Marcie really wanted to sit down. She could feel the eyes of every one of these men boring into her, and she folded her arms across her chest self-consciously. She took to looking at the dog instead, who seemed to be about the most relaxed creature in the room, and who barely moved the entire time.
Finally, as it seemed like the stragglers were entering the room, Ares strode back out. He didn't call the meeting to order yet. He paced the circular ring, looking up into the stands, looking into the face of every one of his men, looking for those who flinched or looked shifty or looked away. Gino and Tycho sat together right at the front; Ezio as well but separate, alone, his discomfort radiating from him. The others who had been named sat together, and Ares made sure to remember where they sat for later.
He approached Lazarus, his second in command, who had been thoroughly briefed on what was happening tonight. "Is everyone in? Close the doors."
“Yeah Laz, close the fucking doors!” Barak shouted, his voice projecting around the arena, trying to command attention away from Ares. “Let’s get this party started! Who’s ready to follow a man who isn’t ruled by FUCKING PUSSY?!” He turned to Ares, pointing accusingly, then turned that finger on the rest of the men. “Who you bastards gonna follow? A man who degrades himself with marriage? A man who let a woman tell him what to do during his fucking bachelor party? Or me? The one who kept things running while he was sunning himself in Hawaii? The one who tracked that madam bitch down and took her out? WHO?”
Ares frowned sharply, looking at Barak with confusion and affront written on his face. He did what??? This mortal upstart thought he could lay hands on a god and get away unpunished?? If he wasn't laser focused before, he was now. As soon as he was done here, he was going to have to go and find out what happened to Hecate.
"You had no business interfering," he snarled at Barak, anger rising. "I am still the leader here. I am still your GOD."
He was watching, though, waiting to see how the crowd responded. A lot of them shook their heads and sat back in disgust, but more than a few nodded agreement, making echoing noises to Barak's sentiments.
Marcie looked around too, beginning to realise just how dire this all was. "He's going to kill him, isn't he?" she breathed to Tragos, looking back at Ares. This was not going to be pleasant for anyone, she knew. Ares was a literal god. Barak didn't stand a chance.