0 comments/ 2130 views/ 1 favorites Scarlet Queen Ch. 12-Epilogue By: angellily Chapter Twelve They all had gathered in Craven's study. Linzi sat beside Ellie, who had held her hand as she told her story. Somehow, the mystery man, simply known as 'The Keeper', had become infatuated with Linzi when she was in her teens, after the tragic accident. At first, it had been fairly innocent, he had written letters about her survival being a miracle, but not long after, those same letters became delusions. Linzi's mother took the letters to the police; unfortunately nothing could be done since he wasn't actually threatening Linzi. Unchecked 'The Keeper' seemed to believe himself invincible and his acts escalated to physical violence. Her mother's car was vandalized, every male friend was beaten up by a mysterious masked figure, and the phone rang so often that Ellie's mother had it disconnected. A few years later and at their wits end, a modelling scout spotted Linzi randomly in the mall and it seemed like a Godsend. Both Linzi and her mother signed the contract on the spot; the only stipulation was that Linzi could leave immediately for New York City. Linzi quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most in-demand models. The nightmare seemed to be over as there was no word from 'The Keeper'. Linzi breathed a sigh of relief, as did her mother. During this same time, Linzi changed careers from model to pop star when she was offered a lucrative contract. In celebration, Linzi arranged to meet her mother in New York, but her mother never appeared. She simply vanished, though Linzi feared that her mother was dead somewhere and that 'The Keeper' had been the one to murder her. Still, despite the disappearance, there was no word of 'The Keeper'. Linzi entered her first relationship since the incidents began; then, about two months later, he died in a freak accident. Six months after his death she started to receive letters from 'The Keeper' again. Linzi turned them over to her security company and decided to not let him ruin her life. A year later, she had briefly dated another man until she found out he had been using her to further his career. Linzi promptly dumped him. She had heard that he died three months later; he had been shot, though police never found any leads on his killer. Distraught, Linzi turned to her good friend, Jinx, who was having a rough time too. They had rallied together. Jinx knew the dangers, but had decided to act like her boyfriend in public to help draw the mad man out. Neither expected the lengths 'The Keeper' had actually gone to, though. Apparently 'The Keeper' had gone to ground to amass a cult following. He had used the cults for his own twisted purposes and secretly bribed the security guards to leave Linzi unattended for one night. That chosen night Linzi had been kidnapped and was at his mercy. The next week was a blur for Linzi, she only remembered bits and pieces. 'The Keeper' had appeared to her time and time again, taking great delight in telling Linzi of all his heinous crimes, the murders of her two boyfriends and the disappearance of her mother. He even went a step further telling Linzi that she'd never find her mother and no one would ever save her. Just when Linzi had thought it all hopeless, Ellie had showed up and rescued her from his mad clutches. Ellie had also turned all the evidence of the cult over to local authorities who had arrested everyone except for 'The Keeper' who had gotten away. Linzi didn't know that he got away until she woke in the hospital one evening with all the flowers that he had sent. She knew then that she would never be free from him until he was completely stopped. Linzi decided to burn all her bridges, making sure that Jinx had distanced and protected himself from 'The Keeper'. A week later the accident with Rain occurred, and Linzi knew it was 'The Keeper', though she didn't know why, she just assumed that he was trying to get her attention. Linzi secretly asked her friend, Angel, at Enigma to find the detective who had saved her and get her to work the case. Linzi knew that Ellie would find the connection to 'The Keeper' and hopefully put an end to the nightmare once and for all. Everyone in the room was silent after Linzi finished. Ellie pulled Linzi into a hug as Linzi had started sobbing again at the thought of her ordeal. "I will stop him, I promise you that," Ellie vowed. "Well, it goes without saying that everyone in the room will as well," Craven said as there was murmur of agreement. "Count us in too," someone said as the door opened and closed. Silver, Rafe and Jinx had walked into the room. Jinx walked over to Linzi and knelt down beside her. Ellie let her go, as Jinx pulled Linzi into a hug. "It will be okay, Linz, we'll find an answer to it," Jinx said soothingly. "I think I've got one," Ellie said as a Cheshire cat smile formed on her face. Everyone turned to her and Ellie elaborated, "I'm sorry to say it, Linzi, but I think he's in the wind again based on his behaviour alone. Though I do have some good news from what you've told us, he's left a considerable amount of clues to find his identity. We're going to need an ace hacker to find it though, police systems and government databases are notoriously complicated." "For who?" Silver snorted. Rain laughed, "Well that's your job then." Ellie looked questioningly at Rain, who looked sheepish before answering, "He's the one who cracked Enigma and breached all the security measures for us to confirm your identity." "Jerk," Ellie muttered looking at Silver with a half scowl. "Um... I'll help Silver. It didn't seem like a good time to tell you the last time we met, but I also hacked Enigma for your info on Angel. I was desperate for you to take the case, hoping you'd find a link to Linzi and help her. I'm sorry about that," Jinx apologized. "Given the circumstances you're both forgiven," Ellie responded and then continued, "Okay, finding his identity is key. 'The Keeper' thrives on the fear of being an omnipresent shadow and if you take that ability away, he's got nothing. So, I say we need to draw him out in public and I have an idea for that, but it's going to be a huge security risk." "Security's kind of my thing, I've got that covered," Rhyder said. "Mine too, I'll help," Rafe said. "Okay, so here's what I'm thinking. Once we find out his identity, I'm sure we'll find an internet profile. After all, he's been looking for information on Linzi, I'm sure he's got an extensive profile. Anyway, I say we plant seeds to lure him to a promo party - a big industry event; I leave that for you, Rain, Dante, and Linzi to arrange with your contacts. I'd include you too, Jinx, but I want you and Silver to run interference online so he'll chase his tail for a bit. Moving on, just to bait him more, Linzi is going to post regularly about an awesome time she's having. It's also sure to enrage him because he wants her scared not happy, I also want to taunt him openly in messages. It's a safe bet to say that 'The Keeper' probably hates me the most and if I taunt him enough, he'll show up for sure, and we let the police take him into custody," Ellie stated. "Good plan, but why not just kill him?" Rhyder asked. "Because, in his mind he's won. He'll still have a hold on Linzi with his death. If we can bring him to justice and link the other deaths to him, I'm sure he'll get the death penalty or life imprisonment with no possibility of parole. He'll have to suffer knowing that there is no chance he can ever hurt her again. Also a few choice words into the ears of some of his fellow inmates, and he'll be target number one." "You're absolutely diabolical, God, do I love you," Dante said with a laugh as he leaned down and hugged Ellie, kissing her forehead at the same time. "I have one proposed change, though. He might still slip the trap that we laid by getting someone to take the blame. So we might need 'public deaths', no one is actually going to die, we'll fake it, but we need to make it look real enough so that there's no way a jury wouldn't convict him," Rain said. "Who is going to 'fake' their own death? Me?" Ellie asked. "No, Ellie love, Rain and I," Dante said quietly. "Nope, I refuse," Ellie said adamantly shaking her head. "Ellie please hear us out, we were planning on faking our death anyway. We can't be celebrities and never age, it gets really suspicious. The plan has always centred on using the bastard who tried to kill Rain and making sure he never sees the light of day. Surely, you must see that it's the perfect idea." "But to make it real, you have to actually get injured really badly. I don't know if I can watch you do that even knowing that you'll heal quickly." "Heal quickly? Wait they're vampires too?" Jinx asked bewildered. Ellie looked at him, "Made dhampirs, please don't tell me you're a dhampir, too?" Everyone looked at Jinx as he flushed, "Um... yup." "Okay before this continues any further, I want to check something. If everyone doesn't mind, raise your hand if you're fully vampire?" Ellie asked. Craven and Rhyder held up their hands. "Who's human?" Rafe and Gabe held up their hands. "Who's made dhampir?" Rain, Dante and Silver held up their hands. "So the three of us are born dhampirs, good to know, though I guess I should have put my hand up for made dhampir too; this is so confusing. Anyway, any other surprises I should know about? No, good. My senses really suck though. Getting back to the matter at hand I don't like it, but if that's always what you two planned, then fine. But, if you two really die, I am going to haunt your dumb asses for eternity, are we clear?" Ellie huffed out. "Um, Ellie ma belle, we'll be the ones dead, it's impossible to think that you can haunt us," Rain responded delicately. "Rainier de Fortenot, I don't care if it doesn't make sense, but if it pleases you, then fine I will go into the beyond and drag your miserable hides back and berate you for all eternity, just count on it." "Don't worry, Ellie, I'll make sure that they stay alive. I'll thrall the villain and make sure that his aim is off. We can air evacuate them, and then Gabriel can write their death certificates." "Writing death certificates isn't that easy, they'll want an autopsy for the criminal case." Rafe sighed at his brother and said, "I know how to get a fake one of those. I'll help you take care of that little detail." "Do I really want to know?" Gabriel asked his brother. "Nope, it's better if you didn't." "Well then it's all taken care of, let's start cracking then," Ellie said enthusiastically. * * * Silver and Jinx worked rather quickly. Everyone sat around them in a loose semi circle, though Rain, Dante, and Linzi sat more off to the right working, through their contacts, to create the epic event . Ellie paced behind Silver and Jinx, waiting on the results to find out who this mysterious 'Keeper' was. "We've got him," Silver said rather triumphantly. "What are his details?" Ellie asked looking over his shoulder. "Murray Kempner, age 42, currently unemployed, though he sold his father's rather successful construction company about eight years back for quite a tidy sum. He has quite an extensive internet profile too just like you suspected. He's currently running seven different fans sites for Linzi. Oh, hello there... he just signed on. Well, Ellie what do you want to do now?" "I want to taunt him; you got an IP for me?" Ellie asked. "Yup," Jinx said rattling off an IP address. Ellie typed it into her special phone, and then entered the appropriate code that would make her internet presence impossible to track, though it would mirror on Silver's computer. Ellie started to type a message directly to him on the site that Silver had given her. Ellie messaged. The reply came back fast and furious from 'The Keeper', Ellie snorted as she typed, <*Yawn* You're starting to bore, :( You keep repeating yourself, which shows you've got nothing. Admit it, I've got you running scared and you're also running out of places to hide.> Ellie typed, trying to needle him more, as she heard Silver and Jinx laugh at her exchange. Ellie was angry but she knew better than to let it show to, Ellie typed then ended the conversation. Ellie sighed, sat down on the couch and muttered, "I should have killed the bastard when I had the chance." That earned a few chuckles from those in the room. Craven looked over at Rain and asked, "How are we doing on the promo party?" "Booked, we managed to arrange one for this coming Saturday. We're going to keep the list super low just in case, but we made sure that it will be well advertised; that should draw him in." Ellie nodded and spoke up, "Right, phase two begins, Linzi, you're going to need to do some pre-comeback tweets. You're going to need to make it believable. Hold on though, an idea just struck, Silver and Jinx, can you relay it to look like the posts are coming from various areas in New York City? Let 'The Keeper' chase his tail, while we complete our trap. Someone's also going to go on those celebrity sighting pages, and post random tags of Linzi's location." "You've got it boss, we'll have fun with this one, won't we, Jinx," Silver grinned as he winked at Jinx, who blushed then looked away and starting typing furiously. "I can't wait for this party," Ellie said as she rubbed her hands together in anticipation. Everyone stopped to look at her, and Dante was the first to speak after the shock, "You're going to the party?" "Without question," Ellie said without missing a beat. "But it's a public event; you can't hide from the attention, you'll be centre stage," Rain pointed out. "I realize that there will be a lot of people there, and if you're really asking me if I'm terrified of being centre stage then the answer is yes. That won't change overnight, but I want to see this through, especially since you two will be willingly putting yourselves in mortal danger," Ellie declared. "We've got to go shopping then, you're going to need the right outfit," Rafe said with glee at the prospect of shopping and spoiling his lovers the whole week before the event. "Why do we need more clothes? I've got enough upstairs to last for at least the next ten years." Rain sighed, "Oh Ellie, you poor deluded darling, those should really only last a couple of weeks at most. Any who, ma belle, those clothes are for Ellie our fiancee, but you need an outfit for another role you shall play for that evening. You need clothes to be 'la femme fatale' detective." "Is this another of your kinky fantasies?" Ellie asked suspiciously. "Absolutely, though that's not why I suggested it for this situation. As I see it, his sick obsession with Linzi is fuelled by fear and torment. If you play the role of 'la femme fatale' detective, not only are showing him that you are capable of destroying him, you'll ruin his little sick fantasy further, and it will drive him absolutely mad. Which, of course, will put the ball firmly in our court," Rain said. "Oh I get you, it's like I'm needling him more. I like that idea, especially since he tried to piss me off, exactly when can we go shopping?" Ellie said gleefully. * * * Ellie was focused on playing her part to the letter. She was so intent on catching the villain that the crowd, who would have terrified her, appeared to be merely a blur in front of her eyes. Ellie wasn't listening to any of the murmurs around her; she was focused on something being out of the ordinary. If she had listened to the conversations, she would have heard many of the men at the party trying to get her details from different contacts, or most of the women's jealous remarks about her appearance. Though there were some trying to get in her good graces for her supposed contact, no one was brave enough to say anything to her face; apparently Ellie was too unapproachable. Rain had been right in telling her that she needed to play 'la femme fatale'. Ellie was holding court from her seat between Rain and Dante, as she sipped a glass of wine, looking like a suitably bored aristocratic lady, far above the mere plebeian entertainers in front of her. Rain and Dante were teasing her mentally about how realistic her acting was, but one didn't survive the regency period's ton, without learning certain survival skills. Rain and Dante were also playing their roles as mighty rock legends to the hilt. They were arrogant enough that they didn't need to bow to pretence or the pecking order in the entertainment business. No, everyone bowed before them and they even went as far as to openly flaunt their relationship with Ellie. In Ellie's opinion, it was quite amusing to watch Rain and Dante work, though she kept her game face on. He just broke in through the backdoor, get ready he'll be on his way to you lot in a moment, Rhyder mentally whispered to all the players in the room. Any sign of anything being tampered with? Ellie asked. No, though it looks like he's going to try to burn down the building with everyone in it, he's trying to block all the exits, not that it's working, I've fixed that personally. I'm going order the club evacuated now, once I do, dawdle like we planned. Everyone mentally murmured agreement, and each gave the signal look to Ellie to show that they were ready. Rhyder suddenly shouted "Fire! Get out!" The alarm and sprinkler came on with a supernatural push from Rhyder. Everyone started to scramble out the hall. Once most of the people were out, Linzi, Rafe, Silver, Jinx, Dante, Rain and Ellie, started to move towards the main exit. All waiting for the entrance of 'The Keeper' - and they didn't have to wait long. "You bitch, you had to ruin everything!" came an angry shout from behind them. Ellie stopped and turned around. Rain and Dante stood right beside her. 'The Keeper' looked crazed. He hadn't bothered with his mask, obviously that he hadn't planned to let anyone live, not even Linzi the object of his obsession, not even himself. Scarlet Queen Ch. 12-Epilogue His appearance betrayed his inner madness; his hair was greasy and unkempt, his dark eyes were hollow, and his clothes dirty. It was obvious that he hadn't slept, washed or eaten in days. "Yeah, and..?" Ellie demanded playing her role to the hilt, though she prayed on the inside that Dante and Rain would be okay. "I'll kill you!" He screamed at her as he drew out a gun from behind him and opened fire. Ellie closed her eyes briefly not wanting to watch Rain or Dante get hurt. Both lunged at her and took the bullets directly. Ellie was knocked back by the impact and hit the floor hard. Feeling dazed, Ellie sat up and looked over to where the villain had stood. She saw that he was screaming in agony and rolling on the floor. Ellie looked behind her to see Detective Winston. He was standing just about a foot behind where she had landed, with his gun drawn out. Ellie realized that he had been the one to shoot 'The Keeper'. Detective Winston winked at her before walking over to the villain and kicking his weapon away. He didn't actually look like Detective Winston at that moment, but he did seem familiar to her and just as she was about to place him, she heard a faint groan from Rain. Please, please, please tell me that you two are alright and not dying, she demanded mentally. I'm okay, Ellie, I have one in the abdomen, one in the side and another in my shoulder. Thank God he only used a six shot revolver I don't think I could have taken more bullets than I did. I have a feeling that Craven changed out his gun at the last moment, must thank him later for that, Dante muttered. Damn, you're right, I forgot how much getting shot hurts. I'm okay too, ma belle. I've got one in my side also, one in my leg, and one that went into my back but it's not near my spine, Rain declared, then continued to mentally swear in French. Once you've both have been cleared by Gabe, we're going to have a long talk about exactly why you know what it feels like to be shot, Rain. I'm also going to take you both to task over this stupid idea too, Ellie said evenly. Both groaned inwardly, though they relaxed to play 'dead'. Ellie slumped back in a self induced faint, a skill she had learned in the regency era, just as the paramedics rushed in. The next part was a complete blur, but Ellie woke up in the back of the ambulance just as the doors were closed. Craven sat beside her, dressed in paramedic garb and held her hand. He winked at her and said, "It all went according to plan, even got the shooting on video. There will be enough irrefutable evidence to get life without the possibility of parole at a minimum. He's going nowhere, you've won pet." "Not the way I really wanted to, Craven. I know it was part of the plan but I didn't want the guys to get hurt." Craven smiled as he squeezed Ellie's hand in reassurance. "I know you don't agree with it but it was a necessary evil. Now they are free from the limelight just like they wanted. Now, are you ready to go back to my house?" "Um, Craven, could we change that? Can we all go back to my safe haven in London?" Ellie asked looking at him. "Rafe thought you'd want to do that, so he secretly set it up so that everyone would be on the way to the airport. Planes ready to go as soon as we get there." "Craven..." Ellie started as something else clicked into place for her. "Yes?" "Did you have Rhyder play the role of Detective Winston the entire time?" Ellie asked as her mind made the connection from the detective's appearance to Rhyder's. "Busted," Craven said with a laugh then continued more seriously, "I promised your mother that I would watch out for you always, pet, and I never broke that promise. I don't plan on it in future either. Since it seems like a good time to confess, I also own Enigma, I created it solely for you to work in a safe environment, so I'm not accepting your letter of resignation, pet." Ellie looked at him in shock for a moment then burst out laughing. "Fine, I'll stay but I want perks like two sidekicks on the payroll with full hazard benefits; I have a feeling that they're going to need that one," Ellie stated. "Done, I can completely live with that," Craven said nonchalantly. They shared a look before laughing again just as the ambulance drove off. Epilogue Three Months Later... Rain and Dante sat together intertwined on the lush, dark scarlet velvet couch watching a televised news report about the start of Murray Kempner's trial. It also showed highlights from their career and their apparent 'tragic' demise. "Wow, that seems like a lifetime ago," Dante murmured. "I hate the news. Alive they thought me an arrogant perverted rock legend. Dead, I'm a well meaning, gorgeous saint. Look, can that news reporter lady not keeping gushing about my looks? Yes lady I know I'm hot but move on already I'm taken and apparently 'dead'," Rain drawled. Dante laughed, "Once a diva, always a diva." Rain had proven that already by refusing to dye his blond hair, he had cut it instead, though he had complained about that too. He had also taken up wearing bright urban London chic clothes and changed his American drawl, one that he had adopted for his public persona, going back to his aristocratic British roots. He still continued to speak with the mixture of French sprinkled in though. No one would take the new Rain with the old Rain. Dante had gone back to his British roots too, though he had adopted a more sedate look, going for preppy chic instead. Rain had complained at first, but now liked the look. Dante had also gone opposite of Rain with his hair too, growing it out so it brushed his shoulders. Ellie hadn't really said anything about the change in looks. Ellie seemed to be more preoccupied with the big changes that they had made in her life. The first had been when her secret bunker had been invaded and overrun with friends and family. Family being mainly Craven, Rafe, Gabe, Rain, Dante and now Rhyder, who Ellie treated like a honorary uncle. Dante knew that Rhyder had liked that status, and he was now just as bad as Craven for lecturing Rain and Dante on their intentions. Not that he or Rain really minded, it was all well meaning, and it seemed to make Ellie happy with the family bickering, since she seemed to smile more. Jinx, Linzi, Silver and Ellie had become fast friends, too. Jinx and Linzi had also retired from the limelight, though they had chosen just to fade into the background. They were happy to let anyone chalk up a reason for the end of their careers. All had chosen to stay here over the last three months, and, surprisingly, it wasn't Ellie but Rain who complained half-heartedly about being overran. That was due to the fact that, apparently, he couldn't walk around naked like he wanted to, or have sex in random places; though it really hadn't stopped him at all from doing either. Ellie had become more social than she had ever been, though still had near panic attacks in public places if she didn't wear a hoodie. She also still indulged in a rare few bizarre rituals like hoping over certain cracks in the ground or having a need for a 'knob free' environment. Ellie still like to disappear every so often, favouring to be alone for a bit. It hadn't been an issue with either Dante or Rain because Ellie generally spent a half day at most by herself before actively seeking either or both out. They had also made sure she had her very own 'safe haven' in the now chaotic bunker. The original office, was now Ellie's space, and it was no man's land unless issued an invitation. One of the guest rooms had been turned into another office for everyone else to use. At that specific moment, Ellie pushed open the picture that led to her office on the second tier and leaned on the railing with a piece of paper in hand. "Hi ya, loves, I have something for you, " Ellie said with a happy smile on her face; then she misted down to stand in front of them. Ellie had taken to wearing the steam punk clothes that they had bought for her, and had cut her waist length hair so that it now fell between her shoulders and mid-back. She had done that out of solidarity for Rain. Rain leaned forward to catch her by the waist and tugged Ellie down so that she now tucked between the two of them. "What's on the piece of paper, ma cherie?" Rain asked, as he kissed her neck. Ellie squirmed and chided, "None of that now, it's time for my surprise first." Ellie handed Dante the piece of paper. He looked it over then laughed out loud. Rain frowned at him and asked, "What does it say?" "Oh, you'll love this because I do. Ellie has made written bridal demands for us." Rain looked taken back for a moment then laughed as he hugged Ellie tightly. "Hey, don't laugh, I'm serious. Anyway Linzi told me that a bride is suppose to make demands." "No, my exact words were, 'a bride should be demanding'," Linzi called as she walked out from her room on the lower level. Soon, everyone had gathered to see what was going on. Dante kissed Ellie, waiting until everyone was seated around them, before he read Ellie's demands out loud. "Ellie's bridal demands: No#1 - The bride requests to have the wedding date somewhere in the ballpark of a year to a year and a half's time, but the bride does not want to know the actual date, until said day arrives. Amendment- the bride doesn't want to freak out because she knows the date will arrive soon. No#2- The bride requests that she does not have anything to do with the details and wants said details to be hashed out in secret between grooms. Amendment- bride likes surprises, plus, as in the first amendment, does not want to freak out. No#3- The bride would like large steaks and lots of hamburgers to be served at both the Jack and Jill party and the wedding. Grooms can make other culinary requests. No amendment necessary. No#4- The bride requests that three special dances occur during the wedding reception. A father-daughter dance, an uncle-niece dance and a dance between bride and both grooms at the same time, Amendment- bride wants grooms to figure out the dance mechanics, bride is willing to practice though. No#5 - The bride requests that the wedding dress be a scarlet colour of a nineteenth century design but must come with a decorative hooded cloak. Also, both grooms must perform songs from previous career as rock legends,Les Vampires. No Amendment necessary- the bride simply likes scarlet, grooms' music and cloaks. Sincerely signed the bride-to-be, Eleanor Reina Aquitaine Prescott-Caldwell-Fortenot, a.k.a. Ellie" Everyone burst out laughing except Ellie who had gone beet red, before she too gave into a fit of giggles. "Aww, it's sounds so bad when you read it out loud, I didn't realize that when I wrote it." "Nah, ma belle, it's not bad at all, it's perfectly you, and I absolutely love it. This groom-to-be wants to write his demands for the honeymoon so that the bride can work on that while we undertake this," Rain said as he squeezed Ellie's shoulder. "This groom seconds that motion," Dante said kissing her cheek. "Well, I know you don't want to know the date, but I for one can't wait because it seems like it's going to be the most epic wedding ever," Linzi said. "Well, life's never going to be boring because I'll probably always do crazy things like this," Ellie remarked. Neither Dante nor Rain seemed to mind as they both took turns kissing her. There was a polite cough from Rafe and irritated growls from both Rhyder and Craven. The three of them laughed, lost in their own little world. Ellie was happy to know that the future finally looked quite bright and it would be filled with more intriguing cases, bizarre behaviour and love. This was only just the beginning, after all.