Vivian delivered a swift kick to the man's head, dropping him like a stone. She dusted off her hands with a smirk. "Looks like I didn't need a hero after all." Her gaze flicked to Evelyn's pistol on the ground. "You should really drink the serum and stop depending on that thing. Who knows? You might end up with an even better gift than mine."
Evelyn rolled her eyes and bent down to retrieve her pistol. "It wasn't my fault. The damn thing wouldn't shoot." She turned to Sebastian, who was approaching with the second unconscious man slung over his shoulder. "Why did it malfunction?"
Sebastian stopped in front of her, glanced at the weapon, and tapped the side of it. "Safety was on."
Evelyn froze. Then pouted.
Vivian stared for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Oh, that's priceless."
Evelyn groaned, shoving the pistol back into its holster.
Vivian wiped a tear from her eye, still chuckling. "Alright, big guy," she said, nodding at Sebastian. "Help me load these two into Evelyn's car. We're taking them back to the office."
She turned to Evelyn as she stepped toward the vehicle. "Get them there as soon as you can."
Vivian rose into the air, carried by an effortless current of wind, and drifted away, leaving Evelyn to handle the transport.
Sebastian, unfazed, hoisted both unconscious intruders like they weighed nothing and unceremoniously stuffed them into the trunk. Evelyn slid into the passenger seat, and without another word, they drove back to the office.
She directed Sebastian to a private parking lot—one reserved for only a select few.
"Take them up. I'll join you in a minute," Evelyn instructed as she stepped out.
Sebastian took her access card and entered the elevator, the doors sliding shut with a mechanical hum as it carried him straight to Victor's office.
Alone now, Evelyn lingered by the car. Her gaze fell on a sleek, black box nestled between the driver's and passenger's seats. Inside, the green serum gleamed under the dim interior light. She picked it up carefully, running her fingers over the cool glass, lost in thought.
"Will it be the same as before?"
A presence crept up behind her. The moment she sensed it, she whirled around—only to find Vivian standing unnervingly close.
Evelyn startled, her grip faltering. The serum slipped from her fingers.
Vivian moved faster than thought, summoning a burst of wind to catch the vial before it hit the ground. The air carried it up, floating it gently into her waiting hand.
She arched a brow as she examined it. "Be careful with this," she chided, her tone equal parts amusement and warning.
Evelyn snatched the serum from Vivian's grasp, scowling. "You startled me."
Vivian casually leaned against the car, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at her lips. "So… are you actually going to drink it, or do you need a little motivation?"
Evelyn shot her a dry look. "Don't you have something better to do?"
Evelyn tightened her grip on the serum, eyes narrowing as she stepped away from Vivian. "I'll drink it when I'm ready," she said, voice firm. "If I even decide to."
Vivian sighed dramatically, pushing off the car. "You're overthinking it. That serum is a gift, Evelyn. You keep clinging to that pistol like it's the only thing standing between you and death." She took a slow step forward. "You could be so much more."
Evelyn shook her head. "And what if I don't want to be more?"
Vivian moved fast—faster than Evelyn had expected. A gust of wind surged between them, knocking the vial from Evelyn's grasp and sending it spinning through the air. With a flick of her wrist, Vivian guided it with her wind, snatching it midair before Evelyn could react.
"Vivian—"
"I don't have time for your self-doubt," Vivian interrupted, uncorking the vial with her thumb. "You're drinking this. Now."
Evelyn lunged for it, but Vivian danced back, light on her feet, as if the very air carried her. "Don't make me do this the hard way," she warned, her grin widening.
Evelyn didn't back down. She dashed forward, feinting left before twisting right, aiming to swipe the serum from Vivian's grasp. But a powerful gust knocked her off balance. She barely had time to recover before Vivian was in front of her, gripping her chin and forcing her head back.
"Open up," Vivian ordered.
"Vivian, don't you dare—"
Vivian tilted the vial, and the cool liquid rushed past Evelyn's lips. She gagged, but Vivian kept a firm grip, forcing her to swallow.
The moment the serum slid down her throat, fire ignited in Evelyn's veins. Her body tensed, her vision blurred, and her breath hitched as raw power surged through her. The world around her pulsed, every sound sharper, every movement slower—as if time itself had bent to her.
Vivian finally let go, watching with satisfaction. "See? That wasn't so bad."
Evelyn staggered back; eyes wide. Her heartbeat was wrong—too strong, too fast. Energy crackled beneath her skin, waiting to be unleashed.
"What did you do?" she whispered, hands trembling.
Vivian's smirk softened into something almost… proud. "I just gave you what you were too scared to take for yourself."
Evelyn clenched her fists, her body humming with newfound strength. She wasn't sure whether to thank Vivian—or punch her straight in the face.
Dizziness clouded Evelyn's senses as she stumbled toward the car. She reached for the door handle, but the moment her fingers made contact—metal groaned, hinges snapped—and the entire door tore free from the frame.
With a startled gasp, she staggered back, the sudden force throwing her off balance. The door crashed to the ground beside her, cracking the pavement on impact.
Vivian arched a brow, arms crossed as if she hadn't just witnessed something absurd. "Well," she said, voice as casual as ever, "guess that answers the question of what your gift is."
Evelyn's vision blurred as another wave of dizziness hit her. A strange heat built behind her eyes, intensifying with each pulse of her racing heartbeat. She blinked rapidly, pressing a hand to her temple.
"Evelyn?" Vivian's voice was cautious now, her smirk replaced with a hint of concern.
A sharp pain shot through Evelyn's skull. Then—a surge of energy exploded from her eyes.
A searing red beam lashed out, splitting through the air like a bolt of concentrated fire. It tore past where Vivian had been standing a fraction of a second ago, scorching a blackened line across the pavement.
Vivian had barely managed to throw herself sideways, her body twisting midair with a burst of wind to propel her out of harm's way. She landed in a crouch, eyes wide, for once genuinely startled.
Evelyn clutched her face, panting. "What the hell was that?"
Vivian straightened, brushing dust from her clothes. "That," she said, still eyeing Evelyn warily, "was almost my funeral."
Evelyn's breathing slowed, realization dawning. She had no control over this. "I—I didn't mean to."
"No kidding." Vivian exhaled, still keeping a safe distance. "Okay, new rule—no looking at me when you're freaking out."
Evelyn groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Great. Now I'm a walking weapon."
Vivian smirked again, though this time there was caution behind her usual teasing. "Yeah, well… at least you don't need a pistol anymore."
Vivian extended a hand, her eyes still sharp with lingering caution. The way she studied Evelyn now was different—calculating, as if she were measuring the full extent of what she had just unleashed.
Evelyn hesitated for a moment before gripping Vivian's hand. A slight tension passed between them as Vivian pulled her up with ease. The moment Evelyn was steady, she caught sight of Vivian's expression—part curiosity, part smug amusement.
Evelyn groaned, rubbing her temples. "This is your fault."
Vivian raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "My fault? You make it sound like I poured the serum down your throat."
Evelyn shot her a glare—though this time, she was careful not to accidentally incinerate her. "You literally did."
Vivian smirked, unfazed. "And look at you now. Stronger. Better. Capable of tearing car doors off and nearly frying your sister." She dusted off her sleeve dramatically. "You're welcome."
Evelyn groaned again, tilting her head toward the sky. "I hate you."
Vivian grinned. "You'll get over it."
Vivian's grin faltered as a sharp pressure crept up her arm. A flicker of confusion crossed her face before realization set in.
"Evelyn?" she called; her voice steady but laced with an edge of concern.
Evelyn didn't respond. Her gaze was distant, lost in the rush of unfamiliar power coursing through her veins.
Vivian's brows furrowed. She tried to move her fingers—nothing. The pressure tightened. "Evelyn!" she barked this time.
Evelyn snapped her attention to her, blinking. "What?"
Vivian exhaled sharply. "You're crushing my hand."
Evelyn's gaze dropped, and her stomach twisted when she saw their hands still clasped—her grip like a vice around Vivian's fingers. The skin beneath her hold was turning pale.
With a startled gasp, Evelyn released her, stepping back as if burned. "Oh—" She forced an awkward smile, attempting to mask the guilt creeping in. "That's for forcing me to drink the serum."
Vivian flexed her fingers, wincing before shaking out her hand. "Right. Noted."
She gave Evelyn a knowing look, her usual smirk returning. "Guess I should be grateful you haven't figured out full strength yet. Otherwise, I'd be missing an arm."
Evelyn crossed her arms, trying to suppress the thrill of power she wasn't ready to admit she liked. "Keep testing me, and we'll find out."
Vivian chuckled, but this time, she kept a wary distance.
As Vivian stepped toward the elevator, she gestured for Evelyn to follow. "Come on. I'll use my card since you don't have yours."
Evelyn nodded in silent agreement, trailing behind as the doors slid open.
The hum of machinery filled the small space as the elevator ascended. A slow, mischievous grin spread across Evelyn's face, her reflection in the metallic walls betraying her amusement.
Vivian raised a brow. "What's with the smile?"
Evelyn tilted her head slightly, eyes glinting with mischief. "Are you sure it's wise to be trapped in a small metal box with me right now?"
Vivian's smirk faltered—just for a second.