A Shifting of Fortune Part 10
"Please Madam sit down." Quatre implored his Mistress to take a seat across from him.
He didn't bother to turn off the computer because one way or the other he was going to finish his assignment even if it meant calling Heero in for backup.
Noin quietly slipped her slender frame into a plush chair crossing her long legs and leaning back as she displayed a surprisingly comfortable demeanor. "Well let's hear all of it." she requested lowly.
Quatre turned his chair around creating a blue aura shadow from the backwash of the screen. The filtered glow graced his pale skin and surrounded his blond tresses until he resembled some form of a mythological aquatic creature freshly risen from the sea.
But despite his peculiar transformation Noin's household manager presented a clearly and quite direct picture of one determined individual. His back was straight, his eyes centered. Every fiber of his being told Noin unequivocally that he would not be dissuaded from his job.
Noin had never seen Winner show such conviction before. Not that he had been overly meek but, at the same time, Quatre had never been one to stir the waters. He had always followed the rules not so much for fear of what the consequences of his disobedience might be but from respect for his Mistress.
*********
Quatre was the only ranking staff member that had found his way into Vixen's Liar by his own consent. The sole person not in her employment because he had been bought and paid for, so his loyalty had been prized about all the others. For this Noin had always been grateful even if she had not told him so.
But she had known for some time that Quatre had been unhappy. At first she was at a lost to know the reason. Lucrezia had given him all the comforts of her home. Free passage anywhere on the estate and a car at his disposal to come and go as he pleased.
He earned an excellent wage but Noin knew deep within her heart that it was not the position or the money that dissatisfied Winner. The unhealthy, sometimes volatile, atmosphere that had taken over her home since she had made the unwise choice of hiring Chang as her Chief of Security had taken its toll on everyone.
Quatre's altered deportment changed once more as he and Trowa became more involved. It didn't take a genius to see how much they cared for each other so Noin was not shocked the first time she walked in on Quatre and Trowa kissing in Quatre's office.
Quatre had later that same evening come to her afraid Noin was displeased by his actions and would either give or sell Trowa to someone else. Winner was not anxious for his possible dismissal only for his new lover's well being. The dear soul even went so far as to promise he would no longer see Trowa romantically if only he be allowed to stay.
Noin had for the first time in her recent memory come close to tears that night as Quatre begged her not to send Trowa away. Her heart ached for Quatre's fearful desperation and for her own sake at the lives she had ruined along the way in acquiring the rights to Vixen's Lair.
She had pledge that as long as she was his Mistress Quatre and Trowa would always be together. All she had asked was that her dear manger stay with her because he was one of a handful of people she could trust.
But she had known the time for their parting was coming quickly. Chang had become more and more powerful until he commanded the estate as if it was his own. He had threatened and used force to have his way. As much as she dreaded the truth, Noin knew her Head of Security had been personally responsible for the disappearance of many of her pets.
Lucrezia Noin knew by her selfishness, her pride in the things she owned and the status they had afforded her that she had been, however indirectly, the means of other human's deaths. Now like her treasures, both of material possessions and of flesh and bone, she was as much a prisoner in her own home as all those she egoistically claimed.
Then why had she committed yet another awful act by buying Duo Maxwell? Why had she once more taken away someone's freedom especially someone who had suffered such horrible things before coming to her?
At the time she told herself Duo's purchase was not for her pleasure but because he was one of the few who dared to stare her down. Noin remembered well how his eyes had locked with hers, how he never coward or shrunk from her power or the fact she literally held his life in her hands.
In the days that followed she tried to convince herself that Maxwell's defiance stemmed from not caring anymore, that he had decided his life was no longer worth the effort of living. That she had done him a favor by delivering him from his painful life and given him a stable place to live.
But the longer she watched him, how he still retained that special spark, she grew more heavyhearted every day. Oddly just the night before she had made the decision to give everyone under her sway his or her freedom. She knew Chang would not so readily leave so she had further decided that if Vixen's Lair was what he fancied then he was welcomed to it.
She now knew, without any doubt, that no matter how grant the cage it is still a cage. That no matter how well she treated her employees or her "pets" they were all still in bondage. It had to stop tonight. One moment more was too long. With certainty she knew, like the others, her burdened soul would not survive anymore delay.
She would not be left without any resources at all, she would still have enough to go somewhere else, start a new life and hopefully in time be able, if not to forget the wrong she had done, at least forgive herself. Yes in time maybe the Lady of Vixen's Lair could finally find the peace that all her possessions could not give her. Maybe, someday.
*********
Quatre's lowered voice brought her back from her recalling. His words, however, did not register in her muddled mind. Forcibly Noin centered her attention on the gentle soul sitting, with more confidence than ever before, just beyond her reach.
Interrupting his sentence by raising her hand, Winner paused but let it be known by his body language that he would not be silenced for long.
"I don't need to know your reasons." she declared leaning forward to touch Quatre's hand.
"I have sensed for some time that you wanted your freedom not only for yourself but your lover as well. I also know of the trouble between you and Chang this morning and of his appalling barbaric behavior with Maxwell and how Mr. Yuy came to his aide.
I know Chang's ways of dealing with any threat. I fear this morning's events have unleashed a devil that no one can stop." she sighed as tears brimmed under her long eyelashes.
"Please I beg you take your lover and your friends and leave here tonight. I know I do not hold much influence over Chang but I can at least make certain is he occupied as your make good your escape."
Quatre patted Noin's hand, "We already have a plan. That is why I am here to override the security alarm. We have also arranged transportation. Now I employ you to make your own way out tonight. Let Chang have this hellhole, you do not need it any longer. Please for my sake because of your caring for me, for your genuine concern, go now and let us take care of the rest." Quatre begged kissing his Mistress' trembling hand.
"Go." he urged helping her to stand. "Don't worry for me or my friends we will be all right. I promise once we all find a safe haven I will contact you and let you know we are well. Thank you, my dear Mistress, for your kindness over the years and your wishes for our safety. Please now, go."
Heero had pressed his ear to the door trying to figure if he heard voices coming from inside. He was growing more uneasy as the time for Quatre to complete his assignment had gone on too long. Something wasn't right, he could feel it, sense it in his insightfully trained instincts.
Without any warning Heero threw open the door snapping immediately into a ready stance. The pistol was held in a double grip as the weapon became a natural extension of his outstretched arm.
With focused accuracy he leveled the pistol's hollow end at Noin's middle. "Move away." he ordered sliding forward until the gap was narrow to almost nothing.
Quatre stepped forward waving his hand in protest. "No Heero, she is on our side."
"Sure." Heero replied never relinquishing his sure aim.
"And I just bet she wants to bid us a fond farewell, too." he announced not bothering to hide his sarcasm.
"Please Heero," Quatre urged, "you asked me before to trust your judgment now you need to trust mine. My Mistress knows the whole story and had offered to help by creating some diversion to keep Chang busy."
"And how do you know that she won't send Chang after us? I know she is afraid of him has been for some time." Heero proclaimed.
"Tell me Mistress," he said as he shored up his aim, "do you have the guts to stand up to Chang when he finds out the particulars of your betrayal? What will you do then? Tell me you self-centered bitch, what will you do then?"
"Heero don't talk to her like that." Quatre hissed coming to his Mistress' defense.
"No it is all right Quatre," Noin answered, "Heero is right I am selfish and cruel. I want to make amends for the lives I have ruined. If you will trust me this one time I swear I will not betray that trust. This is all I can offer for the wrongs that I have done, please let me try to help."
Heero studied Noin's face for a long time, more time than they had, but he needed to let his inner council guide him in the right choice. All their lives depended on him knowing the right path. He looked from Noin to Quatre. He knew Quatre's love for Trowa would not do anything that might put his lover in danger. He would sooner die himself.
"All right," Heero answered lowering the pistol, "I hope you are being truthful." he said centering one of his best Death Glares on Noin, "If you don't keep your word and I do survive there will nowhere on this earth or the realms beyond that you will be able to hide. Understand me well, Mistress Noin." he warned sincerely.
Noin nodded as the tears flowed freely. She opened her mouth to speak but her tears choked her words back.
"Until we see each other again," Quatre declared, "may Allah protect you from all harm." he wished leaning forward to place a quick kiss on his Lady's cheek.
*********
Quatre quickly typed in the last code, waited for conformation, then shut down the computer.
As soon as he and Heero closed the door behind them, Noin picked up the phone.
"Security." a voice answered on the other end.
"Let me speak to Chang." Noin demanded.
"Just a minute I will transfer your call."
In a few moments Chang's husky voice sounded on the line, "Chang here."
"Chang this is Noin I need you to take some men and check out the Western border. I was out for a walk earlier and saw strange lights shining from behind the wall."
"Now?" Chang asked not wanting his plans for the elimination for his unfaithful employee and the bastard's upstart friends interrupted.
Noin put all the courage she had into her voice as she wiped away sorrowful tears, "Yes, now." she ordered.
"All right." Chang replied curtly not bothering to hide his displeasure.
"That ought to do it." Noin told herself knowing Quatre and the others had planned to use the opposite gate, "Have a nice time chasing nothing you murdering son of a bitch." she smiled turning off the lights and heading for her room.
*********
When Chang returned to the table his men knew he was not happy.
"Trouble?" one asked reading well his boss' mood.
"That was Noin on the phone, now the crazy bitch is seeing lights beyond the Western wall. She wants me to go out there and check." He announced taking up his black uniform jacket, "And guess who is going with me?" he glared around the table.
"It shouldn't take much time then we can finalize our plans to put Yuy and his unfortunate cronies out of MY misery." Chang laughed taking pleasure in his plot to make all his betrayers suffer hard before they begged him to release them in death.
*********
Noin had already packed her suitcases and called for her driver to bring her favorite car to the main entrance. While Chang was busy at the house's rear she would leave through the front gates and never look back.
"Safe journey my dear Quatre Raberba Winner." she whispered as the driver loaded the trunk then helped her into the back seat.
The car's headlights flickered over the front entrance as they lost some of their luster in the curve of the driveway. The great fountain, its cascading water reflecting the taillight's reddish hues, sparkled and sprayed as if nothing had changed. The Amazonian stature, the proud representation of Noin's grand estate, suddenly seemed so inappropriate, so bizarre in its pretentious bearings.
As the double iron gates swung open permitting the Lady her first true freedom for the longest time, Lucrezia Noin, the proud Mistress of Vixen's Liar, took her last look as the estate's name etched in the massive stone pillars was swallowed up by the enfolding darkness.
"No regrets." she told herself.
"Plenty of regrets." she answered with a heavy sigh. "And never complete peace."
*********
Dressed entirely in black from head to toe, Duo braided his hair. The leather pants, silky shirt, knee-high boots and leather jacket, he felt, were quite appropriate attire for he and his comrade's upcoming escape.
Pacing impatiently as he awaited Quatre and Heero's return Duo checked his watch for the fourth or fifth time. He glanced anxiously at the door. "Come on, hurry up." he willed his friend to make hast in their coming back
Trowa had briefly returned to his room filling a small backpack with what few possessions he could not bear to leave behind. Now he, too, waited with edgy apprehension.
Most of the gathered trinkets were of no great monetary worth but their sentimental value was priceless. He had managed to retain several material links with his past, long ago penned letters and keepsakes, those were his only remaining lifeline to who he really was.
But his most prized treasures were gifts that Quatre had given him. Those he absolutely could not part with especially the Book of Prayers that Quatre had hoped would offer some measure of peace for his lover's forlorn soul.
As Trowa had shut his bedroom door behind him for the last time he close forever that part of his sad life. One way or the other, tonight, he and his koi would be free.
Whether riding out into the night together or lying down side by side in death he and his precious lover would be free.
Duo didn't bother to keep anything. There was no fond memories or dear bonds only painful reminders of his wasted past and not much of anything else to guide his future.
There was nothing there that held any meaning for him accept Solo's cross radiating encouraging warmth against his chest. Now that holy symbol did have new meaning. It represented Solo's strength, his unconditional love.
With its help Duo knew he could begin a new life. He would leave that hellish cage the way he had come, empty handed but, now, not alone. He would have Solo's guidance and Heero's caring concern and. perhaps soon, his love.
For a brief measure of time Duo Maxwell allowed himself to believe everything would work out. Like Trowa he knew his freedom was assured one way or the other. And if fate dealt death instead of that promised freedom, he would not make the journey into the afterlife alone.
Duo drew in a steadying breath taking comfort in that knowledge, thankful for the love and support of a past lover and the help of his present comrades who were willing to pay the ultimate price for their independence.
TBC...
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