Chapter Eleven

"A man betrays you, and your immediate response is to crown him as some chief in your operations?"Jekio asked incredulously. He had been extra hyper ever since coming back from foiling District 31's scouting mission, and clearly wasn't impressed with Vito's decision-making.

"He's not my chief of operations," Vito replied lamely. His father would've killed the man where he knelt in front of the crowd to make an example of him, as Jekio had said, but Vito saw a different path and, after his talk with Hades, decided to take it.

He only hoped he didn't live to regret it.

Bekah was next to Jekio on the other side of Vito's office desk, and although she was trying not to look it, he could tell she was similarly displeased. "Jekio is not wrong," she stated.

Before she could continue, Vito interrupted. "You've been saying that an awful lot lately."

"Because it's been true a lot lately," Bekah responded, causing Jekio to nod repeatedly with a smile. "Which is rare," she added with a side glance at him.

"I beg to differ," Vito said, an involuntary twitch marring his eyebrow twice. He was tired of finding himself in positions defending his actions. His father had never had to go through such trials, as far as he remembered. "I'd think you would be the most on board with my methods, Bekah. I killed a murdering shapeshifter and you acted like a demon was possessing me."

"It's a different situation. You were on a makeshift battlefield, holding the head of the opposing leader who had directly betrayed you. Killing him publicly is not simply murder; it's a warning to everyone that the Crimson Tides are not to be trifled with, and we should be left alone. That likely results in fewer conflicts."

"I'm looking at the bigger picture. Zliksay still has his uses. He was a man completely defeated with half of his children slaughtered; killing him marks the end of him, sparing him gives him gratitude toward us. After all, I believe his claim that he was merely trying to be at peace, no matter the outcome."

"I didn't take you for a believer of lip service," Bekah commented dryly. "Considering you're a user of it yourself."

Vito frowned. "You didn't see the look in his eyes when he looked at his fallen werewolves like I did. They aren't just some toy soldiers to him. Good leaders feel a sense of responsibility to those under their protection, and I suspect that is what I saw in those eyes."

"And what if, now that he's not held with a sword to his neck, he decides that their best chance at survival is on Lafon's side?" Bekah asked without skipping a beat.

Vito gave an honest shrug. "I'll stay wary of him. It's no different than how I treat every partner we have. Anyone is capable of betrayal; every relationship is a roll of a dice. But, I don't plan to continue having the district on some high horse as if we're inpenetrable. Reality is we need allies, Bekah. If Lafon can see our lack of it and target us as a result, there's obviously something wrong."

Bekah went surprisingly quiet after that, though Vito thought she didn't look completely convinced. He looked back to Jekio who he expected to offer some more criticism in favor of his values, but instead, Vito saw a reserved look on his brother's face. "You're the boss," he said. "I just hope that we're all alive to witness this big picture of yours."

"There's no big picture if that's not the case," he assured him.

Vito's siblings left shortly after, and Hades soon entered. Without looking up from the housing document he was looking at, Vito could tell it was Hades. He had made it a goal of his to be able to decipher the sound of Hades' walking shuffle on his office floor so he could discern his idenity from a shapeshifter. It was a possibilty that had haunted him.

"You said the right things in defending yourself," Hades said without sitting.

Vito looked up with a raised eyebrow. "Eavesdropping, Hades? That's beneath you. If you wanted to hear you should know you're more than welcome to enter any room I'm in."

Despite his unchanging facial expression, Vito suspected there was an appreciative glint in the man's eyes as he spoke. "Thank you for the confirmation. However, I felt it best to not distract the conversation with my entry. It was important for you to not give in, after all."

"You think so?"

Hades eyed him over his glasses. "Yes. You made a decision and it's yet to be proven wrong, any discussion around it is only idle chatter. It's up to you to see your decision through. If you change your mind it should not be because you were swayed by someone else's preferences. Unless they have valid evidence for their claim, of course."

Vito nodded throughfully. "And what do you think, Hades? Of my decision?"

Hades adjusted his glasses as he straightened his head in one practiced smooth motion. "It has it's merits. Killing him would've been an immediate end to the threat he poses, but sparing him - though riskier - has the chance of producing a great return. He certainly is capable of being a powerful ally. Not to mention, he's an old soul; staying your sword could have possibly helped you gain a fiercely loyal accompliance." Hades could see the question in his charge's before it reached his lips, a benefit of playing a part in raising him, no doubt. "Your father would have murdered him on the spot," he said to the unasked question, though he knew Vito was already aware of this, he needed to hear it aloud. "He led with might, unlike you."

"Unlike me," Vito repeated, tasting the words on his lips.

"However, the reason for my visit wasn't only for eavesdropping," Hades smoothly changed the subject. "Zliksay has confirmed contact and informed us that Lafon wants to meet in two hours at Zliksay's residence."

Vito couldn't hide the shock from his face. "He can guarantee a quick arrival through five different rogue lands on such short notice?"

"Perhaps he's stationed closer than we anticipated," Hades offered.

"Or he's much better equipped to power through any threats than his little scouting party," Vito theorized. "Either way, best to prepare a small force just in case."

"It was my next stop, sir."

Vito smiled. "Appreciated, Hades."

Hades gave a nod of acknowledgment before excusing himself. Vito endured the devilish signing of documents for a bit longer before leaving to make his own preparations for the evening.

On his way out, he saw his secretary. It was odd to see her outside of her office. She was a rather plump woman with big, innocent eyes that stuck out like blue saucers. Vito felt a pang of guilt, considering he hardly knew the woman, despite his efforts to familiarize himself with his crew in the Tides; she was the only person allowed inside other than direct family and so he should know her well.

He offered her a smile and her uncertain face morphed into a lopsided grin. He made a mental note to have a real conversation with her in the future.

In what felt like no time at all, it was time to travel to Zliksay's castle. Joining Vito this time were ten Crimson Tides, Kaida and her crew and Jekio. However, they were in for a surprise once they reached the border.

"You oughta be kidding me," Jekio groaned when he saw the person who awaited them at the border.

There stood Zliksay, looking much more dignified than when they had last seen I'm. He had ten figures by his side, which Vito assumed were his werewolves.

"Having him meet us early in hopes that he doesn't lay a trap for us? He can lead us into one all the same," Kaida offered grimly.

"Are all of District 35 this forgiving?" Laze asked with a healthy amount of judgment in his voice.

"Don't bet your life on it," Jekio growled.

"Zliksay is merely escorting us through the rogue lands," Vito stated. "Nothing is forgiven, nor forgotten. I'm operating with the knowledge of his deeds."

"Good to know you'll see him handing us over to Lafon coming, " Mikey said sarcastically.

"Shut up," Jekio warned.

Whether because of Jekio's tone or because the van they drove in pulled up alongside Zliksay, Mikey obeyed. Vito exited, noting the absence of vehicles from Zliksay and his pack. "No horseback today," Vito said, skipping a formal greeting. "You ride in that," he pointed to the van behind his own. "If we run into any trouble from rogues, I expect you and your pack to handle it alone."

Zliksay dipped his head. "Very well. I never got to properly thank you for sparing-"

"Save it. You'll have a lot of chances to thank me through your actions."

Vito knew the old leader wasn't used to being spoken to with such sharpness, but to his credit, he didn't showcase any annoyance, only dipped his head again. Behind him, his werewolves seemed to be glaring less as well, but that might've just been Vito's imagination.

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Vito watched as Zliksay's werewolves escorted him to the back of the van. As he re-entered his own van at the front, a surprise awaited.

"I hope you know what you're doing, bud, or we're all going to die," Fidd said.

His voice sounded hoarse and scratchy, as if it were a machine that needed fine-tuning. Vito looked back in shock; it was the first time he had heard the man speak after all. Of course, his first words to him would be questioning his decisions. There seemed to be an awful lot of that lately.

Vito recollected himself and met the man's steely eyes. "What I'm doing is making preparations to get rid of your little tyrant problem."

"Words are cheap," Fidd replied, and Vito had a feeling the man lived by that motto.

"Then shut up and watch my brother do what you couldn't. Damn right he knows what he's doing, bud," Jekio said.

Fidd seemed more than content to take that advice.

On the outside, Vito mechanically signaled for Hades to start their journey, but on the inside, he was smiling.

They did end up bumping into an aggressive rogue on their journey. It was a snarling werewolf, which wasn't surprising considering these lands were typically ran by the strongest species, which more than often, were the werewolves.

As ordered, Zliksay's werewolves took care of the problem themselves. There was something ironic in watching a wild werewolf in its natural clotheless attire using its claws and teeth as weapons, being gunned down by dressed docile werewolves.

The fight - if it could be called that - didn't last long. Crazy was no antidote for blessed bullets. They continued on undisturbed.

They seemed to have arrived before Lofan, and Vito was suddenly grateful for Zliksay's choice to build his castle on a hill. There was only one avenue of ambush, and that would be from behind the castle itself like Vito's force had done prior.

Vito walked over to the second van before Zliksay could finish disembarking. "Your friends leave their guns in the van."

Zliksay raised a questioning eyebrow and Vito held his gaze. The men stayed like that for a good ten seconds before the older man averted his gaze. "Very well. If that will make you feel safe."

"You better hope I feel safe."

"There's no need for threats. That's past us, yes?"

Vito didn't respond. It may have been past them and may have spared the man, but he wasn't quick to forget people who contributed to endangering his family.

Zliksay's werewolves obeyed, and as Vito set up a waiting formation facing the gates, the werewolves were left in clear view of his Crimson Tides.

Thanks to the hill, Vito was able to see Lafon's approach before he reached them. The man had travelled very light, his posse appearing to be no more than ten people, yet he had kept up a great pace through the rogue lands.

By the time Lafon mounted the hill, Vito had gone through multiple theories on who or what the man's companions were. Vito's force and Kaida's force were deathly quiet, each mentally preparing themselves to meet their mutual enemy. They held their guns at the ready, and Vito's sword wasn't far from his seemingly resting hand.

It didn't escape Vito that Zliksay and his werewolves seemed calm. He subtly exchanged a glance with Hades, who was positioned in the outer shell of the formation so he could react quickly to any debauchery from Zliksay's pack. Even without guns, they were capable of significant damage.

Vito returned his focus to the approaching party. He could now see why Lafon was able to promise a quick arrival. Judging by their green pupils, his companions were feeders, the closest thing there was to vampires since their apparent eradication by the werewolves. Though not as strong as a vampire, feeders were very competent and sucked on humans' lifeforce in order to grow stronger.

No rogue, no matter how wild and crazied, would bother taking on a group of them unnecessarily.

Lafon himself was a surprise. Vito wasn't entirely sure what his prior mental image of the man was, but it wasn't the astoundingly handsome man who practically oozed charisma. He wore a stylish blue tunic shirt with baggy black pants that displayed a lack of armor. His hair was the color of the finest sand and wavy enough that it caught on the breeze and swayed gently. His eyes were colossal orbs of glacier water, inviting and pure.

Judging by his expression, Vito also wasn't what he expected to see. He dared to step forward so only a few meters separated Vito and him. "So this is who I have to thank for eliminating my little scouting group and scaring good ol' Zliksay away from him. My, my, I expected you to be a little older and wiser looking."

"I expected you to know the importance of armor in enemy territory," Vito replied immediately.

"Enemy territory?" Lafon repeated distastefully. "Let's not be so brisk with these labels. You asked to meet me, here I am. What did you want to discuss?"

"I wanted to ensure your goals are what I've been told."

Lafon nodded with a ready smile that seemed capable of charming even the most aggressive snake. "A wise decision." He looked past Vito then, his eyes narrowing as they found their target, Kaida and her crew. "I could've dealt with those ants that dared to call themselves a rebellion a long time ago, but I ignored them. Now they've done what the smarter ants do: run to someone capable of protecting their little anthill."

Kaida visibly bristled and they gave a collective stare brimming with unadulterated hatred. Either they were extremely skilled actors, or killing him was their life goal.

"Why don't we test out how much of an ant I am?" Mikey growled, his hands seeming to itch to raise his gun.

Without removing her glare from Lafon, Kaida signalled Mikey to calm down. Lafon, on the other hand, seemed intent on pretending Mikey hadn't spoken at all. "What I want is simple, Vito. Lovely name by the way," he then shifted his friendly gaze to Jekio, "as is Jekio, and I see Bekah wasn't up for the trip today."

Vito felt a pang of annoyance. Lafon was turning out to be a more cautious man than Kaida indicated. First, using a scouting party and now he had clearly done extensive research on his foes. What really annoyed Vito, however, was his inability to do the same. It only fueled Vito's desire to learn more about the other districts.

"Glad to see there's no need for introductions," Vito commented dryly.

Lafon offered that disarming smile of his before continuing. "What I want is simple. In fact, from what I've heard, it's what those before you wanted as well. I want to not just make another District War improbable, but impossible. Am I correct in assuming you would like to live in such a world, like the prior leaders of this district?"

Vito was taken aback, but he kept his poker face. "I would."

"Then we're one and the same!"

"I wouldn't go so f-"

"I've pondered on how to achieve such a future," Lafon said, somehow making his interruption feel more like a suggestion than an insult. "And to do so, the district will have to be a united front, that much is obvious. But what so many before us continue to fail to grasp is that there must be one leader of this united front. Multiple leaders always leave the door open for conflict through disagreements. With one supreme leader, his word will be final, leaving no room for the escalation of arguments."

"I assume no one else is capable of being this supreme leader you speak of?" Vito asked.

"Naturally," Lafon replied as if it were obvious. "I am brave enough - strong enough - smart enough, to take on this task. And my will can bend any man of steel. I'm the man who will lead this row to glory." His eyes widened with passion as he spoke and veins appeared on his temple. "Our endgoal is the same, thus enemies need not be our fate. Surrender your district to me peacefully and no bloodshed will be needed to realize my plan...this time."

Jekio couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "You may as well plan to massacre the entire row while you're at it."

"If that's what it comes to," Lafon replied evenly, seeming to deem Jekio more relevant than Mikey. "Sacrifices for the greater good is a necessary enterprise for a better future."

"And in the event you do manage to reign as this supreme leader, what happens to rebellions like theirs," Vito asked, gesturing toward Kaida and the others, "where people have a mind of their own and their ideals differ from yours?"

"The ants will be squashed," Lafon offered matter-of-factly as if he were actually referring to ants and not humans.

"As I suspected, we are not the same. Your method will lead to constant bloodshed behind the scenes just to maintain your rule. It may not be as public as a district war, but there will be an internal war as unrest accumulates. This is ten districts you intend to rule, the rebellion will not be as small as what you've faced thus far."

Lafon nodded fervently. "A great point! However, you are underestimating my ability to think ahead. Each time an anthill is crushed, my team..." he paused to motion toward the steely faced feeders behind him, "will make their deaths a great spectacle. Each will be worse than the last. This will instill fear and keep the people in their place."

Vito looked at him distastefully and Lafon's mask of friendliness faltered for a second. "How dare you look at me like that? Why, from what I've heard, you and this group of yours aren't much different in using fear as a weapon."

"Quite different. We allow the residents of District 35 to be themselves, even outfitting them with various businesses that they desire. Some would say," Vito started, thinking of Seargant Laiden, "that we even give them too much freedom."

"We can work out the logistics of the people's freedom after you hand over the deed," Lafon said with a dismissive flick of his hand.

"I disagree."

Lafon sighed, then opened his mouth to speak, but this time it was Vito who interrupted him. "Just as you offered me a way out, I will offer you one. Call off your little ill-fated conquest and be happy terrorizing your one little district and I'll turn a blind eye to your intrusion." Vito could feel Kaida's eyes burning into his back.

Lafon's face darkened then, all pretense at affability eroding from his visage. "Let's stop this bombast." He ran a hand through his hair, which seemed to calm him down. "I recognize that look in your eye all too well; I see it in my own often. Neither of us will simply allow the other to go about their business now that we've met. It's too perilous."

"That's unfortunate then," Vito said, neither confirming nor denying his claim.

"Quite." Lafon paused then acted as if he'd just remembered something, his face lighting up as he stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Luckily, I prepared for such an outcome. Just to put a little pressure on you to see the merit in doing this with only...little bloodshed."

Vito tensed up and had the urge to monitor Zliksay and his werewolves behind him. However, he had to trust in Hades to act if the situation required it.

Lafon smiled at his reaction. "Oh, Vito, I'm not such a monster that I would do bodily harm to anyone here at this moment. This is a sacred meeting; you haven't attacked me, and so I will not exterminate you." He paused then, pacing to his left and right as he looked down, making a big show of the importance of his next words. "You have a secretary, correct? I can relate to how much work it is running a district; one could even say we're overworked! Outside of your family, is she the only one allowed inside the estate without a reason? Just guessing here, of course."

Vito's heartbeat quickened.

"And I correct, in my guesswork, that Bekah is at this estate right now? A pity, that. You see, that secretary of yours was not very hard to reach...and replace. I could give you some security tips, if you'd like." The man's smile had widened into a cocky grin that made Vito imagine him pleading for his life.

Vito quickly made a signal behind his back, which he disguised as shifting his hands to rest behind his back. The signal was to silence the outburst, or worse - the charge - that Vito knew was on the horizon for Jekio. His next words wouldn't work if his brother showed his fury. The feeders behind Vito tensed, misinterpreting his hand movement for drawing a weapon.

"Interesting choice of weapon by the way," Lafon commented, his grin still plastered across his face. "What's the thinking there; swords don't run out of bullets?"

"You thought that the brothers were always on the front line while the one sister stayed behind because she is not capable. You miscalculated. Your poor shapeshifter will learn that Bekah is no less of a Crimson Tide than my brother or I. He or she will learn painfully."

Lafon's cocky grin faltered slightly, but his voice was still full of it as he spoke. "You better hope that's true."

Vito did hope it was. With all his might.