The Skin Trade
.Chapter 8: Nobody's Safe.

"Yea, we were approached by the BBA Agents too. But we refused to co-operate." Bryan explained as he sipped his alcoholic beverage. "The BBA have refused us protection and they basically told us that we were on our own. But that's no big deal to us anyway because we can look after ourselves."

"Will you keep your voices down. You never know who is listening." Spencer hushed under his breath with his eyes skimming around their surroundings. He spotted a strange figure nearby lurking among the crowds of men. His gaze was almost fixed amongst the team. "The BBA say that they have left us alone, but I wouldn't count on it. Some strange things have been happening lately."

"What do you mean?" Max frowned with concern and he shifted his glance over to where Spencer was staring. "Is there something wrong?"

"No, not at all." Tala smirked, "We have nothing to worry about. Besides, it's more dangerous to be a BBA agent than it is to be a famous blader. They're disappearing at an alarming rate, yet we are still here."

"He's right." Ian backed his captain, "It's best to leave the BBA agents alone, especially when you hear the rumour about who is possibly leaking all of their identities."

Unsure what Spencer is staring at, Max returned his full attention to the table and gently traced his fingertips around the edge of his pop glass. He was so overpowered with shock that he was once again struggling to understand just what was going on here.

'Why do I feel like I am being watched?' The blond thought to himself with his muscles tensing. 'And who is watching me? Are they the good kind, or are they the bad? I don't think I am going to find out until I begin my journey home.'

"How do you know all of this?" Max asked cautiously, "Because you seem to know an awful lot."

"We have our ways." Bryan wrapped his arm around Max to purposely sooth his nerves, "The rumour is that Tyson's Dad is leaking the information about the spies because the first track came from his laptop whilst he was in Egypt."

"WHAT!?"

"Shhhh." Ian hushed again with a light chuckle. "You Bladebreakers really don't know how to whisper."

"I can't believe it." Max's heart skipped a beat and he stamped his feet with frustration. "My best friends Dad wouldn't do something like that."

"You can believe and refuse what you like, but it's a fact." Tala crossed his legs and folded his broad arms. "Tyson's Dad hasn't been seen since this rumour has surfaced. It's a coincidence if I say so myself."

A low growl purred from Max's lips, "But why would he do that? And if he's disappeared, why are the BBA agents identities still be revealed? This doesn't make sense!"

"Who cares. Just don't get involved with them because it's only a matter of time before Kai and Tyson's identity are leaked, no matter how much the BBA change their identity." Tala closed his eyes as he announced this heavy information. "Anyway, you came to us for another issue. What do you want?"

Bryan quickly unwrapped his arm from Max and nodded at Ian to fetch the American another drink to calm his nerves. "You are hiding some wounds here Max. Is this why you have came to us?" The silver haired blader muttered, he acknowledged how Max had winced when his heavy touch secured his figure.

Ian mirrored the nod at Bryan to demonstrate that he had read the message load and clear, he slithered his way out the booth and went over to the bar with Spencer chauffeuring him along the way.

"Hang on, this is all too much to take in." Max's breathing became irregular and his fists clenched defensively. "I just don't understand what's going on right now. It's so complicating."

"Then stop trying to understand it and wait for time to reveal the answers." Tala snapped sharply, "Now, my teammate asked you a serious question, so answer him."

Tempted to pack everything in and run back to warn his team, Max shook off that irrational fear and sipped the last of his drink to cool off his temper.

"Yes, someone attacked me. I came to you because the bladers attacks were very similar to your bitbeasts. They injured me like how you injured Ray in our first world tournament." Max slammed down his beverage glass and revealed his injuries to them. "I know it wasn't you, but I am wondering if you have any clues or hints."

"We don't know who attacked you." Tala's eyelids opened to reveal a snow storm in his eyes. "But judging by what you've told us, it can't be no other than one of Boris' trial and error bitbeasts."

"Boris had many failed experiments in that lab. It took him years to master the creation of making man-made bitbeasts, that's why he joined the trafficking ring. He needed volunteers to test these experiments, plus he needed an army." Bryan sat back in his chair and flashed a brief serious glance to his captain, this clearly was all to painful, but it had to be said. "As Boris ran out of money, he needed Voltaires backing to fund the expensive trial because they wanted the perfect weapons to take over the world. Any throw outs were given or exchanged to the traffick ring. Boris never lost out."

"Uh…." Max blinked, "That man is just scum."

"He is, but he was very intelligent." Tala tilted his head ajar. "The bitbeast that attacked you is probably Falburg, a twin to Falborg."

"Possibly. It was given to a boy who rivalled my strength in the abbey. But in the end, he wasn't strong enough to take down me and Falborg, so he disappeared." Bryan didn't too worried about the situation. "I'm surprised you didn't take him down too."

"Too be honest, I never got the chance too. He disappeared after he said that I wasn't the one that he was looking for. He's hunting for someone, and Bryan, after everything that you've just told me, I'm worried that it might be you."

Even though Max seemed concerned about this, it shocked him when he watch the Bryan and Tala just laugh it off.

"Let him come." Bryan spoke in a conquering tone, "I'll make him squeal."

"Bryan, this isn't funny-"

"Stop worrying, Max." Tala instructed firmly. "Now, I think it's time that you caught a taxi home. It's past your bedtime."

A/N: And this story just suddenly got even more dramatic. Now that a twist has been revealed, what do you think? I'd love to hear your theories behind the secrets. Anyhow, thank you for all the support guys! Take care - Granger~