The lights were bright in the living room, and the crew looked exceptionally nervous as Misker, Meemer, and Syrn glared at them.
Arcady was leaning against the counter and eating a cupcake from craft services. She represented Z-Corp.
Heraina was in full makeup, wearing one of the goddess-style tops with a business skirt and three-inch heels. They had done a few outdoor shots and one shot in shadows where she powered up the scars.
The questions had been going on for thirty minutes, and the BDC question had already been asked and answered.
“Heraina, how did you survive the attack, and will you sue Z-Corp for the holes in their security that caused the attack?”
Hera smiled. “I will not be suing Z-Corp. The guard arrived on schedule, and his adherence to that schedule saved my life. It is security, not an armoured wall. We live in a world of actives, and all we can do is try and keep ourselves safe. If you see a rogue active throwing things, get out of the way. Don’t stand and face the projectile, hoping a team member will save you. Personal responsibility goes a long way. I should have taken a transport home. It is the protocol to take a transport home, but I wanted to have the comfort of my own vehicle that day. I often did that, so it created a pattern of behaviour that made a window of opportunity.”
“But, shouldn’t the security team have noticed him?”
“Why? I didn’t, and I checked my back seats. He wasn’t there. I settled in the seat and got a needle in my neck. I was paralyzed in a few heartbeats, and then the carving started.”
The interviewer shivered a little.
“We took some images of you earlier, and you exhibit a strange energy. Why didn’t you use that during the attack?”
Hera nodded. “My energy pattern interferes with technology, and I work around it, so I tuck myself in, so to speak. If you ignore an activation long enough and keep it buckled down, it requires effort to use. Paralyzed, I had no chance.”
The interviewer nodded and said, “Just one more thing, Ms. Tender. Are you pregnant?”
Hera smiled. “I am. It is why we are doing the interview here instead of at my place.”
“Were you pregnant during the attack?”
“Not noticeably, but I know the person who hired the assassin, and they would not have cared.”
The interviewer asked a blunt question. “Do you know who the father is?”
“I do.” She smiled.
“How can you be sure who it is considering your hobby?”
Hera smiled, and she saw Misker stiffen. “I have been under exclusive contract and have not strayed from it. Also, there are genetic tests available. Paternity has been confirmed.”
The interviewer got a slightly frustrated expression. “Who is the father?”
“The person who got me pregnant. Didn’t you get that lecture in school?” She smiled.
“You aren’t going to name the father?”
“Of course not. He already has a name.” She kept her expression polite, but Arcady was laughing silently.
Keeping the patron’s information secure was the first thing the escorts learned.
“Can’t you give the public a hint?”
“Oh, sure. He’s a he. He is taller than I am. Broader, and I am pretty sure he’s an active.”
Misker lumbered over, and Hera could see the determination in his gaze. He lifted her and sat in the chair she had been in, settling her on his lap. Hera kept a calm expression as he wrapped an arm around her belly and across her hips.
The interviewer blinked. “I believe that my question has been answered.”
“Well, you know, he has such a delicate nature. He must have been getting cold.”
The interviewer spluttered with laughter, and Misker kissed Hera’s shoulder. “I thought I would end the line of questioning. I do not want her stressed or upset.”
The interviewer caught the inference. “Right. Well, Ms. Tender, how do you feel knowing that your attacker is still out there?”
“Just like I feel knowing there is any multitude of psychos out there. I am taking responsibility for my own safety to the best of my abilities, just like everyone should.”
“You aren’t worried about being a target again?”
“No. It will happen, or it won’t. I will act as I am able to at the time.”
There were a few polite exchanges with Misker, and the interview concluded.
The crew respectfully removed their equipment and left under the supervision of the guards from the property.
When they were gone, Meemer turned off all the tech, and Arcady bade farewell so that Hera could do a sweep.
She waited until her com told her Arcady was clear, and her sweep produced a lot of small pops when listening devices blew. The guys had turned their coms off, and they didn’t have any other electronics, so when her fire swept through the house, it cleaned things as it went.
She finished the sweep and nodded. “All done.”
Coms went back on, and the smart house functions resumed.
She turned to Misker. “Did you have to do that?”
He offered her a glass of water. “What?”
“Identify yourself as their father.”
“Yes. She was going to continue to pursue the line of inquiry. It made her stop.”
“Fine, but you are going to be dealing with a lot of groupies now.”
He frowned. “What?”
“Nothing is sexier than a man who takes care of his lady.” She stroked his chest and patted it.
His cheeks got pink. “So that is why you keep looking at Syrn and sighing?”
Syrn chuckled.
“No. He’s just a tease.” She grinned. “And I am trying to figure out if his niece takes after him in any way.”
Syrn murmured, “I am not a tease; I am patient. You are still screaming in the night and not in a good way, so we will wait.”
Misker muttered, “Thanks for making me a part of this.”
Syrn chuckled. “This was what you agreed to.”
He whined, “Yeah, but... look at her.”
“Yes, and if she gets therapy and can come to you without having nightmares, you can spend a night together.”
“She spends nights with you.” Misker was accusing.
“I just hold her until she is back under her own control. I can also absorb her energy. She’d burn you.”
Misker muttered, “Worth it.”
“Really? Just a minute.” Syrn got up from the kitchen table and headed upstairs. He came back down a moment later with a duvet that was scorched in several places with her palm prints. There was a large hole scorched in the middle. He looked at Misker. “Guess what was right here?”
Misker swallowed. “Therapy it is.”
She grinned. “You know, we can still have sex as long as you don’t let me fall asleep.”
His eyes filled with excitement. “We can?”
“Well, if you have other plans...” She yelped as he picked her up and carried her up the stairs.
Misker’s excitement was palpable, and she shivered when he carefully undressed her. She looked at him. “Dude, have you been practicing or something?”
He smiled. “Yes. When I was abrupt with you, I chatted with Syrn about it, and he gave me a lecture. Apparently, using my twin’s cock to get inside you and then rapidly expanding does not constitute foreplay.”
Hera chuckled as he knelt to set her on the bed and remove her shoes. “Told ya.”
He eased her knees apart and kissed his way up her inner thigh before sliding his hands under her thighs and lifting her to his mouth. Hera fell back and moaned as he proved that he had, indeed, been paying attention to foreplay.
She staggered downstairs in her bathrobe three hours later. Meemer saw her and got her a glass of water.
Syrn was working at the table and grinned. “He didn’t let you sleep?”
“He did not.”
“You took a shower?”
“I did. Sex with Misker is messy in a weirdly fun way.”
“He’s asleep?”
“Oh. Yeah.” She finished her water, and Meemer refilled it. “Out like a light. Slight smile on his lips.”
“Did he turn into Alejandro?”
“Yeah, twice. I think he took a power nap or something.” She chuckled, and Meemer got her a third glass. “Oh, I have to start looking into the projects coming up for distribution. Oh, shoot. My work tablet is at my house.” She smiled. “I will have someone pick it up and deliver it.”
She opened her com and entered a number that she had memorized. A silver figure appeared on the screen. It was a projection because the being didn’t need a com. “Titan. Hi!”
Titan’s voice reverberated in the call. “Hello, Hera. Thank you for not outing Heckler at the stronghold.”
“No problem. Now, are you in a position to do me a favour?”
“Sure. I am in town. What do you need?”
“Go to my house and grab my Z-Corp tablet? Bring it to Misker’s place?”
“Sure. Anything else?”
“Could you pack a bag for me?”
“Sure. Can your floors take the weight?”
“My house is a bungalow.”
“Ah. Right. Security code?”
“Sending it in an attachment. Thank you.”
“Will be there in an hour. Meet me outside.”
“Thanks, Titan.”
“No problem, Heraina.”
“Are you already travelling?”
“Of course. Now, be a good girl and get me those codes.”
Hera laughed, and she sent the codes through to Titan. She lowered her hand and smiled.
“You know Titan?”
She grinned. “I have run into Titan at Z-Corp when checks are needed. In my job, I am down in Kritz’s lab a lot. Titan and I play checkers while diagnostics are happening.”
He snorted. “Checkers?”
“Sure. Titan has to be hooked up to the scanners, and I like playing checkers. So, we get a projected board, and we play.”
“Has Titan ever been a patron?”
“Oh, no. I am not Titan’s type.” She smiled. “Too short.”
He frowned. “Really? I can’t imagine that.”
“It’s true. We have had discussions about it. You can ask Titan yourself.”
Syrn nodded with a thoughtful expression. “I think I will.”
Hera smirked and kept the water glass between her palms. “I have had six patrons in total. Three were single events, one was serious but not exclusive, and then there was Alejandro, and after him, Misker.”
“I don’t count?”
“You and I don’t have a contract, Syrn. I will be penalized by the BDC for interacting with you intimately outside of the contract.”
“Why are you so hyped for the contract?”
“Because without it, you can do whatever you like with me, and I can just disappear. With it, I have a say and can summon help to back me up. The BDC protects its own, and patrons can and will come in to assist their escorts in times of distress, which is one of the reasons that the attack on Uradda was so successful.” She smiled. “And the BDC escorts are gleefully calling it the whore war.”
He stared and then laughed. “I know a few team members who took off that day. They came back happy and exceptionally smug.”
“Ah, they would have been thanked by their escorts then.”
He snorted. “Were you in the attack roster?”
“No, my energy does not play well with others, as you know. I didn’t want to short anyone out.” She smiled. “I donated funds to the refugee centre to help place the actives who escaped.”
“Interesting. You donate all the funds?”
“Sure. I have bought three houses and a small business with it for the placement centre.”
Alejandro came downstairs wearing a set of pyjama bottoms low on his hips. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “What the hell did you do to him? Our shared consciousness is snoring.”
“He was a little... backed up.”
Alejandro laughed and kissed her neck. She flinched, and he frowned. He pushed her hair out of the way and hissed. “He didn’t bite, but yikes.”
“Nope, but those fuckers are sharp.” She eased her head away.
“You didn’t tell him it hurt?”
She blushed. “It didn’t hurt at the time. Though, it will get embarrassing if this is a thing at work. It was actually kind of fun and helped me cum, but now, it is a little road-rashy feeling.”
Syrn had gotten up with Alejandro’s hiss, looked at the abraded skin, and grimaced. “He needs to take more care with you.”
“He was very controlled and very thorough until this.”
Meemer brought over a med kit. Syrn dug through and got some cream, carefully stroking it over her neck while scowling.
“Stop frowning. It’s fine. It’s a light abrasion. In the grand scheme of things, it really isn’t bad.”
He nodded and put the cream away. “Yes, but he should confine the nibbling to parts of your anatomy covered by your clothing when you are at work.”
Alejandro nodded. “He needs a little forethought.”
“Fine, but don’t be mean to him. I had a lot of fun.”
Syrn snorted, and Alejandro grinned.
There was a thud from the backyard, and she realized what it was and ran to the back, where the guards had guns pointed at the liquid silver bulk of Titan.
“Titan! Thanks for coming.”
Titan straightened, and his voice boomed. “Heraina, here is your tablet and the clothing you requested.”
“Thank you, Titan.” She smiled brightly. “How have you been keeping?”
“Fairly well. You seem to have landed in an interesting position.”
“Well, yeah.”
“If you need any help with your nanite project, let me know. There aren’t any stellar dispatches for a while, so I am going to be nearby.”
Hera smiled. “Thank you. That is comforting.”
“I would offer to meet you for coffee, but...” The deep chuckle covered his appearance and the fact that there was no mouth in the faceplate.
Hera took the items and hugged Titan. “How long now?”
“A few more weeks. I can’t believe she is going through with it.”
“I was shocked when I saw her at the stronghold.”
“You needed help, so she went. I wasn’t home, or I would have taken her.” Titan murmured, “I am going to have to put some effort into accelerating my own situation. I have to be ready for her.”
Hera chuckled. “Finally, you are motivated. Right. Thanks for getting my stuff.”
“Well, I have an appointment at Z-Corp on Monday. If I come into the lab, care to come down for a chat?”
“Just let me know when you are settled. I will be right down.”
Titan leaned down and touched its forehead to Hera’s. “See you soon, shorty.”
Hera nodded and waved. Titan nodded to the defenders who were watching in surprise and then took off as silently as Syrn, and the gleaming silver body flew off with a flicker of light and then was gone.
Meemer was watching the sky, super impressed. “That... was the Titan.”
“It was. We have been friends for a few years.” She hugged her tablet and bag and headed into the house. She paused. “Where am I putting my clothes?”
Alejandro smiled. “Put them in my room. It is going to be getting the least action. Oh, thanks for the tee shirt, by the way.”
“Thank Salat and Torenne. They are really enjoying this new aspect of their hobby.”
He chuckled. “I think that Syrn is going to be picking your clothing for special events. He has enough experience with pregnant siblings to know that when you are uncomfortable, things will go badly.”
He wrapped his arms around her and sighed. “You scared them both very badly yesterday.”
“I know, but I was panicking, and I knew that could fix it, or Syrn wouldn’t have gotten the vials to begin with. Just because they didn’t administer it with cute teasing foreplay, that wouldn’t go anywhere because Syrn doesn’t want me having sex.” She felt herself pouting. The cravings for sex were kicking in hard.
“You know that isn’t accurate.” Syrn chuckled. “Trust me on this, that is not what I want, but you have only had two sessions with your therapist, and you still scream when you dream. If you don’t deal with your PTSD, you will start using sex as a coping mechanism. That isn’t healthy.”
“Yeah, you can be all judgy when you aren’t hormonal twenty-four-seven and horny as hell.” She grimaced at him.
He blinked. “I forgot to include that in my calculation. You are pregnant and are experiencing an increase in hormones.”
Alejandro chuckled. “That seems to explain the scent of heat on your skin, even after Misker did his best.”
She shrugged. “Things are a little out of control around here lately. I am longing to go back to work, so I can stop thinking about sex and start thinking about how to market the weird shit that Z-Corp comes up with.” She hugged her tablet and the bag of clothes. “Alejandro, I need to get back inside, so I can get back to work.”
He chuckled. “But you are so warm and smell so good.” He nuzzled her temple.
“And now I have work to do. I love work. It completes me.” She grinned.
Alejandro slid a hand into her robe between her thighs. “You are hot.”
“Leftover from Misker. I am still having flashbacks.”
He chuckled. “But I miss you.”
She smiled. “I miss you, too, but I really want to get to work. I have been too long without it. Besides, you could have had me if your mother hadn’t barged in.”
He sighed. He turned to Syrn. “Tie breaker?”
Syrn shook his head. “I am still waiting to hear back from Zera.”
Hera frowned. “Zera? Why?”
“She’s expediting my application to become your patron and adding me to the agreement with Misker and Alejandro’s consent.”
Hera frowned. “What about my consent?”
Syrn laughed. “You give it every time you step into my arms.”
She cocked her head. “What?”
“Sarathoan tradition. You have been along my body so often that we are considered married. I mean, we need a wedding contract to tie us together, but the patron contract will hold for now.”
“Wait. What?”
“And we don’t generally engage in sex outside of mating pairs as there is a psychic link involved. That is what Zera is determining. If she can trust me to remain with you after the link is made.”
She stared at him and tilted her head. “Wait. Like permanent?”
He smiled, and the scent of rich brownies was strong. “Of course. Our minds seek that of our partner, and what we feel, they feel. There aren’t many of us, but we are sought after. The Aksallan government has been hoping that we would breed into the population. It is a very interesting skill.”
“I am not Aksallan.” She squeaked.
He grinned. “They have offered me and my family citizenship if I settle here.”
“Oh, great. Let me know when you pick a mate. I will send a present to the wedding.”
He sighed from a few feet away. “You are my mate, Heraina, just as I am yours, Misker is yours, and Alejandro is yours.”
She frowned. “That’s a lot. Like, even if we were counting pound for pound, I think it’s a little much.”
“It isn’t Titan.”
Hera waved her hand in the air. “She wouldn’t be interested.” She froze and clapped her hand over her mouth.
Syrn cocked his head. “That is not what I expected you to say.”
Alejandro chuckled. “Me neither. Misker missed it, but I think it will only make him relax a little when you are with Titan.”
Syrn nodded. “Me as well. No one can touch Titan’s strength or stamina, so this is surprising. His penchant for violence is well known.”
“Titan has been through some shit.” She winced. “You won’t mention that I blurted it or try and help Titan into a vehicle or anything?”
He laughed. “No. Titan can prove that he can take care of himself, but I would have learned it when I saw you together after we linked. Your mind would have given it away.”
“Oh. Right. In my mind? Seriously?”
He chuckled. “Seriously. That is why there is no rushing into things. It isn’t something that can be undone.”
“Oh. Well, I do need to get back to work.” She looked over her shoulder. “You will keep your mouth shut as well?”
“Bribe me.”
She huffed. “No bribing. Either you will or you won’t. So?”
Alejandro kissed her softly. “I will keep my mouth shut. Outing someone is never all right. Will we understand who is in the armour one day?”
“Yes. You will eventually understand why. In the meantime, Titan is completing an essential project.”
“Good enough. Then, Titan is a friend of the family.”
She sighed and nodded. “A really good friend.”
Alejandro squeezed her and then let her go. “Resume your work. Enjoy yourself. Despite your heat, you are also a little sore.”
She snorted. “Yeah, no kidding. I have been using every excuse to stay on my feet.”
He said, “You have to tell him no. He will listen.”
She chuckled and headed into the house. She had done it to herself, so to speak. He had wanted to rest, and she had crawled on top of him. She had urged him for more, and he had provided it.
She smirked gently, stood at the counter with her tablet, and accessed it with three biological checks. The items that had cleared the safety checks were few in number, but now, she had to figure out the application and who would want to pay for the wonderful creations of Z-Corp.
She made notes and came up with marketing strategies, but she would need to see the items in action. Monday was going to be fun.