STILL IN THE VELVEX VIPER'S DOMAIN...(Shante's room.)
The room was dimly lit, shadows draping themselves over every curve of the decadent space. Scented candles flickered against velvet walls, their flames dancing to the soft hum of silence. A light jasmine aroma clung to the air, hypnotic and heady, the very essence of Shante herself.
Julian stood near the doorway, a rare, relaxed smile tugging at her lips.
"Takedown was successful," she said, voice steady but proud.
Across the room, Shante exhaled slowly, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. That one sentence was all she needed. Relief washed over her like silk. Gaby had pulled it off.
She trusted Gaby, perhaps more than she trusted most, but there had still been a lingering worry gnawing at her all night. The mission had been delicate. The risk, high. One mistake, and the entire operation could've collapsed into flames and blood.
"July," Shante said softly, her tone laced with rare warmth.
Julian's face lit up instantly. Whenever Shante used her nickname, it meant her mood was good,very good.
"Te," Julian replied, beaming.
They were more than superior and subordinate. They were bonded friends, allies, sisters by blood not shared. Julian had arrived a year after Shante and quickly become her shadow. They were equals in age, but not in rank. Shante had always been different,sharper, colder, faster. That's why she was the leader. That's why the others feared her. Loved her.
"Let the girls have fun tonight," Shante said, already heading toward her walk-in closet. "I'll tell Drex that the credit belongs to Gaby."
Julian followed behind her, heels clicking softly. She picked up a ringing phone from the dresser without hesitation and glanced at the screen. Her brows arched slightly.
"Speaking of the devil," she murmured, then handed the phone to Shante.
Shante took it, already annoyed. She pressed it to her ear.
"What the hell do you want?" she asked dryly.
Drex's voice crackled through. "New target. Edmond Veer. You'll get the rest of the intel in ten."
Shante's eyes narrowed, lips curling into a scowl.
"We just completed a job," she hissed. "Can't you give the girls a damn break? With the kind of money you people have hoarded, you're not even close to broke."
"Don't feed me that bullshit, Te." Drex's voice was sharp, impatient. "You know how this works. If we don't move now, the rival society will. They're already sniffing around."
Shante rolled her eyes, about to spit a vulgar reply when Julian gently tugged on her sleeve.
Shante glanced at her, brows raised. Julian leaned in, whispering.
"I'll take the job."
Shante blinked. "You?" she asked quietly, eyes narrowing.
Julian nodded, face slowly flushing pink.
"Te?" Drex's voice barked again. "Are you even listening?"
"Yeah, yeah," Shante snapped. "We'll take it."
She paused for just a moment.
"Oh and Gaby completed the last job. She deserves full credit."
She hung up without waiting for his reply, tossing the phone to the bed with a sigh. Then she turned to Julian, her expression unreadable.
"Why do you want the job?" she asked, voice low and curious, like the edge of a knife.
She walked over to an antique dresser, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. Smoke curled lazily from her lips as she waited for an answer.
Julian bit her lip, clearly avoiding eye contact.
"Yunno… it's just…" she muttered, then sighed, cheeks warming again. "It's been a while since I had sex."
Shante nearly choked on her smoke. She stared at Julian like she'd grown a second head.
"You hate men."
Julian shrugged. "Doesn't mean I hate dicks." Her blush deepened, though there was a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.
Shante took another drag, staring at her with a blank, unreadable face.
"You were a Siren. One of our best seducers. You mean to tell me you've gotten shy now?"
"Not shy," Julian pouted. "Just... I don't like asking for it."
Shante shook her head, frustrated.
"This isn't a fucking hookup. This is a hunt. If you get even slightly tempted, if you even think about disobeying the rules…" Her voice lowered to a deadly whisper. "I will not hesitate to slit your throat myself."
Julian stood taller, meeting her gaze.
"No amount of kindness could make me fall in love, Te. Save your lecture for the baby Vixens." She winked and flopped dramatically onto the queen-sized bed. She buried her face in a pillow, inhaling deeply.
"God, your bed smells divine. Why is mine never this soft?" she muttered.
Shante eyed her silently, still processing the unexpected turn in their conversation.
"When was the last time you had sex?" Julian suddenly asked, voice muffled by the pillow.
Shante's expression darkened. She turned her back, cigarette dangling from her lips.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Just wondering. You stopped going on missions nine years ago, didn't you?"
"Four years ago. Not nine," Shante corrected.
"Still. That's a long-ass time."
"I'm not like you," Shante said simply. "My libido doesn't rule me. I've mastered control. Endless control." She smiled slightly. "Lots of it."
Julian scoffed playfully. "Whatever you say, mistress of discipline."
A moment passed. Then Julian asked, almost too casually,
"Which part of the girl's body are we keeping?"
Shante didn't even blink. "Her head. She had beautiful, rare eyes. I want 'em."
Julian's spine straightened slightly, but she didn't protest. She was used to Shante's coldness, but there were still moments it sent a chill through her.
"I'll arrange that," she said, already heading toward the door.
"July."
She stopped. Turned.
Shante wasn't looking at her. Her back was turned, her silhouette bathed in warm candlelight.
"Try your best to keep your black heart intact," Shante said softly.
Julian smiled, touched.
"Noted, ma."
And then she was gone, leaving the room filled with smoke, jasmine, and silence.