Chris and Diamond were standing in the elevator up to the bullpen and Diamond was silently fuming. “Five motels and all asking for warrants.” Chris sighed and Diamond let out a small growl. “And that last one…thank you for not punching out that one guy.” 

“Not that hard.” Diamond said and the elevator door opened up. As the doors opened up Chris’ phone went off and he pulled it out to see Belle’s name. 

Chris stepped out to see Belle at her desk, “What’s up, Belle.” Chris called out and Diamond stepped out of the elevator. “I hope it’s good news.”

Belle hung up her phone, “Angelo Pappas is currently in a holding cell.” Belle said and Diamond slid out her phone from her pocket. “He was brought in due to a bar fight last night.” 

“Well we would like to talk to him,” Chris said. “Since Nix hasn’t told us when Carlos died and he could have killed him before the bar fight.”

“That is why I had him put in interrogation room one for you.” Belle said and glanced at Diamond on her phone. “I thought that was broken in the bombing in sewers.”

“Ophelia has a few back up for me this time.” Diamond said without looking up from her phone. “Last time it took a bit of time because delivery system was backed up.” 

“Come on, we’ve got a stalker to talk to and I want you in there with me, Diamond.” Chris said and Diamond slid her phone away before taking off her coat. Chris took off his coat as well as he walked to his desk and grabbed a folder.

The two put their coats on Chris’ chair before heading to interrogation room one and Chris entered first with Diamond behind him, just in case Angelo tried to run.

“About time,” Angelo said as stayed seated at the steel table. Angelo had dark olive skin tone with short black curly hair and deep black eyes. “Why am I still here?”

“Mr. Pappas, you here answer some questions I have about the murder of Carlos Dale.” Chris said as he sat down at the table across from Angelo. Chris opened the folder and Diamond leaned against the wall close to the one-way mirror.

“Carlos Dale, who the hell is Carlos D-” Angelo stopped as Chris slid Carlos’ picture in front of him. “Oh him, the guy that harassed my fiance.”

“Yes, the man who harassed Medea, the woman you are stalking.” Chris said coldly and Angelo’s face twisted into a scowl before leaning back. “I’ve also heard you tend to attack males that take interest in Medea.”

“I’ve never done such a thing…” Angelo snarled and Chris was unfused by the snarling. “And if we did have small talk, he walked away unharmed as he wasn’t interested in Medea that way.”

“So he told you he was interested in Medea’s older sister, Ophelia.” Chris said and Angelo looked confused. “What is it?”

“Medea doesn’t have an older sister, she’s only had an older brother named Od-” Angelo was cut off and started gasping for air as if someone choked him.

Chris was about to get up but Diamond put hand on his shoulder, “A curse, a weak one though” Diamond nodded to Angelo's throat and Chris saw black thorny vine had formed around his neck. Angelo finally gasped as he was able to breathe. “Best not try to say that name again.”

Angelo rubbed his throat as he cleared his throat and Chris’ phone dinged from text. Chris pulled out his phone and looked at it before scowling. “Our questions are done here.” Chris said while holding up his phone for Diamond to read.

“If that is so, I’ll be leaving” Angelo said as he got up and Chris got up from the table to stop him.

“You're still under arrest for that bar fight.” Diamond said, making Angelo stop and sigh half way from the door. “Also someone is here to have a small chat with you.”

Before Angelo or anyone could react the door swung open and a familiar blue blur pinned Angelo by the neck to the table. The blur was Ophelia and gripped Angelo’s throat hard. “Od-” Ophelia squeezed his throat harder to prevent him from talking.

“Listen and only listen,” Ophelia hissed as her hair tips started to shift into lighter color. “I’ve already told you this once but guess I’ve got to refresh your memory.”

The marks around her eyes turned bright red, her eyes deep blue to the same bright red, and her nails turned into black claws. The tips of hair formed into viper heads with the same eye markings as Ophelia and they snapped and hissed at Angelo. 

“Leave my little sister alone, she doesn't love you, she does not want to marry you,” Ophelia hissed and one of her vipers moved close to Angelo’s cheek. “She just wants to cook food and live her life freely. This time I won't leave you with a bruised throat.” The viper striked Angelo’s face and Ophelia let go of his throat.

“He’s not going die from that right?” Chris asked as he watched Angelo roll around and scream in pain.

“I gave him a non-lethal dose but it will leave a nasty scar.” Ophelia sighed as she shifted back to calmer and normal form. “He didn’t say anything weird did he?”

Chris paused then closed his folder, “Nothing important to case,” Chris said and Ophelia smiled before turning to leave. Diamond moved to stand beside Chris when Ophelia left the room, “I know, drop it.”

Diamond pat Chris’ back, “I’ll get Chip and Dale to haul this filth into the holding cell.” Diamond said before walking out of the room while yelling out Chip and Dale’s name.

“Another dead end suspect,” Chris said as he looked at Carlos’ dead body that was on the morgue table. “Why are vampires so hard to get at the time of death?” 

“Because our liver works differently.” Nix said as he entered the room. “Have to do special blood work to get to the time of death.” Nix walked over to be on the side of the table with a folder. “No Diamond?”

“She got a call from her mother about an important family matter.” Chris said and crossed his arms. “You said there was more than him being killed at three in the morning.”

“Yes, the blood under his nails came back,” Nix said as opened a folder. “And it does not match Angelo.”

“Alright, he did say it was a small chat and not one was hurt.” Chris said as he rubbed his chin. “Are there any other markings…say like a snake bite?”

“No, just the stab wound and being beheaded.” Nix closed the folder and tilted her head. “Why do you ask?”

“Just got first hand experience on how gorgon threatens someone.” Chris said and sighed. “Using venom to stun another would make stabbing them easier.” Nix looked very confused from what Chris said. “What?”

“Only male gorgons are venomous, while females non-venomous,” Nix said.

“What, nevermind, if someone wanted to put a curse that chokes them when they try to say a name, what would they need?” Chris asked.

“They would need the target’s full name, some form of DNA sample, and spark of magic.” Nix said and Chris rubbed his stubble.

“You’ve known Ophelia for a while, right?” Chris asked and Nix nodded. “Does she have the ability to curse someone like that?” 

“No, she doesn’t have a spark of magic,” Nix said “But having a little sister named after one of most powerful witches in Greek mythology, may have some spark of magic.”

“And she probably has some DNA samples of Angelo just in case she needed it.” Chris sighed and rubbed the back of his head. “Don’t have proof of it but I’m not going to dig further into this one.”

Chris’ phone went off, he looked at it and he smiled, “You have worse poker face,” Nix said.

“The warrant came through for those cameras,” Chris said and put his phone away. “Also I have a good poker face, it’s just that I'm surrounded by beings that have an eye for facial movement.” Chris turned and head up to the bullpen.

Diamond and Belle walked up the steps to Silvervine manor and they were greeted by Brutus when they entered the main doors. “Lady Silvervine is waiting in the upstairs lounge room,” He said.

“Thank you, Brutus,” Diamond said and Belle gave Brutus a small nod. The two went upstairs to the lounge, where Amaris was lying down on the couch. 

When Belle saw Amaris it reminded her of a cat asleep and she sat down in one of the recliners. “So what’s this important family mat…” Belle trailed off as she saw Diamond gathering pillows around the room.

Amaris moved to sit up and sighed seeing Diamond gathering pillows, “That girl is going to be under my feet everytime she sees me.” Amaris muttered as adjusted her shirt. 

Belle noticed Amaris had changed up her choice of clothing to be white sleeveless shirt and pair of loose ripped bell bottom jeans. Her jeans were still undone and Belle’s keen eye easily spotted Amaris wasn’t wearing a bra.

Diamond put all the pillows she gathered beside Amaris and started to make-shift a pillow nest. “Thank you, now sit down, sweetie.” Amaris said and gently touched Diamond’s forearm. 

Diamond slightly grumbled but went over to the loveseat, “Probably should have brought a few blankets as well.” Diamond lightly huffed and Amaris moved to lay in the pillow nest to make Diamond smile.

“Diamond, you’re going to the Winter Solstice Ball this month.” Amaris said as snuggled into the pillows. 

“Pardon?” Diamond asked as raised a brow. “Why do I need to go, don’t we normally ignore these things.” Belle shifted in her seat now too as she knew Diamond hated going to events like Winter Solstice Ball.

“Normally yes but someone insists that someone from the Luna clan is at the ball.” Amaris said as she gently touched her three month pregnant belly. “That someone is an old lady, who can’t stop meddling.” 

Belle felt Amaris glance at her and it clicked, “My grandmother, Chinh Vi, is the one insisting, isn’t she?” Belle asked and Diamond let out a small growl. “Why would she do that? Did she not learn anything when you blew up Vi family manor with lightning?!”

“She’s thinking Diamond would refuse to go and get Tullia there,” Amaris said as she closed her eyes. “And she was planning to play matchmaker with a male who the Vi family can control, but that’s not going to work, right?” Amaris opened one eye and looked at Diamond.

“I’ll contact Ophelia to get me a dress,” Diamond said with a scowl on her face. “Guess that old bitch needs to be taught another lesson. A lot of people need to be taught a lesson these days.”

“Looks like I’m going to the ball as well.” Belle said with a devilish grin. “Best to make sure nothing goes too far again, we don’t want another incident.”

“You just want to come to the ball to see the chaos that will happen.” Diamond side eyed Belle and Belle just chuckled at Diamond’s words. 

“Good that everything is planned, shouldn’t you two get back to work?” Amaris said as closed her eyes. “Let this pregnant lioness rest without worry.”

“Of course, Auntie.” Belle said as stood up and Diamond got up. Belle paused as she watched Diamond walk toward the different door that they came from. “I guess I’ll meet you in the lobby?”

“Blankets.” Diamond muttered before leaving the room and Belle just sighed.