4

Ariana sat patiently in the waiting room for her turn to audition. She received the script for 'Heart of the Beast' and couldn't wait to prove herself as an actress. Chris sat beside her reading his script as well. He was acting as the second male lead 'the king'. Sje would play the role of the heroine 'Lady Ruth' and seduce the king away from the Queen. The part she picked to play was scene 23, the scene where she wins the favor of the king. Chris smiled down at her.

"After this movie we can come out as a couple to our fans." Ariana smiled. She won against Ravenna. She would have Chris all to herself and Ravenna would become the Villain in her story.

A commotion at the doors drew their attention. "OMG it's Hades Black! I'm in heaven. I wonder if he'll give me an autograph?"

"I didn't think we'd get to see the famous Hades Black!" Soon enough, Hades came through the doors. His ice blue eyes seemed to pierce Ariana's soul. He was a God among men. 6'6" with obsidian black hair. Chiseled jaw, a sharp nose and brow.

This was a man many women would kill to marry. Yet, he always told everyone that he had a fiance and no one could compare to her. He didn't bother to look around and went straight into the studio where the auditions were being held. "Send them in one at a time by scene number." Ariana grimaced but maintained her smile. Her scene was 23, so it would be a good while before her turn would come. Soon enough each acter and actress went in by their scene number and left quickly in tears and disappointment. When came to her turn, she stood up and went inside. Hades stood on the stage with a script in his hand, looking bored. The producers and director were sitting at a long table with paperwork in front of them.

"Hello everyone, I'm Ariana Spencer. I'll be doing scene 23." Ariana bowed to the producers and the director. "Get into character."

Hades spoke coldly to her, not even acknowledging her name.

Ariana took a deep breath and began her lines.

"Your Highness, Her Highness doesn't see your greatness like I do. She only wears the crown for power. Yet, I wish to wear it for you."

Hades took up the part of the king.

"My Queen should match me in status, what makes you think you are worthy?" His voice held a gentle warmth as he spoke. Ariana nearly lost her character. "My King, it isn't about if I'm worthy or not, it's wether she is worthy of you. She spends her time at balls and tea, while you struggle on the battlefield to keep you subjects safe. I only wish to stand by your side as you wield the sword that protects us." As she ended the scene, the judges looked pleased. What she didn't know was that they had already decided on her as the heroine. The Villainess would be played by Ravenna. This was merely a formality to them. "Alright miss Spencer, we will send your manager the contract and you will report to the set in three months. Thank you for coming." The director spoke warmly, knowing that Hades wants to use her as a prop for the real female lead.

Ariana bowed politely and left to meet up with Chris outside. She was going to wait until he finished his scene which was 35, when the hero kills the King for the Villainess.

But what stopped her cold was the ice blonde beauty sitting like a Queen in the waiting room. Ravenna Medici was there.

Raven read through her lines several times, committing them to memory. She planned to act out the scene with the counter part instead of just reading the lines. This would showcase her true talent. Nikolai sat beside her explaining the role in more detail.

"Queen Wynter only wants to feel loved by her King. Yet because of his betrayal, she seeks solace from the hero. The hero is on a quest for the Queen to find out why the King turned away from her. Then he kills the King for her and takes the crown."

Ravenna sneered coldly. She knew exactly how to play the scene.

She spotted Chris and then looked away.

"Ray? Jesus Christ I've been so worried about you! Where have you been?" He ran to her immediately. Chris didn't want to sever ties with her yet. Ravenna came from wealth and had the backing to give him major resources in the industry. Ravenna sneered and turned to Nikolai. "What scene are we up to? I don't want to keep Papa waiting too long." Nikolai knew she was ignoring him on purpose. "Your up next. I believe the screen writer is reading the lines with you."

Ravenna nodded and a soft expression graced her face for a second. The scene in question would cement the start of the romance between the two roles and create an on screen relationship between the two actors.

"Raven, will you at least talk to me? You disappeared in the dead of the night and I'm worried something happened to you!" The other artists began to whisper and speculate.

Raven turned to face Chris. "We broke up when I found out what you were doing. And with who." She spoke coldly and left him standing there in shock.

Raven didn't bother listening to the artists as they gossiped among themselves. This was just the beginning. Chris would regret how badly he treated her and he will know that he can never have her back. She opened the door to the studio and immediately saw Hades waiting patiently for her. His smile was slow and filled with all the love and care he always had for her. This was her stage. It was time to shine.

"Hello everyone, I am Ravenna Medici, I am auditioning for the Villainess, scene 34." She bowed politely and didn't bother to pick up the script. Hades smiled and set his down too.

"Whenever you're ready." He spoke gently.

Ravenna breathed in and out, letting the role of a cold Queen wrap around her. She opened her eyes and the judges gasped in shock as Queen Wynter stood before them.

"Report." Hades bent to take a knee. "My Queen, I have discovered Lady Ruth in the King's chambers. It was not a social visit, nor was it chaperoned." Her gaze turned glacial.

"So, the man who is supposed to lead the charge against the empire, is frolicking with a whore in my castle?" Hades lowered his head. Ravenna turned away in fury. "Go, Sir Alaric, bring me his head!" Hades stood and took her hand in his. "Anything for you, my Queen." He kissed her hand and turned away.

The judges stood and applauded them both. "She's perfect! We can sign her right now!" The producers immediately presented the contract for the role and Ravenna signed her name. Hades had already filled the role of the hero and Ariana was chosen as Lady Ruth. Next was King Rasputin, who would be played by Chris. Ravenna decided to stay and act out the scene with Hades and Chris so as to truly create the scene. It was supposed to be a duel between the king and the Queen's knight. Lady Ruth was going to find the king dead at the Queen's feet and try to kill her in the name of love. But Sir Alaric would cut her down. This would be the final scene before the Queen goes to war with the empire and Sir Alaric proves himself on the battlefield.

Chris came in and froze when he saw them standing together discussing the scene and how to play the roles.

Ravenna stood on a box to 'over see' the duel and the two faced off. "Your Majesty has besmirched the honor of the crown and neglected his duties to the people. As the Knight of Her Royal Highness, I am honor bound to bring you to justice." Hades spoke in a commanding voice. "Ha! I am your King! I am Justice! No one can touch me, not even the Cold Queen!" Chris sneered at Ravenna. Hades moved quickly and 'took' his 'head'. Chris laid down on the stage while Hades held the fake head up and bowed before his Queen. "As promised, my Queen, his head."

Ravenna smiled coldly at the kings corpse. "I believe I just touched you, your Majesty." She spoke with a touch of venom in her voice.

The judges cheered and applauded them and Hades helped Chris up. The Judges handed over the contract for him to sign as Hades guided Ravenna from the room.