The train's whistle screamed as the train engineer pulled down the line. Others with him threw pieces of coal from the sacks nearby into the firebox. Sparks of ember flew out as the radiating heat, making sweat form on their foreheads. Wiping them away with their shirts, the engineers let out a loud sigh. They felt tired and weary, feeling their chest tighten each time they forced themselves near the furnace, the firebox. But it was their job to keep the train going and make sure that they get to the next town without any form of delay.

Along the seats in the cars, friendly conductors made sure that the passengers were comfortable. There were only a little over a handful of them, allowing some of them to freely roam around and make acquaintances. But only those rich in status freely went around in the first class cars. The middle class remained in their seats humbly, though some grumbled for not having the same luxury as the rich.

Seated in separately in three different sections, Angelica and her group kept watch for enemies. Angelica stayed in the first class with a bar, sharing drinks with Luciano. Then in the middle of the train were Abelle, Pietro, Celestina, Azad, and Jahan. In the end of the train were Enzo, Alfieri, Ekundayo, and Connor. Almost everyone saw the strategy in placing them in separate locations, but they questioned their leader for once again isolating herself with another man whom the rest still didn't know. Her pets were given to the two groups, completely isolating herself and the man whom she had introduced as Luciano.

"Man, this is so annoying," grumbled Celestina, burying her face into her arms. She saw in one of the middle class cars with the men she was assigned with, and she didn't like it at all.

Azad looked at her with concern, naturally since he is Jahan's butler. "Are you alright, Celestine?"

"It's Celestina!" the gypsy snarled at him, pushing her curly, black locks. Damn, I can't stand men!

"My apologies."

The girl huffs indignantly. "I don't understand why Angelica had to separate us ladies. Not to mention that she went with some redhead we don't know! Didn't she become blind just being with Alfieri? What if she'll lose something else??"

"Doesn't she know Luciano from the famiglia?" Jahan asks as his eyes darted around. "Since we've come this far, I wouldn't question her honestly. Everything—"

"Everything will be alright?" Celestina interrupts with an incredulous tone. She glared at Jahan for his faith in the fortuneteller, making her feel sick with disbelief and jealousy. "I don't know about you, but how much do you even know about her? I could tell that she was a former prostitute by the way she treats, you men. If you're wondering how I know, it's a woman's intuition."

"Why are you so against Ann?" Pietro asks worriedly. "Yet you came along."

The gypsy sighs, crossing her arms across her chest. "I just don't like women who act too comfortable around men she barely know. Furthermore, assessing from how you treat her, I'd say you only stayed with for probably a couple of months."

"How do you know that?" asks Jahan, feeling surprised.

"You don't know how to interact with her. You're surprised all the time with whatever she does! It's obvious you haven't gotten used to her," remarked Celestina. "Alfieri's kinda different though. He's more like amused. Same goes for Connor."

"Alfieri's been with her for about a year. We only met Connor just a day earlier than you though," Abelle calmly replied. "I don't like that man."

Azad smiles. "Well, naturally. But I believe Angelica made a good choice of picking him up. But I honestly hope that she would not just go picking up anymore people. However, she doesn't seem to have that kind of heart."

Pietro chuckles. "You weren't helpless when she picked you two. You came to the shop."

"We only came to the shop because she recommended us on visiting. We never thought we would get recruited into the group. Jahan was pretty excited, and since his father allowed him to do whatever he pleases, I just obliged to Jahan's orders," Azad replies.

"As expected from a butler," Abelle nonchalanty remarked.

Celestina raises her eyebrow. "Butler? Don't tell me Jahan's some rich kid or something!" she cried loudly.

Instantly a hand flew over her mouth, followed by a number of shushes. "Quiet down! I can't believe you're some 'black vixen'; you're so loud!"

The girl peals Jahan's hand off. "Zip it!"

Right at the bat the two began bickering and arguing at each other. Obviously the two have not learned to get along with the other, which annoyed their older companions. The three men with the two youngsters let out long sighs. For a while they just let the two do their thing, but when it got too long, Abelle gave them both a hard whack on their heads.

"You two are like children!" seethed the bespectacled man, pushing back his glasses.

Before either of the two could retort back at him, a rude, loud remark caught their attention, making them whirl their heads around.

"Uh, Mother! Why are there gypsies on board?!" a pretty, rich blonde haughtily remarked. Beside her was also a beautiful woman, a copy of her but only older. Both women wore formal dresses used for traveling. They seemed heavy to wear with their dresses' collars hiding their long necks. On them were jewelled brooches that matched the earrings and rings they donned with pride. The curly, long locks of their hair were neatly tied into a bun, the color of their hair matched their icy, blue eyes. The younger woman glared at Celestina who dared glare back. Her mother though didn't seemed bothered, but her pride still emitted from her very being.

Sighing, the older woman politely bowed her head to Celestina and the rest. "I apologize for my poor mannered daughter. Please forgive her impudence," she gently told them. Then raising her head she turns to leave. "Now if you would excuse us."

With that, she leads her daughter away, leaving the five baffled.

"And this is why I hate rich dogs like them," Celestina grumbled, resting her cheek on her fist.

"Was she referring to us as well?" Jahan asks.

"Unfortunately some people still hold some prejudice against gypsies," said Pietro.

Abelle huffs. "I understand how that woman felt, but I would've kept my mouth shut."

"You bastard!" seethed Celestina.

Pietro felt a beads of sweat drop from his forehead. "Now, now! Let's not fight here!"

* * * * * * * *

Walking down the car, the two blonde women headed towards the end of the car. It was still middle class which only made the younger one upset even more. She couldn't stand the state she and her mother were in; she remembered fussing at the train station back at their home. She had been telling her mother to take the first class, but the older woman sternly told her to silence herself. Since then, the two have not settled their disagreements with the other. Despite that though, they remained together even if they have the cold, hostile air around them.

Taking a seat, the two women remained quiet. But after a while, the woman took the opportunity to speak with her daughter.

"You impudent girl," snarled the blonde woman. "I brought you along for business, not to embarrass me in front of people!"

"Mother, you've always told me to speak my mind and I did," the younger woman arrogantly replied.

Her mother glared. "Regardless of what I've told you, you should know when you need to keep your mouth shut."

Her daughter glares back at her. "I know when I could do that! I just couldn't stand the rats! Why are they even allowed on the train?!"

"A new era is coming, Annabelle. A time will come when everyone would no longer care about castes or social statuses. Not that I support the idea, but it's beyond us. We're not of politics, so we have to just endure the shame. Remember, we're not here to judge people. We're here to face that famiglia," the woman patiently told her daughter.

As they talked, people around them did the same. Many of the topics though concerned trivial things, and most of them simply talked about how excited they were to arrive at the next town. Some people though talked about politics, although most of them were complaints. And some talked about the amazing Arcana Famiglia. The sound of the famiglia made the two sick to their stomachs, and they wished that everyone would just shut up. However, a deep feeling of evil swelled up inside up them. They felt ecstasy for the things to come.

"Your brothers sent a letter yesterday, they said that they finally met Arianna," the woman told her daughter with a grim look on her face.

Annabelle's eyes widened. "So you were correct that she was still alive?!" she gasped.

Her mother places her finger on her lips when a conductor approached them. In his hand was a white envelope with a seal. Recognizing the symbol, the woman gave a disgusted look. "Mrs. Adelline Hawkins?" the man politely asks.

"It is I," the blonde replied.

"For you," he says, handing her the letter. Without saying anything else, he turns away and leaves.

Annabelle looks over the envelope, her eyes widening when she recognized the seal. "From Father?"

"Unfortunately. How in the world did the letter get here? I wouldn't be surprised if one of his spies is onboard this train," Adelline grumbled.

"I dare say you're correct."

Frowning, Adelline simply shoves the letter into her dress pocket, not bothering to open it. Afterwards, she darts her icy blue orbs around, wondering if she would see a familiar face. But no, she couldn't recognize anyone from her point of view. All she saw were tired passenger, some dozed off since the sun was long down. She gives up after a few moments and lets out a deep sigh. Her daughter in front of her also looked perplexed, but she decided not to go any further with the letter.

Leaning forward, she asks, "Mother, did Jean or Rolf say anything about Arianna?"

Adelline sighs. "I'll only say one thing: she's Arcana Famiglia's emissary for the Arcana."

"What?!"

The blonde woman's sighs again, but exasperatedly. "Pipe down, Annabelle."

"What in the world will we do now?? Father wants her home, and the last time I heard about that emissary was that they blinded her and she's cocky!" Annabelle cries, throwing her hands up. "We can't take her home in a horrible state!"

Suddenly her mother curls her lips into an evil grin, letting out a soft, sadistic chuckle. "Isn't the solution to that clear? We get rid of the girl."

"But Father would—"

"We simply tell him that Arianna died or something along those lines. If we kill her, not only do we get rid of the famiglia's emissary, we also inherit Adolf's riches. He will be left without a bloodline, and he will not have a choice except to give us the inheritance."

Annebelle giggles at the thought, clapping her hands in delight. "That's an incredible plan, Mother!"

She smirks. "At this point, you should use your Arcana wisely. You don't have the stamina to keep up with its power."

"Don't worry, Mother," Annabelle reassures her with a wide grin, displaying insanity on her face. "I shall not be disappointing you."

* * * * * * * *

". . So you've told them about your past," Luciano remarks as he takes a sip of his beer. "I'm rather surprised that they didn't mind at all."

The two were in the bar along the first class car. Sitting by it, they rested their arms on the counter as they chatted away. And they shared alcoholic drinks and enjoyed the night together. Both donned formal clothing to match the atmosphere, and most of the passengers had to admit that Angelica was stunning, but no man was able to approach her because of her redheaded companion. Music resonated around the room, joined with amused and boisterous laughter. The air reeked of alcohol, wine, and tobacco. Several of them smoked from pipes and cigars, nothing strange about smoking guests. The bartender though seemed a little uncomfortable with the suffocating smoke. And like Angelica and Luciano, everyone in the room wore extravagant attires.

Angelica donned on a dark violet, backless gown that had a cut seem from the thighs down. A black feathered boa around her neck, and hanging by her ears were shining diamonds. Bracelets wound around her gloved arms and a necklace around her slender neck matched the diamond earrings, and even Luciano donned on expensive jewellery. Her hair was tied into a messy bun, allowing some curls over her ears as the rest were pulled back. She smoked her cigarette with a cigarette holder, and smoke to screen her ever so slightly. Her companion had a white tuxedo on; a red tie matched it. But unlike Angelica, Luciano did not have the knack for tobacco or smoke.

Angelica smiles slyly at him. "I wonder if they reacted that way when they stepped through the door when we first met."

"They probably would. They couldn't possibly resist the sight of you," Luciano replied with a teasing grin.

The woman smirks at this, placing her cigarette on a cigarette holder. "Since when were you such a tease, Luciano? It's quite different from your innocent aura last year. I must say, impressive."

Nervously he chuckles at her remark. "Well, I was hoping to become a better match for you. Since your confession, I realized that a guy like me from back then was not worthy of you at the slightest. I knew that you were far more witty and skilled at arms back then, so I spent the whole year training and refining myself. And now that we meet again, I hope you see me as a man. . and as someone you could spend the rest of your life with."

As he spoke, his hand gently took ahold of Angelic's squeezing it ever so slightly. For a moment the woman was surprised and she glanced at his hand. But of course, she couldn't see it due to her blindness, but she could feel the radiating emotions from his eyes. Giving him a gentle, kind smile, Angelica unconsciously felt her hand reach out to his face. Her fingers touch his cheek, and then caressed it fondly.

"Come back with me, Ann," said Luciano, placing his other hand over hers. "When this is all over, please marry me."

"Do you really want to marry someone like me? Someone who's been through the fires of hell, someone whose skin tainted with blood, someone who have tricked people, and someone many men are currently after? Someoen. . who can't even see your face?" she asks. "Would you marry a ruthless devil?"

Taking her hand, Luciano nuzzled her hand with his nose and lips. He couldn't take his off of the woman he was madly in love with, he only wished she would feel the same despite spending a whole year away from him. Suddenly, he pulls her close to him, embracing her in his arms. "I don't care. I love the woman as you are. Right now you are sacrificing yourself for this battle, for the war that is on the brink of dawn. You even lost your eyes for this."

"At the very least, they are just my eyes," she chuckled, hugging him back.

"Ann, do you love me?" Luciano asks, taking the woman aback.

Pulling away, Angelica kisses his cheek and turns away. She takes her cigarette and places it on her lips, and smokes a puff. "You know. . if I'm not mistaken, one of the men have already proposed to me. And two more I believe is yet to speak their heart. They were all scarred by women, and I experienced the same from the opposite sex. And we all are looking for love with or without reason. However, right now I am not planning to settle down and get married just yet. To be honest, I want to just say 'no' and keep you men away from conflict. Conflict is inevitable in all of nature when it comes to this kind of thing. But yet again, as I mentioned before, I am also looking for love and I want to have a family. ."

"Then settle down with me!"

"The point is, I want to settle down, but not at the moment. And I told you, another has already proposed."

Luciano sighs. "Are you telling me 'no'?"

"I'm saying 'wait'," she patiently told him. "I would say yes to the one who wins my heart. Because right now, I do not have any feelings for any of you aside from seeing you as my comrades."

"I understand," the redhead replied.

Giving his cheek a pat, Angelica smiles at him and then asks the bartender for another drink. "Well, we're not here to drink and be merry. Earlier, I got a tip that a man from Colosseum rode the train. He might be a spy, but I have yet to confirm that," she whispered.

Luciano widens his eyes in surprise. "Which one?" he inquires stealthily.

The fortuneteller perks up her head and scans her surroundings. Then when she faced one group at a point, she smiles. "If I'm not fooled, the man would be the boisterous fellow in the lively group there,"—she points at the gamblers—"I must say that blending in well with the crowd is a good choice, but underestimating your enemies is careless and stupid. Only if he really is our man though."

"What do you want me to do?" Luciano asks as Angelica turns back to him. "Shall I pick him up and interrogate him?"

His companion shook her head. "No need, he'll come to us."

And just as she said those words, a man approaches them from the group. Everyone behind him were exploding with laughter as they continued playing poker without him, continuously betting on their money. The man turned out to be young, and mighty attractive with glossy, pushed back brown locks. His outfit was similar to Luciano's, only that he didn't have the diamond studs like the redhead did. He seemed cordial especially with his curved grin on his face. With his right hand in his pocket, he takes a seat beside Angelica.

"Bonjoir, madame," greeted the young fellow. "Do I have the honors of joining you with beautiful evening?"

Luciano immediately gets on defense. "I'm with her," he said, nearly snarling.

"Oh! My apologies! I thought you were alone," excused the man, breaking into laughter. "Please forgive my intrusion."

Angelica simply smiles. "It is no trouble if you would join us."

The man smiles. "Why, thank you, Miss. . ?"

"Roxanne. And the dashing man with me is Vino."

"What a lovely name you have, Miss Roxanne!" he remarked. "Please call me Eugene. May I ask where the lovely couple would be headed?"

"Marittimo," Angelica replies calmly. "I hear that the sea by the area is calm and the sunset is beautiful. My fiance and I would like to spend a couple of days there."

"Indeed. Actually, I'm headed there myself. I'll be meeting a couple of colleagues after so many years," the spy replies enthusiastically. "I would be amazing if we could meet, don't you agree."

Angela chuckles. "You know, I've been wondering why you're keeping your hand in right hand in your pocket," she remarked.

Immediately the man retracts it. "Ahaha, it's my habit."

Letting a smirk curl on her lips, Angelica places down her cigarette and turns to the man. "Placing your hand into your pocket would mean anxiety. You're afraid of making a mess of things and getting the tables turned on you, Eugene."

"Tables turning on me?"

The woman nods. "For one instance, you've been eying my companion and I here since you stepped into the room. And to blend in you decided to play poker with those people there. But eventually you ran out of money and stepped out of the group before they could getting anything else from you. Then you saw the two of us, dressed in luxury and perhaps if you could get to befriend either of us. But you thought twice and realized that we might have been the people you were supposed to watch out for."

Shocked, the man quickly jumps off his seat and dashes away, but Angelica was faster and pulls a gun from the bartender's side of the counter, cocking the it and pulls the trigger at him. Instantly the man falls onto the floor and clutched his knee, while blood oozed from the wound. People screamed in fright at the sound of the pistol, quickly rushed out of the room. They left their money, the poker cards, and their belongings during their panic, but they also messed the room by pushing back their chairs that stumbled and shoving the table aside. But the bartender ignored the whole thing and simply shined the wine glass at hand. Luciano quickly locks the doors without a second thought, gazing at Angelica in surprise.

Walking towards the fallen man slowly, the fortuneteller places her foot on his limp leg, forcing a cry of pain from the man. She glances at the bartender and smirks. "Thanks for the tip, Damien. I owe you one."

The bartender smiles. "Tis not a problem, Miss Angelica. I am more than glad to serve a woman such as yourself."

"You know him?" Luciano asks, baffled.

"Yes, I met him Tiburio five months ago. At that time, he already worked at a saloon there as a bartender and had plans of going somewhere for higher pay. It's quite coincidental to meet him here—or maybe it's fate to meet him once more. Instead of as a mere friend though, he's now one of my spies," explained Angelica while pointing the pistol at Eugene who was drowning in agony.

The redhead's eyes widened. "You've been so busy this past year!"

"A woman does not sit back and just do what's she's been told; a smart one would spin her web to make sure things work out. damsels in distress depend on their prince charming, minxes depend on their wit and skills," she slyly told Luciano. Then turning to the fallen man, the fortuneteller lowers her self down after removing her foot on his leg. Ruthlessly she points the gun at his head, giving Eugene a cold glare. "Now, I would like to hear confessions before a bullet goes through that brainless skull of yours."

The redhead could only stay silent at the ruthless woman before him. He was baffled to see this side of hers, his heart filled with disbelief. "Ann. . he won't talk while he's in pain," he says.

Angelica smirks at him. "If you've seen Colosseum, you would see the demons residing there. People die on every corner, and people get cheated out of almost anything they have. What's more is having women kill each other for survival," she calmly points out. "Remembering by the sound of his voice, he was one of Satori's closest guards. Though I'm starting to doubt if he was really there if he didn't recognize me or my voice. I true spy would be far more skilled than this."

"I'm not a spy!" the man mustered, catching the attention of the three. "I left that hell of a town. Satori having each and every one of his guards slaughtered for letting you escape. I managed to leave, but it turns out that Satori spared his special unit for Lady Adelline's purposes!"

Angelica narrowed her eyes behind her shades. "Lady. . Adelline?"

Unknown to them a group of hooded figures were stationed at the cargo car behind the car where Enzo and his companions stayed. Their daggers glinted under the moonlight as one of them lit a cigarette that gave a little light. Then when the moon shone on his face, he turned out to be a man in his forties with dark green hair and green eyes. His lips were curled into a dark smile as he signalled his companions to start their raid.

~~~

Number of words: 4062

Hi guys! Thank you so much for reading this book so far! I really, really appreciate it; it means a lot to me. But guys, I have some bad news. I will be on HIATUS until June because I have studies to catch up with. I'm trying to get into college so I hope you understand.

By the way, this is Luciano's appearance in Damsel In Distress 2: The Secrets Within (the guy colored) after Damsel In Distress (the faded image behind the new Luciano). If you recall in the first book, his hair was longer and his bangs were messily kept, covering his forehead.