My fucking god. I was completely spent. I could barely keep my eyes open for more than ten seconds at a time. But I still wasn’t done. Jasmine and Nala were waiting for me back at the penthouse. I’d promised them we’d fuck the moment I got back, but it was way too late for that now. They had probably fallen asleep while waiting.

I slipped the keycard into my pocket and closed the door behind me. The penthouse was dark and quiet, the lights turned off. Mik was curled up on the double couch instead of her usual spot. Moonlight spilled through the parted curtains, highlighting her soft fur.

"Hello, buddy," I whispered.

I turned left and headed toward the master bedroom. I slowly creaked the door open. Just as I expected, Jasmine and Nala were fast asleep on opposite sides of the massive bed, the blanket pulled over them. From where I stood, I could see Nala clearly, she was wearing a black bra and knee-high socks. She must have dozed off while waiting for me.

I didn’t want to wake them, so I gently closed the door and made my way to the kitchen. I opened the fridge, grabbed the orange juice, and poured myself a glass before putting the carton back. The old me would’ve already cracked open a beer and burned through half a pack of cigarettes by now. But the girls had changed that. I barely drank anymore, and I’d cut my smoking down to almost nothing.

"Man... so tired," I muttered with a small smile, glancing over at Mik. "Right, buddy?"

I walked into the living room and dropped onto the single couch. I propped my legs up on the coffee table and took a long sip of the orange juice like it was the finest whiskey in the world. Not that I liked whiskey. That shit always tasted like rich piss to me.

"Look at you."

A soft voice came from behind me.

At this point, I wasn’t even surprised anymore. I slowly turned my head and saw her, Karamine. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, glowing faintly in the moonlight. She wore a crimson dress with a high slit that revealed one long, toned leg.

"Karamine," I muttered. "It’s... been so long."

She moved gracefully across the room and sat on the double couch. Mik stirred, then climbed into her lap, curled up, and went right back to sleep. Karamine smiled faintly and began stroking the cat’s head.

"Mana," she said quietly. "You’re her subject now?"

"She didn’t really give me a choice." I exhaled. "She’s... unhinged."

"That’s how she became the strongest," Karamine replied calmly. "She steps on the weak."

"Hmm."

I watched her for a moment, then took another sip of juice. I leaned forward, set the glass on the coffee table, and clasped my hands over my stomach.

"Why are you here?"

"I’m not."

"What?"

"It’s been a fun ride, hasn’t it?" she asked softly.

"What do you mean?"

"I’m not saying anything," she shrugged.

"Well, you should be saying something," I said, frustration creeping into my voice. "Because everything... and I mean everything, started with you, Karamine."

The cat stirred again. Karamine looked straight at me. "Did it, really?"

"Huh?"

I opened my eyes to the first soft rays of sunlight creeping through the windows. Shit. I had fallen asleep on the single couch in the most uncomfortable position possible. My clothes were twisted and digging into my skin. This had to be one of the worst ways I’d ever woken up.

"Ah... my back..."

What the hell kind of dream was that? Why Karamine, of all people?

I shook my head, trying to clear the strange fog, and forced myself up. I checked my phone, just shy of six in the morning. Since I’d become unemployed, this was probably the earliest I’d woken up in months.

Still rubbing my aching back, I slipped the phone into my pocket and headed down the corridor into the bathroom. I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face. Man, I looked like shit in the mirror. But at least I’d gotten some sleep. My body still felt like it had been hit by a truck, though.

"Master?" Minne’s gentle voice came from the open doorway. "Good morning. You’re up early."

"Yeah," I replied, turning off the water and smiling at her. "Trying to fix my sleep schedule."

I left the bathroom, flicking off the lights, and walked into the living room with Minne. She pulled the curtains open fully, letting the early morning sun paint the room in soft, faint colors. The girls would probably sleep for a few more hours. I never realized Minne woke up this early.

"You shouldn’t get up this early, honey," I yawned, shaking my head. "Gah... what a night."

"Oh, I’m fine, Master. I’m used to it," she replied with a gentle smile.

The cat, who had been sleeping on the couch, stretched her little body and hopped onto the coffee table. She sniffed my half-empty glass of orange juice before leaning in and taking a few curious licks.

"How’s your mother?" I asked, turning on the TV.

"She’s doing well, Master." Minne smiled as she picked up the empty glass. "I’m going to visit her today."

"Say hi from me."

"Of course."

I dropped onto the couch and checked the time. Right... I still had to meet that bastard Brok. Every instinct screamed at me to bail, but if I wanted to save Eleanor from that idiot, I had to bite the bullet.

"Well..." I muttered, checking the weather forecast on my phone. "Hope I survive this pawnshop visit..."

⟁ ⟁ ⟁

The rain drizzled lightly as I stopped in front of the pawnshop, hands tucked into my coat pockets. The sign on the glass door read "Closed," but I could see movement inside. Dakota. He was standing nervously behind the counter. The moment he spotted me, he froze. For a few long seconds, he just stared.

Then he snapped out of it, hurried to the door, fumbled with his keys, and unlocked it. I stepped inside without a word. He closed the door behind me and locked it. Great. The only exit was now sealed.

"Why the hell would you come here?" he sneered from behind me. "And alone, too. What do you think is going to happen, you idiot?"

"Why the long face, Dakota?" I smiled, clapping my hands once. "Where’s the boss?"

"Office," he replied, voice shaky. "Follow me."

"Hmm."