Chapter 994: Friend
The other woman did not answer. Through the mask, neither Hesta nor Victoria could make out her expression clearly. After a moment of silence, she suddenly switched off her voice modulator and removed her hood.
Beneath the mask was an ordinary-looking middle-aged woman. Deep lines creased the corners of her eyes; even the slightest movement of the muscles as she spoke shaped her face into a faint smile. She looked warm and amiable, utterly at odds with the perpetually sarcastic tone of her voice.
"You were transferred from District 3, weren't you?" she said softly. "You have no idea what happened in District 12, yet you rushed over here to dispense justice."
"...It seems you aren't afraid of exposing your identity at all."
"What good would fear do? I was exposed a long time ago." The other woman suddenly smiled. "My name is Sahame. What are your names?"
"Victoria."
"...Jane." Hesta's expression stiffened slightly. "Sahameh R.?"
"You've heard of me?"
Hesta did not answer. She merely glanced out the window, her gaze complicated.
"Come now, my two friends." Sahame clapped her hands, like an old friend who had suddenly crossed a party crowd to greet them. "I trust Quicksilver Needles' reputation. I know that someone who has remained in the organization all this time is probably not a bad person and will certainly keep her word... Shall we exchange hostages? Trade me for that child."
"Don't come any closer." Hesta pressed her spike deeper. Its tip had already pierced the young reservist's skin, and a thin trickle of blood ran down her neck. "I told you, once every danger has been eliminated, I'll let her go myself. If you try anything, I'll kill her immediately."
Beside her, Victoria shifted her footing slightly, ready at any moment to