“Time to change the game," I whisper to myself and walk in.
The reaction is immediate. Conversations halt. Heads turn. And there, across the room, Jin Kol's eyes see me.
Good.I'm done being invisible.
Across the room, I catch a glimpse of the Sovereigns. Lorian raises his glass to me, a subtle salute that saysmoney well spent. Rafe is deep in conversation and hasn’t seen me yet.
"Eve?" Rae's voice cuts through the spell. She's wearing her formal uniform, but next to me she might as well be in rags. Her eyes narrow as she takes in my transformation. "Oh, I see. You finally realized you’re the Sovereigns' little toy."
"I pity someone as aesthetically challenged as you are. Though I suppose that's why you've been letting Trainer Voss use the service corridors after hours. Does his wife know about your... arrangement? Or about that thing you do with your tongue that violates three different Spire employment codes?"
"You can't possibly know?—"
"Room 4412. Every night at the end of the Fifth Chime. You really should vary your schedule. And perhaps avoid performing acts that are explicitly forbidden to staff and only acceptable with human companions. Ironic, isn’t it?"
She doesn’t answer me but just walks away.
I cross the room with purpose so no one else interrupts me. "Tribune Jin Kol," I say when I reach him, interrupting his conversation with Trainer Aefre, who I think really must be the Devil incarnate. "I've been thinking about our earlier conversation."
Jin Kol blinks momentarily stunned. I have his complete attention now. “Your radiance suggests a high degree of contentment, Madam Eve.”
Because now I look like someone who understands the game,.
“Thank you. It’s amazing what a difference a change of clothing can make.” I let my lips curve in a smile that would make Sister Agnes weep.
“Tell me more about the benefits the Spire provides its human staff,” he says and leans closer, pretending to listen for policy details while his gaze lingers far too long on my cleavage. The language is bureaucratic; the intent is not.
“Comprehensive healthcare, private quarters, clear contractual terms,” I recite, keeping my tone even, as if he’s not already fantasizing about me naked.
“Excellent,” he says softly, his voice all velvet and vice. “For the record, of course. It’s a good comparison for what the pets competing in the Championships are provided. And speaking of the Championships, I believe Trainer Aefre is about to give us quite the demonstration."As we turn, I see Briar again. She makes eye contact with me, but I don’t see any recognition in her eyes. I’m not surprised. If she didn’t recognize me before with my uniform on, she’s definitely not going to recognize me now.
"Ah, breeding programs," Aefre says to another trainer nearby, pulling Briar forward. "My specialty. This one just earned her certification yesterday. Proved she's past her... aggressive phase."
"The penis-biting incident?" Jin Kol asks. "I heard she took it clean off with her front teeth.”
"Ancient history," Aefre says. "A few months ago, I had her demonstrate her rehabilitation. Put Ember's cock right in her mouth—under medical supervision, of course. Not even a nick with her teeth."
Aefre runs a possessive hand down Briar's arm. "The key is building trust through consistent training. Daily sessions where boundaries are pushed, but never broken."
"Your methods are renowned," Jin Kol says. “If she can really perform, then you have turned trash from the Octopods into an Imperial treasure.”
"It's about understanding what each pet needs," Aefre explains. "Of course, maintaining the pair bond with Ember is crucial for the Championships. They train together, eat together, and even share quarters. Every aspect of their lives is designed to strengthen their connection while reinforcing their devotion to me."
I want to vomit at his casual discussion of systematic control. Instead,I lean closer to Jin Kol, letting him catch a stronger hit of the pheromones.
"Fascinating methodology," I say. "Though I wonder about the long-term implications. The Feerion Institute just published a study on intensive conditioning protocols. Apparently, subjects show significantly higher rates of psychological fracturing."
Jin Kol's attention shifts fully to me now, pupils dilating. "Fracturing?"
"Neural pathway damage from excessive stress hormones during training. It's quite detailed and daming.”
"Finally," Jin Kol says, "the Sovereign Directors have hired a human who actually understands the complexities of our galaxy. Their previous representatives were..." he waves a dismissive hand, "lacking. Denise was adorable but could barely string together a coherent argument, and that other one—what was her name? The one who fled with Terra Ka?"
"Yasmin," I supply, wondering if I’m going to hear yet another story about what happened to these women.
"Yes, Yasmin. She was pretty enough, but everything frightened her." His grey features animate with genuine enthusiasm. "But you, Madame Eve, you cite studies, you understand the nuances, and appreciate our culture. Now perhaps we can have real discussions about meaningful changes for humans and human pets alike."
"The Makari Institute's longitudinal study then," I continue, encouraged. "Three hundred subjects?—"
