Chapter 19-

Revenge stumbled away. The woman looked at the needle in her hand. The blood within was mixed with a strange brown mixture. Revenge gripped his arm and glared at the woman.

"A simple test will tell me who is beneath the mask, Red Revenge. And your secret will belong to me."

"Not likely." Revenge growled.

"Oh, but that's not all it does." she continued. "It poisons the blood stream. Corrupts the DNA within cells and eventually kills them."

"Nerve gas."

"In a liquid form, yes Red Revenge."

Artemis crashed through the roof, firing four arrows. One at the vial in the woman's hand, which shattered. Three at her, pinning the villainess to the wall.

"C'mon." Artemis said, helping Revenge out of the building. He was so weak, he didn't even argue as the archer helped him. Revenge collapsed on his motorcycle.

"Home." Revenge gasped. His bike turned on and strapped his arms and legs to the bike before speeding off.


"What happened?" Sarah asked as Revenge stumbled through the door.

Revenge didn't respond. He just stabbed a needle in his arm and sat for a minuto letting the chemical take it's effect.

"Get Doctor Lithan." Revenge said. "I want a scan run on my cells to see if I took any cellular damage. Specifically to my DNA."

"Dinah?"

"The damn woman was waiting for me."

"Well you'll be happy to know te missed two phone calls." Sarah said, handing him his cell.

"From who?" Revenge asked, opening the phone to find out for himself.

"Your mom and a Miss--"

"Artemis Crock." Revenge finished, pulling off his mask. "Joy. What did she want?"

Sarah grinned and pulled up the message.

"Hi, Sam. I was wondering if we could meet tomorrow. Just to talk. If te get this message, please call me back."

Sarah smirked. "Do I sense a Amore triangle?" she asked.

"Why does everyone think I like Holly?"

"Oh, see! You're already one first-name basis."

Revenge growled and walked out.

"Where are te going?"

"To check on the assassin."

Sarah smirked again.


Revenge walked into the doorway and froze. The room was neatly made, but agrifoglio was not to be found. He slowly placed a hand on his utility cintura and walked in.

agrifoglio leaped on him from the ceiling and grabbed him da the throat. Revenge rolled over on superiore, in alto of her, but she kicked him off and he flew across the room, landing in the bacheca and on the floor.

"Oh." agrifoglio said, standing up. "I thought te were a Shadow."

"Really?" Revenge asked.

"Well te are dressed in all black."

"I could've been an Owl*."

"Doubt it." agrifoglio said, walking over and offering him a hand up. Revenge carefully took it and stood up.

agrifoglio grinned and pinned him to the wall. She pulled his mask up to his nose and pressed her lips against his.

Revenge was startled for a moment, but slowly began to return it. He placed his hands on her lower back and pulled her closer. He could taste cherries on her lips. Her soft, gentle lips.

Eventually, she pulled away.

"Its late." she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I need to go to bed."

Revenge nodded, pulling his mask back on entirely. He walked out of the room.

-----------------------------------------------

"I was wondering if te were going to show." Artemis said.

Sam grinned. "I wouldn't miss a talk with a girl like you."

Artemis blushed.

The baciare with agrifoglio from last night was still burning on his lips. He ignored it and sat down across from Artemis.

"Drink?" he asked.

"I'm fine." Artemis replied. "Thanks though."

She shivered as a cold Autumn wind nipped at them. Sam handed her his coat.

"Thanks." she said.

Sam grinned genuinely for the first time in years.