Page 24 of Conning Her Dragonkin Boss

I huff, tossing my planner onto the coffee table, the calendar space where CONVENTION WEEKEND!!! glares at me accusingly. “Yeah, well, that might work in normal jobs, but I’m working for Otherkin executives now. I love this job, Mei. I don’t want to lose it.” I gesture around my cozy-but-corporate apartment.

Mei groans. “Oh my god. Do you think they’re going to fire you over a single weekend off?”

I pull my sofa blanket over my face. The idea of even confronting Harla or—gulp—Khanner for my time-off request is making me physically ill. Hell, I don’t even know how to request off from work. “Yes! If you only heard what other people were fired for before I got here, you would understand. They were walked out of here for the dumbest things. All of which revolved around one theme: irritating Khanner. I can’t say for sure, but I’m gonna guess that something like this might irritate him.”

I can’t lose this place. I’ve been here for barely over a week, and I’ve already gotten spoiled by all the amenities. They even have a 24/7 gym. I don’t ever use it, but the thought is nice.

“I live in New Vegas, Sunny,” Mei says. “Right next to Caldera Spire, where the actual cutthroat Otherkin business dealings happen. Trust me—your boss does not care about one weekend.”

I scowl. “Well, I can’t risk it. If I get fired, I lose my work-sponsorship visa and I have to leave Obsidian City.”

And I love it here.

The walkability, the magic-infused architecture, the fact that I don’t have to drive anywhere.

Obsidian City rose from the ashes of old Chicago, went through a messy vampire coup, and came out the other side as a flourishing, Otherkin-controlled metropolis.

It’s safe, it’s modern, and it’s home.

I don’t want to leave.

Not to mention that I actually have something in my savings account now. Just from the first week’s pay.

Mei stares at me for a long moment. Then she sighs. “Okay. Then just be sick.”

I blink. “What?”

She enunciates slowly, “Just. Be. Sick.”

I stare at her like she just spoke in ancient dragon tongue. “Mei, I’m not sick.”

Mei sighs again, this time dragging her hand down her face. Then she leans in closer to the camera, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“But you ARE sick. Hint. Hint.”

The realization hits me like a lightning bolt. “Oh. OH.”

Mei smirks. “There it is.”

“That’s brilliant!” I gasp, sitting up straight. “I’ve never taken a sick day in my life, so no one will even question it!”

“Exactly,” Mei says, flipping the camera to show the neon skyline of New Vegas, glowing against the dark peaks of Caldera Spire beyond. “Look at what you’ll be missing out on! You know you’ve had your heart set on getting those monster stamps inyour passport book. And honestly? If you work your butt off leading up to your work conference, it’ll be so believable that you’re exhausted and sick that no one will even doubt you.”

I chew on my lip, considering it.

She’s right.

If I make sure everything is done in advance, I won’t even feel guilty. It’s not like I’m leaving anyone hanging.

The thought of disappointing Khanner after he went out of his way to compliment me on my meeting prep yesterday makes my stomach turn.

Of course, there’s one tiny problem with this plan.

“I’m a horrible liar.”

Mei snorts. “Oh, I know. Which is why I said you’re going to actually be so exhausted that you’ll earn the right to call out sick.”

I blink. “Earn the right?”

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