“Who are you working for?” Eden asked again, her heartbeat accelerating.
She couldn’t help but send glances toward the screen displaying the fight outside, hoping to recognize Dante amidst the chaos. She could see a third group had arrived, but there was so much smoke and firepower, she couldn’t tell who belonged to which one of the three opponents; however, it was clear the Red Temple was being invaded and the Japanese were losing ground quickly. The fight was moving toward the building Eden was in, which was a good sign despite the absolute chaos. She hadn’t thought there would be that many people, yet the silhouettes kept pouring in through the gates. Eden closed her fist. She needed to take back control of the room, and soon.
She plugged the device into the first port she saw, and suddenly, all the screens flickered at once. Circé’s expression fell.
“Damn it! How the hell did he...”
Her eyes suddenly went to Eden, glaring at her as she understood.
“You! You’re that damn–”
A creepy laugh resonated around them without warning, even surprising Eden who knew that voice all too well. Loir had taken control and was obviously very happy about it.
“Hi, C.! It’s been a while, my darling!”
“Fuck you, Warlock!” roared Circé, glaring all around her.
Eden frowned. Warlock? Was that Loir’s alias when he was with the Edge? Groups of hackers usually shared a similar theme for their groups, so it made sense Loir had a different name when he was with them... Still, it felt strange to hear someone else interact so familiarly with him.
“Oh, that’s some nasty language you’ve learned up there. What’s up? It’s been a while!”
“A while? You’re the one who got us all fucking locked up by the Core! All of us, you damn psycho! I thought you were dead, but it sounds like I can still have you crawl out of the rat nest you’re hiding in to kill you myself!”
“I know, I missed you too! Sounds like you’re in good shape! Oh, by the way, have you met Kitty? I guess you have, since you’re in the same room now!”
Circé eyes went down on Eden, who really wished he had forgotten about her for one more minute.
“I can’t believe that crazy psychopath found someone else dumb enough to work with him!” roared Circé. “Do you have any idea what he fucking did?”
“I know... He was working with the Edge, and he had you all arrested...”
“I said I was sorry!” sighed Loir in the speakers. “You guys are just so sensitive...”
“I can’t believe you’re still fucking alive, you dirty rat! I thought the Core had killed you!”
“Oh, they did try,” sighed Loir, “but sounds like you made it out of there too! Good for you, C.! Hey, how’s Merlin?”
“You’re still the same,” Circé shook her head. “Nothing but a selfish, insane, and crazy bastard. Merlin is dead, thanks to you! They killed those of us who didn’t escape or made a deal with them to survive!”
An explosion suddenly shook the room’s floor. It had probably happened several floors below, on the ground floor, but it was big enough to shake the whole building up to their position. Eden was worried about Jack, but she had no time for that now. She silently prayed he had found somewhere to hide...
“Loir, the Italians are here,” said Eden. “Make sure we work on their side.”
“Okey-dokey, my Kitty!”
“You,” said Circé, glaring at Eden. “How can you work with that maniac? Don’t you know he murdered half his previous partners?!”
“I can take care of myself,” retorted Eden, a bit annoyed. “Loir is my partner now, and as you can see, he took control of the building. So now, tell your group to leave, or they will be caught in the crossfire with a huge disadvantage.”
Circé scoffed, her hands leaving the keyboard to stare at Eden with a dismissive look.
“Who the heck do you think you are?” she said. “You chose the wrong side by working with that psycho, little girl. You’re going to get yourself killed too.”
“Looks like you made it out, though.”
Circé tilted her head.
“You think I escaped the Core, like him? ...Who do you think I am working for?”
