Incubus Ascension-Chapter 35

Well, the fight ended in a messy standoff, but somehow Liam had managed to keep Zalor pinned down in his grip. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

He had one hand clamped tight around the man’s throat, squeezing just enough to make him struggle for air without killing him outright.

The girls were still on the ground where the handler had tossed them, coughing and gasping for air.

Liam’s mind raced. He needed a way out of this, fast.

Something to turn the tables before the handler decided to snap the girls’ necks for good.

Then a memory clicked into place from his past life. This woman... She looked familiar.

Not just any assassin. She was the best one who worked for Simon. Her code name was the handler.

She took all kinds of jobs, from killing Simon enemies to collecting debts. It can be said that she was the best assassin.

He studied her face again, and the rest came flooding back.

She had stuck with Simon mainly because he had the connections to help her track down her missing brother.

That was her only real reason for taking his dirty jobs.

Liam looked straight at her. In his old life, after he had joined the monster race, her story had taken a dark turn.

She ended up getting killed not long after. And then her brother, who had been left in an orphanage.

He grew up to become one of the most powerful awakeners around, on the same level as Pyra the dragon witch.

It was a sad, wasted life for her.

He kept his grip firm on Zalor and met the handler’s eyes. "How about this," he said, keeping his voice steady.

"I tell you exactly where your brother is, and in return, you let me kill Zalor."

Her eyes widened. For a second she looked completely thrown off. "How did you know I have a brother?

Did Simon tell you?" She shook her head right away. "No. With his personality, he wouldn’t tell anyone."

Liam tightened his hold on Zalor’s throat a little more, making the man grimace and wheeze.

"Now," he said firmly, "choose. Do you want to know or not?"

The handler stared hard at Liam’s face. She had spent almost her entire life as an assassin.

Reading people was second nature to her.

Something in his expression told her he wasn’t bluffing, he really did know where her brother was.

She let out a long sigh. "He wouldn’t like this," she muttered, clearly thinking about Simon’s orders to protect Zalor.

Then, without another word, she tossed the girls aside like they weighed nothing.

"Now. Tell me where my brother is."

Liam nodded once. "Your brother is in an orphanage in the slums section of the second wall.

But... if you want the full truth after you get him out, look up information about that orphanage."

She gave a short nod, turned toward the door, and paused just long enough to glance back at him.

"This better be true, for your sake." Then she walked out without looking back.

The girls coughed hard from the lack of air and rushed over to Liam right away.

"That handler is something else!" one of them said, still breathing heavy.

Liam just nodded. He wasn’t in the mood for small talk.

He grabbed Zalor’s throat tighter and looked over at Olivia.

"How about we torture this fucker for all the shit he forced us through?"

Olivia’s eyes darkened in a way Liam hadn’t seen before. She nodded slowly. "I know the best way."

Something about that new look on her face made Liam’s heart waver for a moment.

She seemed even more beautiful like this, fierce and determined.

Later, Zalor sat dead in his chair. All his nails had been pulled out, and there were clean holes through his eyes and his heart.

Olivia wiped the sweat from her forehead and let out a breath. "We’re done now. We can go home and cook an apple pie."

Beatrix laughed at that and glanced at Liam. "Look at what girlfriend you have. Cooking apple pies for you after killing your enemy."

Liam managed a small nod. He felt completely drained. "You two go back home. I’m tired."

Olivia and Liam left Zalor’s office together. Beatrix stayed behind for a minute, quickly grabbing some money from the drawer.

She caught up with them just as they were leaving the ATLAS building.

Outside, Beatrix called out for Liam to stop him.

Then She held out a thick chunk of cash and flipped her violet hair back behind her shoulder.

"Here, take it. Use it to buy a new sword or something."

Olivia looked at Beatrix with a bit of surprise and tugged on Liam’s arm. "Since Zalor is dead, she’s now the only legal heir to Atlas."

Beatrix’s eyes widened as she looked down at the money in her hands.

She seemed to realize what that meant, she was basically handing over her own money now.

Olivia waved her hand lightly. "I don’t want that dirty money. I’d rather work honestly."

Liam nodded at her choice. "As expected from my girlfriend."

Olivia could be seen shaking a little from excitement at the praise.

Beatrix smiled and took the money back. "I’ll save it for you in case you need it again."

After that, Liam and Olivia made their way back to Olivia’s house.

Beatrix followed along quietly. When they got there, Pyra was still inside, holding the phone.

They greeted her, and Pyra turned to Liam right away. "I got bad news. Director Elena wants to talk with you."

Liam took the phone. Director Elena’s voice came through clearly.

She told him that because he had missed too many days at the academy, he needed to pass a special test.

If he failed it, he would get kicked out of Ark Academy.

Liam’s heart hammered in his chest as he listened.

She finished by telling him to come to the academy tomorrow, she would hold the test for him then.