With Finnick and his group of Vampires gone Booker’s office felt a lot more empty.
The stench of blood filled the space, causing Nadia to feel slightly nauseous, however, based on her expression, she seemed to be hiding her discomfort quite well.
Alex let out a deep breath as he dispelled his Ability, watching as the wolves made of light and darkness dissipated into nothingness.
Alongside Black Hole, Night Dwelling was the second offensive Ability Alex created after his learning phase in BoneHaven.
It allowed him to summon living creatures from Evernight into the real world, ranging from animals to whatever he could imagine.
It was satisfactory for taking on large groups of opponents but concerning true powerhouses, it was yet to be seen how useful it was.
In any case, Alex was satisfied with how it saved him the trouble of avoiding getting his hands dirty with crazed Vampires.
It did bother him how he grew so emotional during the encounter.
It wasn’t something that usually happened but it did and he disliked it greatly.
Thankfully Nadia helped him recover before he went overboard but that was something he couldn’t be okay with.
Relying on another person for his mental stability would not work in his favor going forward.
Sighing heavily, he muttered. "Let’s go."
As he turned to leave with Nadia in tow, Booker spoke up.
"Why?" His voice, hoarse for whatever reason, carried a great grievance as he slowly crawled to his feet.
Alex slowly turned to meet Booker’s bloodshot eyes.
"Why did you let them get away?" Booker questioned.
Alex pursed his lips as he asked back. "Why shouldn’t I?"
".. You, a human, watched Cryptids kill humans and you did nothing about it. Yet you call yourself a man!... Then what’s the use of having all that power?" Booker felt wronged.
If only he had the power, he wouldn’t have had to watch everything he’d worked so hard for, collapse like a pack of cards.
His heart ached as the scent of blood assailed his nostrils.
He hated Finnick for abandoning their years of friendship and he hated Alex for standing and watching him do so.
As tears trailed down his cheeks, Booker spoke up. "You could have saved them yet... you let them die."
Silence reigned as Booker stared intently at Alex and the latter stared back.
Nadia watched the scene unfold, still expressionless.
A lot had happened tonight and it seemed much more would happen considering the trajectory of things.
Then Alex remarked. "I am no hero, Booker."
"And you have committed grave sins yourself. I am in no condition to judge you but neither do I have to play the hero and save your business. It’s easy to tell...your so-called family is built on the blood and sweat of so many others. I dare not say those people were innocent but you still have blood on your hands. It was destined to happen sooner or later... it would be unfair if I played favorites in a clash that has nothing to do with me."
Taking a deep breath, Alex continued. "So you may resent me, I do not care. However, do not try to judge me with your narrow mindset. It’s disgusting to see a criminal like you cry out over injustice."
"Ah..." Booker chuckled, his eyes still bloodshot with hatred rooted in his heart. "So that’s how it is. This is how they felt... Amazing."
Alex watched Booker act like a madman, muttering nonsense to himself while staring at the ground.
After a full minute passed, Booker seemed to recover as he met Alex’s gaze. "I should act like the criminal I am, right?"
"It suits you best." Alex casually replied.
Booker nodded. "Then our previous deal still stands. I’ll give you 95% of everything I own, money, properties, information.... All so you allow me to kill that bastard Finnick."
"You are willing to go so far?" Alex asked with a raised brow.
"Should it bother you?"
"Not at all," Alex said before nodding in agreement. "I accept your offer."
"We’ll be taking our leave now."
As Alex turned to leave, Booker called out to him.
"Aren’t you worried that I’d kill you once I get the chance?"
"You can try." Alex softly replied before unleashing Nyx’s authority. "But you definitely won’t survive the attempt."
Not bothering to look back, Alex left with Nadia, closing the door behind them with a loud thud.
With that, all that was left in the once prolific black market of the 11th Extension was Booker’s unconscious body that was foaming at the mouth.
"I have a question." Nadia suddenly spoke as she and Alex left Lucien Avenue.
With the Nighteye still high in the sky, everything they had experienced seemed a bit too much for just one night.
Alex let out a sigh while ignoring the calls of a rather busty woman as she stood in the shadows with one leg out.
"Are you going to take Booker’s offer?"
Alex pursed his lips as he replied. "Is there a reason not to?... He has all the information we need and we could use the money."
".... I thought you’d reject it," Nadia muttered, seemingly conflicted as she walked.
Alex took a glance at her before asking. "Is that really what you wanted to ask me?"
"You are wondering why I didn’t help save Booker’s men, aren’t you?"
"You..." Nadia trailed off before letting out a sigh. "... I don’t know."
"... I am no hero, Nadia, and trying to act as one would only cause me to feel conflicted inside..."
Alex paused as he looked up at the night sky, the boundless darkness stretching as far as the eyes could see.
Nadia stared briefly at Alex’s unmoving figure before sliding her arm and locking it around his own.
Jolted out of his memories by Nadia’s sudden action, Alex glanced at her in surprise.
"... I don’t know much about who you are or what you represent. But to be honest, when Finnick called you a Dark Lord... I felt it to be an apt description of who I take you to be."
Nadia pursed her lips before turning to meet Alex’s piercing gaze.
"I wasn’t shocked that you did not make a move when Finnick attacked Booker, after all, we barely know either of them, and acting on either side would have separate consequences... it was right to stay neutral."
"But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t feel bad for those whose lives were lost today," Nadia said, cutting off Alex. "It’s not wrong if you only wish to act for others when benefits are involved. Uncle always said that he only ever trusted those that acted based on what they had to gain."
"Because they were easier to understand... selflessness, heroism... all those concepts are too farfetched to take as something humans are truly capable of... take up such a mantle and sooner or later, you will break."
Alex remained silent but for some reason found himself drawn to Nadia’s words.
It helped answer questions he never knew he had and for a brief moment, Alex felt relieved.
"So I did the right thing?"
"Maybe," Nadia muttered before softly adding. "After all, right or wrong... it’s all based on perspective, yeah?"
Alex remained silent for a moment before he nodded in agreement. "Indeed."
Nadia said no more and like that, they walked together, taking in the nightlife of the 11th Extension.