； jet black； and perfectly
straight； and her eyes were huge； green； and sparkling。 She smiled； showing off a mouthful of
absolutely perfect white teeth。
All the better to eat you with 。 。 。
？Yeah？？ the Afro…Asian model…goddess demanded with a hostile grimace。 She looked almost like
an evil character in that Xbox game Jade Empire； and Vanessa could imagine being decapitated
with a flick of her long； lean； fighting…machine wrist。
？Um； yeah； I？m here to see Ken。？
？e on up；？ Jade Empire muttered； turning around。 The heavy steel door slammed shut as
Vanessa followed her up a narrow cement staircase and into a huge； bright； open room。 A forest of
rusting steel columns supported the vaulted ceiling； and a bank of windows showcased an
incredible view of the Hudson River。 The vast space was divided by a long； open bookcase and
was overflowing with heavy art books and vinyl records； framed photographs and dusty vases。
The latest Arcade Fire album blasted from tiny Bose speakers mounted to the top of the bookcase；
and the music echoed all around。
？He？s in here somewhere；？ Jade Empire explained； clearly disinterested。 ？You？ve got an
appointm