The Vampire's Headhunting Gambit
You started it first? Why the hell did Morgana come here? From what I knew, werewolves were the jealous types who'd lunge at anyone sniffing around their lovers. But vampires? Nah.
It was just a boss-employee relationship, right? I couldn't think of a single reason for her to obsess over me.
"Let's deal with the guest first."
"...No can do. We need to prep for war. Anyone who dares stink up our turf with that foul blood reek is gonna pay dearly."
What the hell was this woman on about? Werewolves had numbers on their side, sure. But individually, they were weaker than vampires.
Morgana's magic from before had been seriously potent. This wasn't something we could handle with brute force.
"No way. The werewolves aren't fully unified yet. Meanwhile, she's got every vampire in Terranium under her thumb."
It was true that Rasca's Lunatic gang was the biggest werewolf outfit. But unification? Not even close.
Still, we had more bodies than the mafia... except they fought as one under a True Ancestor.
"Ha! As expected from a cowardly imp. Can't trust you lot. Already tucking tail before the fight even starts."
"Yeah, yeah. We've got grit. Don't act tough if you don't know shit!"
These so-called executives spewing such nonsense. No wonder Rasca couldn't fully consolidate the gang.
Figures they're in it through blood ties. Tsk tsk... Once I take full control, I'll purge the lot of 'em.
If grit alone won wars, the Japanese charging machine gun nests would've beaten the Americans. Discipline mattered, sure. But throwing lives away on stupid bravado? That was just idiocy.
Guys like these? I'd cull them all once I unified the other werewolf crews.
"...We avoid war here."
"What? But Boss!"
"Shut it. You questioning my call?"
Rasca probably wanted to fight. But she only heeded my advice. Clear sign she ignored everyone else's input.
"Boss! You putting some puny imp's word over ours?"
"If you remembered how much profit this imp's brought us, you wouldn't say that."
Crunch! Rasca's fingers twisted grotesquely. Werewolf body-warping magic.
Eh, won't matter if I have her kill 'em.
The old blood-tied relics had to go. Rotten wounds needed lancing to heal, pain be damned.
"Twice. Anyone who questions me more than that from now on dies."
Squelch! Rasca's claws plunged into the dissenting exec's throat. Sank in several inches. Even a tough werewolf wouldn't survive that.
She didn't stop—yanked her hand sideways, ripping free. Blood sprayed wildly across floor and walls.
"B-Boss, what the...?"
"Only speak if you've got a way to make more cash than this imp. From now on."
Silence. No surprise—werewolves couldn't run a legit business without drugs or violence. Pathetic.
Compared to that, my long stint slinging food gave me a natural talent for profits.
"Now show me to that bitch. You worthless mutts."
The blood-soaked "meeting" ended. More like a unilateral announcement, really.
Just me and Rasca heading to see Morgana. Word was, she'd brought only a few goons too. No real danger.
"She's in this room. But Boss... this is our last chance. Bust in with tommy guns, we wipe 'em out."
"Cut the crap and fall back."
Hmm, but why had Morgana come all this way? I could've slipped into her dreams easy enough.
Grinning ear to ear, I threw open the door.
"Ah, traitor dear. Long time no see? And who's the mutt playing pet to an imp...?"
"Watch your mouth. Wolves get riled up by blood scents."
"By then it's too late, no? Hm... Wolves always puff up their chests when they're in a pack."
The two traded barbs the second they laid eyes on each other. Like they wouldn't both end up tangled on my bed soon enough.
"So give me one reason not to rip you apart. Or my fangs tear your throat out."
"Eh, no special reason. Just wanted to see my employee slumming it with a fleabag."
She came just to mock? Lamer than I thought.
"Hilarious... Falling for some lowly imp. What a joke."
"If you're here to mock instead of business, I have to kill you."
"Well, that too. But also..."
Morgana slapped a check on the table. Scribbled her signature with a fountain pen.
"One million dollars. Cashable at any bank, nice and stiff. Dear, working for her is wasting your talent."
So this was the real play. Dishonest and bitchy to boot.
Only asset she's got is her face? Well, face is what matters most in a woman.
"Ha! Headhunting right in front of me? I'll hunt your head."
"I'll admit that meathead body of yours keeps a talented employee... But the world runs on money, sweetie. Without big bucks like mine, pipe down."
"Kkh!"
The Lunatic gang had zero cash reserves. I'd banned drug dealing, then dumped our funds into building up the commercial district.
Soon enough, we'd rake in steady profits from the revitalized shops. But that was still ways off.
"So? You'll come back, right? Be honest—that mangy furball's nothing but... "
"Hm, pass."
Was I nuts? Ditch the super obedient, adorable wolf for some venomous snake-bitch (shorthand for vampire chick)?
No way in hell.
Women were wolf-girls after all. Fluffy hair and all.
"Time to leave."
"...Fine, I'll go. But you?"
That's when it happened. Morgana suddenly grabbed my hair. Not with hands—with magic. Those invisible ones from before.
Skull-crushing? Luckily no.
"Where do you think you're going, you arrogant little imp? Know your place. You've been way too cocky."
Then—BAM! She slammed me into the table hard. Nose exploded in blood, cartilage cracked. Mouth filled with coppery tang... even a tooth chunk fell out.
"You bloodsucking... "
"Hold up."
Pain was killing me—wanted to roll on the bed. Blood gushing everywhere... needed to staunch it or I'd be in trouble.
But I ordered Rasca to stand down.
"Lady Rasca, no. Touch Morgana here, and we go to full war with the vampires. Best case, mutual destruction. Worst? Annihilation."
Not the setup I wanted.
Slowly rising, I locked eyes with Morgana. Hurt like a motherfucker—tears nearly welled up. But pride wouldn't let 'em.
"Wow."
Did my grit spook her? Or impress? Her expression was weirdly inscrutable.
Hiss... haaah. Sudden hits always ache worse. Still, couldn't lose the stare-down. I poured whiskey into a glass, tucked the broken tooth inside.
"You'll pay dearly for this tooth."
Blood dripping steadily, I downed the glass. Then crunched the tooth fragment between my molars.
Only then did Morgana's face twist from bafflement to something uglier.
Thought I'd fold? From this?
"...An imp with some real balls."
"Damn right."
Rule of life: When shit happens, shit right back. Most meaningless phrase? "Revenge is hollow." Bull. Nothing restores pride or soothes the soul like payback.
Of course I'd settle the score.
I'll have my revenge.
Just not how she expected.
Tonight, I'd claim Morgana's virginity. No question.