Page 100 of Veiled Vixen

I get in the shower and jerk off as quick as I can to take care of the morning ritual, then wash, get out, and get dressed.

I buckle the holster to my thigh, slip the little pistol in, and run my fingers through my wet blond hair before going back upstairs.

Veila is sitting at the table reading a screen and sipping a mug of tea. She’s wearing glasses and her hair is messily piled up on top of her head, so that she looks a little bit like an early-morning mother who is about to send her kids off to school.

“Finally,” she says without looking at me. “Help yourself.” She pans her hand at a plate filled with food across from her, never taking her eyes off the screen in front of her.

“What are you reading?” I ask as I take a seat. I am pretty fucking hungry. And there’s a shitload of food on my plate. A pastry filled with tushberry jam, eggs, protein strips, a few slices of passion limes, and a youthfruit cut up into cubes.

“The update from Harem.”

“What’s happening down there?” I ask, then shove the entire pastry into my mouth.

“Captain Red tried to take levels ninety-six through one hundred last night.”

“Did she—”

“Of course not,” Veila snaps, looking up from her screen for the first time. “She is no one.”

“She’s tough,” I say. “I ran into her when you sent me down to talk to Luck. Which is what I really need to discuss with you. I know you’re not pregnant anymore—”

Her mouth drops open.

“Sorry,” I say, holding up my hands in surrender. “I didn’t mean that to come out so callous.”

“That’s all you care about though, right? Just get Veila to go along. Tell her whatever she needs to hear so you can save your precious Luck.”

“Well… look, Veila, I would do that. If I had to. I would say and do anything to help Luck and Nyleena. But is it even necessary anymore? Is any of this necessary? What are you fighting for? Who are you fighting for?”

“It doesn’t matter. They want to kill me. And if anyone gets to kill me, it’s me. OK? Not you, not Luck, not stupid Captain Red down there. Me. That’s my choice. So that’s who I’m fighting for.”

“OK. That’s cool… I guess. But you could be fighting for us now.”

She laughs.

“I’m serious.”

“I’m sure that simple mind of yours really believes that.”

“Don’t be a bitch.”

“Me? You think I believe you want me on your side? After what I did? Please. Don’t insult me.”

“I’m just saying you’re under your own control now. This is the real you, I presume? This cute pink girl wearing white leggings and a too-big sweater? Messy hair and glasses?”

She looks down at her outfit. “What’s wrong with my sweater?”

“Nothing. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s actually nice. You look… nice. Normal. Like a regular woman and not some evil silver queen. I don’t want to make light of what you went through last night, or how you feel about it today, even if those babies weren’t your choice. But this is a new beginning, Veila. Or at least… it could be one.”

“If I surrender, you mean?”

“Surrender?” I shrug. “Or change sides?”

“What’s the difference?”

“The difference is… you’re mine.”

“Come off it, Valor. I know you hate me.”