The Sadian Chronicles: Book 2: From Mercury To Venus

Message on Vengeance: Part 2

Miles away in a small town in South Dakota Marianna's prey patiently awaited her return, while a tall blond woman accompanied him. She had a passion for cigarettes, so she took one out and lit it. She brought the cigarette to her mouth and took in the flavor. She blew out the smoke and stood there feeling more relaxed. Cigarettes had that effect on her. Whatever was going on in her life, all she had to do was take a few puffs and things didn't seem so bad afterwards.

"Are you sure she's on her way?" Marcus asked and rose out of his chair.

"Yes, Marcus," she said looking at him confidently. "After that fake broadcast and the telephone call she won't be able to resist."

"If that family of hers doesn't stop her," Marcus said and made a fist.

"She's a smart woman, Marcus," Karen said and came closer to him. "She'll be here just like you planned, so be patient, lover, or you'll never see your boy."

"That bastard is not my son," he said angrily whichurprised Karen. "He should have died with her, if that freak humanoid didn't go and ruin everything."

"Marcus, calm down," she said and put her arms around him. "She will be here. You will deliver her to the master, and we will be together. Her stain will not touch us."

"Her stain will always be there," he said and looked into her eyes. "You know, Karen, I almost loved her."

"As much as you love me?" she asked looking as though she were jealous

"Never as much as you," he said trying to reassure her. "My father was wrong about her. She is no great warrior, and she will never be a champion to his cause."

"Marcus, causes come and go," Karen said and tried to kiss him but he pulled away.

"Karen, where does your loyalty lie?" he asked but the question confused her. "Tell me, now."

"Marcus, you know my loyalty is with you," Karen said and attempted to kiss him again, but again he denied her. "I don't care anything about your father, and the only reason I became involved in this was because of you. I love you."

"Not good enough, Karen," Marcus said and his words surprised her. "Love as you call it is meaningless. If you have no loyalty to the master then, you have no loyalty to me. Therefore, betrayers must be terminated."

"Marcus, what are you saying?" Karen cried out.

He put his hands on her temples and voiced out a command. "Karen, take the gun out of the bureau."

She turned, statuesque-like and opened the drawer picking up the firearm.

"Hold the gun to your head, Karen." She obeyed the second command as well. "Fire," he said.

The blast was followed by a stillness that came over the dirty motel room. Marcus packed his things never once looking over at Karen's newly dead body, but he was careful to keep a safe distance from the stream of blood coming from the wound in her head.

Once he reached the door he finally looked back. He saw the bloody mess that was once his lover. "See what you have done, Karen? No matter. Soon Marianna will join you. The two of you will have so much to talk about being so much alike."

Marcus left the motel that night on foot. No one would ever know that he had been there. Karen checked in by herself, and the authorities would believe it to be a suicide. Only her prints were on the gun, and only Karen had fired it.

Marcus didn't believe his actions to be murder. Karen was just another poor distraught soul disposing herself from life.