Three plates of ice-cream and pancakes and a dozen milkshakes later there was still no sign of the girlfriend. I looked to my phone but there was no messages either. I was beginning to think I should go to the security office. But a dangerous feeling had begun to tickle its way up my spine. I looked around at a group that had been sitting behind us for 30 minutes as another new member arrived. Out of habit I stretched and sniffed.
'Wolfes bane, fuck hunters' I pulled out my compact mirror as I pretended to check my non-existent make-up and watched them. They were interested in the two boys. I felt my phantom hackles rise. Something about these boys made me want to protect them.
Years back Jenny was being bullied in school, I couldn't explain it I just felt like I had to protect her and had taken on a group of boys a year older than me and thrashed them. But now these two boys needed me and for a strange reason my desire to protect them was even stronger.
"I don't think she's coming to get us…" The talkative boy, Kaden sighed. I shrugged.
"She might be looking for you two where she left you?" He frowned.
"I don't know… that was in the carpark… and she only went to the bathroom." He looked to his brother and they seemed really despondent. I felt another presence and glanced around. Yet another hunter had turned up. That made six. I wasn't worried for myself as I could easily take care of them. But while I was dealing with one or two the others could get the kids and… I stopped my thoughts from running amuck and touched my phone, then I heard a laugh.
"I didn't realize you were the babysitting type." That voice, Oh that glorious annoying voice that moaned in my ears all last night.
"Rodger!" I sighed in relief and he grabbed the bags around the table.
"Sorry I'm late babe," he said louder than necessary. "Work was a little hectic but you'll love what we've done." He took a look to the group of hunters then gave them a smirk. "Should you lot be here. After all there are agreements in place." He then nodded to seven different places of business causing the hunters to look around. Some very large workers were beginning to come forward and their eyes were fixed on the hunting group.
"We're just getting food." A woman started and Rodger nodded.
"And yet your table is empty with no little flag to show you have ordered." He let his eyes flash. "There's nearly eighty of the were-community in here right now. Do you feel that lucky?" One of the men tapped the woman's arm and whispered but with our hearing it was useless.
"That's Rodger. He's one of the ring managers of the Phantom plaza… we fuck with him and all hell will break loose and the higher ups will have our heads." She nodded but the group stayed where they were. Rodger nodded then slowly shifted his gaze as I gathered my violin case and stood.
"Let's go to my office." He watched as the two boys nodded and jumped to their feet each one taking one of my hands. "You guys seem cozy…" He muttered then looked around to make sure nothing had been forgotten before walking us away to safety.
"Are we really going to your office?" He nodded.
"Yes…" He looked to the kids. "Unless you don't think its appropriate for them." I smirked.
"Oh, they'll love you once they realise where we're going." The two little faces looked up and their eyes sparkled.
"Are we going to the Phantom Plaza?" Rodger laughed.
"Exactly!" he held out an ID card with difficulty, the large number of bags getting in his way, and sliced it through a door lock. The door opened and he shoved it wide with his shoulder. "Come on, it's quiet at the moment but there are still a few surprises inside." We walked down the large corridor looking at the men working on the walls.
"What are they doing?" Kaden asked. Rodger smirked.
"New publicity, through popular demand our clients want to see the fighters." He looked to me. "So, we're putting up life-sized posters of all the fighters." I frowned. "Around this corner. We should get rid of these bags first." I nodded and followed him to his office.
Once inside the front of his Office an area I had seen but never entered he dropped all the bags and sighed loudly.
"Why did you buy so much?" I shrugged.
"I didn't." I let go of the boys as something caught their attention then placed my violin down. "I was with Jenny and Mathew when an attack occurred." Rodger nodded.
"Three dead at the far end of the car park." I looked shocked.
"Were there any women among the dead?" He shook his head.
"No, three male warriors." He looked to the boys as one squealed and pointed into the open box by his desk.
"Mr! Mr! Is that really a Banshee action figure?" an awkward silence fell over us as I turned to look at Rodger and he looked away. He cleared his throat and walked away quickly to stand next to the boys. With a stoop he reached into the box and to my horror a ten inch tall action figure came out and it was wearing the banshee colours and mask.
'FUCK!!!" my mind exploded seeing it. He handed one to each of the boys then held one out to me. I snatched it from him and glared at the painted face my eyebrows meeting.
"That's not all boys!" Rodger pulled open another box. "We also have…" He pulled out two more figures. "The Soul Sucker," Another box and more action figures. "The Crusher! The Grave Digger, Oh and here's the Siren sisters." The boys squealed in delight and took all the figures he offered but my eyes were still fixed on the mini me in my hand.
As the boys collapsed to the ground inspecting the figures Rodger walked over with an apologetic look.
"This is one of the things I wanted to talk to you about." He said softly. "The fight team had this in the works for some time. They weren't going to use your action figure but after your surprise return to the ring they brought it back and…"
"Why the fuck are my boobs so big?" I whispered harshly and he smirked,
"I didn't design it. Although I must say I love the arse on this thing." I turned the figure around and narrowed my eyes. "I think it really captures your best asset." I gave him a sharp jab in the ribs with my elbow and he smirked.
"Why would anyone want…" I was cut off as he pointed to the two boys.
"Found your favourite?" He asked and they both held up the Banshee. "He frowned' You don't like the Soul sucker?" They frowned.
"We've never seen him fight." I nodded and looked to the figures he was holding.
"You've only seen the money fights." Rodger nodded thoughtfully then sat and watched the boys.
"So tell me more." He grinned.
"Rodger!" He shot me an amused smirk.
"Just some market research." He held up his hands and sighed. "I thought the Soul Sucker would be awesome but turns out the younger audience haven't heard of my only death match member." He grinned then looked around as the door opened and the stunning Bella entered. She was wearing her signature low hipster leather trousers and a pink fluffy crop top that left the shoulders bare and a matching set of black heels with a pink fluffy pompom on the buckle.
"Yo Dad, the other fighters have agreed to come in for a photo shoot and have signed off on the action figures." She looked to me and shot me a wide smile. "Danica girl what brings you here?" I sighed and explained the situation.