Page 15 of Tyton: The Spider and the Dragonfly (Tyton #1)

C

allie stood in front of her bathroom mirror, Sparx jacked into her Opti so she could see what Callie saw.

“You’re gorgeous. You know that, right?”

“This is the third time you’ve said that. Stop fawning and help me fix my hair.” Callie fussed with the longer strands on top.

“Pixie. It’s classic butchy-femme, but not too femme. It also works with your…utilitarian style.”

Callie pulled on a fashionably torn grey tank – band merch from an electropunk group that hadn’t put out anything in decades.

The colour brought out her eyes and she hoped her re-dyed ash-blonde hair, cut short, might give her a bratty ice-queen punk vibe.

More like ice-princess too scared to ask for extra soy sauce , she thought.

“Fine, send it over.”

Sparx sent the specs over to her clippers while she threw on a plastic cape. The clippers did a quick scan of her head and then whirred to life.

“Anything else?” Callie flapped her arms. Who was she fooling? She wasn’t ready to go on an actual date.

“You’re gorgeo…” Callie cut the call when her door chirruped at her. Talia was here.

Callie opened the door to reveal the tall, thin woman in a tailored black suit.

She leaned rakishly against the wall. The slacks draped over her slight hips, paired with an unfastened blazer.

The sleeves rolled up to show off her forearms. A single raised vein snaked down toward her fingers and Callie had to stop herself from staring.

“No spikes this time?” she teased, giving herself a moment to recuperate. “I thought we weren’t going anywhere fancy.”

“Only on my head.” Talia pointed to her bright red hair, a mussed-up row of longer hair, poking in all directions that travelled from her forehead to her rat tail at the back, somewhat shorter at the sides.

The effect would be ridiculous on anyone else, but she wore it with such confidence that it would probably be next year’s trend.

“And I like attention. You should have guessed that about me by now.”

Callie stepped out into the hallway and into the aura of Talia’s scent. Artificial peach, with the subtones of gear oil. Strange, but so was Talia. Callie had been expecting something more brash or ostentatious, but this felt so innocent.

“Where to?” Callie asked, stuffing her hands in her pockets.

Talia saw through it and offered her elbow. It was a cheeky move, but Callie took it anyway, slipping her hand along her slight, but surprisingly firm bicep. Her doubts about this date started to fade. Part of her wanted this to work.

“Let’s go get a drink first,” Talia suggested.

“Ask me anything you want. I know you’re probably freaked out about the Adlets.

I don’t want you to be too afraid of me,” she teased.

“Though,” she leaned close to whisper against Callie’s ear, “a little fear can be fun, if you’re into that.

” Talia winked and sucked at her bottom lip.

A hot rush bloomed below her navel. She should be annoyed at how forward Talia acted, but couldn’t help but feel charmed.

The pair stepped out into the cool air, biting at the bare skin of Callie’s arms before their Thermabulles hummed to life. “C’mon.” Talia jerked her head toward The Cars. “I know a place we can sit for a bit before we hit the club.”

Talia sauntered through the refuse and graffiti-covered corrugated aluminium, sporting Callie like a prize.

Callie’s stomach fluttered, a jolt of giddiness skittering up her spine at being shown off.

Talia jerked her head toward several people Callie had never noticed before.

They must also be Adlets. Then she saw Mike.

Callie blanched and Mike’s eyes jumped between her and Talia. “Evening Mike.” Talia grinned. “How’s the wife?”

Mike grit his teeth and shuffled. Callie could see that Mike wanted to tell Talia to fuck off but knew it would mean the loss of a body part. Possibly two.

Talia pulled out a stool for Callie and then sat herself. Was this a genteel gesture or a power move? Callie found herself falling for it either way. Talia ordered two shots.

“I’m guessing by his expression that you know Mike?” Talia leaned on the counter and propped her head in her hand.

Callie flicked her eyes toward Mike, who was glaring. “Looks like he’s not a fan of yours.”

Talia lowered her head and chuckled. “Is that right?” she called out. “You’re not a fan, Mike?” Mike grunted and busied himself making drinks.

“See, Mike here,” she continued, “doesn’t like us because of his ex-wife.”

“That bi…” Mike started before he got cut off.

“Careful, Mike.” Talia narrowed her eyes. Callie noticed several Adlets in the area perk up. “Callie here might not know why we have to make you pay for your daughter’s therapy bills.”

Mike glowered, but didn’t retaliate.

“You might not know him as well as you thought.” Talia side-eyed Mike as he placed the alcohol on the counter. Talia lifted hers up and downed it. “It’s okay. Guys like Mike are good at hiding those parts of themselves from everyone else.”

Callie did the same, but didn’t respond.

“Go ahead and ask. I can tell you want to.”

Callie fingered the rim of her shot glass, thinking. “Do I want to know about Mike?”

Talia shook her head and sighed. “You do not.”

“So, do you think you’re like, the good guys then?

“No,” Talia drew it out a bit longer than necessary as she thought. “The only thing we’re good at is using violence to solve problems. Sometimes that’s a good thing, I guess.”

“It pays well?”

Talia smirked. “My flat is identical to yours.”

“What about that club you took me to?” Callie bounced her knee. Talia laughed.

“It’s a nice perk, I’ll give you that.” She lowered her voice. “Did you like it?”

Callie’s eyes widened. She wasn’t used to being read so easily. She couldn’t help but be honest. “I did,” she practically whispered, biting her lip before she could say more.

“Good,” Talia smiled. “We’ll go again later tonight.”

Callie was grateful for the reprieve of that later . It would give her a few more moments to compose herself so she didn’t come off as a na?ve simp. She should redirect.

“What’s this plan Sesi has? She seems to think I’m working for her now.”

“You’ll have to ask her about that.” Talia pursed her lips and stared at her shot glass before adding, “She sees the Rhea district as hers. Everyone works for her, either one-time gigs or something more regular. And she keeps the Styx and the Harpies away from here. Ask around if you want. Everyone in The Cars would rather have us than them.”

“Except for Mike?” Callie flicked her eyes to Mike who was pointedly ignoring them.

Talia breathed a dark laugh. “Mike is pissed about this one incident. He’d still rather pay us than anyone else.”

Callie slowly started to piece things together. Strange that she’d had no idea how things were run until just now. That she had just drifted along without giving a thought to how her district actually worked. And since Talia was in the mood to answer questions, she decided to take the chance.

“Sparx said you used to date Sesi.”

“Sparx has a big mouth.” Talia half rolled her eyes.

“I can agree with that.”

Talia held up two fingers and two more shots appeared. “Gonna need these if we’re going to talk about Sesi.”

“That bad?” Adorable frown lines appeared on her forehead and Talia’s expression softened.

Sesi had made her feel things she hadn’t expected, but Callie suddenly felt like she needed to protect Talia.

From what, she didn’t know, nor was she sure how long she could deal with the emotional back-and-forth.

Callie wanted to pick a good guy and a bad guy.

But things, it seemed, would never be that simple.

Talia shook her head, staring at her shot. “Nothing like that.” She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “If I’m being honest, it could have been forever, except we were both too… similar.”

“Oh.” Callie wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but it wasn’t that. Talia was showy. Flamboyant. Impulsive even. Sesi was more reserved and cooler. Sure, both of them wore an aura of confidence, but she didn’t see them as similar.

“Did you…love her?” Callie bit at her fingernail.

Talia inhaled sharply and held it. “I guess that’s what I get for telling you to ask me anything.” She chuckled with the last of her breath.

“Sorry?” Callie scrunched her face meekly.

“It’s okay. I did.” I still do, she thought. “We were pretty compatible, except for that one thing. You deserve to know.”

Callie stared at her shot, swirling it around the tiny glass.

The honesty surprised her. Talia wasn’t bashing her ex.

Would she have to worry about them getting back together?

Though if Talia thought Callie would get jealous, she would have lied, wouldn’t she?

And despite the whole Adlets issue, Callie felt like she was standing at the beginning of a runway and there were only green flags.

Like she couldn’t find a reason to hold back.

Either that, or she was colourblind. Or stupid.

When she looked back up, Talia stared at her like she was ready to pounce. “Any other questions?”

Callie had so many. “You were at Binge. What’s your kink?” Callie lifted her second shot up.

Talia nodded with a knowing grin, but didn’t say anything.

“Or do you prefer vanilla and just like to be on top?” Callie narrowed her eyes. She preferred a true Domme, but she could settle for a top for now.

“I asked you out, so I intend to be into whatever you want.” She paused to admire the effect her words had on Callie’s face. “At least for tonight.”

Callie quickly controlled herself. She turned to face Mike, but kept her eyes on Talia. “You’re telling me you can handle everything?” Even looking at Talia like this felt like a challenge. One she wouldn’t win.