Chapter 199: Kill Or Be Killed (2)

Zinnia sat back down and laughed at the man in the maroon mask. She knew there was absolutely no chance he had any real substance or information that could back his theory up and felt she was being tested, so rather than panic and message Tyler via her system, she stood her ground.

"So you introduce yourself to me formally and accuse me of not being aligned with the objective. I’m not here for childhood games so if you didn’t come to discuss anything of relevance, the door is right there," Zinnia said while pointing to the wall where the man could leave.

Number 4 sat back and glared at the maskless Zinnia. He didn’t have any reaction and she found it strange his hair and mouth were visible through his mask when everyone else, including Agent Z, wore masks that hid their entire identity.

His eyes didn’t look demonic or vampiric, so she guessed he was either a werewolf, elf or human. His teeth didn’t like those of a werewolf, so that left exactly two options.

’I don’t think he’s an elf, so humans actually work in this organization too, interesting.’ Zinnia thought.

She didn’t want to pry or use her demon arts. She wanted him to leave so she could get ready for bed.

"Just making sure. Can’t be certain these days, all these betrayals seem to be coming in waves. Your city isn’t the only one having problems. I need solutions, what’s yours?" he demanded.

"To improve Vespa to the point where people aren’t starving and dying on the street. If we invest in the poor and the slums themselves, then they are more likely to trust us and hate Tyler and his group. I don’t see him or the government helping out, so they’ll see us as the way to the future. If I snag some more Necram power on the way, even better," Zinnia answered calmly while putting her elbows on her desk, revealing her cleavage.

"Very good. Tonberry is up in flames and the leadership there needs a complete overhaul. It’s almost not worth saving. I need to know this area won’t be a problem, Zinnia, I’m not kidding." 4 said sternly while looking at her chest.

"So why treat me like a child and come here with stupid little games?" Zinnia shot back.

The man laughed. "I like your attitude. There will be another exchange in the upcoming weeks. The Necrams certainly lack patience. Are you aware that Tyler attacked their main base?"

Zinnia gasped, acting surprised while pulling off her act, "That’s ballsy. Why the hell would he do that? That’s reckless and what does he have to gain?"

"My thoughts exactly. There seems to be something about his staff that is very important. I know he was in these slums recently, if you’re able to snag that, there will be a very hefty reward. Keep an eye out for him, he’s very, very powerful. Orders remain the same. Do not engage. Especially if his wives are present. They aren’t your run of the mill students, there’s something else even the Necrams can’t figure out." Number 4 said clearly.

"Well that should be obvious from the livestream. He’s a summoner and those don’t exist. Why are the Necrams so surprised?" Zinnia asked, trying to get as much information as she could.

"Summoners don’t exist on any planet according to our new allies. They can’t figure out how one came to be. It’s like he plopped out of the sky. They’ve monitored all the planets in the Orion galaxy and I can say I’ve scanned this entire planet and no one seems to know where he came from. Even his hometown of Reza comes up empty. Just two tombstones with the name Rask on them. No other family history and no one seems to remember his parents," 4 said calmly.

"Maybe one of his Eidolons has an ability like I do?" Zinnia asked curiously.

"That’s what we’re thinking as well. He must have altered the memories from his hometown to not remember him or his family to protect them. Not a single person at his high school remembers him either. When he became a summoner, one of his familiars must have gone back and charmed them or wiped their memory. He showed them in their Eidolon form on stream, but if you look closely, there’s clearly a succubus and an incubes. The masked one also intrigued me. Anyway, the Necrams are confused and want that staff so any information you can give on him would be substantial," 4 said before standing up.

"Understood. I will do my best but it doesn’t appear that he or his wives are willing to share anything. I didn’t even know they were in the slums that day. People around town said he basically blew them off politely. They wanted pictures, autographs, things of that nature but he and his wives were polite and said they didn’t want to be shown on the internet. It’s a smart group. Is there anything that can be done to save Tonberry?" Zinnia asked, twirling her hand through her hair and using her body to flirt.

"It’s just going to burn to the ground. The Necrams will likely do a clean sweep and steal the power from the ability users and leave the non-ability ones to rot. Nothing can be done," the maroon mask said. "Well, hopefully I won’t be seeing you anytime soon. If I am, that means we have problems."

Zinnia went to respond but the masked man was gone.

’People don’t just fall from the sky. It looks like he has some secrets even his wives don’t know about. Ugh, who am I to judge?’ Zinnia thought before eyeing her bed.

She got into comfortable clothes and laid down. Her phone had 3 messages.

"Everything is under control in the South." - Dak

"All good in the East." - Zed

"West is secure." - Vivi

Zinnia grabbed her phone and texted Topa.

"What’s going on? Why haven’t you reported in?"

"Sorry boss. Everything is fine. Was dealing with drunkards pestering some of our entry level. They’re wondering why the South and East got money but we haven’t."

’Shit," Zinnia thought before using one of her demon arts to change the bills into credits. She teleported out of Vivi’s where no one could see her. She walked in, apologized, handed her 20,000 credits and explained what to do. Vivi was on board.

She walked out into another alleyway and teleported to somewhere where no one could see her. She walked into Topa’s hideout, where most of the recruits, aside from the black mask, were sleeping.

"Good evening boss," the black mask said.

"Hello 11. How are things?" Zinnia asked while walking toward Topa’s office.

"Long day. Better now, thanks for asking," 11 responded casually.

"Get some rest, you look beat," Zinnia said while knocking on Topa’s door.

"Zinnia! Please come in," the light purple masked woman said cheerfully.

Zinnia walked in and took a seat across from the leader of the Northern slum.

"My apologies Topa. Please invest in the city. My boss visited and I simply didn’t have time to get over here like I did in the other areas," Zinnia lied convincingly.

She completely forgot to visit the other areas when she went to Tyler’s. She could have easily dropped off the credits earlier but she felt herself wanting to go back to the apartment more often. She was glad she cleared the air with Kass and wanted to start fitting in with the women. They didn’t seem like immature college students, more like well-rounded women who deserved a seat on the vampiric council.

"You have a lot going on Zinnia," Topa said kindly. "You’re a good boss, you certainly beat the hell out of that prick D. If you need us, we are here for you."

"Thank you. Please make sure to invest in our area. The more they see us as people helping them, the more they will see Tyler and the government as the enemy," Zinnia said kindly.

"I agree. Thank you for this, it goes a long way. We’ll make the most of it, don’t worry." Topa smiled.

"I know you will, goodnight." Zinnia smirked before walking out of Topa’s hideout.

She didn’t know whether she should go back to her hideout or Tyler’s, but she knew Kass was with Tyler so she decided to go back to her hideout.

{Goodnight ladies. I wish I could be there with you.} Zinnia

{You could have stayed in Kass’ bed!} Amanda

{Don’t sweat it. It looks better if you aren’t here and coming back earlier was risky. Get a good night’s sleep.} Sophie

{Sleep well Zinnia! Remember, don’t come to us even if we’re in imminent danger tomorrow. You have to stay in Vespa. Wish you were here!} Nyxara.

Zinnia laid in bed staring at her system screen.

’If only I could help them burn Vexa tomorrow. The look on Agent Z’s face is going to be priceless,’ she thought before she finally drifted off to sleep.