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Thaddeus Duke · **01-14-2017, 10:20 PM**

Saturday, December 24, 2016 | 10:42 PM Local Time | The Illuminatus Compound | Old Saybrook, Connecticut

In any war, no matter what side one might stand upon, it is filled with sacrifices by either side. Most modern wars are waged with open conflict with the casualties broadcast on news sources all over the globe. It is easy to determine side one lost 40 soldiers today, while side two lost 60. In a war that has raged for centuries and largely in the shadows rather than open conflict, it is far more difficult, verging on the impossible, to determine a precise count of those lost.

In a war that lasts as long as the conflict between the Illuminatus and the Catholic Church, one may presume that any peace between the two would be a bitter one. One could think that, but they’d be wrong. While it is true that some on both sides of this conflict wish to continue the war, it is pertinent to the survival of both sides to at least consider a peaceful coexistence. Neither the Catholics, nor the Illuminatus can financially afford to continue fighting each other when there are far darker, more evil elements out there wishing to harm anyone and everyone that disagrees with them, their way of life, or their religious views, no matter how perverted they may be.

Bitter enemies make strange bedfellows.

Thaddeus Duke, the Prince of the Illuminatus sits near the crackling fire, anxiously awaiting the arrival of his featured guest. A song by the Stone Temple Pilots plays quietly in the background as James browses the web from his cell. The King took his leave recently, he’s surely lumbering about somewhere in the old relic of a building.

”This WiFi here fucking sucks,” he says, obviously frustrated as he lays his phone down in disgust.

Thaddeus looks at James, ”You know that guy died.”

James looks at him, still frustrated and now even more so because he has no idea what the hell Thaddeus is talking about. ”What?

“Who died?”

”Scott something.

“I forget his last name. The singer or whatever for Stone Temple Pilots.”

Thaddeus looks over at James and a slight smile appears on Jim’s face.

”Scott Weiland.

“Yeah, I know he’s dead.

“Overdose or something.”

Thaddeus picks up his own phone to browse the web himself. ”Now it’s just Stone Temple Pilot.”

James laughs, ”stop being nervous, Thad.”

”Nervous?

“I’m not nervous. What makes you think I’m nervous?” asks the Prince, already knowing the answer since he was, in fact, nervous.

”You only tell bad jokes when you’re nervous,” Jim replies.

Thaddeus sighs deeply. ”I’m not nervous, Jim.

“Asshole,” the last part he states under his breath. ”And that wasn’t a bad joke!” Thaddeus states emphatically as he resumes playing some game on his phone.

”I can’t wait until she gets here,” James states with a huge grin.

Thaddeus feels the grin without seeing it and tosses his phone on the end table nearby.

”And that’s because?”

”Because when you’re nervous, your voice also cracks.”

Thaddeus doesn’t say anything, electing only to glare at his friend. The office phone rings from the same table Thaddeus had previously laid his cell on. ”Yes?” he says after hitting the speaker.

”My Prince… your guest has arrived, sir.”

”Send her in,” he replies, his voice indeed cracking on the transition from ‘send’ and ‘her’, ending the call immediately after. James gets ready to say something as Thaddeus stands up. Thaddeus only points at James, and Jim holds his hands up in defeat, as if saying he wasn’t going to say anything.

”You…

“Fuck off.”

”I’m not saying anything,” Jim says, still smiling wide.

”Okay, so I’m a little nervous.”

”No, Trax being in a traffic stop in the heart of Alabama would be a little nervous. You’re more than that.”

“It’s a chick. How am I going to work with a chick?

“What am I supposed to do with her?”

James laughs instantly, ”I could probably think of some things.”

Thaddeus squints a little, trying to understand when it hits him what Jim is referring to. ”Besides that!”

The entrance doors to the library creak open. The artist formerly known as Gary, now Jeeves, leads a very gorgeous, somewhat short and slender, dark complected brunette into view. Thaddeus glances at the woman, then immediately shifts his attention to James. Their eyes meet, James’ eyes are wide. They exchange a stare with one another, that if verbal, would be ‘holy shit’ in unison.

The Prince then returns his attention to his guest. ”Miss Ariana Valentina, your Highness.”

”Thank you Jeeves, you’re dismissed.”

Jeeves bows slightly, then closes the doors as he leaves. Ariana kneels to the Prince, almost ironically, or perhaps not, at crotch level. Thaddeus resists looking at Jim. ”Please, Miss Valentina,” he reaches his hand down to her. ”There’s no need for that here.” She looks up at him and grabs his hand and he gently lifts her to her feet, he instantly notices the very soft touch of her skin. On a spur of the moment decision, he kisses her hand ever so lightly, ”Thaddeus Duke, Miss. I’m not your Prince.” He looks at James, and points in his direction before looking back at her, ”I am his though.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Valentina.”

”I assure you, the pleasure is mine,” she says in her sweet, angelic Spanish accent. ”Might you introduce me to your friend here?” she asks, referring to James.

Thaddeus looks at James, then back at Ariana. ”That’s James. I call him Jim, though.

“He has no last name.

“Apparently he had parents that didn’t even love him or something.

“In fact his name isn’t even Jim. Isn’t that right Jim?” Thaddeus asks while turning to James, then immediately returning his attention to the stunning beauty before him. ”Also he can’t speak.

“Lost his tongue to herpes or something.”

James holds his arms up as if to say ‘what the fuck?’

Ariana smiles, then laughs lightly. ”I’m sure that’s not true.”

”I’m sure it isn’t either.”

”Please sit, tell us about yourself,” he motions for the sofa and she obliges.

”I’m from a small town outside of Barcelona,” she begins, trying her hardest t break her stare into Thaddeus’ deep blue eyes. ”My mother passed when I was two, so I have no memory of her. My father was a mercenary for the Church for many years until he retired ten years ago. Being a mercenary is the only life I ever knew, so I was trained for several years to perfect my craft.”

”So you’re a Catholic assassin?”

”No,” she says with a smile.

”So you’ve never killed anyone yet. You’re not an assassin.”

”No, I’m an assassin. I’ve killed.

“I’m not a Catholic.”

”You’re not Catholic?” James asks, somewhat shocked by that revelation. Thaddeus too.

”No, I’m afraid not.”

”Father will be happy to hear it.

“In your work, have you ever cut down anyone important? Or just minor targets?”

She shifts uncomfortably in her position.

”It’s okay. We’re all friends here.

“See, in order to go into this together we have to trust each other. I will require honesty, Miss Valentina,” noticing her reluctance.

”Please, your Highness.

“Just call me Ariana.”

Thaddeus nods with an assuring smile.

”I’ve only ever taken out one important target. I’m afraid its someone you knew.”

Thaddeus squints in thought.

James has an ‘oh shit’ look on his face, thinking he already knows where this is going.

”Go on, Ariana.”

”I was told to be honest when questioned. See, the Church needs this alliance more than it needs me. They’re willing to risk my safety in order to secure the Illuminatus Alliance. By telling you what I know and who my target was, it could jeopardize my life.”

Thaddeus Duke is no longer smiling. He has now leaned back in his chair as he too realizes where all of this is going. Her target must have been an Illuminatus member, otherwise it wouldn’t be difficult to talk about in his presence.

”I’d hate to assert my authority.

“I’d hate to harm such… stunning beauty.

“Rest assured, I can and I have.”

Ariana looks at Thaddeus.

”I have ways of getting what I want and I wouldn’t have to assert that upon you directly.”

”I don’t think you realize how difficult my position is.”

”One phone call, and I could have men surrounding your fathers home within the hour,” he warns, almost regretting taking this course of action.

Ariana pulls out then lights a cigarette. ”I’ve heard stories of your ruthlessness during the war. None of them were in your home and surrounded by your men.”

Thaddeus looks at James then back at Ariana.

”Look,” Thaddeus begins, easing his authoritative tone some and leaning forward. ”I realize you’re in enemy territory. Your honesty can only help you here. I’d never hold against you, something you did in a time of war. We’re ready to embark on a great and dangerous journey together, Ariana. Trusting each other is paramount to the task at hand.

“Obviously your target was Illuminatus otherwise it wouldn’t be difficult.

“Ariana, who was your target?”

”The Church referred to the targets as,” she begins, giving herself up to possible retribution. ”The three headed snake of the Illuminatus.”

Thaddeus slumps back in his chair.

”Chancellor Asmodeus.

“King Sebastian,” she pauses.

All three of those present know the third.

”And you, Prince Thaddeus.”

A deafening silence fills the room before Thaddeus breaks in, ”you’re referring to the hit on us in Germany? The one that took the life of my fathers right hand?”

She nods.

”That doesn’t make sense to me. We caught and killed the three assassins.”

”You captured and killed three decoys.

“All they had were blanks.”

”Miss Valentina, I had my men prepare a room for you. It’s getting late so perhaps we should continue this conversation in the morning.”

”Uhh no, I think it’d be best if I just...”

”Nonsense. Your safety is guaranteed.

“JEEVES!” he shouts. Seconds later the man himself enters the room.

”You called, your Highness?”

”Please escort Miss Valentina to her room.”

”Yes your Highness.”

”Make certain she has whatever she needs and whatever she wants.

“Is that clear?”

”It is your Highness.

“Follow me, Miss.”

”Again, Ariana,” he begins. ”Your safety is guaranteed. Please sleep peacefully.”

Ariana stands up and bows slightly. She approaches the Prince and James jumps to his feet out of instinct. Ignoring him, Ariana places her right hand on Thaddeus’ right inner thigh just behind his knee. ”I won’t forget your kindness.” As she walks away to follow Jeeves, she allows her hand to stroke across Thaddeus’ leg.

She never looks back and the doors close behind her.

Thaddeus looks at James.

”You look… happy...”

Thaddeus looks puzzled at first, then it hits him. ”The fuck you looking for?”

”I’m human. Sue me.

“She’s into you bro.”

”Do you have any idea how weird that sounds with a British accent?”

”Do you have any idea how weird everything sounds WITHOUT a British accent?”

James plops himself back in his chair. ”In other news. She killed Jake.

“And you can’t tell your father.”

”He still mourns Jake.”

”I know. You can’t tell him. He’ll want blood.”

Thaddeus stands up and proceeds to the far wall where a couple of windows overlook the grounds along the right side of the Compound. He leans into the wall and stares out the window, deep in thought.

”If you tell him, she’ll be dead by morning.”

”He flew here to see me.”

”Dude, you can’t.”

”He said he was bored at the Vatican. He probably was but there’s countless other places he could have gone.

“He chose me.”

James says nothing.

”He told me what I wanted to know after dancing around the subject for two years.”

”You’re gonna tell him aren’t you?”

Thaddeus looks back at James, then proceeds to slowly exit the library.

”Good night Jim.”

The door closes behind him leaving Jim by himself.

”He’s gonna tell him.”

The door to the library suddenly and quickly opens and the Prince pokes his head in.

”Of course I’m gonna tell him.”

To Be Continued….

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