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

the Lapine had just finished recounting her previous night’s encounter to her baker friend, sparing little in the way of detail.

“It was incredible Cordelia!” She gushed.

The baker’s lips were pursed at the Lapine’s enthusiasm.

“Doesn’t sound very romantic.” She observed simply.

“What? No! It was! But like, in a different way. It was super intense.”

Cordelia still wore a skeptical expression as she slowly shook her head.

“You’re really smitten with this woman huh?”

“Yeah, I am.”

She measured the bunny’s demeanor carefully for several seconds before asking a rather important question.

“Are you… sorry, maybe I’m not supposed to ask this, but are you thinking of giving her your heartstone?”

The Hornet’s hand paused in working the brush through her hair.

Becks gave her a look of complete exasperation.

“I know I’m pretty swept up in this, but I’m not an idiot! It’s way too soon for that!”

“Right, right.” The baker held up her hands; “Just looking out for you, that’s all.”

“And I appreciate that, I do. But I’m a grown-ass bunny.” She said with a certain degree of swagger.

“Look at you acting all tough just cuz you caught some strange!” Cordelia said with feigned incredulity.

“‘Caught some… strange?’” Rebecca giggled; “Humans are weird!”

They shared the laugh, but then the brunette gave the Lapine an arch look.

“And yet you’re all tied in knots over one?”

Again Rebecca laughed, but brushed aside the observation and changed the subject.

“So anyways, what were you saying about this morning?”

“Not much, just that I got mugged. No big.” Cordelia said drily.

The Lapine’s mouth fell open to reveal her thick front incisors.

“WHAT?! Carrot sticks!” She cursed; “Are you okay?!”

The baker waved away her concern.

“I’m fine, just a dumb kid. My darling Hornets protected me.” She threw a wink over Rebecca’s shoulder to some of the monster girls behind her.

They returned doting smiles to their queen, but her guest still looked more than a little alarmed.

“How did this happen? I mean, where in the city?”

“Edge of the grid. And I know what you are going to say!” She forestalled the mixture of condemnation and alarm on Rebecca’s face; “‘Stay away from the slums’, but if I kept to Honnold Street the whole way it would take me twice as long!”

It had been one of the first things the Lapine had said to her: ‘Hi I’m Rebecca, call me Becks, and steer clear of the shanty towns unless you’re looking for trouble’.

Carol’s machine shop was actually just beyond the reach of the solar light grid, but Rebecca could run a helluva lot faster than Cordelia could! Plus she had never had any issues delivering to the shop…

“Cordelia-” She began worriedly, but the baker cut her off.

“What was it you just said? I’m a grown-ass bunny, er, woman.”

Once again the Hornet brushing her hair paused in her work, a look of steely determination on her face.

“We will keep our queen safe, wherever she chooses to go.”

Rebecca drew in a steadying breath as she came to realize that Cordelia really was fine, somehow she had forgotten that the brunette currently picking flour out of her nails had a small army at her beck and call.

“Well, as long as you’re okay. But what about the guy that jumped you? What did you do with him, or rather his... body?” She asked delicately while shooting a careful look to the many Hornets around them.

To her surprise, Cordelia burst out laughing.

“There was no body! All I did was give him a kick in the ass, some breakfast and a stern talking to, before sending him on his way!”

Rebecca’s mouth fell open again.

“You let him go?! What if he tries to rob you again?”

She realized the absurdity of the statement even as she said it, her cheeks turning pink and her ears turning and going flat.

Cordelia’s only response was a raised eyebrow, so Rebecca backpedalled.

“A-anyways, geeze, I guess we’re both having an eventful couple of days!”

“Fair to say. Although…” The Brunette narrowed her eyes and smirked; “I can guaran-fucking-TEE you that I’m getting more strange.”

“Oh! HEY!” Rebecca’s blush deepened and she threw a little pillow at a now-laughing Cordelia.

At least she wasn’t the only one blushing though: the Hornets around the room, and especially the one looming behind Cordelia, turned pink as well.

Suddenly one of them struck the butt of her lance against the floor.

“The queen returns!”

The harsh sound cut through the amusement and Cordelia rolled her eyes when the Lapine flinched.

“Do they have to do that every time?” Becks complained.

“No.” The brunette shot a pouting glare at the offending Hornet; “In fact I asked them not to...”

“Ah, sorry... my Queen. Force of habit.”

Oldeera buzzed down from above then, a broad smile on her face as she all but landed in her bond-mate’s lap.

“Hello honey!”

Her lips found Cordelia’s and they shared a deep kiss, Rebecca watching them with a slightly wistful smile.

Like all monster girls, she yearned for what the Hornets had.

“Mmmph, hello to you too.” The human managed between kisses; “You seem particularly randy this evening?”

The Hornet queen let out a sigh and shifted to sit next to her, settling her arm onto Cordelia’s thigh.

“We seized another shipment of contraband and arrested a number of high value targets. I’m always horny after combat.”

“Combat?” Rebecca asked with wide eyes.

“Yes, some of the men were armed, no one died, but they had to be subdued.” Oldeera offered the Lapine a welcoming smile then; “Hello by the way Rebecca, it’s good to see you again.”

“Please, call me Becks, um, your Majesty? But wait, hang on a second, armed? As in: lost-tech?” The Lapine asked with wide eyes.

The Hornet queen’s smile fell into a dour expression.

“I’m afraid so. This is the city for it,