Magenta

The infirmary of the mansion had been built as a mini-hospital with its own doctors and sophisticated equipment. It was an unknown place for most servants. However, her most trusted maid, Maria, knew it very well. Magenta was lying in a narrow bed, pale and pitiful, her figure a ghost of the powerful woman she used to be; bandages wrapped around her arms and head while several devices checked her vital signs.

Someone opened the door, and immediately, Magenta recognized Maria’s soft steps. For the first time, the maid would see her lady without makeup or fancy clothes.

Maria tugged her dress and sat next to Magenta, her gaze fixed on the white sheets. The young girl remained silent for long minutes. Without her lady nearby, her fate was uncertain, and Ronner was the owner of her life.

“My lady,” Maria murmured. “What should I do?” She wiped unshed tears from her lavender eyes and lifted her face toward the ceiling, where incandescent lights made her squint.

“Maria,” Magenta whispered, her voice a thin thread.

“Yes!” She rushed to answer and grabbed her cold hand. “I’m here.”

Magenta’s eyes were a thin line, but her emerald gaze sneaked through her eyelids, fixing on Maria. “You look awful,” the lady said.

Maria chuckled. “I know . . . How are you feeling, my lady?”

“I feel like shit.” Magenta scoffed, opening her eyes. Her cranium felt like falling apart, but she wouldn’t let Maria see her in pain. “Are you okay? Did that jerk hurt you?”

The maid shook her head. “He has not shown any interest in me as usual.”

“Good.” Magenta’s eyes shut again. “You need to leave this damned place as soon as possible.”

“No way I’d do that!”

“Don’t be stupid!” The lady scowled at her. “Who knows what he will do to you!”

“Even so . . . I can’t just abandon you, my lady.”

Magenta chuckled bitterly. “I chose this, this is my fate. I fell into my own trap. But you? You still have a life to live!” she shouted, squeezing Maria’s hand with all her remaining strength.

“How could I live leaving you all behind?” Maria shook her head again. “No, I can’t do that! Don’t ask me that, please.”

The lady sighed. “I know what you’re thinking . . . You believe there’s still something you can do to save me and Brisa along with the Nephilim.”

“I must try . . . “ Maria lowered her gaze and fixed it on her hands wrapped around Magenta’s fingers.

“Stubborn as usual, silly kid.” She chuckled. “I’d kick your ass outta here if I could.”

Maria smiled. “I know we can do it, my lady. It’s not over yet. I can feel it.”

Magenta remained silent for a moment. “Marcus . . .” she trailed off, recalling his sulky yet beautiful eyes. “He told me about his plan. He knew he wouldn’t make it out of here alive and trusted I’d do what he asked me.” Her lips tightened as she swallowed her pain. “Fucking idiot. He knew me too well.”

“We can still finish what he started . . . “

“Marcus left me a letter where he explained everything to me. I did as he asked me. Everything should’ve gone as planned, but . . . “ A tear rolled down her cheek and landed on the pillow. “I made a mistake . . . I wasted time, and Ronner figured out my plan sooner than expected.” Magenta took a deep breath, trying not to drown in sobs. “However, you can still finish his mission for me.”

Maria tightened her grasp on her hand. “Tell me what I need to do, my lady! I’ll do whatever it takes!”

Magenta regarded her with a tender smile and caressed her face. “You’re so naive . . . but I’m glad I can count on you, Maria.” The maid beamed at her. “Alright. Listen to me carefully now, my dear, because the slightest mistake could be your last.”

Maria leaned closer, narrowing her eyes as she bobbed her head.

“Ronner’s a narcissist prick who thinks he can outsmart anyone, but . . . “ Magenta smirked. “Hybrid or not, he’s still a man, with the weakness of a man. One of his biggest flaws is his overconfidence. He still believes I never saw through his facade.” The lady bit her lower lip. “For the past years, I took my time doing my own research. Honestly, I had hoped I’d never have to use this against him, but I have no choice now . . . Pay attention here, my dear.”

Maria’s hand twitched as Magenta’s eyes penetrated through hers. A fire burned in the lady’s soul. “I’ll tell you the location of our last hope. First, go get the Anglish boy, you’ll need his help, and then, find this person . . . the only one Ronner fears in this fucked up world . . . “

*°*°*

Zeo

Every afternoon Zeo wandered the garden where he used to meet Remnya. His vision blurred at the thought of such a distant memory. That tragic night, while every servant ran and screamed, Zeo stood still, gazing at the crimson fire. He knew it well; he had seen it in the orphanage before. But the memory had been caged deep in his heart for years.

Until that night.

Instinctively, Zeo knew his friend was in danger and ran to her aid, but Viper, who guarded the mansion’s gates, stopped him. Driven by sheer will or naive madness, he tried to force his way in to save his friend, but Viper put him to sleep with a punch.

Zeo lay on the grass all night until a maid woke him up when everything was over. He thought of multiple ways of getting into the mansion, but guards watched the gates day and night. Powerless and unable to know Remnya’s fate, desperation began to invade his body like a giant spider crawling on his skin.

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He only found a fragile peace, believing the crimson fire was Remnya’s guardian angel. If it had protected her before, it would do it again. She had to be safe. He hoped so.

But for how long?

Having cleaned the kitchen, Zeo strolled through the garden one last time before twilight. He observed the White Fangs blooming behind the bench where they used to sit together. Tears didn’t escape his eyes this time; he had cried enough.

Zeo glimpsed someone walking toward him in the distance. Magenta’s maid, Maria. He had seen her before, but never that close. She didn’t dress as a maid that day; she was wearing a casual white dress. Zeo froze at the sight of such a beautiful girl. She smiled at him, and his heart almost popped out of his chest.

“Zeo, right?” Maria asked.

“Yes!” Zeo stuttered, standing upwards with both arms crossed on his back.

“May I talk with you?”

“Yes!” he shouted, almost choking.

Maria eased herself onto a wooden bench and took a moment to order her thoughts in silence. “I’ll get straight to the point, Zeo . . . “ Her smile faded. “Remnya is in danger, and I need your help.”

Her words felt like a gelid punch to the face. His nervousness shattered, giving way to a fire burning his veins. “What happened? What did they do to her?” He raised his voice, burying his fingernails in his palms.

Maria explained the situation, every detail from Ronner to Persen and his sons. The more Zeo learned, the paler he became. He wanted to dart toward the mansion and rescue his friend with his very hands, but his brain yelled at him to think.

“That’s why I need your help, Zeo. You need to leave the mansion and find this person.” Maria bit her lower lip as she scanned their surroundings every second.

“Maria . . . I can’t abandon my friend,” Zeo mumbled. His eyes locked on the ground.

“We’ll do our best to take care of her. Not only me, Brisa too. As far as we know it, Ronner only wants to use her Nephilim cells to enhance his own abilities. It’ll be tough for her, yes, but she’s a strong girl.” Maria sprang from her seat and grabbed Zeo’s hand. He froze. “The sooner we stop him, the less damage he will cause to her.”

Confusion and sorrow tangled around Zeo’s brain like a dark hand crushing his mind. Her words were true, and he hated how useless he had been until that moment. “Who is this person I need to find?” Zeo narrowed his eyes. “I’ll do anything to save Remnya . . . and all of you, too.”

Maria let out a silent sigh of relief and beamed at him. She slid her fingers in her pocket and drew a thin tablet, turned on the screen, and focused her eyes on it. “His name is Debrin Kavram. Lady Magenta doesn’t know much about him, but he was Ronner’s captain in Karx. She believes he’s the main reason Ronner abandoned Karx, and the main reason he’s building an army and needs Remnya’s help.”

Zeo held his chin in a serious expression. “Even if that’s true, why would he help us? How do we know he’s not as bad as Ronner?”

“We don’t know that.” Maria rubbed her arm and looked to the side. “But the lady did her research. He’s the person Ronner hates the most, yet has never dared to attack. What’s stopping him?”

“I don’t know,” Zeo trailed off as he observed the flowers blooming under a tree. “Is there really a chance of saving Rem, though?”

“Lady Magenta risked her life because she believed in it, Zeo. His initial plan was taking Remnya to Debrin Kavram. She trusted he could help her.” Maria placed her hand on his shoulder, furrowing her eyebrows as she leaned closer. “Do you believe she would take such a risk for nothing?”

Zeo lowered his head, feeling his doubts were an insult to Maria. “I’m sorry . . . I’m just afraid and lost.“

Maria shook her head. “As are we all, Zeo . . . The lady knows she probably doesn’t have much time left, and there’s nothing I can do to protect her.“ A tear trailed down Maria’s cheek as her hand twitched on his shoulder.

Zeo grabbed Maria’s hand and narrowed his eyes at her. Her tears reminded him of what he was fighting for and who he wanted to be. He had failed to protect people so many times before, especially Remnya. Zeo was tired. Tired of seeing people in pain and being unable to do anything.

“Alright . . . “ Zeo mumbled at first, but then his voice sharpened. “I’ll do it, Maria. Whatever it takes, I’ll do it!”

The maid wiped her tears as a tender smile drew across her face. “Thank you, Zeo. I knew I could count on you.”

Zeo stared deep into her glistening eyes and tried to return a smile, but footsteps forced him to snap back to reality. They spotted Skado and two men gathering near the mansion’s gates.

“I need to return,” Maria whispered as she sneaked a cell phone into Zeo’s hand. “I’ll call you as soon as I can. Please, do not lose this phone.”

“Understood.” Zeo bobbed his head.

Maria beamed at him. Her tears had disappeared, and her teeth reflected the dying sunlight. She looked perfect. Zeo watched her walking away until she faded into the mansion.

*°*°*

Hot, damp air lingered in the garden like a giant woolen blanket. The night sky had blurred with dark clouds, teasing with promises of rain. Zeo returned to the servants’ house with a tower of plates in his hands; he had offered to work extra hours. It helped with his growing anxiety. Plus, it gave him the chance to wander the garden until midnight. Perhaps he could sneak into the mansion and see Remnya.

Done with all his tasks, Zeo dropped on his favorite bench and stared up at the sky. A droplet landed on his glasses. Finally, a break from the heat. He wished he could stay in the garden all night. Being physically close to Remnya eased the pain in his heart a little. Zeo closed his eyes and allowed the tender breeze to drag away his concerns for a moment.

Hold on, Rem, I’ll get you out of this damn place soon!

He must’ve fallen asleep because when he opened his eyes, the garden was empty. Only the wind whistled softly in his ears. Zeo looked left and right, but it seemed like everyone had gone to sleep and forgotten about him. Shaking his dreams off, he rushed to the servants’ house before they locked the doors.

“Very impressive, sir. I expected no less from you.”

An unknown voice in the distance froze Zeo on the spot. His right ear twitched.

“Yes, it’s just a matter of time.”

He recognized the second voice. Skado. He could not forget his terrifying, raspy pitch. Scanning the garden, he spotted a group of three men gathered at the mansion’s gates. Zeo crouched and dragged himself behind the bushes.

“The high bitch doesn’t have much time left.”

Zeo tiptoed closer to overhear their conversation. He dropped under a tangled bunch of vines and lifted his long pointy ears; their size would come in handy now.

“But what are you waiting for, sir?” a deep voice asked. Zeo peeked out from behind the leaves at Skado and a broad man.

“Ronner being a cunt as usual,” Skado replied with contempt. “He wants me to wait, just in case. He said the maid needs to stay safe for now. That way he can use her to force Magenta to sign all the papers.”

“Oh, is he really doing it that way?” The man laughed. “If Magenta signs that shit, all her fortune, til the last cent, will be his. That smart bastard!”

“Once that’s done, the maid will be mine.” Skado chuckled and blew a mouthful of smoke.

Zeo let out a silent gasp as his heart kicked in his chest.

“She’s cute, isn’t she? I wonder if she’s good in bed.”

“Ronner claims she’s still a virgin.” Zeo could distinguish Skado’s smirk.

“No way! I thought she had something with that butler, Christian, wasn’t it?”

“She better not, or I’ll have to gift her the butler’s head in a nice box.”

Everyone guffawed.

“Ronner promised me a lot of things, he better not lie to me. I told him I want Magenta’s maid and I’ll have her.”

“You’re so lucky, sir. Wish I could have a beautiful girl like Maria.”

A heavy hand landed on Zeo’s shoulder. “What are you doing here, kid?”

Zeo’s eyes almost popped out of his eye sockets as he whirled to face the voice behind him. It was Clara, the gardener, an old lady with a funny frown.

“Look at what you did, Zeo! You crushed the sprouts!” she yelled, pointing at the mess Zeo had done with her flowers.

“I’m so sorry, lady Clara!” Zeo shouted, springing from the ground. He bowed to her and darted out of her reach like a bullet.

“Hey! Come back here!”

Zeo sprinted to the servants’ house, holding his breath while his heart pushed against his throat.

No, no, no. . . This can’t be!

Maria. . . She is in danger too!

*°*°*