I stretched and got off the wall I was leaning on. Apparently, the few stops Aurelio wanted me to attend were just potentially volatile transactions. I was being used as a deterrent so that the heated transactions didn’t end up badly, but the silent reasoning for my presence was so that he could get his way. The outfit I was wearing showed off many of the scars that criss-crossed my body, but I think it was the mask and golden eye, that pointed to my identity, that scared them into accepting any deal.

These meetings were really boring. All I had to do was sit in the corner and look scary. This was easy considering my foul mood at my overall situation, and Aurelio was loving it. The more pissed off I got at Aurelio, the more each of his partners quaked in their boots. For some reason, they thought I was mad at them, and Aurelio got more money for it.

This was our last poor soul before I went out to fight. He was noticeably shaking, and Aurelio hasn’t even proposed a deal yet. “This was going to be quick.” I thought with a smirk. “Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to sneak away after this guy.” I was brought back to reality by a squeak.

“Is that the One Eyed Reaper?” The man stammered. Aurelio nodded in affirmation. “Why did you bring her here Aurelio? We are merely discussing some new stock I recently received.”

Considering this man was brave enough to make deals with the underground devil kingpin himself, you would think I wouldn’t have such an effect.

“She is just here as assurance. You know how deals can go sour sometimes.” He shrugged before continuing. “Now, I’m sure you’ll be civil, but one can never be too careful.”

“Gah, can this hurry up? I really don’t care about whatever new drug, gun, or illegal rug this guy has to sell.” I drawled to myself. Tuning them out, I started to think of ways to get out of here. The air vents would be a way, but trying to get a potentially hurt Seth and teammate through there would be impossible. Sneaking around is out of the question because I have no idea how big this place is. So, my only option right now is to play nice and look out for a chance. Right as I came to that conclusion Aurelio stood up.

“Thank you for doing business with me. I am sure we will have many profitable meetings in the future.” He was grinning and shaking the man’s hand. “Now, Reaper, we best be off. You have a fight to win.” With that we left, and he led me to the ring’s entrance.

“So much for getting to sneak around.” I thought as he shoved me into position.

“I’ll see you out there. Oh, and you will be using this.” He tossed over a small letter opener. “No killing, okay.” With that, he was gone.

Looking at my weapon, I sighed. The dull short blade was pretty and intricately carved with grape vines wrapping around the silver handle. I just might steal this. It could be a good fit for Seth. Not too sharp that he could be comfortable with it, and I don't sense a claiming mark on it so I could steal it. In fact, I’ll mark it right now.

I quickly wrapped the handle with both my hands and glanced around before muttering the words that would mark it. This was risky. The spell requires the caster’s true name, and I could not afford for anyone to hear it.

“Sak Anhkset.” I felt the metal grow marm under my hands. Opening them, I saw the hieroglyphs glowing on the handle morph into a picture of a cat and rearing cobra chasing each other. As soon as my mark formed it disappeared.

With that done, I moved to the gate as I heard my name being announced. Stepping out I heard the crowd roar, and Aurelio addressed the crowd.

“For those who didn’t see the last fight, the Reaper here gave a good quick fight.” At quick the crowd started to boo. “Now now, it’s not the Reaper’s fault for being so good. I mean she did defeat a thousand enemies all by herself in the second civil war.” After a pause to let the crowd calm down, Aurelio continued. “Without further adieu, the terms. The Reaper here can only use that little letter opener to defeat her opponents. She cannot mame or kill.” The crowd awed. “However, her opponents will have no such handicaps. But! If the Reaper finds this too easy, you, the crowd gets to give her a handicap of your choosing. Sound fair?” The crowd roared again.

“Now that my terms have been declared, may I introduce my special guest, Anakh.” My eyes widened as Seth walked up and sat down next to Aurelio. “I hope we all will enjoy ourselves. Begin!”

Behind me I heard the sound of metal grating on metal. Whipping around, I saw three opponents approach from the newly opened gate. One was a tall burly girl with a mean looking sledge hammer. Coming from behind her was an average looking boy with a battle pick. The last one made me nervous. Standing on the edge of the ring was a small boy with a flintlock pistol and a hunter’s knife. Gripping my letter opener, I ran full tilt into the fight.

Quickly dogging the swings from the pick and hammer I made my way to the boy with the gun. Disabling him is my first priority. He readied the knife as I approached. I heard the other two running behind me. I glanced back to my target just in time to dodge the knife. I heard a bang and my hip burn right as I grabbed the boy. I quickly threw him across the ring and into the wall. He was unconscious, but his head smeared blood on its way down anyway.

“Seth.” I thought. Worry and guilt surged as I quickly spared a glance at Seth. He has seen me kill, but watching violence for violence’s sake is a little disturbing. I just hope I can shield him enough so that he can return to a normal life. My hopes broke a little when I saw the look he was giving me. He looked strained, fearful, and worried all at the same time. “Shit. I need his willing trust if I am to get the others.” Somehow this human boy has a way of stating the unsavory obvious, and he acts so natural around me I keep forgetting he is a human. He shouldn’t even be here.

I felt a searing pressure on my shoulder as I was flung forward. My shoulder exploded in more pain as another hit flattened me into the dirt. I rolled on my bad shoulder with a groan to escape my assailants. Just in time too. Looking over I saw the pick embedded into the ground where my stomach was.

Standing up I shuddered at the memory of the last time a pick was hooked in me. Being dragged behind a spooked horse by your shoulder is not an experience I wish to relive.

The hammer grazed my mask, forcing me to retreat. I gritted my teeth and caught the hammer by the handle. Yanking I drove the opener into the girl’s shoulder. With a cry she let go of the hammer and stumbled back.

I felt fire in my leg as they were pulled out from under me. Twisting around I saw the pick embedded into my calf. With a ripping tug I was dragged back a little, and I felt a weight sit down on my lower spine. The handle was quickly cutting off my air, and a breath on my neck. A strong breath on my neck. His head is right behind mine. Snapping my head back, the handle was gone with a cry. Not wasting any time I tackled him and wrapping my arm around his throat in a choke hold. He swung the pick back. and it connected with my good shoulder. Trying to not break his neck while in pain was hard, but eventually he was out.

The girl with the hammer was back, but now she was using her non dominant hand. This was in my favor. Easily blocking the swing I punched hard into her jaw. She fell back with a satisfying thud.

Limping over, I grabbed my letter opener and wiped it off on my pants. They were almost completely red and brown by this point. I slipped my new weapon into my waistband. Reaching around I pulled out the pick that was still in my shoulder before turning around to look at Aurelio. He was grinning and clapping as the crowd cheered.

Now that I knew the devil was satisfied I turned to Seth. He was pale, well paler, and he was still as a statue. Not good signs in my book, but there are worse. The most worrying part was how he wouldn't look at me. In fact, he was staring straight ahead not looking at anything in particular. So much for keeping him innocent.