Sorcerer in DC Chapter 57: SDC 56

SDC 56

Artemis looked about the sa. Perfect blonde hair, striking eyes, and a deadly confidence. The girls were catching up, bouncing from topic to topic.

Artemis had apparently been reading a lot lately and taking school more seriously. Sasha was focused on taking one day at a ti.

"You know, I thought I'd feel better after I saw the news story about you-know-who… but nothing changed. It's like I'm stuck in this twisted version of Groundhog Day," Sasha said, hugging her knees. "Nothing changes inside my head."

Artemis nodded. "Revenge is hardly ever satisfying. Most ancient cultures have stories that confirm that much."

"You sound just like my therapist," Sasha said. "She told to give it ti, but if I'm being honest, I'm glad he's dead. Even if I don't like how it happened."

"I know what you an," Artemis sighed, leaning back on her shoulders. "You should hear the talking heads in Gotham. They rave about how much safer the city is without Black Mask and Penguin in jail. But the truth? The territory wars are driving people insane. Even fucking Ivy is expanding."

Sothing twisted in my gut. I was on the rooftop in a blink, bike stashed in inventory, mask off. I landed like a feather—a perk of Inverse.

"You shouldn't be here," I said.

They spun around. I stood behind them, crouched slightly, weight spread across the rooftop.

Artemis quirked a smile. "Long ti no see."

"I know he sent you," I said to her, then turned to Sasha, looking at the blunt in her hand. "I thought we had a deal."

"Don't lecture like I'm so teenager," Sasha snapped. "I practically raised you alongside Candice, and I lost my brother. If I want to smoke weed, I'll fucking smoke weed."

I shrugged. "Oh sure. Dive back in. It's not like we burned ten grand getting you clean."

"It was blood money. What do you care anyway?"

"If it was so easy, why weren't you drowning in it?" I half-scread, catching myself.

She threw a withering stare. "Getting blood on your hands doesn't make you a man, Julius. It just makes you broken."

Sasha slipped back through the window. I scoffed and turned to Artemis, casting a Curtain around us on instinct.

"See what I deal with?"

"You're not exactly a ray of sunshine," she said, standing up.

"Yeah, you made that clear that morning on the rooftop, after admitting you went along with your family's plan, even though you knew it was wrong."

"Really? We're doing this again?" Her voice softened. "I admitted I was wrong to trust them, and you still listened to ."

"Oh yeah," I said, throwing my hands up. "And becoming one of Batman's flying monkeys worked out great for ."

She swallowed. "I saw the news."

"Shot three tis. Once in the fucking head because the Justice League couldn't be bothered to show up on ti. And it only got that far because that asshole escaped prison. Batman dragged his feet the whole ti. He could've ended it in one night."

"Julius—"

"The bug Robin used to expose the mole? That could've been planted anyti. But no. Batman had League business. And now he's pissed because I handled it."

"Handled it? You tortured a man to death! That's not justice. That's unhinged!"

"And what's Batman doing? Catch and release? Like Blackgate's a rehab center? Half the scum there should be gunned down on principle. The other half locked away for good. He had thousands of deaths on his hands. You think I was gonna risk it?"

"Your execution didn't help either," she snapped. "Nowhere is safe. The Narrows are a war zone. Even Uptown is catching strays. Villains aren't pulling punches anymore because one of Batman's sidekicks killed soone."

"I never signed up to be one," I barked. "Save a few people, and suddenly I'm a hero? Please. And don't forget—you told to go to Batman in the first place."

"To work out a deal--sothing to help you. Pull your back from the edge. You know, Robin showed the deal you signed and the evidence. They had enough to put him away...really put him away."

I bunched my fists in frustration. That wouldn't have fucking worked because of the people he had on his side.

I jabbed a finger at her.

"If you're waiting for an apology, don't hold your breath. You knew how this would end when you asked for my help. Don't act surprised."

"You're confusing with Batman," Artemis bit back. "You never admitted anything until you were six bodies deep and thought I was on your side."

I clenched my jaw. "Clearly I did a shit job, since you cut off anyway."

"No! You did that. You vanished behind your little barrier before we could even finish the conversation. You were angry. Self-destructive. Still are."

"And you ca back to twist the knife? I know Batman sent you to bring in. If he thinks I won't release those tapes—"

"He did send . To talk you down. But that's not why I'm here." She paused. "This is about Desmond Elliot."

I blinked. "What?"

"The guy my family tricked into kidnapping and exploiting."

"I'm familiar. That's not what stumps ." I tilted my head. "You want my help?"

She nodded slowly. "You were right. My family probably has the kill count of a small village. And yet I still love them. Still give them the benefit of the doubt. You're not so different."

"Gee, thanks," I muttered.

She smiled. Just a little. "You're welco. I helped you when you shat the bed five months ago. Now I need that favor returned. I know where he's being held. Cadmus. In tropolis."

"Where did the intel co from?"

"I might've peeked at the Batcomputer. Batman's been sitting on the info for weeks. Done nothing. It's driving crazy. Desmond is being experinted on—or worse. And it's my fault."

She looked raw. Vulnerable. It didn't make any more eager to raid a corporate lab.

"So let get this straight," I said. "You want to join you on an unsanctioned raid of a high-security, probably illegal, ta-genetics lab... looking for a homicidal ta, on the off chance he's still alive. If we survive, we'll be hunted by a shadowy corporation, Batman, and probably Superman."

"You're not just asking to risk my life. You're risking Sasha's, Mom's. My wrap sheet ans I don't walk away from this."

Artemis lowered her eyes. "I know what I'm asking. I wouldn't be here if I had another choice. Batman won't trust after this. Mom might never forgive . But I have to do this. It's the only way I sleep at night. I thought you, of all people, would understand."

There was a stretch of nervous silence before I spoke.

"I'll help you," I said, "despite my better judgnt. Not because of your blatant manipulation, but because I owe you."

She blinked. "I wasn't sure—"

"That I would help? You trained . Fought beside . Backed when no one else would."

"Eddie was my friend too."

"And I'm yours. Even if we don't like each other very much right now," I sighed. "So... please tell you have a plan."

She scoffed. "Co on, I'm desperate. Not suicidal."

"That inspires a lot of confidence."