CHAPTER 6------COULD HE HAVE?

Ramona gasped as she stared at the figure before her. Her hands found the light switch and she put it on.

"Where are the rest of my family?" She asked, glaring at Dimitri. He put up his hands in an 'I surrender' way.

"They're at the back. Something about grilling." He said, nodding off in the direction. Ramona walked to the backyard and glanced outside. She sighed in relief when she saw all of them standing beside the grill, laughing about something. She turned around and without sparing Dimitri another glance, walked up the stairs to her room.

"You really think I'm a criminal?" he asked, following her.

"Yes. A serial killer, to be honest." Ramona replied, shrugging.

"Please. If I wanted to kill you don't you think I'd have done it since." he asked as he stood beside her bedroom door.

Ramona walked to her closet and pulled out a t shirt then answered him. "Well, you could have other plans."

"Rape? Please, red. You're definitely not my type. Hot, yes but not my type. Far from it to be honest." He said, chuckling. Ramona rolled her eyes then gave him a death stare.

"Well, I'm not your type. Why are you still standing here?" She asked, holding the hem of her shirt.

"Hey, don't twist my words. I said you're not my type but I also said you're hot. And the Lord knows I like seeing hot women." Dimitri flirted then winked at her.

"Pervert." Ramona muttered, pushing him away and shutting her door. She heard him laugh outside her door and in a way, it sounded soothing. Ramona pulled off her shirt and wore a different one. She lay on her bed and began using her phone.

Some minutes later, Ramona heard a knock on her door. She moved to open it.

"What now?" She groaned, staring at Dimitri. He grinned and held out his hand.

"Your aunt and uncle are calling you." He said. Ramona picked up her phone and tucked it in her pocket then strode towards the backyard.

"Have you met me before?" Dimitri asked, squinting his eyes.

"Believe me, if I had, I would remember." Ramona let out, rolling her eyes. Dimitri shrugged and said aloud,

"Then why so cold to me?"

"Well, you seem like a criminal. Maybe you wanna kill my family and I." Ramona answered. He glared at her and she raised her hands up above her head, "You were the one who wondered."

"Let's make a compromise."

"What?"

"If I can make your kids like me, you stop giving me attitude." Dimitri said.

"Puh-lease. I'm not giving anybody attitude. You're just—not someone I know." Ramona defended.

"Whatever. So deal or not?" Dimitri asked, stretching his hand forward. They were standing in front of the screen door leading to the backyard. Ramona looked out and her lips curved into a small smile.

"Deal." She answered.

***[]***

Elsewhere, in a place far far away from Ramona and her family, a man wearing all black was pacing up and down the room. The man's features were set in a visible frown. He had a long scar that ran from his ear down to the side of his mouth that only made him look even more intimidating.

Secretly the man was fuming but he tried to keep his anger at bay. He was waiting for a certain someone.

"When are those damned workers going to be back?" He growled out.

"Sir, they're just returning." a servant said. Batista went and sat back on the throne as he recalled the events of the past day.

[FLASHBACK]

"Sir, this should be the last of the gems. It is said that to obtain supreme power you have to gather all the gems. The book said the gems would be the 20th odd number in total." A trusted guard said to him. He had been sitting in the throne room when a guard came to him with the news.

"And you're sure that you've got it all? You know that doing the ritual without all the gems could destroy the planet and make me lose my chance." Batista said. The guard nodded as he arranged the gems on the crystal stone. He placed each gem. In it's marking.

"I have arranged all the gems. There is only one thing left sir; the queen's blood. It is meant to be in the middle as it should spread and touch all the gems." The guard explained.

"Bring her to me." Batista ordered. The guard bowed and left. Few minutes later, he dragged a very unwilling Malina into the room.

"Let me go, you foolish guards!" She screamed, as she struggled.

"Oh my sweet, queen." Batista said, coming closer to her. He trailed his hands down her face and she squirmed in disgust. Batista smirked then pulled out a sword.

"I don't think we should waste time." he said. "Bring her." the guards dragged her towards the crystal stone and placed one of her hands on it.

"You're trying to unlock the power. The kingdom." Malina muttered. Slowly, a smirk formed across her face. "Go ahead, fool. See if it works." She said then let out a maniacal laugh.

Batista glared at her and in the spur of the moment, he stabbed at her hand that was placed on the rock. Malina let out a spine-chilling scream that was heard throughout the kingdom. Even the guards felt a tinge of pity for her but they quickly out it aside. Batista twisted his sword that was in her hand then roughly pulled it out.

The rock was meant to glow and the gems were meant to form into the ultimate crown but Noone of that happened. Not even a spark.

"What-what is happening?" He asked, panicking.

"Fool. I told you it wouldn't work." Malina chuckled through her pain.

"What did you do? Tell me now!" Batista growled, clutching her jaw. He stared darkly into her eyes as he waited for her to reply. Malina only laughed and stared at him too.

"You can't make me." She dared.

"Tie her on a pole and then keep dunking her into the river until she's almost gone." he ordered, letting go of her. Malina kept chuckling as she was led out of the room. Few minutes later, the door opened and a man walked in.

"I have information."

[END OF FLASHBACK.]

The guards brought Malina into the room and Batista stood up.

"Make her kneel." he ordered. Malina was pushed down by her shoulders and she stared up at Batista.

"Dearest Malina, you thought I wouldn't eventually find out? " he asked. Malina's head shot up at this. "You must've thought no one knew."

"What are you talking about, fool?" Malina asked.

"I'll show you." Batista said. In a moment, a hole see through hole appeared on the air and a voice could be heard saying,

"I have my eyes on the target." Then the focus turned to a woman laughing with her family.

"Madi..." Malina muttered, breathlessly.