" Guild master, I beg your forgiveness," the man begged in his native Cajun as he was forced to his knees before Scott. Scott raised his eyebrows questionably at him. He had been Guild master, leader of the Guild, for almost 3 months now and he had to admit that he liked the power he had but he also wanted to do his new job as good as possible; finally people respected him and that respect he would do anything to keep. When Scott had taken over the Guild there had of course been protests but they had, mostly, been silenced. But Jean Luc had left the Guild in bad shape; it was divided and torn. The different divisions of the Guild often had renegade members who refused to listen to the main body; refused to listen to him as Guild master. That was unacceptable. The Guild was threatened enough from the outside to need an inside threat as well. From the outside there were the free contractors and the FOH since many members of the Guild were mutants, more than what could be suspected but since the Guilds officially didn't exist it was one of the safest places to be a mutant.

" Speak English, Thief!" Remy demanded sharply. Scott had changed the Thieves official language from Cajun French to English in an attempt at getting the Guild more easily accepted all over the USA so they could expand their business. The language used to any and all traditional events was still French though.

" Sorry, Guild Master. I beg your forgiveness for my trespasses," the man said, this time in a very bad English.

" What has he done?" Scott asked, his red glance found his brother who was also kneeling before him though not as deeply as the man. It was an old tradition to kneel before the Guild master when he sat on his throne as Scott did now, just like the Thieves colours; their outfit with cape, a fighting stick and a dagger was the traditional outfit for the members. Scott had considered getting rid of it but he soon learned that if he wanted to keep the Guild together he needed the traditions.

" You may rise, prince," Scott said, a hint of amusement in his voice as he addressed Remy by his formal title. Remy stood and smiled slightly to his brother though Scott could tell he wasn't happy or amused. Since the massacre on the Assassins three months ago; Remy had been miserable and mourning the wife he had only had for two hours; the Princess of the Assassins; Bella Donna.

" He did an unauthorised job," Remy told him, his French accent thick in his words.

" You are a member of this Guild. You know this to be against our law," Scott said, his words being reflected back from the big stone walls in the old castle looking mansion the Thieves had sat up as headquarters.

" I needed the money," the man claimed. Scott's glance went to Remy who just shrugged.

" Go to our division in Chicago while I decide what to do with you," Scott ordered and the man's face brightened up in a big smile.

" Thank you, Guild master. Thank you," he kept repeating before he was out the door.

" Guild master, with all due respect...you need to strike harder at people who defy our laws," Sandra, his advisor, said.

" Or I'll look weak?" Scott asked, a hint of something she couldn't quite place in his voice.

" Well...yes," she admitted, praying she wasn't on too thin ice here.

" Woman, you speak out of place!" Remy said, his voice dangerously low.

" That is alright, brother. She is right," Remy looked shocked at Scott who just smiled. " And that is why I am going to punish this law breaker with our most severe punishment as an example," Scott said and turned his eyes back to his brother. " Put up a contract on him. Thieves’ law say any hit we do can't be done inside New Orleans; inside the city any current or former member of the Guild is safe, that was why I needed him out of town."

" I'll see to it," Remy promised and cast a ‘ I told you he knew what he was doing’ look at Sandra.

" You may leave us, prince," Scott said formally and Remy bowed once before he disappeared. Scott felt a stick of sadness for his brother; he had had to take on far too much for one so young; already he had felt the pain of loss twice, three times if one counted Jean Luc.

" Guild master, have you decided what to do with the contracts Jean Luc put out on Guild members?" Sandra asked now that they were alone again. Though Scott only fully trusted 2 people; his brothers, Sandra came a close third. She always said exactly what was on her mind; no bull shirt and that pleased him.

" You know as do I that though Jean Luc was well liked and ran the Guild well for many years; the last at least 5 years he was Guild master he had become sickenly angst for the Assassins and feared anyone would try and take his position away from him. Many of the people he has contracts out on we need; they are no threat to this Guild," Scott explained and Sandra nodded.

" It won't look good if you reverse every law or command the last Guild master made," she warned.

" I know so here is what we do; the people we need, send them to our subdivisions away from New Orleans and cancel those contracts. People we can spare...." his lips formed a grim line. He hated this part of the job but it had to be done,"...carry them out."

" Remy, is that you?" Scott asked from the living room. Remy sighed. Damn that man! He had the hearing of a wolf.

" Yes, mon frêre[my brother]. It is me," Remy said and went into the living room. Strange, how things could change in only 3 months. After Scott had become Guild master they had moved into the big Mansion that was the Guild master's home. Alex had been sent to a fine private (and by Remy’s wishes) Catholic school. The house itself was bigger than anything any of the brothers had ever seen and right after they had moved in Alex had gotten so lost in the house that he had yelled out for his brothers; asking where they were. Scott had yelled back that he and Remy were in the kitchen. After a short pause Alex had asked; where is the kitchen? Yes, things had certainly changed. Though his and Scott's jobs were still very much on the wrong side of the law, Remy was happy that Scott was finally spared doing what he had done before. That he now had control over his mind as well as over his body.

" Remy, it is 4 in the night. Where were you?" The words weren't harsh but soft. Scott and Remy had had their arguments these last months with Remy’s continuing disappearing in the night and his withdrawal from life in general. Scott knew it was grief but he also knew that he couldn't let him sink too far down in his own misery.

" Out," Remy turned to go but Scott's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist; holding him back.

" Oh, no. Not this time. Tonight we talk things through," Scott insisted and forced Remy down in the chair opposite his own.

" I'm not one of your members to be pushed around," Remy snarled angrily but remained seated.

" No, but you are my brother and I care for you," Scott insisted and leaned towards him. " Remy...what is wrong?" Remy seemed to consider if he could answer that or not but finally he mumbled;

" It is Bella Donna. I...I can't believe I have lost her," Scott could hear tears in his voice but didn't see them on his cheeks. Maybe that was what he needed; to cry for his beloved. Scott had never pretended he understood Remy’s great love for his woman, for Bella Donna, but Scott understood grief well. Remy hadn't cried at Bella's funeral; hadn't cried at all since Jean Luc’s expulsion from the Guild.

" Remove your glasses," Scott asked softly. Remy was to protest as Scott continued in the same soft tone, " the light in here is soft and low; it will not hurt your eyes."

Scott knew that Remy often wore his dark sunglasses to protect his sensitive eyes from the sharp light, especially direct sunlight hurt his eyes. Remy did as bid and Scott could see his brother's red on black eyes.

" It was my fault," Remy said suddenly. Scott shook his head violently.

" No. No, it wasn't. It was Jean Luc’s fault."

" But if I hadn't married her that night, had we only waited......." Remy began.

" Remy, listen to me!" Scott interrupted him. " There was nothing you could have done," he reached over and took Remy’s hands in his. " Nothing," he whispered softly. Now he could see tears in his brother's eyes and Scott reached out and pulled him into an embrace.

" I loved her so much, Scott," Remy cried by his shoulder and Scott drew calming circles on his back.

" I know and she did too," Scott assured him and kept mumbling soft words of comfort to him. He could smell alcohol on Remy’s breath and knew that he had been trying to drown his grief these last months. Now, finally, he hoped that Remy could put Bella's ghost to rest. After a while Remy pulled back and wiped his tears away. His eyes reflected great pain but also a new determination to live on which Scott had been waiting and hoping for these past months.

" Thank you, brother," Remy said softly and Scott smiled.

" Anytime."

Scott looked out the window and saw that dawn was breaking. " Come," he said as he stood and pulled Remy up with him.

" Where are we going?" Remy asked puzzled.

" Giving you peace," Scott just said.

Soon after they stood before Bella Donna Lebeau’s grave, Remy holding a bouquet of 15 red roses in his hands; her lucky number. The bouquet was the same kind as the one he had given her as a wedding bouquet.

" I don't know about this," Remy mumbled.

" Come on," Scott gently pushed Remy forth before turning to walk away to give him peace. In safe distance stood the Honour Guards who protected the Prince and Guild master and Scott walked to stand with them. Remy knelt before Bella's stone and put the flowers on her grave.

" I have never been good at this, chere," he mumbled and let his hand run over her name in the stone. Tears sprung to his eyes. So young and already below ground; it just wasn't fair.  " I don't know what to say but sorry, chere. I'm so very sorry," his tears fell on her grave, the smell of spring in the air. " I loved you so much. I had such dreams and hopes for us. I thought the entire world was ours for the taking. Bella...........chere, I love you still and always will," he whispered brokenly as more tears fell. A little away Scott watched his brother's tears and something in him wished he could try that; that he was able to love deeply enough to feel such pain. Only the death of his brothers would ever be able to grant him such heartache and he would rather die a 1000th deaths than see any of his brothers harmed. He frowned. With Elizabeth still out there he might not have any say in the matter. Just the thought that that terrible bitch shared first name with his mother made his blood boil in rage. Elizabeth would seek her revenge, he knew that. He just hoped that when she did; he would be ready.

" My princess. When the news reached me I was so relieved," the man said as he kneeled by the young woman's bedside. A ring of Honour Guards made sure he could make no sudden moves.

" You have always been a damn liar, uncle," Bella snarled and sat up straight in bed. She cursed her weak voice. She needed to be strong; she had to be. For Remy’s sake.

" Your father?" her uncle asked though the words lacked the concerned tone one would normally expect from a grieving brother.

" He died. All at our headquarters were murdered. Only I got out," Bella said, her voice low. She fought the tears back; she needed to be strong. She was her father's daughter; she could do this. Forbidden that terrible night returned to her; how her father had waited up for her, how they had fought when she told him she had married the Prince Thief, how he had said they were both way too young to marry; both a few years younger than 18, how she had been mad at him, saying she hated him, how the windows and doors had suddenly shattered and men had entered, how her father had drawn his pistols and she her own, how her father had jumped in front of her, his body her shield as a rain of bullets suddenly was fired towards her, how she had fallen backwards on the floor and been knocked unconscious and finally how she had woken up here in Houston in a bed in their subdivision. Later she had found out that one of their runners had found her and brought her secretly out of the house and to safety. Though how safe she was she wasn't sure. Though a father's love was as endless as the unselfishness in his last deed; there had been too many bullets. She was dying and she knew it but she'll be damned if she was going to die alone; she wanted revenge, she wanted her husband avenged...she wanted her father's forgiveness. The latter she could never get but she could damn well work on the first 2.

" What did our people find out? What is happening in the Thieves Guild?" She forced her voice to be strong. Remy...where was her beloved Remy? Had be betrayed her? Set her up? No, she couldn't believe that.

" They have a new Guild master; Jean Luc is out. Our people haven't been able to find him," her uncle reported, his annoyance at not having been grated permission to rise from his kneeling position evident in his voice but she didn't care. He didn't care for her family so for all she cared he could go straight to Hell. Maybe she should get him sent there? Later, she had more pressing matters to attend to.

" Remy is new leader?" she wondered out load. Why hadn't he searched for her? Didn't he care?

" No, my Princess. No news on Remy. Scott is new leader," Henri, one of her Honour Guards broke in and knelt before her as he answered. Had she not been so consumed by her own thoughts, her own pain, she would have noticed the clear jealousy in his voice when he had spoken about Remy. A mere Thief would NEVER be good enough for his Princess. NEVER! Henri thought darkly.

" Scott?! His brother?! Why?" She again thought out loud. Why would the guild choose a half brother of the Thief Prince over their Guild master's own son? A grim suspicion entered her mind. They wouldn't...unless the Prince was gone.

" The...Prince might be dead," her uncle voiced out her fears. Bella nodded. When Remy hadn't come for her she had feared he might be dead but now she was sure. Tears threatened to fall but she held them back, there were time enough for that later.

" The new Guild master, Scott, must have murdered his own brother to gain power," anger and hate was clear in her voice.

" What do you command, princess?" Henri asked.

" I want the new Guild master of the Thieves eliminated! As soon as possible," Bella ordered darkly. No one took away what was hers. No one hurt her man...killed her own husband without paying the price in full! " Uncle, do we have the Wolverine home?" she asked. He was their best assassin.

" No. He took an independent contract in Europe," her uncle said. As one of very few members, Wolverine was allowed to take independent contracts.

" Fine. Get someone else on the case. I want him dead, dead, dead as soon as possible. Clear?" She hissed, blood running down her lip, which she quickly wiped away. She was dying and they all knew it.

" I shall carry out your revenge, my princess," Henri promised.

" What about the other brother?" her uncle asked.

" NO!" Bella said strongly. " Remy loved his younger brother. He may NOT be touched. Clear?" all the excitement had taken their toll on her and she leaned exhausted back in the pillows.

" Understood, princess," her uncle answered.

" Understood, my princess," Henri said lightly. So, the man who had caused his Princess's death had a beloved brother. Well, if he lost his princess...that street rat of a Thief Prince would loose his beloved brother. Remy might be dead but if he should loose all then by God, so should Remy.

" You may take your leave," Bella said weakly and the men bowed and left her. Her honour Guards bowed before her and went to stand outside her room to grant her privacy. She reached weakly over and took up the picture of Remy that stood by her nightstand into her hands. He smiled carefree at her, his always present sunglasses on as she had taken the photo in bright sunlight. She let her fingers run lightly over his image. Tears ran down her cheeks and dripped onto the picture like pearls of silver.

" My beloved...I shall revenge you. I swear to you, my love; you shall be revenged!" her voice was weak and hoarse but the determination in it was strong. The sunlight came through the window and made her tears shine like diamonds and the light got reflected in her wedding ring; so bright in it's intensity as only young love can be.

" You know what to do?" Elizabeth asked, her voice hard as her limousine parked a few blocks from Scott's new residence. Jean Luc nodded.

" I go in, plant the dope and the gun and get the Hell out of there," Jean Luc said, his French accent clear in his words. Elizabeth nodded.

" Your men did a little too good a job with hiding that body for Scott last time. So, we need something new on him; something to use as blackmail. My men have killed a man; a member of the Thieves Guild with that gun," she nodded to the gun in Jean Luc’s gloved hand. " When the cops get our ‘anonymous’ tip they'll search Scott's place, get the gun and for good measure the dope and we'll have him exactly where we want him," her eyes lightened up at the prospect.

" And I return as Guild master," Jean Luc added, not sure he liked her obsession with Scott. He wanted the boy removed so he could reclaim his position in the Guild but Elizabeth wanted more than to see the kid dead; she wanted him humiliated as she felt she had been. Jean Luc was glad he was on her side. Being her enemy was certain death.

" Yes, yes, of course," Elizabeth agreed absently. " Now, go on," she made a motion towards the car door with her hands and Jean Luc exited the car and walked towards Scott's new residence while the limousine speeded away; the house where he had lived for over 40 years! Anger and rage burned in him at the thought. That brat wouldn't take everything he had ever had away from him.

Scott hadn't had much time to change the house and though the codes to the security system were new; there still wasn't a code Jean Luc couldn't break. When inside the house he sneaked up to the Master bedroom, his own old room and planted the dope. Then he moved downstairs to plant the gun a good place when suddenly he heard voices from the living room. Damn, where did all those people come from? The house had been empty when he had entered. Elizabeth had said that her contact had assured her that no one was home tonight.  The only way out without setting off the house' security system was through that living room now filled with people. As he sneaked up to stand just outside the open door Jean Luc realised just what all this was about, what it had always been about; Elizabeth and her revenge. Never him and his desires. He looked at the gun in his gloved hands. There had never been a kill with that gun; the only bait here...was himself. Damn that bitch to Hell! Jean Luc thought hotly. She had sent him in here with the intension that he should die. What should he do now? He peeked through the door and saw that there were some 13 members of the guild there, plus Scott and a young man with long brown hair in a ponytail who had his back turned to the door at the moment. He couldn't take out 15 people, especially not if the rumours that Scott and his brother were mutants were true. On the other hand he had no choice; he had been replaced and thrown out; he was forbidden to even be in New Orleans. It was Guild law; any member who had been thrown out of the Guild was forbidden to have any contact with the Guild or ever enter New Orleans ever again. Did they come back, they would be killed outside New Orleans as it was Thief law that all members and former members of the Guild was never to be harmed on their person while in the city. All in all he had no chance in Hell and Elizabeth had known that. He had underestimated her as he had underestimated Scott and that treacherous son of his; Remy. Taking a deep breath, saying a quick prayer and bracing himself as best as he could he entered the living room, the gun in his hand raised and ready.

" What the…" a man said and jumped up from the sofa where he had been sitting.

" Jean Luc!" Lucille, another member of the guild, yelled shocked.

" How dare you show yourself in this city?" Scott asked coldly as the man who had stood with his back turned next to Scott's chair turned around and a pair of dark sunglass covered eyes stared at him.

" I always thought you a fool, ‘father’, though never such a big one," Remy said coldly, his voice like steel, hatred clear in his tone.

" Revenge can make a man do many things he used to find horrid," Jean Luc said, his voice just as cold. His own flesh and blood had turned on him. Scott was one thing but his own son?!

" Yes, it can," Remy moved his hand to his glasses and Jean Luc remembered back to when he had removed the body from Remy and Scott's old place. The body had had his head shoot clean off. Had Remy done that? With his eyes? Acting on reflex as he thought himself in danger, Jean Luc lifted his gun and aimed for Remy.

" Not this time, ‘Judas’," Jean Luc yelled as he pulled the trigger.

" NOOOO!" Scott yelled and jumped out of his chair and knocked Remy to the floor. Acting on instinct, only fearing for his brother's life, Scott lifted his red glasses and a red beam left his eyes and hit Jean Luc in the chest. The power of the beam knocked Jean Luc into the wall.

" Scott. You alright, bother?" Remy asked as he helped Scott to his feet.

" Yeah," his eyes were fixed on what was left of Jean Luc. He had killed a man. Again. Maybe it was true what they said; mutants were dangerous monsters. At least he was. Suddenly he noticed the dead silence in the room, all eyes fixed on him.

" What?" his inner battle made his voice sharp.

" You killed a man, a former member of the Guild. Inside the city limits," Remy whispered softly, death in his voice.

 " This is not fair! He was only protecting me," Remy protested hotly as the Guild held meeting in the grand stone hall. For now, the Guild master chair stood empty. Remy and Scott stood before the chair on the heightened podium while the Guild members stood around the podium.

" The law is the law. There can be no exceptions," Pierre said quietly and Remy couldn't believe his ears. This was the man who had protected and helped him all through his childhood and now he was selling out his brother?!

" Remy, it is alright," Scott said quietly.

" No, it is not," Remy argued frustrated. Scott leaned closer to him.

" There is nothing you can do, brother," Scott whispered softly. Remy’s eyes swept over the Guild members, all wore grim looks. He couldn't find just one sympatic eye among them. They'll execute their verdict over Scott with or without his consent.

" I know," Remy admitted, tears burning behind his shaded eyes. Scott forced a smile for him before he drew him into a hug.

" You know what to do, brother," Scott whispered in his ear. Remy began to shake his head fanatically but Scott continued; " Look after your brother, keep him safe. Run the Guild as you were always meant to and remember me from time to time. You and Alex have and will always mean the world to me; I love you two very much. Take care, my brother," Scott whispered, his voice sounding as if he was about to break down but his posture and shaded eyes gave nothing about his inner conflict away.

" I will do as you ask, brother, though doing what I must breaks my heart. I will never forget you and I shall always love you, brother," tears were in his words but not his eyes as Remy drew back and moved a little away from Scott. They both knew what had to be done; both knew there was no other way though still they both wished for a miracle which would keep their family together. Remy was both glad and sad that Alex was at a school mate's house this weekend; glad because then he'll never see this moment which would haunt Remy forever though sad because now he'll never have the chance to say farewell to his brother.

Remy took a deep breath and forced his lips to form words;

" Vous avez déshonoré cette guilde et votre position de maître de la guilde. A partir de ce jour, vous n’avez plus de place dans cette guilde, dans ma maison ou dans mon coeur [You have disgraced this Guild and your position as Guild master. From this day you no longer have any place in this Guild, my house or heart]," the traditional words came in easy Cajun French. Remy removed his sunglasses; needing Scott to see what he really meant in his eyes and by Scott's small forced smile he knew that he understood and forgave him for what he had to do.

" Vous n'avez aucune place ici où dans n'importe quel autre lieu associé à cette guilde. Quittez la Nouvelle-Orléans cette nuit et ne revenez plus jamais. Partez maintenant et sachez que pour cette guide et pour moi vous n’êtes plus un leader, un membre ou un frêre. Partez, homme mort, et ne revenez jamais. [You have no place here or anywhere else associated with this Guild. Leave New Orleans tonight and never come back again. Go now and know that to this Guild and me you are no longer a leader, member or brother. Go, dead man, and never return]," Remy’s hand moved up and backhanded Scott with such force that Scott's head flew to the side and Scott knew that all Remy’s aguish over what he had to do had gone into that stroke. Scott turned his head back and wiped the blood away from his split lip and his lips formed the words;

" It is alright, brother," before Remy turned his back on him in the traditional sign between the Guild when a member was ashamed over another's actions. Scott forced himself to hold his head high as the members of the Guild formed two lines, which Scott moved through on his way to the door. When he passed each member they'll turn their back on him; saying without words that he wasn't welcome in the Guild or in their homes anymore. Never had the walk from the podium to the door been so long as it was today. Finally Scott reached the door and feared that if he had to say just one word, he'll break down crying.

"Votre poignard [Your dagger]," Pierre who stood last in the row of members asked softly and Scott forced himself to hand over the symbol of his honour and leadership. He had never thought it would hurt so much when Pierre broke the dagger in two; showing his destroyed honour for all to see. He threw the two pieces of the thin dagger on the floor and stepped on them. Scott felt like it was his heart Pierre was stepping on. He had never known respect like what he had found as leader of the Guild. And now he had lost it all. He knew who was behind it too; Elizabeth. Even if it took forever, Scott vowed, he would see her dead so he could dance on her grave. Tears of humiliation burned in his eyes. Before he had been made leader he had known no respect save from his brothers. Back then he would have been able to take this humiliation because he had tried it before, he had known it was what he had to take. But now where he had gotten respect from these people it hurt beyond words to see them all turn away from him in disgust. Scott forced himself to look Pierre in the eyes as he spoke again;

" Partez, homme mort, et ne revenez jamais. [Go, dead man, and never return]," the words were soft and low but they felt like a yell or blow to Scott. Pierre then too turned his back on Scott. Scott's shaded eyes looked at the members, all had their backs turned on him but most of all his eyes found Remy. His back was straight and he held himself up as a true leader; proud and strong. I have taught him well, Scott thought with a hint of affection. Then he forced his feet to move as he left the hall and knew he was also leaving his brothers behind. Only if it was a matter of honour was Scott allowed to return and such an honour matter would demand Remy or Alex's death. Therefore Scott wished he would never return to New Orleans ever again or see his brothers again for only if one of his brothers were dead or Remy had lost leadership would he have a chance of contacting them without facing certain death. As he wished neither death nor that humiliation and uncertainty that he had been put through today; Scot wished he never saw neither of his brothers ever again though it broke his heart in two to even think the thought. Remy had to stay as leader; otherwise they would all be on the streets. Alex didn't deserve that and neither did Remy. No, Alex had a shoot at a real good future and Remy for finally becoming someone. That should not be ruined by his own desires to keep his brothers with him. The heavy wood door closed behind him and as Scott had left the building, tears fell down his cheeks for brothers lost.

" I bring news to the Princess," the runner said as he stood outside Bella Donna's bedroom, two Honour Gourds standing on each side of the door.

" What is the news?" Cassandra asked softly. She had taken care of Bella Donna since childhood and had luckily enough been out of New Orleans when the massacre had occurred.

" Scott has been thrown out of the Guild," the runner reported.

" That is good news. It will please Bella," Cassandra said, a small smile on her lips. She was loosing her baby girl, her Princess, but now at least she could go with the peace she had wished for.

" There is more. Remy Lebeau is not dead as we first assumed. He has been made new Guild master," the runner told her and the young man's eyes filled with sympathy for his Princess.

" Oh, God," Cassandra gasped. It was true then. That street rat has set Bella up.

" Shall I tell her the news?" Henri asked, hatred in his voice for the man who had dared to harm his Princess, a woman-child he loved beyond words.

" No. I shall tell her," Cassandra said and knocked on Bella's door.

" Enter," came the weak reply. Cassandra entered and kneeled before Bella's bed.

" You may raise," Bella rasped weakly and Cassandra got tears in her eyes for the pain her baby was in.

" I bring news," Cassandra said softly. What should she say? Her Princess was dying, the Guild was shattered all over the place and Scott wasn't even dead. Worse than that; Remy wasn't dead.

" Let me have it," Bella demanded and as Cassandra neared her bed she could see that Bella held a photo of Remy in her hands.

" We received news that Scott has been thrown out of the Thieves Guild," Cassandra said.

" Is he dead?" Bella asked and her eyes lit up. Finally she'll have her revenge over her beloved's murder. A small pause then,

" Yes," Cassandra lied and tears ran down her cheeks.

" Good, good," Bella whispered softly. " Anything else?"

" No. Nothing, princess," Cassandra whispered sadly. Nothing at all.

" You may leave," Bella said weakly and Cassandra curtsied and left the room.

Bella let her fingers run over the photo of Remy in her hands.

" Beloved, I said I'll get my revenge. Now, you can rest in peace. And I...." tears ran down the young girl's face. "...And I can join you. Forever together, beloved. Forever together...in death."

The sun entered the room and got reflected in the tears on the girl's cheeks and in her glimmering diamond ring. In death she looked her young age; her hands folded over her chest, the photo of her beloved pressed against her heart. On her lips a small smile lit up her face because she knew; that in death she'll be joining her beloved. And they'll be together. Forever and always.

Night overtook day and the last rays of the sun disappeared.

Epilogue:

 " I hear you're the man for the job," the woman said. The man who sat in the chair opposite her big wooden desk nodded.

" Yes. I'll do as you ask and believe me; it'll be my pleasure," Henri said, a smile made up from grief, love and hate on his lips.

" Why do you hate Scott so much?" Elizabeth asked curiously. The man reminded her of Jean Luc; she could use him the same way as she had done with the former Guild leader.

" I do not. I hate Remy," Henri said hotly. That street rat should have stayed dead. Now, Henri would make sure he never forgot the pain Bella Donna had been in before she had finally found some kind of peace in dead.

" Hmm. Just you get the job done and soon," Elizabeth warned. This man's obsession matched her own though with a different bother and Elizabeth wasn't sure she liked that.

" I will," Henri promised.

" Remember, I want it to look like an Assassin job," Elizabeth added as Henri stood to go. Elizabeth could say her desires so clearly and out loud because she was clever enough to always have alibis and never be seen with her companions on the wrong side of the law.

" Don't worry. I'll kill Remy’s brother in a way which makes it impossible for the Thieves Guild to NOT rage war on the Assassins and then I'll finally be able to kill that street rat!" Henri said hotly, hate in his voice and eyes.

" I can't find Scott but his brothers have always been his weak link. Let him suffer as I have. Alex is to be dead within one year," Elizabeth ordered and made a dismissive gesture.

" It will be done," Henri promised and looked forth to killing the boy. It'll bring Remy almost as great pain as what his beloved Princess had gone through. And then...then he'll kill him. Personally. Elizabeth could have the other brother; Henri just wanted Remy.

" Everything falls down, my friend. Everything," Elizabeth whispered almost to herself, a small smile on her lips that made the blood freeze in Henri’s veins. He quickly existed her office and disappeared into the night.

Something was cooking in the old city of New Orleans and it wasn't anything good.

Soon, there would be no turning back as everything was put on the line.