Jiro again put on a show of bravado.

“Given how you just tried to take me out I doubt you intend to let me go whether I harm him or not.”

Taki didn't answer, so Jiro continued.

“Regardless, you won't attack while I have him like this. That puts us at an impasse, so let's talk for a second. You have to understand the situation I'm in. If all someone who ran away from a debt with me had to do to get out of paying the price was hook up with a monster, well they would all do it, and

I'd lose all respect in this business."

“I don't care what your reason is, you are threatening the life of my mate. Release him." She took another small step toward them.

Jiro practically growled at her Lack of compliance, his anger now getting the best of him. "You've got a lot of nerve to sneak in here and make demands bitch. I consider myself a patient man but you're really pissing me off. You think just because you got rid of some hired hunters that you got any power here? I'll have those scythes of yours ripped off! I'll fuck you senseless and sell you to a brothel!”

Having said this he appeared to speak to the wall behind Taki.

“Spell nullification order, Jiro!" He called out, and there was a gentle hum of energy as the spell that soundproofed the walls was deactivated.

“Enforcers! Get in here! Enforcers!"

Dead silence was the only answer.

“They won't be coming," Taki stated in monotone.

“After seeing all you went through to get to him I knew your pride wouldn't let you stop or be reasoned with. So I took the Liberty of killing your men one by one, then I entered this room via the roof, making you believe I bypassed your men when in fact you're all that's left."

“No... the soundproof walls-" he sweated in realization.

“Disguised my actions," she finished for him. "I could sense Carter was here and from the strength of his spirit he was not in immediate danger. I knew that as leader you would be located near the center of the building, and I knew from one of your hunters that your detention areas were also Located there, all those areas being soundproofed, so I knew to leave this area for last. That way, you wouldn't have the chance to use Carter to threaten me."

“Well I am now bitch! I'll cut his throat if you don't cut your own!"

He cried out, looking and sounding quite unhinged at what he'd just been told about his organization's top enforcers.

“Entering from the roof gave you a false sense of security, as it made you believe your enforcers were still outside. You've let me get too close."

"Bullshit!" He screamed back, desperate. Yet the truth was all too clear now.

‘I'm dead either way...'