“He's here.” Katrina said, rudely shaking a sleeping Emily. Emily rubbed the back of her hands against her still drowsy eyes, not at all following what Katrina was saying. “Who's here?” she asked groggily. “Who else would I be disturbing your rest for?... Your husband.” Katrina said with a playful tone. That knocked out the last remnant of sleep from Emily’s eyes instantly.In record time, she was out of bed and shooting out the room, her heart racing as she got closer to the entrance. And her breath froze in her throat just as her legs halted their movement. He really was here. There he stood, magnificent as ever dressed all in black, his hair neatly groomed against his scalp and as handsome as she remembered. He offered her his megawatt signatory smile and she needed no further prompting, running at full speed to fling herself at him. He hugged her tightly to himself and Emily wrapped her limbs about him to get closer, but at the same time she was mindful of the bump. She

Four days later, Sylvester summoned Gerald to his office again. “What do you think?” he asked calmly. Noticing Gerald's hesitation, he explained more. “I'm talking about the Red Dragon team you led yesterday. What do you think? Think they will be of use to us during the battle?”Before Gerald spoke, Sylvester could already tell he was impressed by the way his face lit up and he smiled. They are good. “They know their stuff… I will admit and they are totally in sync. I didn't really have to stress much.” Gerald gave his evaluation. Sylvester remained silent, guessing Gerald wasn't done. "There's a particular tracker that was most impressive. I think you will like him when you meet him.” he concluded, beaming, something he never did. Sylvester commended him again for a successful mission.Gerald frowned at his master.” Are you okay sir?”Sylvester squinted at his man, his lips a thin hard line against his face. “Don't I look okay?” “Which do you prefer, sir? My honest response

It was the morning of the next day and still no signs of Emily or Katrina. Exhausted and tired, Sylvester dragged his feet into a rustic nearby bed and breakfast inn on his path, not minding its peeling paint and funny creaky floorboards but thankful for a shade and a roof. He sat by the bar and signaled the bar tender. “What can I give you darling?” the middle aged female bartender asked flirtatious and batting her long lashes at him. “A cup of coffee will do a start…. Then maybe a hamburger with lots of ketchup.” he ordered weakly, oblivious to the subtle offer being thrust right under his nose. The bartender swaggered away, deliberately laying more emphasis on the sway of her hips as she went to get his order. “...Hey Betty, could you go tell the two ladies upstairs it's time for breakfast? And make sure they understand I won't have a no for an answer.” she hollowed from behind her station at a young waitress going down hard on a chewing gum. “Oh, you mean the two haggard la

Sylvester wrestled with the driver for the steering wheel but the man stubbornly held on, trying with all his strength to keep the huge vehicle on the road as it swerved dangerously from side to side. With force, he drove the back of his head against Sylvester's face and Sylvester cussed out in pain as pain shut through his now broken nose. “Alright, I'm done trying to keep you alive.” he growled out angrily, letting go of the wheel. In one graceful movement, he had the man's head in both hands and hit hard against the steering wheel. The man cried out in pain as blood spurted out from his nose and mouth. Still, he managed to maintain his tight grip on the steering wheel. Sylvester wasn't done. He switched on the cigarette lighter socket in the dashboard, leaving to get hot and grabbed the drivers long hair tied up in a pony tail and yanked it backward. The man fought to free his head from Sylvester's grasp but Sylvester's hold on it was like a vice. He reached out and withdre

“So Harbinger of Death, what do you want from me?” Sylvester grew serious himself. He drank from his wine flute before responding. “Emily is missing,” he said simply. “And you presume I have something to do with her disappearance, I take it?” Liliana asked calmly. Sylvester slowly shook his head. “Not you. Your brother, Viktor.” Something intense and ugly flashed in her eyes at the mention of her brother. “Why do you think he is the one? As I remember, his clan isn't the only clan that hates your guts.” “He's the one, alright.” Sylvester said with certainty. He then went on to recount the events that led to Emily’s disappearance, reconstructing the story as best as he could from what he had been told by the staff and the women at the bar. “Wow.” Liliana said when he was done. “Sounds like something out of a Sci-fi movie.” Sylvester smiled sadly. “We sound like something out of a fantasy movie… I mean come on, cultivation, clans, and so on. If something out of a fan