Edge of the Dark

Chapter 13: Chapter 13: A Rival Returns

Ethan sat alone in the dimly lit corner of a café, the faint ticking of a clock on the wall the only sound accompanying his thoughts. Scattered across the table were files he had retrieved from the abandoned warehouse. The names and data on the pages gnawed at his mind, intertwining with recent betrayals and the ominous mention of the "Dark Sovereign" organization. Ethan needed answers—and allies—but enemies seemed far easier to find.

The soft chime of the doorbell broke his reverie. Ethan's gaze flicked to the entrance, and his eyes narrowed as he saw a tall figure enter. The man's tailored suit and composed demeanor exuded confidence, while the faint smirk on his lips carried an air of arrogance. His piercing gaze scanned the café, stopping when it landed on Ethan.

"Ethan," the man said, his tone laced with both surprise and mockery. "Fancy seeing you here."

Ethan stood, his fingers instinctively brushing the edges of the files. His eyes sharpened as if trying to verify the apparition before him.

"James," Ethan finally said, his voice carrying a mix of wariness and disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

James Walker—Ethan's old university classmate and an enduring rival. Once the brightest star in the police force, James was known for his sharp intellect and unorthodox methods, coupled with an insufferable arrogance. Their careers had taken them down different paths after graduation, but fate—or perhaps something darker—had repeatedly thrown them into each other's orbit.

James approached with the ease of someone who knew he was in control, sliding into the chair opposite Ethan. He placed a leather briefcase on the table and lightly tapped his fingers on the surface, studying Ethan with an expression that bordered on amusement.

"I heard you've been tangled up in quite the mess lately," James began, his voice dripping with irony. "But your methods are as reckless as ever."

Ethan ignored the jibe, his posture tense as he watched James. "Are you here by coincidence, or do you have a purpose?" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

James gestured to a passing server for a coffee before adjusting his cuffs. "Purpose, of course. More specifically, you. Or should I say, the 'Dark Sovereign.' I just picked up a case that seems to have some overlap with whatever chaos you're diving into." He took a sip of his coffee, savoring the moment.

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Ethan's brow furrowed, his tone sharp. "What are you trying to say?"

James set the cup down and leaned forward, his voice lowering. "Ethan, this isn't just some run-of-the-mill crime syndicate. 'Dark Sovereign' is bigger than you think, and I assume you know what I'm referring to."

A chill ran through Ethan. James's statement aligned too closely with Lila's cryptic warnings. If James was involved, the situation might be even graver than Ethan had anticipated.

"What do you know?" Ethan pressed.

James smirked. "More than you think." He leaned back, seemingly relishing Ethan's unease. "You're aware their reach extends into government and international security agencies, right? They're not just controlling black market trade—they're aiming to reshape the global order."

Ethan's chest tightened. The magnitude of what James was saying far exceeded even his worst fears.

"And how exactly did you get involved in this?" Ethan asked.

James chuckled, his voice laced with mockery. "An old friend handed me a dossier—one with names, financial trails, and movement patterns tied to the 'Dark Sovereign.' I followed some leads, but just as I thought I was closing in, they vanished. And then, naturally, I thought of you." His smirk deepened. "You always seem to uncover things no one else can."

Ethan's expression hardened. "So you're here to use me."

James shrugged. "Call it what you want. But isn't it more fun when we both get something out of it?"

Ethan studied him, his wariness growing. James wasn't one to seek help—every move he made had a purpose, often one benefiting himself above all.

"Why should I trust you?" Ethan asked, his voice cold.

James spread his hands, a mock expression of innocence on his face. "You don't have to. But tell me, do you really have a better option? Or," he leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper, "do you even trust anyone else anymore?"

The words struck a nerve. Lila's betrayal had already left Ethan questioning his judgment, and James's sudden reappearance only added to the storm brewing within him.

"Fine," Ethan said at last, his voice heavy with reluctance. "But if you pull any tricks, I won't hesitate."

James's grin widened. "That's what I admire about you, Ethan—cautious, yet never backing down." Reaching into his briefcase, he pulled out a stack of documents. "You're going to want to see these."

Ethan grabbed the files and began skimming through them. The pages detailed financial transactions tied to the 'Dark Sovereign' in Europe, along with movement patterns of key figures. Each piece of information peeled back another layer of the organization's dark web, revealing a chilling glimpse of its vast reach.

"Where did you get this?" Ethan asked, his tone sharp.

James's expression darkened, the playful facade fading. "The source isn't important. What matters is how we use it. Time isn't on your side, Ethan. If you want to survive long enough to see the truth, we need to act—together."

Outside, the wind howled, and snow swirled in the night air. The café's warmth did little to dispel the cold tension between the two men. Their uneasy alliance, forged in shared peril and mutual distrust, was a fragile truce in a war far larger than either had imagined.

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