by Joe Fowler
It dawned on me that I didn’t know where to take the one I caught. I got lucky though. Noah was entering the training room as I neared the door to leave. He saw me coming and stopped.
“I caught this one. There were two of them. They were trying to kill me.” I stated.
“Well, I was coming to take you to see the council. This works out really well.” Noah cheerfully replied.
I followed Noah with my stomach tying itself into knots. I watched the purple hallways pass me by as I faced new purple hallways to walk down. The assassin I had a hold of tried to run. I caught him and was about to knock him unconscious when Noah grabbed my arm. I tried to jerk it free but his grip was intense. He was clearly much stronger than me.
“There’s no need. He won’t get away.” Noah said, calmly.
We travelled farther down the purple hallways than you would think possible. I had wondered at the size of these facilities before but was getting an even greater respect for their immensity now. I continued to follow Noah.
We turned left to follow another hallway in this gigantic maze. I figured it was just another purple tube for us to walk. When I looked forward, I could see two guards standing to each side of a set of double doors. These doors were painted gold. That alone would have told me we had arrived. Every door in these places that I had seen, were either made of steel or wood painted to a slightly different shade of that facility’s wall color. As I approached the double doors, I realized these weren’t painted. These doors really were made out of gold.
“This is Titan. The council requested to see him. The other one is an assassin that was caught by Titan. I believe the council would appreciate seeing him as well.” Noah told the guards when we reached the doors.
“You and Titan may enter. The prisoner will wait outside. We will make sure he doesn’t go anywhere.” One of the guards spoke. “Only those invited may enter.”
I handed my prisoner over to one of the guards.
“His gift is invisibility. You may want to keep a grip on him so he won’t disappear.” I told the guard. He nodded in understanding and grabbed an arm.
Both guards had solid walls up to protect their minds.
The other guard opened the golden doors for Noah and me. I tried to prepare myself mentally but it wasn’t easy. This could be the last room I ever enter. I remembered their promise of my safety but I honestly didn’t trust a damn thing from them anymore.
The nine council members sat in a semicircle of thrones. The throne in the center of the arc was a little bigger than the other eight. That would mark the vampire sitting there, as Feng. Arria was sitting to Feng’s right, to the left of him from my perspective. Lorac was sitting to Arria’s right. I couldn’t identify the other six. All nine of the vampires that watched me had a blank stare carefully pasted on their faces. I expected this from the other seven, but not from Arria and Lorac.
“Titan, please step forward.” Feng requested.
I walked forward at a measured pace. As I walked Feng gave a slight nod which I took to mean I was close enough. I stopped. I stood in an unaggressive pose with my hands nervously coupled at my waist.
“The council members would like to ask you some questions. I have told them of your actions up to now. Lorac has verified my report. You must speak the entire truth as you know it to be. You do not have to keep any secrets here.” Arria told me. Her voice was strong and sure. She didn’t seem upset or worried in any way.
“Yes, Arria.” I felt like I should say this.
“Arria assures us that you have no intentions of following the path of Ares. Is this true?” Feng asked.
“Yes. I understand the need for the council and the fights. I have no desire to attack anyone.” I said with my eyes facing Feng. If the old ones abilities to spot a lie were true, I would give them every chance to see the truth in my words.
“Have you drank from an old one?” One of the male council members that I didn’t know asked.
“No. I have not. I have no desire to.”
“Explain that! Why wouldn’t you?” This was a female. By her statement I took her to be Agda since she was the one so nervous over my gift.
“I am fine with gaining strength the normal way. I will admit that I have been adding gifts when I have the opportunity, but that has been so I would survive my fights. One instance was to help a newbie.”
“What gifts have you accumulated up to now?” Feng asked.
“Mind reading, walking in the sun, a spike weapon located in my arm, invisibility, evasion, emotional control, speed, strength, multiplying myself, incorporeal, illusions, and the ability to identify the gifts of others.”
“That’s quite a list. Yet you say you have no desire to drink from an old one. I am finding that harder to believe since you are clearly wanting to grow stronger.” A different male that I didn’t know.
“I have been dealing with spies and assassins for most of my time as a vampire. I needed to know I could protect myself and the secrets I was charged with keeping. I also knew that if I drank from an old one, I would be setting myself up for attack from the council and other old ones. I have no desire for that.” I wasn’t sure if I was wording this well so I added, “If given the opportunity, I would spend my time peacefully with Arria. I don’t want the confusion and trouble that comes with my gift.”
“Unfortunately, there is no way to strip you of your gift. The problems your ability poses are great and will keep you in these situations. Is there any way you can assure us that your intentions will not change in twenty years? A hundred years?” The one I believed to be Agda asked.
“Yes there is. My mind is unraveling. I doubt I will survive that long.” This surprised them. Some of the masks broke before being firmly put back in place.
The council members not named Arria or Lorac, spent the next unknown stretch of time deep in thought. Arria couldn’t hide her pain. She fought the tears well enough to stay stoic to a degree. I could see her struggle, though.
“Arria, why didn’t you tell us this?” The last female member asked. I figured this must be Alethea since her tone was softer, more concerned.
“I wanted you to see his mindset and not focus on his illness. I told you he was no threat to the council. He would be our strongest defender if he were able to overcome the unraveling.” Arria stated.
“How could any of us let him live once his gift was known? Titan, tell us of when your gift became known to us.” Cheng asked, angrily. I could guess his identity by his Asian heritage.
“I needed to warn Arria of the spying that was being done. I had told her some but had further information that I had gathered from my mind reading. I knew I would die if I told her outright. I had a thought and followed through with it. I knew that Lorac could read minds. I figured that he would see my intentions and know I had no desire to follow in Ares footsteps. I understood that Lorac might kill me anyway, but it was the best chance I had to both help Arria and survive the telling.” I spoke as openly as I could. I was fighting drowsiness now. I mentally cursed myself. This was not the time for that!
“Lorac, we now know why he opened up to you. Will you walk us through the time as it happened?” Feng asked. I saw something then. Feng was acting more in our favor.
“Titan asked to speak to me alone. Arria was confused but granted him the chance. Titan gave me a slight clue when he made sure to say he wasn’t going to attack the old ones. His mind had been hidden from me until then. Once he declared his peaceful intentions, he opened his mind. The instant I realized his gift, I had my hand wrapped around his throat. I read every thought since he was turned. I was trying to find anything that would make me believe he would be a threat. Titan didn’t fight me mentally or physically during this time. If he had, I would have killed him straightaway. I saw he clearly wanted peace. I also saw that he was in love with Arria. If I hadn’t known his full intentions, or had any reason to doubt him, I would have killed him on the spot. What I saw in his mind set me at ease. He is
not a threat to us in any way.” Lorac explained. He relaxed on his throne.
“What of the trouble he is causing in the arenas? The fights I held two nights ago were a fiasco. Titan wasn’t there but he was all anyone could talk about. How do we regain control of our fighters and the old ones with teams, as long as he is stirring things up?” Cheng asked. He seemed to play this up more than he should.
“I also held an event two nights ago. I killed every vampire caught trying to spy or hire assassins. In all, twenty-four vampires died because of this. The old ones present were lectured sternly. Each of them will behave themselves or they will die as well. I made it known. Once word spreads of this, the fuss will die down.” Arria said. Her expression changed slightly when she continued. “If each of you does the same, the events will go back to the way they were. It might even be better. A show of force to remind the old ones wanting change of why they should fall in line and shut the hell up.”
I felt the tension rise. I sensed that some of her words were aimed at the council members. I really didn’t want to be in this room at the moment.
“I don’t want to speak out of turn, but just before Noah arrived in the training room, I caught an assassin. He was working with a teleporter who got away. The invisible one that I caught is outside now being held by one of your door guards.” I told them.
“I was promised his safety!” Arria stood and shouted.
“Bring the prisoner in.” Feng instructed one of the guards on the inside of the door. He quickly obeyed.
The one I caught came in with the guard having a firm hold on him. The guard walked the prisoner to stand a few feet to my left.
“Who are you working for?” Feng asked him.
“I know my fate. I will not tell you.” He said, defiantly.
“Does anyone wish to try and question him? Should we just kill him and move on?” Feng asked as he looked around at the other council members.
“Kill him” This was said and echoed by almost all of the council. I had a different idea.
I opened my mind enough to send my plan to Lorac. I saw his smile and nod.
“Can I make a request?” I asked.
“Ask.” Feng stated.
“He was trying to kill me. Can I be the one who kills him?” I hoped they would grant this.
“I think that is a fair request.” Lorac stated, evenly.
“Granted. Titan you may kill the prisoner.” Feng gave his consent.
I turned to the assassin and pulled up the illusion gift. To the council, I stood still and stared at the prisoner. The assassin saw something different…
I ripped his head off. He was flying down a dark tunnel that was growing redder as he went. He could already feel the heat and hear the screams of the damned. He shot out of the tunnel onto a slab of rock. When he stood, he was face to face with the fang filled mouth of a demon. The demon started laughing.
“So do you want to plead for better treatment? Or will you go into the pit without a fuss?” The demon asked.
“I only did what I had to do! I was broke and Titan would have been a menace. Lajos said as much! Please have mercy.” He was crying now.
“What kind of menace? This Titan sounds like my kind of guy. What was this Lajos so worried about?” The demon asked.
“He said that even if Titan didn’t kill the council, he would be with Arria and she would be too powerful to stand against.” He fell to his knees as he said this. “Please don’t throw me into the pit.
I pulled the illusion away. It took the assassin a month to look around and figure out what had just happened. He hung his head.
I looked around, finally allowing my attention to be away from my illusion. I saw Lorac laughing. Arria was smiling. I didn’t see Feng right away, or Lajos either. I looked around and found them. Feng had his hand on Lajos’s shoulder about halfway from the council’s chairs to the door.
“That was fantastic!” Lorac bellowed. He was still laughing.
I only became aware of what happened next--after it had happened. Apparently, Cadoc had attacked me. Or tried to. I was still standing there, happy my trick had worked. I heard the thud and turned to my right to see the blood dripping from what I guessed to be Cadoc’s head. Cadoc’s body was lying on the floor a few feet from me. Arria threw the head down in disgust. She looked at the other council members still in their seats.
“Anyone else want to try and kill him?” Arria challenged. Not a sound. Well, Lorac was still laughing, but he was standing in front of his throne in what was obviously a stance to show it wasn’t just Arria they would face.
“What will we do with Lajos? My vote is for death.” Alethea stated.
“This is both a great day and a sad one. I vote death.” Aegeus said. By process of elimination, I had figured out their identities.
“Death.” The now controlled Lorac spoke. Well, he snickered again but then once again regained control of his laughter.
“Death.” Agda agreed.
“Death.” Arria said.
I heard it. When I turned around, Feng was holding Lajos’s head while the body bled on the floor.
“That was five votes. Majority rules.” Feng declared. He threw the head to the floor and walked back to his throne. “Arria, Lorac, please take your seats if you will. We still need to finish this meeting.”
Arria gave me a warm smile before she returned to her throne. Lorac took his seat.
“That was different.” Lorac said, still overly amused.
“I think it safe to say that Titan is not a threat to us. I will make this plain though. If Titan drinks from an old one, he dies.” Feng declared. He looked at each council member in turn to make sure they understood. Arria gave her nod of approval, as did the remaining council members. “Titan, so far, I like you. You have acted exactly the way we should want you to. You have been open and honest with us and I appreciate that. Remember what I just said. If you drink from any old one, you will be executed. Do you understand this?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Very good. Now, Titan, you should return to the training room. Our next discussions are not meant for you to hear.” Feng told me.
“Thank you for your understanding.” I said, respectfully. I bowed to the council, then made a separate bow to Arria before I turned and headed for the door. Noah fell into place beside me to show me the way.
Once we were through the golden doors and down the hall a bit, Noah let his feelings be known.
“That was awesome! I don’t know which part I liked best. The illusion to make that bastard talk, or Arria killing Cadoc! That was inspiring!” Noah was exuberant in his excitement. I didn’t think to see him this charged up. He had seemed laid back and easygoing since I met him.
“It went much better than I thought it would.” I was fighting sleep with every step. I needed to return to the training room to gather my friends before returning to my room. I didn’t like it but I knew it would be best.
After the incredible hike through the almost endless purple maze, we reached the training room. Noah left, saying he needed to return to Arria. I thanked him and said goodbye.
I approached my friends with some relief. Trog and Penny had joined Sweetie, Apollo, and Charles. They were chomping at the bit by the time I reached them.
“What happened? What did they do with the assassin?” Trog asked.
“Last I saw the assassin was still alive. We really need to go back to the rooms. If you guys want to stay and train, that’s fine. I am dead on my feet.” I told them.
“Let’s head back.” Sweetie was already by my side walking me toward the door. The others followed.
We made it to my room. The moment I sat on the bed and let myself relax, I fell asleep.
Chapter 17
When I woke, I was starving. I made a check of myself to make sure I was decent before opening my door. Sweetie’s sleeping body fell into my room when the door opened. She woke from the fall with a small scream. It took some period
of time, I wasn’t sure but it seemed to happen quickly, for the other doors to open as our fighters responded to Sweetie’s scream. They all looked worried until they saw me standing and Sweetie unharmed.
“You finally woke!” Fake Apollo said, with relief.
“Sorry if I worried you guys. Charles, I need to drink from you.”
“Okay, but you already have the speed gift. Why do you need me?” Charles asked.
“Mainly, I need the blood. I also found out that I will grow faster each time I drink in the speed gift from a new donor.” I explained.
Charles didn’t hesitate. He walked to me and held out his arm. I drank until I felt his gift added. I felt better but knew I needed more blood. I looked up at everyone.
“Thanks, Charles. I will still need to go to the donor room.” I told them. I started walking and wasn’t too surprised when they fell into stride along with me.
“What can you tell us about yesterday?” Trog eventually asked.
“The council no longer wants me dead. However, they made sure I knew that drinking from an old one would mean my execution. There were a lot of other things but I am not sure what I would be allowed to say and what I shouldn’t. I will tell you guys all I can once I have spoken to Arria.” I didn’t know if the death of two council members should be spoken of to just anyone. I mainly held this back to keep my friends from knowing things that might get them killed. We were thankfully nearing the donor room.
Out of necessity, our talking stopped. I sat by a black haired, fiftyish woman. She had sweet memories of her children and young grandchildren. I wanted to stop but knew I shouldn’t. She was going to die. I needed her blood. My letting her live would not help her in any way shape or form. The next vampire would kill her if I didn’t. I drained her.
Our trip back to our area was quiet. We headed for my room. I sat on the bed and leaned against the wall. Sweetie sat beside me and leaned into me, resting her head on my shoulder. The others brought their chairs.