Similar endings

"What?" Veretta's brow furrowed.

"You've played your hand, Cora," Michael Scoffed, "But you have a bloated sense of importance. You want to have someone in your corner, but you repel everything in sight. You are nothing but a self-indulgent child. Your pathetic attempt to undermine me is transparent,"

"You're the one that's been stealing my magic! " Veretta protested," Why?!"

She slammed her hand against the table. Suddenly, she understood why she had felt so weak on the journey up to the mountain. It was the reason Michael's magic had taken such a toll outside the castle.

"Veretta, since your my friend I'll do you a favour," Cora smiled, "today, you can ask Michael a question and he will have to answer,"

"What are you..." Michael rose from his seat furiously.

"Quiet, "Cora interjected severely, "Shut up and sit down,"

Suddenly, Michael froze in place. His lips were still parted but no words came out. His jaw clenched and he returned to his seat.

"Michael, what's wrong?" Darius stared confused.

"He can't speak," Cora smirked.

"Cora," Veretta faltered," I appreciate you trying to help me, but I don't need you to do this,"

Cora ignored her and gestured to Michael smugly, "Michael, come here,"

Michael stiffly rose from his seat and walked towards Cora.

"Now, Michael, "Cora grinned widely, " Give me a compliment and make it sincere,"

Michael stared down with an expression devoid of life, "you have nice eyes,"

"And Veretta, what do you really think of how she looks tonight?" Cora tapped the table impatiently.

"I think she looked beautiful," Michael replied fridgidly.

"So why didn't you say so?" Cora smirked.

" I... " Michael stifled a grunt, " Stop it, Cora!"

"Hurts doesn't it?" Cora smiled, " It will hurt less If you tell the truth,"

Michael threw up his hand. At that moment, a mouthful of blood heaved from his throat. Darius shot up startled. Michael fell to his knees, still coughing back blood. Darius gripped his shoulder to steady him. He turned an eye to Cora viciously.

"Stop it, you're Killing him!" Darius exclaimed.

"All he has to do is answer the question," Cora stared down with a Malevolent smile.

"Cora, what is going on?" Veretta rose hesitantly.

"She's got a blood contract with him," Darius answered quickly.

"A blood contract, what is that? " Veretta questioned.

"It means that..." Just as Darius began to answer, Michael caught hold of him.

" Take Veretta and go...Do not speak with her...just go," Michael gasped.

Darius nodded but remained uncertain, " If I leave you here... "

"Just go!" Michael interrupted.

Darius complied, he grabbed Veretta and started to the door, " I'm sorry but we need to leave,"

They were half way out the door when Cora interceded, " Let go of her, We're not done,"

"Coral! " Michael breathed," Leave them out of this. This is between you and..."

Suddenly, a fit of coughing made him stumbled forward. Cora grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and angled his face to hers. The Darius quickly escaped with Veretta out the door.

"Fine, they can go. On the condition, you answer my questions," Cora smiled. Michael gave a pained nod.

" First question," Cora pushed Michael back into a chair, " why didn't you say what you really thought about, Veretta?"

"Because, you were there," Michael conceded.

" What difference does that make?"

"You can't be trusted," Michael replied morosely.

"But Darius can?" Cora spat," Why him and not me?"

Michael raised an eyebrow, "Because I Hate you,"

"Why?" Cora's eyes widened manically ," Everyone hates me but Why?! "

"I don't know why the others hate you," Michael said apathetically, "but I hate you because of my own reasons,"

" Which are?" Cora leaned over with intense interest.

"You remind me of the woman who ruined my life" Michael answered with a blank expression.

"What woman?" Cora demanded.

"The one who Killed me," Michael gritted his teeth.

"But I haven't done anything that the rest of you haven't done! I gave you half the world. I haven't told Silthus about the reason you really have these dinners!" Cora exhaled venomously.

"What is It that you want me to say?," Michael grinned," You want me to beg for forgiveness? I never asked you to do anything. Trying to turn Veretta against me? Involving Darius? What are you trying to achieve?"

"I'm just trying to get your attention, Michael, " Cora pulled back slightly with a coy smile.

" You have it,"Michael glared, " what do you want?"

"I want you," Cora stared down seriously

Michael's lips parted but no words came out. He turned his face from her with a cold expression, "Why?"

"It's not what you think," Cora chuckled, " I haven't fallen in love with you. I just want to be held in your arm for a night. You're always looking at Veretta. Why not me? It's easy enough to play pretend. You're good at it. Do that and I'll play along with your dinners. I'll keep a lid on every word you say. It will be like I'm invisible. And you'll be able to say what you really want to say to that girl?"

"That 'girl'? Wasn't she your best friend? " Michael said quietly.

" She is," Cora rallied, " but you heard her. She's not interested in you. I am. And I always take what I want. It's a trait we have in common, no?"

"I've played this game with a witch before, " Michael's expression grew dark, " it ended badly for all involved. I have no intention of rehashing the past,"

"Is that so?" Cora's lips tightened," so you refuse, even for one night?"

"And every night thereafter," Michael met her gaze severely.

Cora's lips spread into a unparalleled wide, bare grin, "So be it. I was going to play nice, but why bother? I can already tell, the more wicked I am, the more you'll like it,"

" Your magic won't last forever," Michael stated categorically, " whatever you do to me, I will be pay you back everything ten fold. They didn't call me the black wizard for nothing. Do as you will, Cora. I'll start planning my revenge at that same moment, "

Cora's elation gave way to momentary pause, " I better make it worth my while then,"

Michael did not respond. He just stared ahead with a empty expression. Cora leaned in to his ear and whispered, " Now, keep still,"

At that moment, she kissed his lips slobbilily and passionate. Michael did not move nor gave any acknowledgement at all. Cora's hand slid down and tore open his shirt revealing his bare chest.

" You have such pretty skin for a man," Cora observed. She began to lay kisses on his collar. Michael was staring up at ceiling. He began to recall his childhood days spent playing on the beaches of that little island. Never the had he imagined that this life was waiting for him. But his scene was just one of many similar endings. He never realised the cruelty of others until it was too late. Nor his own wickedness until it had consumed him. He wasn't like Ace. He didn't believe in the punishment nor rewards of the Gods. There was only one thing he believed him: himself.

Neither loneliness nor misery could conquer him if he remained clear in this thought. He had never been saved. He had no need to be. He would save himself and when he couldn't, he would take revenge instead. That is what he had done his whole life. Now was no different. Though a faint thought passed in his mind that he thought long dead...just once, couldn't he be spared? Of course, the world had no such kindness. He would close his eyes and wait till it was over...

"CORA!! What are you doing?!" Veretta ripped Cora from Michael's lap.

She stared breathless and horrified at Cora, " I SAID, what are you doing?!"

Cora gave an annoyed sigh, " Well, you don't want him, can't I have him?"

" Not like this," Veretta's voice came out shrill, " this is wrong!"

" What's wrong about it?" Cora shrugged, " do you hear him screaming for help? How do you know he isn't enjoying it?"

Veretta's eyes widened incredulously. A dark and intense glare took hold, " Step away from him. I don't want to hurt you, Cora,"

"Are you threatening me?" Cora tilted her head to one side ominously, " friends don't threaten each other,"

"I am not threatening you," Veretta replied clearly yet firmly, " I am telling you as your friend that this is wrong,"

"And I'm telling you, get out now," Cora snarled.

At that moment, Michael seemed to rouse from his silent stupor. He reached for Cora's hand and swallowed uneasily.

" It is as Cora said, Veretta. I am enjoying it. Please leave us," he said without meeting Veretta's gaze.

"Michael, do you know that you and Errik have the same tells when you lie?" Veretta replied in a low voice. She marched toward him straight past Cora. She slapped their hands apart as she turned to face Cora.

" I'm not going anywhere," Veretta asserted resolutely.

" I think we're about to have our first fight, besty," Cora's eyes lit up with intensity.

The air began to crack with flashes of electricity. Veretta's emerald eyes met Cora's with uncontained fierceness, " By all means,"

Cora gave a crooked smile, almost excited, " I have a better idea. If you and I fight, I think I will surely kill you. That would be rather annoying since you are the first friend I've ever had. Whereas, Michael, I know I can't command you to kill her. Let's just say... please beat her to within an inch of her life,"

Michael's eyes flashed up wrathfully, " I won't! "

" I was only playing with you earlier, Michael," Cora cackled, "But since you've been in the tangles of blood magic before, then you know...you don't have a choice,"

"Veretta," Michael rose slowly. Shallow, quick breaths escaped his lips as he turned towards her. His eyes were wide and fearful.

" RUN!!"