red is so passe

Lately, business had been phenomenal. It was surprising how a little bit of fear could make humans do just about anything. When he'd gotten into the arms dealing business, he found it was all just a giant game that, with only a little thought, became an extremely easy game. It was all about mind games and with his vast intelligence, it was just like waking up. He controlled more than three quarters of the earth's black market weaponry, making him a king among war lords. And he hadn't been disappointed. He'd lived a long time, seen many things and had, whatever he wanted. But this? This was like his vacation. He had people at his every beck and call, on their knees begging him and the most powerful allies he could imagine. He wasn't out for fame. In fact, part of his whole syndicate was in the shadows. He didn't even think any of his clients had actually seen his face. He usually did all his dealings through others. For so long, he had remained in the shadows. It was always more fun to fuck with someone when they couldn't even see you. 

Lately, however, his syndicate was getting some whispers out. They had even managed to attract the attention of some reporters, flagging down members of his syndicate and trying to get information out of them. The reason the whole group wasn't revealed to the public was because of his first philosophy; fear was an excellent motivator. They feared him more than the money reporters were tempting them with. Plus, he had excellent detectives working for him and he was able to quickly, quietly and effectively eliminate those who had infiltrated, in the hopes to remain undercover. Tonight was just one of those nights. On this particular night, he'd decided to go along himself. He hadn't had much excitement lately and tonight just felt like one of those nights. Of course, he was led into the night club through a VIP entrance and granted a private room while his goons did the dirty work for him. They had tracked her here and with his own money invested into the place as a bribe, he knew he wouldn't be disturbed, no matter what was seen or heard. There was no better place. A girl wearing almost nothing was allowed into his room and she curtsied before laying the tray down in front of him, the shots of liquor dancing with blue flames. Loki smiled and reached for one, downing the drink in one swift motion. He felt really good about tonight. It had been too long since he'd been able to get his hands dirty.

He lounged back on one of the couch's, another flaming shot held up to his lips, the blue fire dancing in his blue eyes, making them appear as though they were glowing. Unlike typical crime movies, Loki sat alone on the couch. He didn't care for female company, or male company for that matter. Born without a sense of humanity, Loki had never fully grasped the prospect of companionship. It was something he'd never needed, especially when he had his twin at his side. But even now that he was separated from Ren, he still didn't find the need to seek company. In fact, the less people he had around him, close to him, the less likely it was that Ren could find him. It also gave him an excellent opportunity to observe all those in his syndicate. This girl had gained his attention when she had first joined. She had seemed too eager. No one willingly joined his group and liked it. This was a group created out of fear and pain. Most of his joiners, were either tortured or bribed to join and she had fit into neither group. He continued to keep a sharp eye on her and she didn't fall into any normal categories of his group. For one, she was too bold. He didn't like those who were too bold. It led to getting into things they didn't need to know about...

"No matter. You can wait here for them. Besides, you don't know why you are here. No point being being rude until you know your host. Were you brought here in handcuffs or threatened? I think not. Now sit." That, certainly, wasn't a request. He leaned up and too one of the burning shots and set it down on the table before her. "Ever have one of these? The flames burn until they touch the acid in your stomach. Most people can't handle them. They end up in the hospital with third degree burns." He took the last shot and lifted it up before her like a toast, smirked at her and downed the whole thing without so much as a blink of an eye before he set the shot glass upside down on the table. "Tell me, Anya. What are you really doing here?" he asked her as he leaned back against the couch once more, his smirk still on his face. The men who had brought her to the room stood in front of the door, shoulder to shoulder, creating a barrier. 

But neither the guards or Loki moved from their spots. In fact, Loki was still smiling at her, arms lounging on the back of the couch on either side of him. Even for the age he appeared to be, he still looked good in a suit. Loki didn't have a problem falling into the role of the rich and famous. Expensive suits, fast cars, huge houses. It was all something he'd never had before. It also seemed to give the right impression to his clients. The more money he had to flaunt around, the better at his job he was and he certainly wasn't lacking in money. 

"Maybe you should have considered your brother before becoming apart of all of this. Family does not exist here. Most do not live long enough to return to them." He finally stood and walked around her to speak directly to the guards who nodded their heads and left the room. Loki slid the lock back in place with a devious smile on his face. "I've had my eyes on you since you first joined, Anya." he spoke absently, as if they were teacher and student. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette and lighter, flicking it a few times before he was able to breath in a few puffs, letting the smoke escape in tiny "O's". He snapped the lighter closed before sliding it back into his pocket. "You were different from the others. You see, I don't have willing recruits. Everyone here has either been blackmailed, threatened or enslaved. You, you were immediately different. It's also come to my attention that a particular reporter has been trying to unearth secrets of the Black Market that all seemed to start with a particular political who just so happens to be a well pain informant for me.Lucky for said reporter, she found just what she was looking for. Not only did she uncover the human trafficking ring but she also landed head first into the inner circle of a War Lord."

He was suddenly beside her, arms leaning on the arm of her chair as his blue eyes met hers. "Tell me, Anya. What did the reported hope to gleen from this little escapade of hers? Certainly not returning to that brother of hers." All of a sudden, the room seemed to grow darker, the shadows deeper but his smile still remained, a smile that wasn't at all friendly but almost terrifying.  Around him, the shadows had seemed to grow thicker, almost like they were moving. 

He easily dodged out of her way by standing up but as soon as he did, the shadows that had seemed to darken the room did move. In fact, they went straight for her, encircling her wrists, ankles and neck like cuffs. Though nearly translucent, their force was deceiving. How strongly they could hold her back was decided on the amount of energy Loki was putting into them. But it was hard to judge considering not much was known about Loki, including the strength of his power. He smiled at her. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were attacking me. I was only acting instinctively. Do feel free to thrash around a bit. I like when my prey struggles." He chuckled as he returned to the couch opposite her, sitting down and grabbing the last of the fiery shot, downing it in one swift movement before he slammed it back down on the table upside down. There seemed to be a little more light in Loki's eyes; excitement? 

"Now that you're comfortable, we can have a nice chat." He snapped his fingers and the door of the room opened and a girl appeared carrying a tray of yet, more shots. She was ghost white and could barely hang onto the tray. Loki frowned. Did the last waitress make a careless mistake and tell this girl that he was here? It would certainly explain her actions. It wasn't the first time he'd taken young girls like her for the slave market just because they had disrespected him. Since he owned a part of this night club, it was no surprise the waitress and bartenders were well versed on who he was and what he did to save their lives. Apparently, this girl was new. He decided to give Anya what she'd been looking for; her story. As soon as she set the tray down on the table and straightened up, he grabbed her wrist. She automatically screamed and Loki's grin widened. It seemed she had been expecting something to happen which would explain her actions. He waited till she was done screaming before he spoke, keeping a firm grip on her wrist. "How old are you?"

Her voice wobbled and she was shaking like a leaf in the wind. "I-I turned twenty one three days ago. My brother got me this job. Told me this was the best place to work on the strip besides the casinos."

"Well, he's not wrong. What's your name?"

She seemed to be bringing herself back together again, though not entirely comfortable but certainly not shaking anymore. Though he as sure he could see her brain thinking quickly. She was probably thinking that the waitress had played a sick game on her and that he was actually really nice. "Candace St. James. Everyone just calls me Candy."

"Candy, huh? Well, at least we won't have to change your name." When she looked confused, Loki choose his moment. In an instant, the shadows around the room moved again and this time, they attacked her and she now had every right to scream. The shadows encased her, bringing her quickly to the floors. They writhed around her like snakes, cutting through her clothes and spraying blood on the floor. She was screaming bloody murder but the door to the room remained firmly closed. Either the music was too loud or this was a usual thing. Eventually, however, her screams died off and the shadows disappeared, leaving her half naked and bloody body passed out on the floor. It was at that moment, the two guards decided to come back into the room. One of them bent and picked her up in his arms as easily as if she were a kitten. 

Loki spoke directly to him. "She'd be perfect for the French. They've been looking for a feisty one. Inject her with XTC and she won't know what's happened to her till after she gets there. Make sure you get the money up front." The guard nodded and took the girl from the room. Guard number two remained just outside the door. Loki turned back to Anya. "I'm sorry I had to conduct business. I do apologize." He took one of the shots, the blue fire lighting up his face once more before he threw it back. Not that they got him drunk. He just enjoyed the fire that burned down his throat. Being twins, each received an ability from their parents; Loki, Shadowkinesis and Ren, elemental fire. Loki had always secretly been jealous of Ren because of his inability to produce or control flames. Loki was somewhat of a pyro manic and any fires you read about in history were most likely caused by Loki, with the help of Ren. "So tell me, did you get enough for your story? Are you satisfied with being able to get to the head of the beast and see everything for yourself?" 

If you're going to kill me- get it over with, asshole. He chuckled and stood up, coming around to her side and grabbing her chin rather roughly to inspect her face. "Killing you would be like throwing out perfectly good product. No, I think I could get over a million for you. Hmm looking at you I'm thinking Russian. You have the looks. Plus the men there are quiet violent. Might tame you down a bit." He released her chin and reached into his pocket, pulling out his cell phone, the LED of the screen lighting his face in the dim light of the room. Just yet another reminder that they weren't alone in the room... In only a few seconds, he pulled up a contact and had the phone to his ear. "У меня есть еще один для вас. Я обещаю, что это один будет длиться дольше, чем на месяц, и вы не будете разочарованы. - Мне придется бросить в дополнительную плату для реактивных если вы хотите ее на этой неделе. - Просто дайте Корин знать и вернуться ко мне." With a flourish, he snapped his phone closed, looking only slightly dissatisfied. "It seems my Russian contact fears losing another investment. I don't blame him." 

He walked around her chair and finally allowed himself to show a bit of fatigue by closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He'd summoned all the shadows he could as a show to scare her and he could hear a hint of it in her voice and knew it had been a success but hanging onto them all was starting to drain him. He'd put most of his effort into the ones holding her to the chair and her thrashing had certainly made things all the more complicated. With a wave of his hand, he cast away the shadows that surrounded the room, suddenly allowing the room to appear brighter but he kept the ones attached to her. Hopefully, he'd be able to figure out something to do with her before he was forced to let those go as well. 


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*Translation: I have another one for you. I promise this one will last longer than a month and you won't be disappointed. - I'll have to throw in an extra fee for the jet if you want her this week. - Just let Corin know and get back to me.

He opened his eyes as her voice rose above the chair. He moved around her, coming to stand at her side. "Andrei Belkov?" he turned his head, pretending to seem as though the name didn't faze him. "May have heard the name. Vampire right? Founder of the Messor, an assassin group located within Vegas, am I right? As I also seem to recall, one of Kaia Rion's progeny." He spoke so calmly, with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Do you think you can scare me with his name? When I found out who you were, it was easy to realize who Andrei was to you. And yet, I still have you here, under my control, even with the knowledge of your brother. Try as he like, he can't hurt me. And I don't much care who gets in his way. You see, unlike normal human beings, I have nothing that can stop me. Your life, the lives of others, mean nothing to me. When you've lived as long as I have, nothing really matters anymore."

But there was something that did bother Loki. And he'd kept it a secret for many years. In fact, generations had come and gone since someone knew his secret and he liked to keep it that way. Not only was he out to kill him, but he was also his brother. And hearing his name suddenly in the room, cut through Loki like a bolt of lightening. Anger, at first, for hearing his traitorous name and then fear at realizing she knew his name. Acting out of instinct, he was suddenly in front of her and the shadows holding her against the chair tightened considerably. Suddenly, he no longer looked like an arrogant kid playing the role of a crime leader. His face had turned dark, blackness, like ink, filling his eyes, making them appear like black marble. The room suddenly grew cold and dark as shadows appeared out of nowhere, seeming to circle around them, writhing as though being held back from their excitement. His face was inches from hers, fingernails digging into her arms. "Where the fuck did you hear that name from?" He snarled. Perhaps, if he had a heart, it would have been savaging beating against his rib cage, his very nerves on edge and his brain screaming for him to run. He and Ren had fought, side by side, against Angels and glorified in their victories. But never had a demon turned sides and held a Divine weapon. The sheer power that came along with it was more than Loki could handle. Ren had almost killed him in the Middle East during the Holy Wars. Loki had suspected that Ren still felt their connection as twins and had hesitated in finishing the finishing blow which had allowed Loki to escape. He hadn't seen his brother since. That was almost one thousands years ago. He felt an itch along his back and realized that if he didn't gain control of himself, and fast, his wings would burst from his back and most likely take out everything closest to them. 

He needed to control himself. It had been so long since he had his guard up against his brother. He hated how soft he'd become. He'd felt safe for too long that he'd let his guard down. Never would he have reacted to his brother's name if he'd still been on his guard. Finally, he was able to get a hold of himself and he straightened up, letting go of her arms, his eyes returning to normal, the shadows retracting and a smirk crossing his face. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh yea? That's interesting. Just because you can piece two and two together, doesn't mean you really even know who he is. Tell you what, it seems as though you have skills that could be useful to me. You use those skills for me, while remaining in my custody and I won't sell you off. However, since I won't be selling you, I'll technically own you so you won't be able to return to your previous life. If you're not okay with that, I can just kill you." He through the thought out so casually that it was almost terrifying. "Do we have a deal? It seems like you believe your brother will save you so I'll allow you to believe this and keep you here and maybe, I'll even allow you to see him. But you are mine."

If Ren's name was being dropped in the city already, it was only a matter of time before he caught up to him. Loki silently cursed himself. He'd managed to hide from his brother for a good thousand years. He supposed it was only natural he'd find him eventually. But Loki certainly wasn't ready to die. With each passing year, there were new human minds to destroy and new chances to cause chaos. It only took a hundred years or so for things to reset and to start again. This world truly was fun. He could Anya's skills to keep tabs on his brother, maybe even find a weakness. He knew that the divine weapon Ren carried, wouldn't hurt him since the Goddess made it especially for him but it could certainly cause himself some damage. So using Ren's weapon against him would be pointless. He would need to find another weakness... Without revealing himself.