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Dante's bike zoomed through the facility without any problem. Silvija had received his message and ordered everyone to let him pass. Nobody wanted to test her patience after the verbal abuse she had handed to two rookies.
He cut the Ducati's engine in front of the command center, the bike's growl fading in the whispers of winter gale.
Silvija was sitting on an APC, waiting for him and his friend. She sat with one leg extended along the armored chassis and the other bent at the knee. The silver tactical gear shone beautifully in the moonlight, taking nothing from her confidence. Everything came together to form an image you would find in military recruitment posters to lure in young, horny soldiers. A trap, so to speak.
Felicia got off the bike and rubbed her butt. "My ass is numb."
Dante held back a chuckle. He walked over to his girlfriend and extended a hand, which she accepted without batting an eye. Unlike Felicia's smooth hands, Silvija's was calloused from years of weapon handling.
Silvija's gaze never left Felicia. She tracked the platinum blonde like a predator, recording every detail about her. Then she released his hand and walked towards Felicia.
"Dante, is she really just a friend?" The question came off as casual and unconcerned, but it may as well have been wrapped in barbed wires for Dante. He should've known there would be a bloodbath after Silvija saw Felicia clinging to him like a panda. He had tried to get Felicia to behave, but she remained glued to "Silvija's personal heater".
"He is, for now." Felicia extended a hand with a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you too, Your Majesty, the Queen of Symkaria."
There was proper grace and etiquette in Felicia's gestures, but her reverence was blatantly fake. She made mockery of Silvija's status as Symkaria's queen.
"Just Silvija will do." The handshake lasted exactly long enough to be polite and not a moment longer. "What do you mean by 'for now'?
Felicia's eyes glittered mischievously. "About half of all first marriages end in separation or divorce. He's still just at the 'boyfriend' stage. Free real estate for others."
Dante could see Silvija's gaze becoming colder and colder. Felicia truly loved stealing things. She might not have shown any interest in him if he wasn't already taken by a queen and a cosmic being.
He gave Felicia's forehead a light flick, consciously holding his strength to not hurt her. "Death's not here. I can still use her powers, including curses."
His heart was prepared for Silvija's wrath for his relationship with Death. But not for Felicia. As much as he found her attractive, he had to sort things out with Silvija first.
Felicia covered her forehead with a look of betrayal. "You explored every inch and crevice of my body in bed… now you want to kill me."
The words landed like an explosive, one that could've easily brought down Lady Liberty. Dante felt at a moment's loss. Technically, he had touched her in bed, but only to cover her in mystical protection. It was hundred percent professionalism and zero percent lust. Maybe ten percent lust.
Silvija pulled out her pistol and pointed its barrel at Felicia's head. "Don't make me put one in his friend's skull."
Felicia's hands rose with palms facing Silvija in the universal gesture of "please don't shoot me" as she blinked innocently. Her act could've convinced anyone if she wasn't grinning.
"Darling, save me~"
Dante blocked the pistol's barrel with his palm. "I swear she is just messing around. There is nothing between us."
"She said 'for now'. Let me blast her ambitions in their infancy." Silvija's eyes, glacial blue and filled with coldness, swept across Felicia from head to toe. "You aren't panicking in front of a loaded gun. Either you're very skilled or very stupid. I'm betting on the former 'cause very stupid people panic."
"Is pointing guns a standard Silver Sable International greeting protocol?" Felicia lowered her head slowly and examined her nail, completely ignoring the cold barrel pointed at her face. "This is quite awkward, though. I thought I was meeting the mercenary with a legendary reputation. But apparently Dante brought me to a crazy paranoid girlfriend who solves problems with bullets."
A dangerous smile curved Silvija's lips. She lowered the pistol before tucking it back in its holster. "Not many stand their ground like that. You're at least worthy to buzz around him like a fly."
Dante couldn't comprehend if Silvija was confident in herself or giving him a warning. Probably both.
"Excuse me?" Felicia said, indignant. "Sweetheart, if you think I'm a fly, you need to get your eyes checked."
Silvija ignored her entirely. "My boyfriend is shining too bright right now. Attracting some flies is just natural. But I trust him. I trust what we have will never be outshone by a pretty slut."
If Felicia's insult was a kitchen knife, then Silvija's comeback was akin to a divine sword that could cut anything.
Felicia's brows twitched visibly. Dante had been with her long enough to read her current mood—she was quite angry. But she kept her anger in check. Felicia Hardy was a cunning woman. Someone like her would've realized how stupid it would be to fight Silvija in her territory.
"Darling, now that we have met each other properly, can we move to our business?"
Silvija frowned. "She still has business with you? What are you two even doing?"
"Listen!" Felicia pointed a finger at Silvija before she showed a graceful smile. "Your Majesty, you might be his girlfriend, but you don't own him. He is free to spend his time with whoever he wants. Isn't that right, Dante?"
Dante found himself caught in a clichéd situation that he had only ever seen in harem anime. Simply put, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place, being squeezed from one side by the mercenary queen and the other side by the sexy cat burglar.
"What do you want me to say? Say yes and piss off my girlfriend, or say no and piss you off. It's a lose-lose situation."
Silvija laughed warmly, a stark contrast to her previous icy demeanor. "The young are always stupid."
"Sure, Miss Senior Citizen." Felicia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Come on, hotshot. Let's do this thing before my eyes decide to betray me."
He took a breath, gathering courage for what he was about to do. He reached out to grasp Felicia's hand with one hand while taking Silvija's with the other.
"Yes. That's why." He paused, letting the suspense hang just long enough to be dramatic. "We'll do this together. All three of us."
***
(Silvija POV)
Silvija brought them inside one of the fortified concrete bunkers that were spread around the area, remnants from its military camp days. They were surprisingly spacious inside. Silvija's people had converted it into functional living quarters with a couple of folding chairs, a tactical planning table covered in maps, and battery-powered LED lights in the corner.
He had told Silvija that he would reveal everything, but first she had to learn something magic-related. As curious as Silvija was about everything, she trusted Dante.
Under his guidance, she sat on the ground in a meditative pose. Surprisingly, she had never really done it. What came next was a lesson on mysticism that could've passed off as a religious sermon. Still, she didn't interrupt or ask any question. With absolute focus, she absorbed the information.
"Astral projection separates the mind from the body; it lets your consciousness move independently. You'll be invisible to normal people. You can also pass through walls. It's like being a ghost, except you can come back to life at any time."
Silvija nodded slowly, processing the absurd information. "And I can do that?"
"You have to believe it completely for it to work."
Silvija revealed a warm smile. "I believe it. Your existence is proof that the supernatural is real… you know, at this point I wouldn't be shocked to hear about me existing in different universes. Like clones from some sci-fi movies."
She meant it as a joke to lighten the mood. But Dante's expression shifted. That look appeared on his face, the one signaling he didn't want to lie but he had to lie for her sake. His expressions were too honest for his own good.
"Okay, so my clones exist. Very reassuring to know." She leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Do your clones exist?"
The thought terrified her in ways she couldn't fully comprehend. Waking up to someone who looked like him, acted like him, spoke like him, but wasn't him—it gave her an existential dread.
"I am a singularity. Only one of me exists across all possible universes," he said, shaking his head with absolute certainty. "Anyway, are you ready for Astral Projection?"
"Yes," Silvija said, but her hand came up in a stopping gesture. "But humor me for a second. Why are we doing this, and why is she a part of it?"
She pointed directly at Felicia, who had made herself comfortable in the bunker. Lying on her side, head propped on her hand, lazily stuffing her mouth with grapes and strawberries from a basket. She looked like a Greek goddess living in the mortal world.
Dante took Silvija's hands and squeezed them firmly. His expression communicated everything his words couldn't—what he was about to reveal was not good news, and this physical warmth was necessary to keep her grounded in reality.
"You said you wouldn't cross into truly heinous territory for work."
She squeezed his hands back unconsciously. "Norman?"
He nodded with a heavy sigh. "He might be making an army of human-monster hybrids. And you—we've been protecting his twisted ambition."
Silvija took a moment to process the revelation, then assumed the sharp-eyed commander mode. "That's a big accusation. I believe the Astral Projection plan is to show me everything since you lack evidence."
Felicia perked up and sat upright. "Hey, why am I only hearing about Norman being an evil supervillain now? I thought we were partners in crime."
Silvija felt a moment of triumph despite the terrible news. She had heard it first before Felicia, which counted as Dante having more trust in her. Probably.
'Focus on business.'
She brought herself to contemplate on the repercussions.
"I'm ready to terminate the contract if your information is accurate," Silvija declared. "Paving the path for war and misery in this peaceful country—I don't want that on my conscience. It'll also ruin my reputation."
She wouldn't be the mercenary with a golden heart if she let greed ruin her principles for one major contract. Of course, she felt regret about leaving so much money on the table…
"Not yet." Dante immediately shot down her idea. "Just pretend everything's normal. We need you on Norman's side."
"You want me to be a double agent?"
The strategy he proposed was brilliant. She would keep a considerable payment to fund Symkaria's infrastructure for months while simultaneously being the key component in bringing down an evil billionaire. And she would prove her competence to Dante in the process. Because she had been getting fewer and fewer chances to show him the queen side of herself, the side with undeniable attraction.
"Kind of," Dante agreed. "Well, let's start."
He went through the process of applying protective spells to her body. Silvija's hungry gaze recognized an opportunity even in this one. She followed his orders, but also exaggerated her movements. Her flexibility made it all too easy to do stretches and arches that emphasized her curves that tactical gear couldn't quite hide. It was a carefully crafted seduction to push his limits.
And when he would be alone with her in the morning… Silvija felt her heart pounding at the brilliant idea.
'I need to take that step, or this slut will steal him.'
She couldn't fall stagnant when she had a rival, who was almost as pretty and confident as her except younger.
Her plan didn't change the fact that her boyfriend would suffer in the present. He was trying to stay serious for serious business, which was quite hard in the face of her blatant seduction.
For the finale, she gently guided his right hand and pressed it against her breast. A shuddering breath left his lips as he unconsciously squeezed through the tactical gear. The skin-tight suit left nothing for imagination. The curve. The warmth. The soft firmness underneath the material. He felt everything she wanted him to feel.
Rather than being shy or flustered, Dante's gaze narrowed with understanding. "Silvija."
Her heart leaped to her throat at the solemn tone. She'd been caught red-handed, and he was about to chew her out in front of her rival.
"Lover," she whispered with a seductive drawl and wet eyes, both of which came naturally in the heated situation. "Push out my astral body."
He let out a long sigh and did exactly that. She felt great resistance immediately, like forcing herself through a narrow tunnel—the feeling lasted briefly before she felt overwhelming, intoxicating freedom. Like nothing could tie her down. Probably because she was literally floating.
She looked back at her physical body, which was frozen in a weird pose. Then at her translucent hands. Her entire body was spectral, glowing faintly with silvery light.
"No, you aren't dead," Dante said, reading her mind with disturbing accuracy. "Felicia, it's your turn."
Felicia nodded and assumed the meditation pose. The seriousness on her face felt fundamentally incompatible with her personality. It took him several minutes to apply the runes and spells, then perform the separation. Felicia's astral form emerged, floating upward like a balloon someone had forgotten to tie down.
Silvija immediately tried punching Felicia in the face. Her fist phased through harmlessly. "Tch."
Felicia stuck out her tongue.
"What a child."
"You're a hag," Felicia retorted. "Darling, do it fast. I'm dying to see what Norman is hiding under his skirt."
Dante looked at them both then turned toward empty space. "Death, can you come here?"
"Death!" Felicia dropped her childish act immediately and rushed to Dante's side with the enthusiasm of a fangirl finally meeting her idol. The enthusiasm turned into confusion as she looked around. "Is she already here?"
Silvija recalled his promise from what felt like years ago but had only been days: I won't let you die. I'll fight Death herself to bring you back if I have to.
"Death… Who is this Death, Dante?" Silvija asked casually, despite knowing that the answer would involve another god-like being or something equally ridiculous.
Felicia looked between Dante and Silvija, clearly deciding whether spilling the beans would violate the trust between them. She chose silence, which somehow made it worse.
'She can't be… Dante wouldn't.'
Dante didn't even acknowledge Silvija's question, just kept staring at empty space like he was fascinated by the wall. Silvija had a sinking feeling he was talking to this so-called Death.
She drifted around the bunker but couldn't find anyone else. In the end, she waved her hands in his face. "Are you still there?"
He looked at Silvija and then nodded to "Death", whom neither Felicia or Silvija could perceive. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, not the good kind.
Suddenly, a woman materialized where nothing had been a second before.
A devastatingly beautiful woman.
Silvija's brain short-circuited trying to describe her. All five languages she had mastered simultaneously failed. It was like someone had taken "perfection" as a concept and turned it into a woman.
"Death!" Felicia rushed forward and hugged the lady like they were best friends reuniting after a long time.
The moment shouldn't have been possible.
Astral bodies couldn't interact with each other or with a person—Silvija had just proven that by trying to punch Felicia and trying to touch Dante. Yet here was Felicia's platinum blonde intertwining with Death's black waves like some poetic union of light and darkness.
It only meant one thing—this woman, Death, existed beyond the restrictions of astral laws.
She was the Death, the goddess responsible behind the concept of death across the universe. Someone like Hades from Greek mythologies except real. This complicated things, but also warmed her heart. Dante's promise—the very reason her attraction to him became both emotional and physical—was sincere. His affection was genuine.
"Felicia," Death said, pushing her away gently but firmly, holding her shoulders. "You overcame your fate."
Felicia laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head. "It's thanks to him over there."
The conversation completely flew over Silvija's head.
Death nodded at Felicia, then turned to Dante. The look in her eyes made Silvija's throat tighten. She only needed a glance to recognize their bond. This was a connection born from actual significance.
Death approached Dante, embraced him, and kissed him like they were in a romantic drama's climactic reunion scene. It wasn't forced. It wasn't awkward. It was purely intimate.
"Companion," Death murmured. "You've become stronger. I'm proud of your growth."
Dante's smile was genuine and warm in ways he usually reserved for Silvija. It absolutely was not reserved for her anymore.
"I'll be at your level before you know it. Anyway, that's for the future. I need your help now. Just a small thing."
Death's gaze drifted to Silvija's physical body and then Felicia's physical body. The apathy on Death's face was a stark contrast to the intense emotions churning in Silvija's chest. It all changed when Death locked onto Silvija's astral body.
"Companion, you had the conviction to fight me for this woman." She paused, maintaining steady eye contact with Silvija. "She isn't... worthy."
Death smirked condescendingly, and the message was clear: Give it up. You don't deserve him… This man is out of your league.
"She is worth everything." Dante gave Silvija with an apologetic smile. "I should've told her about you from the start."
His confession wasn't enough. Death's rude judgment had triggered something primal in Silvija.
"Death, how long have you lived for?" Her voice was colder than the weather outside. "Millions of years? Billions?"
"I've been here before the first life came to existence," Death answered as a simple fact. "What do you want to prove?"
"Two days." Silvija held up two fingers, channeling every ounce of royal authority into her voice. "I needed two days to get him to fight you for me. Maybe ask yourself why that is before you decide my worth."
Using his sincere promise was petty and dirty, but she had to wield it like a blade. Death was too strong, too beautiful, and too close to her boyfriend.
Despite being filled with anger, she had chosen to fight with brutal facts. Even Felicia had no choice but to applaud the comeback.
For exactly ten seconds, Death said nothing. Just stared at the Symkaria Queen. Then she turned to Dante, silently accusing him of something. Silvija saw something impossible—Death's lips squeezed together in a… pout.
Dante actually looked embarrassed, as if he wasn't ready for this war of words or Death's tantrum. He tightly hugged Death, rubbing her back and whispering something to Death that Silvija couldn't hear, which was probably for the best, given her current mood.
The unexpected scenario poured cold water over Silvija's fury. It forced her to realize that Death had known about their relationship from the start and only called her unworthy. Death hadn't asserted dominance like a goddess would. No declaration for Dante to stop loving her. No threat about killing her either.
'It's impossible. Death couldn't have.'
She refused to accept the reality before her eyes, that Death allowed Dante to have more women. Maybe Death did it for reasons a mortal like her couldn't comprehend.
"Astral projection will exhaust you mentally and emotionally," Dante said, eagerly diverting this from getting worse. "Let's finish the reconnaissance job before we… have a private talk."
Silvija nodded with a smile that felt like victory. The small triumph over Death had freed her of immediate concerns. Besides, he wouldn't have chosen to be with her if he was fully satisfied with someone as extraordinary as Death. She still had a chance to snatch him away and make him hers.
'Oh god, I'm becoming that thieving cat.'
The realization made her want to groan out loud. But she had no choice but to persevere. The alternatives were either taking a wound to her pride by sharing her lover, or living a miserable and depressed life without Dante. She just wasn't ready for any.
***
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