"Mm…?"
Artoria woke at dawn to a sweet fragrance and something soft and sweet—like a pudding—between her lips. Half-asleep, she licked it once; the taste was delicious. Yet she never ate sweets, especially not in bed. Realizing where she was, her eyes flew open.
The woman's face from yesterday filled her vision. A slight movement told Artoria this was no pudding but flesh. Heart pounding, she eased her mouth away and studied the sleeper. Color had returned to the woman's lips—though someone had left faint teeth-marks and a swollen redness upon them.
"Nice weather today."
Mortified, Artoria stared at the ceiling and blurted the first inane remark that came to mind. Sweat beaded her forehead. Great—she had unconsciously taken liberties with a woman she'd only just met.
Gently loosening her arms from around the woman, Artoria slipped out of the bedroom before the other woke. She didn't realize the woman had been awake the whole time, cheeks flushed as she watched the direction Artoria had gone, happily licking her lips as though savoring the taste of what had just happened.
"I never had this habit before, did I? What's going on?"
After washing up, Artoria sat at the dining table staring at her Hands in mild bewilderment. She really couldn't remember ever having a habit of biting things in her sleep. What was happening? Biting people wasn't a good habit. Still puzzled, she instructed the maids to look after the woman, then drove another of her cars back to the company.
Artoria had no idea that, as she left, a woman stood at the bedroom window watching her go. Morgan had recovered quickly and could already get out of bed, but to spend more time with her little sister she kept pretending to be half-dead so the girl wouldn't have the heart to throw her out. At this moment she even felt grateful to that detestable woman who had injured her—because it had let her meet her sister's reincarnation. She was Happy, blissful, though she didn't know how long this happiness could last.
"What's wrong, Artoria? Feeling unwell?"
Susan's concerned voice snapped Artoria back to reality. She drew a deep breath; her condition this morning felt off. Crumpling the shattered pen in her Hand, she tossed it aside and told Susan she was fine.
"Didn't you get any powers, Artoria?"
That was what Susan really wanted to ask. Reed had called recently to describe everyone's physical condition, and she understood his implication. Changes had indeed appeared—this morning she'd stood before the mirror to brush her teeth and put on makeup, only to find no reflection. Glancing at her Hands, she saw straight through to the floor. The state came and went, returning to normal quickly.
Since her body had changed, four of the six who had gone to Space now possessed extraordinary abilities. She worried Artoria might end up like Ben, turned into a giant rock creature, so she needed to know if Artoria felt anything unusual.
"So that's what you meant!"
Seeing Susan hesitate, Artoria realized Reed must have asked her to inquire. Only Victor Von Doom and herself had yet to reveal any powers. Rumor said Victor's company faced bankruptcy and the man himself had vanished from the media.
Yet Artoria knew he had already changed: the president of Victor's company had been murdered, and through Saturday's data she'd discovered a location continuously bleeding massive amounts of electricity—proof Victor was there, evolving his abilities.
The next time Victor appeared, he would no longer be the nouveau-riche businessman but the cold-blooded killing boss 'Doctor Doom'. Reed was in for a nightmare; these quiet days were merely the calm before the storm. She hoped New York could endure what was coming.
"Actually, I revealed my power long ago—you just didn't notice."
Artoria smiled at Susan and gestured downward. Today's pencil-skirt business suit had ridden up until the skirt was practically a mini, revealing sexy black lace panties.
"Enhanced updraft—check it out."
Without batting an eye, Artoria admired the view and watched Susan's face shift from shock to crimson. Flustered, Susan pressed her skirt down and flung the folder in her Hand, but the thick stack of papers froze mid-air and drifted onto Artoria's desk. Only then did Susan realize what Artoria's ability was. Glaring, she looked indignant—this was the office; she didn't mind a bit of excitement, but anyone could walk in.
"Keep it secret, okay?"
Seeing Susan linger, Artoria added. This woman really was different—if it had been Helen Cho, she'd have run out in tears. Susan only blushed; Westerners really were open. In the original plot she'd even done a body show on a bridge—she clearly had nerves of steel.
"Does this count as swapping secrets?"
"Of course it does."
Susan looked at her: was this a shared secret between them? Kind of thrilling!
"Tonight let's—"
"Sorry to interrupt."
Susan had wanted to leverage the moment into a candle-lit dinner, but Hope suddenly barged in, cutting her off. She glowered at the unruffled Hope; catching the glare, Hope smirked—she'd clearly spoiled something and timed her entrance perfectly.
"Any emergency, Hope?"
Seeing the two about to bicker, Artoria intervened. She turned to Hope: what was the urgent matter?
"Your brother—something might have happened to him."
"…What?"
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