by H. T. Night
“That's pretty shitty for the guy who survives an ass kicking. But, that's a lot of money.”
“These aren't your average immortals. These guys are the cream of the crop. Josiah, I'm telling you they have the top immortals from all vampire races and a few werewolf races.”
“Okay,” I said, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“Even yours.” Atticai said, plainly.
“Mine?” I asked concerned.
“Josiah, Joshua has been their main event for the last couple of weeks.”
“Joshua, my son?” I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
“Yep, the crowd refers to him as something else, but he is definitely your kid.”
I was sick to my stomach. I didn't know what to say. “Does he win?”
“Yeah, let's just say he has been collecting a lot of money for the last couple of weeks.”
“Is he stuck in it?”
“I don't think so. It looks like each fighter can come and go as they please. But, there is something I need to warn you about.”
“What is it?” I asked, nervously.
“Joshua seems to really enjoy the kill.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I could see it in his eyes.” Atticai shot me a look at me that said trust me on this.
I was sick and needed to know more. “Do you think we lost him?”
“I don't know. I heard from my people that you were looking for him. So, I delivered the message in person. I owe you that much.”
“Thank you, Atticai. May I ask, how did you find me?”
“Well, I figured you and Tommy would go back to your roots to hide. So, I flew over your old haunts.” He tapped his temple, “And, I listened for you with my mind.”
“How is he protecting himself against the bounty collectors?”
“Area 51 is a bounty free zone. If someone even tries to turn on anyone they will be killed by the others.”
“So we are dealing with honor among murderers?”
“All bounties inside Area 51 aren't sanctioned by the Mani government. The last thing you need to worry about is him being killed for his bounty. At least inside the Area 51 premises.”
“I understand. They will keep matching him up until someone is the new champion.”
“And a new champion would likely mean the death of your son.” Atticai was direct and no nonsense with his last statement.
“I understand Atticai. When is the next match?”
“They have matches once a week on Saturday night. The event starts at seven. Main event is at nine. There are five or six matches before the main event. I presume your boy will be the main event again.” Atticai paused. “One more thing.”
“What is it?”
“As I said before, he doesn't call himself Joshua Reign.”
“What does he call himself?”
“Savage Reign. Mainly Savage. He keeps the Reign because everyone knows the history of your family, I suppose.”
“Savage Reign?” I shook my head. I was anxious nonetheless. If bounties didn't exist on the grounds of Area 51 then I should be able to go check out one of these fights and maybe talk some sense into Joshua.
Atticai seemed a tad anxious and looked like he was ready to go back to wherever he had come from.
“Thank you, good friend.” I stood and shook his hand.
Atticai nodded, then walked out the front door and transitioned into the long black raven and was off in the night sky.
After Atticai left, I called everyone to come back downstairs and I let them in on Joshua fighting in death matches like Tommy used to back in the day. I informed them the location was at Area 51 in New Mexico, and they all seemed amused by that particular detail.
“It's Thursday, so I will be heading out Saturday at dusk. Other than finding some time to speak to him, I have no other plan.”
“That might be the best thing to do,” Yari said, “For now.”
“You might be right,” I said. “So, I understand if the rest of you don't want to come.”
“Are you kidding, Josiah? There may be no collecting bounties in this area, but once you're off the property, you're fair game. You're Josiah Reign, and you will need protection. I recommend every one of us go.”
“I concur.” The newest member of our group chimed in. Todd had helped out back at the battle of Flatlands. He was drawn to us, and we needed the extra bodies. He had passed every loyalty test both natural and supernatural I could give him. He was waiting to find a circle of friends like us, and we are happy to have him.
I looked around at our group. We had Tommy, Yari, Sion, Jason, Hunter, and now Todd. Our crew was as tough as a seven person crew could be. The truth was, I needed the protection if I was going to leave the safety of our sanctuary and I couldn't allow my ego to interfere with logic.
So, Saturday at dusk, the seven of us would be heading over to New Mexico. Travel time would be about thirty to forty-five minutes from our place. Even with me carrying Tommy in my Talons.
Chapter Three
Thankfully, our flight was uneventful. We landed and all seven of us transitioned into our human or vampire forms. I had sent Hunter, one of two of us who didn't have a bounty on their head, ahead of us to see how we could slip into the place unnoticed. The actual area was once Honey Airport, and they also called it Groom Lake. It is inside an old government facility that had been shut down after the great wars.
We met Hunter a mile outside of Area 51 in the county of Otero, Nevada.
More specifically, we met outside in the back parking lot of a run down bar. It seemed pretty secure. Hunter landed in front of us in his raven form. He transitioned wearing a long black cloak that had a large hood that covered his entire face. The rest of us were dressed similarly. “Okay,” he said, “As long as we pay the ticket, we should have no problem getting in. But I recognize a lot of the faces, so I'm sure you guys will too. We need to be as discreet as possible, for obvious reasons.”
All eyes suddenly came on me. “Look, they want me and Tommy the most. We will be wearing our hoods, but the rest of you I will leave it up to you. Suddenly everyone made sure their hood was completely on. They were all playing it safe.
“How much are the tickets?”
“Two hundred US dollars a piece,” Hunter answered.
“Does everybody have that much cash on them?” I asked.
Much to my relief, everyone nodded their heads. Good thing, nothing like running to an ATM right before a rescue mission.
“I'll pay you guys back for this,” I said to the group.
“Don't be stupid,” Yari quipped. “Joshua means a lot to us too. Some more than others.”
“Okay, then. Let's fly right outside the arena at Area 51 and Tommy and I will find a place to land that's safe and catch up with you guys at the front gate where you buy the tickets.”
In a few minutes, we all landed two hundred feet in front of the arena. It seemed safe enough for Tommy and me to land without being seen. Or, so I thought.
We all casually walked up to the ticket booth. The guy behind the booth looked like to be a hundred years old. He had more energy than anyone I had ever seen at that age. Then it dawned on me. Duh, he was a vampire. He had just been turned when he was probably on his death bed. I don't know how I felt about it. I guess every person deserved the right to immortality, no matter how old they were when the opportunity presented itself. But maybe there was a boundary. This guy looked ancient.
We bought our tickets from the energetic senior citizen. They were all seats in the back. I preferred it that way. On the tickets was tonight's card. All the fights that will happen tonight. My stomach was sick knowing my son's name would be on this ticket.
There were eight fights scheduled for this evening.
Damn, that's a lot of fights on one card.
The main event read Mongoose vs. Savage Reign.
I shook my head when I read it knowing Savage Reign was indeed my son's new person
a in the death match world.
The seven of us all walked through the gate with looks here and there, but I was sure I hadn't been recognized. We hadn't warranted more than a passing glance.
We made our way to the seats inside the arena. The name Mongoose kept echoing in my brain. Who the hell was that guy? Why did they call him Mongoose? Was he an undefeated champion like my son? Would this be a 50/50 coin flip? I did not want my son's life to be a 50/50 coin flip.
We sat through four fights and without my bloody military experience this would have seriously shocked my nervous system. Every match was explicit and gory.
I couldn't believe my son was about to fight in a match like this. My head was spinning. I looked over at Jason and he looked on somberly. I could see his heart breaking for everyone fighting. That was the type of kid he was.
Suddenly, two men the size of tanks stepped into my row and one of the giants said, “Josiah Reign, Mr. Howard would like to have a few words with you.”
I looked at Tommy, and he motioned for me to go. “I got your back, dude. I will be close by.” Tommy said in my head.
Nodding, I stood up, walked down the aisle passing all my comrades and was led to an elevator. Once the three of us were in the elevator, we went straight to the top.
I was now completely alone. Obviously, I could take care of myself, but I needed to be on high alert nonetheless.
When the elevator door opened, I was escorted to a large suite that overlooked the entire arena that had a first class view of the fighting ring. This room reminded me of Romero's view at the arena he ran in Tijuana twenty years earlier. Though, Romero's arena had been gritty and dirty. Howard's arena was pristine and looked like a room out of a palace. It seemed a bit futuristic with its design. One thing was for sure, the entire arena from top to bottom was Howard's attempt at classing up a stinking turd. Death matches were disgusting no matter how much you tried to pretty them up. I wasn't buying what he was selling and it turned my stomach.
Howard was seated in his Feng Shui position where his desk faced the door. Behind him was a glass window where he could swivel his chair around to watch the matches.
“Josiah Reign,” he announced as I walked into the room. “Please tell me you want to take part in the fighting like your son. He has made some serious coin since he came on board.”
Hearing him talk about my son made my blood boil. “Where is he now?” I commanded.
“Oh, he is in the safest place possible. Seeing as his bounty is the highest out of all of our fighters here, we like to keep your boy safe. I'm sure, as his father, you would appreciate that.”
What a dick.
“So you're saying I can't see him.”
“I'm saying you can talk to him all you want once his match is over. I'm sure he'll live. He is a skilled fighter. You should be proud. So, the two of you can have some good father and son time after.”
I looked around the room and there were only the two guards who escorted me up here behind me. I could rush this human so fast and kill him. Something didn't feel right here. Does he have a death wish?
“You're bold for a human.”
“Yes, I am. Let's just say, none of you immortals scare or intimidate me.”
“Why is that? You have a triple black belt or something?”
“No, I just have a secret. No one knows my secret but me. If someone attacks me. My secret will be revealed at the cost of the person's life.”
“Well, that was a nice speech. It sounds like Fonzie's coolness?”
“Excuse me?”
“You know the Fonz. Happy Days. Henry Winkler. Did you ever see the Fonz fight?”
“I'm not following you,” Howard seemed confused.
“This secret is like Fonzie's coolness. Until someone challenges you, no one will ever know how tough you really are.”
“Okay, you can say that,” Howard grinned.
Did he really have a secret? I didn't know. Could he shape shift into a tiger or something?
“I didn't come here to stop my son from fighting tonight. So, I am fine with talking to him after the fight. I'm going to hold you to your word.”
“Like I said, have your father-son pow wow as long as you like. But only after the fight.” he folded his hands in front of him, “Invite all your friends to come up and watch the fight up here. It's the best seat in the house.”
I nodded my head.
“Hey, Cannonball, go back to where Mr. Reign was sitting and invite the rest of his crew up here. There's more than enough room and for those who can eat,” he motioned toward a table covered with plates of cold foods, “we have some great grub. Those of you who can only drink, I have the world's finest.”, he motioned to a stainless steal refrigerator.
“Sounds good,” I said.
His guard Cannonball and his buddy went back down to invite my friends back up.
“Hey, Tommy, they're coming to get you guys. It's pretty safe up here. Have everyone come.” I shot silently to my friend.
“You got it,” Tommy answered in my head.
Within ten minutes everyone was up in the suite.
Chapter Four
Howard's two guards stood in the very back and all seven of us stood in front. Everyone was hesitant to take off their hood, but I didn't see how they couldn't without disrespecting Howard. Odds were he wouldn't know them unless he introduced himself and expected to learn who he was speaking to.
“What's with all the mystery?” Howard asked, and let out a boisterous laugh. “Do we need the hoods? You all understand bounties can't be collected while inside Area 51. You're as safe here as anywhere. Safer, even.”
I looked at my guys and nodded my head. One by one they shrugged off their hoods. Yari was last and when she took her hood off, Howard nearly came out of his skin with excitement.
“Ms. Yari,” Howard said with a small gasp. He walked over to her and kissed her hand. “It is an absolute honor and privilege to meet you at last.”
Yari looked at him and said. “I have heard you're a big mover and shaker. But I didn't realize how handsome you were.”
“And I was unaware of your breathtaking beauty.” His eyes roamed over Yari hungrily.
I let this go on because I wasn't sure if Yari was playing him.
Howard was still gazing into Yari's eyes when he broke himself from his own spell. “The rest of you. We will be having amazing hors d'oeuvres for those who can eat and top of the line vital fluid for the rest of you. Please, have a seat. Make your selves comfortable. We have more than enough room on the couches around the suite. Find a comfy spot and we can all will watch Savage err... Joshua Reign make his record 5-0.”
“He has fought four other times?” I asked, surprised. I thought it had only been twice.
“Oh, yes. Four times and each time he becomes... well, more and more Savage.” Howard had a shit eating grin on his face that I wanted to smack off.
“What does Savage mean in regards to what you are saying?” Tommy interjected.
“Tommy. Josiah's right hand man. What a pleasure to meet you. You're a legend in these parts. Guys talk about your death matches like they were a clash of titans.”
“That was a long time ago,” Tommy replied. “I want to know why Joshua becomes more and more savage each time?”
“You know how it is, Tommy,” Howard responded. “Joshua probably could end most matches within minutes. But he likes to give the audience a show. He toys with his victims first. That is why he is our main event.”
“The last name Reign can't hurt either,” Yari winked at Howard.
Howard smiled. “You're right. It sure doesn't hurt.”
Everyone ate and drank and kept chatter to a low whisper. Howard didn't seem to want to know anything about the rest of my party, which was good because Hunter and Todd were wild cards. I know where they stand in loyalty because I've given them the head test. But, I'm not sure how their personalities necessarily are in a situation like this. I was glad to see both
were using caution and talking as little as possible. Plus, keeping their identities secret would allow them to make supply runs.
The next three matches were gruesome and I wasn't looking forward to seeing my son compete in this. It took everything in me not to break through the glass of the suite and stop him from fighting. But, this was his fifth fight. Apparently, he was in his element here. As sick and bizarre it was. He had found something here. He was Savage.
Dear God. What am I about to witness?
It was time for the main event and Maxwell Howard decided to sit right next to me. I was facing the arena and I was about six inches from the glass. Everyone else in my crew stood up and watched behind Howard as we sat in his very nice office chairs.
Joshua came out first wearing a ridiculous green boxing coat that read Savage on the back. It looked like it had been bedazzled by a kindergartner. His coat was pretty hideous. He made his way to the ring and the crowd chanted Savage over and over. He was definitely a crowd favorite. In a sick way, I was a little proud of him, but I knew he couldn't live a life like this where he could die in any match.
Then the lights went off in the arena and smoke filled up the air. Howard leaned over to me and said, “Mongoose's walk in is a music and light show for all.”
Mongoose was tall. He was extremely tall. He looked like Atticai if he would have bleached his hair. I've seen a lot of fighters in my life. And I watched my son's eyes as he entered the ring. He looked confident and excited. Eager even. Mongoose's eyes looked like he scared to death.
Was Joshua such an amazing fighter that he instilled this type of fear in men? This was a seasoned death match fighter. Something wasn't right. But I wasn't going to intervene. I had to see this play out.
Mongoose entered the ring, went straight to his corner and knelt down and prayed. This was a vampire who had killed before. He was acting as if... well, he was about to fight me.
“How soon after the match can I speak to my son?”
