38.i The Divine Cave of Three Stars

~ Anari ~

Anari did not anticipate using her venom that evening, but that was before everything went absolutely south at the mixer. Bai’s true intentions for throwing the event made themselves known faster than Anari had the time to react to them.

She hadn’t been there long before it happened. The spider spirit was doing her duty – mingling and trying out horderves even though none of them were of the breakfast variety.

As Anari stood around, chatting casually and admiring the pyramid structure of the atrium ceiling, she vaguely wondered if she should be nervous. Was Bai going to use this event to let her know that he was onto her?

Anari was about to suffer quietly through another meatball skewer when a sudden blast of cold mountain wind temporarily blinded her senses.

At the same time, a sense of relief settled over her.

Oh, good. It’s only a drill.

A glass shattered against the floor. Everyone turned, but nobody gave an indication that what had just happened was strange or unusual.

The spirit who had dropped their drink looked around in absolute horror.

“W-what was that? Did someone open a window or maybe…” they swallowed, confused by all of the blank stares they were getting. “Maybe there’s something wrong with the paper space on the outside.”

“Mr. Shang, I’m going to need you to come with me, please.”

The terrified-looking spirit was immediately escorted off of the premises. Then, as if nothing had happened, casual chatter came back to the hall. Everyone returned to their conversations.

Next thing Anari knew, Bai was in her head – just hers this time – asking her to join him in his office.

This was not good.

Anari maintained a professional attitude as she traveled to Bai’s most secure study. She was a little surprised by what had just happened. Long ago when Bai first started his company, he had insisted on training all of his employees to become accustomed to his psychic presence. It was designed for cases such as this, where Bai wasn’t sure if the people in his company were actually reliable. It seemed that he had just pinpointed an undercover agent of some kind. This was someone who was listed as an employee under Next Dimension Inc, but had never undergone an authentic orientation. That could only mean one thing.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had to deal with a spy,” Bai said once he and Anari were alone in a room together. She had a feeling that the trespassing spirit was somewhere nearby. Perhaps on the other side of the wall.

Why did you bring me with you, Sun Bai? Anari wanted to ask. Instead she said, “He’s not a very good one.”

Bai nodded. “His rank is definitely low as far as spirits are concerned. So much so that I don’t think anyone would really notice if he disappeared. Not even the agency that dispatched him. They probably have a dozen just like him.”

Anari knew all too well what Bai was describing.

She replied, “It’s no secret that those who feel threatened by you won’t hesitate to make use of as many cheap spies as they can. Every company has to deal with it at some point.”

If they were more scared of you, then they would stop.

Anari felt something slip through her ear as she finished the thought and in that moment, she wanted to kick herself. Bai had heard her. He hadn’t left her mind since he summoned her. Damn her for not realizing it!

“Anari, if I let Shang go, he might give my competitors a real reason to fear me. As of now, my psychic abilities are simply rumors. People can choose to believe in them if they want. But if they find out that my esper abilities are genuine, it would draw more attention than I can honestly handle right now.”

Anari tried to keep her glamour in check. Bai knew. He knew that she didn’t want to kill this spirit for spying on the company. Her skills of quiet killing were for big, scary bastards and criminal warlords. Not for petty little spies.

Bai quietly went on. “I quite like being known as the understated investor. The developer of a company that can be a nuisance sometimes, but in the end, one that isn’t worth making it into the papers. Angry, powerful swine-controlled conglomerates are one thing. But journalists on the other hand… they get everyone involved in our business. That’s no good.”

“There are less drastic ways to silence this spy,” Anari said, meeting Bai’s gaze. But his eyes were once again hidden behind the glare of his lenses. It told her that this wasn’t up for debate. He wasn’t open to being persuaded.

“There are.” Bai acknowledged without defending himself any further. “But I’ve made my decision, Anari.” Then he gave Anari instructions on where to locate the spy right before leaving her alone with the task.

So her boss was keeping her close now. To use her as he would a knife.

He was afraid, that was for sure. She did not want to think what it would be like if he turned that fear and paranoia on her. She would stop investigating this mess with the bridge for now. Save it until after Sevenfold Peach, when she could reliably put some distance between her and her boss.

Anari reluctantly, but deliberately made her way to where the spy was being contained. She flexed her fangs and unspooled her silk.

Her promise to make things quick and painless was the only kindness she had a right to grant.