Chapter 15 Black Betty
Black Betty
ROGUE
While Angelo is off doing his thing, I’ve been keeping my ears open while my magic sneaks around the crowd. I’m sure Rebel is doing the same, but what I’ve figured out is that whatever demon is at the top of the ‘fight club’ pyramid has them spread across the bottom three levels of this nightmare.
I can’t be certain, but it sounds like they recruit or kidnap mythical hybrids to train for their matches and set up shop at every big supernatural event in the seven realms when the hosts agree.
It makes me want to scream in indignation because I sense that it’s probably less voluntary than advertised, but I can’t do my Guardian thing here just because some half-baked P.T.
Barnum with actual horns is peddling their wares.
I bet those royal dudes are pretty pissed if they’ve gotten to the seventh level one, though.
My skirt flutters behind me as I keep a small breeze moving under it.
It’s hot down here—imagine that—and though I’m not wearing a lot, I’d like to avoid being sticky with sweat or soiling this thing because some lead foot asshat stepped on it.
I look around in dissatisfaction again, sniffing as I try to identify easily manipulated sources I can pump for information.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
The growly voice is my affable lion and I turn to Archie with a grin. “Angelo isn’t the only one with the mojo to poke around, buddy. Reb and I have both been trained in interrogation—both friendly and not-so-friendly. We’ll find out a lot more if we’re all working the crowd, not just one of us.”
“Perhaps,” Archie says as his gaze runs over nearby revelers.
“But you know it’s dangerous to split up in a place run by the twins’ dickhead parents.
You can’t trust either of them as far as I could chuck them, Wheels.
It’s becoming really obvious that Ang and D kept the breadth of their depravity under wraps. ”
Javi snorts as he joins us. “I mean, you can’t blame them. And I sure as fuck don’t repeat every weird speciesist slur my folks sprinkle our talks with. Why would I? It’s embarrassing on my end, but on theirs, it could actually bring bad news to your doors.”
I arch a brow at him, letting my knife appear in my palm and spinning it as we lock eyes.
“I’m not worried about goons at my door, nor was I before you guys took your heads out of your asses.
Just because the Sickos and Mina got me at the bar does not mean it’s the norm.
I’ve fought off my share of ill-reputed shit heels in my lifetime, and most of the time, Rebel wasn’t with me. ”
They both sigh in relief when my Fae knife disappears into the aether again, and Archie rakes his hand through his hair. “Yeah, we know. It’s just… it’s hard, you know? We all grew up together, but you were younger, and now that protective feeling is a new protective feeling and…”
“That!” Javi says as he points at the lion shifter.
“That’s exactly it. It’s like… double protective now, especially with the ‘m word’ involved.
I’m usually laid back, like Archer, and I’m still feeling it.
Which means the twins and Reb have to be damn near losing their shit when things come at you. ”
Resisting the urge to press my fingertips into my eyes, I suck in a long breath.
Intellectually, I understand what they are saying, but emotionally, I want to kick them in their goody bags.
Just because they’re having big dude feelings doesn’t make me any less capable than I was before that shit.
And treating someone as experienced in this arena as me like crystal will not work.
I have to be allowed to do things on my own or I’ll end up killing one of them in frustration.
“I get your drift, guys, but… being on a shelf isn’t for me.
You both know that, or you wouldn’t be scrambling to explain.
I’m not a damsel; I save damsels. That’s my actual job when my charge comes into this world and they’ve been prepping me for it my whole life.
All of you will have to put your dicks back in your pants and let me wave mine occasionally, okay? ”
They look at one another, obviously lost in my sarcasm, and I roll my eyes. “For fuck’s sake, guys. I meant, like, metaphorically. You both know I don’t have a dick—though if I did, I’d be hot as fuck still.”
It’s quiet for a moment and then Archie nods. “Yep. Definitely still would be. But I’m satisfied with you as is, Wheels.”
That gives me ideas, but I’m going to keep my mouth closed so I don’t ruin the future surprise.
“I agree with him. We fell for you all those years ago, not specific features and shit.” Javier grins shyly and I tilt my head, filing away that for later as well.
The guys surprise me constantly, and even though I’m annoyed about this situation, I can’t help but feel squishy about the shit I’m learning about them.
“Well, then we’re going to do some re-con of our own, whether my step-bro likes it or not,” I say confidently. “He can watch little D while we mingle.”
Neither of them looks happy about my declaration, but I hold my arms out and they take them.
Walking away from the other two guys, I carefully lead my beaus through the roiling crowd watching the death match.
My Fae sense kicks in as I navigate, and I pick up bet runners quickly.
I doubt the big boss is anywhere near this mess, so there’s probably a middle manager watching the runners to keep them honest. I pretend to fan myself with my hand, using the distracting motion to hide my visual sweep of the area.
When I let the Unseelie fade into my eyes, I can see auras better, which allows me to follow the dark green signature of greed from the small fish to the medium and finally, the biggest one of all.
“The dude in control of this pit is over there,” I say to Archie and Javi as we stroll slowly through the throng. “Don’t look yet—it’ll be obvious—but check out that tall Cubi with the harem of people on the mini-stage in the southwest corner.”
Javier squeezes my arm as he replies, “How do you know that?”
I smile as I turn to him, tilting my head like he’s said something funny.
“Because he should be focused on feeding, and the magic flowing around him should only be lust based. It’s not, though.
The trails of green greed extend from the bet takers to their watchers, then faintly to him.
He’s not the boss, but he’s at least in the middle management. ”
“You think the big boss is even on this level?” Archie asks as he brushes a hair off of my face and looks around. “They can’t be everywhere, obviously, but I’d assume this is the big time.”
Nodding as I get us moving again, I walk in a non-linear pattern until we’re closer to the incubus I suspect of controlling this specific fighting ring.
He’s beautiful, of course, with aquiline features and a killer smile besides sculpted muscles peeking out of his unbuttoned shirt.
The guy’s aura reads as more than a demon, so he must be a hybrid of some kind.
His clothes are out of date—not quite on trend like some of the rich fucks here, so I assume he doesn’t live on the surface full time.
“He’s powerful,” Javi whispers to me and I feel a hint of his phoenix stretching within him. “And old as fuck.”
“Yep,” I say as I turn to look up at him, pretending to flirt shamelessly. “Not just from below, either. Not sure what, but it’s hard with their kind because they don’t mix as much. Plus, he’s got the whole pheromones thing going on blast like a middle school kid bathing in Aqua Velva.”
Archie winces as he comes up behind me. “Ouch, Wheels. you just dated the shit out of us. Bet a fiver nine out of ten of these chickadees hanging off the Cubi don’t have a clue what that meant.”
My eyes slide over the fawning women and men at the feet of the demon.
Archie’s right about how young they are, especially since none of them are hellspawn.
There are a few types of Fae, some witches, a couple shifters, and a lone mage.
I note the lack of mythicals and demis in his little groupie fest, but they have a much stronger mind blocking ability than the more common supe types.
“You’re probably right, babe. Luckily, I’m not trying to impress a bunch of folks who can’t keep a half-Cubi out of their heads.
” Shaking my head, I fight off the urge to break up this nonsense.
I doubt they all agreed to be his food source, especially since he’s basically ignoring them while he’s strengthening his own power.
The Guardian in me wants to handle this bullshit, but I know I can’t.
Infuriating and I’m going to eventually get vengeance on Luca Gemini for this bullshit… mark my words.
“Calm down, Dragonfly,” Javier rumbles as he smiles at me. “We don’t want to draw the attention of the bad guys.”
He’s right, so I close my eyes briefly and push all of my outrage down to my feet until I’m standing on it.
Right now, it’s more important to keep the picture in mind, especially since I don’t want some underling starting a fight.
“Okay. I’m good. Now let’s get a little closer so we can hear what’s being said on that ridiculous platform. ”
Ever so slowly, the three of us move close enough for our supernatural hearing to allow for whispers and words to carry.
The guys stand with me, pretending to flirt and laugh as we listen to the surrounding conversations.
It takes a few minutes, but finally, some of the substance flitters through the air.
“… just wait until after the meeting. The Don is bringing all his allies together to plan what will happen at the end of the…”
My eyes narrow as I look at Javi. “That’s about Luca. He’s gathering people after the Apalachin.”
Archie leans in, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “I heard two women saying that the demons are collecting girls to present at some event later, too. My guess is they’ve invited some big wigs from Hell to do this plotting thing.”
“The royal demons talked about that Games thing, right?” I ask them as I frown. “Maybe this secret after-party/meeting is about whatever they’re planning for that. Even Angelo and Damon seemed worried about those happening again.”
“I don’t know enough about demon shit,” Archie admits and Javier nods in agreement. “If something bad is really going on that Luca is in the middle of, it can’t be because he wants to rule the underworld. That asshole loves it up here.”
Suddenly, Angelo, his twin, and my angry looking step-brother appear in front of us and I groan inwardly.
We were just getting the juicy stuff; if they make a big deal out of our defection, it will ruin our cover.
None of them looks pleased, but I smile brightly, hoping to clue them into our gambit.
“There you are!” I spin, leaning in to kiss Angelo’s lips lightly. “I’m glad you found us.”
The elder twin arches his brow, but picks up on my vibe. “Have the boys been treating you well, Princess? Keeping you safe?”
Reb’s eyes flash at that word and I roll my eyes at him. “Of course they have—not that I need it, silly. I’m very well trained for parties like this.”
“I assume there’s a reason you guys ditched us?” Damon whispers as he leans in to kiss my cheek. I nod slightly, then turn to bat my lashes at him adoringly. He chuckles, shaking his head. “You’re going to be the death of us, Sparkles.”
That might be true, but I’m also going to be their salvation—just watch.