Forging Hephaestus (Villains' Code, #1)

by Drew Hayes

“Psssst.” Ivan closed his eyes and tried to will away the soft voice whispering in his ear. For a sliver of a moment, he thought he had succeeded, until the voice spoke again, this time louder. “Psssst. What’s a confluence?” Tori asked. “Does Apprentice have something she wishes to add to the meeting?” Balaam’s voice was much louder than when he’d made his own interruption, and from the gleam in his eyes, it was clear he’d been waiting for Tori to make just such an error in etiquette. Ivan readied himself to respond but realized Tori was talking before he could get a single word out. “I was asking what a confluence was. I’ve been in the tech world for a long time, and I’ve never even heard of one of these things.” Tori’s voice was earnest but unapologetic. It left little to object to, aside from the interruption itself, which Ivan considered a shockingly diplomatic move from her. “Oh yes, certainly,” Balaam said. “Let’s just pause this highly important meeting so we can explain to an apprentice something that does not, and likely never will, concern her.” “Balaam motions that we pause the meeting to explain to Apprentice what confluences are, and I second it.” Morgana, who had been looking a bit bored off in the corner by Balaam, seemed to positively glow as she stole his dickish remark and twisted it to her use. “Wait, what?” Balaam’s clearly rehearsed evil smile fell away as the meaning of Morgana’s statement sank in. “Motion has been announced and seconded,” Doctor Mech...

“Are you excited?” Xelas asked, her voice literally buzzing as she spoke. “Getting to meet your fellow rookies, sharing stories and experiences, fighting to the death to see which of you we actually keep?” “I’m kind of—what the fuck?” Tori yelped, her brain catching up to her tongue midway through the reply. “Calm down, I’m just screwing with you,” Xelas said. “Come on, do you really think we’d force you all into a death match for some artificial reason?” “Let me meet your question with a question: do you really want me to answer that honestly? Remember, I’ve already got a death threat dangling over my head.” “Pshhh, we all have those at some point,” Xelas replied. “Honestly, if I don’t have at least three people actively trying to kill me, I feel like I’ve pissed away a week.” Tori stared at the metal woman for several very long seconds. “Okay, cards on the table: I can’t tell if you’re serious, being glib, or just outright fucking with me.” “Why pick one when all three seem like great options?”