Chapter 18

Julian's grip tightened around the steering wheel as the car sped along the road. He had told Nancy that he was going home. But that was not the complete truth. He would go home eventually. But not at that moment. He had something else in mind. He was going to confront her. His nemesis. He knew who she really was and he knew she was on the hunt for her sixth victim. Then he would be the final sacrifice for that century. But he was not afraid. And he had to let her know that. He had to let her know he was prepared for battle. This was her game ; psychological warfare. He needed to play along and get into her mind. Startle her and disorient her a bit before he finally struck.

On getting to the building, he walked past the secretary who was startled by his sudden appearance.

"Mr Fernandez," She said, jumping off her seat and following him. "This is an unexpected surprise. Miss Torres never told me-"

"I don't have time for this." Julian snapped, cutting her off.

Too stunned to continue following him, she stood there and watched as he arrived by the parapsychologist's door. Without knocking, Julian barged into the office.

Loretta sat at her desk. A chess board was placed at the table in front of her. However, there was nobody with her and she seemed to be playing by herself. Julian took notice of her attire. She wore a deep purple suit with housed a black office shirt within. Julian wrinkled his nose in disgust at the colour. It reminded him of the dreaded serpentine art he saw on her torso. The one thing that conspicuously identified her as his destined foe. Her lips pursed in a smile as she moved a piece on the board, seemingly oblivious of his presence. Julian narrowed his eyes and closed the door. He walked towards her, taking cautious steps.

"Mr. Fernandez." She said, her eyes still fixed on the board. "I never expected you to come so soon. It seemed my method did not work."

"Don't give me that crap, Loretta," He snapped, standing mere inches from her table. "I know what you've been up too."

"Why, Mr Fernandez," She smiled innocently."Whatever do you mean?"

"So it's Mr Fernandez now? " He raised his eyebrows. "It's back to formality between us,right?"

"Mr. Fernandez, you seem quite tense," She said, gesturing to the seat in front of her.

"Please, sit. You need to relax." She added.

Julian didn't move. He kept a heated gaze at her.Loretta sighed and shook her head. She turned her attention back to the board.

"Would you fancy a game of chess?" She asked. "You can take white and I'll take black."

"Of course, you would take black," Julian huffed. "That's the colour of your heart. I'm not surprised. I'm only upset I couldn't see the truth earlier. The truth of what a black hearted witch you are. Isn't that right-"

He paused and leaned forward.

"Malorca." He whispered.

Julian saw the smile falter a bit from Loretta's face. Her hand which held the black chess queen stopped mid air as she was about to place it on the board. She looked up at him.

"Thalatian," She smiled sweetly. "You finally discovered the truth."

Julian didn't reply.

"I would like to say I'm disappointed," She said, shaking her head in mock fashion. "But I would be lying. I have to admit it was so boring doing the same thing over and over within the past seven hundred years with no challenge. None of your oblivious ancestors could put up a fight. But it seems different with you. Well, not for long."

"This whole time you were trying to get into my mind," Julian said. "The first session, the monster i saw at the fair on my birthday, the date and your attempted seduction. It was a way to weaken me mentally and psychologically before you took me down. Just like the way a serpent poisons it's prey before it devours it. I guess that's the meaning of your tattoo.

" Too bad it didn't work." Loretta shook her head in mock pity.

"Give it up, Malorca," Julian snarled. "I know what you are and I will stop you. You can't win this fight."

"That's where you're wrong, my dear," Loretta's smile widened. "I've already won."

Julian stared at her in surprise.

"You're lying," He said. "You haven't killed the sixth person yet."

Loretta chuckled. She placed her hands together on the table and rested her chin on them.

"It seems you do not know the extent of my power," She said. "Let me give you some pointers to make this battle more interesting. Since you know about me, you should know how I was killed."

"You were murdered by my ancestor." Julian said.

"Quite so," Loretta nodded. "But it seems you've forgotten that he burnt my corpse after my death."

"Where are you going with this? " Julian snapped impatiently.

"Think about it, Julian," Loretta grinned again. " If my body was burnt, would I really look like this?" She gestured to herself.

"With reincarnation? Yes, you can." Julian rolled his eyes.

"That's the thing. When Meriah punished me, she also made me powerful so that there can be a balance. She was angry with me for my failure but she still wanted the sacrifice. So it had to be done in a way not to arouse more suspicion and attention. Your ancestors even made it easier when they relocated to this country about five centuries ago, making them forget the legend and making it easier to slaughter them." Loretta said.

"It still doesn't explain anything." Julian said.

Loretta sighed.

"It's quite clear you didn't understand my earlier statement." She said.

"Is this another part of your trick?" Julian asked " You're trying to toy with my mind again."

"No, I'm not," She replied. "What if I told you I'm sitting right here in front of you and at the same time, I'm not really here? "

"What the hell does that even mean?" Julian asked, narrowing his eyes.

"It means, Thalatian," Loretta said, picking up the black chess queen. " You underrate my power. I've gotten my sixth sacrifice. "

"You're lying." He growled.

"Am I? " Loretta tilted her head sideways. "Let me refresh your memory. Every century, i claim seven men. Six sinners.. or at least who i consider sinners...and one Thalatian.Believe me when I say you'll be very happy to see who my sixth sacrifice is. And to make things even more entertaining, i've added someone special to our battle. A spectator if you may."

She leaned towards him and whispered in a dark tone.

"Your precious Nancy."

Julian's eyes widened at her statement. An angry look appeared on her face as she knocked the white chess king away from the end of the board and placed the queen in it's stead.

"Checkmate, Thalatian," She snarled. "Time's running out. I would make haste if I were you."

Julian quickly stood up and faced the door. He turned around to face her and to his horror, her seat was empty.

She was gone.

$Chapter