It was one of those nights.
Rachel "Raven" Roth stared at the stack of magazines for the umpteenth time. She was doing detective work tonight dressed as a civilian. And was currently appointed tailing a drug junkie who happened to have the munchies and was indulging himself in everything he could lay hands on in that rundown mini market where she had stood for the last hour. The Titan hated doing police work, she always considered that's what police were hired for. But their leader had insisted; said there was a new drug in town very dangerous for the population.
She certainly couldn't care less. She had always thought drugs were not the big issue; it was the people who abused them. Alcohol was just as dangerous. Heck she had even tried marihuana once to help her relax and it wasn't so bad… well except for the munchies.
She took a quick peek at the junkie and he was still there eating microwave pizza. Her spot at least allowed her to do some reading, so she turned to look at the magazine in her hands and surprised herself watching semi-naked women in it. She smiled bemused.
"Guess Mika is rubbing off on me."
She's been doing some rubbing alright.
Raven chuckled to herself and just wished she could go back home and snuggle with her vampire. She knew she was becoming very needy but then again, who wouldn't with that wicked hot girlfriend.
But then her train of thought was interrupted. The junkie's companion began yelling hysterical.
"Somebody help!"
The guy was sprawled on the floor convulsing. Rae ran to his side and tried to get close to him.
"I'm a doctor." said nonchalantly as she kneeled beside the man.
She began examining him. He was entering a cardiac arrest.
"Call an ambulance!"
"So he just ate till he burst? Literally?" asked a bemused Changeling.
"Pretty much…" answered Raven finishing her report.
The Titans were gathered around the briefing table discussing their latest findings. Apparently there was a new drug in town with strange, hallucinogen effects.
"Are you sure he didn't have anything else besides pot that night?" asked her leader.
"As far as I'm concerned."
"Well he enters the pattern." confirmed Nightwing.
He had been investigating several strange occurrences related to the case. The Titan's leader placed the picture of the junkie beside others of more deceased victims due to mysterious behavior: a high class teen who shocked on her own vomit after trying to lose 20 pounds in one day (according to her last tweet), a doctor who tried to extract his own appendix, a successful business man who shot himself after trying to steal a museum art piece (which was actually donated by himself), amongst other known junkies.
"Man, maybe he just overdosed on marihuana." tried to reason Cyborg, everything they had was too random to make any real connection.
"No, Richard is right. Marihuana doesn't do that." explained Raven backing up her leader. "Besides the effect was wearing off in the guy I was tailing. He was having the munchies, they were just… amplified or something."
"What made you the expert on pot?" asked Gar a little confused changing back to human form. He had being playing with a pencil transformed as a seal.
Raven just shrugged her shoulders.
"Seems like somebody's been naughty." pushed the green teen.
"Raven?" Cyborg was incredulous at the mere thought of their controlled companion doing drugs.
"What?" asked the goth a little offended as she looked at everyone.
"You know we have a strict no-drugs policy in the tower; even if it's used for some magic stuff." clarified their leader shaken.
"Am not a pothead Richard… it was just once, I was 14 and living on the street… not yet a Titan." alleged the empath.
"Ok, I'm just worried Mika's influence might be affecting your moral standards." tried to justify her friend.
"Whatever." answered Raven not in the mood for an argument. "What are we going to do about the dead junkies on the streets?"
"We'll be doing recon at a new place in town. I've identified a few known dealers who seem to be regulars at this place."
Nightwing took the remote of the big screen and loaded the image of Jump's High Roller Casino. It was a very exclusive place. No lowlife criminal would go there, only the super powerful and connected.
"I thought you had already investigated that place." said Starfire remembering her boyfriend had refused to take her, even though she just loved the idea of hanging out in a long dress.
"No, I haven't."
"Yes, you have…" corrected Raven "Kori bitched about it all night that even Mika bailed on us."
"Ok, how come I don't remember that?" asked Nightwing confused.
All Titans looked at each other and then back at the image of the casino on the screen.
"Guess we just hit the jackpot."
"Well… I didn't find any traces of any known drugs on your system."
Richard Greyson was hooked to various monitors on the infirmary of Titan's Tower. Cyborg was running a full scan in case their leader had been drugged. Raven had also checked for any magical hex around him but found nothing.
"But you found something strange in my system?"
"Well… It shouldn't be there, although it's not entirely unknown. I found vampire blood." answered the metal man.
"He has drunk the vampire blood before…" noted Starfire.
"Yes, but that was months ago. He should have burned it by now." explained Cyborg.
"I have not drank any blood lately… at least not willingly… or that I remember" paranoia took over their leader. "Rae… care to jump with a rational explanation any time now?"
Raven was concerned at this point. She knew that anything she said could and would be used against her girlfriend. Worst part was not that their leader distrusted Mika; was that sometimes she didn't entirely trusted her. All Titans were waiting for her to say something.
"Well… according to my most reliable source, vampires posses mind control… maybe you are under a vampire's mind control."
"What is your source? Mika?" asked Starfire.
"No… Dracula."
"Dracula? Girl that book also says they are repelled by garlic…" exclaimed Cyborg.
"Yeah well, Mika also claims he is the only vampire worthy of the title, and he turns into wolves, and mist, and that kind of stuff. So maybe some things are real." justified Raven, after all, Mika had refused to let her in on all vampire secrets.
"Guess we are going to have to talk with our favorite resident vampire." stated Nightwing back on business mode.
"Come on, there are other vampires in Jump city; some which we freed ourselves after they got cured from the zombie virus. You can't really believe my girlfriend is behind this!"
"Can't I?" asked their leader. He was well known for his dislike of her.
"Ok, I know this is going to sound wrong but… Mika is just too lazy to be a criminal mastermind."
Nightwing contemplated her words for a few minutes until he finally nodded. "…I'll give you that. Still, according to what you guys say, I went as Richard Greyson, not as Nightwing. Who else knows my secret identity amongst our resident vampires?"
"Caroline probably knows. I mean, she's Mika's twin. And we dated briefly." commented Changeling. "I might have mentioned it…" this got him a mad glare from their leader.
"There's also Dr. Katherine de Jaager." reminded Cyborg. "She had access to our record files, we gave her money for highly specialized chemical equipment, and Mika mentioned she wouldn't doubt backstabbing us if she had the chance."
"But she, like, saved my life dude." tried to defend Garfield.
"But not for free." remarked Starfire concerned they might have been supporting the creation of this new drug.
Raven sighed loudly knowing a long night awaited them. "I'll call Mika in for questioning, to see what she knows so we can get over with it."
"No." Nightwing stopped Raven from taking out her phone.
"What?"
"Am sorry to say this Raven, but I'm afraid that if Mika is not behind this, she might actually know what is going on. I mean, Katherine is her best friend, and Caroline her sister." Richard kept his hold on her wrist as he spoke to her. "Have you ever felt she might be hiding something from you?"
"I…" Raven rolled her eyes, but her friend looked at her with real concern till she softened. "Yes."
"Has she ever been to that casino?"
"She likes to gamble…" answered the goth Titan "meaning yes."
All the Titans looked worried and uncomfortable now. They didn't want to have to face the emotional turmoil of a heartbroken Raven again. Worst part was that Raven knew it; she could feel their insecurity in waves.
"Look, I know everything points towards her being guilty, but it's just like all the other times. Mika just has the bad luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yes, she is morally ambiguous, but I doubt Mika would do something as ridiculously dangerous as distributing hallucinogens to the population. And I doubt Caroline would either."
"Yeah dude! I mean, she is a downright player who broke my heart alright. But she doesn't strike me as a criminal mastermind either." said Changeling trying to help.
"Well then we are going to have to gather evidence to prove it."
"You are going undercover then?" asked Raven.
"No… you are."
A tall slender woman walked in High Roller Casino. Her mink coat swayed with the movement of her hips catching lascivious eyes from the men around her, and jealous glares from the women.
Raven: Ok, I'm in.
Raven was disguised with a new holo mechanism in the shape of a necklace; and with a little bit of magic, she reduced her heart rate so she could pass as a vampire. She was also wired with a microphone and a camera, so she could follow Richard's instructions, and in case she needed to talk to them, she had a telepathic connection with them.
Nightwing: Try to grab the attention of whoever looks important.
Raven: The place is packed with politicians, actors, and businessmen… everyone looks important." she told her leader as she made her way across various game tables.
Nightwing: Look for whoever is running the place or for anyone without a heartbeat.
Raven: Easy for you to say… everyone looks like a potential vampire… especially the women."
Raven just walked around aimlessly, mingling was not something she was good at.
Raven: "I feel like a fool. Why did I have to come?"
Nightwing: You are the best candidate to pass successfully as vampire.
Raven: Right… I'll just go sit at the bar.
Nightwing: No! Vampires never drink anything besides blood!
"I know that. Relax."
Raven walked to a bar stool. She hated to admit that she actually enjoyed bars, just sitting there with a drink and looking at the people. That was something she had acquired from Mika.
"May I interest you in a drink ma'am?" asked the bartender as he approached.
"No thanks…" answered the Titan politely.
"Not much of a drinker?" inquired the young man. He looked perky and optimistic.
"Not really."
"Well we have excellent entertainment: roulette, poker, bingo, a standup comedy show. Whatever suits your mood, we can get. Anything, you just have to ask." the guy had a charming personality. She guessed it was part of his job and excellent service was expected; especially when they could get such high tips from the patrons.
"I'm just here for the social scene."
"I see. Maybe I can offer you something else." kept pushing the bartender. "Something for more acquired tastes so you get in the social mood."
Raven: Acquired taste? I've heard Mika use those exact words when offered food.
Nightwing: Maybe this guy can point us in the right direction.
Changeling: Yeah dude, flirt with him! Bartenders always know everything!
Cyborg: She's supposed to be a high class businesswoman; she's not going to flirt with a bartender!"
"What do you recommend? I just got in town." asked Raven trying to ignore the childish discussion of her friends in the background.
"Here for pleasure o business?" inquired the bartender.
"A little bit of both."
"Well I can recommend a Bloody Mary, a Red Daiquiri, or if not in the mood for alcohol I can fill a glass with fruit punch and we'll both pretend you are getting boozed." he gave her a charming smile. Strangely he reminded her of Mika. Maybe it was a vampire thing, although he didn't exactly strike her as dead, he looked flustered enough by the intense lights of the bar.
"No… I'll just… stay here for a while…"
"Looking for someone? A charming Prince maybe?"
Something in his tone made her think he was probably asking for something else. He had taken hold of her hand and was now slightly caressing her wrist. He could obviously feel her cold skin and lack of pulse.
"Maybe."
"Please follow me."
The bartender asked somebody else to take his place and then escorted her to the second floor, to the reserved VIP area. As she entered she noticed the lack of alcohol in the air. There was a poker and a pool table, and many leather sofas.
Raven: I think we just stumbled on vampire central.
It was not very crowded, but she knew some of those faces at the poker table from the zompire invasion. He sat her near the big window that overlooked the first floor and placed a crystal cup with a red liquid inside.
"I hope this is more of your liking."
Cyborg: Is that what I think it is?
She took the cup. She was afraid it might be blood, but if she didn't try it her disguise would go out the window. So she drank it.
Changeling: Oh gross!
Starfire: That is most disgusting. Had you tried the blood before?
Raven: Only Mika's. But this one tastes weird… like it was in the fridge for too long.
"I know the taste is a little off, but good doc has been working on it." called a familiar voice to her right.
She turned to the source of the voice and almost chokes on her drink as she saw Mika approach her dressed in a black suit and satin red blouse.
Nightwing: I knew it!
Starfire: Richard!
Raven stood there speechless looking at her girlfriend. The vampire didn't recognize her at all, as she eyed her carefully. Raven's face of shock must have been interpreted as evident confusion, for the vampire apologized and presented herself.
"Am sorry, I have not introduced myself. I am Mikaela Silverfang: Jump's vampire Prince."
"Prince…"
Nightwing: Silverfang? Is that her real last name?
Changeling: Dude! Is she like count Dracula or something?
Raven had momentarily lost her ability of speech. Not only was she bombarded by the different comments of her friends through their telepathic connection, all her emotions where assaulting her as well. Her emoticlones yelled in her mindscape trying to make some sense of what she was supposed to be feeling.
"You look disappointed."
"No, I… it's a pleasure. I had been looking for you." replied the Titan smiling and extending her hand, which Mika took and kissed gallantly.
"Nice to hear that." answered the vamp as she sat by her side.
Has she always been such a flirt? – asked Raven to herself.
"What do you mean doc's been working on it?" finally uttered the Titan trying to regain self control.
"Oh! Well you see, here in Jump City we have really strict rules regarding hunting. You know, been a vigilante city we have to ensure our safety. That blood you just had is a special synthetic mix. You could say we preach a vegan lifestyle."
"Vegan? So this is like tofu?" Raven asked, actually relieved that at least she was keeping her word regarding that matter.
Mika just smiled. "Yes, like tofu. But we also have the real stuff if you want; until doc fixes the taste we can't live solely of it."
"Not really hungry right now." answered the Titan politely. She really didn't want to try the real stuff.
"I see… I think I didn't catch your name."
"Amanda Romanof."
Changeling: Romanof? Really?
Raven: That's the name our wise leader gave me.
Nightwing: Well, since you speak Rumanian I thought maybe it could be useful.
"Lovely name; obviously not from around. So Amanda, what brings you to my territory?"
"I'm looking to do business." declared the disguised Titan.
"I see… heard there was a new Princedom and came looking for an opportunity at a big stake. Smart girl." smiled Mika taking a drink of her synthetic blood. "Not afraid of the Titans?"
"Are you?"
They remained in silence for a while analyzing each other, until Mika bursted out laughing. "I like you. Let me show you around Elyseum."
Mika smiled charmingly. Raven felt light headed. She was very disturbed by the fact that her girlfriend was apparently in charge of the place, that she had been hiding this all along, and that she was shamelessly flirting with a strange girl she just met. Still she played her part and took Mika's hand as she guided her to other parts of the casino.
The second floor housed more poker rooms for private and exclusive sessions, a few luxury suites that could be rented for several hours, and small private bars with different bottles of red liquid. It was all the perfect setup for clandestine interactions.
"The bars in this floor have the vegan and the real stuff if you like; although we also provide donor service. That's the real purpose of the suites; not just for booty calls."
"Donor service?" asked Raven confused by Mika's words.
"Yes. If there is anyone you like down there." explained the vamp as she looked down from the second floor balcony to where all the people were gambling. "We can get it for you for a reasonable price. Fees vary depending on the candidate of course."
Raven felt like she might faint any minute now.
Nightwing: Is she really implying what I think?
Raven: I don't know, but I really hope she's talking about sex and sperm.
Nightwing: Raven I know this must be a big shock, but focus. We need evidence on the drugs.
"You have a really interesting place here." commented the demoness. "Maybe we can do business."
"Business?" inquired the Prince with curiosity.
"Yes, I've always been in the laundry business."
"Yeah well, our staff pretty much washes their own uniforms…"
"I didn't mean that kind of laundry." Raven smiled at her girlfriends attempt to be dense.
"I know…" admitted the vamp. "Maybe I can connect you with one of my more lively customers. Someone might be interested."
"I would rather do business with you." pressed the empath, sensing rising hostility from the vamp.
"That's nice; but won't do. Not that kind of business anyway." answered Mikaela in a harsher tone.
"And why not?"
"Luv, I might be immoral… but not illegal."
Raven: Now that's a relief.
Nightwing: Still, she might be hiding something. Keep pushing; maybe she just doesn't trust you yet to let you in on the dirty stuff.
They said nothing afterwards and went back to sit at the main room in a very comfortable sofa. Mika seemed to drink a lot of the synthetic stuff, or at least Raven hoped it was the synthetic stuff.
"So Mika, what kind of business can I have with you?" she asked as she sensuously approached her and began playing with her hair in a flirty way.
Nightwing: Rae, don't get so close! She might suspect something. We are trying to find if she's distributing drugs, not if she's cheating on you!
Raven: Might as well, since am already here.
"Well, I don't know. What do you have in mind?" asked the vamp approaching her lips.
"I have a few ideas…" whispered the Titan in her ear as she caressed her tight.
"Yeah, I guess you do…" Mika caressed her hair and placed her hand on the back of her neck in an attempt to draw her closer. She seemed to be about to kiss her, but then closed on her ear to whisper "Too bad for you I don't fall easily for imposters."
After that she pressed a taser on her neck and zapped her. Raven fell to her arms and could only hear her friends shocked yelps in her mind.
"Luv, I am already taken… plus you shouldn't have breathed on my neck."
Raven was carried to the wine cellar in the basement of the casino. She was not really unconscious, but she wanted to know how far Mika would go to cover her secrets. Her friends were worried, and would have busted in if Rae had not stopped them.
Raven: I'm ok. Let's see where she takes me. I'll send you telepathic images of our interaction.
Nightwing: Very well, but at the first sign of danger we barge in.
She was then tied to a chair and searched for hidden items. Caroline showed up. She helped Mika search her and they striped her of the microphone and camera. Mika then placed a bottle of pure alcohol under her nose and Raven winced at the smell.
"So you do breathe. You really thought you could fool me? I knew there was something odd with you. You could hide your pulse, but forgot to hide your hot blooded breath."
Mika paced in front of her. Raven remained silent.
"Told ya it was a matter of time before someone came looking for trouble." said the twin as she sat on top of a barrel.
"Not helping Caroline." Mika finally approached Raven and lifted her chin so she would look up to her. "So, tell me sweetheart, who do you work for? Huh? Is it the mafia?"
"Why would the mafia be coming for us? We are practically part of the family." quipped in Caroline.
Nightwing: Heard that? They are part of the mafia!
"Don't be an idiot. Only because we have Italian blood, doesn't mean we a free pass with the Italian mafia."
Nightwing: Never mind. It was just Caroline being stupid.
"Well if not the Italians, then maybe the Russians trying to grab a bite of our incomes and they sent a spy to see if we could be easy targets."
"Is that how it is luv? Were you sent as a tease to get money from us? Are humans so greedy that they don't suffice with the fact that we provide them with food, and drink, and entertainment, and easy women?"
"So you are saying you really don't do business with criminals?" clarified Raven.
"We don't discriminate good or bad, especially when the bad are our best costumers: mobsters, politicians, dealers, potheads, gamblers, hookers, we really don't care. Just you don't mess with my business sweetheart." Mika stared deeply into her eyes, as if trying to penetrate her subconscious. Maybe she did have some kind of mind control, but for whatever reason, it just didn't work on the half demon. "So what is it that you want? What is it that you were looking for?"
When she received no answer she finally slapped her hard on the left cheek and yelled at her: "ANSWER ME!"
A slight streak of blood began flowing from the Titan's lip. Mika had really hit her hard and her head pounded from the strike.
Starfire: That slugbarg!
Raven: I'm ok! It was nothing I can't take.
"Look what you made me do… am not usually a hands on kind of person. But I am the Prince; I have to make an example so no one dare cross me. I hope you understand… is nothing personal." Mika then walked to her sister and leaned her head on her shoulder. She was obviously frustrated and the twin caressed her lovingly on the head. "I really hate my job."
"I know… want me to deal with her?" asked Caroline sweetly.
"You really would do that for me?"
"Anything for you; I'll even clean afterwards." the twin said as she kissed her sister's forehead. Raven had never seen such close and intimate interaction between them.
"You don't mind?" asked Mika, suddenly turning all weak and fragile in her sister's embrace.
"She's a spy. She obviously has more blood on her hands than a blood crazed neonate. Besides, we both know how much you will whine if you break your vegan diet. I'll deal with it."
Raven: Ugh, they are talking about eliminating me and Caroline has the nerve to make it sound so sweet and sisterly. What's up with that?
Changeling: Dude, they are vampires. Maybe they are into incest.
Raven: Ugh please! I don't want to have that image in my mind!
Nightwing: Ok guys focus; we still don't have much to pin on them. Don't let her go Raven. Try and make her talk more…
"You really don't want to mess with me." blurted out Raven as she interrupted the twin's conversation. "The police will be here any minute now to end your little operation."
"The police?" Mika regained her interest in her and walked back to her captive. "Luv, the place is packed with corrupt politicians. Why would the police come here?"
Nightwing: She has a good point. The police would require a search warrant, and there is nothing to go on and get one.
"Well maybe not the police, but the Titans will be knocking at your door any minute now. And they are incorruptible, you won't be able to bribe them."
"The Titans?" asked the vampire baffled.
"Yeah, I don't think you are so high and mighty to escape their law. Otherwise you wouldn't need so much precaution. You are afraid of them."
Mika backed up a little confused. She wasn't sure what her point was or where she was trying to get. "Nice move, very intimidating I'll give you that. But I know you don't work for the Titans."
"Really? Why not?" asked Raven, trying to get her to keep talking. But all she got was a hearty laughter. For some reason, she seemed to find the idea really funny. Once she recovered she approached her and pressed her forehead to hers as she spoke.
"Luv, I have the Titans eating from the palm of my hand."
At that instant the wall burst open form a starbolt and the Titans barged in pointing their weapons. Mika didn't have time to react when she found herself restricted by shadow tendrils that emerged from the girl whom she had tied to the chair.
"You cocky bitch! You are going down!" yelled Nightwing in her ear as he withdrew special powered handcuffs to restrict her.
At that moment, the woman she called Amanda broke her restrains and rose from the chair. She pushed a button on her necklace to reveal the real Raven.
"Oh shit."
Raven's eyes went red. Mika began to panic, but before she could do anything the vampire felt coldness hit her hard on the head and the shadows engulf her in darkness.
To be continued…
