Chapter 9 Blood Wedding

# Chapter 9: Blood Wedding

The maintenance tunnel opened into the research facility's lower level—a maze of laboratories and storage areas that Eden navigated with unsettling familiarity. The diamond's countdown had reached five minutes when we finally emerged into what appeared to be the central research area.

"This is where she worked," Eden whispered, his eyes scanning the abandoned equipment. "Where she made her final discoveries."

The laboratory looked untouched, as if preserved exactly as it had been the day Elizabeth Constantine died. Papers still scattered across desks, coffee mugs left mid-experiment, a lab coat hanging by the door with "E.C." embroidered on the pocket.

"Why would they keep it like this?" I asked, the eerie time capsule raising goosebumps on my arms.

"Alexander's sentimentality," Eden replied, moving toward the main console. "Or perhaps superstition. He always believed our mother's work was unfinished—that somewhere in her research lay the key to even greater power."

The diamond pulsed in my hand, its glow intensifying as the countdown approached zero. I held it up, watching as its light cast crimson shadows across the laboratory.

"It's reacting to this place," I observed. "Like it knows where it is."

"It does." Eden's voice had dropped to a reverent whisper. "This is where it was created. Where my mother died bringing it into existence."

As the countdown reached its final seconds, the diamond's glow became blinding—a brilliant red beacon that illuminated the entire laboratory. When it hit zero, the light coalesced into a narrow beam that pointed toward an unremarkable section of wall.

Eden approached the spot, running his hands over the surface until he found something—a hidden panel that slid away to reveal a small safe.

"Her private vault," he breathed. "I always suspected it existed, but could never locate it."

The diamond continued projecting its beam at the safe's electronic lock. Eden placed the stone against the scanner, and immediately the mechanism whirred to life, accepting the diamond itself as the key.

The safe door swung open to reveal a single item—a small velvet box. Eden removed it with trembling hands, opening it to expose a ring that perfectly matched the Crimson Tear necklace: a smaller red diamond set in platinum.

"The companion piece," Eden whispered. "She made two."

Before I could respond, the laboratory door burst open. Alexander Constantine stood in the threshold, flanked by security personnel, his face a mask of cold fury.

"Hello, brother," he said, stepping into the room. "I see mother's little scavenger hunt has reached its conclusion."

Eden pocketed the ring box smoothly, turning to face his twin. "Alexander. Your timing is impeccable, as always."

"Did you really think I wouldn't know about this place?" Alexander's laugh was brittle. "That I wouldn't be monitoring mother's laboratory? The moment the diamond activated its homing protocol, I knew exactly where you were headed."

His gaze shifted to me, his pale eyes narrowing. "And you brought your little impostor. How touching."

Eden moved slightly, positioning himself between me and Alexander. "She's not an impostor. She's Julia Harlow's daughter—mother's chosen successor."

"Successor to what?" Alexander sneered. "A failed research project? A technology that died with our mother?"

"You know that's not true," Eden countered. "You've been searching for mother's final breakthrough for eight years. That's why you kept this laboratory intact—why you've been watching Janice all this time."

Alexander's expression flickered, surprise quickly masked. "You overestimate my interest in your pet gemologist."

"Do I?" Eden's voice was dangerously soft. "Then why have you been collecting women who look like our mother? Why have you been monitoring every female scientist connected to her work?"

The tension in the room was suffocating. Alexander signaled his security team to stay back as he stepped closer to Eden.

"You've caused quite a mess, little brother," he said conversationally. "Federal investigations, stock collapse, board members fleeing like rats from a sinking ship. Father would be disappointed."

"Father is dead," Eden replied flatly. "And soon, his corrupt empire will be too."

Alexander smiled, the expression chilling in its genuine amusement. "You think you've won? That your little evidence dump has destroyed me?" He shook his head. "The Constantine name has weathered worse storms. In a month, this will be nothing but a minor corporate restructuring."

"Not this time," Eden insisted. "Mother made sure of that."

For the first time, uncertainty crossed Alexander's face. "What are you talking about?"

Eden reached into his pocket, removing the ring box. "Mother left instructions. A final act of justice that only her blood can complete."

The atmosphere in the room shifted, some unspoken understanding passing between the brothers that I couldn't quite grasp.

"Don't be dramatic, Eden," Alexander said, but his voice had lost its confident edge. "Whatever you're planning—"

"It's already in motion." Eden turned to me, his expression softening slightly. "Janice, come here."

I hesitated, every instinct screaming that I was walking into something dangerous. But the diamond in my hand pulsed warmly, almost encouragingly. I stepped forward, joining Eden.

To my shock, he took my hand and led me to a small circular platform in the center of the laboratory—what appeared to be some kind of scanning station.

"What are you doing?" Alexander demanded, his composure cracking.

Eden ignored him, focusing entirely on me as he placed the Crimson Tear necklace around my throat once more. "Our mothers designed this," he said softly. "The final verification. The blood diamond returning to where it was created, completing the circuit."

He opened the ring box and removed the smaller red diamond, sliding it onto my finger. The two stones—necklace and ring—seemed to recognize each other, their glow intensifying and synchronizing.

"This isn't what you think it is," I whispered, suddenly understanding. "This is a blood wedding."

Eden's smile was sad but determined. "In a way. A union of our mothers' legacy."

Alexander's laugh was incredulous. "A wedding? Here? You've finally lost your mind completely, brother."

"Not a traditional wedding," Eden clarified, stepping onto the platform beside me. "Something much older. A blood covenant."

The diamonds' glow expanded, creating a crimson dome of light around us. Outside, Alexander shouted orders to his security team, but they seemed unable or unwilling to breach the red barrier.

Eden took my hand, guiding it to the central console on the platform. "Place the ring here," he instructed, indicating a small depression perfectly sized for the diamond.

"Why should I trust you?" I demanded. "You've manipulated me from the beginning."

"Because our mothers trusted each other," Eden replied simply. "Because they created this path for us to follow, knowing we would find each other."

Before I could decide, Alexander's voice cut through the humming energy of the diamond field.

"He's using you," he called. "Just like our mother used yours. Do you know how Julia Harlow died? It wasn't cancer. It was suicide—after she realized what Elizabeth had done with their research."

I froze, looking to Eden for denial. His face revealed nothing.

"Is that true?" I asked.

"Alexander always excelled at mixing truth with lies," Eden replied carefully. "Your mother died protecting you from the Constantine Group. From him."

Alexander had moved closer to the edge of the red barrier, his face illuminated in its glow. "Ask him about the other women, Janice. The ones before you. The ones who didn't survive the 'verification' process."

A cold dread settled in my stomach. "What is he talking about?"

Eden's jaw tightened. "Ignore him. We're almost finished."

But doubt had taken root. I pulled my hand back from the console. "Tell me the truth, Eden. Has anyone else tried to activate these diamonds?"

The hesitation before his answer told me everything.

"There were... attempts," he admitted. "The genetic markers needed to be precise. None of them were right."

"How many?" I demanded.

"Three," Eden said quietly. "All volunteers who understood the risks."

"Volunteers?" Alexander's laugh was bitter. "Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night? They were desperate women you manipulated with promises of wealth or revenge."

Eden's expression darkened. "Don't listen to him. He's trying to divide us when we're so close to completion."

A gunshot shattered the tension—Alexander had drawn his weapon, firing at the red barrier. The bullet seemed to disintegrate on contact, but the barrier flickered momentarily.

"Place the ring," Eden urged. "Complete the circuit before he breaks through."

Another shot rang out, and this time the barrier wavered more significantly. Eden moved to shield me from Alexander's line of fire.

"I'm not the monster he wants you to believe I am," Eden said urgently. "Everything I've done has been to fulfill our mothers' final wishes—to expose the truth and prevent the Constantine Group from weaponizing their research."

Alexander fired again, and this time the barrier fractured, segments of red light collapsing. He stepped through the opening, gun raised.

"Enough of this farce," he snarled. "Give me the diamonds. Now."

Eden moved between Alexander and me, his hands raised placatingly. "You know you can't use them, brother. They're genetically coded to me and Janice."

"Then I'll take the gemologist too," Alexander replied coldly, shifting his aim toward me.

What happened next seemed to unfold in slow motion. Eden lunged as Alexander fired. The bullet meant for me struck Eden instead, hitting him in the shoulder. He stumbled but remained standing, blood spreading across his shirt.

"Eden!" I cried, moving to support him.

He smiled grimly, blood at the corner of his mouth. "It seems our blood marriage comes with traditional sacrifices after all."

Alexander approached, gun still trained on us. "How touching. But ultimately futile."

Eden's eyes met mine, an unspoken message passing between us. His hand closed over mine, guiding the ring toward the console once more.

"Together," he whispered.

I understood then—whatever Eden's past sins, whatever manipulations had brought us to this point, our mothers had created these diamonds for a purpose. A purpose that transcended the Constantine brothers' feud.

I pressed the ring into the depression on the console. Eden placed his bleeding hand over mine, his blood mingling with the diamond's glow. The Crimson Tear at my throat pulsed in response, and suddenly the entire platform was awash in blinding red light.

Alexander screamed, firing wildly into the crimson haze. One bullet grazed my arm, another hit Eden in the chest. He collapsed against me, his weight nearly taking us both to the floor.

"No!" I cried, lowering him gently. Blood soaked his shirt, spreading across the platform.

Eden smiled up at me, reaching to touch the diamond at my throat. "Our blood is mixed now," he whispered, lifting his bloodied fingers to show me. "The circuit is complete."

Alexander approached through the fading red light, his face contorted with rage and fear. "What have you done?" he demanded.

Around us, the laboratory's systems had come alive—computers activating, data streaming across screens, the facility awakening as if from a long sleep.

"Mother's final protocol," Eden gasped, his voice weakening. "The complete exposure. Every Constantine Group crime, every cover-up, every victim—all being transmitted globally. Unstoppable."

Alexander's face drained of color. He raised his gun one final time, pointing it not at us, but at his own temple.

"No," he whispered, his eyes fixed on something none of us could see. "I won't let you win."

Eden reached out weakly. "Alexander, don't—"

The gun clattered to the floor unfired. Alexander's hand shook violently as he lowered it, his expression one of utter defeat.

"I can still hear her," he said, voice breaking. "Mother. Telling me what I've become."

Eden's blood pooled beneath us, mixing with my own from the bullet graze. The diamonds—both necklace and ring—seemed to drink in our blood, their glow deepening to the color of fresh arterial spray.

In that moment, surrounded by blood and the Constantine brothers' broken legacy, I understood the true power of the blood diamond.

Not revenge. Not wealth. But truth—terrible, uncompromising truth that could not be buried or denied.

And as security teams finally breached the laboratory, as medical personnel rushed to Eden's side, as Alexander sank to his knees in surrender, I knew that our blood wedding had accomplished what our mothers had died trying to achieve.

The truth, at last, was free.