The Performance Review

The journey to the 51st floor—the Executive Penthouse—was a nightmare through a labyrinth of cubicles.

They moved through the shadows of the bullpen. The sounds of Kael’s feast echoed off the brutalist concrete walls. *Crunch. Slurp. Snap.*

Mara felt the alcohol sloshing in her stomach. It made her movements sloppy, but it kept the panic at bay. She was operating on pure, toxic autopilot.

They reached the stairwell access, but Kael was there.

He was waiting for them, leaning against the doorframe, picking a piece of Tim’s shirt out of his teeth.

"Ms. Vance," Kael purred. "I must say, your management style is ruthless. Sacrificing the lower tier to protect senior management? The Board will be pleased."

Elias whimpered, stepping behind Mara.

"Cut the crap, Kael," Mara swayed slightly, holding the empty tequila bottle like a club. "You want me? Come and get me."

Kael stepped forward, towering over her. He sniffed the air. He leaned down, his nose inches from Mara’s neck.

Mara squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the bite.

Kael recoiled, his face twisting in disgust.

"Ugh," Kael gagged. "Vile."

"Excuse me?" Mara opened one eye.

"Your meat," Kael sneered. "It smells... pickled. Spoiled. You are fermented, Ms. Vance. Decades of ethanol abuse. Your liver is not a delicacy; it is a hazardous waste site."

He straightened up, wiping his mouth. "I cannot eat you. You would give me indigestion."

Mara blinked. She looked at the bottle in her hand. Her addiction. Her curse. It was the only thing saving her life.

"I'm toxic," Mara realized, a dark laugh bubbling up in her throat.

"Indeed," Kael agreed. "However, the boy..." He looked at Elias. "He smells like fresh milk and honey. Very tender. Very... redundant."

Kael took a step toward Elias.

"Wait!" Mara shouted. "Let's... let's talk strategy."

Kael paused. "Strategy?"

"You need to finish the list, right? I can help you. I have the master keycard. I can flush the rest of the survivors out of the breakroom. Just... spare the assistant. He's my... record keeper. I need him for the paperwork."

Kael considered this, tapping a long claw against his chin. "Efficiency is paramount. Very well. Deliver the others to me in the atrium, and I will spare the boy for now. You have ten minutes."

Kael vanished into the shadows, heading toward the breakroom.