Page 135 of Villainous Rise

• Keeper Bishop should defer to Valor in all public conversations

• Any questions about wedding plans should be met with “We’re still in the planning stages”

This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening.

I darted out of the office, my hands shaking. I could hear Helios berating Valor, something that should have shocked me since I’d never heard him utter a cross word, but I didn’t care right now.

The hallway blurred around me as I went back to the elevator, my mind racing with increasingly violent fantasies involving Valor and various blunt objects.

Back in my office, I slammed the door shut and pulled up the Alliance PR department’s contact information. I jabbed at the screen, initiating a video call.

“Alliance Public Relations, Jessica speaking.” A polished woman with a perfect smile appeared on my screen.

“This is Keeper Bishop,” I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. “I need to speak with someone about the Heroes En Vogue article featuring Valor.”

Her smile didn’t falter. “Ah yes, the engagement announcement! Congratulations, Keeper Bishop. The public response has been overwhelming⁠—”

“That’s exactly the problem,” I cut in. “There is no engagement. Valor fabricated the entire thing without my knowledge or consent.”

Jessica’s smile faltered slightly. “One moment, please.”

The screen went blank for several seconds before a new face appeared—Martin Allen, the head of Alliance PR.

“Keeper Bishop,” he greeted me, his expression serious. “I understand you have concerns about the current narrative.”

“Concerns? Valor announced we’re engaged! It’s a complete lie!”

Martin sighed, looking more annoyed than sympathetic. “I’ve been authorized to inform you that the Alliance is extremely pleased with the public response to this development. Valor’s approval ratings have jumped twelve points overnight.”

“I don’t care about his ratings! This is my life!”

“The Alliance cares,” Martin replied coldly. “You are to proceed as advised for tonight’s event. The narrative stands.”

My stomach dropped. “You can’t be serious.”

“Very. This comes directly from the top.”

I took a deep breath, trying a different approach. “If it comes from the very top, then I need to speak with the Aegis directly.”

Martin’s eyebrows rose. “That’s not how this works⁠—”

“Make it work,” I snapped. “There are extenuating circumstances that they aren’t aware of that will affect the freaking narrative.” Namely, Cipher and the fact that their darling Valor will die as soon as he finds out.

To my surprise, after a moment of hesitation, he nodded. “Hold, please.”

The screen went blank again, and I waited, pacing my office. When the call reconnected, I found myself facing a harried-looking woman I didn’t recognize, her Alliance uniform rumpled and dark circles under her eyes.

“Keeper Bishop,” she said briskly. “Agent Daniels. What’s the emergency?”

“I’m involved with Cipher,” I blurted out. “Romantically involved. As in, currently sleeping with him. And when he reads this article claiming I’m engaged to Valor, he will kill him.”

Agent Daniels’ eyes widened slightly, the only indication she was surprised by this bombshell.

“Cipher. The Villain. Havoc’s Nemesis,” she repeated slowly, as if making sure she’d heard correctly.

“Yes. That Cipher. The one who’s killed people for less than this. I’m not exaggerating the threat. Valor is in actual danger.”

Agent Daniels held up one finger, then muted her end of the call. I watched her lips move rapidly as she spoke to someone off-screen, her expression growing increasingly tense. After what felt like an eternity, she unmuted.