Catching up.

With the crowds dispersing and all attention no longer on them, Bruce and his two mates walked together with the count and his wife to the left of them while Nightwing, Starfire and Talia walked to the right of them. Passing by the festivities, the eight would occasionally nod or wave to the pedestrians and passers by. Selina found herself smirking when she found a child in a very tacky costume run by in a Dracula costume and a jack-o-lantern bucket in hand.

“Did you enjoy my grand entrance? Selina insisted I outstate you in the opening ceremonies. Said it would give you the drive to fight harder in our tournament later tonight.” Smirked the king of Vampires, scratching his chin, eager to know his opponent’s response. “Curious of how I did it?”

“You arrived the night before on Selina’s personal yacht, the ‘Cat’s Eye’. Coming into port incognito to the bay front and hypnotising the dock security to let you pass without fanfare, you settled in at one of the city’s 5-star hotels under the names of Mr. and Mrs. Draco de Sanguine. Your entrance was a combination of your abilities to control the weather and your inhuman speed… How am I doing so far?”

“Typical Bruce…” Snorted Dick, getting a tighter arm grip from Kori as she and Talia shared a grin.

His smile fading somewhat, Dracula narrowed his eyes. “How did you know?”

Bruce smirked back. “I didn’t… Until now.” Pamela and Harleen giggled to themselves, with the red wolfess nuzzling his shoulder. Dracula raised his chin with a sense of indignation just as Selina hugged his arm more tightly to distract him from losing face.

“Don’t take it personally my love, he WAS the greatest detective on Earth.”

Smiling down at his wife, Dracula’s mood improved, raising his eyebrow when Bruce asked of his other brides and their whereabouts. Stopping in the street, the no life king thought on the question before answering.

“Zatanna had moved to the meadow in the desert after I had granted her freedom from my will. She did not feel… Comfortable in my presence after the war had ended, and her purpose had been served. So, I set her free.” Impressed by the vampire’s actions, the three wolves were rather impressed with his uncharacteristic sense of compassion. Seeing their surprise, his grin resumed. “But do not worry, I can contact her at any time I please. We children of the night are aware of each other in ways you animals cannot comprehend.”

Leaning into view just enough to be seen over his shoulder, the werecat made a hand gesture like that of an earpiece and mouthed silently. “I got him a phone.” Eliciting a chuckle from the three wolves.

In better spirits, Selina spoke up. “Last time we saw her was when the Green Arrow found our home on the shores of Themyscira.”

“He FOUND Themyscira?!” Gasped Nightwing.

Nodding, Dracula replied. “Indeed, he had come to liberate his love from me, to ‘save’ her from me.”

Stern, and standing straight and tall, Bruce spoke in a firm voice quiet enough to only be heard by the two but loud enough to convey the seriousness of his question. “What did you do with Oliver Queen?”

“I spared him. The man defied everything he stood for and everyone he was loyal to, all for the sake of getting her back. How could I not see myself in him and NOT want to see that fate repeated?”

Closing their eyes, everyone there sighed and relaxed, worried the two would come to blows there and then. “Are they together again?” Asked Aloe Vera.

“Sadly… She rebuked him.” Sighed the vampire count. “We have cared for him at my home for days, despite the Queen’s generals protesting his presence at their shores. Since then, I have not heard word of Zatanna or Dinah.”

“I too have been without word from my sister brides.” Explained Talia. “I only know what I’ve been told by Selina while at the Titan Tower.”

“Well… I’ve kept up with the news, there hasn’t been any blood baths anywhere in the world. If either of them are out there on their own, they aren’t causing a scene.”

“Ooooooh! Friends, they have the Dance Dance Revolution! Let us get prizes!” Grabbing Talia and Dick by the arms, Starfire dragged the two with her, with Dick giving the others a shrug and smile as he was dragged away.

“Hmm, no wonder Bastet liked her.” Mused Selina. “So… When will the tournament be? I assume midnight?”

“It seems apropos, as was our first confrontation.” Dracula mused. “What shall the masses see us do? Jousting? Swordplay? Feats of strength and skill?”

“I assume the people have a spectacular series of contests for you and me, and a few others who are eager to compete.”

“Oh? So, it is not just the wolf I shall compete against?” That made the vampire smile, despite himself. “I am eager to see what the other tribes have to offer in terms of a challenger.”

“As do I. Personally it might help them relieve some stress. Predatory animals, intelligent or otherwise don’t like to be cooped up together for too long.”

“He’s sayin Cats and dogs don’t like each other!” Snorted Harley, giving a toothy grin.

Rolling her eyes, Aloe Vera nudged her sister queen in the side playfully. “Yes Harley, we got it.”

“So what to do until then?”

Stopping in place, Bruce looked to his loves and scratched the chin of his snout. “Well, I am going to try the bistro here at the Halloween festival, Alfred suggested I should make a few appearances before the tournament.”

Gripping Dracula’s arm more tightly, Selina smiled like the proverbial chessar cat. “My beloved and I will be sampling the wine tent over there, THEN we are going into the house of mirrors for some privacy.”

“But you KNOW I do not have…” Pulled in close, Selina whispered into her husband’s ear, his red eyes going wide before donning a toothy grin of his own, matching the cat woman’s seductive grin as they both turned to the three wolves. “Yes, some privacy. We must depart, old rival, my wife… She has an appetite for wine that cannot be matched.”

Seeing the two quickly make their way over to the tent, the three wolves traded looks and smiled.

“Well then Brucie, lets have some dinner.” Stepping aside to loop her arm around his, Harley smirked up at the Wolf King. “And unlike them, I don’t need an excuse to go fuck!”

“Subtle Harles…”