at Franco, but his head was bent so far back he could not see his face. Only a small amout of pressure on the blade would start the deadly flow of blood.
Saint still tried to look out of the corner of his eye to find out if Cooler was alright. It had been a very long time since Franco had seen his brother, stopped. He felt mad and confused asking himself, "Does Neo want me to do something, should I have added different?" . He was a danger to his brother and he did not know how to change that .... all he could do was wait and see what Neo wanted him to do.
Frank looked back at the man he was now convinced was Franco’s brother and raised his eyebrows.
Smiling he thought, “That’s one for me. Yes Neo, you can give up now, or watch your brother die.” He could not help the chuckle which he added to his smile.
Neo saw the knife at his brother's throat and realized that either Frank Cole knew or was testing concerning Neo's weakness. Neo looked from his brother to Cole, weighing his options. Seeing no way to take either man down without Franco and/or Richard's death, Neo was left with only one choice. I won't lose another brother, especially Frankie! His eyes met Fixer's and told the leader that he had guessed Neo's weakness correctly.
Cole nodded.
As the Cooler dropped to his knees, he bowed his head, not only in mock compliance but to hide the anger on his face showing he would make the man eventually regret the move.
Arianna let out a silent moan and dropped her chin to her chest. She knew what it was like for a man like Neo to have to surrender. He was bright enough to know when he had to stop and let circumstances make other possibilities present them but it would hurt his pride. Without raising her head more than an inch, Ari looked at Franco. Neo was Franco’s hero and it would be hard to see your hero, brought down. She wondered if Franco had the wisdom to realize Neo had no choice, but had not given up.
Franco closed his eyes. All of the fight in him left at one time and he almost collapsed in the chair. His head would have dropped to his chest if the goon had not been holding it back by his hair. His older brother, his hero had been brought to his knees. Franco would have attacked Frank, out of pure anger for what the man had done, if he had not been bound.
The fight was over and Neo allowed himself to be taken.
“That was almost too easy, Cole thought, ”What else can I do…. Ah yes I know…” ”
Franco called the knives on the ground to him and gently floated them onto the counter. Smiling back at Neo, he said, “They will be fine I promise, until either you or I want to use them.” Frank knew he had just made a violent jab at Neo. The man would be furious if anyone else touched his knives.
Richard noticed Neo’s knives float softly to about twelve inches from his face and land on the bar. He would have chuckled because he knew how Neo felt about those knives but he kept it in for now. At the same moment he realized he had not known Cole could do wandless magic.
“They are beautiful knives ….” Cole again switched position placing his elbow on Richards back. With his now free hand he picked up one of the knives and tested it balance. “Nice.” He took Neo’s knife and exchanged it for the one he had pricking the skin at the bottom of Richards’s skull and put his Bouie knife in its specially made sheath at his waist. Bending down he said, “So what do you think Richard, feel any different.” Receiving only a grown from Greene, he looked up and smiled. “Thanks for letting me borrow you baby , I promise to take very good care of it. Of course, it will be up to Richard here on whether any blood is added to it. One other promise, I will remember to clean it thoroughly, because I know what blood will do to a blade if it is not cleaned off.” Cole laughed at the look on Neo’s face.
It took everything Neo had in him not to fight as his arms were magically bound to his side and his feet were crossed and magically bound. Deep in thought, “I can't risk that the man is bluffing. I have a feeling he is not the type? For Now I have to resist the urge to fight back... But payback is coming!” He could not remember another time he had been captured and it was humiliating.
As The Cooler watched his knives float to the counter of the bar, it hit him hard to realize Frank Cole could do wandless magic. The man had never moved the hand which held Richard’s head firmly on the counter or the hand which held the knife pointed at the base of Richards’s skull. The anger in him made him stare at Frank as he said in a very tight voice, “Strike One! Want to Try For Strike Two?”
“We are just in the first inning, my friend,” Cole said with a chuckle. “The problem with this game is that I am also the Umpire…”
Arianna heard the words Neo forced out behind clinched teeth. If Neo could get to Cole he was a dead man. It would not be pretty to see the two of them go head to head. She had the feeling though someday it would happen. Both men were fast approaching the point where they had something to prove to the other man and neither would back down from the fight.
He dropped his head to his chest willing himself to relax as he was roughly dragged to a chair and thrown down. It felt like pinchers grabbed his arms to help him sit up straight. Neo looked over at his brother and realized that Franco could not look him in the eyes. Neo knew that Frankie was not ashamed of him. Cooler wondered if Franco was blaming himself. Slowly he shook his head remembering, “Marco had tried to tell me that protecting Franco every time he was in over his head was just making Frankie a weak link.” Cooler smiled as he remembered that Marco had gotten a busted jaw for that and a reminder that they were older and that meant they protected not picked on the younger ones. He would talk to Franco later as maybe Marco had a point, a small one but still a point. It was time that Franco started realizing that choosing not to fight was sometimes a bad decision.
A look of puzzlement crossed Arianna’s face. She had seen a smile curve Neo’s lips which were hidden from everyone except those at the table. Neo had thought of a pleasant thought. Neo was not the type to act rashly, but it was not going to take long, if Cole had already realized it for Cole to realize Franco was Neo’s soft spot. All the brothers would give up their lives for the others or for their sister Kat.
Franco switched his eyes from the floating knives, to his brother, back and forth. Franco still could not believe that because of him Neo had been "packaged". Franco was deep in thought and realized why Marco had picked on him all those years. Marco had always called him a weak link and now Franco understood. He was determined to fix that as soon as he figured out how.
He finally looked his brother in the eyes and mouthed the word "Sorry." Franco wanted Neo to know that he understood. It was because he was alive that Neo had not done what he would usually have done … kept fighting and taken more of the goons out.
As Ari was looking back to where Cole and Richard still stood behind the bar, her eyes passed Franco’s face and she caught the word “Sorry”. Franco was taking what had happened to him seriously. If he acted without thinking because of this they could all be in a world of hurt. Franco did not have the experience to go up against Cole. He would lose. Arianna had the sickening vision of Franco on the pole either beside Richard or in place of him. If that happened she could not even guess what the man brother would do. She could not blame him because she was having a hard time fighting with the realization Richard had been in so much pain.
The look in Frankie's eyes worried Neo. The boy was planning something and it would probably be rash. Neo shook his head sharply, “NO”. Neo had to get him to realize they just needed to stick tight to see what happened next. His brother had to realize that it was not over, far from it. Neo had every intention of paying these guys back for that look of defeat and hopelessness on his baby brother's face.
After waiting for two of the men to get to the man in black and the other two unhurt to go to the Egyptian, Frank stood Green up straight and walked him around the bar. The four remaining uninjured men were very efficient.
Pulling Richard’s head off the bar by the hair, he said quietly, “Now that we have everyone settled, time to put you back in your spot.” As he walked him toward the pole he watched the byplay in the room. Signals were flying hot and heavy between all the main occupants. It was amusing to see them try and check on each other without being able to say anything.
Before Frank got Greene back to the pole, the man in black was seated in a chair and magically bound and the Egyptian had been carried to another chair, and magically bound into it. Then two of the men came to where Frank was standing with Greene and strung Greene’s hands back up on the pole. The other two had headed out into the room to see if anyone was alive.
When Neo had been roughly settled into his chair, and Tarik had been hoisted into another chair between Neo and Franco, Arianna watched nervously waiting for Tarik to regain consciousness. It took long minutes but soon her brother raised his head and opened his eyes. When he realized where he was he started to violently fight the bonds which held him. This of course only made the magical bonds grow tighter and tighter. Soon Tarik stopped and looked at her then around the room.
Cole looked over to the Egyptian, he had seen the man before but at the moment he could not place him. Shrugging he knew it would come to him eventually. “I would not fight the bonds …. They only get tighter until you relax and then they will loosen a little. I will be with you in a moment and introduce myself.”
The glance he had given her spoke volumes and asked every question a loving brother could ask of his sister who was being held captive. Ari smiled back at his questioning look. It was all she could do.
Cole did not miss the glance. The Egyptian cared a great deal for Arianna …. Maybe husband …. No that was not it, he knew from his research she was not married ….. then maybe boyfriend ….. no the look did not hold that type of love …. Maybe brother, she was supposed to have another one other than his employer …. That was it ….. this was Arianna’s half-brother, Tarik. Cole nodded to himself. He was going to be a fun guest.
Arianna watched as Cole marched Richard back to the pole. She gave him (Richard) a weak smile and with eyes tried to tell him to hang in there. As Richard got to the pole her heart sank when she saw him hoisted back up. When their eyes could no longer stay connected, Ari looked over at her brother. She had to get him to realize using his wandless magic could get them all killed. She was also worried his blood-magic would finally get tapped and although it would probably get most of them free, it could just as easily get them all killed. Tarik had never used the blood-magic because he had been afraid of what it would do, so he had no practice at controlling it and focusing on one thing.
Richard’s eyes fell on Arianna as soon as he was around the end of the bar. He wanted to go to her and let her know …. Let her know what? … that he was alright, which he wasn’t and she knew it … let her know he would be alright …. Which was not certain either. Even in all their quiet talks they had never been overly romantic. But right now just holding her hand would feel like heaven. Trying to return her smile, Richard looked toward the pole they were headed for and knew Cole was not finished with him yet. The fear he was trying to keep in check was threatening to break through and over whelm him. It took everything he had in him to allow the goons to roughly raise his arms in the air and fasten him back to the pole. He put his forehead on the pole and tried to concentrate on finding some detachment from what he knew his body was going to suffer.
The look in Arianna’s eyes and Richard’s told Cole these two had gotten far past friendship. Cole realized he was feeling jealous and tried to push it to the back of his mind. Richard did not deserve Arianna… she was a strong woman …. With strong emotions …. And she needed someone willing to tame her and show her love. He could be that man … the thrill of taming her would add spice to their relationship.