I woke with a start, clutching at my bound chest. A phantom pain where my scar was caused me to double over onto the cold floor. Trying to curl into a ball, I pulled my bindings off to allow myself the deep panicked breaths my body wanted. I couldn’t even focus enough to unsummon the wretched thing. The cold on my bare skin centered me enough that the nausea curling in my stomach lessened, but standing up was not an option.

I hated those dreams. The ones that replayed the past were the worst. It’s not like I don’t know what’s going to happen, but having to relive the worst things that have happened to you, like your own stabbing, were harrowing to say the least.

Sadly, even this body needs to sleep just like a human’s, but due to my mother’s blood, the effects of sleep deprivation were dampened. I heard it was something to do with demigods being created to fight for the gods, but that was only speculation. The gods don’t really talk all that much to us.

Having mostly recovered from my panic, I picked myself up and rewrapped my chest. Sitting on the bed, I decided I have waited long enough. I need to go find Seth and my teammate. I got up and tried the door, only to confirm it was locked. Sighing, I summoned the few lockpicking tools I had and tried to pick the lock. I’m no good at lockpicking, but I had to at least try. Bending down I inserted into the keyhole a thin bent metal piece, to apply pressure, and a small bent wire.

Right as I finally got two pins into position I felt the knob rotate. Dropping the tools I scrambled away from the door towards the bed. I sat down just as the door swung open.

“Ah, Algea. Just the person I was looking for.” Drawled Aurelio as he stepped in. “I have been thinking about our little discussion last night, and I have a proposition for you. Well, it’s rather an amendment to our original deal. You see, your fighting prowess has exceeded my expectations, and with the rate you have set in your first night, I will be out of entertainment in three nights. If we also include the Count’s complaints, well, that’s just bad business.

“You want to see your friends, and I want more money. So, here’s the new deal. You will no longer fight against the main opponents, but instead you will serve as the entertainment during the intermission. Then directly after you are to fight my men. If you are good, and my men aren't too wounded, I will let you visit your friend Anakh.” I was already shaking my head by the time he finished.

“No.” He looked aghast. “I don’t like your proposition. I want Anakh and my teammate freed, and I do not want to fight in your little show anymore. Once is enough. I fight only when necessary, not for others’ enjoyment, and I do not fight so your pockets can get heavier!” I had stood up and was so close to Aurelio I could smell his breath through his thick cologne.

“You will fight, and you will do what I say when I say it! This could be a lot worse for you, you know. I still can tell Enyo or even a bounty hunter where you are. I haven't, and I have made sure none of my attendees have either. Even though you embarrassed me at the party last night!” He ran his fingers through his slicked back hair.

“Now,” He grabbed my shoulder in a bruising grip. “The deal you are going to accept is that you are mine and mine alone. If you play nice, and are no longer profitable, I will allow you and your friends to go. Capeesh?” I did not like these terms one bit, but I probably should bend a little.

“I understand.” I snarled back. “However, I want to see them.”

“You are in no position to negotiate Algea.” He went to speak more, probably another threat, but I cut him off.

“I want to see them Aurelio, both of them.” The edge in my voice was still there, but my face no longer was murderous. “I will do whatever you ask if you let this happen.” He briefly looked shocked, but it quickly morphed into a smirk.

“Enyo said you were loyal to a fault, but I didn’t think you were this bad.” He let me go and started to leave the room. “I will think about the meeting. I’ll see you tonight.” With that, he was gone.

I gripped my hair in frustration before sitting back on the bed. I wanted to kill that man, but there is a reason he is still left alive, even though many on the high council agreed with me. He was valuable, and he practically ran the entire demigod underground, so making a permanent enemy of him was probably a bad idea.

With a sigh I started to get ready for the inevitable fight only to be interrupted with a light knock at the door. “Could people leave me alone!” I snorted at that thought. It wasn’t just a few weeks ago that I would have begged to have some non lethal company. Not talking to anyone, unless it was to keep my head, for fifty years took its toll. Shaking my head, I told the person to come in.

It was the serving girl from before. She quickly moved inside and shut the door.

“I was asked to get you ready for the match tonight.” She looked nervous, eyes scanning the walls.

“I understand. Is it already that late? The lack of windows will do that I guess.” I chuckled, then paused. “Why do you need to get me ready? Is my usual attire not sufficient?”

“No, it’s not that. I was just asked… to… make some alterations.” The last few words were barely a whisper. She looked ashamed.

“And, what, pray tell, are these alterations?” I couldn’t help the sharp edge that had formed in my voice, but I was wary. There were certain articles I wore for reasons, and with my luck Aurelio decided to take them all away.

“You are to keep your mask, but everything else is going to change. I have been instructed to insist you wear these pants and this cloth, as an alternative to your wrappings.” She produced a pair of large white linen pants and a white linen strip with laces. Then it clicked. He has made it so all the injuries I get tonight will paint my clothes red for all to see, and by taking away my necklace my wounds won't heal during the fight. I grabbed the new clothes and went to change, but stopped when I realized there was no place to change.

“That was another part of my instructions, I am to watch you change, to make sure you do as told.” The unspoken apology hung in the air, but this didn’t phase me. Shrugging, I took off my clothes and slipped into the provided ones.

I felt exposed. I no longer had my coat to help hide my size nor did I have the familiar weight of my gold ankh necklace on my neck. I kept my left eye shut, for even my eyepatch had to go.

“So, your fight isn’t until a few hours, and I have been given a few hours to take you to a few appointments Aurelio assigned last minute.” She grabbed my hand and led me into the hall. “I’d suggest the mask.” I nodded and summoned my mask.