Dark Nine [18+]

Chapter Seventy-Three

I didn't know I'd end the day covered in literal blood – and it was not my own.

First of all, Jitters and I spent the full day together, shopping around Light Metro, eating out for lunch and even going to see a movie at the end of it all. A girl's day out, and whether or not my Kor escorts shadowed me or not, it didn't matter since they let me be for once in my life.

It was perfectly peaceful, and then Jitters and I exited the movie theatres and walked onto the streets filled with a lively nightlife.

There's a buzz in the air, everyone is dressed up to kill and looking for drinks and a club to dance.

I walk Jitters back to her place, where she's staying with other Freed in another share house.

"I didn't know I needed that," Jitters thanks me at her door, "Let's hang out more often, will you come visit tomorrow to try my new spiced pastry?"

"I will," I answer, "And really, I didn't know I needed this either. I guess we both work so hard... in our... jobs," I laugh at that thought and Jitters gives me a quick hug as we say goodbye.

I have one bag filled with a special outfit for my Kors.

I might have... uh... chosen something I would feel sexy in. Rather than a Krown and Plume, I bought a few scraps of hot pink lingerie. It glowed in the dark, a bit tacky, but I kind of loved it.

As the door shuts I fully expect my Kors to appear at my shoulders, turning me back to Evoni Central to escort me to the mansion they gifted me to live close to other subspecies.

But something strange happens.

Nothing happens.

And it has my skin crawling.

I turn around, looking up and down the street of party goers.

Evoni Central is two streets down, a five-minute walk.

I move along the pavement, as electric cars whiz by at high speed, and I wait for them. I had fully expected, at the very least, Alpha Centauri or Mars to be sniffing up my ass by now.

Considering how I had stayed out for 8 full hours.

I walk with a grim feeling at the pit of my stomach... what the hell were Ninth Squad and Star Squad doing?

My first thought was maybe they had been captured or hurt – but I immediately dismissed that. They were Elions. They were too smart to all get captured.

So what the heck –

No. I'm overreacting for nothing. I had been surrounded by Kor security for so long, it had become my normal. The fact they were respecting their Empress' need for space, was just their evolving love.

I walk back to Evoni's skyscraper, reaching into the clouds, while limousines roll up and drop off restaurant goers and anyone else heading into fine dining.

I walk in with everyone else, my feet ache and I wouldn't mind a hot bath, or a massage, honestly.

As the lift shoots up to my private floor, before the doors even open, I can see the metal vibrating in front of me.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

A party...

I gulp down my sudden anger mixed with terror as I lift my chin, trying to look brave.

But then I hear slamming against the lift doors.

"FUCK! OPEN!"

The lift doors were slightly delayed, but they eventually wheeze off to the sides and three young adults, all female, scream their way into the lift.