(Chantel/Vincent)
Chantel quietly left the room, leaving the tray of food behind.? If Anais hadn't eaten by the time she went to bed, then she would remove it. Chantel headed to Vincent's office and entered without knocking.? He stood from his chair behind his desk and crossed the room.? With a smile, they exchanged a gentle kiss and he wrapped his arms around her, "so, how is the lady settling in?"
?
"Well, she isn't happy and actually seemed surprised to learn that Draven was here in Paris.? She thought maybe she could pen him and tell of her whereabouts so that he could come and give us what we are seeking."
?
Vincent laughed as he let Chantel slip out of his arms and she crossed to the girl sitting on the couch.? She lifted the girl's arm and with a little slit placed in the wrist, let some of her blood drip into a wine glass.? When it was half full, Chantel licked the wound closed and the girl went back to just being there.? "She is a little confused as to why she is here.? Oh, and she refused to eat, worried that we might taint the food." She said as she sipped the warm drink.
?
"True, she hadn't seen him or heard from him since she ran away, granted he knew when she was last in New York before she came here and took on a new identity," Vincent said.? "No, I don't think we will let her pen him just yet.? That is not part of the plan.? And the photos and journal?"
?
"Oh, it had the effect you thought it would, she was surprised even though she tried to hide it.? All was tossed in the fire.? Too bad, he had such pretty handwriting."
?
"As for food, just keep offering, she will eventually get hungry enough to eat.? I don't think she is the type to let her unborn children starve.? Herself, maybe, but not the babies.? We will let her be for the night.? Did you open the balcony window?"
?
"Yes, she will see her friends being taken away by there new owners."? Both of them laughed at that point as they embraced once again.
?
(Outside)
As Anais looked out the window, below was the front drive to the place.? There were several cars and even some large limos lining it.? A few people were coming out of the front doors below her and were leading other people away.? No one seemed to be struggling or fighting they seemed to be in some sort of trance.? The sixth group to come out into view was a man and woman and following them were Anais' friends.? They walked along willingly and were lead to one of the limos.
Anais
As Anais stood upon the balcony, she rubbed her arms against a chill she did not feel on her skin but in the pit of her belly. This was a fine mess she had gotten herself into. And as of right now she had no idea how to get herself out.? As she looked down, she saw the humans being led out the front door into the waiting vehicles. Although no one fought or made a fuss, it was obvious they did not leave on their own accord. The faraway look in her eyes told her that. She knew what was going to happen to them. They would not become slaves.
?
Everything they once had and knew gone. What kind of life they had would have now would depend heavily on what kind of master they were going to and how much trouble they cause as they assimilated into their new lives. Being the daughter of a slaver, she had seen first hand what could be done to slaves, those who assimilated and those who didn¡¯t. She had read her mother¡¯s journal. So besides her first-hand eyewitness accounts of what she had seen in her own life, she understood from her mother¡¯s own words, what waking a slave could be like. She said a quiet prayer for those poor souls.
And then she saw her friends. And a tremendous sense of guilt ran through her. This had happened to them because of her. They were being led away like lambs to the slaughter because the bastards who held her had no use for them. And she had no doubt the fact that she was being allowed to move about the room, standing on the balcony to have front-row seat, being forced to watch it happen because those same bastards wanted her to see this¡
Were they trying to send a message? Definitely. Anger flared through her whole body as she watched Cate and Richard stepped into separate vehicles. She forced herself to watch as the doors closed and each of those vehicles began slowly driving down the long drive. Her eyes watching. Her mind thinking, processing so much information.
?
She had so many questions.
Why was she here? What did they want? How did they know who she was? So many questions to sorting, mulling, sussing. She needed to focus on what she did know.
First, the man, Vincent. He seemed to be the brains behind the operation, the one that everyone answered. And although it seemed like he was not afraid to cause her pain or discomfort, it did seem like he would not cause her any real damage¡At least not until her children were born.
Then there was the woman¡Chantel, with her fake displays of care and friendship, faux offers of trust. Her insistence that she eat, giving her the box, which contained ¡°Draven¡¯s journals" and photos of him supposedly in the months following her leaving him, apparently distraught. it was telling on so many levels. They wanted a rise out of her, some kind of show of emotions. That much was obvious¡so that was what she gave them. The rise. Now she needed to know why they wanted that rise? And What in fact did they need with her? Was she here to hurt Draven?
?
It was obvious to her that Draven was important to this equation. It was also obvious that they were hoping to pull on her heartstrings towards him. Also, her children had something to do with all of this. For them to know who she was, where she was, have those pictures of Draven and his personal effects to give her meant One, it was very important to them for her to have some kind of emotional attachment to him. And two, that they had been watching them --both her and Draven since before they broke up to know and most importantly three, Draven had a traitor in his midst.
Then there was Vincent¡¯s concern for her babies when they first met, his interest in them seemed to be a priority of his. Why? Was it because of Draven again? Did the man have some hatred towards Draven? Was this only business?? So much information. ??
?
One thing was true¡no one could be trusted here. And they had gravely underestimated her.?
