Traitor
ROGUE
Our joking is the only way we can cope with so much hidden bullshit being revealed piece by piece before our eyes.
Reb and I are the most connected to the Society—the global government that reigns over supernaturals through Councils and reps from most species—and this is beyond shocking to us.
It’s a major blind spot to find out about from the small-time criminal leaders of one large city in this country.
If the training we receive to be Guardians is the same across the globe, then what seems like a slight possibility of missed information becomes much more terrifying.
It’s a lot to take in and we don’t even know if we can make anyone aware of our discovery—not with this rogue’s gallery of embedded assholes on the stage.
“You’re frowning, babe,” Archie says softly. “We’re supposed to look thrilled if people glance at us.”
Huffing in annoyance, I paste a fake smile on again as the audience waits for the crew to clean up the remnants of Delice’s display.
Once it’s done, the lights come up again on the stage and two more of the seated villains rise to their feet.
This time, it’s Eratz Thornberry from the Eternal Shadows and Dmitri Ashenfeld from the Sanguine Blade.
The mage and the vampire stand in front of the podium looking less than impressed with the order of their appearance.
Following the revenant’s demonstration means they won’t look nearly as powerful, but anyone who thinks so is mistaken.
“We deal with these assholes all the time,” Rebel says as the two men glare at the audience menacingly.
“Their strength isn’t in massive individual powers; it’s in their numbers and combined capabilities.
People look at mages and vampires as ‘normal’ in our realm, so they don’t assume malicious intent until it’s too late.
Plus, when they form teams, it makes them very difficult to thwart. ”
I nod, looking at Javi and the twins. “He’s right.
Since most Guardians work solo unless they are on specialized teams like those tasked with elimination or retrieval, it’s dangerous when the criminal elements based here are organized enough for that.
We’re often honed into more dangerous, capable protectors, but anyone can fall to a coordinated effort. ”
“Good evening, Bay City,” Dmitri rumbles in his thickly accented voice.
“My associate and I may not possess powers from the other realms, but we are legion in comparison. Our recruitment efforts over the past three centuries dwarf those of the law-abiding, and we have double agents embedded all over the globe in every walk of life. Our sleepers can be activated for everything from espionage to political aims to eliminations. We are not known to non-supernaturals, nor would anything we do be traced to our groups.”
That causes doubtful murmurs to echo over the large group, and the hawk-nosed mage takes over.
“We have data to confirm those claims, which is how we were accepted as members of this long-term effort. You will not be privy to that proof until you complete your loyalty tests and are inducted by your leaders. However, once you are, you will vie for the honor of our services.”
Eratz looks at us with a confidence that is almost chilling, and then he and Dmitri head back to their seats.
I guess they figured if they couldn’t perform an awe-inspiring trick like the others, then being supremely arrogant would convey their power.
It’s not a bad strategy, but it won’t gain them customers until they can show that elusive proof.
Criminals are distrustful by necessity, and no gang or group will contract to elements they can’t verify.
“How much longer is this going to go on?” Javier says, as he looks at the surrounding supes. “Unless they have flashy stuff like the Icy Fingers chick, I think they will lose people soon.”
Damon looks up from his phone where he’s taking notes again. “Counting the unannounced one, there are four more. I believe they will be guests that produce what is needed, though.”
As he finishes, the very attractive dark-haired demi-god and the purple…
whatever… stand up and move to the podium.
Sciron puts his glowing hands on it, smirking as he looks out at everyone.
“Hello, minions! I’m Sciron of the Heavenly Wings, and the very interesting fellow beside me is Aetek Qax from The Voiceless.
Aetek speaks over four hundred languages, but since Earth languages are so primitive, he has avoided learning any. That means I’m in charge of talking.”
Qax’s tentacles shake and I squint until I figure out that he must be laughing at the demi’s statement.
I guess he understands primitive language, then.
Sciron must have meant the galactic realm being doesn’t physically speak them.
Odd distinction, but I don’t know that I’d want to come here if I lived in some future tech, less shitty realm.
At least, I assume that’s what his home is like—a Star Trek-esque high intelligence and evolved place where species aren’t dicks like here.
I guess his presence here offering bad shit nixes that idea, though. Damn.
“Aetek and I are only available to the most elite tiers. But if you’ve dreamed it—in our realms it is likely possible.
The Void and Heavenly wings operate on the global and celestial scale—our abilities and projects will impact the very fabric of reality.
” Sciron makes a ball of sparkling light appear in his palm.
It turns into a globe, spinning as it changes the shape of continents and countries, then expands into a galaxy of stars that twinkle.
“Regardless of your passing the loyalty test, there are entirely different things you must do to be granted an audience with either of us.”
His words garner grumbling that gets louder as the two snots stare into the rapidly darkening night around us.
When no one dares to question him, the golden demi and the alien leave the podium.
They are quickly replaced by the strawberry blond man who has not been named and Luca, both looking supremely pleased with themselves.
I realize they skipped von Luptin, and I’m uncertain why.
He looks okay with it as he drums his fingers on the table manically, but who am I to judge?
“Our allies are many, criminals of Bay City, and we are joining something that will transform our world. The gentleman beside me needs no name—however, he is one of the architects of this movement. His reach is beyond that of most groups in our realm, and that allowed him to collect the various representatives you see here together.”
Luca pauses, looking out with a determined expression.
“Your leaders have agreed for generations that the balance is no longer equivalent. The other side put their fingers on the scale and continue to do so through our own corrupt governments. Our partnership will be the first step to changing that injustice.”
Prying my eyes from the two men, I look at my mates, worry etched into my face. “Luca just became a lot more dangerous.”
The twins nod, shaking their heads before they reply, “We thought we had time before he went completely batshit.”
That time has obviously run out.
When the spectacle on the stage concludes, the big wigs disappear fast enough to leave metaphorical tracks in their wake.
Even Luca and Lola go up in a puff of sulfur, which tells me that none of them want to be questioned by their own people.
At least, not at the moment, because they have their little playgrounds to go party in for the rest of the night.
I, however, want nothing more than to get the fuck out of this damn place. Turning to Rebel, I blow out a breath of relief. “I don’t know if I think that was anticlimactic or completely unhinged because I’m exhausted.”
He nods, rubbing the back of his neck. “I agree. We’ve witnessed so many things in such a short time that processing any of it until we’ve recovered is unlikely. This was… a lot.”
Angelo and Damon flank me, taking my arms. The elder twin nods at Rebel, his expression dark. “Let’s take our mate home, get this fancy stuff off, eat, and discuss everything. If we can avoid any surprises or enemies along the way, that would be great.”
“Our luck isn’t good enough for our exit to be graceful,” I remind him. “But if we’re careful, we might not have any battles at least.”
Together, we move through the dispersing crowd quickly, leaving the gathering area to walk along the paths we took before.
Damon seems to remember the exact route, so I let him guide Angelo and I past the various entry points to the makeshift ‘realms’.
Javier, Rebel, and Archie are behind us, making sure that no one can sneak up on our family as we head for the portal.
“Damon?” I say as we hustle through the walkway. “Did you get everything?”
He winks at me, his grin knowing. “I believe I did, Sparkles. If I missed something, it’s too late now. I have zero desire to stop in any of the mini-realms to find out; how about you?”
“Absolutely not.” I shudder at the thought. “This has been the longest fucking day ever, and I want to relax for ten seconds without wondering if someone’s going to attack.”
Angelo pats my arm. “I don’t blame you. I’ve been to events like this in the past, but nothing has ever risen to this level.
Luca must have had an entire team of goons working on it twenty-four-seven for the past few weeks.
Being with you and the rest of our group kept me away long enough for him to arrange all this shit. ”
“Well, that and the other ‘hosts’ probably had a hand in it.” I smile at Javier’s addition because he has a different viewpoint than the twins, and he often sees things that escape those of us who are geared towards the dark side.
“I can’t imagine he contributed all the money and labor.
From what you’ve shared, he’s far too full of himself to do that. ”
“You’re spot on, Javi. Luca is both extravagant and cheap simultaneously.
” Damon grins as we approach the mansion we entered at the start of this journey.
“He would insist that his partners contribute as much, if not more, than he did, especially if he was instrumental in arranging this whole ‘allies’ thing. That would explain why we heard nothing about it.”
“You hope that’s why,” Angelo grumbles. “Otherwise, we have a big problem because he’s cutting us out and we lose all of our access to the bad shit they’re planning.”
Biting my lip, I look up at Ang. “What if you aren’t cut out, but he’s going to make you go through whatever the hell this ‘loyalty’ test is? Do you think he’d get rid of his heirs if they fail? Could you fail? What the hell is it, even?”
Rebel snorts. “Sis, I don’t think we can answer any of those questions based on this stupid meeting.”
“Yeah,” Damon mutters. “Before this show? I would have said that Luca wouldn’t risk it and wouldn’t allow us to take part in something that could eliminate Angelo, at the least. But now?
These fuckers could be bargaining with other realms to make heirs completely unnecessary.
I have no idea what the hell he’s thinking. ”
Angelo grimaces as we enter the mansion and make our way through the rooms until we hit the front door.
When we get to it, he puts his hand on the knob, looking at all of us seriously.
“D and Rebel have a point. Until proven otherwise, we should assume that even my father might try to eliminate us.”
Well, that’s just fucking peachy. The entire world might want us dead.