My Scumbag System

Chapter 586: A Game of Footsie, A Game of Thrones

The Olympus Rising compound sprawled across an entire city block in the heart of the guild district. A monument to corporate success wrapped in the aesthetics of ancient mythology. Marble columns framed the entrance. Golden accents caught the afternoon sun. The whole place screamed money loud enough to make my teeth ache.

"Home sweet home." Reyna stepped out of the vehicle. "For the next two weeks anyway."

I followed her through the main entrance into a lobby that belonged in a museum. High ceilings with painted murals depicting heroes of legend. A reception desk manned by staff in matching uniforms. Security checkpoints disguised as decorative archways.

Veronica guided us toward a private elevator. "Your quarters are on the residential floor. Separate rooms, of course. We maintain strict propriety standards for our interns."

"Of course." I kept my face neutral. "Propriety."

Reyna snorted.

The elevator deposited us on the fifteenth floor. A long hallway stretched in both directions. Doors spaced evenly apart. Each one marked with a name plate.

Mine read NAKANO in elegant script.

"Dinner is at seven in the main hall." Veronica checked her phone. "Tomorrow morning you’ll receive your internship assignments. Until then, rest. Explore. Make yourself comfortable."

She left without waiting for a response. The sound of her heels clicking against marble faded down the hallway.

Reyna lingered.

"My room’s three doors down." She nodded toward the left. "In case you get lonely."

"I’ll keep that in mind."

"You do that." She walked away with a lazy sway to her hips that demanded attention. "See you at dinner, Stray Dog."

I watched her go. Appreciated the view. Felt the pendant burn cold against my chest in silent accusation.

Then I opened my door and stepped inside.

The room was ridiculous.

King-sized bed with sheets that probably cost more than my monthly food budget. A bathroom the size of my old apartment. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. A personal entertainment system. A minibar. A walk-in closet already stocked with clothes in my size.

Veronica had done her research.

I dropped onto the bed. Stared at the ceiling. Let the reality of my situation sink in.

Two weeks. Guild internships. Political maneuvering. A dinner date with a woman who wanted to fight me as much as she wanted to kiss me. Conspiracies about my father. Unknown observers on rooftops.

And three hundred miles of ocean between me and Natalia.

I touched the pendant at my chest. Cold metal against warm skin. Natalia’s Aspect pulsing with familiar power.

I missed her already.

Which was pathetic. Weak. Exactly the kind of emotional vulnerability that got people killed in this world.

But I missed her anyway.

A knock at the door interrupted my self-pity session.

"It’s open."

The door swung inward. Maki materialized from my shadow in human form. Naked. Because of course she was naked.

"Master." She stretched languidly. Her body moved in ways that violated several laws of physics. "The shadow space is cramped. Maki requires compensation."

"There are clothes in the closet."

"Maki does not require clothes. Maki requires compensation."

"We talked about this."

"Maki does not recall this conversation."

"You have a very selective memory."

"Maki remembers everything important." She padded toward me on bare feet. Her hips swayed. Her tails swished behind her. "Compensation is important."

I pointed at the closet. "Clothes. Now."

She pouted. Actually pouted. A centuries-old supernatural entity pouting like a child denied dessert.

"Master is cruel."

"Master is practical. We’re in enemy territory."

"Olympus Rising is not enemy. Olympus Rising is potential ally."

"Every potential ally is a potential enemy until proven otherwise."

Maki considered this. Her cat ears twitched. Her golden eyes narrowed with predatory intelligence that belied her playful demeanor.

"Maki understands. Maki will be cautious."

"Maki will wear clothes."

"Maki will consider wearing clothes."

"Non-negotiable."

She hissed. Low and threatening. Then stalked toward the closet with wounded dignity. Her tails lashed behind her in silent protest.

I watched her go. Appreciated the view despite myself. Felt guilty about appreciating the view.

The pendant pulsed colder.

Natalia definitely knew somehow. Through the Covenant bond. Through cosmic spite. Through whatever supernatural bullshit connected us across three hundred miles of ocean.

Maki emerged from the closet wearing one of my shirts and nothing else. The fabric reached her mid-thigh. Barely.

"Maki is wearing clothes."

"That’s not what I meant."

"Master was not specific. Maki interpreted instructions creatively."

I gave up. Some battles weren’t worth fighting.

"Fine. Just stay hidden when other people are around."

"Maki will be stealthy cat. Invisible. Silent. Deadly."

"And clothed."

"Maki makes no promises regarding clothing."

She curled up on the bed beside me. Her body heat radiated through the thin shirt. Her purring vibrated against my ribs.

I stared at the ceiling some more.

Two weeks. This was going to be a very long two weeks.

Dinner was a production.

The main hall could seat two hundred people. Tonight it held maybe thirty. Guild executives. VHC officials. The fifteen interns scattered among the adults like sheep among wolves.

I found my seat near Veronica’s end of the table. Reyna sat across from me. Julian was positioned at the far end. His eyes burned holes in my skull every time I looked his way.

The food was excellent. The conversation was dangerous.

"Mr. Nakano." A woman I didn’t recognize leaned forward. Her nameplate read DIRECTOR CHEN. Aegis Prime logo on her lapel. "Your tournament performance was impressive. Aegis Prime is always looking for talented young Hunters."

"I appreciate the interest."

"We offer the best training facilities in the country. Medical benefits. Retirement planning. A clear path to advancement."

"Sounds corporate."

"We prefer professional."

Veronica smiled from the head of the table. "Olympus Rising offers similar benefits. With less bureaucracy."

"And more media exposure." Director Chen’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. "Some Hunters prefer privacy over publicity."

"Some Hunters understand that visibility creates opportunity."

The two women stared at each other. Cordial hatred wrapped in polite smiles.

I ate my steak. Let them fight over me. Enjoyed being valuable for once in my life.

Reyna kicked my shin under the table.

"You’re enjoying this too much."

"Guilty."

"It’s annoying."

"That’s part of the enjoyment."

She kicked me again. Harder.

I kicked back.

Her eyes widened. Then narrowed. A dangerous smile spread across her face.

Under the table, her foot found my calf. Slid upward. Past my knee. Along my thigh.

I grabbed her ankle. Stopped her progress.

"Not here."

"Why not?"

"Your sister is watching."

"She’s watching Director Chen. Not us."

"Julian is watching."

"Julian is always watching. He watches you like you murdered his puppy."

"I humiliated him. Repeatedly. In public."

"Same thing."

Her toes flexed against my grip. Warm even through her shoe. Insistent.

I tightened my hold. "Dinner. Tomorrow. Private room. No cameras."

"Is that a promise?"

"It’s a tactical delay."

"How romantic."

I released her ankle. She withdrew her foot slowly. Deliberately. Making me feel every inch of the retreat.

The pendant at my chest had turned freezing cold.

Natalia was definitely aware. Somehow. Some way. The Covenant bond transmitted something across the distance. Maybe not specifics. But enough.

I was going to pay for this later.

Worth it? Jury was still out.