----
“I’ll give you five minutes to get Jason out here,” David said
coldly.
The guards, having never seen firearms up close,
screamed in terror.
“You’re looking for trouble," one of the guards said, raising
his stick again.
David’s voice rang out sharply, "Do you want to find out
whether your poison darts are faster, or if my bullets are?"
Ten bodyguards, guns in hand, aimed at the guards. The
standoff grew tense as the vigers watched, shocked by
the sudden esction.
The gunfire and the vigers’ cries soon reached Jason,
who appeared, looking confused. "What’s going on?"
----
“Jason, there’s trouble. Someone’s causing amotion at
the vige entrance," the guards informed him, stepping
aside.
Jason’s eyes locked onto Orion, suspicion flooding his
mind. What was he doing here? Was he trying to take over
their vige?
Orion, noticing the misunderstanding, quickly exined,
“Jason, I’m here with an important matter to discuss, but
your guards wouldn’t let us through, forcing us to resort to
this method."
Jason’s expression darkened. Was this the way he was
being approached?
“We’ve never had any dealings with ckpool Vige.
What do you want with me?" Jason’s voice held an edge of
irritation.
----
Orion remained calm. "We need to speak privately. It’s
urgent."
Jason narrowed his eyes, wary of further interaction. He
didn’t trust Orion and wasn’t sure if this was some kind of
trick to get him to lower his guard.
The two men stood, sizing each
other up, tesfirig each other’s
resolve. Suddenly, Jason made a eS
subtle ement, but before he <
could react, a ck snake shotout
of Orion’s mouth,tching onto
Jason’s wrist and sinking its fangs
déep.
----
The bodyguards froze, eyes wide with disbelief. Was that a
snake? Did it really just fly out of Orion’s mouth?
The vigers, while surprised, didn’t panic as much, though
they were still taken aback.
----
Orion grinned through the pain. "It’s been long, Jason. Your
poison skills have certainly gotten more refined."
Jason, his body electrified with searing heat and cold,
grimaced in pain. It felt as though a thousand tiny insects
were crawling through his veins.
Orion smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "It seems
my own poison is getting just as good."
----
The bodyguards, recovering from
their shock-gtanced between the
two men What was going on? Why>
were theyexchangingpliments
in themiddle of this? ’Focus, ?
people—Danielle still needs that
ote!’
----
David raised an eyebrow. This secluded vige had some
serious secrets, and it was bing clear that there were
more powerful people here than he’d thought.
“Now, can we talk?" Orion’s voice was no longer patient—it
wasmanding.
Jason’s eyes glinted coldly. "I’ve been meaning to catch up
with you for a while."
“Jason, hello. I’m David. I’m here to ask for your help in
curing the poison that’s afflicting my fiancée. You can name
any condition you want," David said, his tone cool and
composed.
----
Jason assessed David, his eyes
narrowing. Atirst, he’d seen this
man as justanother figure, but now>
there waéan undeniable sense.of
autharity emanating from om e
morehe looked, the strongercthat
festing became.
----
“I’m sorry, we don’t deal with outsiders," Jason replied
curtly.
David casually twirled his gun in his hand. "Jason, are you
‘sure about that?”
Was that a threat? Jason’s temper red. He was already
in agony from the poison, and now this young man was
trying to push him further. It was almost too much to bear.
Jason gritted his teeth. "I’ve thought about it. I reject your
offer."
Jason turned his re toward Orion. "You better fix this, or
I swear..."
Orion smiled darkly. "I suggest you start listening to David.
You don’t want to find out how much more we’re willing to
do to make you change your mind."