OOC: The following takes place following the latest Breakdown. Promo takes place day of Breakdown. In two parts due to length.
I of the Storm
“Sitting on Top of the World”
The spring breeze felt wonderful as it blew against her skin. There was still the smallest essence of winter chill within it and it was something Selena revelled in, closing her eyes to lean against the nearest support she sat against. She felt the edges of the shingles against her skin but it didn't irritate her as much as she had originally thought. Instead, she simply kept her eyes closed as she inhaled and exhaled slowly, savouring the feelings she felt so high up. For a moment, she could hear some of the birds nearby. When she heard one especially loud chirp, she opened her sapphire eyes then, turning her head towards the sound.
Before her was a simple robin, tilting its head this way and that as it stood on the border of the flat section the Snow Queen sat on.
“Hey.” Selena whispered with a smile, not wanting to startle the poor thing. “You training too?”
The bird, clearly not understanding the woman, continued to stare for a moment before hopping a few spaces across the border. It gave a few more chirps before suddenly flapping its wings and flying away. Selena watched it go off towards the trees nearby her house, some she could see the tops of, and she sighed.
Remember, Selena. I know I can fly...
The words of her next opponent, and enemy, Giovanni Aries, rang in her ears. She had gotten her requested match against the Mad Hatter of SCW – the one she had laid down as a challenge last Breakdown. A scaffold match with the United States title on the line – her fifth defence (fourth in a row) of the title she had won back in January. Selena was glad Sasha had decided to add the title to the match – the SCW Universe were owed a true United States Championship match after Giovanni had robbed them of it by ending his match with Selena in disqualification cowardice back at Tabula Rasa. Now, there would HAVE to be a winner. The man – if Selena could call him that – would not be able to weasel his way out of it.
Assuming you can throw him off the scaffold...
Selena took a deep breath that turned into a sigh at the exhale, pushing herself to her feet to stand against the flat surface. She knew she was making a hefty gamble with this match, especially with Taking Hold of the Flame coming up soon, but what other choice did she have? Tabula Rasa had solved nothing. Even Giovanni getting his nose broken by James Evans – nothing had deterred him from continuing to harass people both behind the scenes and on Twitter. And while Selena had hated to go back on her word in 'requesting matches', this was something that needed to happen.
It had to be her that made things right for all Giovanni had done.
It had to be this match, with the US title on the line... allowing the Snow Queen to correct the mistakes she made at Tabula Rasa-
The sound of the window opening on the other side of the flat section she stood on caught her attention and the platinum-blonde turned around in time to see the red-haired beauty stick her head out from the same opening Selena had climbed through to get to where she know stood.
“Deanna?” Selena asked with a huff of breath. She knew she must look a sight to her wife, for Selena wore merely a pair of black leggings, black running shoes, and black sports bra with black lace and purple trim. Her hair was tied in its iconic braid, and her body, despite her short rest, was still glistening with sweat from her workout here.
“What are you doing up here?” the younger Frost asked. “I've been looking for you.”
“Didn't you see the note on the table?” Selena asked with a gesture of her hand. “I said I'd be up here.”
Deanna gave a shake of her head. “When your wife writes 'on the roof', the notion of her training up there isn't exactly the first thought that comes to mind.”
“What, you thought I was going to jump?” Selena half-laughed but when she saw the redhead bite her lower lip, her tone and expression instantly changed. “Oh gods, you thought I
was going to jump...”
“N-not exactly!” Deanna assured before slowly pulling herself out of the window to stand on the flat platform with her wife – or at least she tried to. Upon casting her eyes down and seeing the ground, about thirty or so feet away, her eyes slammed shut and her knees shook. “Oh gods, why did I just look down?! Why?!”
Her small hands reached out to where she thought the shingles of the taller parts of the roof would be but she miscalculated, grabbing only air. “Where's the rest of the roof?!” she cried out, her legs shaking more.
“Dammit – Deanna!” Selena called out, rushing to her wife to gather her up in her arms. “I've got you.” she whispered as her small wife clutched her tightly. Carefully, the wrestler guided Deanna to sit down against the taller part of the roof of their Manhattan home, where Selena had been sitting moments ago. “It's okay.” she whispered against Deanna's temple. “I've got you, hunny.” She could feel her wife shaking uncontrollably in her arms, and it wasn't from the cool breeze.
“What were you thinking?” Selena chastised as she sat beside Deanna, holding her wife. “You know you're-”
“Afraid of heights, I know...” Deanna breathed. “I didn't think it be so bad this time...”
Deanna shook her head at the thought. There was a reason the older Frost wife was the one that installed the decorations for holidays like Halloween and Christmas. While Selena had her claustrophobia, years of hiking mountains and running paths along vast hills – not to mention the numerous times she had used a plane to travel to different locations for SCW shows – had removed any hesitation or issues she had with heights.
Deanna was not so fortunate. True, she had no issues with planes, where there was security and she could avoid the windows, anything where there were no guard rails or support-structures (such as the section of their roof the pair currently occupied) could trigger her acrophobia. While not as severe as Selena's claustrophobia, Deanna's was unique in that it could scale. The higher she was, the harsher her reaction.
“Breathe, my love.” Selena whispered, holding her wife's head over her chest, encouraged by her wife complying with the orders. “That's it. You're safe.”
After a few minutes of breathing, Selena felt her wife's form still, her trembling slow until she felt Deanna stir a little in her arms. Relaxing her embrace, Selena watched her beloved redhead lift her head up to gaze at her wife, who smiled and kissed her forehead. “There we go.” she said. “All better.”
“Thanks.” Deanna smiled sadly. “I thought it wouldn't be so bad up here.”
“That's okay. I'm sorry I worried you. I promise, I wouldn't jump off the roof without specifically telling you.”
Deanna shook her head as she snuggled closer to Selena, making herself more comfortable against the platinum-blonde. “It wasn't that I thought you were going to jump, per say... just...”
“Just what?” Selena asked, confusion filling her head.
“Just that, with everything that's happened this week – I thought that, maybe you had been... you know...”
Selena's eyes widened as she slowly caught on to Deanna's train of thought. “You thought I was drunk again?”
“Well, you have to admit!” Deanna quickly explained, keep her eyes on Selena. “'On the roof' sounds like a drunken scrawl – I mean 'on the roof, training for match' would have been much better – least I know why you're up here...”
Selena opened her mouth to say something but slowly closed it. It must have been a sight for Deanna, seeing the opening on the second floor that lead to the attic pulled open and then the window in the attic left partially open for ease of access.
“I...I guess I assumed you'd put two and two together.” Selena shrugged. “With the upcoming match and all.”
“And IF nothing else had happened in the last near week, I would have. Believe me!” Deanna pressed. “But after yesterday?
Selena exhaled through her nose in a sigh while nodding her head. “Yeah... yesterday...”
She felt her wife's arms reach out to wrap around her, Deanna doing her best to squeeze her minx affectionately. “It's okay.” Selena whispered. “I was serious when I said I was okay.”
“You've told me that before...” Deanna said.
Again, Selena had to sigh. She had. She had said that many times before – her way of not telling people when something was wrong.
“And you didn't tell me you were going there in the first place.”
“You know why.” Selena explained to her wife. “If I had, you would have wanted to go with me. And what if-”
“And what if they had killed you?” Deanna's tone was sharper, slightly harsher.
“They wouldn't have.” Selena sighed. “Jean knew where I was going and they weren't going to be that stupid.”
“But you told me he's gone crazy!” Deanna countered.
“De! De!” Selena hushed, leaning in to kiss her wife's temple. “Please... I can't focus on all that, okay? You know why I went there. Everything is in place. And as for him? Yes, I did say he had gone crazy – and he has. But... there's... I can't explain it...”
There was a moment of silence between the two women as they sat on the roof, listening to the sounds of the wind and nature.
“Just...just tell me everything now, please.” Deanna begged. “If we're going to do this... I feel I deserve to know.”
The platinum-blonde was about to say 'no' but her heart quickly stopped her.
She's right... You've dragged her into this – dragged your promise to her into this. And you've placed her in danger! Maybe not as much as you but certainly in danger.
“Alright.” Selena sighed in defeat, moving a little to get more comfortable holding her wife. “It didn't take much time for Jean to find them...”
*************************
20 Hours Ago...
It didn't take much time for Jean to find them... Selena thought as she gazed past the glass window to the New York streets and building way below. Actually, that was one of the scarier realities that was occupying the Snow Queen's mind. There was no denying that Jean Black, her dear friend, was the greatest detective in Nome, Alaska, and he was perfectly capable of finding the current location of where the head of the Frost/Frostmere clan were staying-
But this fast? This easily? And in New York of all places?!
It didn't sit well with Selena, and it was the main reason she had not brought Deanna this time around. This whole thing reeked of a trap. As if they were just waiting for Selena to find them. And the more the Snow Queen thought about it, the more and more it, unfortunately, made sense. She had been buzzed right through by the receptionist as soon as a call had been made for upstairs. She had been greeted by two large men wearing suits as soon as she had entered the elevator – one of them had even spoken into his wrist with “On our way.”.
Not like they're the only ones setting a trap... the voice in her head teased, fortunately being her own and not that of Sirus. The phantom that not really bothered Selena for some time, giving the young Frost the taste of hope that she was conquering her demon and would soon be free of it – if she wasn't already. Guess I'll know that when I see them... she thought bitterly.
Once more, she cast her eyes along the streets far below. She could make out the cars and just make out the different people that were walking the streets and running across them. If she strained her eyes enough, she could make out the homeless man she had passed on the street. He was still there, with his shades and cardboard sign, though Selena could not read it from so high above. Thank gods I'm not wrestling this high up... she absent-mindedly thought. She was certain Giovanni would take delight if their scaffolding match was so high above the ground – it meant Selena would die if she was thrown off (sort of the expectation when failing hundreds of feet rather than 20-30...).
But Selena would never have thought of the match if that had been a solution. Not because she was afraid of dying, but because she didn't want to kill anyone. That was something she never understood about SCW. The obsession with using the word 'kill' or 'destroy'. Why was everyone obsessed with that? Rachael Foxx had filled a promo against Selena years ago, saying “I'm going to kill you” over and over again. And Giovanni, despite his supposed 'distaste for violence' that he filled his tweets against Regan Street with, he had promised three times now to destroy Selena.
But Selena didn't want to kill anyone. Yes, she had wanted to punish and hurt people that hurt others – make them pay and all that. It was why she had pushed herself so hard in her time in Nome earlier this year to prepare herself for her roofed cage match against Bree Lancaster. A stronger, killer instinct was needed to overcome the tactics and methods used by such people like Giovanni and Bree. But killing? That had never been part of the equation for Selena.
She wasn't a murderer.
Crap... she thought as that word rolled around in her head. It was a trigger and it didn't take long for a laugh to sound in her ears – though no one was in the room but her.
Not a murderer, eh? came the familiar voice, hissing in Selena's mind. I guess, technically, you're just an accessory to it... does that make you feel better?
The Snow Queen did not say a word or even think of a reply. Instead, she kept her eyes on the city of New York below her, her eyes placed behind her back as she stood there. With the black pant-suit and her hair (while still a braid) tied into a bun, she struck the appearance of a businesswoman. And she refused to appear as anything other than calm amidst the upcoming crowd.
Nothing, huh? teased Sirus, though Selena could detect a hint of annoyance in the voice. Fortunately, there was no more time given for the phantom as the doors in the large waiting room opened. The suited men that had escorted her up the elevator to this point did not move as the familiar man walked through the opened doors, greeting Selena with a smile.
“Ah, Selena! It has been some time.”
Upon hearing his voice, Selena finally turned around to face him. He was wearing a suit, same as she was, but the blood-red vest made the key difference between the two. His hair was combed back and still had that band of white from the temples that wrapped around the head, separating the two parts of black. His beard was black as well, only the trademark “Frost hair” showing any kind of white.
“Brachiss.” Selena stated simply, standing her ground to the head of the Frost/Frostmere clan. “I was expecting to go through another two or three rounds of security before I saw you.”
The man simply smiled and shook his head. “Some things have changed.” he stated. “I don't require such things as my grandmother does.”
The platinum-blonde gave no initial response as the taller figure turned around and began walking back through the door, leaving it open for Selena to follow him, which Selena did, the only sounds being the clicking of her heels against the tiled floor of the large suite. She felt a similar sensation to walking the halls when she first had met the family Brachiss was directly linked with – that being the upper figures of Selena's own clan. To think I once held them all in such high esteem...
She could not stop the slight shame and illness that festered in her stomach at the thought. For so many years, she had regarded her heritage to the Frost – her own last name – in the highest regard. Hell, in 2016, to prove her worth and to bring Deanna and Elsianna into that clan through the redhead's marriage to Selena, the platinum-blonde had won two tournaments back to back! She had bent over backwards and practically destroyed her friendship with Regan Street just to maintain her name and place within the clan...
A clan that had lied to her and her father since the beginning...
“I do not see your wife with you.” Brachiss voice broke through Selena's thoughts as they continued to walk the hall.
Looking up towards the figurehead, Selena merely shrugged her shoulders. “I thought it best that I come alone.” she stated coldly. “If what I have been informed is true, you're clearly not above getting your hands dirty.”
A moment of silence came from Brachiss, but only a moment. “As I understand, the same can be said of you.” he simply replied as the pair walked through another set of doors and into a large sitting room. Before Selena's eyes, there were a few men and women – similar to last time she had visited the group – all dressed in some form of dress or suit. She said nothing, but her eyes jumped from person to person until they settled upon the oldest woman in the room. She sat in a corner, dressed entirely in black and her face was slightly obscured by a veil. Still, Selena could pick her out easily – especially as she sat far from the group, her gaze cast towards the windows like Selena's had been.
One did not forget someone like Evangeline DeWinter.
Brachiss seemed to have followed the Snow Queen's gaze, for as she took a step towards Evangeline, he was suddenly stepping in front of Selena, holding his arm out. “My grandmother is not in the best of health to be consulted with. She has opted to have me running the decisions and operations of our clan.”
Though his voice did not lose any of its smoothness (though to Selena, it sounded like snake-oil dripping from his mouth), there was a certain venom to it that Selena could detect. Straightening herself, Selena cast a glaze at Evangeline for a moment. “I imagine killing your own offspring would do that to you.” she stated simply before casting her eyes at Brachiss. “I'll get right to it then.” she stated. “I want you to tell me why you gave Wentworth Stanton such leverage over me.”
There was a look of surprise in the eyes of Brachiss for a moment. “I beg your pardon?” he asked.
“Oh come on!” Selena huffed. She had no care about how she was perceived by these people. The gazes of their hatred had already been burned in Selena’s mind long ago, when she had first beheld them along with her wife, Deanna. All they could see was her making love to another woman, a supposed taboo nature that had no place in their “flawless as the snow” clan. “You chose an arrogant man and a loudmouth as your pawn.” She spat. “He could not have moved faster to tell me how he held over my head. Things no one but all of you and Malcolm Scythe would know.”
“So suspect Scythe.” Brachiss shrugged. “He is your enemy.”
“If there is one thing I’ve learned in these last years, it is that an enemy may not always remain one.” Selena stated. “He would gain nothing but ruin by trying to take me down.”
Silence met the Snow Queen, all eyes on her. Hers, however, remained locked on Brachiss. “Brachiss... I’ve known you since we were children...” she started. “And the last time I saw you...” her voice trailed off as she saw Brachiss’ eyes narrow at her – a look that ran a chill down the Snow Queen’s spine. For it was the same look she had witnessed when he had ordered his grandmother to murder Sirus, her first daughter. “From what I’ve heard-“
“What have you heard?” came the cold snap of Brachiss.
“It doesn’t matter.” Selena snapped back with equal coldness. “The point is that I know you well enough to know that the only reason I’m standing here is because you WANTED me to eventually find you.”
The accusation hung in the air for a moment, no one speaking to confirm or deny it. Until Brachiss gave a huff of breath before rolling his shoulders. “You always did take the fun out of everything.” His tone had altered, the edge he had hinted at now on full display. “Yes.” He confessed. “I gave Stanton information on your secrets and pointed him towards your little problems with addiction.”
Selena’s eyes widened.
“Oh don’t look so surprised.” Brachiss laughed. “Did you think it was hard to have one of our own tracking you? You’re consistently followed by paparazzi and TMZ, you’d not notice one person paying a little extra attention to you. And Wentworth...” Brachiss chose to laugh as he walked around the large sitting room. “He was so desperate for something to silence you. His son truly is a little monster – going to extreme lengths to get his father’s attention – sort of how you went to great lengths to stay a Frost, didn’t you?”
Wisely, the platinum-blonde chose to remain silent, letting Brachiss continue to run his mouth. He’s like the arrogant people at work – she thought – let him give you an opening.
“But I have to admit, what happened to your daughter... when we found out about that, well, I confess, I almost didn’t help him at all.”
“Then why did you?!” Selena finally spat, the mention of her child shattering her silence into pieces. “Elsianna is one of us! All my children are!”
“Not all...” Brachiss stated darkly. “Your latest shares no traits with you.”
The bastard was referring to Amiliah – the child that was born from Deanna's and... well, Selena had no idea who else's genetics (Deanna believing it was some sort of magic – for she swore on her heart and all that she had not betrayed Selena by cheating on her) but regardless, technically, Amiliah was genetically not related to Selena in anyway, in the same way Elsianna and David were not biologically related to Deanna.
“Well...” Selena's voice dropped to a near hiss. “Whether you see Amiliah as a Frost or not is really no concern of mine.” she stated. “Quite frankly, the family and I haven't really been interested in renewing our 'membership' for some time.”
She smirked in slight humor at her own wordplay, though it went dismissed by the others within the room. Even Brachiss, though unfazed, gave no sign of amusement either, causing the platinum-blonde to sigh, reaching up to rub her forehead with her right hand.
“Just tell me why, Brachiss.” Selena stated, her humour dropped. “You clearly don't care about my family anymore, but what good are we to you?”
The suited leader of the clan gave a sigh as well, reaching over to a nearby plate that held glasses of bourbon. Taking one glass, he downed its contents in a swift motion. “You're right.” he finally replied after letting the drink burn a little of his throat. “This whole thing with Stanton is of little use to me. To any of us. Hell, I hope that he suffers for what he did to Elsianna. I don't doubt that he will, given the evidence you have against him.”
“So why?” Selena repeated, her patience wearing on the thin side.
“You know...” Brachiss started, swirling the empty glass in his hands. “When I started truly acting in my grandmother's stead as the head of the clan – I wanted to start with a clean slate... what was it you were calling such a thing recently?”
“Tabula Rasa.” Selena answered with a narrowing of her eyes. Brachiss had clearly been watching her work – keeping an eye on her both privately and professionally it would seem. Still, though anyone could watch her promos and quote them, to have this man doing it... it made the Snow Queen feel violated, her skin crawling a little.
“Right.” Brachiss pointed a finger at her. “I wanted to start over fresh. I was tired of our clan being defined by the mere existence of a petty war between disgruntled Nazis and bitter survivors.”
“But not all of them were angry or bitter!” Selena interjected quickly, a sliver of hope coming to her. “Some weren't out to get us, Brachiss! A lot of them weren't! They're just like us... trying to live their lives and leave the past in the past!”
“Be that as it may!” Brachiss cut her short. “I couldn't not really establish a brand new start for the clan so long as there was the threat of the Dragon Slayers existence.”
“So...you hunted them down.” Selena stated, remembering the words she had heard of Nicodemus back in Germany months ago.
“Not me personally. I just doubled the efforts to...how did grandmother put it? Exterminating the vermin? Cleansing the earth?”
He said those last two towards the old woman sitting in the corner, who made no movement when she was mentioned.
“She hasn't spoken much since all this took place -” Brachiss admitted. “Personally, I've enjoyed the silence.” he gave a smirk before returning his attention back to Selena. “Regardless, it wasn't my intention to have things last this long – or for that matter involve so many people. I was sure that if I found the head of the group, chopped it off, all would be will and the Dragon Slayers would die. Simple, really. But low and behold, no matter who we spoke to or...” he cleared his throat slightly. “dealt with... no one would give away his location. Hell, most of them swore up and down that they had not seen their leader in months.”
Brachiss gave a snap of his fingers, the sound echoing through the room. “Like he was 'poof' gone into thin air. And the more time passed, the more frustrated I became. Because the only person that I KNEW – 100% knew – had seen Nicodemus Malko was, well... you.” he narrowed his eyes at Selena. “But there's the rub.” he chuckled, though it was laced with irritation. “I had a knife to your wife's throat and even then, you didn't reveal his whereabouts.”
“Because I didn't know!” Selena interjected. “I still don't!”
“But you've seen him!” Brachiss interjected. “Haven't you?”
Selena froze, her jaw clenching shut. It was enough for Brachiss to smile in satisfaction.
“Ahh... see?” he pointed to her while he turned his head to Evangeline for a moment. “I knew it. What was it?” he asked with a tilt of his head. “What made him seek you out? Was it the death of his members? Was he hoping you'd help him protect them?”
Selena remained silent, her hands clenched into fists. She was aching to have Deanna beside her, the redhead holding a part of her – her arm, or having her hands on Selena's back – something to give her strength.
“I don't know.” she answered. “I don't know why he sought me out. But my answers are the same as they were almost a year ago. I don't know where he is. I don't know how to reach him. But let me get this straight...” she took a deep breath to center herself. “You aided the man whose son harassed and assaulted my daughter... just because you wanted me to find you and potentially give you that information?”
“In a matter of speaking – but not entirely.”
“Then what?!” Selena asked. “What is it, Brachiss? I have tried to keep out of this since the beginning! All I wanted was to live with my family. Yet you, your grandmother – you keep pulling me back in! Do you think it took me long to figure out it was you behind Stanton's sudden acquiring of my information? Do you not think that I KNEW I was being set up to find you?! I am...” she closed her eyes, feeling the exhaustion in her body. “I am so sick of all this! I don't want this anymore! I don't want ANY of this! I want out! Okay?! Out of the clan! Out of the plans! Out of everything!”
There was a gasp from some of the people behind her and even Evangeline's eyes widened from under her veil. Brachiss, on the other hand, simply tilted his head, a coy smirk gracing his lips. “And that, Selena...” he said. “Is why I wanted you here. I counted on you wanting that... clean slate, if you will.”
Clapping his hands and rubbing them together, the leader approached Selena, the Snow Queen standing her ground despite every thought in her head telling her to run away as fast as she could. “I will give you the deal that my grandmother should have given you from the beginning of all of this.” he stated. “Find Nicodemus.” he said. “Turn him over to us. And then walk away. And you have my word that you shall not be bothered by any of us ever again.”
“So you can kill him, is that it?” Selena asked.
“Why do you care?” Brachiss asked. “The man was a high-ranking Nazi. Do you know how many innocent people he killed? You'd be doing the ultimate good for your clan...”
Selena's eyes dropped down to her heeled shoes for a moment. “And what about Stanton?”
“Stanton's information is supplied by us... we can just as easily make it disappear.”
“The damage is already done!” Selena spat.
“Perhaps...” Brachiss countered. “But imagine how little his words will hold if his lawyer 'lost' all the evidence...”
Selena's head jerked up, her eyes boring into the older man's. “His lawyer is one of you?”
“One of us.” corrected Brachiss. “And he's instructed to hinder Stanton – or should I say, cripple – his argument at my command. All you need do is what you were meant to do from the beginning. Locate Nicodemus and hand him over to us.”
Selena's jaw clenched shut. She has suspected as much from Brachiss. She was of no other use to them – had never been of any use to them since the beginning. Evangeline DeWinter had tried to paint the Dragon Slayers in the most negative of lights and Selena had, initially, fell for it hook, line and sinker. It had only been the past near year that the reality of everything had been revealed to her – the black and white of the war between the clans now far more gray in its shades.
But now? What did that matter? If she turned on Nicodemus, the Slayers would, no doubt, go after her – assuming any of them fought back against the Frost/Frostmere.
“And if I can't?” She asked. “Or I won't?”
“Well...”
“It's not like you can cripple me.” Selena stated harshly. “Stanton, with or without you, has so much against him, it isn't funny. And as far as I am concerned, I owe nothing to any of you!”
“True.” Brachiss shrugged. “And I don't have anything else to bargain with you with. But...wait...”
He stopped for a moment, turning his head back to Selena. “Isn't your wife the daughter of two deceased Dragon-Slayers?”
Selena's eyes widened in shock. “How...” she started by silenced herself.
“How did I know?” Brachiss finished for her. “Oh please. A bit of history-digging, a few tortures here and there. You think I was only asking about Nicodemus?”
A brief moment of silence filled the room, though it was not so quiet within Selena's mind. She was cursing every person within the room, including herself.
“So...what?” she asked. “You going to threaten Deanna? Going to say you'll 'kill her' if I don't play nice? Cliche BS that Malcolm did?!”
“Well... I don't think I have to.” Brachiss taunted. “You just said it all.”
“Fuck you!” Selena spat – hating that she had cursed but too angry to truly care. “You think I won't just disappear with her? That I can't just change our names and disappear from all of you?!”
She looked around the room, at every member of her own clan staring at her. It wasn't like she hadn't thought about it. In fact, her and Deanna had spent hours talking about such a notion. Taking the children and leaving everything behind, going to some town or city and living new identities. She knew Jean would help her, as would Zoe. The children would adjust and, yes, she would miss their neighbours like Gerda and Kai, the Frost wives had truly considered it – they still did. And there, standing before the crowd, had Selena not had any other options, she would have enacted the plan long ago.
“Selena...” Brachiss sighed. “I'm not really desiring to use that kind of stick to convince you. I rather dangle the carrot.” he stated. “And, despite the past year's actions, I truly do wish the best for you and your family. I don't wish harm to fall upon you, but you must consider my position. I want to end things. I want to start the clan in a new, better direction, free from the past. But you've seen the Dragon Slayers – remember the one that nearly killed your friend Zoe in that church? Do you think there are not others out there? Others that believe the 'old ways are the best ways'?
He tilted his head. “I am trying to change all that. Make things better for all of us – if the good Dragon Slayers, as you call them, can prove their goodness and fall in line, I don't see the reason to harm them. But they are ALL protecting Nicodemus and they won't stop unless he is taken care of. Their loyalty is admirable, but it WILL get them killed. But you...” he gestured to Selena with his hand. “You can save them all. Save your family without giving up all you've gained. Do what has to be done... just like I am.”
Selena's voice caught in her throat, causing her to nearly swallow her larynx. This twisted logic sounded all too familiar to her. In that moment, she could not see the boy that she had played with as a child. Who she had visited when her father and grandmother had made visits to the clan-members. She could not see the boy that had taught her how to fish before her father had. The boy that had given her her first kiss, albeit on the cheek when she was six.
Now, she could see the obsession in his eyes – the same she had seen in so many others. The underlying insanity that was just waiting to be unleashed should... 'other means' be needed to be employed. Maybe, if Brachiss was down there on the streets, Selena would have missed all that, but now? Staring at him fast to fast, it was as clear as the nose on his face.
“You're obsessed.” Selena whispered. “This isn't about peace or stability or a new age. You're...you're terrified.” she stepped closer to Brachiss, whose smile disappeared before her eyes. “You want the one person that can prove just how linked we all are to the Dragon Slayers... especially you!”
She saw the muscles in Brachiss' jaw tighten, the dark of his personality beginning to emerge once more. “The longer Nicodemus is alive, the greater the risk that he'll let your secret out, am I right? Yours... and hers...” Selena turned her head to glance at Evangeline, who's withered eyes were watching her through her veil.
“You have no proof.” Brachiss hissed in a whisper. “So chose what you say aloud.” he warned.
“Don't worry, Brachy.” Selena whispered, referring to the childhood nickname she had given him. “I'm not going to say anything. But let's get one thing clear.” she pressed. “I'm not your pawn or your tool. You come after my family. If I so much as smell one of you within a mile of my loved ones? Then I will, indeed track down Nicodemus, but it won't be to turn him over. It will be to ruin you before the whole clan!”
Brachiss' eyes went wide. “You wouldn't.” he whispered, the conversation with Selena never reaching the ears of the others.
“Won't I? I will carve it in every wall I visit. I will paint it on every promo I air. I will tweet it every hour – every minute! 'Nicodemus, beware!', 'Nicodemus tell the world the truth!'. I may be your best shot at getting to Nicodemus, but I'm also Nicodemus' best shot at getting to YOU – his grandson!”
Brachiss hand almost flew then, ready to collide with Selena's cheek. Selena wasn't sure how Brachiss fit into being of Nicodemus bloodline – the leader of the Dragon Slayers having not shared that with her... in truth, it had been Deanna that had made her believe it. The pieces had fit together too well. Brachiss' sudden darkness when Sirus' identity had been revealed. The sudden kill of Slayers across the world, followed by egging Selena to find him. He was getting desperate to find Nicodemus, but why? Over a 'new start'?
Selena smiled at Brachiss as she saw him restrain himself from hitting the Snow Queen – least he give himself away. “I knew it.” she whispered. “Or, actually, Deanna knew it. See, hiding who you are? She's done that for more years than you and I combined.” Selena spat. “And she realized that was exactly what you've been trying to do. So... Brachiss... here is my deal. You stay away from me – remove Stanton from our lives. And MAYBE I will consider giving you some help in tracking down Nicodemus.”
No one had heard a thing between the two, the crowd barely giving a reaction even as Brachiss had almost struck Selena. The leader, meanwhile, slowly smirked before shaking his head. “Blackmail begets more blackmail, I see.” Brachiss stated. “I will need some time to think this over. I suggest you do the same.” he offered. “Perhaps I am trying to protect myself, but I can only imagine you would do the same. And if not you, well... I'm sure Deanna is.”
That part rung in Selena's ears. “Meaning what exactly?” she asked.
Brachiss shook his head in amusement. “No...I don't think I'll explain it. I rather let that part of your lives play out. You stand there so proud...looking down at my secrets when you're too scared to view your wife's.”
“My wife has no secrets-” Selena started but was quickly cut off.
“She's had one all along.” Brachiss laughed. “And you're too in love with her to see it. Or do you REALLY believe in 'magic'?”
Selena's jaw tightened, unsure of where the leader was going but acutely aware that she was being roped into something. Something she didn't need right now. He's desperate... she concluded. He's clutching at straws because I'm not acting like his plaything.
“Whatever you're insinuating, Brachiss, it's not my concern. You need to be more focused on YOUR secrets.”
She turned on her heel and made her way out of the room, no one following her. She had to get out of there, away from Brachiss before she said something she'd regret. She was in the elevator a few seconds later, pressing the button for the ground floor. But just as the doors closed, a hand stuck out to halt their movement. Immediately, the doors opened to reveal the withered hand's owner. Before Selena, still veiled, stood Evangeline DeWinter. The matriarch of the Frost/Frostmere clan stepped inside and stood beside Selena, not saying a word till the doors closed.
Selena, meanwhile, fought every urge to strangle the witch's withered neck.
“This is not how I imagined things going.” came DeWinter's voice at long last. “And, while I don't care if you believe me, I did not wish to kill Sirus.”
“Oh, I believe that.” laughed Selena. “Were you just trying to scratch an itch on her neck? With both hands?”
“Life is not as simple as that, child.” DeWinter growled. “You, of all people, should know that.”
“I know that murder is murder. I don't justify it. I never have.”
“Yet, would you not kill for your own survival. If it was you or them?”
“No.” Selena stated flatly. “I wouldn't kill if it came down to me and someone else. Not purposely.”
“What about protecting your wife?”
“I'm surprised you can call her that, given your hatred towards us over it.”
“And your children?”
“Aren't you going to call them 'abominations' or something?” the platinum-blonde spat.
“Will you stop acting like a child?!” chastised the older woman. “Brachiss has lost his mind. You saw it.”
That statement surprised Selena – not so much the truth behind, she had already seen it – but rather the source of said statement. “If he is.” she replied. “It's because of you.”
“I'm aware.” Evangeline shook her head, reaching a withered hand to pull her veil over her had to rub her eyes tiredly. Selena could see the numerous new wrinkles that had seemingly grown in the near year since she had seen the woman.
“You look like hell.” Selena stated simply, feeling the elevator continue to go down the many floors of the building.
Ignoring the remark, Evangeline lowered her hand. “Brachiss became obsessed with erasing the truth of his heritage from history. He's not just been killing Dragon Slayers, but any Frost/Frostmere that could potentially have ties to the past.”
The revelation caused Selena's head to snap, her eyes boring into Evangeline. “You cannot be serious!” she stated. It was unthinkable! If Brachiss wanted her dead, yes, that would make sense. But how could he turn on other clan members? Allies? Friends?
“I am.” Evangeline replied, the mental exhaustion clear in her voice. “Anyone that could find out the truth...”
“How many?” Selena asked. “I heard he killed dozens of Dragon Slayers.”
“No loss to me...” Evangeline shrugged dismissively. “But for us? He's killed seven – or he arranged for them to be killed.”
Selena's breath was almost knocked out of her lungs at the notion. Seven innocent people? And for what? To keep Brachiss delusion alive that he was pure Frostmere? So no one would remove him from his 'throne' when the truth was revealed?
“He won't stop till Nicodemus is found.” she heard Evangeline say. “That is why I am imploring you to help us.”
“You tried asking me before.” Selena turned to Evangeline, her gaze dark. “It's not worked well for my family or I.”
“I know.” replied DeWinter sharply. “Your presence in my world has not been pleasant for me, either. But we both know Brachiss is the greater of two evils. I would never kill my own. And...” she paused. “I am prepared to make a better deal than Brachiss.”
“You and him...” Selena laughed. “Deals...bargains...” it was almost hilarious to Selena. If Giovanni Aries or Bree Lancaster – two of her largest critics and conspiracy nuts could see this – people throwing deals at Selena's feet, they would rant about it until they ran out of data to use to record the it videos! Bad enough their biggest argument was 'Selena's in bed with Sasha. Always getting what she wants!'. “You heard what I said to him.” she said to Evangeline. “I just want to be left alone. Fight your own war-”
“I can't do that.” DeWinter replied. “I can't stop him as long as Nicodemus is out there.”
“He's YOUR grandson. Show some backbone!” Selena tried.
“Will you please listen to me?” DeWinter pressed as the elevator stopped. The doors opened and Selena stepped out quickly, surprised when the older woman walked out with her, the absence of security now apparent to the Snow Queen.
“I can't undo what's been done. And I have no wish to waste the rest of my life trying. This whole thing has gone too far. We both can agree. Brachiss will not honour any of his promises to you. You, my dear, know his secret. So, whether you hand Nicodemus over or not, you are on borrowed time. As is your family. But...” she held up her hand to silence Selena, who tried to interject. “If you and I work together, hand Nicodemus over to me, and I deal with him, I can wrestle enough power from Brachiss to regain full control of the clan. They are already starting to doubt him since he has failed to get the Dragon Slayers leader. They will jump on my side if I do it.”
“So...you want me to betray Brachiss just so that you can go back to being in charge? What stops Brachiss from going after me?”
“Me.” Evangeline promised. “I control the clan again, I control Brachiss. I ensure he has no more power and exile him away. Keeping him under the same heavy surveillance I had on you. As for you? Absolute freedom, you have my word.”
“Hardly worth anything.” Selena scoffed as she turned to stare at Evangeline. “You and Brachiss have proven I cannot trust either of you. You've given me nothing to gain my trust either. So, the way I see it, I'm damned whether I help you or I help him. So-”
Holding up her hand, Evangeline produced a small, silver ring with a blood-red gem held in the middle of it. It looked beautiful and deadly to Selena, even as Evangeline pulled it off and handed it to her.
“What is this?” She asked.
“The ring my mother gave me before she was taken by...them.” Evangeline stated. “I swear on her, and this ring, that what I speak and what I offer is the truth.”
Selena looked down at the offering, taking a deep breath before reaching out for it. She felt the hesitation from Evangeline to relinquish the ring, saw the small tears in the back of her eyes, as she gave it up. Despite everything, Selena could not deny the hurt she saw in the matriarch's face. Looking down at the ring, Selena released a sigh before placing it in her pocket.
“I do have an idea.” she stated. “A way to draw him out. A sort of plan in case I needed it to protect my family.”
“What is it?” Evangeline asked, her hopes slightly raised.
“It goes against everything you believe in.”
“I won't kill my own.” Evangeline stated sharply, crossing her arms. “Not again.”
“Oh, good to know there's a damn line you won't cross.” Selena spat. “No, this goes against your personal views.”
“I don't understand.” DeWinter shook her head.
“I am renewing my vows to Deanna.” Selena stated. “I'm remarrying a woman – that's what I'm talking about.”
There was a moment of thought before Evangeline shrugged her shoulders. “So? Why do I care?”
That mildly surprised Selena, the lack of disgust on DeWinter's face. “Because she and I are holding it at the Schoenburg Castle in Germany. The last time I was there, Nicodemus found me through his associate. I get that associate to get to Nicodemus? He comes to the wedding – thinking he is with friends... and you come...alone.”
“Why, alone?” Evangeline asked.
“Because if he sees Brachiss or anyone NOT associated with me? He'll disappear faster than I can say 'I do'.” Selena replied. “And if Brachiss comes, he'll just kill him and take the credit.”
“What do I do?” DeWinter asked in disbelief. “I'm not a fighter.”
“You do nothing.” Selena stated. “If he shows up, Deanna and I will subdue him. He travels alone – that much we know. He comes out of hiding, Deanna and I deal with him, and you show up to bring him to the clan. You're job is as the poster-girl of the operation and, in the end, you get the credit.”
Deep down, Selena hated the words coming out of her mouth. It was like bile to her. Still, she pressed on. “No one gets hurt, no one else dies.”
Evangeline contemplated this for a moment, her mind working a mile a minute. “When?” she finally asked.
“A few weeks.” Selena replied. “Early June.”
“And you can assure me that he'll show up?”
“I promise nothing.” Selena's eyes narrowed. “But I'm giving you the best chance you've got, which is more than you deserve. You can take it or leave it.”
She turned to go when she felt a weak grip on her wrist, causing the Snow Queen to turn back to the older woman. “Alright...” she whispered. “How will this work?”
“You have a phone?” she asked.
“No...I mean... I do, but Brachiss monitors it.” Evangeline admitted.
Reaching into her pocket, Selena tossed a black burner phone to Evangeline. “Use this.” she stated. “It's a burner phone. Keep me informed of your location and events and I'll text you when it's time. Make sure you get a ticket to Germany – remember, just you!” she reminded.
“Just me. I swear.” Evangeline vowed.
Desperation, it certainly was running rampant in the Frostmere group. Selena had seen it on Brachiss' face and now, she beheld it in DeWinter's. Both were desperate fools – and maybe, Selena thought, she was too, having to deal with two lunatics for the sake of saving all she held dear.
“If you screw this up, DeWinter.” Selena warned. “And if my family – my wife – is put in danger... then you won't have to worry about which Frostmere will be next to die. Because it will be you.” she growled the last part, narrowing her eyes.
DeWinter opened her mouth to speak before settling on just nodding her head and hurrying back to the elevator, tucking the burner phone away in her purse.
Watching her leave, Selena did not move until she saw the elevator open and close behind the old lady. Only then, did she turn and exit the large tower of a hotel, walking out into the evening air, where she felt the cool breeze of the evening. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she pulled out her phone, dialing a series of numbers and holding it to her ear.
“Yeah, I'm heading home now.” she stated. “You have dinner set up?”
No answer came, but Selena smiled none the less. “I don't really care.” she said as she walked down the street. “You'll look beautiful in either or. I'm serious.” she laughed. “Okay, I'm hurrying... noodles, okay? Cantonese. Sound good? Okay. You too, pet.” she looked down, appearing to blush a little before she hung up on the phone – an interesting display considering her phone was still turned off. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the phone down her pant leg, as if to put it in her pocket, but released it before doing so. She heard the phone land with a soft clang, but continued walking down the street.
A few seconds passed as she crossed the street with the lights when she heard the voice “Excuse me! Excuse me, miss!” the voice was withered, but she pretended not to hear it, choosing to continue walking down the street and around the corner until she was standing against the wall of a small deli. The voice that was following her came around the corner, belonging to a bearded man wearing a long, beige coat and a Dodgers baseball hat. Turning his head, he spied Selena standing there.
“Oh! Miss!” he smiled, walking over to her. “You seemed to have dropped your phone.”
“Oh!” Selena smiled, taking the phone from the man gently. “Thank you so much! I'd lose my own head if it wasn't attached!”
“Well, I hope not!” replied the man, his free hand holding the cardboard sign he had been holding. “Such a pretty face.”
“Well, thank you.” Selena smiled. “Can I do anything to express my thanks?” she cast her eyes towards the deli. “Are you hungry?”
The man held up the sign and Selena remembered then what it said when she had passed it the first time, before she had entered the hotel building to confront her clan. It read: Starving, any food or change would be a blessing.
“Well.” she smiled. “That answers my question.” she stated, guiding the homeless man into the deli. The man grinned at her but held up a finger of wishing for a moment, before he rushed into the washroom on the other side of the room. Selena, meanwhile, quickly ordered two BLT sandwiches before stepping outside with them. Sliding her phone back into her pocket, she only had to wait a few moments until a man walked out of the deli. Except he was no longer wearing the longcoat and the hat and his sign was gone. Instead, he wore a suit, much like Selena's and his beard was gone.
“Well?” he asked with a grin. “Did it work out?”
With a grin, Selena handed the man one of the sandwiches. “BLT – with the B standing for 'Bingo'.”
Taking the sandwich, the man grinned before biting into it. “Good work.” he said in-between mouthfuls.
“It was your idea.” Selena stated as the two walked together, appearing to be nothing more than business partners.
“Who approached you last?” the man asked, his white hair blowing a little in the breeze.
“Evangeline, as you predicted. They're both desperate. Brachiss wants to find you and kill you so no one knows you're related-”
“Oh, you figured that out then?” smiled the older man.
“My wife did.” Selena admitted. “Though you could have told me, Nick.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Nicodemus finished his current mouthful of sandwich. “I figured it was something you'd figure out on your own.”
“Well, Evangeline isn't much better than her grandson. She wants you as well, but she wants it to be her to turn you in so she can regain the power that Brachiss pulled from her months ago.”
“Which one did you go for?”
“Evangeline.” Selena stated. “She's the most likely to turn on us if she gets caught. Brachiss will just bring droves.”
“It's a dangerous game we are playing, Selena.” Nicodemus stated.
“So you've explained to me. I just don't like...” she turned her head to him. “The ending.”
“I know.” sighed the old leader of the Dragon Slayers. “I wish there was another way.”
“It's not MY way.” she stated. “It's not what I do.”
“Trust me, I know. And I will do all I can to try and prevent it, but if there is no other way...”
Selena nodded. “You know my priority is Deanna, right? And before this is over, you're going to tell her about her parents.”
“As was part of the deal.” smiled Nicodemus. “But please tell me that isn't your sole reason for siding with me.”
“No.” Selena stated. “In the end, I don't trust anyone in my clan.” Selena admitted. “I've been dragged into this war and they won't stop until it ends...” she sighed. “I don't have a choice in this now.” she admitted. “To stop the killing...the innocent people dying...” she turned her head to Nicodemus before casting her gaze upward toward the sky, seeing the clouds that she had stood so much closer to a few moments ago... the last words a dagger in her heart:
“The Frostmere clan must fall.”
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