Chapter 3: Elvira

Sam was pretty sure he was dead. Or at least wished he was.

Sparkles had finally released him after forty-eight hours that felt like forty-eight days. Every muscle ached. His brain had turned to mush somewhere around hour thirty-six. He was fairly certain his skeletal structure had liquefied.

“Sorry, sister,” Sparkles said cheerfully, handing over the leash to the black-haired foxgirl waiting outside the cabin. “I was a little overzealous.”

Elvira’s dark eyes gleamed as she looked Sam over. He was slumped against the doorframe, barely able to stand. “No problem,” she purred. “I can wake the dead. He’ll be at attention and saluting in no time!”

Sam tried to form words. Managed something like, “ ... cooldown protocols ... system offline...”

“Oh, he’s adorable when he’s broken,” Elvira laughed. She tugged the leash gently. “Come along, pet. Let’s get you to my quarters.”

Sam’s legs moved on autopilot. He wasn’t sure if he was walking or if Elvira was just dragging his corpse down the corridor.

Her cabin was darker than Sparkles’, lit with a deep crimson glow that reminded Sam uncomfortably of a vampire’s lair. Which, given Elvira’s reputation among the crew as “the vampire fox,” was probably intentional.

“Now then,” Elvira said, guiding him to sit on the edge of her bed. Black silk sheets. Of course. “Let’s assess the damage Sparkles did, shall we?”

“I need ... at least twelve hours ... maybe a medical pod...” Sam mumbled.

“Nonsense. You just need the right motivation.” Elvira knelt in front of him, her four tails swaying hypnotically behind her. “And I know exactly how to provide it.”

Before Sam could protest, her hands were on his thighs, spreading them apart. She leaned in close, her breath warm against his skin.

“Wait,” Sam said, suddenly more alert. “Didn’t someone say something about ‘oral at your own risk’?”

Elvira smiled, showing her fangs. “Oh, that. Yes. I do tend to get a bit ... bitey when I’m excited. But don’t worry.” She ran her tongue over her sharp teeth. “I’ve only ever drawn blood twice. Maybe three times.”