Spider's Bite
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Kai Mow sat in his office and rubbed his hands along the dark mahogany desk. All his life he had wanted a desk like this and now that it was in his grasp, he would not believe that some upstart Shaolin priests would take away what was rightfully his. It took years for him to rise in the ranks of the order. But it took mere seconds for him to become its destined leader. Kai Mow smiled at the fact that his rival was dead. Latrodect had been good, but not good enough. His revenge against Caine had gone wrong the moment he had implemented it. Latrodect paid with his life.
It took four months for the order to rebuild itself after Latrodect nearly destroyed it with his thoughts of revenge and power. Some members of the order wanted to wash their hands of the Shaolin and go back to the old ways, seeing that perhaps what the order was doing was not its true purpose. Still, others cried out for Caine's death having grown used to the power and prestige that went with having wealth. Those members who did not agree with the order's purpose disappeared, quietly and permanently. Those that remained now worked for Kai Mow, and Kai Mow vowed that he would get rid of the Shaolin one way or another.
Kai Mow heard the door to his office being opened. He knew that someone had entered and they brought a guest. He did not have to look at the man to know who it was that stood before him. Still rubbing his hands along the rich dark wood, he began his interrogation of the man without looking up.
"So, what should we do with you?"
Matthew simply cocked his head and shrugged one shoulder as his answer.
Kai Mow looked up at the older man and frowned. "You think this is a game?"
"Games are for fools who do not know the rules. And fools are twins of the wise."
"Very poetic, but you are wrong. This is a game, a very deadly game. So, if you do not wish to die, you better learn how to play."
"I am old. Dying is simply a part of life," Matthew replied. "I have faced it before. It has no fear for me."
"I can see that," Kai Mow stated, spying the scar that graced the old man's cheek. "You and your family have caused the order a great deal of trouble."
"Hugh," Matthew Caine forced out a short laugh. "You mean my son has. I only learned of your order's existence when you tried to have my son kill my grandson."
"That is immaterial. You are Shaolin and a sworn enemy of the Order of the Black Widow."
"Why?" Matthew asked.
The question threw Kai Mow off for a moment. "I do not understand your question."
"Why is the Order of the Black Widow a sworn enemy of the Shaolin? What has the Shaolin done to cause this? At one time, the members of the order were great healers. They understood what poisons can do to a man. Now the order would use poison and other drugs to destroy others?"
"You are wasting time," Kai Mow dismissed Matthew's questions. "Take him to the room. Then check on the other one. The drug will be wearing off soon. He should be given another dose."
Matthew's eyes narrowed, knowing full well who "the other" was. "Your arrogance will be your downfall."
"I don't believe so."
Kai Mow waived a hand and Matthew was taken from his sight.
Continues with Part 10
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2002.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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