Chapter 10
“Gotta see what’s up when someone’s killing in my turf!” Kathleen declared with a toss of her white hair, strutting out from behind Caitlyn
Her pale legs caught the dim light as she sauntered into the room. She did a quick spin, then parked herself right in front of Leon, leaning in with a sly grin, her pink lips quirking as she sired him up.
Leon’s stomach did a flip. He flinched back, totally thrown by the white–haired girl in his face, and shot a desperate glance at Caitlyn.
Caitlyn’s expression turned arctic, her jaw tightening “Who said you could just barge into my house?” she snapped.
Her fingers snagged Leon’s sleeve, yanking him back like she was claiming her territory, putting herself squarely between him and Kathleen.
Kathleen’s smirk only deepened, like she was savoring the drama. She straightened up, tossing Caitlyn a look that screamed challenge accepted. “Sweetie, this whole city’s mine. I go where I want. You gonna throw a fit about it, ex–Demon Lord?” Her words dripped with mockery, poking at Caitlyn’s pride.
Caitlyn’s heart pounded with irritation, her glare hot enough to burn holes through Kathleen’s smug face.
Kathleen, oblivious to the death stare, was too busy sizing up Leon, her curiosity practically buzzing.
“So, this is the guy?” she mused, tilting her head. “The one who handed you your ass, got you to let him crash here, tore through the Hall of Heroes, and almost dusted Everett Thomson?
“Gotta say, he looks like some random dude, not a multi–armed monster or whatever.”
Leon’s cheeks flushed, annoyance bubbling up. “Yeah, “cause I’m not some freakshow myth, alright? Just a guy,” he muttered, rolling his eyes.
Kathleen’s grin widened, clearly enjoying herself. Without missing a beat, she flopped onto the couch like it was her throne, kicking her legs up with a lazy stretch.
Caitlyn’s temper flared, her fists clenching. “Did I say you could make yourself at home?” she growled.
“Chill, I’m comfy!” Kathleen fired back, tossing her chin with a sassy smirk. Then, in a move that screamed trouble, she leaned toward Leon, all fluid grace.
Leon’s instincts screamed danger. He shot to his feet, dodging her like she was a live wire.
Kathleen’s lips twitched, her smirk growing as she clocked Caitlyn’s fuming expression.
“So,” she drawled, voice thick with tease, “you two shacking up now? Super cute, playing house like this.”
Caitlyn’s face burned, embarrassment and rage colliding. “He’s just crashing here!” she snapped, shooting Leon a glare that could melt steel. “This idiot owes me a fortune, that’s it.”
“Oh, suuuure,” Kathleen said, her tone pure sarcasm, eyes dancing with mischief. “You was all ‘hero vibes‘ earlier, squashing enemies for your man, right”
She puckered her lips, glancing between them like she was watching her favorite soap opera.
Caitlyn’s blood boiled, her nails digging into her palms. “You’re delusional,” she hissed. “Me and him? No way. I felt sorry for the guy, okay?
“We’ve got history, so I’m cutting him slack. Soon as he pays me back, he’s gone.”
Kathleen’s grin turned downright wicked, he eyes gleaming like she’d caught them red–handed. “Yeah, right,” she said, shaking her head. “I ain’t buying
that for a second.”
Caitlyn drew a sharp breath, her eyes flaring with a dark, restless gleam that screamed she was this close to losing it.
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Lean slid behind the couch without a sound, picking up on the vibe and giving her space. Not getting caught in that tornado.
Kathleen flicked her eyes at him, then sized up Caitlyn’s stormy expression. She slumped back, snatched an apple off the table, and took a loud bite. “So, you just gonna hide out here ‘til you’re broke and six feet under?”
“Money’s gotta be tight, and now you’re playing house with him. No hustle, no food–your with playful venom
little honey’s gonna starve.” She smirked, her tone dripping
Honey!
Leon’s brow furrowed, his brain scrambling. ‘She talking about me? Hell no. I’m a damn superhero, not some pet
He shot her a skeptical look, half–convinced she meant a fluffy kitten hiding somewhere
“Yeah, Caitlyn’s got a dog or something, right?‘ he thought.
Kathleen caught his baffled expression and grinned like she’d just won a bet. “Oh yeah, I mean you, Mr. Honey. Got our Demon Lord all flustered, throwing hands and still crashing on her couch.
“Never seen her go this mushy for anyone.”
Leon’s stomach twisted, and he glanced at Caitlyn, torn between amusement and dread.
Caitlyn’s cheeks burned pink, her fists balled as she glared daggers at Kathleen. “Got nothing better to do? Go pester Germaine! Keep yapping, and I’ll wreck you!” Her voice shook, raw with barely leashed anger.
“Wow, someone’s salty!” Kathleen teased, her grin widening.
With a nimble hop, she glided over the table like it was nothing, dodging Caitlyn’s swipe with a laugh
Germaine blinked, her big eyes wide with panic. “Lady Caitlyn, I swear, she roped me into this…” she mumbled, twisting her hands, her voice a nervous squeak.
Kathleen sauntered behind Germaine, tossing an arm around her with a sly smile.
“Kathleen, my lady!” Germaine yelped, her face turning tomato–red as she squirmed.
“Geez, girl, what are you eating? Your chest’s got me and Caitlyn beat by a mile” Kathleen muttered, her tone half–shady, half–impressed.
Leon’s eyes darted over, his lips twitching before he caught himself.
“These girls are on another level.” He smothered the smirk, but not quick enough.
“Quit gawking!” Caitlyn snapped, her glare hot enough to burn holes. Leon flinched, throwing up his hands, all innocence.
He ended up in the hot seat, again.
Caitlyn held his gaze for a tense beat, then spun to Kathleen. “You two wanna mess around? Take it outside! Don’t trash my place with your garbager
“Lady Caitlyn, I’m innocent, I promise… Germaine pleaded, her cheeks glowing, her eyes shiny with embarrassment as she shrank back.
Caitlyn huffed, charging over to rip Kathleen’s arm off Germaine. She fixed her with a hard stare “if you’re bored, go hunt some losers in the city. Feds are slipping their guys in–Demons probably are, too.”
Kathleen shrugged, palms up with a lake pout “Can’t just jump legit folks, you know? Puts me in a bind.”
She sighed, playing up the drama. “But fine, since you want me gone, I’m out. Boo–hoo, ditched by my favorite Demon Lord. Heart’s in plecas
Yeah, right, like Caitlyn bought this. She Caitlyn stared, her face a blank wall, unfazed by the performance
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Chapter 10
Sure enough, Kathleen paused at the door, tossing a cheeky grin. “Oh, and if you’re down to your last dime, Ekavine Academy’s hiring.
“A former Demon Lord on the roster? We’d be legends”
Caitlyn didn’t flinch, her silence louder than any comeback.
Kathleen sighed, slumping a bit. “Alright, I’m gone. I swing by with snacks next time. Don’t be so frosty, or might actually cry.”
She turned to Lean, her grin back in full swing “ro, Mr. Honey, keep our girl happy, yeah?”
Leon nodded, giving a quick wave. “Later.”
Caitlyn whipped around, her eyes blazing. ‘Later? You gotta be kidding me
Kathleen stifled a laugh behind her hand–then pool–pane without a trace.
Caitlyn exhaled hard, like she’d been holding that breath for years, and downed half her water in one go.
Germaine cleared his throat. “Lady Caitlyn… handle the, uh, vermin
“Do that,” Caitlyn replied
Leon waited until the door clicked shut before sliding into the seat beside her. The silence was bliss
“So,” Leon prodded, “that was your friend?”
“Same clan. That’s it.,” she corrected, nose scrunching.
The mention of Kathleen clearly rubbed her the wrong way.
“You two don’t get along?”
“Get along?” She snorted. “I’d rather chew glass
Then, realizing she’d taken the bait. “Wait–why the hell do you care? Focus on not bleeding out, deadbeat.”
Leon’s shoulders slumped. That kicked–puppy look again. “After I pay you back,” he mumbled, “you’re kicking me out?”
The way his voice cracked–like she’d stomped on his last cupcake–made her stomach squirm
Caitlyn’s eye twitched. “What’s his deal? It’s not like we’re friends!
She shifted awkwardly, suddenly feeling weirdly guilty. After a few seconds of mental wrestling, she cleared her throat and blurted. “You–You’d have to pay rent, obviously!”
“Wait…so if I pay rent, i can stay?” His eyes lit up. The gloomy air around him vanished in a flash
Caitlyn blinked, a little dazed. “Guess it’d be dumb to say no to free money”
She slumped back, massaging her temples, hall convinced she’d gotten whacked in the skull
“What the hell is wrong with me? This whole thing’s getting weird, she thought.
