Cassia's breath hitched. A slow, genuine smile spread across her face. The heavy tension in the room instantly shifted into a sharp, lethal excitement. She leaned into his hand for just a moment before pulling away, her arrogant confidence fully restored.
"Good," Cassia whispered. "Because I want my cut."
Arthur stood up from the sofa. He walked over to his chair and picked up his tailored suit jacket. He shrugged it on, adjusting the lapels so they sat perfectly. He strapped the heavy, pitch-black Ebonheart Sword to his back. The blade felt cold and dense against his spine.
He looked at Cassia, who was slinging her sniper rifle over her shoulder, and then at Vane, who was crushing an empty water bottle in his massive fist.
"Cassia. Vane," Arthur commanded. The CEO was back. "We're going to the top floor."
Dawn in the Deficit Zone was a miserable affair.
