Broken Hero

Chapter 1

Eclipse groans inwardly as the study’s door opens and a slender woman saunters in, a seductive smile playing on her plump red lips. Eclipse runs her hand through her short, sleeked-back, black hair with bright red highlights. She forces down the feeling of irritation that had begun to bubble up inside of her. The other woman continues undeterred, moving behind her and reaching over her shoulder to shut the laptop with a soft click. A piece of blonde hair tickles Eclipse’s cheek, having escaped the tight ponytail and braid that cascaded down the other woman’s back.

“What do you want, Vinyl?” Eclipse sighs, grateful that she had thought about saving her work before the interruption.

“Aw, I thought you’d be happier to see me.” Vinyl pouts in her ear, her breath tickling her neck and causing her to moan slightly. A grin tugs at Vinyl’s lip as she moves to her lap and runs a hand over Eclipse’s flat chest, playing with the buttons of her short-sleeved dress top. The top of Vinyl’s long, green halter dress pulled tight over her perky breasts, and the slit slipped over her leg, revealing a vine tattoo that Eclipse knew wrapped around her body and ended under her breast.

Eclipse shifted uncomfortably in the chair as she raised an eyebrow at Vinyl. “I’m busy, Vinyl.”

“Too busy for me? You work so hard, it wouldn’t hurt to take a break occasionally.” Vinyl coos, as Eclipse rolls her eyes. “Oh, come on, baby, please?”

Eclipse’s face hardens as she pushes Vinyl off her lap, gritting her teeth as she growls. “What did I say about the pet names?”

Vinyl groans as she rubs her butt, rolling her eyes, “Yeah, yeah, f**k buddies only. You’re so strict about this stuff. It wouldn’t hurt you to loosen up a bit, ya know?”

Eclipse ignores her as she stands up, brushing her hands off on her black pants as if wiping away imaginary dirt.

“Again, what... do...you...want?” She says each word slowly and emphatically, her voice low and dangerous.

Vinyl sighs as she stands up, giving up on the idea that the other woman would offer her a hand. “Fine, we have a client who wants a specific document going through the civilian territory. So, I need you to do your usual tomorrow while I secure it.”

“And we’ll meet back here before you hand it off?” Eclipse asks as she raises an eyebrow.

A small smirk plays on Vinyl’s lips as she presses up against the taller woman, “Of course, you get your payment first, just as our deal suggests.”

She nips Eclipse’s chin before scurrying out the door, not waiting for the inevitable scolding she’d receive. Eclipse rolls her eyes as she sits on the corner of her desk, watching the door that Vinyl had just disappeared through, as she remembers how they had met. She had been relaxing at her favorite bar, a good place for picking up one-night stands, when the blonde had caught her eye. What had meant to be a night of fun had turned into a partnership when she had learned that Vinyl was part of the Syndicate.

The Syndicate was an organized group that was famous in the villain district for its ability to slip from the Sapphire Hero Academy’s grasp. If you got in with them, your reputation in the villainous society was secure. They were impressed with Eclipse’s ability to not only distract the heroes at the academy but also hold her own against their leader, and they quickly agreed to her terms. She gained a seat at their table as well as a fun time with Vinyl, and all she had to do was keep the heroes off their backs. They had played right into her hands.

Eclipse chuckles to herself.