29. Psycho

Idrove into the rundown gas station, which housed a secret entrance into the Caverns. Limited on time, we'd hijacked a generic hatchback from a random side street.

Memory served me well as I pulled into the car wash out back, entered the elaborate code into the keypad and wound my driver's window shut.

Spencer seized the passenger seat next to me, post an epic tantrum. Tanner and Emerson huddled in the back, the former kissing his knees, the latter squished tightly to the side.

I smirked in the rear-view mirror, where Emerson glared and lifted a middle finger, her lips moving. I couldn't catch the words, but I'm sure she was cussing me out.

Tanner shifted, his knee pressing through the cheap upholstery, digging into my spine. "Oops, sorry. No room back here, you know," he said, his tone filled with mirth. Fucking bastard.

Lighting a cigarette, my knee bounced as the car wash started up.

"Can't you crack the fucking window?" Emerson piped. I pointed to the water jet that lowered in front of the windscreen, which preceded to douse the car exterior.

"What's the red tattoo on your cheek for?" I asked her. "Why do they call you Meek?" She definitely looked it, until she opened that foul mouth. Spencer laughed, but didn't say anything.

Before Emerson could answer, Tanner raised a hand to stop her and chuckled. "I want him to find out on his own."

Ash fell from the tip of my smoke onto the overlay of Spencer's dress that lapsed over the centre console.

She shrieked, arms flapping like mad. "This is vintage!"

I waved a hand, smoke drifting to the roof. "I'm adding to the aesthetic." Her eyes narrowed into slits, a snake coiled ready to strike, until I revealed a packet of liquorice I spied in the side-door compartment. Her whole demeanour laxed as she snatched it from my hands, shoving the end down her gob.

"That shit's going to kill you one day," I said. She scoffed, pointedly eyeing the cigarette hanging from my own mouth. "Why the outfit?"

She smoothed a hand over the puffy bottom. "Beautiful, right?"

I coughed. "It's…bright. What if someone sees you?"

"I'll kill them," she said matter-of-factly.

We jolted as the hoist lowered our vehicle. The gigantic car wash bristles continued churning, disguising our descent into the hidden entrance of the underground. As the car came to a halt, we ditched the confined space and I immediately led them through the complex maze.

"Why is it empty?" Tanner asked, hands casually in his damn pockets.

His answer came in the form of a mighty rumble that shook the structured tunnels, dust mites dancing in the air.

"All Ludus Maximus' will be utilised tonight. Each will have their specific role to ensure everything goes smoothly."

"The Gladiator Games are that revered?" Emerson asked after another bout of thunderous cheers.

"It's the most prestigious event of the country—better yet, the world. Expensive and particularly exclusive, everyone who's anyone will do just about anything to gain an invitation."

I'd never brooded over it. Sure, I was an integral part. An undefeated Gladiator was no title to scoff at. Nevertheless, none of that mattered. If that status gave my sister immunity from the absolute shit in this world, I was willing to fight anyone, kill anyone.

"You must have been popular," Spencer sneered. I didn't like the type of popularity she was insinuating.

I scoffed. "No one ever got close enough. The fucking pompous elite of this city. I swear, worse than bloodsucking leeches. The general public would be horrified to know their leaders, influencers and people they worshiped so freely thirsted for a touch of sin. It gave them the illusion of entitlement, that they themselves had some type of authority, a modicum of power over death. They'd eventually learn, like every other. No one outruns the devil."

"All must bow before death," Tanner vowed, his voice airy as all fuck, like he was the grim fucking reaper himself.

Spencer chuckled. "Can you show me that move where you ripped that guy's jaw out? Meek told m—"

"Whatever she asks, don't teach her," Emerson cut in. "She already doesn't clean up after herself."

Spencer pouted and I snickered. "You wouldn't have enough power anyway."

Her face turned feral, but before she could attack me to prove a point, I veered down the corridor. If she wanted to stick with me, she'd better hurry up.

My stepsunintentionally slowed as we reached the Ludus dorms, an area specifically for high-ranking members.

I'd told Micah my background, but the rest of the Kings were still new to me. Even so, they had accepted Ava and I into the fold with hardly any dissension. They already spoke freely in my presence, giving up valuable information that would be detrimental in any other's hands, the love and trust for their sister outweighing anything else.

I also have no doubt that I will be dead if they consider me a legitimate threat.

If I wanted Micah to stay in my life—and there was no other fucking option—they would also undoubtedly be a part of it. So, with every reservation screaming at me to hold back, I decided to trust in them, weaving through the man-made tunnels.

I gave a quick rap on the door. It flew open, displaying Docture, lead trainer of the Ludus Maximus gladiators—and my best friend.

I extended my forearm and he gripped it tightly. Pulling him to my chest, I pounded his back, his ribcage vibrating from the laughter he couldn't contain.

We shuffled into his underground apartment, the space clean, regimented and distinctly organised. The Kings followed, perusing the space with mild curiosity.

"You're getting a little grey around the edges there, G," I sneered. "I haven't been away for that long, have I?" I was all shit. His buzz cut remained as dark as my heart. G fit the honourable title well. He was a fucking beast, his arms even bigger than when I last saw him.

G was twelve years my senior, his fighting skills unmatched (except maybe by me). We'd never seriously fought one another. If we did, we'd both probably end up dead.

"Too long, brother," he replied. "Way too fucking long."

His turquoise gaze scanned the three at my back. "How's Ava? I haven't heard from her. Is she okay?" His voice was level, tinged with something I couldn't recognise.

"She's safe. But that's not who I'm here for. I need to know where they're keeping the staff from Forbidden Garden. I know the Ludus has them locked up somewhere."

He crossed his arms, veins popping out of his muscular forearms. "They're in the Outer Ring Gymnasium. I can take you there, but we have to rush. They'll notice my absence if I'm gone much longer."

I shook my head. "Actually, I want you to take these two with you. Try and get them to the Inner Ring…to Maximus."

He arched a brow. "And they are?"

I laid an arm over his shoulders and pointed to the tagalongs. "G, meet the in-laws. In-laws, this is Gannicus."

Tanner and Emerson appeared bored, while Spencer's predatory eyes appraised his frame. Cringe.

We made a rough plan as Spencer shamelessly flirted with G, who blatantly ignored her advances. She wasn't perturbed. If anything, it spurred her on.

As the Kings filtered out the door, I halted on the threshold and placed a hand on G's shoulder. "I don't know how to repay what you've done for me this past year, and even now." My fingers dug into his flesh. "I owe you. Whatever you need, I've fucking got you."

His rough features softened, if only for a second. "Just don't get taken again, alright? Stay safe. More importantly, keep your sister safe. Ava doesn't belong in this world, Psycho." I nodded, letting my hand drop to my side. I'd never agreed with anything more.

"In-laws, aye?" he chuckled. "Can't wait to meet your Mrs, then. If she's anything like the rest of the family, I'm sure she's impressive."

I gave a genuine smile and he snickered further. "Never thought I'd fucking see the day."

We reached the corridor, splitting into our groups.

I turned to him one last time. "When you're ready to leave this fucking place, come find me. Better yet, when you're ready to overthrow Maximus, I'll come and find you." A dangerous thing to say. A death warrant if anyone heard. G had more reason than anyone to rip this place apart at the fucking seams.

I thumped my left fist to the Ludus tattoo permanently stamped over my right pectoral. The respectful salute for G, an acknowledgement solely for the worthy.

His brow furrowed. "For the Ludus?"

I walked backwards, away from him. "Fuck the Ludus. For you, brother." I swear his eyes glimmered before I turned and walked the opposite way.

We partedways with Emerson and Tanner, my innate compass leading me through the maze-like structure without issue. Without Tanner's presence, my breath came easy, access to my Variant filtering through my circulation once more.

Despite her high stilettos, Spencer shadowed my every step, never faltering or falling behind. She could have easily disappeared into the background if it wasn't for her bright orange gown, or the incessant popping of the gum she got from god knows where.

The sound of a sizable group was approaching at speed. We deviated, hiding in the nearest available room. I'd give them a couple of minutes to pass, but I'd kill them all if I had to.

I flicked a glance to my companion and stilled, eyes widening, ensuring my sight wasn't deceiving me.

Spencer was a hairbreadth away, her auburn strands and green orbs both mid-transition into a burnt orange hue to match her dress. Her facial features were also changing, bone structure elongated, skin stretching to finally display a completely different woman.

I was fucking gobsmacked. For the first time in my life, I didn't know what to think, let alone how to react.

The new face, with the same voice, sneered. "You're staring."

"How can I not? I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't just watch you change your face before my goddamned eyes."

"It's like you've never seen a Variant in action before."

"You've got to be kidding. Most are barely anything to brag about. 90% can be used for household chores at best."

She popped another bubble. "What can I say? I'm lucky to be a part of the remaining 10%."

My brain strayed to the rest of the Kings and I shook my head. "That isn't luck."

"Amateur."

"I'm for real," I said seriously. "All of you are…gifted. I've never met one, let alone a group of people, that had such established and powerful Variants."

After a second of contemplation, Spencer responded. "You're right. There's no luck involved. It was all premeditated."

I scoffed. "What, your Variant?"

"Yes. Our father…he was batshit fucking crazy. And also a damn genius."

It was common knowledge that Variants were hereditary, filtered through genetic makeup and biological relations. A part of evolution, human beings procreating to make future generations more equipped for survival. Besides that, scientists couldn't establish better findings, the experiments volatile and results unpredictable. Through years of trial and error, only two components were infallible: a Variant was never guaranteed, and no Variant was ever the same. My test subject days as a kid provided all the education I required on the subject.

What does she mean, her father premeditated their Variants?

"Were you all adopted? Scouted for your ability by your father?"

When she started laughing, I realised how ridiculous it was to suggest. Although each King sister had diverse features and characteristics, when they were together, there was no denying their genetic relation, the tiny similarities that highlighted their affiliation.

Spencer shook her head in mirth. "We have the same father, all different biological mothers."

"Where are they now? Your mothers?"

"Fucked if I know," Spencer shrugged. "If I had to gather a guess, either dead or living the rich and lavish lifestyle off the pay out my dad gave them."

"Aren't you curious?"

Her brow furrowed in genuine confusion. "Why would I be? We could have been made in a lab, for all I know. Well, except for Chase…either way, I don't have a mother, nor do I need one." Her gaze flicked up, affection sparking in her burnt orange irises. "Micah does the job well enough."

The statement was accurate, though also a little confusing. Tanner was the eldest—and the only one that looked nothing like them.

"What about Tanner?"

Her eyes searched mine, realising I wasn't as dim-witted as she thought. Glad I could surprise the one that generally caused all the surprises. "He's not biologically related, no. His father was my father's adoptive brother, not that it matters. Tanner's our brother, in every meaning of the word," she hummed. "Didn't Micah tell you all this?"

"With the limited time we had together, she told me about you all. Just never the intricate details of your genetics," I shrugged. "It didn't matter to me. Still doesn't."

"Sureeeee," Spencer said in exaggeration. "No need to feel inadequate. Some of you have to rely on basic brains or, in your case, brawn." She tapped me on the shoulder with fake reassurance. "We can't all be a part of the 10%."

I lifted a brow. Micah hadn't told them about my Variant. It wasn't a secret by any means, but to know that she kept my personal information to herself made my fondness for her grow impossibly higher.

We relinquished our hideout and returned to our tracking when a high-pitched scream vibrated through the air, followed by the muffled sounds of combat directly from Micah's supposed location. I spared a glance at the stranger's face beside me. "Who said I wasn't?" I blurted as I thundered towards the noise.

I'll show her 10%.