Page 137 of Villainous Rise

I hesitated at the threshold, unsure how to begin this conversation.

“Annie?” Cipher’s head snapped up, his hands freezing mid-motion.

He turned, setting down whatever he was working on. His eyes narrowed as they swept over me, taking in what I assumed was the look of barely contained panic on my face. “What’s wrong?”

The drones retreated to their docking stations as Cipher crossed the room. His hands settled on my shoulders, warm and steady.

“Tell me.”

I opened my mouth, closed it, then opened it again. “Valor gave an interview.”

His fingers tightened slightly on my shoulders. “And?”

“He told the press we’re engaged.”

Cipher’s face went completely blank, that terrifying stillness that meant he was processing something too intense for normal human expression.

“He what?”

“After you interrupted our dinner at Elysium, he did a follow-up interview with Heroes En Vogue. I wasn’t there to supervise.” I was babbling now, words tumbling out faster than I could control them. “He just announced it. Made the whole thing up. And now it’s everywhere, and Alliance PR is backing him, and they’re sending me a ring, and there’s an event tonight⁠—“

“Stop.” Cipher’s voice cut through my rambling. He released my shoulders and took a step back, his eyes never leaving mine. “Let me understand this. That narcissistic piece of shit announced you’re engaged, without your knowledge or consent, and now the Alliance is forcing you to go along with it?”

I nodded miserably.

“And you’re here to tell me... what? That you’re going to play along?” His voice had dropped dangerously low. “That you’re going to stand next to him and smile for the cameras while he parades you around?”

“I don’t have a choice.”

“Bullshit.” The word exploded from him. “You always have a choice. Did you tell the Alliance to go fuck themselves?”

“I don’t have a choice,” I repeated. “The Aegis approved this. They’re making me⁠—“

“Making you?” Cipher’s laugh was sharp. “Let’s examine that, Sparks. How exactly are they making you? Did they threaten to throw you in a cell? Did they put a gun to your head?”

“They don’t have to!” I shot back. “If I refuse an Aegis directive, I lose my job. I lose everything.”

“Ah. There it is.” I backed up as Cipher advanced on me until I ran into a workbench. He leaned over me and planted his hands on either side of my hips. “The Aegis knows you’re terrified of what happens if you step outside their gilded cage. They know you’d rather play the compliant Keeper than risk losing your safety net. They aren’t forcing your hand, Annie. They simply priced the cost of your rebellion higher than you’re willing to pay.”

The accusation in his voice made my chest tighten. “I came here to warn you⁠—”

“To warn me?” Another laugh, this one colder than the last. “How considerate.’”

I flinched. “Stop it.”

“No, you stop it. You’re so fucking eager to follow their rules that you’ll let them pimp you out to boost some Hero’s ratings.”

“That’s not what this is!” But it was.

“Isn’t it? Tell me, Annie, what exactly are you planning to do when he tries to kiss you tonight? When the cameras are watching and everyone’s expecting the happy couple to share a moment?”

My stomach twisted. I hadn’t thought that far ahead.

“I thought so.” Cipher’s smile was vicious. “You’ll do whatever they tell you to, won’t you? Always the perfect little Alliance Keeper.”

“I came to you first. I thought you deserved to know.”

“How generous of you.” His words dripped acid. “What did you expect? My blessing?”