The Moros Murders

Katia

I whipped around, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. Danny stood alone, his face drained of all colour as though he’d seen a ghost. I charged towards him, desperation clawing at me from the inside. “Danny!” I demanded, “Where is she?”

He shifted his eyes to the side before answering me in a low voice, “It’s ok Kat, she’s alright.” His words did nothing to calm the storm of emotion that had taken over me.

“Did I ask how she was? No, I asked where she was,” I said angrily.

“Look, Kat, it’s not really my place-” I was getting a little impatient, so I cut him off.

“Take me to her. Now!” I didn’t shout because there were people around, but I made it clear that no wasn’t an answer.

“Ugh, fine, I just don’t think we should interrupt,” he explained as he led me towards a door at the side of the ball. The glass windowed door led to an intricately decorated patio. Pots containing roses of scarlet, and geraniums of pink, and all sorts of other brightly bloomed flowers were placed around. Twinkling fairy lights were strung above our heads. An incredible stone fountain stood in the centre; it too, was adorned with flowers. Blossom trees surrounded the edge of the patio and the petals fluttered down, aided by the gentle evening breeze. I didn’t have long to marvel as Danny continued straight on into the garden.

The scene transitioned from the metal and brick of the mansion to a lush, verdant garden. The sun had just set and the sky was a deep navy blue, the stars glimmering above. Vibrant colours of the flowers, plants and trees filled the area with an alluring beauty. As I stepped on the path, I felt like I was walking in a vast wonderland. All around me, there were blooming roses, hydrangeas, and carnations. I could feel the tranquillity of the place, and it was as if my worries had melted away. The sweet fragrance of dahlias graced my nose.

We walked through the gardens until Danny stopped, I paused next to him to see what he was looking at. Medea was sitting on a bench next to a shaggy haired, tired looking boy dressed finely. I recognised him as Cassius, Cerys Byun’s new husband and Medea’s contact. I observed the incredible landscape before them as I listened to their conversation.

I stood transfixed at the sight before me, like an artist admiring their masterpiece. Every detail made the scenery come to life - from the tranquil blue waters of the lake that moved like molten glass to the towering peaks of the mountains that seemed to reach up into the sky. The blinding whiteness of the snow was so striking against the deep blue of the lake, it felt like I had been transported to a mesmerising haven. My eyes couldn’t help but wander in awe and admiration as I took in this extraordinary view, gaining a newfound appreciation for nature’s unrivalled grandeur, power and beauty.

For most of their conversation, I felt like I was intruding on someone’s therapy session. I thought he was her contact, not her friend. I listened carefully for a few minutes before Medea finally asked him for the name she’d come for, “Good, now, I hear that you have a name for me?”

The boy nodded, “Tarin Xavier.” As soon as he said the name, I was filled with dread. I could see a similar expression plastered across Medea’s face. Danny also wasn’t looking too good. Tarin. I couldn’t believe it. The person responsible for killing Medea’s entire family, was a boy we’d all known since we were kids. A boy whom we considered a friend. I knew Tarin didn’t like being told no, but this, this was way over the line.

The more I thought about it, the more I realised that it didn’t surprise me. Tarin had always been this way. Medea and I had once seen him slap a maid because she’d brought him the wrong biscuits. I’d known him for a long time and until now, I never thought he would hurt me, but even then, sometimes his attitude would scare me.

I thought back to Langston’s suicide last year, he was a boy at our school. It surprised everyone because he was always so chilled out and happy. And one of our teachers died in an accident a few months ago. They had both gone up against Tarin a few weeks before their deaths. What if Tarin had them killed too? Just how rotten was the boy I grew up having tea parties and playing in the woods with?

I overheard Medea leave a recorded message for Tarin with her communicator. Place. Time. They were setting a trap. I pushed Danny into the bushes so they wouldn’t see us as they left. “I always said Tarin was bad news, and you always defended him.” Danny spoke after a moment of silence to process what he’d heard had passed.

To be fair to Danny, he had always said that he didn’t like Tarin. He always said that there was something not quite right about him, but no one else could see it. Tarin had everyone fooled, except for Danny it seems. “This is not the time for ‘I told you so’s’ Danny!”

“Ok but what do we do now?” he asked and I thought for a moment but I didn’t really need to, I already knew what I had to do.

“We’re going to follow them of course,” I said with a sly smile.

“And just why would we do that?”

“Medea is my bodyguard, she’s supposed to protect me. She wouldn’t put me in danger even if I wanted to help. I’m not just going to let her face Tarin on her own, she needs backup,” I stated, pulling Danny back towards the mansion.

“What and we’re the backup? No offence Kat but what can you do?” He pushed open the doors to the ballroom.

“More than you know,” I said before striding up to Cerys to say goodnight and offer thanks. We both left the party, Danny rode in my carriage, no doubt that this would cause rumours. Once we reached my home, I changed into something more suitable for the events that would occur in the next few hours. We headed down to our armoury, and I instructed Danny to pick something.

Danny’s eyes lit up as he saw the forgotten weapon in the corner. A heavy layer of dust blanketed its surface, the only sign that it hadn’t been touched in years. It was a solid wooden bat, with a large cog lodged at the top end, its jagged teeth sharpened into razor-sharp blades. Wrapped around the handle was thick leather, and a short spike protruded from the base of the bat, making both ends of this makeshift weapon equally as lethal.

I had thought I was being clever when I commissioned a fire proof, blast proof and stab proof jacket for my guards. The man had boasted that he could make such a thing from a special material which he said had impenetrable qualities. Little did I know that the ‘special’ material was actually the hide of rare Talyrian tigers, hunted to near extinction for their resilient fur. As soon as I discovered its origins, I hastily rescinded my order and left the finished jacket sitting in my office, untouched and unclaimed.

I took the jacket off of its hook and handed it to Danny. He was endangering himself when he didn’t need to, I could only thank him by giving him some protection. I told him its properties and he pulled it on over the shirt and trousers he’d changed into. I also gave him some gloves and boots. He strapped the weapon to his back then followed me out of the armoury.

“Don’t you need a weapon?” he asked as I locked the door. I reached into my pocket and clutched the knife Medea had given to me tightly.

Smiling at him I said, “I’ve got one.”

Traipsing through the Dregs, I was relieved that Danny didn’t dress or act like an upper as Medea calls us. He seemed to know exactly where he was going which made me think that he’d spent some time here because to me, the Dregs was a maze. I wore an old cloak I’d found in the armoury over my clothes to try to blend in. It was early morning and the pubs were only just closing, throwing their rabble into the streets. A noble lady and a nobleman might not be well received when half the place was under the influence of alcohol.

Somehow Danny fit right in, he even looked relaxed, the fact that his weapon was makeshift and he was wearing a worn looking leather coat, did make him look like a Dreg. I realised that he must’ve spent more than just a little time here after some guy came up to him and started chatting with him. They talked for a minute and the man asked Danny if I was his girlfriend - as if!

Dawn was arising when we finally reached the old docks. I could see Medea at the end of the battered wooden pier, learning against the railing. I couldn’t see Cassius or Tarin so Danny and I kept to the shadows. I didn’t want to ruin whatever plan Medea had in motion so I decided that we’d only get involved if they needed our help.

My breath hitched in my throat as I noticed Tarin appearing from a sheltered path before strolling towards Medea.