Dead Set: Rebirth

Chapter 12

"Dio...you'll never be allowed to see Reina again."

"Lady Reina, are you alright? You are safe and sound. There was a fire and Dio died in it. Sir Jonathan has been in the hospital for some time, but you were found unconscious." One of the employees spoke to Reina in her bedroom. The woman was lying in her bed. It had been a few days since she was knocked out by Dio after he had confessed the truth to her. Reina turns to the elderly man and looks at him. She has a blank expression on her face. Her eyes were dull as she realizes that Dio died a criminal and a monster. Most of all she had sex with him. The woman was unsure if she was possibly pregnant. The thought of Jonathan's and Speedwagon's safety made the woman immediately sit up. Reina looks around to try to see if Jonathan or Speedwagon was in the room. As Reina does not see either man, she gets up and gets out of bed. "I need to see Jojo," Reina spoke.

A knock came to the door and Speedwagon stood in the doorway. He was glad to see the woman awake. It has been a few days since the fire and each day he checked on Jonathan and Reina. Jonathan had a broken arm and Reina was unconscious. The man was concerned for both their safety. "Your parents let me in milady. Is everything okay with you? You still look tired." Speedwagon spoke. Reina saw the arm cast he currently had on. Reina herself places a hand on the back of her head as there was some throbbing pain. She was glad to see that Speedwagon did not die. He may have been injured, but not dead. "I am glad you are alive. I am okay. My body is somewhat sore. How is Jojo doing?" Reina says as she walks over to Speedwagon.

Before she leaves the room, Reina tells the elderly man that she is okay. The elderly man smiles and leaves the room. "A lady tended to his wounds during the period. She is a pretty one. Blue eyes and blond hair." Speedwagon replies as he was considerate of Reina's concern for him. "Ah! That's Erina, I haven't seen her in years!" Reina was surprised. She could never forget her childhood friend. "Let's go somewhere more private." She suggests and the two leave the house to walk into the town. Reina glances at Speedwagon's arm every now and then. In her mind, she was glad that everyone survived, but she had to tell her parents that Dio was dead.

However, in her heart, she sensed that Dio was not completely gone. "We are to meet Jonathan and Baron Zeppeli at the pub. The man would like to speak with you." Speedwagon said. Reina looked at the man for a moment. "Me? Why does he want to speak with me? I've been passed out since the damn fight. Sheesh, my memories were shit." Reina said as she shakes her head. "He thinks that Dio is still alive," Speedwagon added. Saying that made the woman stop walking. A feeling of happiness and dread filled her heart. The nightmare she had been living in for the past seven years was not going to end. The man was going to come after her. He had told her before. The relationship between lovers was strong and dangerous.

"I better not be lied to," Reina said before she started to walk. Speedwagon knew that Reina would not take the news well. As everyone met in the pub, the four people sat at a table. Reina sat across from Jonathan. She was glad to see him alive, but she was wary of this Baron Zeppeli. The Zeppeli man was suspicious to her. She had never encountered him or seen him. Dio never even mentioned this man's name. "The daughter of the Thomason family, Lady Reina. A fine woman you are. I am Baron William Zeppeli. Jonathan has told me about you. I apologize to skip the long introductions, but we must discuss Dio and the stone mask." William explains himself.

Reina crosses her arms and sits back in the chair. "I need to know...You say Dio is alive, but he should have been burned in that fire. Is it the stone mask's doing?" Reina spoke. William places his hand on his chin and nods. "You are a sharp wit. Dio is alive due to the stone mask making him a beast. The stone mask is a curse to whoever gets a hold of it. I have seen the hell that mask stirs. Back to the point, Dio cannot die so easily. Since you are his lover, he intends to kidnap you and kill them." The Zeppeli man spoke the truth.