Catwoman let out a short, irritated breath as she looked at Adrian, her expression carrying a trace of defiance.
Her tone was sharp, almost as if she were offended by the way he observed her. In truth, Selina was uncomfortable under his gaze, but she refused to show any sign of hesitation or softness. She had built her identity around being untamed, independent, and ungovernable, and she would not allow herself to appear weakened in front of him.
Her slightly hoarse voice struck Adrian like a faint echo in his chest, stirring a subtle ripple in his thoughts. He quickly suppressed it, regaining control over his emotions.
"You know, Selina," Adrian said evenly as he began to rise, "on a battlefield, you would not last against me. And in any encounter where I have already defeated an opponent, I decide how that situation ends. So why should I be criticized for simply looking at you?"
He exhaled slowly, steadying himself.
He had seen this behavior from her before. Selina always pushed boundaries when they met, as if testing the edge of danger itself. She seemed to enjoy the tension, the uncertainty, the thrill of provoking reactions.
Though they were technically connected through cooperation and mutual benefit, their relationship had long since become something more complicated. It was shaped by history, shared risks, and encounters that blurred the line between trust and conflict.
"I don't think so," Selina replied.
Her eyes flickered with amusement as her long, toned legs subtly tightened around his waist again.
"If you actually came at me seriously, Adrian, you'd be the one begging for mercy."
Before he could respond, she leaned in and kissed him briefly, then immediately pulled away and stood.
"Alright," she said lightly, brushing off the moment as if it had never happened. "Whatever just happened, it's over now."
Her gaze drifted around the room, relaxed again. "Martha greeted me when I came in. Then she got a call and left. If she walked in right now, she'd definitely misunderstand what she's seeing."
Adrian said nothing. Instead, he turned on the lights.
The soft click illuminated the room, revealing Selina clearly for the first time.
She was not in her usual stealth suit. Instead, she wore a black wool coat with a light gray scarf wrapped loosely around her neck. A thin layer of dust clung to her clothes from their brief scuffle.
Selina frowned slightly, brushing herself off with visible dissatisfaction.
"May I use your bathroom?"
The request was sudden and oddly formal.
Adrian paused for a moment, slightly surprised. Selina had always been particular about cleanliness, but this reaction felt unusually strong.
Without waiting for his answer, she already moved toward the bathroom.
Moments later, the sound of running water filled the house.
Adrian remained still for a brief moment. He could have used his abilities to look inside, but he chose not to. Not out of restraint alone, but because there was no curiosity left to satisfy in that regard. He already knew her well enough.
A few minutes later, Selina stepped out wrapped in a white towel, entirely unconcerned with modesty. She moved with natural confidence, as if the situation itself meant nothing to her.
Then, without hesitation, she changed back into her coat.
Adrian noticed everything, including the faint mark of his presence she had once carried, but he said nothing.
"You came here for a reason," Adrian said after a pause, returning the conversation to focus. "You wouldn't show up at this hour otherwise, Selina."
Selina wiped her hair with a towel before answering.
"I ran into a Japanese man in Gotham."
Her tone shifted, becoming more serious.
"He was selling illegal magical items on the black market. I was there for a different purchase, but then I saw Batman speaking with him."
At the mention of Batman, Adrian's attention sharpened slightly.
"I tried following him afterward," Selina continued, "but he lost me. Still, I managed to get information from that man later."
"What kind of information?" Adrian asked.
Selina stepped closer.
"Batman has been gathering people from the magical underground. Wizards, occult users, people like that. It looks like they are planning something, possibly something connected to you."
Her expression darkened slightly.
"They operate in the shadows. You don't deal with people like that often, Adrian. But I do. They're dangerous in a different way. Quiet. Patient. They strike when you least expect it."
Adrian listened carefully, the faint resonance of concern in her voice not escaping him.
He could sense it clearly now. It was not performance. It was genuine worry.
"I also heard about Rachel's disappearance," Selina added. "I think it connects to them. I captured the Japanese dealer. He might know more."
Adrian nodded.
"Batman may not be the one leading them," he said.
"Then who is?" Selina asked immediately.
"Constantine."
Selina's eyes widened slightly.
"That Constantine?"
"Yes," Adrian replied. "I suspect he is involved at a deeper level than Batman realizes."
Selina exhaled slowly, absorbing the information.
"There is something else," she said after a pause. "I encountered a strange woman in Gotham's Japanese district."
"A woman?" Adrian asked.
Selina nodded.
"A very dangerous one."
She began describing the events.
In Gotham's Japanese district, while tracking the magical dealer, Selina had entered a martial arts hall where she witnessed an extraordinary fight. A young woman had defeated a renowned Aikido master with overwhelming ease, sending him crashing down in only a few exchanges.
After that, several well known martial artists arrived, each one attempting to challenge her. Karate experts, traditional fighters, and sword masters all fell in succession, none able to withstand her skill.
Even a famed swordsman had been broken physically in combat, suffering severe injuries that ended his career permanently.
Selina had followed the woman afterward out of curiosity, only to be discovered.
A brief fight broke out, and Selina barely escaped with her mobility and experience intact.
"I saw a symbol on her wrist," Selina said finally. "Do you know what it means?"
"What symbol?"
"The League of Assassins."
She crossed her arms, clearly satisfied with the impact of her discovery.
Adrian's expression shifted slightly as he processed the information.
A female martial artist, extreme combat ability, League of Assassins affiliation.
Only one name matched that profile.
Lady Shiva.
A warrior trained from childhood, shaped through relentless brutality and refinement. A fighter who had reached a level of skill where instinct and technique merged seamlessly. Someone capable of defeating even Batman under the right circumstances.
To most, she was a living weapon.
To Adrian, she was only a minor variable.
"The League of Assassins is not a problem," Adrian said calmly.
Selina studied him for a moment.
"If you meet them, ignore them," he continued. "Focus on your safety instead."
She tilted her head slightly.
"So what about their leader?"
"Ra's al Ghul," Adrian said without hesitation. "An old man who refuses to accept the limits of life."
He turned toward the window.
"He calls himself immortal, sustained by the Lazarus Pit. He built the League, trained it, and convinced himself humanity is a disease that must be periodically cleansed."
Selina frowned.
"And he's the one pulling the strings?"
"In his mind, yes," Adrian replied. "He believes destruction is correction."
A faint coldness entered his tone.
"There are many like him in Gotham. Arkham is full of them. Eventually, he will end up there as well."
With a subtle motion, Adrian extended his hand.
A golden object moved through the air and landed in his grasp, the Star Scepter.
He studied it briefly, then handed it to Selina.
"Take this," he said. "It will protect you when I am not around."
Selina looked at the artifact in silence, then accepted it without hesitation.
===
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