We pulled up to an older, more rundown section of Chromeline, off the beaten path. These kinds of holes in the city facade were perfect for hideouts and safe houses. Thankfully it hadn’t taken long to get here, but the meds were wearing off and my wounds pulsed with each heartbeat. I hoped she had enough supplies to patch me up until I could get to Saint for the real deal.

  She cut off the bike and climbed off. I steadied myself against her, barely able to keep myself upright. I hobbled with her to the door and looked away out of professional courtesy as she punched her code into a concealed pad. The building was worn, and appeared to be an old family medicine practice. Part of a sign remained on the wall, buried under graffiti, but I couldn’t make out what it said. We stepped into what I could only guess was once the patient lobby for the practice, the reception desk still present but currently covered in stacks of books and personal items.

  “Back here. Got a med station set up.” Kaela stated, leading me towards a hallway full of wooden doors.

  I staggered my way through the building, and grunted as she set me down on the makeshift table in what looked like an old examination room. The room was immaculately clean, several of the tiles had been replaced and mismatched, but I didn’t question the place would be sterile. I collapsed back onto the pillow as she peeled me out of my jacket, her amber eyes scanning over my body trying to assess the damage.

  “Fuck, Nyx… how much of this blood is yours?” She asked, concerned.

  “Wound in my leg, maybe some cuts and scrapes here and there. Broke one of my claw implants.” I listed off a few other places that hurt.

  “We’re going to need to get these clothes off, you’re a total mess…” she said, lifting my ruined shirt over my head, careful not to snag it on the exposed arm internals were the hinge for the claws was jammed open.

  I winced as she moved my body around, pain ringing through most of my body. She had to cut my jeans off to get to the wound on my thigh, leaving me sitting in my bra and panties on the cold metal table. She stayed focused, hands steady, almost gentle as she worked. My eyes fluttered as another gush of blood spilled from my thigh.

  She tugged open a nearby drawer and produced a handful of supplies: alcohol, cleansing wipes, sutures, and bandages.

  “This is going to sting.” She said, uncapping a bottle of the alcohol.

  I hissed with the sudden sensation over the wound, and she moved quickly to apply pressure which sent an array of colors through my vision. She poked at few other areas, wiping blood and grime away from scrapes and minor punctures with her free hand while she held the wad of bandages against my thigh. She wasn’t a doctor, but she had clearly paid more attention than I had during field medic training. I was legitimately impressed with the way she handled me, and thankful that she wasn’t cracking jokes.

  “This isn’t how I pictured getting you undressed would be…” she quipped, as if reading my mind.

  “You pictured undressing me?” I replied dryly.

  “What? I’ve got an active imagination.” She laughed. “Anyway, you are real lucky this missed the artery. You wouldn’t have made it here if it had.”

  She checked the wound and seemed satisfied that she had stopped the bleeding enough, and grabbed a syringe to give me a dose of local anesthesia. She eased my legs apart to reach the wound, fingers brushing higher than I expected. Heat flared in my chest despite myself, and I bit reflexively at my lip ring. My leg hadn’t quite gone numb yet when she starting pushing the needle in.

  She worked quickly and gently, and thankfully didn’t have any more comments as she curved the needle through my skin, tying the wound closed. It only took six or seven stitches and she was done. She cleared away her supplies, and I couldn’t help but notice her hand lingering on my thigh for a moment longer than necessary. She shifted her attention to my right arm, gently tapping at the edge of the open panel.

  “Saint’s gonna scold you for this one.” she teased.

  “Yeah, I just had him tune these before I left. Can you get the panel closed at least?” I asked.

  She tilted her head, cleaned the area, and poked at the panels. She reached into the open panel, something shifted and snapped free. A shard of metal clinked to the floor. Then she gripped my arm with both hands, braced it against her thigh, and shoved hard. Pain flared white-hot, but with a metallic thunk the pressure gave way — broken claw remnants retracting at last. She helped me sit up, and checked me over once more, making sure nothing else needed immediate attention.

  “Alright, that should hold you together for now.” She declared, satisfied with her work.

  “Thanks, Kaela. You saved my ass a few times today.” I reluctantly replied, keeping my eyes away from hers.

  She helped me stand and I managed to support my own weight, taking a few steps without support before grabbing the counter. She lead me back through the hall to another door that lead into a bedroom. She pointed across to the back, where I could see another door.

  “Shower’s in there. Get cleaned up, you smell like you look. I’ll find you something to wear after we both get cleaned up.”

  “What, no plans to jump in with me?” I muttered, half jab, half test.

  “I’m sure you’d like that, but I have another shower in the training room. This one’s just got more things for you to hold on to if your legs buckle.” She called, already on her way out.

  I limped over to the bathroom, it was a little messy from use, but nothing like a lived-in space would be. II stripped off the ruined scraps clinging to me, fabric heavy with blood, sweat, and whatever else the Ash had smeared on me. I dropped them into the trash as I cut the water on, waiting for it to get hot. I caught myself in the mirror and grimaced. Bruised, pale, eyes sunken. I looked like hell — worse, I looked beaten.

  I let my hair shift back to it’s natural black, though the one strand of Omni blue remained, and climbed into the steaming hot shower. I desperately needed to feel the water rinse the dirt and gore away. I found some body wash on a shelf, and started lathering myself up. It was more feminine than I expected, strawberry scented as well. The water seared at the fresh stitches, each pass of soap setting off sparks of pain I forced myself to ignore.

  I began to rinse, and just stood under the water for a bit, letting the comforting heat wash away more than the grit and grime. Images flashed through my mind, the day had not gone as expected to say the least. I still wasn’t sure how things had spiraled so fast, like I’d been dragged into someone else’s script. I pushed the fight away, not wanting to relive any of that, but other parts of the day lingered. Moth’s bizarre surveillance room, the private booth, Kaela’s reckless grin as she danced through combat. I bit my lip ring again.

  I couldn’t help but see flashes of the way she handled herself. That confidence in her stride, the pure joy in her work, I wasn’t sure if it was admiration or attraction. We were meant to be rivals, but we actually worked pretty well as allies, I thought. I leaned my head to see if she had kept her word, or if she was sneaking up to join me. The door remained closed, and I tried to dismiss the thought. It was reckless to even think about, I didn’t need entanglements, I needed to finish the mission. Still… damn it, she was easy on the eyes — and she knew it.

  I lingered until the water started to run cold, and then stepped out to dry myself. The towels were pleasantly large and surprisingly soft, maybe just a little scratchy from age but nice. I draped the damp towel over the shower rod to dry, and took a dry one to wrap myself before stepping out into the bedroom. I wasn’t sure how long I’d spent in there running memories through my head, but it was apparently long enough for Kaela to finish cleaning up, and doze off on the bed.

  I noticed a few things sitting on the end of the bed by her feet. There was a baggy t-shirt bearing the logo of some rock band I didn’t recognize as well as a pair of shorts. In addition there was a roll of clean bandages for my leg, and much to my surprise, a sandwich wrapped in a paper towel. White bread, synthmeat, cheese. Simple but perfect. My gut twisted with hunger, and something else I didn’t want to name. Kaela hadn’t said a thing, but this little lineup on the bed was her slipping, just a bit, letting me see the soft underneath all that steel.

  I slipped into the shorts and t-shirt, the fabric was soft and a little stretched from wear, but smelled fresh and clean. They didn’t fit well, a little big, but shouldn’t fall off easily and would be good enough until I got back to my place. I tore into the sandwich, devouring more than half before I even looked up. I sighed as the food hit my empty stomach.

  I looked around the room for a moment, it was plain but not empty. A stack of crates stood nearby that seemed to contain spare ammo and supplies. A recently rummaged through laundry basket leaned against it. Some posters and pictures hung on the wall — mostly from bands, some I actually recognized — as well as some tour t-shirts. Her rifle sat in the corner closest to the bed next to a cleaning kit, though it seemed she hadn’t yet cleaned it. A few books were stacked on the makeshift nightstand, they appeared to be smut.

  Nothing about the room screamed home but it was too lived-in to be just a bolt-hole. Kaela had spent real time here. I wonder if she just crashed here on gigs, or if she was actively avoiding the hives. She clearly cared for this space, it had more personality than my Nest.

  I took a few moments to bind my leg wound with the bandages the best I could. I chewed the last bite of my sandwich as I gently sat down on the bed. It creaked as I leaned back, the blanket was used and worn but felt comfortable. I noted a hint of floral fragrance on the pillow as I laid down. For someone so brash, she kept a surprisingly cozy den.

  I looked over at her sleeping soundly, she was turned the other way but I could see the gentle rise and fall of her breath, she was just as worn out as I was. I was glad she had fallen asleep first, I knew I couldn’t keep up in a conversation right now. I needed rest, I wasn’t sure I could trust her, not really. But for tonight, I felt safe enough to close my eyes.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  ————————————————————————————————

  I had fallen asleep moments after my head hit the pillow, exhaustion took hold. However, I was awoken suddenly by a new and sudden warmth pressing against my back. I blushed. Kaela had rolled over in her sleep and draped her arm over my waist. I felt her bare legs push light against my own as she adjusted position slightly. My whole body tensed, unsure what to do.

  She moved again, subtly tracing her fingers across my stomach, over the shirt. I wasn’t sure if she was asleep, if this was instinct or intent. My pulse spiked, and I opened my mouth before I could stop myself.

  “Uh… Kaela?” I blurted.

  “Yeah?” she replied with a deep breath.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Cuddling. Don’t act so shocked.” She said bluntly and nuzzled a little closer.

  “Why?” I asked in disbelief.

  “Because it’s comfortable. Do you want me stop?” She whispered.

  I paused, thinking about my answer. “No, not really.”

  “That’s the spirit!” she exclaimed slipping her hand under my shirt, and resting it on my bare belly.

  “Don’t push your luck.” I said, holding her hand from climbing further.

  We lay quiet, tangled together for a few moments. I felt an eagerness in the air, tension over the intimacy of the situation. I swallowed, absently tonguing my lip ring.

  “Think Vera sent those drones?” Kaela murmured.

  “Yeah. Not for us though — just because she assumed we’d screw it up.”

  Kaela snorted. “Figures. Woman’s wound tighter than a coil spring.”

  “Mm. That’s one way to put it.”

  “She’s still kind of cute, though.” Kaela teased.

  “Ugh.” I groaned.

  “Still, she got us out of the worst of it, I think. Running into Gnaw was likely a death sentence. We should have bolted the minute we saw the dude on the wall.”

  “I wanted to find clues, was hoping for more than we got though.”

  “Eh, it worked out well enough I guess. Mostly.”

  I paused again. She was leading towards saving me when we ran, but deliberately avoiding it like she wanted me to bring it up. She was baiting me, same as in a fight — daring me to cross the line first. I hated how badly I wanted to. I let the thought linger, and then gave in.

  “Why’d you come back for me?” I asked, trying to put an edge to my words.

  “I enjoy competition, wanted to make sure you stuck around.” She took another deep breath and I could hear the smirk in her voice as she spoke. “You should be glad, you probably would’ve bled out if I hadn’t.”

  That stung a little, I was glad. She had the upper hand in the conversation, and I had played right into it. I like how she led me on though. I rolled to meet her eyes, trying to read hear and find an advantage. She was a step ahead. Kaela leaned in quick, claiming the moment with a kiss. My eyes went wide in shock as I felt her lips pressing firm against mine, and for a second I froze in place. She tasted like mint, the expert tactician she was had prepped for this.

  She didn’t give me time to think either, pressing closer against me. Her had tightened at my waist daring me to push her away. Instead I kissed back, hungry and reckless. I felt her smirk against my mouth, that infuriating and intoxicating confidence, like she’d won another round.

  My hands clutched the sheets, part of me screamed this was a mistake. She was supposed to a rival! The heat building inside of me drowned that voice out, and when her tongue slid against mine, I lost myself in the impulse. We broke apart just long enough to catch our breath. Her eyes were illuminated, part of the implant, and it cast a light amber glow on our faces.

  “Knew you’d taste sweet…” she hummed.

  “Shut up.” My voice came out low and hungry, and I dragged her back to me.

  I kissed back harder, careful not to slam our teeth together. She chuckled, her voice husky with desire, and the sound nearly undid me. Her hand slipped between my legs, fingers curling along my groin and I gasped, heart thumping as I nipped at her lip. She had me in the palm of her hand, figuratively and literally.

  She clutched her other hand at my throat, not squeezing, just holding, claiming. My pulse beat against her palm, each throb a reminder that she had me, right here, right now. I should have snarled or fought back, but I didn’t. I shivered as strained desire coursed through me. She leaned in close, running her tongue along my cheek up to my ear, breath hot against my skin.

  “That’s it. Let go.” She whispered.

  And I did.

  I unclenched my hands from the sheets. I wrapped my arms around her, welcoming her form on top of me. She pinned me to the bed, teeth grazing my neck through a winning grin. Any trace of fear or resistance burned away.

  Her thigh slid between mine, pressing with deliberate weight, and I couldn’t stop the moan from escaping. She laughed, not cruel, but savoring, as if every reaction was another point scored in a game only she knew the rules to.

  “You’re gorgeous like this, Nyx. Letting that icy exterior melt down just for me.”

  I almost corrected her about my name, but swallowed it. This wasn’t the time. I tipped my head back, baring my throat without thinking, and she took it. I felt my body start to struggle, but I denied it. I wanted it this way.

  Kaela shifted back, peeling off her top with the kind of flourish meant for an audience. Confidence radiated from every movement — a performer in her element — and I watched eagerly. Her fingers left me and I gasped at the absence, reaching to pull my own shorts away, but her hand snapped to mine.

  A sharp slap. A shake of her head. Her amber eyes locked on mine, glowing, daring.

  “I said let go. I’m getting to that in a moment.” She grinned.

  Her arms slipped into my shirt, one lifting my torso, the other sliding the baggy shirt upwards. She guided my arms up as she slipped it over my head, but she stopped me from pulling my arms free. She wrapped the shirt quickly tying my wrists together and pinning them above my head in a quick and fluid move. I might have panicked if it weren’t so damn hot.

  She leaned down for another kiss, trailing her lips and teeth along my body, hunting teasing my sensitive areas. She reached my waist, and kissed gently at my hips, tugging my shorts away while keeping our eyes locked. She stood to make room, and slipped out of her own shorts at the same time. I broke the gaze and traced her naked body in lust and admiration. We had similar sized builds, but she was more fit, her breasts perfectly round and a bit smaller than mine. Muscle carved firm under her pale skin and led my eyes to a cutely trimmed bush. I squirmed in anticipation as she started back onto the bed.

  She turned at the last moment, backing up, and positioning herself right above my face. I could feel the warmth radiating from her slit, which glistened eagerly. I leaned up to give her my tongue, but to my surprise she pulled out of reach, teasing. She hooked her ankles into my bound arms and slowly wagged her hips over my head, watching my reactions.

  She leaned over and danced her fingers down my stomach towards my clit, but stopped before she reached it. I tried to lift my hips, desperate for her touch, but she pressed me back down with one firm hand. I almost screamed in frustration.

  “Patience.” She murmured.

  She lowered herself, letting her warmth rest on my eager tongue as I started to lick at her hungrily. I felt her shudder this time, she wanted it as badly as I did. She rocked her hips back and forth taking some of the strain off my neck and tongue as I continued to taste her. I probed my way delicately through each and every one of her folds, teasing her clit between laps.

  Finally, she bent over the rest of the way, supporting her lower half on her bent knees allowing me to keep drinking her in as she laid on me, pressing her mouth softly against me. She pushed her tongue across me, gathering up my wetness as I moaned and shuddered. I tried to bring my arms down to caress her, but she held them firmly in place with her legs reminding me she was in control.

  Her shins locked my arms tight, shirt biting into my wrists with every twitch I made. I was hers to hold, hers to use, and the realization made my stomach twist with heat. Her taste coated my tongue, slick and sweet, each lap pulling another shiver from her core.

  Kaela moaned into me — a low, vibrating sound that made my hips buck helplessly against her mouth. She didn’t miss a beat, grinding down harder against my lips as her tongue pressed deeper into my folds. I gasped into her, but I couldn’t stop, wouldn’t stop, licking her faster, desperate for every drop.

  Her fingers dug into my thigh, nails biting skin as she sucked at my clit, answering my moan with one of her own. The room spun with the rhythm of us — her controlling every angle, me breaking apart beneath her and still giving back everything I had. When she finally lifted her mouth to breathe, she laughed, shaky and breathless this time.

  “Fuck, Nyx… you’re better at this than I would have guessed.”

  Kaela rocked harder against my mouth now, rhythm deliberate, testing how much I could take. I strained to keep up, my tongue aching but desperate to please her. She rewarded me with a shudder and a hiss between her teeth, her voice breaking into little gasps.

  “Gods, look at you,” she rasped, grinding down harder, smearing herself against me. “Bound, begging, dripping… I could get addicted to this.”

  Her lips and tongue worked me mercilessly, flicking at my clit until I cried out into her. She laughed again, but the sound cracked. This was not the smug, mocking Kaela I was used to, but one straining to hold on. I felt her thighs tremble around my head, her control fraying as her breath hitched against my cunt. I arched up, pushing against her mouth, and for the first time she moaned without restraint, the sound vibrating through me. She was struggling to stay focused, but soon regained composure. However, I was getting close, and she knew it.

  Kaela suddenly shifted her weight, pulling herself upright and away from me. She lifted her hips away from my mouth as well, still pinning my arms down as she leaned back against the bed frame looking down at me.

  “Not yet, Nyx,” she purred, voice straining. “You don’t get to finish before I do.”

  She turned around, untangling her legs from my arms and setting herself down on top of me, resting just past my breasts. She reached down, using one hand to keep my bound wrists pinned against the bed, and sliding the other between her legs. Her eyes fluttered for a few seconds as she fingered herself. She titled her head expectantly, and met my eyes with longing.

  “Watch me…” she ordered.

  I panted, starting to squirm against my bindings, desperate for her touch but those damn amber eyes held me as firmly as the knot. Her breath turned ragged as she continued to pump her fingers inside of herself, wetness dripping on to me with each stroke. I bucked my hips helplessly, seeking friction that wasn’t there. Kaela moaned, shamelessly riding her own hand as I watched.

  “Fuuuckkk…” she cried out, legs trembling, thigh clenching tight against me as she came hard.

  She collapsed forward, panting, pressing against me for a kiss. She let out a shaky laugh of pleasure as she tasted herself on my lips.

  “Now. Your turn.” She growled, slipping to my side finally letting me pull my still tied arms down to my chest.

  She took her still wet fingers and pressed them inside of me, mingling us together as a guttural sound fled my throat. She looped her free arm around me, pulling me firm against her as she worked. Our tits rubbed together, damp flesh bringing more sensations into play as she fingered me quicker. I was drunk with pleasure, lost in the feelings pouring over me.

  My head slammed back and my back arched, Kaela took the cue and bit into my neck firmly but not hard enough to break the skin. I barely recognized myself through the sounds I made as I bucked and quivered in her clutch. I felt a surging orgasm hit, but she didn’t stop, and it wasn’t long before a second rippled through me. My legs convulsed as I moaned, letting go of every bit of tension in my entire body.

  “Good girl, Nyx.” She purred.

  She withdrew her hand slowly, pausing as tremors still rocked my loins. She licked at her fingers once she pulled them free, but then leaned in planting soft tender kisses against my temple as I panted. She propped me up against her chest as we sat up, so she could gently unbind my wrists, gently massaging the area to ensure proper blood-flow. My mind reeled, I couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

  “There, easy. Breathe with me.” She whispered, guiding me through catching my breath.

  I started to say something, but she shushed me with a finger to my lips. No smirk. Just a quiet, steady hush.

  “Wait here for a moment.” She said, another gentle kiss to my forehead as she slipped out of the bed.

  I watched in total awe as she left the room. She returned with water and fresh bandages. The sound of the seal cracking startled me more than it should have. She drank, then pressed the bottle into my shaking hands before kneeling to peel away the soaked bandage on my thigh. She quickly redressed the wound, leaving it feeling secured much better than I had managed before. Her touch was gentle, efficient — like I was fragile. Like I mattered.

  She curled back up into the bed with me as I finished the water, and tugged the blanket over us as we laid down. She stroked my hair until my body slackened against hers. Fingers twined with mine, her warmth seeping into me. I realized I wanted to cry. The sex was one thing — this was something else entirely. I’d let all of this slip away from me so fast.

  I kept my eyes open in the dark, fear and frustration simmering under my skin as I waited for her breathing to even out. When it finally did, relief never came. I wanted to run. But I needed sleep, so I set a silent alarm on my internal system — one that wouldn’t wake her — and promised myself I’d be gone before morning.