by Joe Fowler
“I need to sleep. My mind is worn through.” I told Arria. “I mainly called to hear your voice. I believe this will be over soon though.”
“I hope so. Call me when you can.”
“I will.”
Chapter 20
My fighters were riding in the luxury section with me and Reptile as we flew to the next event.
Amazon and Jet were sharing the seat to my left. Mist and Emily were sitting in the seats across from us. Reptile sat to my right in one of the single seats.
“Well, Emily, have you been thinking of a name for yourself?” I asked.
“Mace. It is tough. That’s what I would like if it is acceptable.” She sounded sure of her decision.
“It is your choice. You will be the one bearing the name. I kind of like it. It fits you.” I was lying but she didn’t need to know.
“It’s too bad about Hector. He didn’t even try. We were having trouble communicating with him in the training room. He wasn’t trying to learn anyway.” Mist said.
“It hurt me. I was surprised by how much.” I was also surprised by Reptile’s reaction. He looked shocked and pleased. “Let’s hope we don’t have that happen again. I know it is always a possibility. I was very proud of you guys though. Emily, excuse me, Mace, your opponent had mind control. You acting first was why you won.”
She smiled. I had the fear she would turn out to be smug and even bad. I made sure to hide that from everyone. I wanted them to feel happy about how good they were doing. I didn’t want there to be any negative feedback from me.
“As long as you don’t face speed, you should win.” Amazon told her.
“I hope you’re right. I’ve seen in training how hard fighting someone like Jet would be.” Mace admitted.
“It isn’t impossible though. Jet, as great as you’ve done you need to remember to be careful. I’ve seen a daywalker beat a speed gift in the tenth round.” They were shocked to hear that. I smiled thinking back to Apollo’s final fight. It was where I could finally put the name Justin away and call him Apollo.
“Can I ask where Hector came from? We know our stories and Mace’s story. By the way, I like the name.” Jet smiled at Mace before returning her attention to me.
“I, along with a few other old ones, went out to find our newbies. I will be doing the same tonight after we land. It isn’t fun for me. I still remember when Arria attacked and turned me. It is a necessary evil if I wish to continue joining these events. I often wonder if it is worth it to continue.” I was being truthful to a degree.
Reptile hung his head then. I wondered at what was going through his mind but he kept constant walls to keep everyone out. I had hoped he would relax knowing, however incorrectly, that there wasn’t a mind reader among us.
After landing, I checked in with Horace. He was definitely as Arria described. He went by the book. There was a no nonsense air to him. I could see enough to understand he was good though. I didn’t doubt that.
Petra, Emelia, and I left soon after to find our newbies. We were near Montreal, Canada. Petra explained to be careful about which one we chose to turn. Some would speak French and some English. Most would know both languages but we should be sure. Hector was a good lesson. I would be sure my newbie spoke English.
“There! Driver stop by that convenience store!” Petra yelled through the glass. She had to speak up to be heard. “Darius, go in at top speed and take out the security cameras. We have to avoid detection.”
We got out and entered the store. I did as Petra ordered. I took out the cameras and looked around to see Petra’s nod. There were four people in the store. Three shoppers and one clerk. I chose the clerk to be my next fighter.
He was short and stout, kind of like Bear. His memories were heartbreaking. His parents had died tragically when he was a small child. His uncle raised him poorly. No money and less love while struggling with weight issues his whole life. His thoughts centered on suicide most of the time.
Petra drained the last human and we threw the bodies in the trunk. I knew I would never have my own team once this charade was over. It was misery.
I didn’t join in the conversation on the return trip to the facility. Emelia looked at me with the question clear in her eyes. I only shook my head for a response. I knew she was a better actor than me. No one hated the killing more than Sweetie.
I begged out of returning to the meeting hall for some time. I knew I couldn’t stay away since the others would want to draw the card. I waited as long as I felt reasonable before heading in to join them.
Once the protocols were out of the way, Horace led me to the main group. Lorac was there. That was a huge, and unwanted, surprise. He smiled when I walked up.
“Feng insisted. He believes you know more than what you are sharing. I know you do but I wouldn’t share it either.” I could hear his laughter.
“Lorac, have you met Darius?” Horace asked.
“Briefly. I was at Feng’s for a council meeting when he bought his facility. It is good to see you again, Darius. How are you liking our lifestyle?” Lorac asked.
“I love the fights. Some of it takes getting used to but it is fun. I am especially happy that I fell in with this group. We get along really well.” I said, playing my role and being truthful at the same time. I could see Lorac understood both parts.
“I am very glad he joined us. I am on a winning streak for the first time in ages.” Phoenix stated to everyone’s delight. Phoenix had a contagious enthusiasm that was hard to dislike.
“I’m happy to hear that, Phoenix. You were complaining the last time we attended the same event.” Lorac was amused.
“Did Ghost come with you?” I asked mentally.
“Against his will. It shocked me at first. He was adamant about staying at Feng’s. I talked him into it against his better judgement. Why was it so important?” Lorac was clearly puzzled.
“We’ll talk later. It is detailed.” I replied. I hoped to speak to Ghost before Lorac and I had this discussion. Ghost would see further ahead and know if Lorac should be told.
Lorac gave me a slight nod. I smiled.
The others were into a debate about the midrange gifts. It was often discussed. Some believed the merits of one over the other while someone else would argue the opposite. It was agreed that speed, illusions, and mind control were the top three. I never informed them of the side part of the gift identifying ability. That was the best in some ways. You still had to out fight your opponent, but it was a fair fight.
The card was drawn. Petra was cursing. She would lose a third fighter to Jet. Her fighter that would have been a round ahead of Jet, didn’t get to fight at the last event. It was bad luck all the way around for her. The others hid their smiles at her frustration.
We made our prefight bets. While a good time was had by all, the highlight was Petra once again.
“If you think I’m betting against her your insane.” Petra declared when I teasingly made the request.
The night went on. As could be expected, Lorac charmed everyone with his wit. He was known far and wide as the most fun of all old ones. While I wish he had left Ghost behind, I found I was glad to spend time around Lorac again.
I was the last to arrive and the first to leave. I begged out of the meeting hall and headed back to my suite. I decided to be proactive and sprint to my room to make sure I had the chance to call and speak with Ghost.
“I was expecting you. I fought this.”
“Lorac told me. Ares won’t like it either. You two have each other’s number, right?” I asked.
“He has mine. He is not visible most of the time at Feng’s. You can imagine the trouble it would cause to have his phone ring at the wrong time.”
“Lorac is wanting to know more. How much can we trust him? He won’t fly off the handle the way Arria would. It might even be beneficial to let him in on some of it.”
“I’ve gone both ways with it. The main good point is that he would help with Arria. Ares is set
against it though. That made up my mind.” Ghost laughed. “I’m making it a point to not piss him off, like you said.”
“Makes sense. I will hedge around some things. I will tell him some but not the important parts. It would be better to keep Lorac happy too.”
“If you want, tell him to call me into your meeting. I will help with that.”
“I might do that. Thanks, Ghost.”
“Anytime.”
I sat trying not to think. I still wasn’t over my depression of turning the human. His memories were worse than most.
It was something only Ares and I suffered from among vampires. We took from the ones who sustained us. We gathered the gifts from vampires. We took the memories from humans. It turned the blood sour in our mouths. Other vampires loved the taste of blood. We hated it.
The knock on my door stirred me from my internal struggle. I knew it would be Lorac. I was right.
“Ghost is being obstinate. Will you tell me what is happening? For starters, please tell me why Sweetie is acting like Emelia.” Lorac was between frustrated and angry.
I wasn’t going to bring Ghost in unless Lorac calmed down.
“Ares was moving in to stop the fights. He put Sweetie in place of Emelia for a cover.” I had little or no choice.
I never forgot how the old ones are at reading the young vampire lies. Old ones were practiced and could get away with it. Young ones couldn’t. It was one more reason I kept to the truth so much.
Lorac was brought up short in his steps toward my chair. His eyes displayed the worry the name Ares could bring.
“Is he here?”
“No. He is somewhere else helping me. I promised I would do what I could to keep Sweetie safe while he is gone.” I sighed both in feeling and for effect. “Lorac, you know how I feel about you and the council. I have helped when I could. When Ares tells you something, you listen. He doesn’t want his presence known. What he is working on could bring a peaceful solution. Can we leave it at that?”
I watched as Lorac sat heavily in my chair. His concentration was evident on his face. I did hate keeping things from him but there was too much at stake.
“Where is he?” Lorac asked expectantly.
“I can’t tell you.” I saw his instant anger. “It might cost many lives including my own. Sorry, Lorac. This is one of those things it is best not to know.”
Lorac gave a frustrated smile.
“I don’t guess threatening you would do any good. I’m sure you would rather face my anger than an upset Ares.”
Lorac was growing angry. It confused me. I tried to brush it off. I decided a change of topic was in order.
“Are you hungry? I haven’t fed today. The illusion is somewhat draining.” I walked to the cord as I spoke.
“No, thanks though.”
I pulled the cord once.
Walking back, I wondered at a way to control this. A solution wasn’t coming to mind. I sat in the wrong chair. This was Arria’s. Lorac was sitting in mine. Butthole. I had enough on my plate without feeling the discomfort of being in the wrong chair.
He sat thinking quietly. When the knock came, I figured it to be the donor. I was wrong. Glass stood there with a worried look on her face.
“Glass, come in.” I stood to the side. She hesitated when she saw Lorac. “It is okay Glass. He is a friend.”
“Saul is calling around more. He is searching for certain old ones. He believes the attacks are being made by a group of old ones. Good old ones. He says they are directing their attacks at the wrong violators and we were next. Is this true?” Her fear was evident. Her mind confirmed it. I looked to see Lorac searching her thoughts.
“Yes.” Lorac answered for me.
“This is what we’ve feared, Glass. I’ve known this was a possibility for some time now. I couldn’t warn you or anyone because I didn’t want to start a panic. I need to ask you not to tell anyone of this, not even Blur.” My words caught Lorac by surprise. I put that mental note up for later inspection.
“Okay, but Blur is one of yours. Why not him?” She asked.
“The more contained this knowledge is, the better. Look, the attack won’t come while we are at this facility. Maybe the next one though. Remember what I said. Turn invisible and hide. I will help you when it is over, if I survive.”
“Yes, Darius.” Glass gave a weak smile and bowed before leaving.
“You’ve won her over. That can be good. I’m glad to see Saul is trusting you. That is important.” Lorac was still upset.
“She has been useful. I was serious about helping her after this is over.” I wanted to make sure Lorac understood that part.
“Agreed. She is sweet. She just got put in a bad situation.” Lorac paused. “How much does Arria know?”
“Less than you.” I was thinking of Glass. That made my statement the truth. It is all a matter of how you intend your words.
Lorac sat quietly for some time. I was growing frustrated.
“I care deeply for Sweetie, I will keep her safe at all cost for whatever comes. Even if it means killing some of the old ones favored by the council.” I made this statement for a reason. Lorac controlled his response well though.
“For what is to come, I would advise you to worry about yourself more. You are not Ares yet.” Lorac was trying for a warning about the upcoming attack. I took it another way. I hoped I was wrong.
Neither felt the need to speak. Eventually, Lorac left. I still believed Lorac was on my side but the clues were pointing the other way.
Chapter 21
The next day was filled with mental battles. How to avoid saying the wrong thing to the wrong person.
After my shower, I dressed and sat in my chair. I was putting off joining the other old ones. I was tired still. My sleep didn’t help.
My phone rang. I knew it would sooner or later.
“Hello?”
“Want to meet in the lobby room again?” Emelia asked.
“Sure. That sounds much better than the meeting hall. I’ll meet you there.”
As I walked the peach colored hallways, I tried to get my mind right. This was Emelia, not Sweetie. Keep up the act. It was getting harder to do since I needed a friend.
She was sitting nervously when I joined her. I could see how jumpy she was. I made it a point to calm her down as much as I could.
“Any news?” She asked.
“I know the attack will not happen at this facility. Not with Lorac here. The next event we attend without a council member will be the one.” This should help with her current state of mind but not completely allay her fears.
“Well, that is something. At least I can be more comfortable for today and tomorrow.” She wasn’t much calmer.
“Don’t tell the other old ones that. I’m sure Saul has already figured it out. He would know not to start a panic.”
“Then why would we go to the next event? Why don’t we split up and go our own way?” Her fear was getting the best of her.
“Because there is safety in numbers. We’ve already been branded as violators in the minds of the ones doing this. They would have it easier if we are alone or only in pairs.” I felt bad but I wasn’t going to lie any more than I had to.
I wanted to tell her then. I wanted to show her who I really was. She would feel safer. I knew better.
I wanted to tell her to run and hide when the attack came. To use her illusions to become invisible so she could get away. I almost did.
“My contact stressed again to stay near you. He could tell how worried I am. He told me you were very resourceful and would give me the best chance to survive.” Emelia looked at me funny when she said it.
“I may be the only one to escape Ares alive. That should lend credibility to his words.”
Emelia kept staring. I could see her confusion. She didn’t speak for a while and neither did I. We sat quietly dreading what was ahead of us. Both in the meeting hall today and the impending attack that threatened us.
&nb
sp; We were all in one group, laughing. Lorac was priceless. He was making the day enjoyable. Everyone felt their tension ease as Lorac told story after story. He knew what he was doing. It was working.
“This is a good group. I hate that they broke the rules. I would like to keep them.” Lorac told me in between stories.
“I know. I am the same way. They grow on you. They aren’t bad, exactly. They just love the fights too much.” I responded.
I saw his nod of acknowledgement.
“Lorac, tell me if what I heard is true. Someone told me you were the first old one to find out about Titan’s abilities. Was I told correctly?” Emelia asked.
I couldn’t figure a reason for the question. I was stumped.
“Yes, that is the truth.” He affirmed.
All the others displayed shock. I realized afterward that I should have as well. Emelia was staring at me the whole time.
“I heard that as well. My source was reliable.” I said, quickly.
I saw Emelia’s frustration.
“What is this?” Lorac asked.
“She doesn’t know who I am. She is trying to figure it out. It is kind of funny.” I told him. I saw his smile.
“You have to tell us about it! Don’t leave us hanging.” Phoenix was overly excited.
“I was having a boring day. The fights weren’t until the following night. Arria called and told me that one of her fighters wanted to speak to me. I was intrigued so I agreed. He was sitting there with his mind blocked until Arria left the room. His exact words were ‘Before anything else is said or done, I need to say one thing. I will not be attacking the old ones.’ I didn’t have time to wonder over it. He dropped his walls and I saw THE gift.” Lorac paused for dramatic effect. He was enjoying this more than he should. “I had my hand wrapped around his throat the next instant. I searched his mind completely. I couldn’t find one thing to fault him on. He was good. His intentions were as I would hope them to be. What’s more, he was in love with Arria.”
