Algea was miffed that she had to interrogate someone again. She was all too willing to leave that life behind. Unfortunately, Ankmet had the information she needed, and he was not above killing and torturing to get what he wanted. Usually, he gets his goons to do the dirty work, but apparently, he wanted Algea this time.

The door to the interrogation room opened to a sight Algea was all too familiar with. There was a man, bruised and bloody, sitting in a chair. The walls were covered in blood, but it was too much only to be his. She looked him up and down, analyzing how she was to gain the information needed. He looked firmly ahead, ensuring he didn’t make eye contact with Algea. She smirked.

“Hello,” A deceivingly sweet smile graced her lips as she stood before her target. “What is your name?” He looked up, eyes hard and glaring, before spitting blood onto Algea’s foot. “That is no way to treat a stranger,” She chastised.

“I know who you are, Reaper,’’ he spat. “If Ankmet thinks he can get his friend to break me, he will have another thing coming.” Growling, he bared his teeth in a snarl. “Besides, haven’t you been in the human realm for years? I am sure their weak demeanor has rubbed off on you by now. Who knows if you are the same infamous force as before.”

“Goading me will get you nowhere,” Algea calmly replied. Even if what you said was true, in that state,” she paused, eyeing him, “I could still break you without much effort.” She circled the chair slowly before stopping and sitting on the floor. The man looked at her with disgusted confusion.

“How about you tell me how you got yourself in this mess? Maybe I can get you out of here.” She grinned, flashing her fangs. Fiddling with her eyepatch strap, Algea watched the man fidget. The silence stretched on. After what felt like forever, the man fidgeted before speaking again.

“How about you untie me, and I will tell you what you want,” he looked back over at his tied hands and feet. “There is not much I can do in this state, and you are the scary Reaper. I probably couldn’t even beat you if I wanted,” He was interrupted by deep coughs that resulted in a small amount of blood spraying down his front and pants.

“Hm,” Algea looked him over again. “You are right.” Getting up she walked over and quickly snapped the thick ropes binding the man to the chair. With a satisfied look she went back and sat on the floor. The man looked surprised that she let him go of his bindings. Rubbing the soreness and pain away from where the rope had rubbed his wrists raw, he watched Algea sitting on the floor. She had a nonchalant position, with one of her knees pulled up to her chest and arms resting on top. Her twin braids brushed the floor, collecting a noticeable amount of dirt on the tips.

“Why are you being nice to me?” Algae looked up. “I mean,” The man chewed at his lips. “Ankmet hired you, right? To get information on Aurelio and his recent movements. Why are you not beating the shit out of me?” The man looked genuinely confused. Algea only laughed.

“First, I was not hired. Think of it more as a favor between friends,” She stood up and walked closer to the chair. “As for the lack of violence,” She looked him over. “I do not believe you deserve such treatment. You seem to be a smart man. I think a civil discussion between two demigods was well earned,” She poked a deep bruise on the man’s shoulder, causing him to flinch.

“I see what you mean,” He paused, tears beginning to well in his eyes. “Thank you.”

Algea smiled before continuing. “So you decided to work for Aurelio then? What could he have offered to make you risk Ankmet’s wrath.”

“A way out of all of this.” Algea blinked. “I want to be free from all the darkness this world has given me. To be free from the monster I have become because of Ankmet,” His eyes had a hollow, defeated look. “I am now an irredeemable monster for the actions I have willingly done while in his employ. Aurelio said that he could free me. Save me from my darkness,” he paused to sigh, fully deflating. “But I now see that never actually happens.”

“The only one who can save you is yourself. Aurelio was wrong in leading you on like that,” She looked at him with new understanding. “You know there are very limited options for you now.” He nodded. She sighed. “I wish I could help more,” A broken laugh that ended in a hacking cough was her reply. After the coughing subsided, he muttered something under his breath. Algea walked closer and leaned closer to his mouth.

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“I have one last request,” He whispered into Algea’s ear. After a slight nod as confirmation, he continued. “I know the rumors of what happened to your team, and I bet that is the type of information you are looking to get from Ankmet,” Another slight nod from Algea to let the man continue. “If you promise not to let Ankmet know, I will tell you what you want to know.”

Algea stood up and looked at the broken man in front of her. His eyes shone with hope for one last fuck you to Ankmet, a boy who ruined his life. A look of understanding and empathy for his request flashed across Algea.

“Stand directly in front of me,” he requested. Once she was in position, he continued. “Ankmet has a hidden window. Now he can’t see my lips,” a cough made him stop briefly. “Aurelio’s current location is near Blood Spire Forest. I heard that he was in a deal with Enyo. A deal he is not too keen on keeping for long,” Another coughing fit and blood spattered the floor. “That is all I know.”

“Thank you for the information,” Algea looked expectantly at the man.

“Huskly, the name is Huskly.”

“Thank you Huskly. My end will be upheld.” A small smile rested on his lips as Algea walked forward. With a swift motion, Algea had broken his neck with a loud crack. His body went limp. His head rolled forward. As more blood dribbled down his front, Algea reached down and closed his eyes. Turning away, she walked out of the cold dead room.

In the hallway, she was greeted by the same boy who had taken her here. He looked expectantly at her. She nodded, confirming she had the information. With a relieved smile, the boy led Algea away. The walk to the room was short. It was too short to be back at Ankmet’s study, but Algea stayed quiet. She was unable to fully remember the way back, but if needed, she would kill her guard and find her way out.

The room she was led to was small and plain. Only two black chairs stood out against the pale gray walls and floor. After Algea was roughly shoved, the door slammed shut. She quickly recovered, but not quickly enough to catch the door as it clicked shut. She inspected the entire room for a way out besides the door. Her search came up fruitless. Even the air vents were too small for anything but a snake to fit through.

Growling, Algea paced the room. With a knock and a click, the door swung open. Unfortunately, it was just large enough for Seth to be shoved in. Algea tried to block the door from closing, but with Seth there, she couldn’t get to the door in time.

“Shit!” Algea hit the door. “What the hell Ankmet!” Seth walked to the other side of the room with his arms crossed. A scowl was deeply etched into his face as he looked at Algea bang on the door. With a huff, she turned to Seth. Finally seeing the look on his face, she blinked confusedly. “What’s wrong? Did Ankmet do something?”

“Algea, what the hell is going on?” Seth shouted in frustration. “You led me to this place without explaining anything. Apparently, you are famous, and people are scared of you. I just watched you kill a guy for no reason, and above all else,” He paused to take a breath. “You have acted like I am just here for some ride, like an afterthought,” His face was starting to turn a little pinker in anger. “You said you wanted my help. So let me help! Tell me what is going on. I clearly don’t care if you are some scary killer.”

Algea just stood there wide-eyed. Lost for words, she continued to stare at Seth. This only resulted in Seth throwing his hands up in frustration. “I cannot believe this. Ankmet said that he wanted to show me the kind of person I saved. He acted like what I did was a mistake, and you know what,” He stepped closer to Algea. “I am starting to see what he means. You left me alone with someone you obviously don’t trust.” Seth jabbed his finger towards Algea’s chest. She flinched.

Seth froze. The look in Algea eyes was rueful but guarded. “You are right. You deserve to know fully what is happening, but this is not the place.” Algea looked around like someone could be listening in.

Seth pursed his lips. “Fine, but after all of this, you are telling me everything.” Algae nodded, relaxing. “Okay, so, now what? How are we going to get out of here?”

“I am not entirely sure. Did Ankmet mention anything before you were taken here?” Seth gripped his chin as he thought. His long hair fell out of his red beanie and into his eyes as he tilted his head down.

“He mentioned something about double-checking a source before coming to get us. He wanted to make sure his end of the bargain was done correctly. He also mentioned a commander he needed to check in on.” Algea paled a little.

“Did he say he was going to speak with The Commander?” Her voice was a small hiss. Seth lit up.

“Yes! That was the name,” Algea paled more. “What? Is that not his boss?”

“No, well, it shouldn’t be. You see Seth,” Algea leaned into the wall hard and slid down. Her head was bowed, and her arms were lying across her knees. “She is the only demigod that can kill me,” Looking up, Algea’s eyes shone with worry and anger. “And she is the one who wants me dead.”