Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Raven

Arenk had been a breeze to persuade, but Raven had her doubts about Lyka. It was too risky to try and extract information from the guys. Lyka, however, was the perfect candidate.

In her line of work, she must have crossed paths with someone who had access to a ship, or even better, knew how to get to one.

A part of Raven wished he would reject her proposal. But that was just wishful thinking. Escape was the priority, regardless of her feelings. She had to get out and find Tori. She had already wasted too much time.

She could feel herself getting too comfortable. She felt something even worse creeping up on her.

Raven looked at herself in the mirror and took a deep breath. It was time to clear her mind and conceal her intentions. She had only one chance to win Lyka over; the smallest mistake could ruin everything.

“I am an empty vessel, ready to achieve my goal, no matter the cost,” Raven whispered, feeling the hairs on her arms stand on end.

Memories of her training came rushing back, reminding her of the lessons she had learned and the sacrifices she had made. That’s right. She couldn’t stop now. If she did, everything else would have been in vain.

The loud bang of the front door snapped her back to reality. She heard soft, muffled voices. Raven slowly opened the bathroom door.

“So, you finally decided to call,” Lyka said, wrapping her arms around Arenk’s neck.

Lyka’s smile vanished as soon as she saw Raven. She shot Arenk a glare and started to head for the door. Raven was quicker and blocked her way.

“Stay awhile. Let’s have a drink,” Raven suggested.

“I’m not thirsty anymore. Have a good night,” Lyka replied, trying to sidestep her.

“Wait, just hear me out. If you don’t like what I have to say, you can leave. But at least give me a chance to say it,” Raven pleaded, blocking her path once again.

Lyka rolled her eyes and sighed. Raven still wasn’t sure what to say, and she only had a few seconds to figure it out before her last hope walked out the door.

“I was jealous, but before that, when I first saw you, my—my breath hitched.”

Lyka reached for the door handle.

Raven felt a wave of panic, then noticed Lyka fiddling with the fabric of her top, just like she had done that night at the restaurant.

“You play with your clothes when you’re nervous.”

Lyka froze, and Raven leaned against the door, closing it.

“But you’re always so composed and unhurried. So you took your time that day, pulled yourself together—so strong—and then those captivating eyes.”

“What’s your point?” Lyka whispered.

“I only have Arenk and a few others on this entire planet. Like you, I don’t want to lose him. So let’s join forces,” Raven suggested, taking Lyka’s hand off the doorknob and holding it in hers.

Lyka looked up, and Raven guided her back to the bed until she sat down.

“We both want the same thing. Let’s work together and find whatever happiness we can,” Raven said, taking Arenk’s hand and joining it with Lyka’s.

Arenk and Lyka just stared at each other. At this rate, they would be there all night. Raven made a finger gun and nudged Arenk in the side, signaling for him to make the first move.

They fell onto the bed, and nature took its course. Raven took a seat at the table.

She watched them and wondered if Arenk had looked that happy when they were together. Her skin prickled as he caressed Lyka. Raven wanted nothing more than to tear the woman’s vocal cords out.

If Lyka made one more whimpering sound, Raven might just act on that impulse. She grabbed the bottle from the table and started to drink quickly. Raven was losing focus, and she was too close to sealing the deal.

She needed to clear her mind. She had never struggled this much before.

“You’re not supposed to be drinking,” Arenk said, setting the bottle on the table. “If you’re thirsty, I have something else you can drink.”

He pulled her up from the chair and gave her that familiar heated look. She practically melted in his arms. Arenk led her over to the bed and gave her a gentle push. Raven fell onto the bed.

Before she had a chance to recover, Arenk was on top of her, kissing her. From the corner of her eye, she saw Lyka’s expression change to one of sadness.

Raven reached over and stroked her thigh. Lyka tensed at her touch, but Raven continued to caress her gently. Soon, Lyka relaxed. Raven pushed Arenk off and crawled over to her.

If her plan was going to work, she had to make Lyka comfortable and draw her into the desire. This wasn’t her first time with a woman, but it was the first time under these circumstances.

Hovering near Lyka, Raven took her time and studied her. She brushed some stray hairs from her face and leaned in. Lyka looked at her with wide, innocent eyes.

The softness and vulnerability ignited something in Raven, and she pressed her lips to Lyka’s. After a moment, Lyka responded with equal fervor.

From behind, she could smell a slightly burnt vanilla scent that transformed into a vibrant, crisp smell.

Raven leaned forward and guided Lyka onto her back. Working her way down, she kissed and licked her skin as she pulled Lyka’s shirt down. Lyka’s little skirt was easier to move.

Raven slid her fingers along Lyka’s slit and found she was ready.

“If I’m not careful, I could drown,” Raven said with a smile.

“Were you always this dirty, or have you picked up bad habits from Laro?” Lyka asked, her breathing quickening as she tried to close her legs.

Raven placed her shoulders in the way, stopping Lyka’s attempt. Raven removed her translator.

“All me, but you haven’t seen dirty yet,” Raven said in their language, tasting her.

To her surprise, Lyka tasted like cake. She felt the liquor taking over, and her eyes rolled back as she licked Lyka’s pearl. Lyka reached out, and Arenk was there to catch her hand.

Lyka was strong, but Raven was able to keep her legs open.

“You’re worse than Laro,” Lyka moaned.

Arenk’s voice was low and teasing. “I have to agree,” he said, his tip pressing against Raven’s entrance.

Raven had chosen a skirt for this very reason, with nothing underneath to hinder him. He was so hot, so hard. She pushed her ass out to meet him, but instead of the expected penetration, she received a sharp slap.

“Such impatience. That’s Laro’s influence, no doubt,” Arenk commented.

“Definitely a pervert,” Lyka added.

Raven’s chuckle vibrated against Lyka’s clit, causing her to jerk in response. As Lyka’s pearl hardened under her tongue, Raven slipped a finger inside. Lyka’s legs began to shake. Raven delved deeper, seeking out the spongy center.

She found it, curving her fingers to hit the spot. Lyka writhed under her touch. Suddenly, Arenk surged forward, causing Raven to cry out, her mouth still wrapped around Lyka’s sensitive button.

The cry sent vibrations through Lyka’s body, causing her to buck. Raven rode the wave, rewarded with Lyka’s sweet release.

Suddenly, a tight grip on her hair had her flipped onto her back. Arenk had positioned her on top of Lyka. She locked eyes with Arenk, his gaze heated.

“You two are having too much fun,” he said, his voice a low growl.

“Seems like he thinks he’s the only one allowed to enjoy himself,” Raven retorted.

“He does, doesn’t he?” Lyka chimed in.

Their teasing was met with a swift punishment. Arenk took turns thrusting into them with force. The room filled with the sounds of their moans and the squeaking of the bed. Raven could feel Arenk shaking as his thrusts became less controlled.

His final, choppy strokes were inside Lyka, and then he was sitting back on his heels. Raven rolled off Lyka, her eyes beginning to close, when a hand wrapped around her ankle.

Arenk pulled her towards him, still hard. “I’ve still got energy,” he said, sinking deep into her.

He held her tight, giving her everything he had. Raven struggled to catch her breath, her vision starting to blur. His pace quickened, her nails digging into his sides.

“You’re going to leave marks,” Arenk groaned as he filled her.

Raven glanced over to see Lyka passed out. Arenk pulled her close, and everything went dark. When she opened her eyes again, the room was dark. The three of them were tangled together in the bed.

Slipping from Arenk’s grip, Raven walked over to the balcony. The night air was colder than usual. The two moons were out, as beautiful as ever.

Her thoughts drifted to her sister. Was she okay? Was she waiting for Raven to save her? Tears began to flow before she could stop them.

“I knew you weren’t okay with it either,” Lyka said, joining her at the railing.

Raven wiped her face. “It is what it is. I have other things to worry about.”

“Worried? You have over half of the upper ranks drooling over you, Blade Dancer,” Lyka scoffed.

Raven scoffed in return. “You mean General Hokji who wants to dissect me or the others who want to experiment on me or fuck me?”

“If you can keep the attention of any of the generals, you could have more freedom, even travel outside the city to other countries,” Lyka said, a smile playing on her lips.

“Vehicle trips make me sick,” Raven said.

“If you’re as special as everyone says, I’m sure they’d fly you wherever you want. Being favored comes with privileges,” Lyka said.

“So all the generals have ships to whisk their women around as they please?” Raven clenched her fists. “I’d rather be free to do what I want.”

Lyka’s playful expression turned serious. “And you think we chose this? At least you had a taste of freedom, to be your own person with wants and dreams. I’ll never have that, and neither will you again.”

“If you could choose, what would you do?” Raven asked.

“Archaeologist,” Lyka said, before walking off.

After the front door closed, Raven smiled. She had an idea of how to get to a ship. Two, in fact. It was a risky gamble, but she was ready to take the bet.