Coveted [New/Revised Version]

HACKING THE SNAKE'S HEAD OFF

INSPIRATIONAL SONG: SEVEN NATION ARMY by GLITCH MOB (when Zairian starts walking toward Iris and Sky ;)! )

***S/N: HAPHEPHOBIA—a morbid fear of being touched

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Everything was in order and going swimmingly so far. Iris and Sky stood on the dock of Lake Luc awaiting Zairian's arrival. She had a hunch but never asked how he got into contact with Zairian's clan members. It was better that way—less for her to concern herself with.

Lisa and Valentine sat parked just inside woods. They were a distance away but within range should something go amiss. No plan went accordingly no matter how much one prepared. Iris, Lisa, Valentine, Sky, along with the rest of the Save Iris Brigade planned extensively for this. They thought of just about everything.

Except for this.

The once serene waters of Lake Luc erratically turned unpleasantly murky. The heavens darkened as storm clouds devoured the sun's light and all warmth it brought. Cold winds began lashing at everything around them. The lake reacted with fierce waves, splashing both Iris and Sky with freezing sprays as they crashed against the dock.

Looking out across the lake, she could hardly tell where the sky ended and the lake began. An unnerving feeling settled in her being, announcing Zairian's approach. She clutched her jacket closer and Sky automatically gravitated nearer as a roll of thunder rumbled threateningly in the distance. At that time, Iris saw Zairian striding toward them.

"Impressive entrance goes to the bad guy..." Sky murmured. "This time."

Dressed like Death himself, Zairian's long coat whipped furiously around him in the winds like a black cloud. Two men accompanied him, each on either of his sides. Both were alert and very well-built and she recognized the one to the hybrid's right as Blake. He didn't meet them the whole way so when he stopped short, the men a few steps behind him stood like guards.

It seemed like he was analyzing the situation. When he started walking toward Sky and Iris again, the men floated behind him obediently like silent ghosts in perfect synchronization. As he drew nearer, she noticed the foreign object in his left hand. It was some sort of cane and looked about arm's length. Every time he moved, there was a gleam of light from it despite the lack of luminosity around them. Its shaft was a dark red mahogany color while its handle was silver and encrusted with shiny black jewels.

Iris found it odd but didn't dwell on it any longer as he stood before them.

Zairian was first to break the tense silence.

"I was rather surprised when I got wind that you, Miss Chancellor, wanted to surrender yourself to me."

"It's Cassidy." Iris replied through clenched teeth.

"Nice guard dogs," Sky commented.

"And what are you?" spat the man who wasn't Blake.

"Connor, please." Zairian laughed. "Control your temper boy."

"So they do have names." Sky sneered sarcastically.

Zairian offered his hand to him.

"We haven't formally met. My name is Sir Zairian Donovan Callisto. I want to thank you for keeping the Chancellor witch out of harm's way for me."

Sky stared at his hand but didn't take it. "Haphephobic."

"My apologies," Zairian withdrew his hand, unaffected by the rejection.

"I'd thank your brother too but," his eyes did another sweep of the dock, "it seems he isn't here. May I ask why?"

"He had other obligations." Sky replied impartially. "Nice pimp cane by the way."