Page 87 of Villainous Intent

My cover would evaporate if they looked too closely. It was much safer to play the role of a moderately enhanced Villain who needed a suit and technology to survive.

“I’m on a bit of a schedule tonight,” I drawled. “So if we could speed this along? Unless you brought me here just to stand in the dark and listen to me talk. Which, honestly, I get it. I have a fantastic voice.”

He was circling, testing my awareness.

“Or is this some kind of test?” I asked, turning deliberately in the wrong direction. “Because I’ve got to tell you, my patience for games is wearing thin. I was in the middle of something much more entertaining than whatever this is.”

The shadows coalesced and Dread stepped forward. Even in the darkness, his presence was unmistakable. His peculiar stillness made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and his glowing red eyes made him look like the devil himself.

“I do appreciate the bravado, Cipher.” His voice slithered through the darkness. “But I can taste the fear on you.”

I held myself perfectly still as I felt him reach inside my head and pluck at the strings of my anxiety. The pressure in the air spiked. The scent of antiseptic filled my nose. I could feel the cold leather of the restraints against my wrists.

I shoved the memory down. Buried it under layers of cold, hard rage. Fuck Dread and fuck his powers.

“The only thing I fear right now is you drawing this out longer than necessary,” I said. “Some of us have lives beyond dramatic entrances.”

Dread chuckled, the sound echoing unnaturally. “Perhaps I can help speed things along.”

My mask’s display flickered on. Systems rebooted. Power coursed through the circuitry.

Dread’s hand moved and everything went dead again.

My pulse throbbed in my ears as he held out what he was holding for me to see. The familiar metallic gleam. The intricate engravings along the handle. The faint blue glow emanating from its head.

The Tinkerer’s Hammer.

Fuck.

He was the rogue Annie was hunting and he was standing right in front of me.

“Impressive toy.” I nodded toward the Hammer. “New acquisition?”

“Let’s call it an unexpected opportunity. One that’s opened my eyes to new possibilities.”

My suit came back online as he tapped the Hammer against his palm and power surged through my systems. Everything operated at 120% capacity before shutting down again.

“Temperamental, though,” he added. “Still learning its quirks.”

This changed things with Annie. If I told her about Dread, our partnership would end before it truly began. I’d have no reason to interact with her anymore. But if I didn’t tell her...

The rogue wasn’t technically my problem. My agreement with Annie was to help her while she found the rogue. Not to do the finding myself. A technicality, but one I could exploit. If I just happened not to mention this little encounter...

“Yes, your toy is very fascinating,” I said. “Maybe something you could share in a group chat? Did you really need to call me here to show it off?” I gestured vaguely around the decrepit warehouse. “Not that I don’t appreciate the ambiance, but a text would have sufficed.”

Dread’s lips curled into what passed for a smile on his gaunt face.

“I have a business opportunity for you, Cipher.” He twirled the Hammer between his fingers. “One that could prove mutually beneficial.”

The Hammer swung in a lazy arc. The things I could do with that technology. The Tinkerer had been a genius in his own right, but with my mind and that Hammer...

“I’m listening.” I didn’t bother masking the greed.

Dread reached into his coat and pulled out a small metallic chip between two long fingers.

“I acquired this. I need you to decode it.”

“And what do I get out of the deal?” I crossed my arms. “Decryption services aren’t cheap. Especially on short notice.”