Insurance (Mathias POV)

Mathias rode through the mundane city of Sydney in an enchanted limousine. Magic was really quite useful, when you had the resources to make use of the best of it.

The limousine was enchanted to be bigger on the inside than it was on the outside, a simple and quite common enchantment on buildings and vehicles.

The limo also had security enchantments, and enchantments that would make it appear normal to prying mundane eyes, both essential things.

Strictly speaking, Mathias didn’t have to be here. Max and his guild probably could have done it on their own. He was simply here to make sure everything ran smoothly.

Considering the importance of securing the leverage he wanted, he also didn’t fully trust the task to them. It was simply how he did things: if he wanted them done, he made sure they were done himself.

He also didn’t have to kidnap the Burgess family, he was pretty sure he had enough leverage already in the form of raw power, but the extra insurance didn’t hurt.

He would be digging up everybody he could of importance to the people in Gemma’s guild.

Gemma was lucky that Mathias hadn’t managed to find her parents, or any of her family or friends. That was an odd mystery, she had no legal parents or relatives. It seemed like the only people she had in her life were the ones holed up in whatever barrier they were in.

He didn’t waste his time thinking about it too much. It wasn’t really necessary information, especially when any extra leverage he needed, would be covered by holding the loved ones of her guild members.

At least they’d managed to determine that they couldn’t find Gemma if she didn’t want to be found. Gaia knew the power that girl had, and how exactly her “kingdom” worked.

Mathias was very much looking forward to getting his hands on it, along with the rest of her power.

The limousine came to a halt with a slight screech, and Mathias pushed his pondering out of his head. He stepped out of the car, Max already ahead of him.

That man was way too enthusiastic about torturing people. Mathias suspected it might become a problem soon, because he did not intend to let Max **** them.

Yet.

They all entered the barrier of the Burgess family residence, the large gate standing tall in front of them, and energy dome surrounding the property, shimmering in the night air.

A small nod from Mathias, and Max smashed open the gates, tearing through the magical **** field with his bare hands. Alarms blared around the property immediately and floodlights lit up the place, exposing the quaint family dwellings to the red and white glow of the sirens and emergency lights.

Max made to charge up the path, but Mathias held up his hand. Excess destruction was unnecessary here. Destroying the gate had been the fastest way to trigger the alarm, but there was no need to destroy their home.

Max stopped in his tracks, obedient, but by the scowl on his face, not happy about it. Mathias didn’t care. He was a useful idiot, nothing more.

Within seconds, Mia’s father, Alex Burgess, came storming out of the main house. His charge into the night lasted a solid two seconds, before he stopped abruptly as he processed the people standing in his front yard.

His face, a mask of fury and determination, now turned white as a sheet. His hands trembled, as he uncurled his fists, and slowly lowered his arms to his sides.

Mathias relished in the fear. He much preferred being the one inspiring it.

With a quivering hand, Alex reached over and flipped a switch to disable the alarm. The blaring loud noise ceased, and the air became still, thick with tension. Mathias walked up the path, each slow and deliberate footfall making Alex flinch in anxious anticipation and dread.

Mathias stopped in front of the fearful man. He didn’t say a word, preferring to let the tension build, as he stood there and stared.

“What do you want?” Alex asked quietly.

Mathias said nothing.

“Where is my daughter? Is she safe? Is she alright?” Alex asked, his breathing shaky.

“We had a run in. My associate stabbed her, with her own sword, if I’m not mistaken.” Mathias replied, his voice somewhere between cheerfully casual, and dangerously low.

Alex clutched his chest and cried out, before Mathias delivered the merciful news.

“She’s okay though. For now.” He said.

Alex took a few deep breaths, trying to steady himself. He stumbled as his legs nearly gave out from under him. He audibly swallowed, before asking the obvious question. “Then why are you here? Is it just to torment me and my family?”

“No. I have another purpose for you and your family.” Mathias teased.

Alex tensed up, and Mathias stepped up to the front porch, leaning over the weaker man. “Rouse the rest of your family. You’re all coming with me.” He said, grinning. His tone left no room for argument, but for a moment, it looked like Alex was going to try.

Mathias let his aura out, allowing the smaller man to feel the totality of his strength and power. Alex cringed away from him, bowing his head and screwing his eyes shut, as if that would do anything to alleviate the situation he now found himself in. Any protest he might have had, died before it left his lips.

“As you wish.” He whispered. Refusing to look at him any further, Alex turned and disappeared into his family home. Mathias smiled. He enjoyed how much his presence alone could shock and scare people. He was very much aware of the effect he had on people weaker than him.

It didn’t take long for Alex to reappear from inside the house, the rest of his family in tow. Mathias mentally checked them off in his head. Alex’s wife and Mia’s mother, Petunia. Mia’s sister, Georgia. An elderly couple, Mia’s paternal grandparents. And with Alex himself, that was everyone in Mia’s family.

Georgia was crying as Alex shepherded her along. The rest of them had sombre looks on their faces. They had probably expected a visit from somebody in Mathias’ guild, but not now, not like this, and certainly not Mathias himself.

“Do as I say, and maybe, maybe, you walk away from this alive.” Mathias commanded. Nobody moved, or said a word. After a few seconds, Alex looked up at him and gave a small nod. Mathias grunted in approval. “Follow me.” He said, and turned to walk back to the destroyed front gate.

Max was openly leering at Georgia, the girl too distraught to notice. Her mother noticed, and was growing visibly more uncomfortable by the second. She said nothing though. She knew there was nothing she could do to stop Max if push came to shove.

As he walked past, Mathias spoke up softly. “Control yourself. You can have your fun if they choose to deny what’s mine.” He reprimanded. Max grunted in annoyance, but obeyed, turning and walking with Mathias.

He hadn’t been lying to Gemma. He truly did want to make the world a better place. The chaos and suffering of this place had been a means to an end.

Now that he was so close to having the power to end the reign of the rogue God, he didn’t plan to harm anybody unnecessarily.

Although, if Gemma and her crew chose to fight him instead of surrendering her power, he would enjoy convincing them otherwise.