"Alright," she began, tugging her ponytail loose. "Quick history lesson. You already know I’m a vampire. Races like mine—vamps, dragons, elves, a few others—we get labeled origin species. Born with power, don’t have to earn it. Humans, beastkin, half‑breeds? Most of you start at zero and need cybernetic enhancents, modifications, and cyberwares."
She continued, "There’s also a demon race out there, but... yeah, let’s not talk about that one."
Xavier stayed quiet, listening.
Reva shrugged. "For ten thousand years origin species acted like cosmic landlords—invading planets, crowning themselves gods. Took over planets, built empires, dominated wherever we went. But that doesn’t happen anymore. Not since the Universal Systems Council and Intergalactic Law ca in. Now, we’re basically immigrants with leashes. Most planets won’t even give us citizenship. We can only get in with student or travel visas."
She leaned forward slightly, resting her arms on her knees. "So to get a student visa for Earth, my family had to make a deal with the Blackwoods. They’re our long‑term business partners too."
Xavier’s brows raised. "Let guess. The deal was—you marry Lucas?"
Reva nodded without hesitation. "Yup."
Xavier shook his head, almost laughing. "That’s stupid as fuck."
She gave a tired smile. "Yeah, well... my family’s been in business for generations. And since we vampires live for thousands of years, there’s a lot riding on our connections. We need Blackwood’s influence and funding to expand beyond this system. They’ve got control over most of the trade corridors Earth touches."
Xavier let out a short laugh. "Arranged marriage in 3025. How romantic."
"It’s business." Reva’s tone was flat. "My clan trades in biotech—hemoglobin therapy, anti‑aging stuff. But to push off‑system we need Earth‑based capital. Blackwoods sign, governnt rubber‑stamps, everybody wins."
"Except you."
She answered with silence.
Xavier tilted his head. "So what would happen if I killed Lucas?"
Reva blinked. "Huh?"
"I said—if I kill Lucas, what happens to the deal?"
She thought for a second and then shrugged. Then, after a pause, she said honestly, "I don’t know. I wasn’t the one who signed the deal. My father did. I don’t know what kind of clauses or backups are in place. But if Lucas dies... everything might fall apart. Or... maybe nothing changes. No idea."
"Fine." He tapped the armrest. "How close are you two? Any... extracurriculars?"
Her eyes flared again. "What’s that supposed to an?"
"Don’t play dumb," Xavier said. "Did you or didn’t you ss around with him? I need to know the dynamics before I torch that bridge."
"I’m not so random club‑rat, Xavier. And I certainly don’t jump beds on the first date."
"Funny." He smirked. "Because on our first date you tried to drag into bed and take a pint of my blood."
"That—" She bit the word off, jaw tight. Her shoulders stiffened. Hurt flickered across her face before she smothered it. Reva stared at him, mouth parted slightly like she wanted to say sothing. But she didn’t. Her expression twisted, not in anger, but in sothing that looked way more painful. Sad. Disappointed.
"Believe what you want."
At that exact mont, the door opened. The food and drinks she ordered earlier were rolled in on a cart by the android server.
Pitcher of iced crimson tonic, spiced fries, pastries dusted in synth‑sugar.
Neither of them moved. Reva stood up, grabbed her bag, and without saying another word, walked out of the room.
Xavier didn’t stop her. He didn’t look surprised. He just sat there for a mont of silence.
Then he leaned back in the chair, staring at the closed door.
"Guilty people don’t get offended. They defend. Innocent ones walk away mad," he muttered under his breath. "She walked away... because she had nothing to hide."
Xavier sent a quick text to Angel:
"There’s food and drinks in your rented room. Reva was here too, but I’m heading out now."
He pocketed his device, stepped out of the club, and hopped on his bike. The engine humd to life as he gunned it toward Nexus Tower.
First stop—his old apartnt. He wanted to check if Lilia and Lyra had moved everything. Not that there was much to move—just a couple bags, the altar, and the goddess fragnt. That was it.
When he entered, the place was already empty. Clean, quiet, dead.
"Good," Xavier muttered, eyes scanning the bare floor one last ti. "No reason to co back now."
He turned and walked out without looking back.
Reaching the ground floor, he crossed the lobby toward the reception of the upper section and pressed the elevator call button. As he waited, he sighed.
"This system’s ssed up," he muttered. "Should’ve made a direct elevator between sections instead of this long-ass detour."
The elevator doors dinged open.
"Well... this was the last ti anyway."
He stepped in, rode it all the way up to the 55th floor, and headed straight toward PP-69—his new kingdom.
The mont the doors slid open, Xavier stood still for a second. Just admiring.
Everything looked better than he imagined. The lighting, the setup, the furniture, the polished floors, the scent of freshly installed tech. He walked in with a half-smirk, hand in his pocket.
"Yeah... I did good."
He toured around a bit. The shared lounge was just how they picked it, the VR and gaming room already showing soft light pulses, sensors charging in sleep mode. The long corridor led to the bedrooms.
He peeked in.
Both doors were open—Lilia and Lyra had already claid their rooms. Made sense. They’d insisted on staying the night here so the workers could get everything installed their way. anwhile, he’d spent the night alone at the old place.
Xavier didn’t disturb them. Instead, he moved straight to his domain—the master suite.
The door slid open with a soft hiss.
Xavier stepped inside and kicked off his shoes. "Goddamn..."
The bed looked even bigger in person. The whole room felt like it had been built not just for comfort but for indulgence. Warm lights dimd automatically, soft chill from the smart-vents swept across the skin.
He stripped, stepped into the bathroom, and sank into the oversized tub. The water was just the right temp—he didn’t even adjust it. Sensors had read his body data and adjusted everything accordingly.
He exhaled and leaned back.
Finally... silence. Peace.
Steam rose, soft and lazy.
After a good soak, Xavier got out, dried off, threw on so house clothes, and walked toward the door. He was about to do sothing. Watch sothing. Sothing that should be watched alone.
But then—
Ding.
[You have received a new Task.]
[Quest- Justice is Due details have been updated.]
[Log in to the VR ga and et Lucas and Ethan!]
"Oh..."
Xavier tilted his head slightly, lips twitching into a grin.
"Guess it’s showti."
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