Chapter 19 Her punishment

Chapter 19 Her punishment
Maelis Ardent POV

I was sitting inside the chopper with Lucien beside me, who looked so happy. I rolled my eyes and looked out the window.

This really made me punch Terrence, and clearly, he is so happy about it. I just really hope Terrence would understand that it’s his crazy friends doing it and not mine.

“Just like what we talked about, I’ll wait for your report.” He said as she exited the copper. “If I don’t hear anything from you, I will hunt you down myself. I’ll make sure that no one will ever find you again.” He said, 'I swallowed.' His eyes stared at me.

I can feel the seriousness in his voice. I nodded in agreement. “What is this?” I asked when Basil handed me a bag.

“Take it, you’ll need it. There is also a phone there for you to contact me.” He said that made me stop for a second,

‘He’s really doing this? Did I really get him already?’

“What the---Lucien, no, I can’t, this is too much money.” I said as soon as I saw the pile of money that was inside the bag.’

“Use it, you’re working for me now. Think of this as a signing bonus.” He said.

“But---” I tried to argue, but he won’t even let me finish and just walks away from me.

“Goodluck Ms. Martel,” Basil said before following him.

I pressed my eyes shut as I looked at the money in the bag. This will screw me up. I can’t read him, I don’t understand what he is doing or planning, and it’s scaring me. I’ve always been good at seeing someone's intention. I was designed like that…but…but why can’t I do it with him now?

I WAS SITITNG inside a restaurant when the door opens that made me look up and immediately raise my hand to get the person who just entered.

“Here,” I said, and he immediately went to my table.

“You’ve been gone for too long, Maelis! They’re scrambling to find you. They already sent people out to hunt you!” Richard said as soon as he sat down.

“Lucien Allard won’t let me go,” I said and sighed, “But I’m here now. I’ll fix it.” I said, and he shook his head.

“No, this is your chance to run. I already sent your family away. I know this is dumb, maybe this is your way out now.” He said that made me look down and smile bitterly.

“I like that but…” I said that me him frown.

“But what?” He asks.

“I made a deal with Lucien. If you think it’s impossible to escape the Arcana, what of the Velatrium? I have no way out, Richard.” I said, and he slammed his fist on the table.

“Fuck this!” He uttered in anger. “That is stupid, Maelis, you know what they will do to you, right?” He said, and I nodded and laughed bitterly.

“I’m ready, I’m used to it,” I answer and force a smile. “But we have to get something out of this. I found something when I was with the Allard.” I said and took a piece of paper out of my pocket.

“What is this?” He asks while looking at it.

“There is list of people inside the circle of Velatrium’s transaction.” I explain.’

“And?’ He asks, and I sigh.

“Look at the end,” I said, and I watched his face display confusion. “Lorenzo R.? Arcana’s Lorenzo? Why would his name be under Velatriums?” He asks.

“Not just under Velatrium, it’s under Davros Allard’s,” I added, which stunned him and made him look at me. “We need to find out what this means. Maybe this is the thing we’ve been waiting to have against the council, especially against Lorenzo,” I added.

“But Maelis, you know that this is a death sentence waiting to happen, right? The Arcana is not the same as before. Ever since the tragedy happened, the orgs spiraled, and we started to go against our own saying. We’re no longer the truth bearer but the secret burier. There is no longer a place for truth.” He said and grabbed my hand. “I don’t think this is worth risking.” He added and took my hand from him.

“It is for me, it’s my family who suffered the most,” I said and placed the bag that Lucien left to me. “Don’t tell me where my family is, I shouldn’t know where they are. Please, do me one more favor and send this to them. Tell my mom I love them, and…and if I won’t make it back to them, I’m sorry.” I said and pushed it to him.

“Maelis---" Richard called as soon as I stood up.

“I’ll face them. I have to get back inside the Arcana again.” 

THIRD PERSON POV

“Fun isn’t?” Lorenzo shouted from away as he took a sip of liquor from his glass. “Oh, Maelis, why don’t you learn any lesson from all the things I’ve taught you after all these years? You’re just too stubborn, aren’t you?” He added as he watched her as she curled up on the ground, as a slash landed on her body.

“Fuck you,” Maelis uttered in a muffled voice.

Maelis could feel pain all over her body. She could feel the soreness of her face as she tried to move her mouth and speak. Richard was standing beside Lorenzo with his fist clenched. He felt like his heart was being clenched inside as she looked at Maelis, who couldn’t even stand up anymore, with her other eye shut close and the other one already covered with blood.

“You know, I was really disappointed with you. I always thought that you might be stubborn, but you still get the job done. But this time? You anger the council. I can’t save you now.” Lorenzo said and shrugged his should making Richard look at him with anger in his eyes.

“Don’t.” A woman from behind grabbed Richard’s arm, stopping him from attacking Lorenzo. “You’ll get her in even more trouble.” The woman added.

“They’re going to kill her!” He said, and the woman just firm her grip on her.

“They won’t, you’re here to save her. You have a job to do.” She spoke.

Lorenzo was getting his glass poured with more liquor when a laugh was heard. “You really are a joke,” Maelis said as she laughed in pain.

“What did you say?” Lorenzo said and leaned forward as if trying to hear her.

“Lorenzo, your end is about to come.” She said as she tried to push herself up.

“Blah blah blah,” Lorenzo said mockingly, but Richard couldn’t help but smirk as he saw Lorenzo hide his irritated face.

‘You’re really crazy, Maelis.’

“I think she Maelis is starting to lose her symbol. I think we should remind her of where she belongs. Bring in.” Lorenzo shouted.

“Lorenzo, this is too much,” Richard said as he tried to stop him.

“I’m the one who will decide what is too much or not. Your job is to save her, if there left to save."