The Betrayal Unveiled

Ariel's POV

Last night's ambush still pumps adrenaline through my veins, which makes me agitated and on edge. We hardly made it with our lives, and I find myself plagued by Stella's frigid glances. Like she usually is, she was waiting for us; it just matters of time before she strikes once more. I try to get over the residual terror by pacing my living room. Alan is seated at the table reading over Victor's notes with focused expression.

Not turning around, he advises, "you should get some rest." We had been at this all night.

I grab and rub my temples, unable to relax. "Stella won't stop until we are both buried six feet under."

Alan puts the papers aside and softens his eyes. "We'll sort this out. Already, Victor's men are working on a fresh idea.

I nod, but his comfort does not help me to relax. Stella is constantly one step ahead; we seem to be engaged in an endless game of chess. I check the clock; it's about noon and Marie is expected to be here not too far off. I find myself wondering whether she is still on our side or whether she is only another tool in Stella's warped game.

As I get ready to talk, the door knocks. Alan moves to unlock it, then Marie walks inside looking more disheveled than ever. Her eyes flit over the room, and I sense she is barely holding it together.

"Did anyone follow you??" Closing the door behind her, Alan probes.

Marie shakes her head, but I detect the flutter of uncertainty in her eyes. "No, I don't believe so. But things are spiraling downhill, Ariel. Stella has dragging threads all over. She now boasts strong new allies.

Alan and I only glance at one other. Although Stella's network has always been large, this is the last thing we need—her acquiring further authority.

"Who are they??" I expect. "Who's supporting her currently??"

Marie fidgets, her eyes blinking uneasily. " Although their names are unknown, they are not like typical gangsters. These are well-known individuals linked to politics, law enforcement, and politics who can vanish completely without leaving any trace.

A cold rushes down my back. Stella has always had impact, but if she is entering the political sphere, we are dealing with a whole other degree of risk. I need responses, but Marie's reluctance indicates more she is not saying.

"Marie, we need you to be straight with us," Alan replies, his voice forceful but under control. Should you be holding back, it might cost us everything.

Marie glances down and wrings her hands. "There is also something else." Stella has been excavating your past, Ariel. She is searching for leverage.

"My past?," I get a flash of wrath coupled with terror. Stella is desperate—enough to exploit anything she comes across against me—because she is exploring my past. But she has nothing left to utilize. Right?

Indeed, Marie says, her voice hardly audible above a whisper. "She is not only after Alan and you. She is aiming her sights on another. One you know. Someone you love.

Like a kick to the gut, the awareness strikes me. She wouldn't, "no."

Alan narrows his gaze and moves toward Marie. Marie, who is who? She's targeting who?

Marie pauses, tears spring to her eyes. "Mom," said She carries Mom.

The room whirl and I sense the ground slink away from underfoot. Mothers? Stella would never dare. But then Stella is the one we are discussing; nothing is too low for her. She understands that my mother is my weak point; the only person remaining in my life who has ever showered me affection.

We have to get her back, I say, my voice faltering. Stella cannot be allowed to use it.

Alan holds my arm and his touch calms me. "We will find her, Ariel. But we have to be clever about this. Stella wants exactly what rushing in blind demands.

Marie approaches with a desperate look. I am willing to assist. I know Mom is kept by her somewhere. Stella bases herself on an old warehouse along the waterfront. But it's strongly guarded.

Alan frowns and starts to calculate. "We need a clear strategy if we are to do this. Although Victor's guys can provide a diversion, we will have to act quickly. Errors do not exist.

I nod, trying to concentrate through the developing panic. The life of my mother hinges on our finding this correct. Not when Stella is exploiting the one person I have always battled to save, can I let her triumph.

As we get to the docks, the sun is sinking; the sky, orange and pink, starkly contrasts the stress knotting in my stomach. Alan parked some blocks away, and following the shadows, we headed toward the warehouse. Already in place, Victor's soldiers await Alan's signal.

Marie gestures toward a side door, her hands trembling. They brought her in for this as well. Within is a guard, but he is alone.

Alan nodded and drew me near. "We come in, pick your mom, and leave. There are no deviations. We cannot afford to come under notice.

Every muscle in my body coiled with expectation as I tightened my hold on the little blade buried in my jacket. We slide in the side entrance, the meager light barely lighting the small passage. As we go silently, each step brings us closer to my mother and my heart thumps in my chest.

As we round a bend, she is seated on a chair with shackled but otherwise uninjured hands. Though brief, relief sweeps over me. I stop as footfall echoes down the corridor.

Alan says, "Get her out of here," shoving me forward as he moves to stop the incoming guard.

Hurrying to be by her side, I hacked through the ties around her wrists. Her eyes wide with uncertainty and terror, she looks up. "Arian? What is going on?

Helping her to her feet, I remarked, "No time to explain, Mom." We must get you out of here.

The door smashes open just as we are heading out. Stella stands there, two guards at her side, her smile frigid and triumphant.

"Well, isn't this moving??" She blocks our path by sneering. "Family reunion of the best kind."

Alan sits between us, his angry eyes flashing. "Let us travel, Stella. You have missed.

Stella chuckles, the sound harsh and contemptuous. "Lost?" Oh, Alan, you still own your naivety. There was never anything about you here. It revolves around her. She gestures in my direction. "Ariel the one with everything to lose."

I grab my mother's arm tightly, my head whirling for a way off. Still, Stella's men encircle us and the exit is closed. We are stuck.

Stella adds, stepping closer, "You think you're so clever." But I am ten steps ahead of every movement you make. Did you honestly believe Marie's advice had nothing to do with the agenda?

My blood freezes as I turn to Marie, silently behind Stella, her face incomprehensible. Betrayal slams over me like a wave. She put us in order. All of it is a deception to bring us here, defenseless and cornered.

Marie mumbles, "I'm sorry," tears running down her face. "I had nothing to choose from."

"Enough," Stella says quickly. "I find this game boring now. Ariel, you have always bothered me like a thorn; tonight it ends.

Stella grabs a revolver from her coat and targets my mother squarely before I can respond. My heart stops, every thread of my life screaming in dread.

Not! I yell and start to forward. Too late, though.

One hears a gunshot resounding across the warehouse. With wide-open disbelief, my mother crumples to the ground and I watch in terror. My hands shaking as I try to stop the bleeding, I sink to my knees next to her but it is useless.

She has left.

I glance up at Stella, sadness and resentment bubbling inside me. You'll pay for this, I whisper, my voice quivering with anger.

Stella merely smiles, lowers the gun. "I already have.."

Alan pulls me up and drags me away as Victor's troops rush in at last shattering Stella's barricades. But I am not breathing or thinking. My mother's dead body is all I see, and the terrible awareness that we have lost far more than this struggle demands.

Stella's mocking laughter echoes in my head as we are being hauled away. She's done this round; I'm not sure if I have the will to keep on battling. One thing is clear, though: I won't stop until she covers what she's done.

And I won't relax until this war finishes with her deadfall.