Episode 3: Villain Special

 The villain headquarters hummed with quiet luxury- velvet shadows, glowing screens, and secrets layered into every corner. Candlelight flickered against polished marble floors, and somewhere deeper inside, something dangerous pulsed with anticipation.

The heavy doors swung open.

“Mirabelle Hale!” Olivia’s voice cracked through the chamber like a whip.

Binlee leaned lazily against a pillar, arms folded. “What did she do this time?”

Olivia scoffed, pacing like a queen already tired of everyone. “She knows full well what she did. That’s why she’s hiding. And I know Ebony is helping her.”

“Mistress!”

Lucine rushed in, bowing slightly.

“Yes?” Olivia snapped, turning sharply. “Have you received word from Eliza and Star?”

“I haven’t heard from Eliza Kazab,” Lucine said carefully. “But Star sent a message.”

Olivia’s eyes narrowed. “…Hello? What is it?”

Lucine hesitated. “Mira… she went in.”

Silence.

Then-

“That stupid girl!” Olivia snapped, fury flashing. “Does she not know what the word wait means?!”

“Miss, if I may—”

Olivia stopped, expression shifting mid-rant. Calculation slid into place.

“…Wait. No. This could work to my advantage.” A slow, dangerous smile formed. “A distraction. Mira may have done something right for once.”

Binlee sighed knowingly. “Luce, you might want to go on with your duties… Liv just got that look in her eye.”

Clack. Clack.

At the sound, Lucine skipped on out of the room.

“VIVI!!”

Mira burst into the room like a hurricane in heels.

“Mira,” Olivia greeted coolly.

Mira spun gleefully. “Oh, it’s just wonderful! They’re all confused and lost—they don’t know what’s overcome them! Isn’t that spectacular?!”

“Yes-” Olivia began.

“HAHA, this is just so much more fun than that silly heist of stealing the Golden Croissant—Oh! Binny, how long have you been there?”

“The whole time,” Binlee replied dryly.

Mira gasped theatrically. “Not with all your little stray puppies tonight?”

“Afraid not.”

“That’s too bad. I’m sure they miss you.”

“They’re strong enough on their own.”

“Right. ‘Cuz you trained them.”

“Indeed.”

Olivia cut in, clearly regretting everyone’s existence. “Mira, have you seen Ebony?”

“Do I ever? She’s always hiding. And then boom she just appears—”

“I’m right here.”

Mira jumped. “—Out of nowhere. Just like that! BonBon, you’ve got to stop scaring people.”

“Like you’re one to talk,” Ebony replied coolly. “You couldn’t even wait a day before attacking the Academy.”

“Well of course not… but you know—”

“Mistress!” Lucine called, regrettably coming back into the room.

“How dare you interrupt—”

“Mira, quiet,” Olivia snapped.

Mira pouted. “But—”

“Mirabelle,” Olivia warned, “don’t make me repeat myself. What is it now, Lucine?”

Lucine straightened. “We received a message from Eliza. She told us to back down.”

Olivia’s eyes darkened. “No. Not this time. Tell her to stay out of the way on this one. Star too. They need to make themselves scarce.”

“Eliza mentioned you’d say that…”

“And?”

“She said it’s too soon for this.”

“Can no one follow orders anymore?” Olivia muttered under her breath; “a bunch of worthless brats.”
She straightened. “Give her this note. Tell Eliza she is not to disobey my orders- or she’ll get more than a talking to.”

“Yes, mistress.”

Olivia turned sharply. “Mira. Carry out your fun, but don’t kill anyone. It’s not time for that.”

Mira clasped her hands dramatically. “Not even one?”

“Not yet,” Olivia said, a glimmer went over her eyes, “just wait. Okay, dear?”

“Yes, of course! I’ll be on my way now!” Mira turned in left, everyone silent till the clacking of heels faded.

“Ebony,” Olivia added, “keep an eye on her.”

“As always.”

“Does she suspect you?”

“Not a bit.”

“Good. You play your job well.”

“It’s better if she doesn’t remember,” Ebony murmured. “For both her benefit and my own.”

“On your way, then.”

“I bid you goodnight, mistress.”

The door closed again.

Olivia turned slowly.

“Binlee.”

“Yes?”

“How much do you suspect?”

“Of what, Liv?”

“You know full well of what.”

“Can’t let me play any games?”

“Not this time. We can’t fail this time.”

“They don’t suspect it’s you, not the team, and not the agents,” Binlee said quietly. “No one has. Ever.”

“Maybe not me,” Olivia murmured. “But they know of them.”

“Master of disguise,” Binlee smiled faintly. “That is you. You can get rid of anything. Anyone. You’ll get your revenge.”

“This isn’t mere revenge, Lee.”

“I know,” she replied softly. “I’ve known since the day we met.” Olivia looked away. “…Indeed. The day we met. That was certainly a day.”

And somewhere far away, the Academy trembled, because the villains had officially begun to move.