Joy stared at the spot where Lucious had disappeared.
Her mind, already reeling from everything else, processed this new development slowly.
Even a butler was mocking her now.
Even a damn butler.
The confusion in her eyes slowly shifted to something else.
Thoughtfulness.
Then realization.
Then a slow, dangerous kind of anger.
Her fists clenched at her sides.
Her teeth ground together.
She looked like a volcano about to erupt.
Carmela, ever observant, noticed the shift immediately.
A rare smile tugged at her lips.
"Want to have a battle right now?"
She asked, her voice casual but her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Joy turned her head slowly.
The smile on her face was terrifying—all teeth, no warmth.
"I was wondering when you'd ask."
Before Maria could even open her mouth to stop them—
WHOOSH!
Pink-gold light exploded in the garden, followed immediately by streaks of crimson.
The clash of steel rang out—sharp, rapid, relentless.
