Page 144 of Nemesync
“Who are you and why are you helping me?”
She smiles and begins, “Let me make it short.” She taps her chin thoughtfully, mimicking reflection, and continues, “Cheated death years ago, found sanctuary in the mafia, and here we are,” she declares with a dramatic flourish.
I raise an eyebrow, skeptical but weirdly drawn to her charisma and personality. “So, you’ve been stalking me?”
Brian grins. “Not Stalking of course, just observing. You’re the Huntress, after all. They fear you, Zanae. I needed to know why.”
“Why are you calling me that? The ‘huntress’?”
She lifts her gaze up to mine with a smile, “You didn’t know? That’s how people in the underground world call you now. You hunt people, seduce them and then Pouf! They disappear. You’ve made yourself a good reputation, Zanae.”
Is that true? Is that really how people see me?
I don’t say anything, and she continues, “When I found you, I thought, ‘Yes, a woman, the perfect partner in crime.’ And I saw images of you working with your father and the Zennites. You’re so good. Imagine the chaos we could create together.”
“Is that why you decided to reach out to me for the names of the gangs involved and all the pictures? What’s in it for you? Why help me?”
Brian, undeterred by the suspicion in my eyes, winks playfully. “Huntress, we both have a bone to pick with these bastards. Plus, I know you’re not here out of curiosity; you want revenge too, you want chaos, just like me. I heard that Zanae Dellé was searching for information and help, and I thought it was the best moment to chime in.” Her nonchalant attitude doeslittle to ease my anxiety. “So, what’s the plan, Dellé? Are you ready to have a new ally or not?”
“I need more information about you.”
She chuckles and approaches me. “First of all, let’s just take this weapon out of the way, please.” Her hand reaches out as she tries to push my gun away but I’m quicker and leave it on her forehead.
“Back. Off.”
Another laugh erupts from her chest. “I love you already. I’m a hacker Zanae, not a fighter and I needed one to do something against this organization.”
I tilt my head, studying her. No signs of shifty glances, her breathing seems a bit off, and her pupils aren’t normal. But she’s sweating too.
“Are you scared of me?” I ask, tracing her face with my gun. I need to make sure she’s not a threat before talking about anything else.
“I am, mostly because your gun is still on my head,” she answers, with a nervous smile.
I holster my weapon and place my hand directly on her neck and check on her pulse. “I’m gonna ask you questions, and you’ll have 5 seconds to answer.”
She nods.
“How old are you?”
1-2-3, “I’m 24.”
“What’s your real name?”
1-2, “Briana, but I go by Brian since I was rescued years ago.”
“What’s your favorite color?”
“Purple.”
Okay, she’s calmer now. “And tell me, Brian, are you here to help me or do you want to kill me?”
1-2-3-4…“I really want to help you, I promise. I’m the best hacker you could ever find,” she lets out, sincerely.
Her pulse is still the same, she was just nervous before.
I let go of her throat and took a step back. “Okay.”
She breathes out a long sigh of relief.
