A Little Wildcat

He hurriedly swallowed what was in his mouth and raised both hands.

"I... I'm just a forensic scientist who looks after the evidence warehouse." Barry swallowed and pointed at Diana. "I think... the lady with the sword is right. The aliens are about to tear down the door. Isn't it a little... hasty to pick a fight with the freak who can kick Superman around like a ball?"

Bruce closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I need time." Bruce opened his eyes, his voice cold again. "I'll find his weakness. Before the passage forms, we prepare for both."

Gotham City, Iceberg Lounge.

Beyond the top-floor windows lay Gotham's ever-present gloom and fine rain.

Chu Men leaned back on the sofa, a glass of red wine in his hand.

Harley lay across Chu Men's lap like a docile cat.

She tilted her head up, her eyes filled with naked, obsessive devotion.

She extended her tongue and carefully licked a stray drop of wine from the back of Chu Men's hand.

Chu Men paid no attention to her.

Eyes closed, he tapped a steady rhythm on the sofa's armrest.

"Tap. Tap. Tap."

His super hearing was trained on the cave beneath Wayne Manor.

"Settle things at home before facing threats from outside."

Chu Men's mouth spread into a grin, and he let out a low chuckle.

He opened his eyes. A dark red glint flashed deep in his pupils and vanished.

"How interesting."

Chu Men drained his glass of wine.

Bruce's scheming, Diana's anxiety, Victor's fear.

These heroes who fancied themselves the world's saviors were hiding in a dark cave like rats about to freeze to death, arguing over whether to face the wildcat outside the door first or bite the venomous snake inside the house to death.

They had no idea the snake was coiled on the ceiling, watching their infighting with keen interest.

"Master, what are you smiling about?"

Harley had noticed the change in Chu Men's mood.

She clutched his knee with both hands and rested her chin on his thigh, eager for his favor.

Under the absolute control of the Spiritual Imprint, all she could think about now was how to please the god before her.

"Nothing." Chu Men reached out and gripped Harley's chin. "I just think they're even more fragile than I imagined. They don't even qualify as toys."

Apokolips? Darkseid?

The Parademon army Victor had projected flashed through Chu Men's mind.

He did not care whether Earth survived.

He only felt that this world was finally becoming a little less boring.

When those alien bugs arrived, he could stretch his muscles.

As for Batman and his people, crushing them when they had sunk into utter despair would be much more fun.

Knock, knock.

Before Chu Men could speak, the door opened.

Lark walked in and dropped to one knee.

She held out both hands, a black leather whip draped across them.

The whip was made of an unusual material, with tiny metal barbs at its tip. Several black hairs still clung to it.

"Master." Lark lowered her head.

Chu Men raised an eyebrow, his gaze settling on the whip.

"Speak."

"We caught a little wildcat in your Private Vault."

"Bring her in."

Lark stood, went to the door, and signaled to someone outside.

Two burly gang members escorted a woman into the room.

One of them shoved her hard. She lost her balance and stumbled forward several steps.

She did not fall. She planted the tip of her right foot, twisted at the waist, and forced herself to a stop on the carpet.

Selina Kyle.

Catwoman, notorious throughout Gotham's underworld.

She wore her signature black leather bodysuit. It was torn in several places, exposing broad patches of fair skin.

Thin trails of blood ran down her shoulder.

A pair of specially made, high-strength alloy handcuffs bound her hands behind her back.

Selina raised her head and quickly scanned the room.

On the left, two women in maid outfits—Jay and Raven—stood beside the liquor cabinet, hands resting at their lower backs, ready to draw their guns.

On the right, Lark blocked the way out.

Straight ahead, the man who had brought Gotham's entire underworld to its knees sat on the sofa.

And Harleen Quinzel, who had once run wild at Joker's side, was now glaring at her like a vicious dog guarding its food.

"You two can leave," Chu Men said, waving at the two gunmen.

The gunmen bowed respectfully, left the room, and shut the door behind them.

The suite fell quiet.

Only a low growl came from Harley's throat.

"The new King of Gotham," Selina said, breaking the silence.

She lifted her chest and gave him a beguiling smile. "Your hospitality is a little rough."

Chu Men's gaze settled on Selina's exquisite face.

"An hour ago, the remnants of Black Mask's gang scraped together ten million in bearer bonds to pay me to sneak into your Private Vault and map its security." Selina hid nothing, putting her offer on the table. "I took the job. But now I think it's a bad deal. I can give you the ten million, along with the locations where those holdouts are hiding. Consider it the price of my life."

Chu Men said nothing. He simply watched her performance.

When Selina saw that he was unmoved, she leaned forward slightly, accentuating her curves.

"Or perhaps money and information aren't enough for you." Selina softened her voice, adding a husky, seductive edge. "I hear you like taking in... girls with nowhere to go."

She glanced at Harley on the floor.

Harley instantly bristled. She sprang up, snatched an ashtray from the coffee table, and pointed it at Selina's nose.

"Shut your filthy mouth, wildcat!" Harley snarled through clenched teeth. "Master doesn't need damaged goods like you. I'll smash your face in right now!"

Selina looked at Harley, contempt flashing in her eyes. "Joker dies, and you find yourself a new master? Your loyalty comes cheap."

"You're dead!" Harley raised a baseball bat, ready to swing.

"Enough."

Harley froze mid-swing.

She glanced at Chu Men. The madness in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by abject fear and obedience.

She obediently lowered the ashtray, knelt beside Chu Men's feet again, and glared at Selina.

Selina's heart tightened. She knew better than anyone that Harley was a complete lunatic.

For this man to turn a lunatic into an obedient pet in an instant, he was far more intimidating than the rumors suggested.

"You're clever." Chu Men set down his glass and stood.

He walked toward Selina, step by step.

Selina forced herself to stay where she was.

She lifted her chin and met his gaze.

"Gotham needs clever people working for you." Selina took a deep breath. "Let me go. You'll have the finest thief in all of East End."

"I don't need a thief." Chu Men stopped less than half a meter from Selina.

He looked down at her. "I only need obedient dogs. Or cats."