The Rebirth Of A Titan

CHAPTER 3

The ballroom was just as bright and loud as I remembered. The smell of expensive perfume and fake smiles was everywhere.

I adjusted my cuffs. My heart was thumping against my ribs like a trapped bird.

Suddenly, my vision flickered. It was like I was wearing high tech glasses that only I could see through.

Numbers and words hovered over every head in the room. It was weird, but it felt right.

Then I saw him. Marcus. My dear, sweet little brother.

He was standing by the bar, laughing with some old investors. Over his head, a red light was pulsing.

≈Threat Level: Fatal.

≈Loyalty: 0%.

The bastard was glowing like a neon sign.

“Victor! You finally made it!” Marcus called out. He ran over and hugged me like we were best friends.

I felt like puking. I could still feel the cold knife from my memory digging into my gut.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Marcus said. He clapped me on the shoulder and grinned.

“I’m just tired, Marcus. A lot on my mind,” I replied. My voice was steady, which surprised me.

I looked past him. My mom, Elena, was sitting at a circular table nearby. She looked beautiful in her blue silk dress.

She was laughing and talking to an old friend. She had no idea that tonight was supposed to be her last night of freedom.

In my past life, this was the moment everything stopped. This was the night her brain turned to mush because of him.

I walked over to her. My eyes burned with tears I couldn't let fall.

“Victor, honey! You look so handsome!” she said. She reached out and squeezed my hand.

I leaned down and kissed her cheek.

“I love you, Mom. I’m so glad you’re here,” I whispered.

She looked at me with a bit of confusion. “You’re being very sweet tonight,” she teased.

Marcus joined us a second later. He had a waiter following him with a tray of champagne.

“Mother, you haven’t had a toast yet!” Marcus said. He sounded so damn proud of himself.

The System in my eyes suddenly flashed a bright, angry yellow. A warning box popped up.

≈ [Targeted Poisoning in Progress. Glass 3: Neuro-Toxin,] the screen read.

I watched Marcus reach for the tray. He picked up a glass and held it out to my mother.

His hand didn't even shake. He was going to destroy my mother for a few extra shares of a company.

“Here you go, Ma. To the best woman in the world,” Marcus said. He was smiling like a saint.

“Wait! I said,” a bit too loudly. A few people at the next table turned to look at us.

“What is it, Victor?” my mother asked. She was halfway through reaching for the glass.

“I think I saw a fly in that one. Let me get you a fresh one,” I said. I reached out to take it.

Marcus pulled the glass back slightly. His eyes narrowed for a split second.

“I don't see any fly, Victor. You’re being paranoid again,” Marcus laughed.

He tried to pass it to her again.

“Seriously, Marcus. Give it here. I’ll drink it if you’re so sure,” I said. I stepped closer into his personal space.

I could see the sweat starting to bead on his forehead. He didn't want me to drink it. It would ruin his plan.

“Fine, fine. Don't be such a baby about it,” Marcus said. He turned back to the waiter to hide his face.

I saw my opening. I pointed toward the entrance of the ballroom.

“Is that the CEO of the Grand Company?” I asked, making my voice sound excited.

Marcus spun around instantly. He was a greedy dog, always looking for the next big bone.

In that one second, I moved. I swapped the glass in his hand with the one I was already holding.

I did it so fast I almost didn't believe I pulled it off. My heart was racing at a hundred miles an hour.

“I don't see him, Victor. Are you sure?” Marcus asked. He turned back around, looking frustrated.

“My mistake. Must have been someone else who looked like him,” I said. I shrugged like it was nothing.

“Here, Mom. Take this one,” I said. I handed her the safe glass I had just taken from Marcus.

I kept the poisoned one in my hand. I felt like I was holding a live grenade.

“Cheers!” my mother said. She took a small sip and smiled at both of us.

Marcus watched her drink. I saw the look of pure evil satisfaction in his eyes.

He thought he had done it. He thought he had just ended her life.

“You okay, Marcus? You look a bit pale,” I said. I took a fake sip of my own drink.

“I’m great, Victor. Never better!” he said. He actually started whistling a little tune.

I stood there, watching my brother celebrate a victory that wasn't his. I felt a cold, dark joy.

He had no idea that the game had changed. He had no idea that I knew every move he was going to make.

I looked at my mother. She was still smiling. She was still healthy.

I had saved her. For the first time in two lives, I had actually won something.

But I wasn't done yet. This was just the beginning of their nightmare.

I leaned in close to Marcus. I made sure my voice was just a low whisper that only he could hear.

“You should be careful what you put in people's hands, Marcus. It might come back to bite you,” I said.

Marcus froze. The smile didn't leave his face, but his eyes went totally cold.

“What the hell are you talking about, Victor?” he hissed. He tried to pull away, but I gripped his arm.

“I just mean it’s dangerous . You never know what that fly could have done,” I said. I patted his cheek.

I walked away before he could say anything else. I could feel his eyes burning holes in my back.

I headed toward the balcony to catch my breath. The cool night air felt amazing against my skin.

I looked down at the poisoned glass in my hand. I poured the liquid into a nearby potted plant.

They wanted a war. They wanted to play dirty and ruin lives for money.

Well, they finally got what they wanted. But this time, I wasn't the victim.

I was the one with the power. And I was going to make sure they regretted every single thing they did.

I looked back into the ballroom. Marcus was talking to Sarah now. She was looking at my mother, waiting for her to collapse.

They were going to be waiting for a long time. My mother wasn't going anywhere.

I gripped the railing of the balcony. My knuckles were white, but I felt stronger than ever.

The first move was mine. And trust me, I was just getting started.