“What makes you think you could challenge the cursed Union in a way not even the combined forces of Kermac, Nul and Shiss could?”He laughed silent...y. “By doing the same thing as the eternal soldier did. Going somewhere and gathering technology beyond anything they have.”I gestured to the robots. “Sounds like the phantasies of a mad man who has to sell scrap metal to pay his crew. No one knows where Stahl got the Devastator or the Translocator tech.”The Red Dragon cursed under his breath and. I turn quickly, not knowing what is wrong or to expect. Just knowing that with her exclamation I feel I need to protect her or comfort her. “What is wrong? Are you ok?” I ask as she rushes towards me.“Your back, I hurt you, I am so sorry! Oh, your back is scratched and cut!”Tears well up in her eyes as she looks up to me. I lean down and kiss her. I kiss her again and hold the back of her head as our lips are together. I pull her into me and hold her tight. “You need to listen to me. Not vile in the taboo sense, like the acts I longed to once more commit with my mother. But disgusting and humiliating and painful things, involving whips, chains, needles, piss, and shit. Yet, to her credit, Deirdre had been no less right about the fact that, the rest of the time, it felt like the three of us were in it together. So long as Silas wasn't around, neither Lily nor I was ever asked to do anything we didn't want to do. And, in time, we came to both very much want to do the things. I’m not telling Dave anything until we’re together on this. I’m not just playing around; I want something serious. I love you; you say you love me. This is the real thing for me. Understand?” “So should we wait then?” “Wait? For sex? No. Why?” “Well Christ, if we don’t we’re just being dishonest.” She breathed out quickly and finally said, “No, think about it. If you sleep with me, you know the truth and I know it; it’s only Phyllis you’re lying to. If we decide not to do it even when we.