Dark Empathy by Archibald Bradford (inspiring books for teens TXT) 📕

While Hornets were everywhere, preparing weapons and maintaining armour, several people in grey uniforms were there with their own monsters, and those not likewise preparing were talking quietly while referring to a bulletin board that had various pieces of intelligence pinned to it.

As Oldeera had promised, a pair of Undines had been drafted into helping, both were sleeping in a large tub in the corner after expending so much energy communicating with the Aegis command in Garland.

Rebecca and Miranda were given a wide birth, the pair of them standing by the exit as the courier received her final instructions.

“All I want you to do today is be curious, you were just assaulted and you’re trying not to think about it, so ask a few questions, but don’t really hear the answers.”

The Lapine nodded along, one foot tapping anxiously.

“Be distracted and listless, I can do that.”

“Who attacked you?” The operative demanded suddenly.

“It-it was two woman, they were so dirty.” She said with a shudder; “One of them had grey hair I think, I don’t know, I was just so scared.”

“Dial it down a bit, we both know you have bigger balls. And you can leave out the dirty part.” Miranda said with a smirk; “Plenty of places in the slums have running water, especially with the spring thaw not yet over in the mountains. Even muggers have self-respect.”

“Right, two well-bathed muggers.”

“Don’t be a smart-ass, focus.” She said firmly.

Rebecca swallowed and shifted to one side, her ears once more going flat to her head.

“I-I’m sorry, I don’t know, I’m just trying not to think too much about this.”

With a gentle grip on her shoulders Miranda turned the bunny to face her, eyes concerned.

“Becks… if you aren’t up for-”

“I am.” She said firmly; “I can do this.”

The gruff woman looked at her a long time, measuring the resolve in her pink eyes until she was satisfied.

“Alright, remember, this is a game of patience, so no risks today. The most I want you to find out is the general layout of the place, especially how many exits there are and where to find them. We have the original blueprints, just confirm them for us.”

“Right.”

With her hands still on her shoulders, Miranda gave the Lapine a reassuring squeeze.

“First and foremost I want you focused on getting out of there safely! Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”

Again the bunny nodded.

“Necessary risks only. Gotcha.”

That got a laugh from the older operative.

“Smart-ass.”

Without thinking she pulled her into a hug.

The impulsive move surprised them both, but the stressed-out monster girl hugged her back firmly, their breasts pressing together as she drew on the other woman’s strength.

A minute later the hive went silent as everyone watched the brave Lapine hop her way out of the room.

Jan gave Miranda a sly look, causing her to roll her eyes.

“Don’t start puppy, if anyone deserved a hug it was her.”

__________

Rebecca straightened her shirt for probably the fourth time as she stood before the door to the machine shop.

The last time she was here she was witness to a murder.

She still struggled to reconcile the woman who had so recently shared her bed with the woman who could kill someone so casually.

Her hand shook slightly as she rapped her knuckles against the door and she had to take another long breath to steady her nerve.

Remember what’s at stake.

“A-Algrade Courier Service!” She announced with only the slightest hitch in her voice.

A few moments later and the night manager Gregory opened the door for her.

“Look who it is! The boss’s favourite courier! We’ve all been worried about you.”

His attempts at being disarming were painfully awkward before Rebecca knew he was a criminal.

“Uh yeah, hey. Is she here? I have a parcel for her.”

He gave her a funny look at her nervous demeanor, his eyes pausing on the bruise under her eye.

She did her best not to squirm under his gaze, and eventually he nodded.

“Good, hopefully it’s the one she’s been waiting on. You might have to leave it with me for now though, she’s in a meeting.”

“Oh, uh, okay.”

She reached into her bag, feeling decidedly trapped as she wracked her brains for some way to get inside.

Fortunately it wasn’t necessary.

“On second thought…” Once again his eyes were on her injured face; “Why don’t you go and wait in her office? I’m sure she’d love to see you.”

She swallowed the terror that came with the invitation, feeling as if she were standing on the precipice.

Instead of saying anything, she nodded her agreement while mentally reminding herself that she was supposed to be nervous.

She stepped inside and walked up the stairs; once he saw her enter the office Gregory left to let Carol know she was here.

In the office, Rebecca did her best to control her nerves; she had been there many times, she knew the boundaries, knew that it would be normal for her to raid the little ice box, that Carol had started keeping carrot juice in there for her.

But she couldn’t bring herself to act normal, fear and doubt chasing each other around in her mind until her girlfriend arrived.

Having been forewarned of the wayward Lapine’s appearance and behaviour by Gregory, the buxom woman was at Rebecca’s side immediately, her hands cupping her bruised face.

“What happened?” She asked in a level town while turning her head slightly to get a better look at the bruise.

The Lapine could tell that she was working to not be too pushy with her, which was just as well, given her nerves. For a moment she was deeply conflicted: she almost thought she could recognize the Carol that she knew in the concerned look on her face and the worry in her voice.

But at the