[Damien's Pov]
Damien walked in tense silence, hands tucked in the pockets of his coat. The Butler followed half a pace behind.
"She stood up to me? That's new." Damien muttered.
"She's growing teeth." The Butler clipped out.
"Well... took her long enough." Damien said, grinning.
A pause hung between them.
"What's the plan now, Master Damien? We need a third member, the loss of the Brute leaves us exposed."
Damien's eyes narrowed. "I know." He paused, his grip tightening around the hilt of his katana. "What pisses me off the most is that the bastard had the strongest will to live more than anyone I've met... yet he fell to a piece of filth. It's a pathetic."
The Butler tilted his head, but before Damien could say anything, a soft laugh echoed from above.
They both looked up.
She sat on the edge of a crumbling wall, legs crossed, one high-heeled black boot dangling idly in the air.
"Gosh... you look so cute when you're stressed out, Damien." Elena purred, pushing herself off the wall. She dropped down graceful, catlike landing a few feet from Damien without even a tremor.
The Butler looked between them, his posture stiffening, cane tightening in his grip. "Master Damien, do you know this woman?"
Damien didn't blink. He just stared, his lips thinning into a hard line. "Unfortunately. It appears the serpent has finally left her hole."
Elena grinned, a slow challenging display of pleasure. She ran a single finger along the pristine sleeve of his coat as she passed him. "Oh, don't look so bitter, darling. You knew I'd find you eventually. You can never truly escape your vices, can you?"
Damien quickly regained his composure, brushing the spot she had touched. "Why are you spying on us?"
"Spying? Now that's a big accusation." she said, stepping close to The Butler. "I simply happened to be in the area at the same time as you. It's just a coincidence that led me to the two most emotionally exposed people in this district."
She reached out to touch his chin but The Butler swiftly caught her wrist. "What do you want?" he asked.
"What we all want, old man." she answered, her entirely unimpressed by his strength. "To win The Game.
Damien sighed, pushing past them and continuing his walk. "You're not invited, Elena. My team is not a charity for your idle amusements."
"Ouch…" She smirked, pulling her wrist free with an effortless twist, leaving the Butler stunned. "I remember a few days ago, you used to love my idle amusements. You begged for them actually. Now you're calling them a charity?"
Damien ignored her and continued with his walk.
"You can't push me away, Damein. And between us you know I'm more useful than the old man. You need me, darling." She called.
Damien stopped abruptly. He turned and faced her. "And you expect me to believe you won't turn on me the moment I let you into my circle? You're difficult to manage. "
"Of course I am." Elena leaned in. "We are all snakes here, Damien. I am simply the necessary serpent. But I'll make sure it's after we've already won your wish."
Damien sighed and rubbed his face. "Very well." he clipped out.
Elena smiled. "You're such a good boy."