Chapter 14- I have all the time.

Eva moved closer to the door, her eyes peeking into the room. Inside the room a man was tied up on the chair, Julian stood before him with a cold sneer, his gloved hands running through the torture tools. ''So, tell me. How much were you paid to drug our water.'' His tone was cold, as he picked up a grey helmet.

The man trembled, pulling at his binds, ''M-master, I-I was forced. They threatened me… please-'' his pleas were cut shut by the helmet worn over his face.

Julian pressed a button at the back, and the man thrashed at his binds, the man felt the air leaving his lungs by the breath deprivation mask.

The man's veins popped and reddened from lack of breath, his struggle weakened to a stop, and at the nick of time, Julian pressed the button, removing the helmet.

The man sucked in deep breaths greedily, sweat coating his face as laid weakly against the chair.

Julian watched all this indifferently, ''Ready to confess. We can go all day if you like, I have all the time.'' Julian said flatly, and to prove his words. He raised his fingers, and a wisp of time figures floated out and wrapped around the man, Julian moved his finger in an anticlockwise motion, rewinding time for the man a second ago.

The man thrashed reliving the same feeling of being breath deprived, he choked thrashing, exactly the same action repeated itself but the man was conscious of this being the second time.

''Woah…'' these words flowed into the room, Eva's eyes widened and she quickly covered her mouth, moving backwards, when she hit a warm wall from behind.

Her skin prickled, breaking out in goosebumps at the spookiness, it was like a scene in horror movies when the boogieman always catches up to you no matter how you run- some supernatural mojo must be at play.

Her eyes looked up slowly, to meet a sliver eyes glowing in the dark and she nearly let out a scream, only to recognize it was Ethan. ''Ahh…my poor heart.'' She muttered under her breath, her hands covering her chest as she tried to catch her breath.

Then froze when she realized the situation she was in, the door creaked open and Julian walked out, his aura still cold and indifferent, he stared at her with a raised brow, as if asking her if she had seen anything.

''hehe...'' Eva broke out in nervous laughter under their quiet gaze, she secretly tried to move away from Ethan and run, but a hand held her shoulders in place.

She gulped, "I didn't see anything. I can't even see the colour of your clothes clearly. Didn't I tell you both, I have poor night vision." She lied through her teeth, blinking at them innocently, her expression was practically screaming believe me.

"Oh~ so you left your room, and stumbled blindly all the way," Julian said with a smile that didn't seem like one.

His hands were folded against his chest and stared at her to continue forming words. He was curious how she wanted to talk herself out of this situation.

"You shouldn't be here." Ethan's cold words floated into her ears, causing her body to tense.

They fell into an awkward oppressive silence, after a while, Eva relaxed. They had caught her already and her bluffs weren't working, it's better she comes clean and be done with it- she might even reap some benefits.

"I'm a level 4 energy manipulator, a rare asset with even more potential for growth.'' She paused to gather her words before continuing.

Julian held back his smile from breaking out or it would defeat the whole purpose of scaring her.

Ethan was baffled by her listing out her qualities, he just said she shouldn't be here and expect her to leave. He didn't know his tone made Eva misunderstand his words and thought he wanted to silence her.

"You can silence me with hush money. Imagine keeping such an asset like me by just paying to keep my mouth shut. Isn't it best of both worlds to keep your secret and a rare talent like me?" Eva delivered her sales pitch, with a high-sounding tone.

She knew she couldn't defeat both of them when it comes to fighting. And at this moment she knew the importance of upgrading to a higher level.

"Hahaha...I can't anymore." Julian burst out into loud laughter, holding the wall for support as his shoulders shook.

"Did you think we wanted to kill you? Haha, oh, what goes in that head of yours.'' Julian said between laughter, a smile spread on Ethan's face, understanding what was going on.

Eva froze, her face reddened, hoping the ground would open up and swallow her. Her overactive imagination has embarrassed her today.

Their laughing face made her skin prickled and she became annoyed. "Are you done laughing?" She asked in a cold tone.

Julian raised a finger, "a minute." He replied and continued with his laughter. Ethan laughed a little before he caught himself, and patted Julian, signalling him to stop with his gaze while motioning for Eva's darkening expression.

Seeing their laughter has ceased, "You both will pay me for my emotional and mental distress. I'm so scared, that I don't know if I can sleep or function well tomorrow. Pay up, food or money is accepted." Eva's deadpan tone filled the room, her hand stretched in a paying motion.

Seeing they didn't react, "I can give you both discounts, just fifty gold coins." Her tone softened as if doing them a favour.

The two men were speechless, they could see she was serious, she requested a whole 5,000 silver coins for emotional and mental distress.

"That's-" Julian's refusal died in his throat at her vacant stare, he felt if he didn't bring the money, he would be murdered in his sleep. Her stare scared him a bit.

Ethan wisely didn't say anything and opened the space bag and brought out the money that was on him. Counting out fifty he paid for the both of them and a blooming smile broke out of Eva's lips.

"Leader my heart is brimming with joy for your care and love." Her tone was sickeningly sweet, as she held the pouch in her hands, she jiggled it a bit to hear the crisp sound of money.

Julian's brows raised at her face changing technique and money grubber behavior.

She took her things from Ethan and skipped back to her room with a melodious hum.