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Tuesday July 15, 2014 – 11:30 PM EST -The Compound - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

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The drive back to The Compound from Brooklyn was both long and informative. Sebastian and I talked at great length about what has transpired over the last several months with the exception of his son Thaddeus, that topic was still one that Sebastian is not ready to talk about. At least, not with me.

So what did we talk about?

Just about everything else.

But most importantly we talked about the upcoming Trios Tournament. Both Sebastian and Azrael are former Trios Champions, and for me it will be my first attempt at winning the title.

We discussed each and every team in the tournament and when the time is right I, not Jacob will discuss our feelings on those who will ultimately fall before us.

In the meantime one of the topics that Sebastian preferred to talk about privately, as in, without Asmodeus there was the quickly escalating relationship between our father and my mother. Sebastian and I agreed to meet in his private quarters at a later time to discuss the relationship.

Now is that time.

I knocked on the door twice as is my custom and after the second knock could hear Sebastian from the other side of the door ushering me to come in. I opened the door stepped inside and saw Sebastian on the other side of the room, a book in his hand. I shut the door behind me and approached Sebastian, taking a seat across from where he was standing.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Were you able to get some rest?”

ENIGMA: “I was, thank you.”

“You?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “No. I thought about it but I have too much that needs to be done. I’ll sleep when I'm dead.”

ENIGMA: “That seems logical.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Very much so.”

“So tell me little brother, what are your thoughts on Asmodeus and Caroline’s relationship?”

ENIGMA: “To be honest with you I am a bit unnerved by it all.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Why is that?”

ENIGMA: “That is the thing. I am not really sure why.”

“Obviously this was a possibility, in fact, it was something that we figured was extremely probable and I certainly had time to prepare myself for it and yet here we are.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yes, here we are.”

ENIGMA: “I am glad that mother and father are so happy and yet part of me wonders what this will mean for what goes on here at The Compound.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “How do you mean?”

ENIGMA: “Everyone else here is a valued member of the team so to speak. Valued and trusted.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “You don’t trust your mother?”

ENIGMA: “I do.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Then what is the problem?”

ENIGMA: “If I knew the answer we would not be having this conversation.”



I can see Sebastian’s eyes studying me.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Allow me to opine something if you will.”

ENIGMA: “Of course.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Perhaps the issue that you have is not with Asmodeus or Caroline but with you.”

ENIGMA: “Come again?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “When you first arrived here you and I spent a great deal putting that life, that family behind you. For all intents and purposes the Martin’s were no more. There was only this family here at the Compound, me, Asmodeus, Matthew, and even Jacob. But with your mother now back in the picture there is a merging of the families and that troubles you.”

ENIGMA: “Interesting.”

“I suppose that is possible. And you are right, I did a lot of work to put the past behind me and now it is creeping back into my life.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yes and no. While you have compartmentalized your mother as being part of the past she is also now capable of being a big part of the future, but what I believe you are missing is that the Caroline of the past does not have to be, and I believe is not the Caroline of the future.”



I did not respond, instead I just sat there in the chair as Sebastian continued to watch my every moment, trying to detect how I was feeling without me verbalizing. I pondered what Sebastian had to say for a few moments before finally responding.



ENIGMA: “If you will permit me, what are your thoughts on what is happening? So far all we have done is talk about me and how I feel, what about you?”

---

It was a good question. That's what I like about my little brother. He questions everything, as he should.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I feel like you worry too much."

ENIGMA: "I do not get it."

SEBASTIAN DUKE: "I didn't figure you would. I sought you out for my own personal gain. As you know, women among the Brotherhood hasn't worked out well. More because of Asmodeus and him being set in his old school ways and less any other reason. As you know, I witnessed Caitlyn's death at the hands of our father. All because women couldn't be trusted with the secrets of the Illuminatus.

"Finding you, little brother, was key. Now that I had Caitlyn back in my life thanks to our tag team partner, I could now convince him to try and be happy. I knew he loved your mother. When I was young, I used to sneak into his bedroom and read the letters between the two of them. Caroline stole his heart and he never did get it back."

ENIGMA: "So, you used me."



No matter who does it, I still hate being interrupted.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: "In a way, yes. See, Asmodeus has been becoming increasingly assertive. His authority still outranks mine, yet he allowed me to be the man calling the shots. With my numerous issues this year, he's stopped being so quiet and once again claimed the reigns of the Illuminatus as his own. Leaving me as nothing more than a foot soldier."



That just pisses me off.



ENIGMA: "And I figure that is a problem."

SEBASTIAN DUKE: "Of course it’s a problem. I don't know how to follow, little brother. I'm a born leader."

ENIGMA: "So seeking me out opened the door for our father and my mother to rekindle their lost love?"

SEBASTIAN DUKE: "That and it keeps him distracted. If Asmodeus is distracted and not paying much attention, then I can once again control the reigns of the Illuminatus."

ENIGMA: "What about Caitlyn?"

SEBASTIAN DUKE: "You let me worry about her."

ENIGMA: "Sebastian, she left you. She left you high and dry when... Obviously you know when."

SEBASTIAN DUKE: "She'll be back."

ENIGMA: "Do you think we can trust her to keep her mouth shut with all of those secrets she knows?"



That was a real good question.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: "You just leave Caitlyn to me. She's agreed to meet me. To talk."

---

ENIGMA: “Well that is a stunning development to say the least.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “It is.”

ENIGMA: “Did she say why or what changed her mind?”

“When she left here it certainly appeared that she had no desire to see you or this place ever again.

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I would agree there but clearly something has changed and when I meet with her I plan on finding out what.”

ENIGMA: “What has Asmodeus said about this?”

“He certainly did not lose any sleep over her sudden departure.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I have not spoken to Asmodeus about this yet and to be perfectly honest it is none of this business.”

ENIGMA: “You and I both know that you do not truly believe that.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I will broach the subject with him when I have more information to share. Right now she simply wants to meet to talk.”

“If things progress beyond that then Asmodeus will be made abreast of the situation. Until then this remains between you and I.”

ENIGMA: “And Jacob.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yes and Jacob.”

“And that is another thing, what is it with you and your dislike for him?”

ENIGMA: “I do not trust him.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Why?”

ENIGMA: “He tried to kill you once, while you may believe that the two of you are past that, the seed has been planted.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “You need not worry about Jacob. He is on my side, our side of that I am supremely confident.”

ENIGMA: “Very well.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Is there anything else?”

ENIGMA: “Not at the moment.”

“Other than this…”



This could go one of two ways, well and very badly. I am hopefully it will be the first and not the second.



ENIGMA: “Other than to say this, I think at some point you and I need to discuss the elephant in the room.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “And that would be?”

ENIGMA: “What happened with Thaddues.”



Sebastian opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself before a word came out. Instead he walked about the room for a moment, carefully considering his response. When he felt the time was right he turned to face me.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “While I appreciate your concern for me, when I am ready to talk about Thaddeus I assure you that you will be the first to know. Not Jacob. Not Asmodeus. You.”

ENIGMA: “Very well.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Now if there is nothing else I have some things I need to take care of. I will speak with you again tomorrow.”


I did not bother with a response instead I just nodded my head and exited the room, closing the door behind me.


Fade To Darkness.