“Okay, Future Dead. Doesn’t have quite the same ring, but I can work with it.”
“You’re horrible,” Koa muttered.
“I am, and I love it.”
While Cas calculated odds and Ko brooded about deeper meanings, I embraced the beautiful insanity of our existence. This marriage contract? Just another game to play.
“What if she’s actually, like,hot?” I suggested, just to see their reactions.
The identical looks of disgust I received were worth their weight in gold. Casimir’s expression practically screamed, “Does not compute,” while Koa’s brow furrowed like I’d suggested adopting a pet nuclear bomb.
“Irrelevant,” Cas replied finally, turning back to his tablet.
“She’s being forced into this, same as us,” Ko muttered.
“Yeah, and?” I shrugged, fiddling with the leg ties on my gun belt. “That just means she’ll be extra spicy. Makes it more fun.”
“This isn’t aboutfun,” Cas said, his tone clipped. “This is about securing our future and maintaining vigilance against potential threats.”
“Blah, blah, strategy, blah,” I mimicked. “You can call it whatever helps you sleep at night, big brother. I’m calling it what it is: The most entertaining shit show we’ve had in years.”
And I meant it. The anticipation tingled under my skin like electricity. Who was this woman? What would she be like? How would she react to us? Tome? The possibilities were endless, and each one promised its own unique flavor of chaos.
If she turned out to be Dark, aligned with Arabesque’s schemes? I’d get to peel back her layers one by one, find the cracks in her façade, push and prod until she either broke or revealed her true nature. Nothing more satisfying than watching a liar’s mask slip,catching that moment of realization when they knew they’d been found out.
If she was dangerous, I’d make her doubt herself. Every confident decision, every strategic move, undermined by a carefully placed word or look. I’d worm my way into her head until she couldn’t tell paranoia from reality.
If she was weak? I’d find every insecurity and exploit it. Oh, not out of cruelty—well, notentirely—but because chaos revealed truth. Push someone to their limits, and you discover who they really are, and I wanted to knowexactlywho our bride was, beneath whatever mask she wore.
And if she was innocent, like Ko feared? Oh, that would be even better. A sheep sacrificed to the monstersliterally. I’d get to see what she was made of, test her limits, find out just how much she could take before she snapped. Would she cry? Scream? Fight back? My brain itched with curiosity.
Still, I wasn’t stupid. Arabesque Harrow was dangerous, and anything or anyone connected to her warranted caution. I just preferred my caution with a side of anarchy.
“Hope she’s at least pretty,” I smirked when the silence stretched too long.
“Irrelevant,” Cyborg Cas responded. Seemed to be his word of the day.
“Saysyou,” I shot back. “Some of us have to look at her for a year. I, for one, would prefer something nice to stare at over breakfast.”
“You’re going to terrorize her, aren’t you?” In the rearview, Ko gave me a look that was half exasperation, half warning.
“Me?” I pressed a hand to my chest in mock offense. “I’m a delight. Just ask anyone I haven’t killed.”
“That’s a short list,” Cas muttered.
“Quality over quantity, bro! Ooo, but do you know what I’mmostexcited about? Finding out what makes her tick!Everyonehas buttons. You just have to know where to push.”
“Dark knows, you can push buttons,” Ko deadpanned.
“Very,verywell,” I owned with fake solemnity, then burst into a wide grin. “Cruor, Ko! Embrace the storm, dance in the flames, and see what emerges from the ashes!”
“More like what shit emerges from your ass.”
That made me howl like a red-headed demon.
Oh, wait. Iwasa red-headed demon.
“Three brothers, one bride, and a year-long contract sealed in blood and vows. Tell me that’s not the most fucked-up reality showpremise you’ve ever heard. Wait. Who gets first dance at the wedding? Rock, Paper, Scissors for it?”
