Chapter 18:

It happened on a Tuesday, it had been a day, like any other, he had known. Yet that day...that day, would forever be etched in his mind. It would haunt his dream and be cemented as Velonas' true birthday, the day that set him on the path of what he was to become.

On that day Velona had woken to the shimmering of crystals, that hung above his bed as the morning light hit them. He eagerly sought out his mother and found her by the window looking out as she often did. For a moment he could see the deep sadness that dwelled within her. He was still too young to quite understand but knew once his mother saw him, she would light up and all the sadness within her would wash away.

Velona would hug her and the two would start their day together as they always did. They would get dressed, eat their breakfast, practice lessons, have lunch, play the piano, play games, have dinner and read until bed. They were literally each others entire world.

After Velonas' father Duke Cleve Stokes of the South, had died suddenly, his wife Duchess Thora Stokes had Velona and his mother removed from the main house. She exiled them to a smaller house on the estate. They were not to be seen and not to be heard as far as the Duchess Stokes was concerned, they were not to exist.

Velona didn't understand at first, why they had to move. To him he'd one day been living in the main house, with all his books and toys, riding ponies and having the run of the estate. The next day, he and his mother were confined to a small two story house with a small fenced yard. He was young when it happened, there were so so many secret kept from him, including his own sex.

Since the day he was born, he was raised and believed he was a little girl. His mother was always very smart and even more cautious, everything she did, she did for Velona and his future. She did what she could to keep him safe and happy but also understood that one day the secrets and lies that surrounded him would be known.

She knew it was important to prepare Velona for that day so she started to tell him a story, every night before he went to bed, it was the same. Velona liked stories, liked listening to his mother as he fell asleep but after a while the same story grew old and he wanted other stories. However, his mother was stern with him and made it clear that this story be one he memorize and take to heart.

It was the story of two lovers, born into a world that would not accept their love. A story of how they refused the paths that laid before them and made one of their own. There was an evil king and his court, a horrible witch, dangers around every turn and sacrifices, that sought to tear the two lovers apart.

However love, true love was the most powerful might and nothing but death itself could will the lover apart and even then the two lovers were still as one, for their love had made a sun. A sun that would one day be brighter than any darkness could ever be. A sun that would forever carry on, well after the two lovers were gone.

There were a lot of things Velona didn't understand about the story but slowly, over time, his mother changed it, adding details, the evil king had the same name as his grandfather and the court was Crestmoore. The horrible witch, slowly twisted and turned until she was the Duchess Thora Stokes.

His mother began to tell him that the sun had to be hidden away, until it grew up, grew strong enough to shine that until that day, it would be hidden as a moon. Velona listened and every night, he thought of the story, he began to dream of it and eventually understood.

One night, after his mother had told the story, he put it all together. His mother and father were the lovers...the evil king his grandfather and the court Crestmoore, had tried to tear them apart and the horrible witch Thora, had been the sacrifice, his father had made. His father had married her so that Velona and his mother would always be cared for...even after he was gone. Lastly Velona realized that he was the sun, hidden as a moon, a daughter.

His mother broke down then, she had held him and told him the truth. His parents were indeed, the lovers but in Crestmoore, a Duke and Lady could not marry, especially since his father was from one of the four founding families. From his birth, his father had been sworn as a son of the South to marry a daughter of the East.

His parents had tried everything to fight it but no one went against the rules of Crestmoore. When Velonas' mother became pregnant with him, his father married Thora in exchange for their well being. When Velona was born a male they hid it, to spare his life. You see in Crestmoore an illegitimate son, still had the right to his father's estate as long as no other male heirs existed. They knew if Velonas' grandfather or the Duchess learned he would be killed and so they raised him as a girl. Until the day he would arise...

A few years later, Blaine was born, a rightful son, it would seem, their plans were dashed but still they kept their secret, to keep Thora happy. As long she believed Blaine was the only male heir, she would not see Velona as competition. Velona would be safe and he would still have a chance...should anything ever happen to young Blaine.

When his father died unexpectedly, they were nearly cast out of Crestmoore but the promise of their well being was kept and so they bided their time in exile. His mother vowed that one day, they would take what was rightfully theirs but until that day they must wait...and wait they did.

Velona continued to live as a girl and even began corset training. He knew his mother had high hopes and expectations for him but he was still too young to understand the weight of everything. To him female or male, he was still Velona. He hadn't quite grasped the importance of a title or worth of a fortune. He didn't understand how true and close the dangers were. He just like being with his mother, listening to her stories, and dreaming of a bright and happy future together...

On the day that everything came crashing down...on that Tuesday it had been hot, hotter than it had ever been, his mother allowed him outside. In the little place provided to them there was a pond. He had gotten up close to it, just to wet his feet but slipped and fell in. Muddy he knew he would get in trouble. He rushed inside and changed. He knew to be care when he did so but was not careful enough. His little-half brother Blaine liked to play hide and seek. Back at the main estate he was always hiding in Velona's room. Velona used to catch him and scold him like any older sibling yelling for him toe get out. Since they had been moved to the small two story house Velona had no seen Blaine. Yet on this day he'd come into the house and was hiding. His brothers nanny couldn't find him anywhere and came looking for him. She frantically burst into the room and discovered Velonas' secret. She rushed away and told the Duchess.

Everything had happened so fast then. He and his mother they had tried to run away but the servants had caught them. They were taken to the main house and the Duchess discovered the secret for herself. Threatened she ordered her most trusted servant to kill Velona on the spot, she would have no competition, no threat to her legacy.

Velonas' mother had pleaded with the Duchess and begged for her, not to hurt Velona that he was just a child. She begged they be cast out of Crestmoore instead, left to live on the streets, no one would know he was a descendant of the Duke. The Duchess had looked down upon his mother and told her she would know...she would know and that was enough.

The Duchess again ordered her servant to kill Velona, to slit his throat. His mother fought then with all she had to get Velona free. In her struggle some lanterns fell and curtains were set on fire. Velona fought to get to his mother and for a moment they were reunited. She stood in the way and refused to let any harm come to Velona.

The Duchess then ordered his mothers throat to be slit as well. Velona and his mother ran but his mother was caught. She yelled at Velona told him to keep going. He'd turned just long enough to watch her get her throat slit to watch his entire world bleed out. The servant, he slit his mothers throat like it was nothing, and wiped the blade on his cloak. He came after Velona but he ran, he was smaller and quicker and was able to hide.

The servants struggled to find Velona and tried to contain the fire as it spread throughout the manor. He watched as the Duchess eventually gave the order to evacuate the house. The Duchess ordered it to be locked up, all the door and windows shut, so Velona could not escape. She sought to burn him alive.

In the smoke, he trembled and coughed, he frantically looked for a way out, all while his little heart was breaking. Suddenly he saw someone, a figure in the smoke, in his panic he almost went to them but the flicker of a blade caught his eye, just as it had when he saw it take the life of his mother. He quickly realized the figure before him was the servant that had killed his mother.

He came at Velona still seeking to end him.. Velona knew he didn't stand a chance but ran, his small bare feet pounding against the cold marble floor. He screamed and screamed and knew there was no one left that cared no one left that would take him up in there arms and hold him tight.

He rushed into a room and under a table wrapping himself up tightly he hid and waited for what was to come. He opened his eyes, watery with smoke he saw the man stumble into the room coughing and then he heard something a strange sound like no other as a piano from the second floor came crashing down and with it a fiery beam from the ceiling fell on the man. The man cried out and withered in pain.

Velona quickly crawled out from under the table and ran off once more, his hair and dress singed, he thought he was going to die...he nearly gave up as the house was engulfed. Everywhere he turned there was fire, he trembled and coughed, nearly giving up. The heat, the heat, became unbearable but still...still he fought on, he thought of his mother's story of how love was the strongest might. His mother had loved him...his mother had wanted him to go, to get away, he had to get away for her...for her love her had to get out, to get free.

Somehow he managed to find an open window and he got away rushing into the woods near his house. He ran until he was far away, from atop a hill, he watched the only world he'd ever known, burn to the ground. He found he had some of his mothers hair from when they had reunited and he'd grasped hold of her. He vowed, vowed then to return to get revenge not just for himself but for his mother.

He escaped Crestmoore, knowing it wasn't safe there. He did what he could to survive and found the world was not a kind place, to a child on their own. He was betrayed more then once, abused, beaten down and mistreated time and time again. He knew what it was to feel true pain, true suffering and deep loathing.

He realized as much as he loved his mother she...she was wrong. Love...love was not the strongest might, love only got you so far, love had killed his parents, love had condemned him to a life...of misery. No it was hate...hate that boiled the blood, hate that took, hate that gave...hate that overcame all…

He'd seen it in the Duchess eyes that day, for him, for his mother and she...she got what she wanted. He...he would get what he wanted, what he deserved because he would hate more than any other in this world. He would use his fury, use his unbridled rage and the day would come, the day would come...the day had come.

After Beckett had informed him his dear little half-brother had finally returned Velona took a few minutes to think and decide which plan would be best. Over the years he'd prepared dozens of plans for an array of circumstances. He checked the time of day and the weather allowing for various delays he made his choice. He quickly sat down and penned out letters to each of his contacts giving them the signal.

Beckett saw that the letters were delivered and then they took care of the servants. They had them prepare a picnic basket and saddle the horses before giving them the night off. It wasn't uncommon from time to time for the Baron and Baroness to have a romantic dinner. The servants were used to them sometimes packing up on a whim and returning later. They let it slip that they would ride out to their favorite spot and enjoy a nice glass of wine under the stars. Frankly the servants didn't really care a night off was always a night off.

Velona dressed for an outing and they took off. They made sure no one was following them and then went to one of their secluded sheds. They gathered up the materials they would need and set out once more, the taking back roads to the Stokes Estate. They were careful not to be seen.

It was just after sunset when they arrived. They dismounted their horses and approach the main house, casually as if they had been invited. They knocked and waited looking around for any signs of life. If all had gone well there should only be two.

The plan Velona had chosen and set into motion hours before was simple. He'd contacted the Stokes head chef, a man Velona had under his thumb and on his pay roll for years. He ordered all of the food and wine to be tainted with a highly toxic poison. It was nearly undetectable and within half an hour lethal. He promised an adequate bonus for every servant that was "affected".

The Duchess Thora Stokes and her daughter-in-law Neave were not to be tainted. Just in case there were any mistakes, he had made sure Duchess Neave "Cornett" had the antidote on her at all time. She took it daily and made sure as she cared for the old Duchess that she took it as well.

They knocked again, this time using a special knock. The door opened and things appeared to be going as planned. Cornett was covered in blood but greeted them with a smile. Nearly a decade ago Velona had found her on the streets. She was one of the first girls he had ever trained and to date, was his prize student. She was the centerpiece of his plan. He taken her in as a gutter slut and molded her into a prized beauty, one that poor Blaine could not resist marrying. For years now she had been Velonas' eyes and ears, within the Stokes estate.

Cornett's eyes lit up as she stepped forward. Velona looked her up and down and then handed her a handkerchief, "I see things got a little messy."

"Nothing I couldn't handle," said Cornett. She took his handkerchief and began to wipe her hands. He knew the blood was not her own but the head chef, once it was clear he had done his job Cornett was free to dispose of him as she wished.

"Did you make your rounds," asked Beckett.

"Nice to see you too," said Cornett.

Beckett just looked at her, the two of them had never been close, they tolerated each other for the most part. Cornett rolled her eyes and said, "Yes, twice, they're all dead. It's just me and the old hag."

Beckett turned without a word and began to walk the estate, for any strays. It was important that every last servant was taken care of. Velona knew it was a bit of an overkill, especially since most of them hadn't been around, all those years ago. However innocent or not he couldn't afford to take the risk. He would not allow a single one of them to interfere with his plans.

Carelessly Cornett reached out to touch him but he grasped her hand, preventing her, "Now now dear you wouldn't want to get me dirty,"

Cortnett quickly realized her mistake and he let her go, "I'm sorry Velona I just. I have waited so long for this day,"

"Not as long as I," said Velona

"Of course," said Cornett.

"You should go and change he will be home any time now,"

Cornett nodded and quickly dashed off. Velona walked about the house, taking note of each body he came across. It was hard passing the Duchess room, being so close to her but he knew he only had to wait just a little longer. He went outside and met up with Beckett, they exchanged the number of bodies they had found and it would seem everyone was accounted for. Cornett came out in a fresh dress and the three gathered one last time. "This is it now," said Velona. "We are nearly there, remember your positions and signals."

They both nodded and he turned to Cornett, "If there are any questions or concerns now would be the time to address them,"

"No," said Cornett. "I am ready,"

He looked at her and hoped she was, she would need to guide Blaine once he was home to his mothers room, without him realizing what had happened. She approached him and he allowed her to wrap her arms around him. She embraced him and practically clung to him. He knew there was a level of gratitude, perhaps even love on her part.

He allowed her to kiss him for a moment but his thoughts were on what was to come...always on what was to come...save when he was with Korina. He thought of her now deepening his kiss with Cornett. When they parted she looked at him clearly taken by it. He had never kissed her in such a way, she probably took it as affection, perhaps it would get her to work harder.

He sent her inside and she reluctantly went. Velona walked Beckett to the stables. He was dressed as servant, for his part of the plan. Beckett would pretend to be one of the servants, he'd greet the coach men after the Duke went inside and get them settled for the night in the stables. The coachmen had the potential to be useful witness to their overall plan but if they got in the way he would end them.

Beckett took his position and Velona gave him a moment of his own. He knew Beckett would never ask nor push for affection from him. Velona brushed Becketts' hand with his own and then drifted into him. He looked up at him and Beckett looked down at him. He stilled himself as Velona ran his finger tips over his jaw line and then traced his lips.

Velona shared a far more intimate moment with him then Cornett. He softly brushed his lips against Becketts' and watched as he closed his eyes. He could hear hims swallow and knew he could make Beckett quiver. He pressed his lips deeply against Becketts' and held for a moment feeling his warmth. When Velona pulled back he looked at Beckett for a moment. He still had his eyes closed a gentle smile on his lips. Velona whispered softly in his ear, "If things go badly tonight...make sure to save yourself."

Beckett opened his eyes but not all the way. He glared down at him and almost snarled, "Don't worry about me. Focus on your revenge...I'll focus on keep us alive."

Velona knew he would, he would do anything for him. He studied him for a moment and then went to hide. Several more hours passed and then at last a light was seen coming round the bend. Velona watched from a safe distance as his brother rushed inside. Beckett approached and the carriage was taken to the stables.

Several long minutes passed and then there was a light within the house. Things had gone as planned, Cornett was ready on her part. Velona closed his eyes for a moment and then focus on the stables. Beckett gave his signal and it was time. Velona wiped his mouth and then moved. He carefully made his way to the servants entrance and entered the manor. Just inside Cornett was standing in the door way. She smiled and at him and quietly informed him, "He's in with her now...I believe he's telling her, he asked not to be interrupted,"

Velona nodded and made his way to the Duchess room. The new main house was different from the old one in many ways. It was smaller and less elegant, yet it still had the same feel as the old one. Walking down the marble halls, he imagined himself running past as a child, the walls in flame. He was no longer running…

He arrived at the Duchess doubles doors and stood for moment, wanting to remember every detail. The moment he'd been waiting so long for was now. He reached out grasping hold of the handles and took a deep breath, carefully, quietly he opened the doors.

He stepped into the room and listened. He could hear two people speaking and soon found he couldn't have entered at a better time. The Duchess was in bed, her face covered by a long veil. Though he had not witnessed it, Velona had heard, on the day of his mothers murder death, the Duchess's dress had caught fire, on her way out of the manor. She was badly burned and lucky to have survived, to which he was grateful. He wanted...needed to be the one that took her life.

He swallowed and slowly crept forward, he could see Blaine, next to the bed on his knees, his head pressed against the sheets. It had been over a year since he'd last seen him. He could still remember the first time he saw him, all those years later. He had been laughing drinking amongst friends.

He'd even hit on Velona, in one of his female disguises, offering to show him some sights and delights. Velona had been tempted to take him out right then and there but no...they must be together, together as he and his mother had been. Velona had bided his time and kept his distance. He wondered now if Blaine would recognize him from years ago or finally realize who he was.

Velona neared the bed as Blaine lifted his head, "I...I lost it all mother, all of it!"

"All of it..." the Duchess repeated, her voice hoarse and cracking, "Surely you couldn't have possibly, not even an idiot could lose all of it in a lifetime," She let out a cough then, followed by several long coughs. The Duchess wheezed and Velona could tell her lungs didn't sound good. She probably didn't have much longer...either way.

"I DID. I did mother, there is nothing left..not even this estate-I saw an opportunity of a lifetime. One that couldn't possibly fail but it did. The losses were substantial, I tried to fix it but everything I did, only seem to make things worse. It was like I was being targeted - every deal, every trade, I was outbid or undercut by a third party. We even lost our standing trade agreements. Finally, in desperation, I... I agreed to guarantee shipment myself. I put up the estate…

"YOU FOOL!"cried the Duchess before breaking into another coughing fit. Blaine reached out taking his mothers hand.

"You have to understand mother, I was desperate to move SOMETHING! It was our last chance. The buyers, they wanted it all. All of it! It would have saved us! But... the warehouse burned down. Everything was destroyed. And now they're taking it all, the accounts, the business, and even the estate..."

The room filled with silence as the Duchess slowly took it all in, began to truly realize, her precious son had squandered her beloved fortune, the legacy she had fought so hard for...killed for. It was gone...all gone. Velona had been vicious in his dealings, had taken Blaine and the Stokes Estate apart bit by bit.

It had taken years for Velona to get into a position of power. To get a choke hold on the system. He'd made sacrifices and done such underhanded things, most people couldn't even fathom in their nightmares but it had been worth it, for this moment here and now, everything he had done had finally paid off.

Blaine looked up at his mother, squeezing her hand, perhaps he was hoping for some understanding, some compassion but it was clear Thora had none. Velona heard her wheeze as she began to get worked up. When she spoke it was so quiet that Velona almost didn't hear her, "You…" She took several breaths coughing.

Blaine moved closer to his mother so that he might hear her better. The Duchess turned her head in her sons' direction and pulled her hand away. Velona wished he could remove her veil to see her expression but her voice did it justice. It rose up thick and harsh and was laced with such a delightful malice, such utter loathing "YOU WORTHLESS...INCOMETENT FOOL...HOW YOU...the Dutchess coughed and sputtered but still continued, "HOW YOU COULD LOSE EVERYTHING- YOU YOU'VE RUINED US...RUINED EVERYTHING!"

Velona could see her words piercing Blaines heart, tearing him apart. He supposed he could let this go on and enjoy it a little longer but could see the Duchess was getting herself a bit too worked up. She was liable to kill over at any moment and Velona knew he could allow her, not just yet. He needed her to know...what he had done...what he was going to do.

He cleared his throat and was more than happy to finally make his presence known, after all these years. "Dear Thora, don't put all the blame on him...he truly couldn't help it," He spoke fully in his true voice. It was deeper than he recalled.

Both the Duchess and Blaine turned their attentions to him. They had been so engulfed in their conversation that neither had realized someone had entered. Thora was the first to speak, she coughed and than sputtered, demanding, "Who...who is there."

Blaine stood and puffed his chest out. He sounded strong an authoritative as he said, "Just who do you think you are! How dare you enter unannounced. FAYLIN! FAYLIN! COME AT ONCE,"

Faylin was the Stokes head butter. The Duke no doubt assumed, he would come rushing into the room and assist at once but he didn't. He nor any other would be entering this room tonight. Humorously Velona crossed his arms and waited for a moment, he was in no hurry.

Blaine took two steps forward and then yelled even louder, "FAYLIN! FAYLIN!"

Velona calmly sighed and said, "He wont be coming. He and the others are currently indisposed."

Blaine refused to acknowledge Velona, he moved and pulled a cord near his mothers's bed. Again Velona found himself amused imagining bells going off with no one to answer them.

"Get him out of here!"the Duchess demanded having lost her patience. "Make him go away!"

Blaine let out a puff of air and finally sought to deal with Velona himself. He moved up reaching out to grasp hold of him. Clearly he had never removed anyone himself, he probably hadn't been in a proper fight. Velona still remember the first time he'd been beat down...how he'd had to learn to defend himself of face the consequences.

Velona looked at the confident noble man in front of him and knew he was about to shatter his ego and tear down his world. For a second he saw some family resemblance in him, perhaps this was what he would have been like under different circumstances. He almost felt something for him...almost.

Blaine stepped up and Velona simply shot out his hand. Blaine had left himself wide open and with a single blow to the chest Velona knocked the wind out of him sending him to the ground. He could have killed him if he wanted with a quick shot to the noses but he wanted needed this to last longer than a second.

Blaine wheezed gasping and coughing on the floor. The Duchess shifted about uneasily. "Blaine...Blaine what has happened?" Her voice wasn't so harsh now, there might have even been a hint of concern. Good, he needed her to care, the more she cared the greater the suffering.

Blaine didn't answer he continued to wheeze looking up at Velona wondering who he was. Velona put his hands behind his back and waited. He allowed his half brother to catch his breath and respond to his mother. "It's alright mother...I'm alright,"

"What happened?" the Duchess demanded. Blain didn't respond, he tried to get to his feet but Velona wouldn't let him. He stepped up to him and with a solid blow punched him in the face. Blaine again had left himself open. Caught off guard he hadn't even defended himself. Blaine cried out this time and the Duchess shot up.

Blaine held his face and finally spoke to him, again, "Do you have any idea who I am? What you have just done? I will have your head for this… Assaulting a noble in Crest-

Velona tired of his droll. Clearly there was nothing Blaine could do to him. His pompose threats were just noise. He massaged his hand feeling it ache slightly, he cracked his knuckles and then interrupted. "You will sit and you shut up until I allow you to speak. Do you understand,"

"You-" Blaine scoffed, again he tried to get up. Velona kicked him down this time and then again for good measure... Blaine cried out but seemed to understand. He dragged himself to the foot of his mother's bed. He clutched his side and glared up at Velona.

Velona was surprised he gave in soon then he thought. Perhaps he gave him too much credit. Smugly he praised him like a dog "Good boy,"

Blaine flared his nostrils and really looked like he wanted to murder Velona. The Duchess quickly spoke, trying to take control of the situation, "Enough...take what you want and leave us,"

Velona laughed, of course she thought him a simple robber. "Do not worry Thora, I shall have what is mine before the night is through,"

"How dare you speak the Duchess name! You have no right, FILTH," said Blaine

Velona couldn't help but chuckled, "Ah, dear brother...your priorities…"

"Brother you are no brother of mine!" spat Blaine.

"No…"said Velona moving to the side of the bed. "I suppose... I was a sister."

Without warning he swiftly moved...snatching the Duchess veil away. She let out a dreadful gasp. He saw her...glossed over eyes, drooping of her once pristine face, the wisps of hair on her nearly bald head and the deep scars of where flames had marred her so many years ago.

Blaine stood rushing to get to his mother, to protect her. He assumed her gasp was from Velona removing her veil but Velona watched as the old decrepit hag...realized just who he was. He watched her face twist as it dawned on her then...why...why he was here.

For a moment she turned to him and their eyes locking. He could see her hate...the madness but her gaze was met with his own. The small confused...scared little child she had once known…had grown into a true monster. Pure and utter darkness seeped from Velona's unrelenting gaze. The Duchess eyes widened as fear consumed her every fiber of her being. If she were lucky, she would have died right then and there. Instead she wailed...wailed with such horror.

Velona forgot himself for a moment, basking in the Duchess fear. In his tunnel vision, he left himself open. Blain grabbed hold of him and punched him, sending him to the ground. His mother screamed hysterically, "KILL HIM! KILL HIM! KILL HIM!" Her voice giving out. She just screamed and screamed.

Clearly killing Velona here and now was their only hope but alas, Blaine didn't realize...the full weight of the situation. Rather than giving it his all and doing what he could to take Velona down, he went to his mother. He tried to calm her down, to comfort her...but she...she would no comfort…

Blaine's ring had cut Velona's mouth, he tasted the blood with his tongue and it brought him back to the moment at hand. He was enjoying himself far too much, it was time to stop messing around and get to business.

"It's alright mother, It's alright," said Blaine, he wrapped his arms around the Dutchess trying to soothe her. She continued to scream to whimper looking at her son, she needed him to understand but she couldn't get it out...screaming... screaming… "It's alright mother."

"It really isn't…" said Velona standing. He lunged at Blaine then not holding back. He tore him from his mother's arms, sending her falling forward in the bed. Blaine struggled moving to fight but he didn't know how. Velona was quick and vicious he hit him in the face repeated smashing into him.

He kicked his brothers legs out from underneath him and sent him to the ground. He didn't let up for a second smashing, bone against bone, unrelenting. His own hand cut opened and would no doubt scar but he didn't care. He beat Blaine until he was nearly unconscious and then let him fall to the ground.

He moved then seeing to the Duchess, she was laying face down on the bed, shivering in shock perhaps. He lifted her up and took her to a chair in the room. He gently sat her down and she looked at him. She spoke stuttering quietly...her words inaudible. He moved his behind her and then positioned his head next to hers making sure from where she was, she would be able to see him work.

He then moved and went to Blaine, he undressed him down to his underwear. He tied him up and laid him on his back. It took some time, his brother wasn't as light as him and as a Baroness he was used to having everything done for him. He'd have to rectify that and build up some strength once he left Crestmoore.

He took a moment to catch his breath. The Duchess calmed some and tried to reason with him, "Vel...Velona...he does...he ...doesn't know…he was too young...to...He's innocent."

Velona scoffed, "No one is innocent…"

The Duchess coughed, her wheezing, she sounded even worse now, clearly the stress of the situation was taking its toll on her. He was going to have to speed things up. He moved to Blaine he seemed out of it but when he saw Velona he spoke, "YOu...they...said you died in a fire…"

Velona was surprised he could still speak. He smiled down at him and then looked up at the Duchess "Well what do you know, Thora he does remember."

"Please…"said Blaine blood sputtering out of his mouth, "Don't hurt us,"

Velona was kind enough to wipe the blood away. Thora struggled to sit herself up and said, "You can have whatever…cough, you want, the title the estate…it yours"

Velona laughed, "Of course now that it's all worth nothing...right. No I already took all that…" said Velona. He looked down at his brother, "It was me at every turn, every move you made…It was I that took the family fortune...I that now owns this estate..."

Blaine's one good eye sparked with realization, perhaps grasping some of the weight now. "Why…" sputtered shaking with emotion, "Why,"

"Why…" said Velona looking up at the Duchess.

She shrank back then. And glared at her and said, "You said I could have whatever...I want my mother back….I want the life we had…the life we would have had!"

"It was not yours," said the Duchess. "It was my life...that whore...of a mother of yours stole…She...she took what as mine...what was promised to me at birth…" she coughed and coughed.

Velona smiled...he suppose he should be angry that the Duchess had called his mother a whore but in fact he was happy she still had some fight in her. There were moments when she was so frail and fragile, begging for her son, offering him up, whatever he wanted. He worried she might have changed but he could see it... that want... that greed the hate that had faded from her eyes earlier was now back.

"You got your life…" seethed Velona, "You got your title, you got your fortune...you got you HEIR. NONE...of that meant anything to me…I just wanted to be with my mother and you took that from me...YOU TOOK MY LIFE!"

The Duchess shook in disbelief as if she could not fathom it. That none of it had meant anything to him but it was true...he had just been a CHILD...a child and his mother had been his entire world and now...now he would take hers.

He pulled out some rolled up fabric and laid it on the floor next to Blaine. He unraveled it. Blaine couldn't see what it was and neither could the Dutchess as Blaines body blocked her view. Velona looked over an array of sharp objects and chose a sharp thin knife.

He lifted it into view, the Duchess gasped...and Blaine struggled against his bonds, he must have been feeling better.

"I had alot of time to think...and research different methods of torture over the years. I have found this one caused the most pain and took the longest to die."

Blaines eyes widened, "Please...I...I...didn't do anything to you."

Velona ran his tongue across his teeth and simply said, "You were in my room,"

Velona began to lower the knife and Blaine realized he wouldn't be reasoned with. He struggled… and began to shout and scream out at the top of his lungs. The door opened and both the Duchess and her son turned hopeful. They saw Cornett and Blaine yelled, "Neave! Run! RUN AND GET HELP!"

Neave looked at the Duke and Duchess and then Velona, "Is everything alright in here?"

"Yes, I was just about to get started. It's going to be a bit. Why don't you go make yourself a cup of tea,"

"Would you like one?" asked Neave

"No but thank you,"

"NEAVE!" called the Duchess

Cornett simply smiled at her and left the room. Velona knew she must have been happy to see things were going so well. All the times she had to wait on the Duchess hand and foot. Velona had gotten more than a few complaints over the years. He almost invited her to watch but really this was a family affair.

"Lovely girl isn't she…would you believe I found her on the streets years ago."

Blaine looked up at him realizing his entire marriage was just more of Velona's madness. He cried out.

"Now where were we...ah yes," said Velona, "They call this flaying,"

He pressed the tip of his knife into Blaine and only sunk in skin deep. He drew a line and then pulled the blade away. He made another line copying the first and then connected the two lines at the top and bottom. He then put his knife at the top and pulled a bit of the skin up before pealing the strips away.

Blaine's screams were like music to Velona's ears. The Duchess shuttered and screamed watching her only son be tortured in front of her. Velona continued line after line strip after strip. This wasn't the first time he had done this, no he had done a lot of experimenting and once he found out what had worked, he'd perfected it.

Blaine lasted longer than he thought he would, of course Velona kept having to take breaks. The Duchess kept getting out of her chair or passing out. He'd have to wake her and make sure she was fully aware of what was going on it took hours. When Blaine was no longer breathing Velona set down his knife.

The Duchess was nearly catatonic staring off into space. Velona stretched and walked about the room a bit. The fireplace was nearly burned out. He sighed and decided to take a break, he pulled the cord and Cornett came in. He ordered his cup of tea and asked that Beckett see to the fire. The men in the stable should be long asleep now, if they weren't dead.

Cornett left and Beckett returned. The Duchess took notice of him. Velona smiled happy to see she was still here. She mumbled to him but Beckett simply brought in the firewood and got the fire roaring. Cornett brought in the tea and the three chatted for a bit. Velona was concerned Blaines screams might have been heard but Beckett assured him they weren't. Cornett said she barely heard them. The walls were thicker than he'd suspected.

He finished his tea and then dismissed them saying he wouldn't be much longer. When he was alone with Thora again he sat quietly watching the fire. After a moment he broke the silence, "For the longest time...I was afraid of fire. The mere sight of it would bring me to panic. That day I was nearly burned alive…the smoke...the heat...it's not something you easily forget as you of course know,"

The Duchess didn't say anything just staring at the pealed corpse of her son.

Velona continued, "Yes...I was afraid...but I found couldn't afford to be, there were so many more obstacles I had to face in this world than my own fear. So I overcame it...it wasn't easy but I did...I fought my fear fought to understand it. I realized it wasn't just the fire I was scared of."

He stood and walked over to her. He crouched down close to her as she just sat there. "It was the association of what had happened that day. Fire...to me meant the end of everything...fire was a pure destroyer of worlds, of everything I held dear. And then one day I realized...I could use fire...that I could make it mine and with its power...I could take… I could destroy...Fire...Fire...is just a tool...like my knife,"

Velona lifted the knife he used to peal Blaine the Duchess pulled back, perhaps afraid that she would use it on her but he didn't. The knife was too good for her. He put it away, "Don't worry Thora. I won't cut you. The cutting was for my mother, for what you wanted done to me. NO...I won't harm you,"

The Duchess looked at him with her old tired eyes like she didn't believe him, "I'm going to let you go," sad Velona.

The Duchess again didn't believe him. He lifted her she struggled in his arms but was no match for him as even as tired as he was. He carried her in his arms and turned to the fire place. She turned her head staring at the flames, she seemed to grasp what he was going to do then and fought as hard as she could. She probably still remembered what it felt like to burn.

Velona carried her over to the fireplace. The Duchess realized there was nothing she could do, just as there was nothing he could do all those years ago. She screamed at him, cursing him "YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS...YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS YOU VILE BASTARD!"

"I already have," said Velona calmly. He looked down at her, the fire reflecting in his eyes.

Velona let Thora go, dropping her into the fireplace. She set aflame at once, a blood curdling scream escaped her lips and rippled throughout the entire room for a few seconds and then it was just the crackle...the pop of the flame. Velona took a seat and watched it, watched her burn.

After a long moment he stood in the room, committing it to memory. He never wanted to forget this day, this feeling of utter triumph. He stared down at his blood soaked hands and smiled. All those years ago, he had sworn he would return that he would get get revenge on those that had forever mared his world and now at last he had. He clenched his fists and closed his eyes, thinking of his mother, at last, at last she had been avenged.

He basked in the glory of it, the moment, for as long as he could but knew he must keep going. There was still much more to do, always so much more to do. He wiped his hands clean and then opened the doors. Both Beckett and Cornett were still there, waiting with baited breaths. They both knew how important this was to him. His took a deep breath and told them, "It is done,"

They smiled at him and he smiled back at them before they got to work. They went over what Cornett was to do again. She would rush out of the manor, screaming hysterically, she would ask for help, she would say Duke Stokes had gone mad and was killing everyone. She would beg for someone to go and get help. If any dared to enter the manor, they would be dealt with.

They ran through the possible outcomes, out of everything this part of the plan, had the most risk. Velona gave Cornett a deep passionate kiss, to build her confidence and then sent her out. He and Beckett waited, hiding just beyond the main doors. There were only three coach men, so there was a possibility of three deaths…

They readied themselves, hearing Cornett scream and oh how she screamed. Velona knew she had a set of lungs on her, he'd tried them out more then once. He smiled as he heard men shouting. One of them agreed to take the Duchess and go get help while the others volunteered to stay behind. They heard the horses and Cornett continued to scream.

They waited then hearing her get farther and farther away. There was some whispers and then a moment of silence before the first idiot rushed into the manor. He had a pitchfork and looked around frantically, seeing if he could help. He had the poor misfortune of walking past Beckett. The man didn't stand a chance as Beckett rushed him and gutted him. The man horrifically roared out in pain and a second man rushed into the entrance hall

He'd been standing just in the door, keeping an eye on his friend. When he saw what was happening, he charged Beckett. Unlike the first man he didn't even have a weapon. Beckett could have easily taken him out but he allowed Velona to have the honors. Velona tackled the man and used a garrote to quickly silence him. They went back to their positions and waited for a moment just to make sure no one else was coming.

When several minutes of silence passed, they got to work. They set the house up to burn, then went outside. Beckett lit a flame and handed it to Velona. He watched the flame flicker for a moment and then set fire to the manor. Beckett wrapped his arms around Velona and together they watched the manor burn, making sure it would fully take. When it was clear it would, they released the horses in the stable and then got to their own.

They rode home under the cover of dark making sure not to be see. As far as anyone was concerned Duke Blaine Stokes arrived home unexpectedly, depressed and penniless. He go into an argument with his mother, the Duchess Stokes and then killed her. He tried to then kill his wife the Duchess Neave Stokes but servants intervened. The Duke went on a rampage killing anyone he could and then set the main out on fire before killing himself.

The Stokes reputation would forever be ruined and their story would be passed down generation after generation until they were all but forgotten in Crestmoore. Velona supposed it was a bit far tarnishing the Stokes name considering he was one but this...this he did for his father. His father had loved his mother but because of the blasted title...the bloody name, he had been denied the life he'd so desired…

He thought of his mother story. How they had to wait for the day when the sun would shine when it would blot out all the darkness. He liked to think today was that day and from this moment on he was free to be the sun to be the moon, the stars above if he wanted. No one would control his life, he would and could go anywhere be anything and above all do anything.

When they neared the estate they slowed the horses. Quietly they returned them and then went into the house. Inside everything felt quiet and almost foreign perhaps it was just Velona. He was different now, he had finally fulfilled his greatest dream. No longer would he be haunted...driven by the death of his mother.

Now every time he thought of that day, that moment when everything had been taken from him he could counter it, with everything he had taken back. He could recall Blaines horrific screams, the pathetic begging of the Duchess and her ultimate wails of utter agony.

He paused on the stairs for a moment as it fully sunk in. He fell to his knees, on a step saying it slowly to himself. "It's over...it's over...it's done" The people that had hurt his mother, hurt him all those years ago were finally gone, he'd made them suffer and destroyed them. He moved, sitting and then buried his head in his hands.

He allowed himself to cry, to let all his anguish rise up and pour out of him. He laid back on the stairs and roared with the pain, the pain he'd held in all these years and then he began to laugh, cackle madly. He rolled from side to side, replaying the events of the night over and over and over.

Waves of emotion he'd held in, held at bay with his anger, finally let loose and tore through him. He laughed and cried historically losing himself for a moment. Eventually he fell silent and held himself for the longest time. He nearly fell asleep but sat up after a while and let out a heavy sigh.

He could still feel the pain, it was still there, a part of him always knew it would be but he felt he could live with it now. He'd grown accustomed to it. He turned and ascended the stairs once more to change and finally get some rest but paused after a few steps.

He turned and went back downstairs, down into the basement. He went to the wine cellar and found Korina still tied up and fast asleep. He wrapped himself around her, resting his head on her chest and closed his eyes. He listened to her breathe and enjoyed the sound of her heartbeat. He let it lull him to sleep and finally he rested...truly rested.

Thank you for Reading^^