by Joe Fowler
“This is Jenna, your new fighter.” Reptile sounded a little warmer tonight. I was growing used to his flat, deadpan voice.
I made my inspection as I had with the others.
“Welcome, Jenna. I hope you survive.” I looked to Reptile. “Take her to the donor room and get her something to eat.”
“Yes, Darius.” He bowed. Jenna saw this and bowed as well. They left the room quickly.
I smiled at Petra and Emelia. Together the three of us made our way to the meeting hall.
Sabina handled the protocols and led us to join the others. Everyone but Ephraim was here speaking in one group instead of several smaller groups. I wanted to groan as we approached them.
“…How can they let him live knowing what could happen? He could kill us all.” Tigress was saying. This was a surprise of a sort. She had barely spoken last night.
“Arria. She fell in love with him. So long as she is there with him, I’m not going to be too afraid. It would take some time for him to be powerful enough to kill her.” Saul stated strongly.
“This must be hard for you to hear. I have been hearing this since you became known.” Sabina was saddened. I felt better about her then.
I gave a slight sigh as a response. I saw her recognize it. Unfortunately, so did Jonas.
“What’s wrong, Darius? You look troubled.” Jonas pointed out.
“All this talk of Titan. He has been talked about with so much fear from everyone. I am trying to wait until I meet him before I become afraid of him. If he hasn’t started killing us, then why is everyone so sure he will?” I hoped they would listen. “Before you remind me, remember that I disappeared because of Ares. I was expected to help fight him even though I was young. We had reason to fear Ares though. Titan has done nothing to warrant this. I know I am new and some of you will think me naïve, but I refuse to be afraid of something that doesn’t look like it is going to happen.”
“You are not naïve, Darius. You are proving yourself to be wiser than most of us. We grow distrustful the longer we are around each other. That makes us expect the worst from others. That is why we are so afraid of Titan.” Saul said. I saw his intelligence then. His wheels were turning. I could see his growing regard for me.
The conversation lightened up after that.
“Your speech was very well said. That must have felt good!” Sabina thought to me. We were with Emelia and Orion. I gave a slight nod and smile that the other two couldn’t see. They were looking the other way since Ephraim was being announced by the door guard.
Sabina went to greet him. I remembered the warnings and looked away. I wouldn’t give him a reason to feel provoked. Like last night, he whispered to Sabina and she nodded. I could guess what was said. It was near enough to time for us to go to the viewing room.
“If everyone is ready, we can get things underway.” Sabina looked around and saw the enthusiasm. She smiled and led the way with Ephraim walking by her side.
Emelia fell in by my side. I smiled down at her. She flashed a suspicious look before smiling back. I knew she questioned my motives. I needed to remember that these old ones needed a motive for doing things.
The viewing went smoothly. I gave a warm smile to my fighters. They smiled nervously in return. They knew the other old ones might not be so nice. Jet beamed as her new name was announced.
The arena was more crowded than I had ever seen. We were at maximum capacity tonight. It wouldn’t help or hurt my cause so I paid the humans and lessor vampires no mind.
Phoenix and Emelia took their places with me. Emelia on my left and Phoenix on my right. I was expecting this. I was going to try for a 60-40, maybe 65-35, split between winning and losing. I didn’t want any more suspicion coming my way but I still wanted to add to my growing bank accounts.
Sabina gave the signal.
“Welcome! We have a fantastic night in store for you! Let’s get things started with first timers Jenna and Liam. How about a hand for our fighters!” The announcer was short but enthusiastic. Once Jenna and Liam were standing on the X marks the announcer continued. “You will have five minutes to place your bets!”
Liam had strength as well. At least Jenna would have a chance. I made my usual million dollar bet. I heard Petra explaining that I always bet that much on my own fighters. Everyone else, other than Ephraim, bet one hundred thousand.
“It is time! Liam, Jenna, Please stand and face your opponent…Let the game begin!” The announcer teleported.
Liam tried to attack quickly. Jenna was quicker. She dodged and moved away. Liam’s second attack was more careful. Jenna beat him to the punch and got in a few good shots. Liam shook her off and regrouped. They traded some blows before Jenna began to wear him down. She won.
I was so happy for her. I remembered back to Hercules, one of Arria’s fighters when I was going through the fights. He tried but knew he wouldn’t make it. He died in his fourth fight. I hoped Jenna could make it but I knew the odds were against her.
I received congratulations from the others as the arena was cleared for the next fight.
“Our next fight will be first timers Stacy and Michael! Let’s hear it for our fighters.” As they took their places I closed my eyes in longing. Stacy was a healer. “You will now have five minutes to place your bets!”
Michael’s gift was flight. While not a great gift, it would help him more than the healing would Stacy. I was deciding who to bet on when Emelia bet a million on Stacy. I looked at her sharply.
“She is mine.” Emelia smiled.
I bet the hundred thousand on Stacy. I would have given the nine million I had already won to drink from Stacy. I would be able to heal anyone suffering from the unravelling. Phoenix bet Stacy as well.
Once the fight started, the two of them circled, each looking afraid to attack. Once they actually mixed it up, there was a ferocity involved. Stacy was holding her own. Michael was tough but he fell eventually. I felt relief. Maybe someday…
My thoughts were interrupted when the announcer reappeared and called the next fight. Speed versus strength. I bet the strength. I knew I needed to lose some.
The fights rambled on. Some were entertaining but nothing spectacular happened. I was keeping to the plan so far. I had won five and lost three. Tammy’s fight was announced and drew my full attention.
She was kneeling on the X across from a female teleporter. I bet the million.
Tammy took charge in the fight with her aggression. It paid off for her. She took her opponent’s head and smiled in relief before returning to the holding pen.
I was elated. I watched the next few fights with my head in the clouds. It took Jet’s announced fight to make me focus again. Her opponent had mind control. Now I knew why Orion was willing to make the bet even after he was told of Lucy’s speed.
I bet another million.
My nerves were on end when the announcer reappeared. My nerves were calmed quickly as Jet moved as soon as she was allowed. She won easily. Orion gave me a fake mean look before smiling. I smiled back.
“You’re unstoppable!” Emelia exclaimed.
“I’ve never seen such luck. All your fighters win and you win most all of your bets. It is amazing to watch.” Phoenix commented.
Since I was already over four million ahead, I lost a few more than normal for the rest of the night. I ended the event five million up.
Phoenix and Emelia both won which improved their mood for the after party. We were just arriving when I saw the evidence of Emelia’s happiness.
“Woohoo! That was my most successful night of betting. I won almost three million.” She announced. The others congratulated her. Phoenix didn’t announce her winnings but I figured she was in that range.
“That does it, I’m sitting next to you at every event. That’s two fight nights in a row of winning.” Phoenix smiled.
I saw this as a good opportunity.
“Well, I am going to skip the next event. Sorry, Phoenix. I want to get my facility in order
. I’ve been thinking about it and I think it would give me a chance to catch my breath.” I explained. Several others heard every word. Saul and Jonas paid special attention.
“That can be a good idea. We all remember how it is when you are starting out.” Abel said. He was being honest. I can’t say he was showing concern but he understood the need for a break.
“I hate that since I won’t get the chance to get you back for losing my mind control fighter.” Orion said. A few laughed. “I am hosting three days from now. All of you are invited.”
“Sounds great to me! Add my name to the card.” Emelia stated. Petra, Jonas, Saul, and Phoenix all did the same. There were a few who said they would think on it.
We spent the next few hours trading stories in what was the most enjoyable after party I had attended. The council and Titan weren’t mentioned. I almost hated to leave but my excitement was directed toward something else. I would see Arria tomorrow!
I said my goodbyes with instructions for Petra and Emelia to call when they headed out of Orion’s. I planned to join them for the following event if possible. They promised they would.
Sabina gave one last thought as I was leaving.
“I like you much better now, Titan. I am glad we had this opportunity.”
“I feel the same way. Thank you, Sabina.” I said, quietly.
Chapter 14
My plane landed at my facility. Reptile led the fighters and employees to their permanent quarters. I went to visit my suite. I liked the light green color of my walls. I liked it more since Arria’s walls were a dull green.
Things had gone smoothly here without me. I smiled knowing that each of these employees had done these same things for other old ones. From all reports, I had only lost two from internal fighting. For vampires, that wasn’t bad.
I took a shower since I passed on it before leaving Sabina’s. I had given instructions for an extremely early departure. I knew it would be a long flight to Feng’s. I planned on leaving in one hour. Two at the most.
After my shower, I called my pilots and told them to have the plane ready again for immediate takeoff. I made the required calls to get the clearances needed. Two more calls to make.
“About time! You’ve been out of touch.” Blur sounded upset.
“I am having a problem that is causing that. I am very sorry Blur. For some reason, my mind doesn’t want me to trust you. I have no reason to doubt you but I can’t shake the feeling.” I admitted.
“I had that thought. It explained some things. I would swear my loyalty but it wouldn’t help, I know.”
“I’m sorry about it. You deserve to be considered trustworthy until proven otherwise.” This wasn’t where this conversation was meant to go but I needed to say it.
“With what is on the line, namely your life, I can’t blame you for shutting me out if you feel that way. I understand.”
“Thanks, Blur. I’m sorry for dragging you into all this.”
“Don’t be. I was too bored with Arria. This is new anyway. Call me if you need me, Titan.”
“I will.”
Now, I only needed to call Reptile and tell him.
“Yes, Darius?” Reptile answered.
“I am being asked to return to Feng’s facility. Well, ordered is more like it. You won’t need to travel with me. This is just some paper work and details that were left undone. I will be travelling alone for this trip. Congratulations, this will be like a vacation.” I laughed hoping he would take it that way.
“I hope everything goes well. I will be here if you need me.” Reptile said, dutifully.
“Good. I’m very glad I chose you Reptile. You’ve done well.” I said. I disconnected and packed some clothes.
I didn’t think the plane would ever land. Feng made his home in France. I wanted to laugh at flying out of Poland headed for Virginia when I knew I was going to be immediately flying out to France. It was way out of the way to say the least.
Arria met me in the hangar. Since there were some suspicious eyes watching, I needed to remain ‘Darius’ until we made it into more private quarters.
We didn’t speak when I was finally able to drop my illusion. We held each other. That was what we needed most. Feng and Lorac interrupted our reunion. They wanted the full report quickly since they knew Arria and I would be leaving soon.
I related the details I knew they needed. They asked a few questions along the way. Ghost was present, of course. He remained quiet for the telling. I was getting concerned.
“…and I left.”
“Did any of them act suspicious of your avoiding the next event?” Lorac asked.
“No. Saul even spoke of understanding. Petra and Emelia did the same. As I said, I will expect a call from Petra or Emelia after the Orion event. That will get me back on the circuit to try and get further.”
“You’ve done well. The council members are giving you rave reviews for your performances. They swear the old ones like you. However, I want to hear from you what seeing them as Titan will do to help us.” Feng was obviously against this. I had seen that early on.
“I can read them more openly. When people are most guarded is the best time to see how they really feel. If I am able to ask certain types of questions in front of them, their body language will tell me a lot. As Darius, they are at ease. Their lies aren’t forced. They don’t fear Darius. As myself, I can gather more information.” I hesitated. “One more thing. I feel like I can ease some of their fear of me. I have to listen to hours of complaints and worry of what I might do to them. If they meet me, maybe they will stop being so damn scared.”
Feng’s demeanor softened.
“We understand. We’ve all heard it to one degree or another even though they know we approve of you. Do what you can, Titan. I know you and Arria need to leave soon.” Lorac said.
“The plane is ready. My employees are already aboard. Ghost, do you have anything we need to hear?” Arria asked.
“Not yet. Titan knows what he is doing.” Ghost turned to look at me as he said the next part. “He should also know to be very careful of what he asks.”
I smiled at Ghost. I knew what he meant. I didn’t think the others would but that was the way it needed to be.
I took a moment to say hello to my friends on the plane.
“Hey guys. Did you miss me?” I asked with a smile as I entered their section of the plane.
“Titan! Does this mean you’re back?” Venus asked.
“Not completely. I am attending this event and then I will be leaving for even longer, probably.” I told them.
“Can you tell us why?” Jade asked. She had taken Blur’s place among Arria’s security detail. Blur, unfortunately, was left at my facility.
“Nope. One thing for you guys, if it comes up in any way, no one can know that I haven’t been with you guys lately. As far as any other vampire knows, I’ve been with Arria this whole time.” I looked at them to make sure they were understanding me. They seemed to.
“I really hoped we would never go back to those kind of times. I hate the games we have to play.” Apollo was the last one for this kind of thing.
We traded some small talk before I headed back up front to be with Arria.
She smiled when I entered. She was standing by my chair. I walked over only to be pushed into my chair. She sat on my lap and put her arms around me. We didn’t want to talk.
The plane landed sometime after. Arria and I hadn’t moved or spoken.
Arria went to meet with Orion while I led the employees and fighters to their quarters. It was easy to fall back into this mode. Being Arria’s second wasn’t as much fun as having your own team. I was myself though. No lies or fake smiles. I was me again.
Once my duties were finished, I headed to Arria’s suite. I didn’t expect her to take too long before coming to see me. I was wrong. The time passed and kept passing. I was about to lose patience when my phone rang. Well, Darius’s phone rang. Emelia.
“Hello?”
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“You really should have come to Orion’s event. Arria is here. I am going to get to meet Titan, finally.” Emelia asked.
“I wish I had for another reason. Feng called me back to his facility. He found more paperwork for me to fill out. I hate I missed it though. You need to tell me everything about him when we see each other again. Make sure to let me know the next event.” I was babbling. I knew it. Luckily, I remembered to change my voice. I spoke a little differently as Darius.
“I will. I stepped out of the meeting hall to call you. The others are trying to get Arria to bring Titan here now. I hope she does. There is something going on that I don’t know about. It looks bad by the way everyone is acting. Well, I just wanted to fill you in. I will call when I know something. Bye, Darius.”
“Bye, Emelia.”
I hung up to hear my other phone ringing. Oh boy. Wonder what this was about. Looks like another meeting hall.
“Hello?”
“Come to the meeting hall. Everyone is excited about meeting you.” I could hear the tension in Arria’s voice.
“Yes, Arria. I’m on my way.”
We disconnected.
I looked at the phone for ‘Darius’ and turned it off. I put it in my bag before I left. I found myself growing nervous. I was the main one wanting this but now I was growing nervous. I needed to be on my toes so I wouldn’t slip up.
The door guard announced me. All eyes turned. Orion came to greet me. I didn’t think there were any protocols for this. Seconds weren’t usually allowed in this room. The after party was more relaxed and didn’t require anything of me.
“Titan. It is wonderful to finally meet you.” Orion shook my hand.
“It is good to meet you as well. Orion, I presume?” I asked, trying to sound natural.
“Yes.” His smile never wavered. “Come, there are many here who want to meet you.”
“This was unexpected. I’ve been to a few after parties but never a prefight meeting.” I stated. I felt the tension immediately. I figured it was just because of their fear of me.
