Chapter 72: 32. Fame.
Mariella woke up feeling a sense of readiness. The passion of the previous night still lingered in her mind, but she easily shifted gears as the morning sunlight streamed through the curtains. She stepped into the invigorating spray of the shower, feeling the warm water cascade over her skin, awakening her senses.
Her mind was focused on ensnaring the four individuals she had set her sights on, including number one and two, who she knew were influenced by Salvatore's hivemind. Mariella knew that they would know what had transpired between her and number four, as well as the connection he had formed with Mimi. She hoped that this knowledge would ignite a hint of jealousy within them, realizing that jealousy was not always a negative emotion.
Having spent time on the base, Mariella had learned a great deal about emotions and had absorbed some potent energies. She vividly remembered the moments when she had nourished Jarod and Miss Parker, engaging in conversations about her experiences. Jarod had enlightened her about jealousy, explaining that it stemmed from love, albeit sometimes twisted. A jealous person desires something that they perceive others to have. It was a very human feeling that could actually be useful.
Jarod shared a personal example with Mariella, confessing his jealousy towards his wife whenever she indulged in a certain type of ice cream that he couldn't have due to his nut allergy. This ice cream was made with peanut butter and various nuts, creating a unique flavor. Inspired by his jealousy, Jarod began to investigate, experimenting with different ingredients until he discovered safe alternatives that replicated the same flavor in regular vanilla ice cream, but without the nuts. This seemingly trivial jealousy sparked his passion for medicine and led to the creation of their institute.
Mariella absorbed the wisdom of Jarod's story, reflecting on her own desires to have every man for herself and exclude Mimi from the equation. Jarod explained her actions resulted from not feeling loved enough, sensing something between Mimi and those men that she herself longed for. Mariella realized she wasn't motivated by spite or a desire to bring misery to Mimi; she simply craved something for herself.
Lost in deep thought, Mariella contemplated the insights Jarod had provided. She couldn't help but wonder what he would see within Damon and whether the two of them could also become friends.
Mimi had been tirelessly occupied, leaving little time to spend with her children. Mariella, knowing it wasn't yet the right time, patiently awaited the babies' entry into the magic house. Number four had just been summoned for assessment by Magnum, involving physical tests. It would be exciting to see him return if he indeed did come back. Numbers ten and nine had received their notes, with a scheduled interview a few days later at the cafe, coinciding with their presence at the same time.
A fortunate occurrence. Adam Charles and the boys finally arrived home, their presence accompanied by the lingering scent of hospitals. They had been collaborating with skilled sarks, striving to improve their work. While they maintained their organization, fieldwork had been scarce, as most of their efforts were focused on investigations. The sarks had their own establishments to tend to, where they cared for victims. Interestingly, it seemed that Mimi's fleas occasionally brought them more patients to treat.
Charles longed for Mimi's company, contemplating venturing into the realm of fleas. However, he knew Mariella might need him more as her protector. He had mastered the role, ensuring Mariella's well-being, especially during her challenging pregnancies. She had been the epitome of a perfect wife for all of them, but Charles knew that this wasn't what Mariella truly desired. Her time as a wife had been a period of personal growth, and she was evolving as an individual. Charles was confident that someday he would be immensely proud of her.
In the kitchen, Mariella awaited the arrival of the men. As they entered, they appeared fatigued, yet not as drained as they had been in that other realm. The aroma of hospitals clung to them, showing their roles as doctors. It would be beneficial to have them out in the field once again.
I sat in my dimly lit office, the sound of ringing phones echoing around me. Calls from all over the world came pouring in, each one demanding my attention. Mariella was still absent, and I did not expect her to return anytime soon. It seemed likely that she would stay in bed when Salvatores became more demanding.
I hadn't considered the number four on the list, knowing that more Salvatores were waiting to be evaluated. Magnum was currently testing number four, and I didn't bother asking him how it was going. His gaze seemed to suggest that he knew I was on the verge of unloading my frustration, but I wasn't in the mood. I had to focus on resolving these problems.
Whenever I was available, it seemed like everyone wanted something from me. They would ask questions, provide hints, or share what they had seen. I diligently noted down all the hints about the activities of Nasty Sark and stored them on my laptop. This way, I had a list in front of me, guiding my next investigations.
After spending several hours on the phone, I decided it was time to eat something. Thankfully, Mariella had taken care of the kitchen, improving the quality of the food. It was important for our fieldwork. Jarod and Miss Parker would handle the interviews with the Salvatores, as they were more than eager to do so.
Jarod always found amusement in the fact that Damon frequently threatened to kill him or turn him into a vampire. He took pride in being a threat to the Salvatores. But at the same time, both Jarod and Miss Parker were excited to meet a telepath who had lived for over a thousand years. It was a challenge they were eager to embrace.
I found myself occasionally overwhelmed by the confessions of number four and what Wulfe had revealed to me. Wulfe had gone on a mission and hadn't spoken to me since that night. Magnum was busy, Alaric was tending to the kids, but I wasn't alone. Murdock had joined me, and he would stay until someone else took over. He was eager to confront Princess Mariella and give her a piece of his mind. Murdock was a tough but effective teacher. When he praised you, you knew you truly deserved it.
I glanced at my to-do list, realizing I had at least 15 different guns to test. I could do that after I grabbed something to eat. Murdock was an excellent sniper, but he was also skilled with handguns. He didn't hesitate to correct my posture or any other imperfections he noticed.
I walked into the kitchen, the scent of freshly cooked food filling the air. I carefully filled a tray with an assortment of delicious dishes, the aroma making my mouth water. I also grabbed a couple of thermos bottles filled with strong, aromatic coffee and a cold can of refreshing Coke. Balancing everything carefully, I made my way to the table. I preferred eating there rather than in the kitchen.
The dining area was relatively empty, giving me the opportunity to enjoy my meal alone. But in the back of my mind, I knew I had another purpose for being there. I wanted to test out the guns I had in my possession, all of them rare and experimental. They were kept in my office, waiting for my approval or rejection before being handed over to others. I intended to try out different types of ammunition as well.
Finishing my meal, I returned to my office and grabbed a bag designed to carry weapons and ammo. I carefully placed my guns inside, preparing to put them to the test. Just as I was about to start, a voice interrupted me from the doorway. It was Murdock, sounding irritated.
"Hello, girl. What in hell's name are you planning to do, and what are those guns?" he asked.
I continued my task without even looking at him, responding, "I'm about to test them out so I can decide which ones to use."
Murdock walked over and grabbed one of the guns, inspecting it with a grunt. "Not alone, flea," he said. "Remember, we have others who need to test these guns, too. We need several testers."
I rolled my eyes at his comment and explained, "I'm just making sure they're useful for us. Others can try them out afterward."
Murdock pulled out his phone, sending a message. Soon, my office door swung open, and Alaric and Dexter walked in. Murdock approached my desk, glancing at my laptop. He gestured to Alaric, who came over and silently took my laptop. We had multiple laptops, and he usually returned them after finishing his work, erasing any unnecessary information.
A few more team members entered the room, and I had to distribute the guns and ammo among them. In total, there were about ten of us, all testing these guns and sharing our opinions. Murdock patiently explained to me that, as a supernatural being with small hands, it was necessary for humans and those with larger hands to test the guns as well. I understood his point, but as always, I preferred working alone and keeping things to myself.
After meticulously testing the guns for over three hours, we meticulously cleaned them, discussing their performance and deliberating on which ones to use in specific scenarios. Among the selections, I stumbled upon a unique experimental firearm, a cross between a larger Beretta, Glock, and Walther Pk. It was a perfect fit for me, despite its size, as it could accommodate various types of ammunition. Murdock, almost my superior, approved of my choice and observed as I fired it, ensuring my proficiency.
Satisfied, I securely stored it in my personal safe. Though my hands were slightly small for the weapon, its grip compensated for any inconvenience. Thankfully, Murdock was preoccupied with the multitude of people present, sparing me constant scrutiny. However, he did notice my occasional outbursts during training, hinting at a hidden rage within me. Unfortunately, my current mood did not align with such an outlet.
Finally, we completed the gun preparations and placed them in the designated racks for future use. Making my way back to my office, I looked forward to spending time with my cherished possessions, my babies.
Mariella had swiftly involved herself care of men, even convincing Adam and Charles to embrace their role as protectors, despite initial resistance. She told them about her time on the base. What she has seen and noticed. She knew just how to ensnare these four.
Her tales about Mimi, the nurturing soul that she is, had been bombarded with constant inquiries and paperwork, diligently attending to each task until Alaric intervened and took them off her hands. Although Mariella refrained from disclosing details about the facilities, she spoke of Jarod, Magnum, Mimi, and her precious babies. She emphasized how Magnum and Wulfe saw themselves as their fathers, having resided in Moldova with dedicated rooms prepared for their future life with Mimi.
This revelation stirred something within the men, as they still viewed Mimi as an integral part of their pack, despite her unofficial status. Mariella divulged how the number four had passionately fucked with Mimi, a plan orchestrated by Wulfe and Magnum themselves. It was evident that Number Nine and Ten harbored jealousy, knowing they would not have Mimi for themselves, but rather Jarod or Miss Parker, or perhaps both for their evaluation as it was marked to be done in the cafe. However, they understood that their time would come to have Mimi in their embrace. Mariella's master plan was progressing rapidly, with unwavering determination.
This would be a new time for the whole pack, and this time, the fleas would be something for the entire pack, not just Mimi. They all stood in a neat line, knowing that this time, the nice sarks would not be involved. They had witnessed firsthand how much they excelled as scientists, not soldiers. They were skilled in treating, not fighting. It was simply who Sark was - someone who avoided getting their hands dirty unless necessary.
Charles and Adam were eager to enter the scene and help Mimi. They were determined to ensure that the little miss manager didn't burn herself out completely. Mimosa had informed them about the near-completion of their world-saving mission, and how Mimi's organization had supported and helped her tremendously. They all found Wulfe's antics quite amusing. Lepard couldn't help but burst into laughter as he looked into the past and saw the fight that Wulfe had taken charge of in the past.
Knowing that Mimi would be under control and properly managed, they thought perhaps Wulfe could teach them every single rule of the fight club, so that when the time came to save the world again, they would be well-prepared. Mariella longed for the time spent at the base, and upon learning that the four of them were present, she knew she could return. The anticipation of the number one and two's return was overwhelming. She couldn't wait to ensnare them, too.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone