Alone at Last
Vi barely had time to process what was happening before she was pulled through the crowd, Sevika leading her with deliberate force. The noise of the party faded into the background—the laughter, the moans, and the clinking of glasses all became a dull hum as they moved toward the private hallways.
The corridor was dimly lit, the warm glow of sconces casting elongated shadows against the walls. The sound of Sevika’s boots against the floor echoed with purpose, each step a promise of what was to come. Vi’s footsteps faltered slightly, but she forced herself to match Sevika’s pace, her pulse quickening with each step.
“There’s no backing out now,” Sevika murmured without looking back, her voice sharp and commanding.
Vi clenched her teeth. Her wrist still burned from Sevika’s grip, but she didn’t resist. Not yet.
She told herself this was all part of the plan. To get Sevika alone, away from prying eyes. To get answers. To get revenge.
The hallway stretched until they reached a door at the end, unmarked but meant for someone with Sevika’s level of influence. Sevika pushed it open, with one hand pulling Vi inside with her before snapping it shut behind them.
The room was intimate and sleek, a stark contrast to the chaos of the masquerade outside. A single warm lamp illuminated the space, casting a soft glow over the plush bed at its center. One wall was lined with shelves holding obscene implements: bindings, whips, and toys that made Vi’s stomach twist in a way she couldn’t fully name.
Sevika let go of Vi’s wrist, and the sudden absence of her grip left Vi strangely unbalanced. The older woman leaned against the door momentarily her piercing gaze locked onto Vi as though assessing her every move.
The tension was suffocating, the air heavy with unspoken promises.
Sevika crossed the room with a slow, deliberate stride, her leather-clad figure moving like a predator stalking prey. She sat on the edge of the bed, spreading her stance as she leaned back slightly, her mechanical arm resting on the mattress with a faint hiss of released air. Her voice, when it came, was low and commanding.
“Come to me,” she said simply.
Vi’s breath hitched. There was a dangerous power in Sevika’s calm, in the way she watched Vi with quiet intensity. It wasn’t fear that made her hesitate. It was the pull of the unspoken challenge between them.
But then Vi stepped forward, her movements slow as she closed the distance. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing louder in her ears as she stood between Sevika’s knees.
A wicked smile tugged at Sevika’s lips as she reached up, her fingers brushing against the edge of Vi’s mask.
“You’ve got guts,” Sevika murmured. “But let’s see what’s underneath this mask, little—”
She didn’t get the chance to finish.
Vi moved without thinking, slamming her forehead into Sevika’s face.
Their collision was a sharp crack that echoed through the room. Sevika’s head snapped back, and a grunt of pain escaped her lips as blood trickled from her nose. But the momentary shock in her eyes quickly gave way to something far more dangerous: thrill.
“Oops,” Vi muttered, her smirk bold and wicked as she stared down at Sevika.
Sevika laughed—a low, dangerous sound that sent a shiver down Vi’s spine. “You’ve got fire,” she growled, wiping the blood from her nose with the back of her hand. “I like that.”
Ievika’s mechanical arm lashed out, in a blur of motion catching Vi square in the chest and sending her stumbling back and ultimately to the ground. The impact stole the air from her lungs, but the adrenaline coursing through her veins meant she was back up in the next second but so was Sevika.
The game was on.
Vi lunged, feinting left before delivering a sharp kick to Sevika’s side. The older woman grunted but didn’t falter, her organic hand snapping out to grab Vi’s wrist and twist it behind her back.
“You’re gonna have to do better than that,” Sevika taunted, her voice a low rumble as she leaned in close.
Vi growled, slamming her heel into Sevika’s shin and twisting free. She spun, delivering a sharp elbow to Sevika’s ribs before darting out of reach.
Sevika’s laughter bubbled up again, darker this time. “Keep going, little wolf. Let’s see how long you can last.”
The room became their battlefield, the tension between them crackling like electricity. Each clash of their bodies was a mix of raw violence and something far more primal. Sevika’s strength was overwhelming; her strikes were precise and unrelenting, but Vi’s speed kept her one step ahead, and her movements were fueled by defiance and adrenaline.
Sevika finally caught Vi, slamming her into the wall with enough force to make the wood creak. Her mechanical arm pinned Vi’s wrists above her head as her organic hand gripped Vi’s jaw, forcing her to meet her gaze.
“You’re mine now,” Sevika murmured, her voice a low growl. “And you’re going to regret testing me.”
Vi’s lips curled into a defiant smirk, her voice coming out breathless but taunting. “Not if I make you regret it first.”
Sevika’s grin widened, her gray eyes glinting with dangerous amusement. “Oh, I don’t think so.”
The tension between them burned hotter, the line between combat and control blurring with every passing second. The room felt charged, the air thick with the promise of what would come.
And for the first time, Vi wasn’t sure she would win. A part of her didn't want to.
She made that part shut up. She squirmed in Sevika’s iron grip, her body twisting and jerking in a desperate attempt to break free. Her breath came in sharp gasps, her muscles straining against the unyielding force of the mechanical arm holding her in place.
When struggling didn’t work, she resorted to raw instinct. Her leg shot out in a wild kick, aiming for Sevika’s side, her movements fueled by desperation and defiance.
Sevika anticipated it. With a sharp tut, her organic hand caught Vi’s leg mid-swing, forcing it down with an almost casual ease. “Tsk, tsk,” Sevika muttered, her voice low and chiding. “You’ll have to do better than that, little wolf.”
Before Vi could try again, Sevika shifted her grip. Her mechanical arm raised Vi higher until her feet dangled uselessly above the ground. Her body weight made her arms burn, the hard metal biting into her skin.
Sevika leaned in, pressing her lower body firmly against Vi’s hips to pin her even further. The contact was deliberate and calculated. “Let’s not make this harder than it has to be,” Sevika murmured, her breath warm against Vi’s ear. Her voice was low and taunting, each word dripping with cruel amusement.
Vi froze for half a second, her mind racing. The unyielding strength of Sevika’s body against hers, the heat of their proximity—it sent a wave of frustration and humiliation coursing through her. Her teeth clenched as she glared down at Sevika, her lips curling into a snarl.
“You think this is going to stop me?” Vi spat, her voice trembling with both fury and defiance.
Sevika’s grin widened, her gray eyes glinting with dangerous amusement. “No,” she purred, her tone mocking. “But it’s a good start.” Then she reached up and removed the mask. She wanted to see the face of this woman. She still had every intention of bedding her, even if the woman had attacked her. It would just make breaking her more fun.
Sevika froze, her mechanical arm still gripping Vi’s wrist, her gray eyes widening as she took in the sight before her. For a moment, neither of them moved.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Sevika murmured, her voice low and almost reverent. Excitement sparked in her eyes as a slow, wicked grin spread across her face, “Violet.”
Vi’s heart pounded in her chest as she tried to pull away, but Sevika’s grip tightened.
“I thought you were dead,” Sevika continued, her tone shifting to something darker, more amused. “You always did have a knack for surviving, didn’t you? Like a goddamn roach.”
Vi glared at her, her fists clenching despite the ache in her body. “Let me go.”
Sevika chuckled, leaning in closer. “And miss this reunion? Not a chance.” Her gaze swept over Vi, sharp and appraising. “You’ve grown, little wolf. Stronger. But not strong enough.”
Vi twisted sharply, breaking Sevika’s grip on her wrist, but Sevika was faster. Her mechanical arm shot out again, catching Vi by the throat and repinning her against the wall.
“Easy,” Sevika murmured as she leaned in. “Don’t tire yourself out just yet. We have a long night ahead of us.”
Vi clawed at the metal arm, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Her vision blurred at the edges, but she refused to give up. She brought her knee up sharply, aiming for Sevika’s stomach.
Sevika caught it with her organic hand, holding it in place with a smirk. “Nice try,” she said, her voice low and mocking.
Right when Vi thought she would pass out, Sevika let go. If it weren’t for the woman in front of her, she would’ve fallen to her knees but instead, her organic hand shot out and pressed her shoulder against the wall.
Sevika loomed over her, her gray eyes glinting with triumph. “I win.” She smiled as she looked Vi over again.
Finally, Sevika stepped back, towering over Vi as she crossed her arms, her smirk never faltering. “You’re strong,” she said simply. “Reckless, sure, but I can work with that.”
Vi hand found her own throat, cradling it, her gaze wary. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I need an… assistant,” Sevika said, her tone casual but deliberate. “Someone who can handle the dirty work. And someone who can take orders.”
Vi scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You think I’d work for you? After what you’ve done?”
Sevika’s grin widened. “You think you have a choice? Silco’s always looking for new talent, and I have a good eye for it. Stick with me, and you’ll work alongside the big players. Silco, me…” Her voice dropped slightly, her grin turning cruel. “And your sister.”
Vi froze, her fists clenching at her sides. “Powder?” she asked. Her voice was a mix of shock and excitement. That meant she was still alive, but that she was with Silco. She needed to get her little sister away from him as soon as possible.
Sevika’s expression shifted, her amusement replaced with something sharper, colder. “Powder is dead,” she said simply. “Your sister is still alive, but she's not exactly thriving. The little fucker reminds me of a roach.”
Vi was confused. Powder was dead but her sister was alive? That made no sense, Powder was her sister and her sister was Powder. So how could she be both dead and alive at the same time?
Sevika tilted her head, she could tell that Vi was confused but she didn't care. "Look," she said. “If you want to see your sister again, you’ll take the job.”
Vi’s jaw tightened as she met Sevika’s gaze, anger and determination burning in her eyes. She hated Sevika, and everything she represented, but she couldn’t ignore the chance to get closer to her sister.
“Fine,” Vi finally said, “But I’m not gonna be at your beck and call like some sort of lapdog. ”
Sevika smirked, stepping closer. “Yes you are, little wolf,” she said softly, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “Don't worry, you’ll learn to enjoy it.”
Vi’s heart pounded as she stared up at Sevika. She wanted to say something snarky back, but what was she supposed to say to that? Nuh-uh? That would only fuel Sevika. So instead, she just rolled her eyes and huffed.
Sevika had won their little game, for now.