The Sadian Chronicles: Book 2: From Mercury To Venus

My Lover, My Enemy: Part 3

She was determined to learn the truth of Brenda's demise. Too many people had fallen in her path. Whether she performed the task or not she still felt responsible. In eighteen short years, she had seen too much. Death in its most grotesque form came to tear apart all she had built, but more than death, life mocked her. The demise of those around her as she lived on to see, but death would not come for her. She lived on with the pain of those horrifying memories.

Marcus stopped the car by the cliffs overlooking the river. They climbed the rocky trail, and the hike occupied her mind enough she didn't have to think of that horrible scene they both had run away from. Marianna turned to him in amazement and said, "Why did you bring me here?"

"Because it's your favorite place," he said like it was the most natural thing to do. "You need a little serenity right now."

"Don't be foolish," she said and turned away. Thinking of Brenda she continued, "Only death can bring serenity, but you are right about one thing. I do need time to sort this out. I feel so guilty for just leaving her there." She wanted to cry for her friend and mentor, but she was just too numb.

"It's not your fault," Marcus said, but she wondered if he was just saying that to placate her. "You didn't kill Brenda, but we'll find the person who did. As for now, come with me."

Marcus took her hand and led her to the clearing. She remembered the secret she hid inside her, but would she tell him?

As they reached the edge, Marianna felt oddly breathless. "Did that little climb wear you out already?" Marcus teased. "I guess your stamina is wearing down. That's too bad."

"My stamina is just fine," she said, annoyed by his playful teasing. "It's just all this tension."

"Maybe I could help, Fanta," she said and the mention of that name stunned her.

Marianna turned quickly, astonished that he would call her that. "How did you know?"

"Father told me all about you," he said and his demeanor changed. He no later looked like to wide-eyed innocence he had presented to her a few months ago and to this day.

She looked into his eyes and saw the truth. Had he ever loved her liked he claimed to? Though knowing his intentions she still had the hope of changing his mind.

"Your father, and who would that be?" She could only take a guess, but she wanted to hear it from his lips.

"An old friend of yours, clever of him to capture a prize such as you, but stupid of him to lose it," he said and voice grew colder. "That's where I come in. Doctor Everett Brown has been tracking you ever since your escape, but until now he had no luck. Then he came to me and asked for my help. What is the best way to trap woman, even a heartless killer like you, love?"

He laughed at that word, and it only fueled her anger. Had he been playing with her this entire time?

"Marcus, wait," she said, trying to reason with him. She wanted nothing more than to end his existence right now, but she did her best to suppress the feeling. "Think about what you're saying."

"You think I'm a half-crazed druggy like you? Huh," he said as his coldness evolved into anger. There was a hate in his eyes that she had never seen before. "It was your bleeding heart that made it so easy. You let your guard down, little Fanta. That's how Sadians end up dead. Now, it's your turn."

"Marcus, don't listen to him," she said wondering if Brown had used the same mind control drugs on him as he did to her so long ago. "He's manipulating you. I know, because he did it to me and many others, but I was the unfortunate one to survive."

"Don't try to trick me," he said coming closely to her. She tried to move away from the edge, but she was stuck between him and a large boulder." I know what you've done. Was Brenda you latest victim?"

"I didn't kill her!" Marianna screamed, trying desperately to get him to believe her. "I only went there because I felt like something was wrong."

"I knew you would, so I waited," he said while blocking her escape. "I knew you would come, so I want you to admit it. Brenda is dead because of you."

"No, I didn't kill her," she said as he put his hands on her neck.

"You're the one who's guilty," he said as he applied a light amount of pressure. "You're a dangerous little slut, too dangerous to live."

"Marcus, what are you going to do?" she asked and his grip grew tighter.

"What I should have done months ago," he said as he eyes darkened which terrified Marianna. "Look at the facts, Fanta. Everyone who befriends you ends up dead. Ask Brenda. She was wearing that very same expression you're now wearing right before she died."

"No," she screamed and pushed him off of her. Her eyes faintly took on a red hue. "Tell me you didn't kill her. Please..."

"No, Marianna, You killed her." Marcus came towards her and put his hands around her throat again, which only ignited he anger even further. With her power of destruction, the black mist came to set his hands afire. He threw himself back, stumbling but still keeping his footing. "You bitch," he shouted.

"You can't kill me, Marcus," she as her eyes glowed like fire. "You kill me, and you kill your own child."

"So be it," he said and came towards her once more. "A child of yours would certainly be a monster."

Marianna became agitated, feeling herself about to change back into her demon state, but Marcus grabbed her by surprise and forced his hands onto her skull. He whispered into her ear. The jumbled sounds sent a pulsating pain through her body. Weakness overcame her as she fell to the ground.

Marcus let go as Marianna was about to lose consciousness. She managed to reach a sitting position, but something in her changed. She felt something swell in her that she hadn't felt since she was a child. A feeling called fear.

"What do you want from me?" she asked while crying.

"Father wants you back in his charge, but I don't think you're up to the challenge," he said and had his arm around her throat.

"I want no part of Everett Brown," she said, trying to break free of his grasp, but somehow his touch made her weak. "I could never work for the man who killed my mother."

"What about my mother?" he shouted in her ear as he squeezed tighter until she felt her air being cut off. "Your father is responsible for taking her away from me. As he's not around, it's you who must pay his debt."

"You can't kill me, Marcus," she said finally breaking free although bearing and stumbled to her feet. "How can you kill your own flesh and blood?"

"That's the point," Marcus shouted, grabbing her by the neck and pulling her down. His forceful touch made her weak, although she couldn't contemplate why. "It's time for you to die, little Fanta."

He used his strength to push her off the edge, and she felt herself free falling. The sky of blue now brought flashes before her eyes while her open mouth uttered not a sound. Cold water suddenly stabbed her skin bringing darkness to her world as she prepared for death.