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side; it must obscure his vision. His arm also displayed an ugly welt just above the elbow. Akelatis was not strong, but had a quick release with his lead leg.
    Enzo began to recite his analysis, starting with the technology market in the States and the recent five-day decline of the Dow. Then he proceeded to tie the Dow with the recent fall of the euro in the currency markets and how it was affected by austerity measures on fringe economies of the European Union. Then he moved on to the rise in prices of concrete and industrial cranes, which had had a significant jump of fourteen percent in the past month.
    Seven minutes into his analysis, Austin walked out of the pool and approached the mat, standing at attention on the eastern side of the mat. Doing some quick math, Enzo made a mental note on Austin’s conditioning; he was twenty percent off his initial pace. The fight in the center of the mat ended with Akelatis chasing a retreating Matthew off the floor.
    Elder Mother had long since stopped listening to Enzo. Her focus was on the melee. She beckoned them back to the center. Enzo continued his monologue about the recent drop in heroin prices on the black market as Elder Mother gave his two brothers her breakdown on their fight. Akelatis would make a fine field commander for a mid-level Holy One. Matthew was fated for an administrator’s life. Neither was Council material though. Then again, few were. Currently, there was only one Adonis Vessel worthy of the Council residing at the Hatchery.
    “Austin, join us,” Elder Mother said. The lad bowed and took position next to Matthew and Akelatis on the right edge of the mat. Then Elder Mother finally gestured for Enzo to approach. He bowed and took position at the end of the line. Elder Mother put her hands together between Enzo and the other three and then opened them. She was setting up a one versus three fight. The men split up into the two groups and faced each other.
    “Would you take these odds?” she asked.
    Unconsciously, Enzo flexed his shoulders and felt his back crack as they loosened up. All three were younger. Austin might be stronger but he was the most green and his boxing style was rudimentary. Akelatis was the quickest, preferring taekwondo as his style. He had also injured his left hamstring a week ago. Matthew had the most experience, preferring to fight with judo. He had pillow punches but was the most tactically sound. Judging by his posture, he was also gassed. This fight would come down to how much energy Austin had expended during his swim. Several more factors ran through Enzo’s head as he considered his options.
    “Well,” Elder Mother said.
    “In this scenario, Mother, do I have the option to withdraw?”
    “The combat is optional, though once you engage, you are committed.”
    “And the prize for victory?”
    “Significant.”
    “Very well then. I accept.” He bowed and walked to the middle of the mat. The three men exchanged glances and spread out to both sides of him.
    “You believe this an equal fight?” Elder Mother asked.
    “If I believed it an equal fight, Mother, I would not have accepted.”
    Elder Mother smiled. “Your assessment of this situation is correct. Azumi, please join your brothers and see if you can balance the scales.”
    Behind him, Enzo heard the sloppy recitation of Sun Tzu’s masterpiece end and Azumi’s light footsteps approach. The situation had just turned dire. Azumi’s standing in combat was just beneath his. In fact, she had the ability to win one in ten against him. Add in the others and he stood no chance of victory.
    “Tilting the scales heavily in their favor hardly seems balanced, Mother,” Enzo murmured, retreating slowly to one corner of the mat. He could not afford to be surrounded.
    “Imposing your will and strength over another is a sign of your superiority. Enzo, you believe you stand above your siblings, that you are their better. Prove it.” Elder Mother turned to the other four