This open-air tavern was a popular spot for many students, situated at the junction of Christ Church, the Town Hall, and not far from Merton College. After class, the sorcerer had only needed a short bike ride to get there, even running into a few students he often saw around campus. Though Solomon kept his voice low, his tall frame and the fury he tried to suppress still drew attention—especially among those well-versed in the unspoken class distinctions at Oxford. Those who entered via sheer academic merit, those whose family backgrounds secured their place, and those who did both, could be identified at a glance. Only the last category would be so meticulously dressed that even the most exacting headmaster couldn't find fault.
A sharp appearance naturally inspired trust. Compared to that, Coulson in his sagging American suit and Skye in her tactical gear looked glaringly out of place. And with Solomon's scholarly reputation and athletic talents, he had become something of a minor celebrity in certain circles. Even the professors from the private theology colleges recognized him. Not everyone liked him, but in a moment of potential conflict, many were ready to lend a hand—students were already gesturing to see if Solomon needed someone to call the police to remove the two strangers harassing him.
Coulson noticed the sideways glances from students. Skye, now visibly nervous, scanned the area. "This is why I suggested we go to a pizza place," he murmured, sighing and trying to calm her down. He reminded her that losing her temper here could lead to civilian casualties—and that would give Solomon the excuse to break their truce and retaliate. "We mean no harm," Coulson said. "Skye just wants her mother back…"
"A creature who sees herself as above humanity. One who tried to wipe humans out," Solomon replied with a scoff. He forced a smile and waved at the students, dissuading them from making the call. "There have always been people like her, and you know how Kamar-Taj handles such threats, don't you, Coulson?" His smile didn't reach his eyes. "I don't care what suffering she endured to lose faith in humanity. I only care whether she had the right to elevate Inhumans above the rest of us. You can't ask the entire human race to answer for what Whitehall did. Skye, you've already mentally removed yourself from the human race. You think it's perfectly justified that Jiaying sought revenge against humans, don't you?"
"I NEVER thought that! You're twisting everything, demonizing the Inhumans!" the hybrid girl growled, low and strained, her fists clenched tight on the table. It looked like she was about to smash it across the sorcerer's face.
"If you still stand with humanity, then don't blame me for defending it. I don't deny that I'm cold-blooded. Caring about the Inhumans isn't my job. I don't care what happens to those who've rejected their humanity. I only accept Inhumans who choose to protect humanity. Those are the only worthy ones," Solomon replied, his grin turning cruel. "And you, Coulson—how many agents have died because you chose to save Skye? Do you think Inhuman lives are more valuable than human ones?"
"You know that's not true, Solomon," Coulson said firmly, shaking his head. "That kind of framing is twisted."
"It gives comfort to those who still stand on our side," Solomon said flatly, meeting both their eyes. "I don't trust you. No matter who you used to be, without Nick Fury's leadership, none of you are aligned with humanity anymore. Girl, don't throw a tantrum. Don't think that a few superpowers give you the right to raise a hand against me. If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't need to try."
Coulson gripped Skye's arm tightly. "You'll see where we stand, Solomon. SHIELD is still SHIELD. I will uphold my duty."
"Maybe. I still need you to finish the task destiny has set for you. After that, I'll start properly holding you all accountable." Solomon took out a napkin and scrawled an address on it. "Jiaying is here. I locked her inside a shipping container, sedated her, and fitted her with an explosive collar to stop that teleporting Inhuman from extracting her. You should be able to remove it, right?"
"An explosive collar?!" Skye leapt to her feet. "You treated her like a dog?!"
Solomon rolled his eyes. Under Coulson's pleading gaze, he held back any cutting remarks, but as a precaution, he gave her a subtle psychic knock to dampen her emotions. "Thank you," Coulson said, accepting the napkin and steadying the dazed girl beside him. "Even if we no longer have much trust between us, I still believe you understand our goal. How long will she stay like this?"
"Three minutes. I went easy. Just enough for you to get her into the vehicle."
Following the napkin's directions, Coulson's team found Jiaying unconscious. Skye rushed to her side, examining the new wounds on her mother's body.
"You just let him walk away?!" she cried, nearly in tears. Simmons rushed over to check Jiaying's vitals, while the rest of the team stared at Coulson in silence, awaiting an explanation. "You know what he's capable of! You could expose everything he's done!"
"And get us all killed?" Melinda May asked coldly. "Is that what you want, Skye?"
"Solomon is extremely dangerous. Long before the HYDRA uprising, he was already manipulating SHIELD to carry out his plans," Coulson said grimly. "I don't know why he suddenly gave Jiaying to us, but I know it wasn't because the Avengers talked him into it. That was the one honest thing he said. I've received intel that, after I informed the Avengers about Jiaying, they lost a significant number of agents. I suspect Solomon was behind it. And—"
"—A mission given by fate," Fitz muttered. "That's the only reason he let us go. He's changed so much. I used to be able to joke around with him…"
"Now he just gives me chills," Simmons said, wiping her nose. "Jiaying will be fine. Superficial wounds, most likely from interrogation. We'll know more after we get back to the Bus. I don't know if Solomon used any kind of truth serum on her."
"They've departed? Report, Agent L3-A."
"Yes, Director Hand. They've boarded the Quinjet." The agent packed up his sniper rifle, pressing a hand to his earpiece. "I've placed a tracker on the landing gear. I have to admit, I enjoyed playing the drunk. No one suspects a crying wreck of a man devastated by his football team losing—especially not with a Liverpool accent. Ha! First time a Scouser's ever given something instead of taking it. You'd think Coulson's team would catch on to something that basic."
"Because they're no longer agents," Victoria Hand said with an icy sneer. "They're amateurs now. Shockingly amateur."
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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