Chase strode between the rows of clinking, pinging slot machines, unphased by the brightly colored neon signs, or the mass of dulled patrons amassed within the hall. He reached the main bar in the center of the casino, sidled up to the counter, and rapped his knuckles on its surface while scanning the crowd impatiently.
Upon seeing Chase, the bartender promptly slid a glass of amber liquid into his expectant hand. Catching it, Chase dropped cash on the counter and walked away without a word, having spotted who he was after.
He crossed the floor to the card tables where players were gathered, shouting in excitement. Chase joined the exuberant throng, peering over their heads at the figure seated in the center.
Ryan gathered up another set of poker chips to a round of applause, adding to a large pile in front of him, "It's like the poker gods are looking out for me or something," he laughed to another player next to him.
Chase pushed through the crowd of onlookers and tapped the back of Ryan's head with his glass. Ryan flinched and whirled about, his anger faltering when he saw who it was.
Chase jerked his head, beckoning Ryan to follow. Ryan sighed, eyeing the table with longing. He waved off the dealer before she dealt the next hand, swapped his chips for a card, and reluctantly got up from his seat to follow Chase. Instantly, several people began fighting for his now-vacated hot seat.
"Way to bust a streak man," Ryan said as they walked away, the ruckus of squabbling players fading behind them. "That was my sixth winning hand." He pulled out his lucky poker chip, rolling it between his fingers, and looking about conspicuously. "Aljashae has had my back all night," He told Chase gleefully.
Chase stopped in his tracks, sucked in through his teeth, and smacked Ryan upside the head, "not so loud idiot!" he chastised.
Ryan lowered his eyes bashfully and fell behind Chase as they resumed their way across the Casino to the high-stakes room.
The two wove between dealers, players, and managers, all nodding respectfully to the duo as they passed until they reached a booth in the back corner, bared by a velvet rope and enforced by a pair of large, suited men. One of the guards lifted the rope on Chase's approach and they entered, stopping in front of a wide luxurious couch set behind a marble table.
Waylon lay back on the couch, feet up on the marble, framed between two scantily clad women. He paid his cohort's arrival no mind, chewing the ear of one giggling girl, while absentmindedly fondling the other. Chase cleared his throat, garnering Waylon's grudging attention.
"What," he snapped.
Chase tapped his wristwatch, getting Waylon to check his own.
He rolled his eyes and stood up, dropping a keycard on the table, "Wait for me upstairs," he told the women without a backward glance.
The trio exited their private booth and went to the other end of the room, passing another set of guards and ascending a private staircase. At the top of the landing, a set of wide double doors stood open, the trio entered at a nod from the doorman and joined the formidable assembly of men within.
It was a large drawing room, with a long polished oak table set in the middle. More than a dozen men were scattered throughout the place, Some wearing suits while others wore various uniforms of prominence.
To one side, a priest and a rough-looking bearded man wearing a leather vest emblazoned with a patch proclaiming him "president", sat on a pair of regal armchairs in deep conversation.
Across from them, a small group of men in sport coats stood by a cigar display, smoking and laughing amongst themselves.
Still others lounged at the long table, or else gorged themselves at buffet carts stationed along one wall.
Assistant Chief Enzo and Mayor Gambal, accompanied by his tall blond wife, were at the back of the room, standing before a small round table holding an obsidian stone pyramid, the wall behind them draped in black velvet.
Upon the trio's arrival, Gambal looked up and took notice. He nodded to the doorman, who responded by closing the double doors behind them. Gambal held up a glass and clinked it with his wedding ring. All eyes turned towards him.
"I believe we are all in attendance," he said, "let's be seated."
There was a brief shuffle as the attendees found their seats, Gambal taking his place at the head, with Enzo to his right, and his wife on his left. The trio sat at the furthest end, and a hush fell over the group, their gathered attention fixed on Gambal.
Once everyone had settled, Gambal pulled out a set of files, laying them on the table.
"First, I would like to congratulate our three best enforcers for their good work in protecting our assets," Gambal said, lifting a hand toward the trio.
A polite applause ensued, Waylon nodded to the group, Chase lifted his glass and Ryan waived nervously.
Gambal continued. "Polls are showing favorable results for the new task force and their arrests are helping to dissuade prying eyes-"
At this, the large bearded biker, seated near the middle, spat on the table. Gambal stopped and turned his attention to the man, his expression void of emotion.
"You disagree, Perkins?" he asked calmly.
Perkins rounded his shoulders, leaning forward in his seat, and glared at Gambal, "hell yeah I do," he said, scowling. "I don't give a rat's ass about your polls. My bar was raided a week ago. One of mine is locked up and I got four others dead, not to mention what happened last night. How the fuck is that favorable?" he said, turning angry eyes to the trio. "Ain't you three supposed to be keeping the pigs off our backs?"
Enzo interrupted, "Relax Perkins, we've dealt with nosey officers before remember? The ones involved in the incident at your bar are being handled. Once things quiet down, if you want them you can have them. Hell, I'll give you their addresses myself." he said, with a pinched smile.
Perkins slammed his hand on the table, "That ain't gonna cut it. My men want blood now." he turned back to Gambal. "Supply stops until this debt gets settled," he said hotly.
Gambal's cool demeanor never wavered. "You would renege on our deal? Break your vow and risk exposure for your vendetta?" he asked quietly.
Perkins straightened his back and stared into Gambals dispassionate eyes. "I'll do whatever the fuck I please," he growled. "My men's lives are worth more than-"
A sickly wet slicing sound rends the air. Perkins' words were suddenly stifled and replaced with a gurgle, bubbling up from his throat. His face strained, eyes rolled back in his head and his body convulsed. Within seconds He let out a strangled cry and spat out a mouthful of blood before slumping over the table, falling deathly still.
The rest stayed in their seats without making a sound.
Gambal turned to face the man seated to Perkins' right. "Congratulations vice-president, I believe you have just been promoted," he said.
The muscular biker wearing sunglasses and a sleeveless shirt sat stoically, looking down at his fallen president.
Gambal stood up, turning his back on the room, facing the black pyramid's shrine. "Every man here swore an oath," he said quietly, "your deepest desires are yours if you submit to Masters' will." he glanced back over his shoulder. "Does anyone else think their whims are above the covenant of the Black Order?"
The group shook their heads in consent, ignoring the pool of blood gathering in the center of the table.
"Good," Gambal said, returning to his seat. His wife at his side had gone rigid, staring ahead as though her mind had vacated the gruesome room.
"Now, as I was saying." Gambal resumed, flipping through the reports before him, "The trio's efforts have been fruitful. The issue of renegade police is being handled, however, as our departed comrade Perkins has addressed, a new issue arose last night that demands our attention." He picked up a remote and flicked on the TV to his right.
A shaky cell phone recording of a dark alley played, showing a masked man in a long blue coat and bowler hat, squared off against a biker armed with a gun. The masked man threw a wooden baton, ricocheting it off a wall, and striking the biker down before jumping an unnatural distance to kick him across the alley.
The recording became warped with static, then transitioned to a selfie video of a dark-haired young woman sitting in the cab of a car. Her face was bruised and tear-streaked.
"I can't explain what happened tonight," she said between sobs, "but I do know those men who attacked me... God only knows what they wanted with me...I probably wasn't going to survive it. That guy in the mask stopped them, he saved me." she wiped her face smearing her ruined makeup, "if you're out there, whoever you are, thank you. You are my knight."
Gambal paused the video and switched to a blurry still shot of the masked man.
"The girl posted this morning earning an unfortunate amount of attention." Gambal informed the assembly, "Several commenters identified Jeb as an Acolyte, and my office has been getting a stream of press inquiries ever since." He looked to the newly promoted Acolyte president, "We do not need more attention right now," he said sternly.
The burly biker nodded.
"More distressingly," Gambal continued," I have it on good authority that this masked man, this disruptor... has somehow banished two of the Dark Ones from the world."
This revelation shocked the room, Several men rocked back in their seats, and a low hiss of nervous whispers broke out around the table.
Ryan leaned towards Waylon, "how the hell is that possible?' he asked anxiously. Waylon ignored him, his jaw tightening as he stared at the photo of the masked man.
Gambal cleared his throat, "This nuisance threatens the balance of things," he said. "He has both upset our Master's plans and our political ones. Many are calling him a hero, saying he is doing what the police cannot. His initial public favor complicates things further, and the master has made it clear to me this is intolerable."
Gambal stood again, moving to the back of his wife's chair and placing his hands on her shoulders. She all but recoiled from his touch, but her face remained as stone.
"As punishment for allowing this problem to manifest, the master has decided to humiliate me. He asks that you, my brothers, carry out the deed on his behalf."
He looked down at his wife's head and stroked her golden hair. The rest of the assembly turned their gazes on her as well. One man chuckled, while another began to unbutton his shirt.
Katherien's eyes widened in horror as she watched the gleeful malice growing on their faces. "No... Victor, please you promised! Not this... Never this!"
Gambal leaned down and kissed her cheek while she frantically clung to his arms. "This isn't about you. You will do as you are told," he whispered.
He pulled away from her frightened grasp as the rest of the group stood, loosening their garments and moving around the table.
Katherien shot out of her seat, desperately searching for an escape, but the mob was already encircling her. "No, no!" she cried, "Just kill me! No! Kill me please!" she howled as Enzo pounced first, grabbing her by the neck and forcing her down onto the table's edge.
Gambal ignored her pleas as he turned to leave, beckoning the trio to follow. "Not her face, gentleman. I need her presentable in the coming weeks."
The detectives followed their Mayor out of the drawing room, tailed by the whooping laughter of their comrades amid Katheriens blood curdling screams. They stepped out, and the heavy doors closed behind them, concealing the woman's nightmare from the rest of the world.
Gambal smoothed the crease on his suite sleeves where his wife had grabbed him. "About this... Knight." he said, resuming normal business. "We believe he is drawn to the Dark Ones. lure him out and put an end to his endeavors."
Ryan let out a breath and Chase took a drink. Waylon nodded, "we'll handle it boss," he replied.
Gambal pulled out a document from his jacket pocket, a print out of the still shot. He showed the blurry image to the trio again, the faintest glint of silver visible on the figure's chest.
"Walyon," Gambal added, "I don't just want him dead. People see hope in this man. Kill it. Or else..."
Gambal met each of the detective's eyes for a pause, then turned and re-entered the drawing room, his wife's audible agony briefly pouring out of the doors before they shut again.
Ryan wiped his face compulsively. "How the hell does someone banish a Dark One? That shits' not supposed to be possible!"
Waylon rolled his shoulder back and cricked his neck in agitation. He closed his eyes and suddenly tensed, his body shivering. Without warning Waylon's face elongated, his mouth widened unnaturally and as he opened his eyes again, they transformed into blood red vertical slits.
Shaking off the spasm, Waylon's features returned to normal.
"Sakhr is pissed off," he said, panting slightly.
Chase nodded as he downed the rest of his glass, "Tell me about it, so is Bal-Zabul. I'm going to have to drink this place dry to shut him up."
Waylon grunted, "This masked guy wants to fuck with the Dark Ones? I say we show him what the heavy hitters can do." He started towards the stairs and the others followed.
"We'll meet up tomorrow and figure out the details," Waylon said. "Tonight, Sakhr needs to vent, but I don't feel like sharing." He jerked his head back to Mrs. Gambals ordeal.
"Put a clean-up crew on standby," he said to Ryan. "My room is going to be a mess when I'm done."
"Yeah sure thing." Ryan said, stopping at the bottom of the stairs as the other two continued across the casino floor.
Swallowing his nerves, Ryan watched as Waylon and Chase entered an elevator. He thought of what was happening to Mrs. Gambal in the room above. Of what was about to happen to the unsuspecting women in Waylon's suite.
He had never been as interested in the carnal elements of their new arrangement as his partners were. There were moments when he even doubted what they were doing all together, not that those moments lasted long. Ryan shook his head and went to the nearest table, eager to distract himself and forget the horrible appetites of his companions.
He took a seat as the cards were dealt and felt Aljashae purr inside his chest. In no time, the Watchers' influence dulled Ryan's unease and he forgot to be repulsed by the gruesome nature of his evil pact. All that mattered now was the thrill of the win.