Symphony of Death

Cain’s POV

“Don’t you think you are going overboard?” My lips curved in a taunting smirk that deepened the dent between her brows. “I did as you told me, Cain but that doesn’t mean–”

“I don’t care about your conscience, Hannah.” I cut her. Her hands fisted on the armrests and her anger made me chuckle. “It’s not the first time you are betraying your kind.”

“I am just paying you back for saving my life that time, Cain.” Hannah stood up and fixed her suit. “Just because I am a Blue Blood doesn’t mean I need to agree with whatever they were doing. I don’t want any part in any of this.”

“And here I thought you cared for that girl.” I taunted her.

“What does it matter?” Hannah faced me squarely. “You are going to do what you intend in the end, then what does it matter?” Her mouth turned down. “If I could save Anastasia, I would have. I don’t want her to die.” Her hands fisted by her sides. “You could be wrong-”

She gasped when I choked her to death and slammed her in the wall.

“Why don’t you worry about your life, Hannah?” I snarled in her face. “You’ll have your fucking kind coming after you for betraying them on my call. You were the one who ratted out Omisha.”

I sneered at her horrified expressions.

“They are worse when it comes to getting even for their evil doings, no? Imagine what they will do when they will learn the truth behind their failures.”

“I’m not doing anything.” Hannah pushed my hand off her neck. “I am just saying-”

“Do what you are supposed to do.” I turned away from her and went to the fireplace. “Make sure Anastasia can’t leave Allure. Get dirty if you have to. Use whatever means to stop her.” I watched the flames rising and turning black on my call. “I want her to suffer every second of her life.”

“Who can stop it from happening?” Hannah scoffed bitterly. “The second you knew her identity, her fate was sealed.” I stayed silent. “Can I ask you one thing?”

I tilted my head a little over my shoulder.

“Why did you come here?”

Hannah tensed on my approach. She stood like a statue when I tucked her hair back and forced her to look at me by holding her chin.

“Nothing for you to fret about.” I let go of her face and shoved my hands in my pockets. “Sharon will be arriving by midnight. Make necessary preparations.”

Hannah nodded silently.

“You can leave now.” She nodded again and turned to leave. “Hannah!” Her hand stopped on the knob. “A little change in the plans.” I smiled wickedly when she faced me. “Anastasia will be monitoring tomorrow’s shoot.”

“What?” Hannah was confused.

“There are a few obstacles I need to remove before I move on with my plan.” My eyes turned and I smirked at her guarded expressions. “You need to contact your kind. Spreading the word would be more appropriate.” I watched the rings on my left hand. “Things won’t set in motion unless they join the picture.”

“You want to disclose Anastasia’s identity?” Hannah was baffled. “You know they want your wing. Not only them but many others will be coming after Ana. If they knew about her, they will-”

“I want them to come after Anastasia.” I eyed Hannah evilly. “Every last one of them who came after me that time.”

“What?” Hannah paled when realization dawned upon her. “You don’t mean to–” She looked around her horrified. “You can’t be serious about letting them loose on her.”

“You have no idea what I plan on doing with her, Hannah.” I laughed evilly. “This is going to be very interesting.”

****

Anastasia’s POV

I dropped everything on the table and sighed. Audrey was only making things hellish for me. This shoot proved an excellent chance for her to exploit the situation. I wanted to even the score but I wasn’t at liberty.

Not with my resignation hanging around the corner.

I couldn’t wrap my head around everything even after knowing. It was scary, it was dangerous, yet I couldn’t bring myself to react how I should be after knowing.

Not after what Cain did that night. I couldn’t find words to explain what it was. That feeling was so evil and cold and lifeless.

I should be scared and running away.

But I was not.

I rubbed my face tiredly. I was unable to sleep properly after that night. Every time I closed my eyes, nightmares forced them open.

I just wanted to find a hole and curl up in it if that is what will help me sleep peacefully for a change.

This shoot and work only added more to my fatigue.

“Things can’t get easier for me, can they?” I put the checklist on the table after making sure everything was nicely wrapped up. Rhine Falls was done and tonight we were leaving for the Black Forest. It will take two more days for the shoot to end.

Two more days.

“Ana?” I looked back when Nia broke my chain of thoughts. “Are we good to go?” I nodded and followed her back. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

“I’m tired,” I replied breathily. “I want to go home and sleep it all off.” I shoved my hands deep in my pockets. “I can’t wait to walk out of all this for good.”

“Are you really going to quit Allure?” Nia frowned at me. “Can’t you stay?”

“I don’t want to stay, Nia. It has nothing to do with what happened at the event. It’s because of personal reasons.” Nia’s mouth turned down. “Don’t be like this. I will miss this but we should know when to walk away.”

“I understand.” Nia nodded at me. “I hope whatever is bothering you gets sorted out.” I smiled at her. “By the way, Cain has arrived at the Black Forest.”

I stopped walking.

“I wasn’t expecting him to show up at all. I mean we have Hannah then why the boss’s boss felt the need to–Ana?” Nia shook my shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“Where is Hannah?” I asked her once my shock subsided. “I need to talk to her.”

“She already left to meet Cain,” Nia informed me. “You look worse than before. Are you that unhappy about Cain joining us for the final shoot?”

“He is not exactly an example of a friendly boss.” I breathed out. We started walking again.

Everyone was getting on the bus to leave for our next destination.

“I hope things end on a smooth note. I don’t know about him but I am not so sure about Audrey anymore.”

I narrowed my eyes in response to her dirty expressions once she spotted us.

“That I agree on.” Nia nodded. “Her bitch mode has been on ever since you resigned. But I am telling you, it is not going to do her any good. No matter what she does, she can’t match your league and that’s what pisses her off.”

I bumped her shoulder playfully. We got on the bus and were now on the way to our next destination.

I was dreading it even more than before. Suddenly, I felt sick to my stomach and the sickening feeling worsened by the time we reached the Black Forest.

“Ana?” Nia nudged my shoulder. “Come on.” I nodded at her and looked at the tall building once more before following her inside with rest.

“Woah!” Sean whistled. “Will you look at that? This place is a bomb.”

“Let’s go check our room.” Nia dragged me along. “It’s not every day we get to experience such a luxury.” Nia gawked and awed at everything on our way to our room.

It was on the fifth floor.

“Man!” Nia whistled once we were inside. “I could die here and never regret it.” She fell on the bed and grinned at me. “Our boss is not that bad, I suppose.”

I just shook my head at her and walked around the room. It was luxurious down to the last nook.

“I’m going to check out the hotel. Do you want to come along?”

“I’ll pass.” I raised my hands in surrender. I dropped my bag on the floor and fell on the bed.

“Well. I am not missing the opportunity of a good long massage and hot tub.” Nia got up. “You get some sleep while you are at it. The shoot is early in the morning and I don’t want you collapsing on me.”

I waved her off and she left as soon as she was settled. She was too eager to explore her surroundings.

I turned on my back and stared at the ceiling once I was alone. I didn’t see Cain, I couldn’t meet Hannah. They were still in a meeting in the executive part of the hotel.

I closed my eyes and heaved another sigh. I was dead tired and my eyelids weighed tons at the moment.

“I hope I won’t wake up screaming for once,” I mumbled as I slowly found myself slipping into a siesta.

****

“What?” Audrey snapped at last. “What do you mean?” She looked at me balefully. “This is your doing, isn’t it? You bloody–”

“Audrey!” Hannah intervened before she could have completed her insult. “Quit your whining and go get the task done.” She raised her hand when Audrey opened her mouth to protest.

“You won’t want to get on Cain’s nerves anymore. He is not at all pleased and pissing him off right now would be the last thing you would want.”

“Whatever.” Audrey left, making sure to slam the door on her exit.

“What is the meaning of this?” I closed the file and pushed it toward Hannah. “This is ridiculous.”

“You were working on this shoot alongside Audrey. I’m sure you won’t be facing any trouble.”

“That is not what I mean, Hannah.” I palmed the table. “Why are you doing this to me? You know how others will perceive it.”

“Sharon is the model for this shoot.” I blinked in surprise. “I know what you are thinking but that’s what Cain decided yesterday.” Hannah leaned back in her chair. “We all know how close Sharon is to Cain. It’s her word to the world.”

“It’s not fair, Hannah.” I shook my head. “Audrey worked her ass off for this shoot. No. I am not going to do it. It’s not right.”

“Do you think it matters?” Hannah asked calmly. “The right and the wrong! Have you forgotten what happened to you?” She chuckled dryly. “Get used to it, Anastasia. The world is not at all kind to those inferior to them. We are merely toys to be played and manipulated by them whenever they want.”

“Well!” I stood up. “I refused to be someone’s toy. I am not going to take Audrey’s place.”

“Say this to Cain then.” I stopped midway. “You are forgetting he is the boss here, not me.”

I looked at her with my mouth set in a deep frown.

“My hands are tied, Ana. If you want to ruin your future chances to work somewhere else then be my guest. Otherwise, do as you are told. You only have a day or two to suffer.”

“Not funny, Hannah.” I bit back. She raised her hands in mock surrender and pointed to the file. I went back unwillingly and grabbed it. “I swear one of these days, I am going to snap for good.”

I stormed out of her room and went to everyone. As expected, Audrey already dropped the bomb.

“Yeah, I don’t feel so thrilled about it either but we got work to do,” I said calmly and everyone except Audrey’s team left the lobby quietly.

“I’m not going to let this slide, Anastasia,” Audrey whispered to me. “You can count on it that this will be the very last shoot of your career.”

I just smiled in her face and she stomped away with her minions while spitting profanities my way.

“This is going to get ugly, Ana.” Nia looked the way everyone left. “I can sense it.”

I patted her shoulder and together we went out after everyone. I know many didn’t say it but they will be gossiping and generating scenarios behind my back.

The agenda was as clear as a day. I knew what Cain was trying to do but I was not going to give him the satisfaction.

“We meet again.” I came face to face with Sharon. “It’s so good to meet you, Anastasia. You have no idea how much I wanted to see you again.”

I was startled when she grabbed my hands. She was acting so friendly and it was creeping me out.

“I know we didn’t part on a good note but I hope you can forget and move on. You see” I tried not to flinch when she caressed my face. “I took a great liking towards you. You are” Her eyes looked like the eyes of a maniac. “So unique. And I like different things.”

“We will fall behind schedule” I removed her hand from my face and stepped back. “Boss won’t appreciate it.”

“Not if I can handle it.” Sharon winked at me. “I’ll see you at the shoot, Ana dear. I can’t wait to do this with you.”

I got on the bus without bothering to reply. I looked at Sharon once I was seated next to Nia. She stayed where she was and that creepy smile and gaze were still in place.

“What’s her deal now?” I muttered under my breath once the bus started moving.

“You said something?” Nia asked and I just shook my head in negative.

Everything moved smoothly after that. Audrey was furious but she didn’t say or act on a whim. But that didn’t mean she was not going to do anything. I was on my toes all the time. The added responsibility made things worse for me.

“Ms. Grace!” I stopped dead in my tracks when my path collided with Cain. “I see you are in high spirits as always.” I tried not to show any reaction when he closed in on me. “You don’t look so pleased to see me.”

“I’ve got work to do.” I tilted my face away before he could have touched it.

“Of course, you do.” I felt his smirk against my hair. “Don’t disappoint me,” Cain whispered near my ear. “You won’t want to waste your precious time gawking at me, love. I’m sure you will get to do that later.”

I rushed inside the cottage as quickly as blood rushed to my face upon his words. No way. If not before, I wanted to run away right now.

“Check with Audrey once more, Nia. Make sure all the accessories are returned.” Nia nodded and left to do the task. “Focus on work, Ana. Just focus on your work.”

“Anastasia!” Sharon’s assistance came to me. “Sharon is looking for you.” I raised a questioning brow. “It’s her dress. She needs some adjustments and she has specifically asked for you.”

“Where is she?” I asked.

“By the lake. Cain and Hannah are with her. She is getting ready there.” I nodded at her and left to meet Sharon.

Things were in full swing.

“They said there will be a blizzard tonight and this forest is not a safe place to be stuck in such weather.” I heard Hannah informing Cain. They looked at me when I neared them. “Is everything ready?”

“Yes.” I told Hannah. “Nia is double-checking things with Audrey.” Hannah nodded in approval. “I’ll go see Sharon.”

I scurried away from there. I didn’t look at Cain but I was very much aware of his gaze on me.

“There you are!” Sharon got up and rushed toward me. “This dress is hideous. I don’t know how it got approved for this shoot in the first place. I would have fired the person in the first place.”

It was a good thing that Audrey wasn’t around. Sharon literally butchered her entire collection throughout the shoot.

“Be a darling, Ana, and fix this dress for me. Get rid of these flowers. Add something, whatever but make it worth my time.”

“But–”

“Don’t say no, sweetheart. I put up with the rest but this is” Sharon looked down at her dress and shuddered, “unacceptable in every way.”

“We cannot entirely rip off the flowers, Sharon. I will try to do whatever I can to” I pointed to her whole. I couldn’t understand why she was making a fuss. The dress was fine. “Fix it.”

“I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me.” Sharon beamed at me.

I texted Nia and she brought the necessary stuff. I just prayed that it turned out well in the end.

“You are a natural, aren’t you?” I looked up at Sharon. “I mean others would have panicked but look at you.”

“I’m doing my job.” I stood up once I was done. “I think this will do–”

“Oh my!” Sharon grabbed the pendant around my neck. “Will you look at this beauty?” Her eyes twinkled as she examined my pendant in her palm. “This will go perfectly with this dress.” I pulled my pendant out of her grasp and stepped back. “I want this.”

“I’m sorry.” Her smile didn’t fall.

“Is it done?” I cursed my luck when Cain joined the picture. And the look on Sharon’s face said everything. “Sharon!”

“There is one piece missing, darling.” Sharon linked her arm with Cain. “Her necklace, it goes perfectly with my dress.” She looked at me sweetly. “But Ana dear is not ready to let go of it for a few minutes.”

“That is out of the question.” I looked at Cain.

“This shoot is not happening as long as I don’t get that.” Sharon eyed me wickedly. “It’s up to you now, Cain.” She patted his chest.

Hannah came as well and looked between us.

“No,” I said firmly. “I am not giving in to her whining.”

“Ana!”

“Not happening, Hannah.” I cut her sharply. “This is not your property. If she doesn’t want to do the shoot, then be it.” I tried walking away but Sharon came in front of me. “Out of my way.”

“I was going to return it before but seeing how bitchy you are over a petty necklace is pissing me off.” She gripped my pendant again and tugged at it. “I am angry now, Anastasia. Why did you have to make me angry?”

“Let go,” I said calmly. “Sharon, just let it go.”

I was surprised how no one was stepping up to stop her. They were just watching her being a bully.

“I said let it go.”

“I will, sweetie,” Sharon smirked and pulled the pendant off my neck rather brutally. “If I can’t have it, you can’t have it.”

I watched her wide-eyed when she threw my pendant in the lake.

“We are done, Cain. I’m leaving.” Sharon walked away from there triumphantly.

“Ana!” Hannah looked at me sternly. “Do you have any idea what you have done?”

I was not listening. My hand went to my now bare neck. They didn’t know what it meant to me, losing that pendant. It was my only protection.

“Ana! Are you listening to me?”

“Sort this mess, Hannah” Cain’s cold voice reached my ears. “Make her submit to Sharon if you don’t want to see everything turn ugly.” He left after Sharon and everyone gathered around us.

Damn these arrogant asses.

“Ana!” Hannah jerked me a little. “You are going to–”

“No!” I said firmly.

“Enough, Ana.” Hannah raised her voice. “Sort this mess before you regret it.” I looked away from her. “Pack up.” She yelled at everyone and left from there.

“Ana!” Nia called out to me reluctantly. “Let’s leave for now.”

“I’m not coming.” I pushed her hand off my shoulder. “I’m done here. This was the last straw.” Nia opened her mouth but I turned the other way. “Just leave, Nia. I will be fine on my own.”

“Don’t be reckless. This place is not safe and there is going to be a heavy blizzard.” I didn’t look her way. “I know it’s a mess but we will sort it out. Just come back once you have cooled down.” Nia patted my shoulder reluctantly and left at last.

I removed my jacket and rushed inside the cold water to find my pendant. Laurel said not to take it off ever. It was the only thing keeping me safe from those vile beings. It was the only thing that was keeping Cain at bay as well.

I did not doubt that it was his doing.

Cain couldn’t touch my pendant and as long as I had it, he wouldn’t have been able to get his ways. Someone had to do the dirty deed for him.

“I’m not going to lose it.” I moved further into the lake. “I won’t let him win.”

I searched like crazy but I couldn’t find my pendant. My heart sunk more in fear.

I was in a more vulnerable situation than ever.

“Shit!” I cursed when my knees gave way and I fell in the water. The sky was almost black now and the weather changed for the worse.

I stumbled out of the water and rushed toward my jacket. I needed to tell Laurel. I dialed her number with shaking hands and waited for her to answer.

“Ana?”

“Laurel!”

Anastasia