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

Seeming to have realized that he was in no immediate danger, the teen was already pushing the limits, his attitude back in full force while he snorted at her as if she were slow.

“You kiddin? Man’s gotta eat, and that thing’d be worth a mint that would!”

She struggled somewhat to make sense of his thickly accented brogue, when she had parsed his meaning though, she adjusted the crown on her head and tapped the yellow heartstone embedded in its center.

“Not really, especially given that the stone inside belongs to a Hornet hive, my Hornet hive.”

He squirmed some more, the grip of the warrior monsters unrelenting on his narrow biceps.

“Could still ‘ave pawned it fer summat. Am I fer the clink then? Cuz I ain’t goin to no digsite!”

“You go where we take you.” The Hornets on either side said in unison.

Their eyes were distant and their antennae wiggling, a sign that Oldeera was speaking through them.

He looked from one to the other before turning to face Cordelia again.

“Why they gotta talk all t’gether like that? Unnatural it is.” He complained.

Tucking the letter opener into the pocket of her coat she gave him a serious look.

He may have tried to rob her, but in the end he really was just a teenager.

She certainly didn’t miss the way his eyes kept darting to the faint outline of her breasts through her thick clothing.

Using one finger under his chin to tilt his head up and keep his gaze appropriate, she pursed her lips speculatively.

“My eyes are up here smart-ass. Now when’s the last time you ate something?”

“Ain’t ‘ungry, less you got some coins?” He asked hopefully, not the least bit embarrassed for having been caught ogling her.

The Hornet next to Cordelia crossed her arms over her own armoured breasts.

“When are you going to realize that you’re our prisoner?”

“Prisoner’s get fed don’t they?” He replied, quick as a whip.

The young baker shook her head slowly and couldn’t help but smile.

“Bring him along, Renny sets aside the day-olds for just this sort of thing. Though he normally drops them with the relief agencies.”

His nose turned up and he sneered at her.

“Don’t need your charity then do I?”

The smile fell off of her face rapidly and she scowled at him.

“Stop blustering you little shit! You just asked for coins! After trying to mug me!”

“Ain’t charity iffin I ask for it! An’ it definitely ain’t charity iffin I take it!”

“He’s right about the second part.” One of the Hornets holding him murmured.

Cordelia threw up her hands in disgust and turned away, resuming her trek to work, the Hornets in tow with their prisoner.

“Oi! ‘Elp, it’s a kidnapping! Oi’m bein abdicated!”

She pinched the bridge of her nose, a headache beginning to throb behind her forehead.

__________

A few hours after Cordelia struggled to see a squalling teenage boy fed, elsewhere in the city a Lapine was stirring in bed after the wildest night of her life.

Rebecca woke with a long stretch, shivering slightly as her blanket shifted off of her shoulders, her naked skin prickling in the morning air and waking her fully.

A moment later she sat up, her ears turning and folding flat over her head as she yawned and stretched some more. She welcomed the invigorating rush of cold as her blanket fell into her lap, gooseflesh washed over her shoulders and breasts, her nipples hardening.

Finally fully awake, she wrapped the blanket back over her shoulders and stepped out of her room in search of breakfast.

Sandra was gone, her classes started early, which was just as well; Rebecca felt more than a little guilty for the ruckus she caused with Carol the night before.

She shuddered again, though not from the cool air in the loft, but rather at the memory of the orgasm that Carol had all but ripped from her athletic frame.

It was unlike anything she had ever experienced.

When she stepped into the kitchen the first thing she spotted was a wicker basket on the counter next to the ice box, it was full of raw carrots, a pink bow wrapped around the handle with a folded piece of paper pinned to it.

With a hint of trepidation, she took up the note and unfolded it.

Sorry if I was too aggressive last night. It had been a while for me. Hopefully you’ll deliver me another package soon so I can make it up to you.

xoxo

-Carol

The bunny’s knees wobbled as the memory of the dark encounter washed over her again.

In retrospect she wasn’t just intimidated by the older woman: she was actually frightened of her. After their sexual adventure they shared a quick snack before Carol took her leave, much to the bunny’s confused disappointment.

Now seeing the basket of simple and delicious veggies made her heart swell with delight and she smiled at the thoughtfulness of it.

Evidently Carol had learned to cater to the Lapine’s simpler tastes, and Rebecca shook her head slightly as she wondered how she managed to get fresh carrots in the middle of winter.

It was her day off, and she spent most of it puttering around the loft, before stepping out in the late afternoon for a quick run.

She found herself torn between seeking Carol out again, and going to visit with Cordelia in her hive.

Ultimately she opted to visit the baker, as she didn’t want her mature new lover to think she was too clingy.

Soon enough she was in the hive sitting on one of the circular couches across from Cordelia, who in turn had another Hornet standing behind her and brushing her thick hair.

Oldeera and Christine were both still out, the queen busy working with the local law enforcement and the mechanist student still working at the university.

Just as well, as