’Black mask, what the hell does that mean?’ both of the vampires thought.
Zinnia returned wearing the black mask but the two of them were asked to leave and hang out in the hideout without leaving until they were given their next instructions by Zinnia.
"What’s with the colored masks you think?" Zed whispered to Dak.
"It has to be a sign of hierarchy but what the significance is I’m not sure. Clearly we’re at the lowest rank and she just got a slight promotion. I wonder how far from the leader we really are. That guy wasn’t very strong in the purple mask." Dak answered in a hushed voice.
"I know. I think he probably just leads this operation. Maybe 50 people here? What worries me is how nice it is in here and how shitty the slums are. How much are they stealing and why are they investing money into some of the areas? Something isn’t right, I just can’t put my finger on it." Zed said.
"Hey you two, who the fuck are you?" A masked person asked. It sounded like a man, but with the way the masks worked by covering hair, they weren’t certain.
"Who the hell are you?" Zed challenged. "We have the same mask, I don’t have to tell you."
"Cool it," Zinnia said, appearing from the room in her black mask.
"What? What I’d do, Zin?" The man yelled. "I was just trying to meet the newbies."
"Shut up 27 and don’t call me that." She scorned him.
"Fine, fine. Congratulations Zinnia. The black mask looks good on you. I’ll show you the respect you deserve if you let me take you out ever."
She was at his throat with a knife so quickly it surprised Zed and Dak.
’Damn she’s fast,’ Zed thought.
"One more time and you’re dead. Last warning especially now that I’m level 2. Shut the fuck up and do your job." She was searing in anger.
"Understood 5. I read you loud and clear," the man surrendered.
’So they use numbers. Interesting. Level 2 means the purple guy must be 3 or above. Hm,’ Zed thought.
Dak was paying just as close attention and had a theory about all of it. He thought everyone was just a number and the boss only kept a few high levels near him. Everyone else was disposable. They’d have to be careful.
"Newbies, with me, we’re leaving." She demanded.
They followed her back into the alleyway where she replaced the board again. They followed her through the inn and to a different part of the slums. They didn’t recognize this part but they saw someone in a purple mask talking to someone in a dark, royal purple mask.
"Zinnia. I don’t want to sound out of line, but you were really excited when you got that mask. That’s the fourth different mask I’ve seen. What’s the significance?" Zed asked politely and curiously.
"Oh, I need to give you two numbers. 67 and 69. You’re level 1 recruits who work under me now. What I say goes. I say kill, you kill. I say torture, you torture. No questions asked or it’s your asses. Understood?" She said clearly and calmly.
’Glad she isn’t upset with us. That other guy probably is lucky to have a head right now,’ Zed thought.
"Clear as day," Dak responded calmly. "I’ll be 69. You found my lil brother first."
"Ok 67 it is. So, black and purple, black, purple, dark purple... How high does it go?" Zed asked nonchalantly.
"You don’t need to know. Just know I report to the elf who charmed you and that dark purple guy runs these slums," Zinnia said sternly, but not angrily.
"Ok but there are a lot of slums, what about the outskirts?" Zed asked cautiously.
"Not your concerns. What’s with the 21 questions game?" Zinnia laughed.
"I’m a person who likes knowing details. I’m a charmer. I’m used to getting the information I want but I want to respect your authority so I’m asking instead of charming someone." Zed answered mostly honestly.
He could charm any of the purple or dark purples with ease, he was sure of it. He would just need the right opportunity and this wasn’t it.
"I like your honesty. I’m a level 4 now, that’s why I’m black. Level 3 is purple, level 4 dark purple. That’s all I’ll say." Zinnia whispered. "Don’t piss off the dark purple. He’ll kill you."
"Thank you. I don’t really intend on pissing anyone off, unless it’s Tyler," Zed added the jab for intent.
"Don’t be so hasty. He’s on another level than most people know. He’s not human," Zinnia whispered.
"Oh? How do you know but we don’t," Dak asked curiously, playing along and speaking up to match his brother’s honesty and sincerity.
"Streams. Stuff slums don’t have access to. He’s not some pushover. He has too many Eidolons and we’re trying to take him out before he becomes too powerful." Zinnia answered clearly.
"What about the enemy that just hit us?" Zed asked.
"How do you know about that?" She asked with a hint of anger.
"Outskirts. Heard rumors," Zed lied easily.
"Ah. Our leader is trying to work out a deal with them. I’m saying too much, repeat this and I’ll know. I don’t have to tell you what happens if I find out it came from 67 or 69." She scorned.
"You are being overly trustworthy of two new recruits, aren’t you?" Zed asked.
"That’s why I like you. You’re honest, you’re right but I know got charmed by the boss so you can’t charm me or hurt me," she smirked.
’So you can see the mouth expressions just not the other features of the black masks. Purple you can see all their facial expressions. I wonder about dark purple what that gives away or doesn’t.’ Zed thought.
Dak laughed. "You’re right, that’s true. Don’t worry."
"I’m not. We’re here, let’s go." She said while stepping into another warehouse blocked by bricks. She used a spell to open a passageway.
"That’s neat," Zed complimented her.
"We have some SS ability users. They set up a lot of the operational places. This will be our home base for now. It’s smaller and I’ll be in charge so find some food, grab a cot and get comfy. You can socialize but don’t overshare. There aren’t assholes like that dude from Mojo’s place."
"Is that his real name or a fake one, it sounds funny," Zed laughed.
Zinnia chuckled. "You’re too honest. Shut up. Code name obviously."
"Least I can make you laugh. It’s a good trust building exercise. If someone is comfortable enough to laugh around you about sensitive information, it means you two have a good bond. I hope we can continue to grow that bond and help you promote to purple," Zed smirked, only to realize she couldn’t see it.
"I knew you had good potential. I look forward to working with you two. My instincts are never wrong."
’What a sucker. I could charm her to tell me everything and kill herself and no one would know,’ Zed thought.
Zinnia showed herself to her knew closed office and Dak immediately turned to Zed.
"Don’t do it. I know what you’re thinking."
"Since when did you become telepathic," Zed laughed. "I won’t, don’t worry. I’m a noble not a killer."
"Well you better change that attitude too because we’re going to have to do what they say or save our own asses if you know what I mean."
"Good point, let’s grab some of that soup or whatever and rest." Zed suggested.
*******
Amanda woke up and noticed Tyler was still sleeping. She smiled because he looked to be peaceful, but then he realized he was talking in his sleep.
"Touchdown!" He mumbled.
’Huh? What’s a touchdown...’
She laid next to him enjoying the warmth of his aura and noticed he was starting to shift uncomfortably and he was crying in his sleep.
’What’s going on with him, poor Tyler. So much on his mind his subconscious is messing with him...’
"No! Not again! I don’t want to die," Tyler cried in his sleep.
’Ok I should wake him up he’s having a bad dream.’
"What do you mean I can’t pass on and have to?"
’Have to what?!’ Amanda was confused and shook Tyler.
"Tyler! Wake up hunny!"
"Huh?" Tyler said, noticing he was crying.
’Those dreams... they were so real...the car accident, saying goodbye to Nina. Not being able to reincarnate.’
"You were talking in your sleep, babe. Is everything ok? You sounded really sad and were literally crying. What’s a touchdown?"
’Shit. I don’t want to lie to her but I can’t tell her the truth. The dreams must have been a result of the Athena visit or something. I don’t know what to do.’
"Might want to explain football a little bit or something. Those were some crazy dreams. Say you were in a car accident in your dream and a touchdown is a score from non ability users sport." Ash suggested.
"Oh, it’s from football. Non-ability users play it sometimes." Tyler smiled.
"Ok...what about crying and not being able to do something?" Amanda asked, concerned.
She wasn’t worried he was lying or anything. Amanda just thought something was wrong.
"Oh, that? I dreamt I had a really bad car accident and died. I couldn’t move on to the afterlife...I was stuck."
"Oh my gosh that’s terrible. I’m sorry baby, here, come cuddle me." She said with open arms.