NEFERTARY
¡Que comience la reunión familiar!
After leaving that place, it was time to go after him. I needed to see him die, to finish that bastard once and for all—make sure he couldn't take revenge for Vanessa's death. Because that's the excuse he'd use… though of course, 'he doesn't need one, he just acts for pleasure.'
—Miss! —Steven shouted, running toward me— Egil is heading to the airport.
—What do you mean, the airport? That rat isn't getting out. I want him now. I don't care if there are civilians around, that bastard cannot leave Switzerland —he nodded and immediately pulled out his phone to start barking orders—
—Everything will be ready. We'll wait for him at the cabin.
He opened the car door for me, and I got in. The driver started the engine.
My eyes drifted toward the sunset—more orange than ever, like the lava of a volcano.
Even with that view, my emotions didn't calm down. They were going at a thousand beats per damn second.
I've taken down everyone involved. He's the last one—the miserable rat, Egil Ziegler. And I won't let that premature little shit ruin everything. Not after all the effort I put into staying calm, into thinking strategically so I could finally be the one controlling the pieces on the board.
—Keep it together, Nefertary —I whispered to myself.
But it's hard to follow even my own words of self-control.
It's nearly impossible to keep my heart rate normal when adrenaline is already in my veins, whispering what to do, pulling me back to the beginning.
My body doesn't even try to stop it; it just wants to follow that instinct…
It doesn't care about the risk anymore, because it knows we're already one step into hell—
that it's today and only today… there won't be a tomorrow.
'Live for today. I have to live for today… if I want a tomorrow.'
My phone starts ringing. I pull it out of my bag without checking the name and answer.
~Who is it? —I ask plainly.
~Mathias. I just wanted to know how everything's going —I let out an unconscious sigh at the sound of his voice.
~Vanessa Ziegler is gone. She chose to be free —there's silence for a few seconds.
~How do you feel about that? —he asks after a moment.
~Like a weight was lifted off me. I didn't even feel pain, Mathias… just relief.
Is that okay? Was it okay to feel so good?
Saying it out loud made every doubt and fear flood my mind, questioning everything.
Even though I shouldn't—she never cared about me.
She only saw me as her perfect creation…
And in the end, she was disappointed because I turned out to be a failure.
So why feel empathy for someone who never showed a single trace of motherhood?
~Only you can answer that. We reap what we sow, Nefertary… she was never a mother.
He was right. She never was.
She only felt proud when I followed her whims—when I fed her ego.
~Is Natasha with you? —I changed the subject.
~Yeah, we'll be heading out soon —we went quiet again.
~Mathias —I said to get his attention— whatever happens today, I'll carry you with me... 'I'm Yours, Ludwig.'
~And I'm 'Yours, Serene.'
✧────── ༉───✦───༉ ─────✧
The tires crunched against the gravel. The engine turned off. The door opened, and I didn't wait for anyone to help me.
Night had fallen. The air hit my face as if welcoming me. I didn't say a word—not even a greeting. I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears, louder than any voice. My steps were steady; all eyes were on me. Every one of those people was waiting for an order, a simple gesture.
My gaze locked with the black-haired boy. He held it, unwavering. Maybe he didn't know it, but somehow, that steadiness gave me comfort. I kept walking until I reached them.
—Egil? —I asked once I stood beside them.
—He's on his way, little sister —Natasha offered me a crooked smile.
'Pathetic scum', still just as unbearable as the first day she showed her face.
"Months ago
I was getting tired of waiting—of waiting for her. This girl was trying to push my buttons. I raised my hand to call the waiter.
—A cinnamon tea, please —he nodded and walked off.
I checked my watch—thirteen minutes late. Who did she think she was? The daughter of one of my father's slip-ups trying to claim some grand importance? Ridiculous.
—Sorry I'm late, sister.
I looked up when I heard her voice. My eyes couldn't believe what they saw. All this time… all this damn time, she'd been breathing, eating under the same roof as me.
Apparently, my reaction only amused her more, because that stupid smile didn't even fade—she could've been paralyzed and it still would've stayed.
—Sister, are you okay? —she faked concern.
—Cut the act, Natasha —I snapped, anger lacing my voice.
—What act? —she sat down— Didn't you know our father had a little history with my mother? —I said nothing. My brain was still processing her words— The day before the wedding with my aunt, actually. As revenge… she cheated on him with Egil —the mockery in her tone was impossible to miss.
—What the hell do you want? —I hissed through gritted teeth.
Just then, the server returned with my tea. She ordered something too. I did my best to stay calm—to not hurl the cup at her face right then and there, no matter the audience.
—Looks like this volcano's about to blow —she held my mocking stare.
—Just answer the damn question, Ziegler. What the hell do you want?
—I'm just here to help you —she said with a smirk.
—And how exactly can a bastard like you help me? —my tone was calm, refined—right where I wanted it. I wanted her to feel hatred too.
—Excuse me —the waiter placed her snack on the table— If you need—
—We don't need anything else. You can go —Natasha cut him off.
—No need to be rude, 'sister' —I dragged out the last word.
—Let's get to the point, Nefertary.
—That's what I've been waiting for. So talk —I regained control, leaned back, and took a sip of my tea.
—I want revenge for my father's death.
How hilarious. I couldn't even stop my laughter, earning a few curious glances from nearby tables.
—Bit late for that, sweetheart —I said, still trying to keep from cracking up— Not like you'd be much use anyway.
—You're wrong —she sipped her drink— I know more than you think. You really think Gregorio Ibagon wasn't keeping me informed? He trusted me more than he ever trusted you.
Breathe in. Breathe out. That's what I tried to do. Not easy when our favorite pastime seemed to be driving each other insane.
—What's your plan?
—An alliance to take him down. "
What a lovely way to find out your half-sister was your dear cousin all along. That your whole life was a lie. That everything was revenge—for even the smallest slight.
The van appeared in the distance. Once it was close enough, it stopped. Steven got out of the passenger seat and opened the back doors.
The red hair showed first. The guy was tied up, face covered. The men escorting him shoved him to his knees in front of us, landing a few punches to keep him in line.
I signaled for everyone to move out. We headed into the woods—that's where his surprise was waiting. Tiny drops of rain began to fall, making the moment feel more somber, darker. It felt like an execution.
When we arrived, everyone halted. The place was lit just enough by flashlights so we could see each other's faces. Steven approached Egil and landed a precise blow to the backs of his knees, forcing him down again. He let out a grunt of pain as another man pulled the cloth off his face.
His face was beaten to hell, evidence that this wasn't an easy capture. His eyes wandered over the group until they landed on me. No fear in them. Just hate, bitterness—and amusement.
—A whole battalion for one man —he sneered, grinning.
—I don't take chances —I replied in a neutral tone.
—Killing your own mother… didn't see that one coming —he laughed.
—Didn't have to lift a finger. She did all the work herself.
—Don't expect me to do all the work —he spat with venom.
—He won't —Natasha cut in— We've got a little surprise for you.
—I don't want any fucking surprise if it's coming from you two—especially you, cheap slut —not gonna lie, that one brought a little satisfaction. That fight was between them.
—Always the gentleman, Mr. Ziegler —she grinned, while he rolled his eyes.
—If I were you, Nefertary, I wouldn't trust those two. Look where it got me when I trusted one of them.
—The difference is… I took the time to study my enemies. I didn't sleep with them or mix pleasure with revenge —my voice was calm.
—Really? —his eyes lost the rage, replaced by amusement— So… where's Demir now?
My body moved on its own, stepping forward. I'm sure I would've taken more steps if it weren't for Ludwig grabbing my arm. I closed my eyes for a second, focusing on not falling into Egil's provocation.
—You'll pay for that —I muttered through clenched teeth.
—I didn't act alone —his gaze shifted to Natasha, who now looked deadly serious.
—What do you mean? —I asked.
—Didn't your sweet little sister tell you?
—He's lying, Nefertary. He just wants to create chaos.
—Oh, darling, you know I never lie —he gave her a crooked grin.
With these two, anything's possible. They'll both pay. After all, they're still 'Ziegler'.
—Egil Ziegler, I couldn't care less what you say right now. You know, I thought about slitting your throat—
But that would be too quick for you, filthy rat.
See that hole? —I pointed. He followed my gaze—
That's your fate.
—So, you're just going to bury me alive? —he asks mockingly.
—Steven, I think our guest deserves the VIP view. —They drag him over— Ever heard of the Iron Maiden? —Even though his back is to me, I can see the tension stiffening every inch of his body— Apparently not. Well, let me tell you: that lovely piece of artwork you see was one of the cruelest torture devices ever made. Though it's believed it wasn't all that common. Mathias —I call out to the dark-haired one— "care to finish the explanation?
—From what I believe he's seeing, it must be a sarcophagus shaped like a human body. But the cherry on top are those sharp metal spikes on the inside, designed to slowly tear into the victim's flesh. —Couldn't have said it better myself, 'like they really swapped roles, didn't they?'
—Any questions, Egil? —I ask him.
In the blink of an eye, the guy lunges at the two men guarding him. The others rush in to restrain him, but apparently, I've hired nothing but incompetents.
Ludwig was about to intervene, but I stopped him. 'I didn't want something that would destroy my life all over again.'
—They'll handle it.
And they did. That's why I had thirteen people for this. A group rushed him; one landed a brutal blow to his head — I feared he might pass out before dying.
I walked over to check his state. Beaten to a pulp, but still conscious. I shoot him a disgusted look, and of course, he doesn't flinch, staring right back.
—Tie his hands again. —One of the men grabs a rope and binds his wrists— Did you really think you'd get away with it?
—Did you think I wouldn't try? That I wouldn't give one final performance? —The exhaustion in his eyes is obvious, yet he still tries to flash that repulsive grin.
I signal the men to throw him in the pit. He throws a tantrum like a spoiled child being denied something. Four of them carry him over. I walk closer to see him already lying inside that grave.
—Anything you want to say? Last words, Ziegler? —He looks up at me from down there. My satisfaction is written all over my face.
—'See you in hell. We'll meet again very soon, Nefertary Ibagon.'
I give the order, and one of the men shuts the sarcophagus. You can hear the spikes piercing through his flesh — a slow, cruel death. His final thoughts will be of helplessness, of knowing that even if he figured out how to escape, six meters of earth lie above him.
This is one way to take down a Ziegler... 'one less on the list.'
NATASHA
The rain started coming down harder. After half an hour, Egil was resting in peace. 'You were a good ally, shame you were just another piece in the game.'
The rest of Nefertary's men had already gone back to the cabin. It was just the three of us now, waiting — maybe for the dead to rise again. But now it was my turn to play my card. 'The alliance died with Egil', and I'd remove the last stones from my path.
I look at Mathias and give the signal. He doesn't hesitate. Pulls out his gun and points it at Ibagon. She turns around at the click of the safety being released. Her body stiffens. Her face? So neutral. Not a trace of emotion.
—It's nothing personal, —I say— It's just that Gretchen and I figured you'd be an insufferable black sheep, sis. —I fake a little sadness.
—Save your hypocrisy, you useless, sewer-dwelling, worthless rat. —That makes me laugh— I expected this from her, but never from you, Mathias. —The disappointment in her voice is crystal clear.
—Don't take it personally, —I tell her— He just realized you're useless.
She just stares at him. I can see a flicker of pain in her eyes, but she says nothing. The rain makes it impossible to tell if she's crying.
—Was it all fake? —she asks— Everything you told me, was it all fucking fake? —He says nothing. Just stares at her— Answer me, goddamn it, Ludwig! —she screams.
—This has nothing to do with you, Nefertary. —His voice is so cold I hardly recognize him. I guess everything he said was true. He was only pretending.
—Of course not. It's not even obvious how impersonal this is. —After Demir, I thought I'd never see her break again— You don't know how much I hate you.
—As if he cares, sis.
—Don't you think you're risking too much by not killing me already?
—Of course. But since there's this tradition of letting the future corpse have the last word... anything else to say?
She takes her time. She could defend herself. Take him down easily. But she doesn't even try. It's like she no longer has anything left to fight for — like she's already given up.
The worst thing that can happen to your enemy... is when your weak spot — the one you thought was on your side — betrays you in the vilest way, becoming everything you despise in the people you deal with daily.
—Life's a carousel, Natasha Ziegler. —A crooked smile full of pain shines in her eyes.
The echo of the shot fades into the surroundings. Her body collapses to the ground. The red liquid starts seeping from her head, mixing with the rain. I looked at her and couldn't believe it... but it was real. She was dead. I won. I finally won.
When I turned to look at Mathias, he was pointing the gun at me. A chill ran down my spine. Questions flooded my mind… none had answers.
—What are you doing? —I ask him.
—Did you really think I'd stick by your side?
A psychotic smile I'd never seen on him appeared. This wasn't some fragile kid like Egil had claimed. I was looking at Nefertary Ibagon's creation. The monster was loose now — starving, and of course… it wanted blood.
MATHIAS
—You won't do it. —Bang. The first shot hits her right shoulder.
—You were saying? —The cold tone of my voice surprises even me, but I'm not afraid of it.
—Why? —She grabs her shoulder with her left hand, confirming she's really bleeding.
—I thought you understood — everyone here was just using each other. —Second shot. Her left shoulder. She drops to her knees— You're pathetic, Natasha. I actually thought you were smarter than your sister… what a letdown.
—You fucking idiot, you're going to rot—
Third shot. Straight to the head. Her body crumples to the ground beside her dear sister. 'Women, always thinking they're in control of everything.' Now I can build my empire without obstacles. Most of all… I'll finally know what freedom tastes like — no one pulling my strings, because this time, the creation destroyed its creator.
—The game's over. In the end, it turned out to be... 'what no one sees.'