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

“It was long overdue and now it’s done.” The brunette finished her tirade before turning to the bunny; “Hey Becks.”

“Hey Cordy! Everything okay?”

The Lapine really liked the fiery woman, though the wannabe punk bunny was a little bit scared of her.

“It is now. Right?” Cordelia turned her head back to face the willowy man, a challenge in her voice.

He wiped at his brow, flaking off some of the sweaty flour before heaving a sigh.

“Miss Loskins, you are going to be the death of me. But… thank you, my heart can’t deal with situations like this.”

“Don’t worry about it. And if you have to be formal it’s Missus Loskins. Or for your own safety if my girls are around, Queen Loskins. Now what have you got for me today Becks?”

She moved behind the counter while the nervous owner went to help another customer who probably wasn’t hiding behind the shelf full of dinner rolls, but sure looked like she was.

“Same as yesterday, and the day before. Another dense little box from Kettering.”

Cordelia rolled her eyes.

“And the day before that and the day before that! It’s my dad and Helen being smart-asses! I’ve been here a few weeks and I get more mail than Renny does! They just keep sending me flour! Saying the stuff in Algrade isn’t any good.”

Rebecca pulled the somewhat weighty package out of her bag and set it on the counter.

“I don’t get it, isn’t all flour the same?”

Cordelia just stared at her.

But before she could say the biting comment the bunny was dreading, a trio of armed Hornets burst into the bakery, causing the nervous owner and equally nervous customer to jump.

“My Queen!” One of them proclaimed; “Who dares anger you?!”

They leveled their glares, and their lances, at Rebecca who immediately shook her head and held up her hands.

“It was the fat lady!” She squeaked.

“Oh for- girls! We talked about this! If you come flying in every time I get pissed off over nothing you’ll wear out your wings!”

Though she was admonishing them, Cordelia’s tone was far gentler than before as she came around the counter again to deal with her bond-mates.

It took a minute of persuading, along with a few ardent kisses, to convince the protective Hornets to get back to their patrol.

Renaldo’s Bakery and about five blocks around it had become a very safe place to be since Queen Cordelia started working there.

Once they left, along with the rattled customer, the willowy man approached the brunette with a nervous, yet stern, look on his face.

“Missus Loskins, while I appreciate the fact that I will never be robbed while you are working here-”

“I know Renny! And I’m sorry. I’ve told them so many times not to come charging in like that.”

He sighed and rubbed at his temples.

Rebecca took the opportunity to flee from the coming argument and get back to work.

She had one last package in her bag, and her heart beat in her chest at the thought of delivering it.

As a Lapine she was adept at running for long distances at impressive speeds, her powerful legs pumping easily as she alternated between sprinting and hopping along on her way. This made her ideal for courier work, though ever since she was just a kit she felt it also made her ideal for chasing down bad guys.

Her dream for as long as she could remember was to join the Aegis; it was why she left the family warren and came to the city in the first place. She was much more wide-eyed and innocent then, before she had her ears pierced and began to dye her hair.

Each year her confidence in her application was stronger than the year before, yet each year she had been rejected.

But today the disappointment she felt at the latest failed application was tempered with no small amount of desire for the recipient of her final package.

After another brisk run through the city, the bunny soon found herself outside a workshop abutting a large scrap-yard.

She took a steadying breath before rapping her knuckles against the frame of the broad open doorway.

“Algrade Courier Service!” She called to the men working just inside the two story building.

The main floor of the place was dominated by four enormous presses around a massive central crucible, their cylindrical metal columns raising and falling at a steady rate as they used brutal force to shape the heated metal being fed into them by sweaty workers on the shop floor.

Meanwhile on catwalks above, other men were standing by, ready to apply grease to the cylindrical columns whenever the presses paused in their work.

Several of the rough looking men inside turned to face her, not bothering to hide the hungry gazes that trailed up and down her body.

Though Rebecca hated to admit it, they intimidated her. She did her best not to show it though, lifting her chin and staring back at them.

Fortunately the very woman whose name was on the package was just coming downstairs from her office to the Lapine’s left.

“Ah perfect, my favourite courier!” She spoke over the din inside.

She was of average height, with large and shapely breasts and a confident demeanor that commanded respect. As she walked casually down the stairs she used both hands to skillfully tie her dark cherry hair into an elaborate knot at the back of her head.

The attractive woman wore a warm smile that matched her words; at least she did until she caught on to the bunny’s nerves, and the source of them.

Without hesitation she directed a stern frown at the hard-eyed workers.

“Am I paying you to stand around? Get back to work. There’s more steel coming tomorrow, so make sure there’s enough room in the loading area. And