Umbra Mortis

Chapter 8- The threat

Sree paced nervously, fingers playing with her pendant. How the fuck did this happen? The security shouldn’t have failed. Do we need more security cameras? More highly trained people? First things first, she had to figure out what exactly had gone wrong.

“You there!” A servant paused, body stiffening. “Get me Roman. Now.” The man practically ran to do her bidding, leaving Sree and her turbulent mind alone.

Fuck, that couldn’t work. It would garner the attention of the police. Why would a club need privately sourced professionals? Shit.

As if running a normal international multibillion dollar company wasn’t already too complicated, running a secret and illegal business was enough to drive you up the wall. She couldn’t draw attention from outsiders without risking discovery. Not only that, but the Leaders would be beyond furious if another intruder got anywhere near the club. And when the Leaders were furious, heads rolled.

Maybe I should ask Ash…

"Ma'am,” the returning servant murmured, halting Sree’s thoughts, “Roman is here."

“Good. Bring him in then see yourself out.”

The man nodded and left the room yet again.

“So, Roman.” Sree lets go of her pendant, her eyes watching the man with a calculating gaze, “Would you care to explain to me what happened?” Head tilting, her face remained neutral as Roman cowered, “Also, while you’re at it, please inform me why the fuck Benja had to deal with security, and not you.”

Conversing with Sree was a dangerous task; the woman possessed the power of fear. Either she would instil fear into you with the slight tilt or incline of her head, rendering your thinking abilities almost useless. Or, when required, she could cause you to hallucinate. Her power would entrance you before trapping you in your worst nightmare, the nightmare that haunts you at night and keeps you awake, body shivering in dread, until early hours.

Another of her powers causes the recipient’s mind to go mad with terror, removing any and all remaining sliver of sanity. This all, of course, needed a certain amount of energy to execute, meaning she didn’t often use such dramatic measures. Despite this, she still dangles her powers over her victim’s, teasing and taunting with endless, terror inducing possibilities. It doesn’t help that, even when not using her abilities, she’s an intimidating person.

Roman had been scared before but Sree’s penetrating, cold stare had his bottom lip quivering.

“I- I don't know.”

“Is that right? You don’t know?” Her eyes narrowed on him, “A life could have been lost just because you don’t know.” She hummed, straightening up, “I’ve heard you have a wife and daughter.”

Romans' faces paled further.

“No...No, please. Please, I am begging you. You can do anything, everything, you want to do to me but….please, just leave them out of it. They’re innocent. Please, they haven’t done anything wrong.” He choked out a sob, his panicking eyes sweeping over Sree’s face, pleading, “Please.”

“Quiet.” Sree hissed, her eyes wandering to the door, “It’s already been decided. You can go now.”

Roman cried.

Nothing could be done- he knew this. Terror rushed through his heart, his body, his soul. Nothing would change her decision. Nothing could lessen her sentence. Attacking her would do nothing to help, it would only succeed in a harsher sanction. He was tempted, muscles tensed, prepared to fight for his family, prepared to lose everything for their safety.