“You been living here this whole time?” Shrewed said.

“Yeah…” Fin replied.

“Did you get used to it?”

“Nope… it sorta weighs on you. Seeing them with that smile. Like, they aren’t people anymore.”

“You ain’t wrong,” Shrewed grunted, “but it ain’t their fault.”

“No, but that doesn’t make me feel comfortable eating the food they cook or having them do my laundry.”

“Tell me about it. I feel dirty having them changing my bandages and shit,” Shrewed nodded. “I figure Cal’s got his reasons, but why?”

“Why what? Why he’s having the enslaved people continue to work?”

“Yeah… it’s fucked up taking advantage of them.”

“He’s not sure if the collars gather data.”

“What? Like those health tracker watches?”

“Something like that. He’s ruled out direct surveillance from the collars. No one’s listening or watching through them. But he’s not sure if they can track how busy a person is. So, he didn’t just order them to relax and watch TV or something,” Fin sighed.

“Easy fix. Just have them walk around the mansion a couple of times every few hours. It’s big enough.”

“Has to fit expected patterns. So, like, it doesn’t stand out when compared to the enslaved staff of all the other nobles,” Fin snorted. “Bunch of bullshit. They just decided they’re all lords and ladies now.”

“I figure that’s how it’s always been done. You say your noble if you’ve got the wealth and power to back it up.”

“Anyways, the enslaved staff of this house needs to act like the enslaved staff of other houses just in case.”

“Minus the rape and torture,” Shrewed nodded.

A dark shadow crossed Fin’s face momentarily.

“Yo, I caught your last time attack thing. Looking good out there. What’s up with your partner? Is it the same guy we’ve got a file on?”

“Yeah, Cooper… er… Dread Paladin. He’s… kinda like how I was before the rangers finally kicked my ass enough to wake me up.”

“So, listen, I know Cal’s got a dozen plans going on and I figure you and this Dread Paladin have your own part to play like the rest of us, but is it good for you?”

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot and I decided that, yeah, I still need my revenge, but even if I didn’t the Cabal needs to die.”

“That’s what I figured you were here for,” Shrewed nodded. “When I saw that you were on the roster for this Quest, but not with Captain Butcher or with us at the motel I got curious. Then I saw you on TV and I got even more curious.”

“Yeah, Cooper’s got the same score to settle with the Cabal. We’re going to get our revenge, which I think Cal’s going to use as a distraction for the whole free everyone and kill the slavers thing.”

“Like spraying this whole place with oil and lighting it on fire.”

“The trick will be to make sure that most of us don’t get burned along with the rest.”

“That was my biggest problem growing up. Always starting fires that ended up singing me a bit,” Shrewed chuckled.

Fin jerked back.

“Bro, I didn’t mean it literally. I’m talking about how often I’d get into fights.”

“I guess that’s a little better than arson… or is it?”

“Honestly, with age comes hindsight and no. Both are bad, but I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today without all that street fighting experience and I’d like to think I’ve finally done some good with those skills,” Shrewed said.

“Balancing the scales,” Fin nodded. “Cooper’s going to have to deal with that after.”

“So, what’s up with that butler? He keeps calling me a ‘pendejo’, like I don’t know what that means,” Shrewed grunted. “Dude always looks at me like he wants to take a shot. I haven’t done or said shit to him. Fuck, I was out cold the first day and half I was here.”

“Bitterman? Yeah, I have no idea why he’s here. Cal obviously has a use for him. He’s like that with everyone not wearing a collar, which is basically, Cal, me, Cooper and the Furies that one time they were here and, well, you’re now part of that list. It took me a week to figure it out, but he hates slavery, like really hates it. I think we’re on the same page in regards to having the enslaved people work. So, when he sees us eating the food they cooked or them changing your bandages, we’re basically almost as bad as the slavers.”

“Fair… but he needs to stop mad dogging me when I ain’t got a choice in the matter or he might catch these hands,” Shrewed held up bandaged hands.

The door to the room barged open.

The inside of Fin’s chest swelled with power as he readied to cast.

Shrewed tried and failed to get up off his bed.

“Sup, bitches!” Jayde threw a head nod at Fin and then Shrewed.

“Jayde,” Shrewed nodded, “this is ‘Fin’,” he pointed.

“What up? You’re ‘Ghosty’, right?”

“Ranger Ghost Sorcerer and you’re ‘Punchy’, we’ve never met, but I’ve heard about you and the Furies, plus I saw your fights,” Fin held a hand out.

Jayde slapped it palm to palm first then back of the hand to back of the hand.

Fin blinked.

“Good to see that Shrewed isn’t alone up in this slave house. You rangers are like those birds.”

Fin glanced at Shrewed, who shrugged.

“What birds?” Fin said.

“Don’t know what they’re called, but you know, the ones that die when you don’t have at least two of them. Their hearts break, you see?” Jayde said. “So, Ghosty? You want an autograph? Been having to sign them whenever we’ve gone out. I had to sign, like, two of them on the walk over.”

“Um… no thanks.”

“No problem, but that was your one freebie. Next time is gonna cost you,” Jayde grinned. “Shrewedy, I’ve got one question.”

“I can’t really go anywhere can I?” Shrewed said.

“Captive audience, best kind,” Jayde said. “My question is…” she pointed at the slightly bloody bandage on the side of Shrewed’s neck, “are you a vampire now?”

“No,” Shrewed replied flatly.

“Good,” Jayde pulled a roughly-sharpened stick from the back of her belt and tossed it on the floor. “Continuing… did he slip you a little tongue with that bite?”

“No… and that’s two questions,” Shrewed said.

Fin picked up the stick and flipped it in to the small trashcan near the desk.

“More like 1a and 1b, so…” Jayde raised a brow.

“No…”

“Well, I guess that means I owe Dayana,” she sighed.

“You bet… on those two things?” Shrewed said.

“It gets boring sitting in the hotel room,” she shrugged. “So, for my question,” she presented the puckered, scarred line running from the corner of her mouth almost up to her ear, “how do I look?”

“Terrible,” Shrewed said. “But it makes you look dangerous.”

“Good,” she smiled, “that’s why I’m keeping it until we’re done here.”

“I fucked up that fat fuck for you,” he nodded.

“I saw! Thanks for looking out. Fucking clowns, Ghosty, never fight clowns. They’re crazy,” she nodded sagely.

Footsteps in the hallway.

Fin relaxed this time.

It was the rest of the Furies.

Introductions were made, followed by proper handshake with Dayana.

Hayden left Fin hanging and barely acknowledged him.

The brief look reminded him of how Bitterman always looked at him.

“What are you guys doing here, anyways?” Shrewed said.

“Cal invited us for a Christmas Eve party,” Dayana said.

“We didn’t know you’d be here. Good fight. Could you have won if there were no rules?” Hayden said.

“Jeez, Hayden, let the man forget for a few days before you force him to re-live such a brutal defeat. A vampire sucked his blood, for Jesus’ sake!” Jayde sighed theatrically.

“Nah. I want to hear his insight. We might have to fight this vampire later. Since, he’s also a ‘lord’, which is weird, but these assholes brought back slavery, so I guess it’d make sense some of them would call themselves ‘nobility’,” Dayana said.

“I would’ve gone straight for the throat, the eyes, would’ve shoved my knife in his mouth with all the openings I got, but I don’t think I could’ve won if it was a real fight. He was a lot stronger and faster. I think he was healing quick too, it was hard to tell in the middle of the fight.”

“Guys, we just need to stab him in the heart with a wooden stake,” Jayde said.

“Bennett doesn’t think that’d work on him,” Dayana pointed out.

“Yeah, but he’s never actually tried it out, has he?” Jayde re-pointed. “He could just be saying that. I wouldn’t tell anyone if there was this super secret way to kill me. That’s just common sense.”

“Garlic, silver, rice,” Fin said.

“Weird recipe for garlic fried rice… but you do you,” Jayde smiled at him.

“No, I mean—”

“She knows what you mean, Ghost Sorcerer,” Dayana patted his shoulder.

“You know, Ghosty, you got a pretty cool ranger name, not like… well…” Jayde gave Shrewed a significant look.

“Uh… thanks,” Fin said.

Hayden continued to grill Shrewed about his fight with the vampire.

Jayde and Dayana spoke with Fin, pointedly not asking him about his own Gold Division event.

Finally, Bitterman came up and grunted something about the food being ready.

“Someone will bring you food, pendejo,” Bitterman growled at Shrewed.

“Puto!” Hayden snapped. “Watch your mouth! Show some respect! You’re the pendejo!”

“Niña, respect is earned not given,” Bitterman squared up to her.

She glared down at the old man. “What’ve you done, huh?”

“More then you, muchachita”

Fin frowned.

The words the two were speaking sounded off, stilted.

“Does she speak Spanish?” he whispered.

“She’s, like, half Dominican, you know, that’s why she’s tan,” Jayde said.

“I thought, her mom was from Puerto Rico,” Dayana said.

“Pretty sure it was New York,” Jayde shrugged.

“Universal translation system,” Fin nodded with realization.

“C’mon, guys, seriously?” Cal came around the corner. “Same team…”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Bitterman grunted as he turned and marched down the hallway.

“Please don’t fight,” Cal said.

“I won’t start anything,” Hayden snorted.

“Seriously, you don’t want to take him on. Understand?”

“You sound serious, why?” Dayana said.

“Because you’re all on the same side and he’d kill you.”

Hayden scowled, but nodded.

Fin followed the Furies downstairs while Cal entered Shrewed’s room.

“Hey, man, I’ll be going out in a bit, but I’ll bring you dinner before I leave. Any requests?”

“What do you have?” Shrewed said.

“Like, six different pizzas, three different wings, fries and celery. Oh… there’s also salad.”

“That’s a weird Christmas Eve dinner.”

“It’s what the young people asked for.”

“Not that young anymore.”

“Tell me about it, seeing them makes me feel old.”

Shrewed laughed. “You look in the mirror lately? You look the same as you did when you first moved to SoCal. I remember Rayna introducing you to all of us. Damn, six years now. Meanwhile, my busted up face has just gotten more busted and my hair line keeps going the wrong direction.”

“It’s all about how you feel on the inside.”

“Then I’ve got a foot in the grave.”

“Nah, not when you’re getting a new crop of younger rangers joining up every year. They’ll need old vets like you to teach them how to last long. You can pass on what you know. Make a new generation of the dirtiest, street fighting motherfuckers on both sides of the Mississippi.”

“Sounds like a decent retirement plan.”

“When you’re ready…”

“Yeah… when I’m ready,” Shrewed agreed.

“So, I’ll just grab you a little bit of everything from downstairs?”

“That sounds good… minus the salad.”

“What do you want to drink?”

“I’d like beer, but I need to heal if I’m going to be useful, so, water, I guess,” Shrewed sighed.

“There’s punch, non-alcoholic, I’ll bring you some of that too.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Anything else?”

“Uh… nah, but thanks for doing this…”

“No problem, I know that you aren’t comfortable with the… uh… staff.”

“Yeah, but don’t worry about that. It’s a me thing. I ain’t judging you or nothing, not like that old Mexican dude. It’s just… I don’t know… you’ve got a ton of little girls here and… it’s just… it ain’t right, man.”

“Tell me about it, but you know what, it’s better here than in any other house out there. I’d bring in more except they’ve put limits on me, well on the sick old bastard I’m pretending to be, and people are starting to ask questions and look a little closer. It’s a small part of why I’m going to the Slaver King’s party. Show Lord Donald Wynn’s face and convince them that everything’s normal here and there’s no reason to poke around.”

“Still don’t know how you’re doing all that,” Shrewed said.

“Yup,” Cal nodded.

“Good luck.”

“Thanks. Be right back with your food. I’ll have Fin come in and check on you. Take your empty dishes or bring you more if you want.”

Cal hurried to the kitchen, quickly passing smiling young women and girls as they went about their duties.

He had done all he could to lessen those duties, which was still more than he was comfortable with.

He grabbed a quick word with Fin and the Furies asking the former to take care of Shrewed.

“Guys, you don’t have to, but I’d suggest you moving in here now that you just have the final fight left,” he said.

“Why?” Hayden frowned.

“Attention. Many nobles have already approached you, right?”

“Messengers,” she shrugged, “we turn them all down, since we’re supposed to be signed up with your Lord Wynn.”

“Eventually, some of them will get insistent. They aren’t used to being refused. You’re untouchable by king’s decree, but that’ll only last until the tournament’s over. You getting into a fight with some degenerate noble house prematurely would be bad for the plan.”

“Alright… we don’t really care too much about all that crap anyways. We’re here to help you free people,” she said.

“But,” Jayde raised a finger, “the points and bonus rewards we’re getting for winning will be very good for that, so we must win.”

“Not to mention a guaranteed seat in the big dinner at the end of all this, just a knife’s throw away from the king, himself,” Dayana winked.

“That’s… a discussion for later,” Cal said. “Okay,” he had piled pizza, wings, fries, celery and a small salad into a basket, “I’ll be back in a few hours. Don’t start a fight with Bitterman,” he grabbed a few drinks off the counter before heading back to Shrewed.

“Here you go, sir!” a girl with a dazzling smile placed a plate of food in front of Fin.

Hayden scowled at him.

“I can’t do anything about it,” he whispered.

“Why you whispering? Cal said they won’t care about what we say and the collars can’t spy,” Jayde said.

“I don’t know… it’s weird, okay?” he snapped.

“Whoa! Relax, Ghosty,” Jayde said.

“Sorry… it’s… uncomfortable being around…” he eyed the girls and women moving around the table serving food and drinks.

“We can’t do anything about it right now, so save your worrying for when it counts,” Dayana said.

“You teamed up with the Dread Paladin,” Hayden said.

Fin recognized the hidden blade in the flat tone. Though he didn’t know why. He thought quickly. The file the rangers had on Cooper had said that up until meeting Cal in Vegas, the young man had been indiscriminate in sowing and reaping dread throughout the land. From the innocent to the undeserving, none had been spared. It hadn’t mentioned a connection with the Furies, but they had met Cal at the same time and place.

There was history there and he guessed that it wasn’t good.

“It was Cal’s idea,” he said. “We gain strength through all the rewards from participating and advancing, hopefully winning or finishing in the top three. Meanwhile, he has people, I’m assuming the other rangers in the city and others, scouting out all the Cabal hiding places. Being visible in the contests gives us cover. So, whenever Cal says it’s time, me and Cooper will go get our revenge.”

“Leave Ghosty alone, Hayden,” Jayde said lightly.

Hayden held his gaze for a long, unpleasant moment before finally nodding.

“You know where he’s staying.”

A statement, not a question.

The Dread Paladin is an ally of convenience. You owe him nothing, the voice in is head said.

“Actually, no,” he said. “Probably wherever they assigned him to. I’m pretty sure he just sits in his hotel room when we aren’t at the events or practicing,” he shrugged.

“Hayden, just leave it for now, alright?” Dayana said. “We’ve got two things to focus on. Our final match on New Year’s and the plan that we don’t know the full details yet.”

“Er… you guys are fighting the Furies, right?” he saw a lifeline and took it.

“Yup, bitches stole our name,” Jayde shrugged.

“So, are you, like, fighting for the name?”

“Yeah… but we might keep Heartfuries from now on,” Jayde said. “It’s a good tribute,” she glanced at Hayden.

“Oh? To what?”

Dayana and Jayde eyed Hayden.

“We’ll tell you some other time,” Dayana said.

“I’ve watched all the matches and I’ve got some ideas about how you can fight them, if you want, I mean,” he ventured.

“Sure, that’d be great, but not tonight,” Dayana said.

“Yeah, it’s supposed to be a party,” Jayde grinned. “Although…” she smiled hesitantly at a little girl holding a glass up to her.

“Your juice, ma’am,” the girl had that same eerie smile.

“Um… thanks. Why don’t you, like, go eat your dinner,” Jayde said.

“They only listen to Cal and Bitterman,” Fin whispered.

“Fucked up, dude,” she whispered back.

The little girl didn’t react as she went back into the kitchen.

“I was saying… well… I guess it can’t really be a party. Those are supposed to be happy and there’s no way I can be happy with the whole slavery stuff around us,” Jayde said.

“You can relax at eight,” Fin said.

“Why is that?” Dayana said.

“That’s when they’re off the clock. This mansion is so big that they have a wing all to themselves where they can do whatever they want.”

“I was under the impression that the collars didn’t allow for independent thought separate from the slavemaster’s needs,” Hayden frowned.

“That’s right… Cal had to do all that for them. Basically, he scheduled out their leisure time for them. I’d like to think they like it, but from how the collar works it doesn’t matter. They like everything the slavemaster tells them to do,” he shook his head with disgust.

“That’s just depressing,” Jayde said.

“One more month,” Dayana said.

“So, Ghosty, when’s your next time trial thingie?” Jayde waved a pizza slice in his face.

“Next week and then, if we qualify, finals week is the second full week of January.”

“Hmm… we’ll be done by then. We just might watch,” Jayde said.

“Um… yeah… that’d be cool,” his eyes darted to Hayden.

He didn’t like what he saw in her eyes.

Do not get between an avenger and their target, the voice in his head said. You know the lengths one will go for righteous vengeance.

----------------------------------------

“Ayyyyy! My boys from Alpha Sigma bout to tear that motherfucking pussy up!” a man that appeared to be in his 30’s whooped as a couple of younger men swaggered into the huge yard already filled with revelers being serviced by almost-naked, collared young women and girls. “Robert! Chandler! Glad you could make it… where’s Jeff and Brett?” the man frowned.

“Apologies, bro. We didn’t get your invite before we reserved a couple of rooms in Creamland. Already paid for it and everything…” Robert shrugged.

“Cost us a good chunk of what we’ve gotten so far from the championships. You know how it is? Shit, bro, you know Alpha Sigma wouldn’t miss one of your fucking insane parties!” Chandler grinned.

“Yeah, can’t hate on the rest of the boys, I paid for a couple of girls from Creamland for my party, so I got you,” the man grinned ruefully. “No worries!” he smiled, “there’s always the next party! So, come on in and enjoy yourselves! This is gonna be the most lit triple X-mas party ever!”

“Same rules as always?” Robert leered at a naked girl passing by carrying a tray of shots while on an unsteady pair of high-heels.

“Yeah, bro. You can use any of the marked rooms. Sock on the doorknob means it’s occupied. Red sock means no go. Green sock means feel free to get in there and join in. Don’t disfigure my girls or hurt them too badly that they have to spend the rest of the night on the bench. The Creamland girls are over in the east wing master bedroom, but you’re probably tired of that pussy.”

“I’ll never get tired of high quality pussies, asses and mouths!” Chandler whooped.

“Fuck yeah, bro!” the man nodded. “Best girls come from Creamland.”

The trio of men nodded solemnly.

“So… booze is…” the man waved vaguely around him, “… everywhere. I’ve got a coke room and a room for the good horse, same ones as usual…” he dropped his voice lower, “also got a hold of some magic powder. It’s on the quiet though, so don’t go talking about it. I was saving it for you guys, Jeff and Brett. Alpha shit for the alphas,” he nodded.

“Respect the alpha,” Robert grinned.

“That’s how a bro looks out for a bro!” Chandler hugged the man.

“Ayyyy… C-Horse, you thinking what I’m thinking?” Robert said.

“Sure as shit, Red Rob…” Chandler laughed.

“Lord Wildcock, my liege,” Robert bowed, “we’d be honored to ride the magic lightning… after we’ve spent our loads in at least a couple of girls.”

The nobleman nodded with understanding. “Three hole challenge?” he raised a brow.

“You know it, bro!” Chandler slapped the lord on the back.

“See… I know my bros!” the lord laughed. “I saved a bunch of girls just for us, but without Jeff and Brett…”

“More to go around!” Robert nodded.

“They’re gonna be mad they’re missing out!” Chandler said.

“Let’s go! Time to send it!” the lord thrust a finger toward the interior of his mansion.

“Wooo!” Robert dashed ahead.

“Bro! Red Rob! We all got to start at the same time!” Chandler called out.

The grown men rushed inside with the enthusiasm of kids rushing to open their presents on Christmas morning.

Holly, the Slasher, observed them from the roof overlooking the expansive pool.

A normal person would’ve felt repulsed by the booze and drug-fueled orgy involving enslaved young women and girls.

The only thing she felt was eagerness.

She ran through the checklist Cal had impressed upon her.

Rule Number 1: Don’t harm innocents, which meant anyone in a collar, through direct and indirect actions.

Rule Number 2: Only kill assigned targets. Unless given the okay to kill other targets of opportunity.

Both rules had a longer set of rules attached in regards to what constituted an ‘innocent’ and an ‘acceptable’ target.

She added the two new arrivals to her mental list with a Skill.

Their life essence would now appear as a beating crimson warmth as long as they were in range.

She regarded her targets and mentally assigned them their special places on her kill priority list.

The soft, doughy men with pale, pasty flesh thrusting away in to enthusiastic girls went populated the lowest portion. They were weak and unaccustomed to fighting. Adult children of the various noble houses in the New American Republic. They were pampered by their parents and had known years of privilege and safety.

A few of these men did ping as greater threats in her Skill. She examined them closer.

Mages.

Slightly more dangerous, but nothing she couldn’t kill quickly since their levels were lower than hers.

Four years imprisoned in a vault had stunted her growth, but just two months in Miami had put her back on track.

Three levels attested to the difficulty of a hunting ground filled with potential threats.

The men with fit bodies and numerous scars went higher on the list.

They moved like fighters, warriors.

No strangers to fights to the death.

There were a few of those that registered.

One or two were higher level than her.

Except, her targets had already made a mistake.

Everyone, aside from a boxer and mixed martial artist, needed gear.

They had left their weapons and armor in the designated room just inside the mansion’s front doors.

At the top of her list, the reason she was here, was Lord Wildcock himself.

The son of a top five noble house in the New American Republic, whose father was currently embroiled in a bitter dispute with another top noble house over the results of several matches between competitors each house had sponsored.

Like any childish dispute over things that didn’t truly matter, both sides accused the other of cheating, bribery and any number of random criminal acts.

It exemplified the reason that the root word of ‘fan’ was likely ‘fanatic’.

Holly… no… the Slasher settled in her perch on the roof, counting on her Skills and the darkness to conceal her from the dozens of security measures deployed the household guards and the revelers.

Neither magic, Skills or something mundane like alarms and security cameras pierced her shroud.

The full moon loomed in the sky.

Some would think that the light it provided would bother the Slasher.

In truth, she found it perfect for when it was time to use her domain.

Soon, she thought, they will taste my knives and my terror will be unleashed on this place.

The only true emotion she felt coursed through her.

Hunger.

She was hungry.

The earlier killings had been mere appetizers.

Enough to sate the urges.

She licked her lips eagerly at the approaching feast.