Hollywood Zenith

Ariel was silent for a moment, just looking at her sister. The truth was she too didn't fully understood why she did it.

Was it because she was her half sister or because she felt sorry for her? It went completely against her master's teacher which was astounding as she never dared to go against her before but this time she felt like years of disappointment boiled over when Talia was brutally prosecuted, something she was doing for the clan's benefits.

It was clear Talia held them in high regard so when her master Samara discarded her, it did gave Ariel the first idea about rebellion. But over time, she really came to like little things about Talia.

Ariel did make it clear how much she hated their father on multiple occasions but unlike Talia, she had known him on deeper level and could see a clear shadow of his in Talia's demeanor.

She had never forgiven him but that doesn't mean she didn't miss him and Talia being the closest link to him did influence her decision. It was clear that she wouldn't be able to give any clear reason for what she did.

"Who said I was the one that helped you? Did you forget who brought you to this place?" Denial was the way to go. It was obvious, someone naive like Talia who honestly believed the ritual was for her own benefit, would not be able to deduce things on her own.

"You don't have to lie to me. I have seen how well this place is hidden even with his resources, it would be hard for him to find this place in days. You along with those quadruplets are the only people who I came in contact with since I came here. Still, I will place my bet on my half sister." Talia forced a smile.

"Maybe it was my master or he found this place by himself. It's not like you to underestimate him."

"You are joking with me. Although, I was in so much pain during the ritual, I can clearly hear your conversation. I know what happened and don't you remember how she dropped me here, locking me in this cage to be forgotten? I admit, I was wrong to trust her so blindly."

"That's more like it. You were so oblivious, I didn't know what to do about it. It was lucky that the lover of yours has the method to negate my master's poison, if not, you will not have lived pass this week." Ariel added.

Talia blinked but after few moments blushed as it was embarrassing for her when Ariel mentioned Samuel in such a intimate context. The truth was, she didn't know what they were.

She tried hard to keep him away even fought with him when she was leaving his home but now he was here helping and saving her without her even calling for him. It was true that she did hope for him but she never told it to anyone. It was more like her final wish to see the one man that she ever loved.

Now that she was alive and well, she didn't know what she would say to him when she sees him. But before that, she don't know if it was wise for her to admit it to Ariel as they weren't that close to begin with!

"You must have misunderstood. There is n-nothing between us."

"Are you sure? I am pretty sure I saw you two making out earlier." Ariel added not getting the clue to back off.

"Maybe he was feeding medicine! I was unconscious so I wasn't able to...you know."

Seeing Talia hide her blushing face felt weird in contrast with her shining bald head but somehow she looked cute. Ariel simply smiled feeling there was no lasting phycological affects but a thorough investigation needed to follow.

"Fine. He seem to care about you but we have a problem." Ariel suddenly turned serious.

"Since manage to infiltrate this place, it's only time when we will have to face resistance especially from my master. I tried to stop him but he went out so if push comes to shove, we should be ready to make a escape plan."

"We? Are you coming with us?" Talia asked.

"I did help him which is a traitorous act. Such disobedience is punishable by death or imprisonment or worse. Beside after all that happened.....I don't think I can keep ignoring what we do here." Ariel muttered but Talia caught everything.

"There is no reason for you to worry. I believe in him and....you despite our differences, I will like to know more about our family."

Both realised how their conversation was heading into an awkward territory. Ladies of their calibre were not used to feeling vulnerable, most of the times they were object of worship or others looking up at them because of their stellar 'career' and few times they would outright avoid them because they fear them.

Discussions about family lineage or meeting relatives were never a priority in their mind as they mostly live their life on the edge through dangerous missions!

"Maybe some other time. I am more worried about what we will do if my master finds about what happened here." Ariel rejected the idea as she wasn't ready for it.

"Since he is here, he will handle it." Talia said with strange confidence.

"We are not talking about normal people. You have seem my master not to mention a hundred more people that are armed to teeth with technologies beyond your imagination. A lone person would not even be able to get past this door!" Ariel had to admit he had some advantages but that would not be enough to battle the whole army.

Her master, Samara was known to be most lethal in the clan after the top elder. Her poison arts were not something ordinary people can deal with. Beside, she had a lot of cards under her sleeves not to mention decades of experience.

She practically looked to be in her 30s or 40s while she was already pushing ninety. It was normal behaviour to begin with!

"Just trust me, he will not lose." Talia didn't care at all. She had seen what he could do but more than that she felt a connection to him which gave her full confidence in him.

But if it came down to it, she will go and help him even if it meant to getting affected by the poison again and feeling the same hell she went through. There was a certain charm about him which pulled her to him and this time, she didn't want to run away or deny it's existence!