Hello!

I've been around here for a while now but haven't had the courage to post anything, especially since the psy-changeling community on this website doesn't seem to be very active.

I know that MagicMaryse and MissPadfoot101 have both posted two great stories that include our favorite Psy couple who will never get their own book, but this has been on my mind for a very long time now. I have yet to read Silver Silence so anything that is similar content-wise or even the same is purely coincidental.

The story is set some time after the attempted assassination of Nikita and explores her relationship with Anthony as well as a new threat that is looming in the PsyNet. I am always looking for feedback, especially regarding grammar and the plot. If something doesn't add up or feels too rushed, please let me know. I already have the story outlined in my head and know my characters and what's going to happen, so things may not seem rushed for me as the author.

Anyway, enough talking - enjoy the first chapter and let me know what you think!


Ending a call with a potential client in Los Angeles, a business deal that, despite the company being owned by humans, could result in a significant return should everything go smoothly, Nikita walked away from the wall-mounted comm to her desk. Since the conversation had ended earlier than expected, she still had at least a few minutes before her meeting with Mr. Hunter in the second half of the morning. Time, Nikita used to look over the financial standing of the DarkRiver project, a business deal that had proved to be extremely beneficial.

A knock on the door interrupted her only seconds later; it was accompanied by a telepathic touch that identified the person as Sophia Russo, her senior aide. Ms. Russo was one of the few people Nikita trusted, a former J-Psy who, along with her husband, Max Shannon, wouldn't betray her, so long as she didn't cross the moral lines they'd lain down.

It was well known that many Psy in the Net frowned upon her choice of employees; but if there was anything Nikita valued, it was loyalty. Knowing that she wouldn't get a knife in the back was worth some readjustment of her methods and tactics – even if it meant that she'd be challenged in her decisions.

"Come in," Nikita said, not looking up from the report.

Sophia entered the office with a slim organizer in her hand, her charcoal-black hair pinned back in a soft knot at the back of her head.

"You have a meeting with Lucas Hunter in five minutes," the other woman reminded her. "He's already waiting for you in the internal conference room downstairs."

Nikita closed the documents on the computer screen, a flat panel which then slid down and into the surface of her desk, and stood up, smoothing out the non-existent wrinkles in her flawless black pantsuit.

Lucas Hunter was the leader of one of the two biggest local changeling packs in San Francisco, the DarkRiver leopards. He had become the ruling alpha at the age of twenty-three, young even for a changeling, and had consolidated DarkRiver's hold over the city and its surrounding regions in over a decade since.

The business deal between the leopards and the Duncan Group had started three years ago, a time when Silence had still been protocol and Nikita part of the Council; a position that had given her much power. Power she'd needed to protect the only daughter she'd ever borne, a child whose true ability had been crushed under the harsh conditions of an environment that stood against everything Sascha was. Nikita had built an empire that was strong enough to keep her cardinal daughter safe, had gained the reputation of an ice-cold bitch no one dared cross. A truth that, of course, she'd never admit.

Entering the conference room, Nikita didn't have to look at the people occupying two of the ten seats around the oval table; she'd known the identity of the second one the moment she'd stepped out of the elevator.

It didn't matter how well Sascha shielded herself; Nikita always knew when her daughter was close. It was an instinct so primal in its nature that nothing could alter it, a connection only shared between a mother and her child; one that even Silence had been unable to crush.

"Mr. Hunter," Nikita said, acknowledging the alpha male with a curt nod. "Sascha."

The relationship between her and her daughter had never been a maternal one and Nikita drew up another layer of protection, not daring to risk giving Sascha an accidental glance at what lay behind the shields that had stood for over half a century; not in her condition.

"Mother," Sascha's tone was gentle, betraying the soft heart of an empath.

Nikita allowed herself to look into her daughter's cardinal eyes, white stars on black, her gaze lingering for only a moment to not betray what was hidden deep inside her mind.

"Nikita," Hunter said, his voice low and a little rough, one arm protectively put around his mate.

She did not acknowledge the informality with which he addressed her, letting it slip instead, focusing on the task at hand.

"I've looked at your offer," Nikita began, drawing up a digital print of the contract of a new project with DarkRiver and transmitting it to the big screen on the wall so the other two could see it as well.

"What do you think?" His eyes were clear and alert and Nikita knew that, despite their alliance, Lucas Hunter would never entirely trust her, always prepared to strike in case she posed a threat to him or Sascha.

His sharp teeth and claws were as lethal as her psychic powers, leaving none of them in any advantage. She was not fooled into believing that she was facing an animal, too wild and primal to think rationally, too stupid to pose any danger to her person. Nikita was very well aware that he was her equal and was more than capable of killing her.

"Our business alliance has proved beneficial for both sides so far," she stated. "I agree with most of the content."

Hunter raised an eyebrow, a gesture that had absolutely no effect on her. "Most of it? Which part don't you agree with?"

DarkRiver's business interests were extensive enough to rival her own, something the changelings made sure to remember her of if they felt that their position was threatened. Usually, Nikita would never consider closing a deal with a party that had the power to challenge her demands – not that there were many companies who had the financial and political influence necessary for such a step – but the world kept changing at a rather rapid rate; she had no intentions of letting change subdue her.

"We both know that you've already presold all the homes, Mr. Hunter," Nikita said matter-of-factly, her hands laid out flat on the glass surface of the table. "I'm willing to offer twelve million and you will inform me of any changes at any stage. The wolves will remain a silent partner."

Control was important, it ensured a powerful position, one that didn't offer room for her business partner to readjust the deal without consulting with her first.

Nikita's psychic senses picked up a[FW1] ripple that went through the PsyNet; similar to a breeze of wind disturbing the calm surface of the ocean. Seconds later, a telepathic touch followed; Anthony.

Did you pick that up? He pathed, his presence in the Net as sharp and clear as her own.

Yes. Do you know what it was?

Nikita was a powerful TP-Psy with a 9.1 gradient on the scale, her senses rarely missed disruptions in the Net.

No. I'm working on it, see what I can find out. If we felt it, I'm sure Kaleb will have too. I'll contact him.

Nikita wasn't sure if the other Psy noticed his choice of words; she had, but she wasn't about to inquire. Right now, the business deal with DarkRiver and the predator sitting opposite of her required her full attention. Nikita doubted that Lucas Hunter would take advantage of the little interruption, seeing as Sascha was accompanying him, but she would never rely on a sole assumption when it came to changelings.

Good, she pathed.

I will contact you as soon as I know more.

They ended their conversation without saying goodbye, the words only being a waste of time that could be used in a more beneficial way.

"Mother?"

Nikita blinked, refocusing her gaze at the scene before her. Sascha's tone was full of emotion, as was always the case, betraying the worry she currently felt. Nikita had learned to read and recognize her daughter's behavior years ago, when her own child had not been able to protect herself and relied solely on her mother.

"I'm fine," Nikita replied, something she'd never had to do before, but the wounds had weakened her greatly and she knew that lying to Sascha when they were sitting face to face was useless. "A telepathic wave went through the PsyNet. Anthony is looking into it."

Sascha's cardinal eyes went wide and she gasped. "Another outbreak?"

Nikita shook her head, her jet-black hair coming into motion.

"No," she said, her emotions buried deep inside her mind where nothing could ever reach them. "I could not detect anything in it that resembles the disease. It was of no danger."

But it should not be discarded as a small disturbance in the Net. Nikita had been alive long enough to recognize anomalies when she encountered them, and a telepathic wave of this strength, poisonous or not, had to be investigated.

"You worry about it," Sascha said, her hand entwined with that of Lucas Hunter who watched her with cool interest.

"I do not feel, Sascha," Nikita reminded her only child, her voice icy.

She could not afford to break, to let people think that she was weak; not now, not ever. Her shields were strong, reinforced with a deadly virus that would instantly kill anyone who came too close without announcing themselves first; anyone but the man who had somehow managed to neutralize her defenses without doing a single aggressive act.

Anthony Kyriakus was a powerful Psy, as icily and ruthless as Nikita herself when the occasion called for it, who had not erased her star from the Net while she'd been injured and defenseless. Instead, he had protected her.

None of it fitted with her worldview, but digging for an answer would mean breaking into his mind. Under normal circumstances, Nikita would not hesitate to carry out an act like this, she'd even do it herself if necessary; but she had no desire to betray the trust they had so carefully established. Anthony was a powerful ally who shared her interests geographically and economically; she'd be a fool to turn him against her.

"Mother," Sascha sighed, shaking her head.

"Shall we continue with the business?" Nikita asked, not irritated by her daughter's words. "We'll settle for twelve million, then."

She picked up her organizer, the slim device light in her hands, making notes she would then pass on to Sophia to set up a new version of the contract.

A dark chuckle from Mr. Hunter, a slight growl to it that hinted at the beast beneath the surface, sounded through the room. Nikita did not blink, her impeccable conditioning leaving her completely unaffected by it, though she recognized a threat when she heard it.

"Fifteen million," Hunter countered. "I may have to remind you that we're the best out there. Fifteen million or we'll walk."

"Thirteen," Nikita replied coolly, she'd been in the business for too long for him to bully her. "And I want rights to approve each stage of the work from concept to construction."

Hunter shook his head, a feline smile spreading over his face now. "We've been through this before, Nikita." He leaned forward. "Fifteen million, and the wolves get fifty percent of the return."

Silence followed his words as Nikita calculated the costs of the project in her head. Even if the Duncan Group invested fifteen million, it would still result in a generous return and she couldn't afford to lose DarkRiver as a business partner, not with the direction the world was changing in.

"Fine," she finally said. "The project will still be beneficial enough. However, the wolves will get the originally agreed twenty percent of the deal."

Nikita made sure to stress that this was her final offer, take it or leave it. There was always a risk involved that the other party would decline the offer, but she had to remind the alpha who he was dealing with; that Nikita Duncan had been there long before Lucas Hunter was even born.

"Agreed," Hunter nodded. "I would like to have a printed copy of the contract when it's finished."

Nikita nodded, already familiar with the changelings' need of wanting a printed version of all their documents; a waste of time, resources and space. The readjustment of her usual methods were a small price compared to the substantial margin of profit she received from the projects with DarkRiver, however.

"Ms. Russo will send you the copies tomorrow."

It was all Nikita said, more was not required; the meeting was closed.


Note: Some might have seen the story already on archiveofourown and might notice the difference in the plot summary. That's because FanFiction only allows a 300-something word summary which is too short to put in my original one. The story is the same though. ;)