Page 21 of Tyton: The Spider and the Dragonfly (Tyton #1)

T

he revelation was not something Callie was ready to process. But both Sparx and Siku had said the same thing. She had assumed that Sesi’s suggestive comments were an attempt to throw her off. Break her down, not flirt flirt.

Talia was way more obvious. Oh god, she thought. Am I one of those useless lesbian stereotypes? Callie wondered how many opportunities she had missed to move on from Brin because she simply wasn’t clueing in.

Siku opened a hatch and Callie realised she hadn’t been paying any attention whatsoever to where they had been going. Probably for the best , she thought.

Callie found the place strangely empty. There were no voices, no noises.

Only scattered bits of tech and bare Hexaline walls.

Siku turned to leave. “I’m going home. I don’t do this sort of thing.

Sesi will be along shortly.” Callie was about to ask what sort of thing but Siku had already closed the hatch.

Callie mulled about, poking at scrap she didn’t recognise. Given what she understood about how things worked around here, most of it was probably Talia’s doing. She cleared some junk off of a chair and sat. Callie hadn’t had a date go that well in a very long time.

Talia was a lot sweeter than she would have guessed.

There was someone vulnerable underneath all of that confidence.

And her role play game was amazing. Callie could easily imagine herself slipping into a comfortable existence with her.

But there was something else. Something darker and hidden that she just couldn’t dismiss.

Perhaps it was her past with the Natalists? Or being part of the Adlets?

God, she hated how easy it was for her to spiral with the worst assumptions.

Why would she get herself hung up on something so intangible?

The point of dating is to get to know someone, right?

That doesn’t happen on one date. And Talia had done an admirable job of showing her a good time on their first.

Callie felt Talia was entitled to ask for another. She couldn’t think of a good reason to say no . Not that Talia had asked yet. She was probably doing the same thing – deciding whether Callie was worth putting any more effort into.

Was she worth the effort? Callie pulled a deep breath.

She had a decent job, but probably wasn’t going any further.

A small studio flat. But that was really it.

She hadn’t gotten any DocPod work. Didn’t really keep up with trends.

She hadn’t talked with her scene friends in months, just Sparx.

No wonder she felt like she was in a rut.

She was boring. Stable, but definitely boring.

Why would anyone want anything long-term with her?

“If you had unlimited scrip, what would you do with it?” The question interrupted Callie’s moment of self-loathing.

She hadn’t even seen Sesi approach. She bore a similarly ominous stance as when Callie had first seen her, striding toward her in the snow.

Her sealskin coat, open and draping over her like a cape.

Beneath peeked a white cropped tank and a pair of BulitWeave FormFitters with a reinforced mesh layer.

Sturdy motorcycle magboots topped it off.

The only tech she wore today was a sort of fingerless glove with a round interface connector in the palm. Sesi caught her staring at it.

“PalmInter,” she said, extending her arm so Callie could get a better look at it. “Talia rigged one up so it was wearable. Low amperage, so it shouldn’t trip any sensors. We’re going to need it today.”

Callie rose from her chair. She stood taller than Sesi, but her imposing presence made Callie feel like she could crush her under those motorcycle magboots. Callie’s ears burned at the thought.

“So, what would you do with it? Sesi repeated her question.

“I – I’m not sure?”

Sesi did not bother to try and hide her smirk. “You don’t like making decisions, do you? It’s a good thing I do.”

Callie flushed.

“First thing that comes to your mind, then. No matter how frivolous.” Sesi gestured nonchalantly. “No judgement.”

The first expensive thing that came to Callie’s mind was the Lumijute. Sesi watched as Callie’s eyes flickered wide for a moment and then moved down and to the left as though she were trying to think of something else.

“The first thing,” Sesi’s voice wasn’t harsh, but it did carry the weight of a command.

“Lumijute.” Callie admitted. It felt like a confession. Like she had been caught staring at someone’s tits a little too long.

“There’s some in my office,” Sesi mentioned casually. Callie frowned. “I appreciate the honesty,” Sesi continued. “Most people say something about helping their families or communities or some altruistic bullshit. Few mean it.” Sesi flexed her fingers into a fist, stretching the glove.

“What about you?” Callie asked. “What would you do then?”

“Altruistic bullshit,” Sesi grinned, admiring Callie’s cheek. “But the Lumijute is also nice.”

“You’ve used it?” Callie blushed when she realised what she’d implied.

Sesi raised her eyebrows. Callie was afraid she had taken offense, but a wave of relief crashed over her when she saw the smile spread slowly across her face.“I have,” she replied, but she left it at that.

I’m not the one making moves here, Talia, Sesi thought, though she still sighed internally.

She should shut it down, but she didn’t want to.

I’m still keeping my promise she told herself.

She just hoped the fallout would be worth it if the worst happened.

Talia’s jealousy was legendary. Siku had once caught her moments away from blinding Amik for looking too long at Sesi.

I would have paid for a new eye was the only apology anyone got.

Besides, she should want to see Talia happy. But here she was, allowing her whatever Freckles was to flirt with her. Maybe that was the problem. No-one knew what she was to Talia. If they defined their relationship, Sesi would be able to discourage her. At least, that’s what she told herself.

Callie searched her face to see if there was anything else, but she came up empty. “How did you get it?” she tried instead, hoping to provoke Sesi into revealing more.

“What?” Sesi realised she’d been lost in thought

“The Lumijute. It’s pretty rare and stupid expensive.”

Sesi breathed a laugh. “We got it from the same place we’re going today.

” Callie raised an eyebrow. “And I’ve been informed that people will spend an absurd amount of money on sex.

It’s the only authentic experience left.

And if you’re the only one in the club with Lumijute?

Tell me you wouldn’t be fighting a dozen other subs to be tied up in it. ”

Callie pursed her lips. She couldn’t deny the second part. And it was rather unnerving how everyone seemed to know she was a submissive. “Did Talia tell you?”

“Tell me what? That you’re a sub?” Sesi tilted her head and then shook it.

“No, it’s very obvious. You know the scene too well.

It’s how you hold yourself.” Sesi gestured broadly.

“The way you flirt. Obvious to anyone picking up on it, but you don’t want to give too much away.

You don’t want Dommes to think you’re untameable.

But you also can’t help yourself. You’re drawn to power and confidence.

You don’t need to wear a collar for anyone to see that. ”

Callie realised her mouth was open. Embarrassed, she tried to gather her wits. “Next, you’re going to call me Watson and say that it was all elementary.”

Sesi laughed. “Those are some very old books. Do you like to read?”

Callie nodded.

“Just ancient detective novels, or other books?” Sesi smiled broadly, as did Callie.

“I loved the Nanoid Plague Chronicles. I must have reread it a million times,” Callie beamed.

“So wholesome!” Sesi teased.

“What? Why? What do you read?” she said, a bit more heatedly than she was intending to.

Sesi smirked with her entire face. “Come see my library sometime.”

Callie cleared her throat and rubbed her arm for a few moments before remembering that Sesi said they were going somewhere. “So, we are going to…?”

Sesi nodded as she spoke. “Yes, we. We still have to talk, but there’s one more thing we need and I’m the only one available, so you’re coming.”

Callie turned a delicious shade of pink at the innuendo.

Sesi smiled and shook her head. She wasn’t even going to deny it this time.

“You like those sorts of jokes, huh?” Sesi teased and narrowed her eyes.

“What else do you like?’ Too far, dammit, too far .

Callie went from pink to red – the same colour as the alarm bells ringing in Sesi’s head.

She was having fun, but needed to dial it back.

“What are we calling you?” Sesi changed the subject.

“What?” Callie’s face suddenly cooled.

“What are we calling you?” she repeated. “Like a code name to avoid complications later on.”

“Oh, uh, I hadn’t thought about it.” Callie stammered.

“I’m going to keep calling you Freckles then.”

Callie’s forehead formed adorable lines between her eyebrows and Sesi practically melted, but she managed to retain control of herself. “Oh. Yeah. Okay.” Callie wasn’t sure about everyone calling her that, but found she liked it a little bit too much coming from Sesi’s mouth.

“Okay then.”

Sesi moved toward the hatch. “Follow my lead,” she said, entering the tunnels. We both know that’s what you really want, she thought.

The few minutes of banter had thrown Callie off.

An hour ago, she had been debating whether Talia was girlfriend material and now she found herself wanting Sesi to show her the Lumijute.

This is not good , she thought. What if I end up throwing Talia away and Sesi doesn’t even want me? But Siku said…