Dark Light: Carnal Faction

Chapter 2

3 Days Later

I'm back to work. I just relocated to this bluestone mansion which I now look after since it's in my name. I had at one point considered selling it, but Lienart left a handwritten note in the bedroom.

Please, do not sell the property – L.

So I guess that's that.

Shape-shifting Kors are as rare as cryptids.

I try to find any image or video, nothing but fan art exists.

It bothers me, but I can't be too caught up in silly mysteries. So I'm focused on my day job, a trader and an investor. But as a Light Nine? I can't go wrong. I help the AI execute the trades. It suggests the trade and I have to confirm.

Since I was 18 and started to do this, for 5 years, I had approved every single trade that the Light approved first.

So, I swipe right to give it the green and I've never had to swipe left.

I always read through each transaction thoroughly however, then at the end of my morning shift, I'll check my Light Nine status. It's still perfect, 100%.

I love being perfect; it was the best feeling in the world.

I take a break to grab lunch, a rice and chicken curry. I eat that while I recline on one of the large mauve couches that line one massive wall filled with art and paintings of nebula. Everything seemed to be hand-painted. I sit with the doors open to the courtyard and the pool and the lush garden. It rained a lot here. I wear my white suite, my black hair out and wavy and freshly styled. I liked to look as perfect as my reputation. I was proud of who I was.

I was happy with where my life was headed. Each day, getting approval.

I had almost assumed I would never see Lienart again – but in the middle of a Wednesday at noon, now a movement catches my eye. I freeze with a spoonful of rice between my lips as the big cat from the Lux Pad, pads by the pool after jumping a hedge.

Lienart's big cat catches sight of me as he pads right in doors, tracking minimal dirt but still making a bit of a mess.

After his purple and cyan stripped cat looks at me, he prances through the living area, past the kitchen – and then pads upstairs.

I continue eating, feeling at ease when I realise he isn't here for me. He is here on business.

I finish eating, and I stand up to place the bowl in the dishwasher.

I head back to my computer and the trades, I log back in and I decide I'm sick of sitting, so I stand by a desk facing the wall. A good place to keep my eyes off seeing him reappear potentially in his more dangerous form.

Although what would be more dangerous? A big cat or the bipedal Kor? I have a nawing hunger to know what his face looks like, but I also have to honour our agreement.

I focus on my job, and I start swiping. Right, approved. Another. Right, approved. I'm reading too fast, I'm nervous. I slow down on this next one, especially when my ears feel funny – and I can hear foot steps reappearing.

He's shifted, and he's walked into the kitchen to my right. I hear the faucet. So he drinks water too?

I feel my hairs stand on end when Lienart doesn't even say hello.

But saying hello wasn't apart of the agreement, so it doesn't even matter.

What do Kors like to talk about? I ask the Light.

My eyelids flash with advice, It's better not to, Madison, conversation with Kors usually end with a sexual advance that will overwhelm all logical sense.