Page 49 of Veiled Vixen

“Why?”

“Because that’s Princess Veila’s price for what I need from her.”

She’s hedging her bets. If she can’t get Luck to take her to Earth she will get to Corla and steal whatever it is inside her that can save her babies.

She told me she would not stop. She would die trying to save them.

“They’re not like that and you know it,” I say to Baby. “The security beacons are self-contained entities. They’re people. So if they locked you out, then they locked you out.”

“I’m afraid that’s not good enough, Valor. I need this. You could ask Crux to go over there and talk to them. Set up a small… parlay, if you will.”

“Why don’t you just ask Crux?”

“Because Crux doesn’t trust me.”

“I don’t trust you either.”

“Yes, but you need something from me and he does not.”

“I’m sure there’s lots of ways to threaten Crux into doing your bidding. Use your evil brain.”

“I’ve tried that. Veila interfered. I am not allowed to harm Crux, Serpint, or Lyra.”

Interesting. “Why are you taking orders from her anyway? Who is she to you?”

“She…”

“She what?”

“She promised me something. Something I want very badly.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“A way off this station.”

“You can’t leave the station,” I yell. “Everyone will die.”

“The Succubus can have it. I’m no longer interested in caring for people.”

Well, that’s a problem, I want to say, but don’t. Because we need the Succubus to leave with us. So Baby, my evil friend, your wish will not be granted.

But then all kinds of moral dilemmas pop into my already overcrowded brain about leaving Baby in charge of all the Harem citizens.

Why the fuck is this happening to me?

“Sure.” I sigh. “I’ll talk to Crux. Just tell Veila I need to see her.”

“Done,” the Baby says. “I’ll let you know when she responds. In the meantime, Crux is in his office.”

“Fine,” I hiss, then leave my quarters via the private lift that goes up to the harem room.

And can I just say I hate the empty harem room? I get it. Those girls weren’t really here of their own accord. But we took good care of them.

Didn’t we?

Apparently not. Because they hate Crux and Serpint. They want to kill Crux and Serpint.

I glance over at Crux’s office and see him sitting behind his desk like this is just another day in the life.