Chapter 5: Foreplay or a felony

"Mind stepping out of the vehicle?" That was the question one of the officers asked Ezra.

Ezra blinked again. His fingers twitched against his thigh.

His brain, which was excellent at solving complex problems but terrible at handling authority, was already calculating how fast he could get out of the vehicle and make a run for it.

What nearby buildings offered cover? and what about Sage? Would she sell him out or help him?

"Hey, I’m not going to repeat myself, boy. Get out of the vehicle. Please."

Officer Veyra repeated herself, one perfectly sculpted brow arched, her full lips curving into what could generously be described as a predator’s smile.

Ezra’s pulse spiked. "Uh..." He was so confused. What did he even do?

Then he remembered something. Dammit, Tiffany. She must’ve sold him out. ’That fucking bitch. We had a deal.’

"Relax," Veyra cut in, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I’m messing with you."

Ezra just stared at her. "...You’re joking?" he asked, voice an octave higher than he wanted. That meant Tiffany didn’t sell him out.

"Yes I was, for now," Veyra replied cheerfully.

Then her tone shifted, just a shade. "But we did detect some strange activity near the academy earlier today. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that would you?"

Ezra cleared his throat. "Me? Nah. I was just... studying. Totally legal things."

Veyra hummed. "Of course."

Her smile said she didn’t believe him when he said all he did was legal things. But also that she didn’t care. Not right now.

"Officer, if he did nothing wrong, then why did you stop us?" Sage asked, arms crossed.

"Just a routine check, lady," Veyra purred, her gaze still locked on Ezra. "We just caught ourselves a stray. Standard procedure, isn’t it, boy?"

She aimed that last word like a knife dipped in honey.

Ezra would’ve thought they were about to leave. But apparently, these two had other plans.

’This bitch. Who is she calling a stray?’

Ezra forced a smile, though his jaw ached from the effort.

He knew this drill. It was as common as a sunset.

And usually, this kind of "routine check" was only used on men.

The reason? A real one this time, something called the Fade. A rare but terrifying condition.

Some men, even those born perfectly healthy, unlike the majority who suffered genetic complications, had begun showing symptoms in recent years.

Slow, violent changes. Mental fog. Sudden aggression. Near-mindless behavior. Like something in them was shutting off. Scientists blamed the shifting climate, lingering radiation, maybe even ancient viruses awakening.

But of course, the media had their own angle, blaming it on men mating with women. They pumped out smear pieces like it was open season on testosterone.

The truth? No one really knew. But it was deadly, Ezra himself was afraid of it at some point.

"Actually, Officer," he drawled, pushing open his door and stepping out, "I believe the term is ’random security inspection.’ Always good to keep the second-class citizens in line, right?’

Veyra’s smirk widened, appreciating his insolence. "Sharp one, aren’t we? Alright, out of the vehicle, boy. Arms out. We just need to check if you have any weird symptoms . Or perhaps just too much male audacity." She gestured with a casual flick of her wrist.

Ezra lifted his arms with a long, sarcastic sigh. "Oh, that’s what this is. I thought maybe it was just a creative excuse to get handsy. Excuse me for my boldness, but you look like you could use some male attention."

He winked at her. He knew it was a cheap shot, but it usually got a reaction.

Officer Veyra’s eyes narrowed, a hint of genuine amusement. "Watch your tongue, boy. I have no desire for male contact. I’m just doing my job, just ensuring the safety of the populace."

But even as she spoke, her eyes looked all over his frame with a hidden admiration.

Her partner simply leaned against the cruiser, watching silently.

After that, she examined his eyes, because the fade virus’s earlier symptoms were always the change of eye colour.

Veyra’s busty boobs were almost touching Ezra because she kept on getting closer to him under the pretense of scanning his eyes.

"Hmm, normal. Now, open your mouth."

Ezra frowned, more at her tone than request, "Not happening. The symptoms don’t—"

"Babe," Sage cut in from the cab,

exasperated. "Can you just do it? Tongue discoloration is part of the checklist."

Ezra groaned but opened his mouth, giving her the most sarcastically dramatic look he could muster. "Don’t worry, darling. I don’t bite." He said.

Veyra leaned in anyway, gaze sharp, fingers brushing his chin, too sensually to be accidental touching, "Shame. I might’ve liked that."

She gave his tongue a scan with her device. This time she leaned even closer, her chest was practically brushing his, breasts poking into him under the pretense of a scan. Ezra didn’t complain.

Then she stepped back. "Clean."

She didn’t move away immediately though, eyes lingering a little too long. "Now, off you go. And try not to cause any more... ripples, Zaeryn. You wouldn’t want to draw too much attention."

"Wouldn’t dream of it, Officer," Ezra replied smoothly, flashing a grin as he slid back into the float-cab.

As the Vanguard cruiser lifted and vanished into traffic, Ezra let out an audible groan. "Ugh. I swear, if these so-called inspections get any more invasive, I’m going to have to make a complaint.

Sage laughed, kissing his cheek. "Chill, it’s routine. Besides, you can’t blame her for eyeing a rare gem like you." Her hand squeezed his knee.

Not long after, the cab pulled up at Ezra’s place. He stepped out, turning to Sage. "Sure you don’t wanna come in?"

"And do what?" she teased, violet eyes dancing.

"Study, or something fun." He offered, although in his mind he was hoping for the latter. Who wants to study anyway? Not him.

Sage smirked. "I could, but then...."

Ezra sighed before she even finished. "Your family dinner," he said. "I get it."

"You could come, you know? It’s about time you meet them... as my boyfriend," she said, though her gaze already held the answer.

He seemed to not want to meet her family. It was like he was not that invested in her enough.

"Maybe another time?" Ezra did not want to meet Sage’s family.

She came from an elite family, while he did not. .He’d met them briefly before, and her mom’s open disdain had made it clear she didn’t like him at all, simply because he was a man. So yeah, that was never going to happen.

Sage sighed. She looked a little upset."Why did I even bother asking...." She shook her head. "Alright, I’ll call you, or you call me, when you’re done with whatever you do to pass time."

Then she drove away.

Meanwhile, inside the house, Yasmine, his mother figure, was waiting for Ezra to come back to her.