"And for a family... I always wanted a big, chaotic household," Lucy continues softly. "Lots of kids running through the house, huge family dinners with everyone shouting over each other and laughing, and a partner who listens. I know it sounds silly but... I still want that. I want a real home."
There’s something fragile and strong about her, like a length of military tripwire.
Ty-Rok is well suited to this female.
"Thank you," I tell her, hoping we all three have just such an ending.
"Thankyou," she whispers sweetly. "Good luck finding your girl."
BEEP.
The lights flash again.
I do not look at the prompt screen this time. I step directly up to the frosted barrier, my red wings flaring wide as my tail lashes.
"Identify your current position," I command. "And state your primary asset."
A loaded silence stretches.
Then, a voice filters through, and I can’t help smiling.
"Well, currently I'm sitting on a very uncomfortable metal stool in a room that smells like fake vanilla," Poppy’s voice snaps. "And my primary strategic asset is a comprehensive understanding of contract liability and perfect boobs. Hi, Vael. I missed you."
A fierce smile grows, my fangs bared.
"Poppy," I breathe against the glass.
“It’s all about to get wild, Vael.” Her voice is gleeful, and my heart rate increases. “Be ready.”
CHAPTER 32
POPPY
"Poppy,"Vael breathes against the glass.
That’s it. That’s all he says to my warning. Just my name.
I am on the verge of a breakdown. But I have to keep it together. We’re so close now. A glance down tells me the comms device in my cleavage is blinking even faster. It’s in full rave mode, flashing bright right through the fabric of my pink slip.
Bex, whoever that is, and the Suevans are going to get us out of here. Ell and Lily are safe. I just have to get Lucy and Selene out.
“What’s happening, Poppy?—”
"Warning," It’s not Ken’s voice, it’s a robotic, low tone, that almost makes me sob in relief. "External threat detected. Remain in your designated pods."
"Too late, mother fucker." I lean back and plant my bare foot right against the frosted glass and kick it as hard as I can.
“Thick thighs save lives,” I scream, raising my leg to kick at it again.
The partition disappears, and my momentum sends me flying through where it used to be. Vael catches me up in his arms.
I’ve never been happier to see him.
The walls dividing the pods drop straight into the floorboards, and suddenly all six of us are standing together while alarms start blaring.
Vael wraps his arms around my waist, his wings curving completely around my back to shield me.
"What is the strategy, Poppy," he rumbles against my neck, nuzzling me.
