Chapter 50

"Hey, are you okay?" Trance waved in front of Nine's face. The blonde slowly lowered her gaze to Trance. She grabbed the raven's hand and leaned to her shoulder.

I doubt this one is a killing machine. How could someone like that turn into a drunk bear?

Trance laughed at the thought, "You drink too much, are you sure you can drive us back home?"

"She's a light drinker, I see." Madeleine hummed, "It's my first time seeing her face but it doesn't matter now, what matters is, you sure there are no suckers following?"

"Yes, we just handled them earlier." Nine murmurs, "Damn it, I can feel my soul almost leaving my body."

"Well, she handled them--" Nine stared at Trance, furrowing her brows.

"I said WE. WE killed those fuckers. Do you understand?"

"Fine." Trance sighed.

"Good job, she sobered up." Madeleine commented while staring at them, "By the way, Hime, I also got an Intel that your appearance during Serpent's attack calls underground's attention, especially the monarchs. Ellreign is now famous---no, getting infamous again."

"That's really a problem," Trance opened the car's door and guided Nine inside, "I can't hide from them for a while. I'm certain they're up to something."

"I'm afraid that anytime they'll hunt you down."

"You know? The night is not young anymore, you should also go back to your quarters." Trance tapped his shoulder, "Goodnight, Maddy." She smiled, giving reassurance to the reluctant man.

"Goodnight, Hime."

"I wanted to know something," Nine greeted Trance after the closing room's door, "What's your point of letting me overhear your conversation?"

"Because that's the reason why I joined Excalibur. Monarchs are after me because of this weird ability of mine. Kinda the same as yours, and my brothers' but with a bit of weird stuff added." Trance pressed the air between her fingers, "I thought you noticed it once I cut myself."

Silence. Trance was used to it but now it's too deafening.

"I do but I ignored it." Nine squinted, "There's nothing wrong with your reason."

"If I'm part of a mafia?"

"So what?"

"You're not going to kill me?"

"Don't you want to stay alive? To gaslight me? To manipulate me?" Nine walked towards her, cornering her, "I'm favoring you. Consider this as a payment on what I heard on my car, no?"

"You're really going to do whatever I want?"

"Yeah, as long as it's not part of your kinks," Nine shrugged, casually walking away, "Go to sleep now. I have things to do here." Nine furrowed her brows. Trance swiftly jumped on her bed, hugging one of the pillow.

"You sure you can?" Trance burry herself under the sheets, "You drink the bottle of vodka."

"I only drink vodka."

"If you say so." Trance scanned the workplace where Nine is sitting. There are many books and mechanical materials yet it's placed neatly. The room is clean and cozy, "Nine, do you think---"

Trance stopped speaking when Nine handed her a note. She motioned the raven to stay silent. Analyzing the situation, Trance take the paper. She give Nine one final glance before reading the paper.

'They are listening.'

"Do I think what?"

"Eating caramel popcorn followed by drinking vodka is tasty?"

"Dunno, why did you ask?"

"Here." Trance handed a caramel candy from her pocket.

"Thank you?"

"Why do you sound unsure?"

"Why? You want me to pin you down in your spot while I'm killing you? Sure, I won't mind." Nine stood up.

"Wait! Wait!" Trance swiftly hopped out of the bed while waving her hands. Nine grimaced and sat back in her swivel chair. Trance put down her hands in doubt, "Wow. You listen."

"Shut up."

"Captain said you're hard to communicate with. What has gotten on you, I wonder?"

"You know what? Don't move." Nine took out a zip lock and then walked towards her. Trance is still filled with confusion as the blonde takes steps. Confusion is not because Nine listens but confusion to Trance herself. Her heart's beating loudly in anticipation which is very astonishing for her.

"I want to know something so don't move." Nine pulled out a pair of scissors from her pocket, snipped a few strands of Trance's hair, and put it inside the bag.

"What's that purpose?"

"Running some test." Nine pointed her chair, "Sit there."

Trance sat on the corner she pointed. Nine take out a new syringe together with a small blood container from a small plastic box.

"What kind of test is it?"

"About your bizarre ability. Don't move." Nine punctured the needle on the hollow in the top of Trance's elbow. Blood fills it easily and after that, she transferred it to the container, "It's better if we know even a gist of it."

"How can I trust you that you're not going to give it to Excalibur?"

"You have my word and loyalty. Besides, I jammed the surveillance gadgets so...yeah." Nine shrugged before closing the box, "If I told you that someone dear to me is being held captive inside the headquarters, would you believe me?" She said in almost a whisper.

"Being held there too? Like Haru?"

"Yes." Nine sat beside her, "It's my sibling. A little sister."

"Well, not being sound insensitive but I'm pretty sure that makes us equal after all."

"Indeed it is."

Their silent conversation was halted when Trance stood up while Nine motioned her to keep silent as the footsteps echoed in the hallway. Two soft knocks can be heard on Nine's door before it opens, revealing the Captain herself while holding a mug filled with coffee.

"The headmistress from the main headquarters issued a prisoner transfer from here to Spain." She spoke up. "Headmistress Terese Amidalah wants to detain the mafia monarch in the Excalibur in Spain. Headmistress Victoria sent me a notice just now. She wants two members of our unit to bring him there. I'm sending Catherine and...who's available between the two of you? Trance?"

Nine glanced at Trance before she focused again on arranging the medical supplies back into their bag. She turned to the Captain completely, "I'll do it. Trance did enough."