Vegas, the main casino was a recreation of thePyramid del Sol , the Sun Pyramid, the second largest
pyramid in the new world. Smaller pyramids, including scaled-down reconstructions of the Moon and Feathered Serpent, were situated in front of the main casino around a huge lagoon. It was also sinking. The designers, engineers, and architects couldn't understand why. It was built on the same soil as the Mandalay Bay and it was solid. They were looking for physical reasons. They wanted to understand the problem with their tiny, closed human minds. In reality, it was very simple: the Earth was reclaiming it.
Pyramids, used by cultures all over the world from Egypt, China, and Mexico, were powerful structures. The triangle shape gathered and focused the Earth's natural energy. To design something like the Aztec and make it a shrine to capitalism was considered by many Inhumans to be an affront to the Powers That Be. It was harnessing the Earth's power with nowhere to channel it, thus the structure was gathering mystical mass. This new weight, combined with the already hefty load on the porous desert landscape, was causing it to sink. The Earth wanted her power back, and she was willing to do whatever it took to get it.
The casino was stained in human blood, even before the doors opened for the first time. By using stones from the actual temples, the designers had harnessed something they didn't understand. Human sacrifice was extremely common in the Aztec culture. Proud warriors, they would take the enemies claimed in battle and sacrifice them to their various gods high atop the temples. Early Europeans who first met the Aztecs claimed to have seen rivers of blood running down the pyramid's steps. Teotihuacán was literally translated as the “city where men became gods.” You can't channel all of that power and expect it to simply dissipate.
There was a rumor when the Aztec was first being constructed that an Inhuman was acting as the architect because of the use of supernatural shapes and measurements. But one look inside proved this wasn't so. Only humans could be so egotistical. Still, I liked it here. I felt powerful here. The Aztec instantly became one of Las Vegas’ most visited casinos as soon as it opened its doors. Some visitors claimed they weren't sure why, but they were drawn here. They weren't the only ones. This lavish creation was a beacon for anything even slightly sensitive to such things. I've been told that psychics, channelers, and Witches could see the massive amounts of power the casino was generating. They said it looked like a pyramidal sparkler on the Strip as the energy was drawn in, but had no place to go. The Aztec had become a mystical hotspot in the city, and that was exactly the reason I was here. Pulling into the parking area, I handed the valet my keys and accepted the ticket to reclaim them. Adjusting my white blouse, I reached down and flicked a bit of lint off my black pants. Opening another button on my shirt, I made sure the black lacy bra that lifted and enhanced my cleavage was peeking out suggestively. I started toward the entrance running my fingers through my messy blond hair. I missed being able to sit in front of the mirror and style my hair. It had taken some practice, but I had become pretty good at doing it by touch alone.
I reached instinctively to the back of my pants but let my hand fall away. Maynard had taken my weapon when he suspended me. I was so used to having it that I felt naked without it. I smiled devilishly. I guess I would have to rely on my fangs, claws, enhanced strength and speed to defend myself. A marble floor stretched out lavishly toward the registration area, which was always full. Moving past, the clerks paid no attention to me. To them I was just another person spending money in their casino.
The Brimstone Betrayal
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