MASS EFFECT ANDROMEDA: HOLLOW WORLDS
CHAPTER 18
Stupid was not the term that Torvi wanted to describe herself as she stood in the middle of "throne room" where the party was taking place. All the invited guests were mingling in separate groups, Sloane was sitting in her chair to monitor the flow of the party while her guards were stationed at various places in the room. The tiny hairs on Torvi's neck were spiked as she eyed all the bodyguards. Anxiety crept in. What if the Sloane's shindig was just a lure to gather everyone that the ruler of Kadara didn't like and have a mass execution? Following Reyes inside was not the wisest idea and her gut tightened when he abandoned her for his own personal agenda. Used was another term that popped into her mind for a description. She could just see Vetra and Drack now. Their smug faces stating, "I told you so." Naïve and manipulative were other terms that could be used to describe Ryder. "I'm such a dumbshit…," She huffed under her breath, gritting her teeth. Out of place among the mixture of angaran and exiles. She was such a pawn to whatever game that Reyes Vidal was playing. Trust was out the window. Either against Sloane or with her, Torvi had no idea at this point. One mark was already against her when she entered Kadara Port labeled as the Initiative's Pathfinder. Second mark when she defied Sloane's demand on information for Vehn's release. If the former head of Nexus security wanted to dispose of her, now was the place to do it and a public act was the scorned woman's forte. The party prohibited weapons and now everyone except Sloane's people were unarmed.
Keema, the female angaran that Reyes introduced Torvi to upon the party arrival was conversing with several of her own kind towards the far back of the room on the left-hand side. Every now and then, she would glance over at Torvi and give her a slight smile. Ryder didn't return the gesture. She barely knew the angaran and she could be in on whatever Reyes planned. Feeling like the nerd kid that always gets picked last in sports, Torvi slinked her way towards the bar that the asari from Kralla's Song was manning. She couldn't help but feel Kaetus' hawk like eyes watching her from his position at the door. He double checked all the guests that entered to make sure they were supposed to be there. Reyes was on the list, but Ryder was not. Even named as Reyes' guest, with her designation, Ryder should have been stopped, but he allowed her past. He was Sloane's right-hand turian. Did she plan on Torvi to attend or was Kaetus acting on his own accord?
Umi smirked evilly placing her hand on her hip as she recognized Ryder earlier from Kralla's Song. The last time the blue asari served her, she was with Reyes and the alien was becoming grossed out from their flirting. "Dumped already?"
"We weren't together," Torvi argued as she leaned up against the bar's counter as she waited for the asari to fill a glass for her.
"Sure," Umi teased as she filled her glass with a dark purple liquid. When Torvi cocked an eyebrow at the contents, the asari nudged the glass closer to her. "Go on. It's not poison."
"Aren't you supposed to tell me what it is?"
"Worth it."
Studying the flowing liquid as she jostled the glass lightly, Torvi downed the beverage and tasted something similar to a plum. The drink was very sweet and not burning at all. A few seconds later, she felt the alcohol kick in. Nodding her head in approval, Torvi motioned Umi to refill her glass.
"One good drink that the salarians made right," The asari explained as she obliged. "Imported straight from their ark."
"The Nexus shipped their supplies to you guys?" Ryder asked as she held the newly filled glass in her hand.
"I know someone." Umi explained. "Not telling who it is."
"You were not on the list, Pathfinder," Kaetus' voice interrupted their conversation.
Glancing back, she noticed the turian to be standing there with a stern look on his thick skull. Sloane left her chair and was nowhere in sight. Trying to remain calm, Ryder stood straighter to look up at him. "I was invited."
"Not by Sloane," Kaetus cut her off sharply.
"Yet, you let me in," She countered.
The turian moved to her right side to casually lean up against the counter as he summoned Umi to pour him a glass. "After what happened in the wilderness, I figured I owed you. It was on me."
"Oh? Defying your boss?"
"Never," The turian explained quickly. "Sloane never said you couldn't be here…she didn't think you would just show up."
"Where is she now?"
"Private business."
"You have this place well-guarded. Expecting trouble?" Ryder tossed her glance towards the standing guards.
"Can never let our guard down. The Charlatan is hitting closer. He may have agents here."
"I thought you screen everyone."
"Traitors always around." Kaetus stated matter-of-factly. He then glanced around the room. "Where's your friend?"
"Who?"
"Reyes. Where did he go?"
"I have no idea," She admitted. "He left as soon as I got here."
"I saw him leave." He paused and then downed his shot. "You have good skills…at least from what I can see out there. The Initiative doesn't care about their people. I was lucky enough to be jettisoned off the turian ark and make it to this place unscathed. You should join Sloane. I can put a good word in for you."
"No way," Torvi shook her head as she glared at him angrily. "She's a traitor. Her methods are ruthless. Protection money is not the way to help the angaran and those trying to survive."
"You weren't there during the uprising, Ryder," He turned his head to stare at her. She could distinctively see the patterns of his facial tattoo on his face plate.
"Sounds like you weren't either," She turned his argument against him. "Each story has more than one side."
Growling through his sharp teeth, Kaetus slammed his glass down. "Stay clear of Reyes, Pathfinder."
There it was again. Another caution about the man she fell for prior to leaving Earth. What was everyone's hang up on him? Reaching her breaking point, she jabbed her right pointer finger square into his armor plate. "I can handle myself. So, stay out of my shit."
He stared down at her as if he was not moved by her defense. "Sloane knows how he works. He brings in supplies to various groups on the port." His voice darkened, "Including the Collective."
Feeling like a noob, Ryder still asked, "How does she know all this?" Her voice quivered as the implications were dire. If the statement was true, Reyes was in trouble.
This stirred a chuckle from the turian. "His days are numbered, Pathfinder. Just stay clear. Sloane's starting to think you are taking his side. Coming in unannounced with him…dangerous." Jealousy flickered off his blue tongue. He looked around, before returning to their conversation. "Umi, pour her another drink. On my tab."
The action was unexpected and Torvi studied him as the bartender filled the order. "What is this?"
Sloane walked back inside the room and Torvi picked up on her stare in rage at their private chatter. Kaetus remained calm as he moved to return to his post. He paused briefly to whisper, "Meet me in the holding cell near the dock in twenty minutes."
Following him with her eyes, Torvi felt her heartbeat increase in rapid successions. Was it the alcohol or something else behind the change? Sloane continued to watch her suspiciously as she moved back to her chair. Kaetus was back at his post to man the door. His eyes never looking in her direction any longer. Pushing her empty glass aside to Umi, Torvi felt her head spinning. She was still stable enough to walk and not make an ass of herself. Reyes was still nowhere to be seen. Given the warning that Kaetus gave her, she couldn't just leave and have him go on a search party. She would find him first and give some excuse on why she needed to leave. Trying to appear as casual as she could be, she walked out of the room, never once looking at Sloane or Kaetus and the turian never spoke to her.
Nervously glancing around to make sure she wasn't being followed by Reyes or her crew, Torvi walked up the metal staircase at the docks to head to the meeting point. The black-haired smuggler was disappointed when she declined his invitation to leave the party with him to break in the bottle of whiskey that he found in Sloane's personal stash. That was his idea of making up his abandonment to her. Torvi found herself struggling with her reason behind the decline, but even she didn't buy the story she concocted off the top of her head. It seemed like a pretty good excuse when she brainstormed prior to finding Reyes going through Sloane's stuff in the storage room. At first, she was shocked by that Reyes somehow moved around the guards to get access and then anger settled in when she realized why he left her. Alcohol. Meeting Vetra to discuss the Remnant monoliths in the wilderness was pretty much accurate. How come even she didn't buy it?
"Hey, Ryder." Peebee's call to her from the top of the steps caught the Pathfinder totally by surprise.
Gasping loudly, Torvi felt her heart lurch out of her chest. "Damn it, Peebee! Don't do that."
The asari stared at her befuddled. "Wow. Okay. Jumpy, are we?"
"Just didn't expect you here," Torvi caught her breath as she worked to slow her heart rate down. "Something wrong?"
"No, just want to get back out there. How much longer are we going to stay around here? This place gives me the creeps and that is saying something from someone who jumps down gravity wells without a second thought."
The holding cell door was hundred feet away from her position. The stalling would delay her and Kaetus may just leave if she was late. Biting her lip, Torvi frantically looked down at the sales' floor. "Hey, does that angaran have rem tech?"
"Where?" Peebee leaned over the rail that overlooked the market area. Her black masked eyes desperately searching for the angaran.
"Crap. He went around the shop. Why don't you go question him? I'll meet you on the Tempest."
"Sure. Anything will help." Peebee dashed down the steps.
Seeing the asari in a frenzy, Ryder sprinted to the door and bolted inside before anyone could spot her. Her barging in was a total shock to Kaetus who was already present and the krogan guard that manned the station. Blushing, Ryder cleared her throat and straightened her posture. "I'm, uh here."
Not impressed, Kaetus pointed to the door. "I have business here. Go take a break," He beckoned the guard to leave his post. The krogan didn't hesitate in obliging to Sloane's second-in-command.
Watching the krogan leave with the door closing, trapping her now with the turian, she crossed her arms and waited for an explanation behind the purpose of the private meeting. None was given. Instead, Kaetus swiftly moved towards her, grabbing her to him with his sharp talons. His mouth hungrily sought hers as his blue tongue moved inside her mouth to taste her. Torvi suckled his tongue and caressed it with her own, which caused the turian to moan inside her mouth. After a few seconds, she broke for air and gaped at him. "Wh…what does this mean?"
"I want you, Ryder," Kaetus lapped at her neck with his tongue. "Ever since you came to the wilderness." He slowly caressed her skin up and down with his warm tongue as his talons tore at her jacket that she wore to the party. "Your skills are impressive…attractive…never seen anyone fight like you. Not even Sloane."
Throwing back her head with a moan. Torvi allowed him to continue as she panted for breath. Her fingertips caressed the bony spikes of his fringe. "I-I've never been with a turian before."
Kaetus worked his way down her breasts with his tongue as he tossed her destroyed jacket to the floor. He looked up at her with a twisted smile. "I won't be gentle." He stood back up and lifted her hips with his hands, allowing herself to wrap her legs around his bony waist. Balancing her in his arms, Kaetus moved to the empty holding cell and lowered her down on the cot. Ryder slipped off her pants and watched in anticipation as Kaetus removed his body armor and underlining garments. A naked turian was nothing like she expected and his leathery skin seemed to almost glow from the dim lighting. Moving in between her thighs, Kaetus slid his sharp talon along her inner leg, pressing against her tender skin, slightly breaking the flesh.
Quivering as she looked on, Torvi found herself asking, "Are you and Sloane…?"
"Yeah," Kaetus admitted. "Your body is nothing like hers though…." He teased her entrance with his talon making her buck her hips. "Soft…not rough."
Biting her lip to hold in her moans, she panted through clenched teeth as she felt his talon teasingly stroking her entrance creating her wetness. Then he slipped it in, spreading her, moving around in a circle motion. "Shit…!" Torvi was unable to muffle the pure pleasure and snapped her head back.
The turian didn't let up and slipped in a second talon, working them together in unison, spreading her further. "What about you and Reyes?" He looked into her face.
"We are…were…hell I don't know," Ryder panted faster as her hands desperately clung into the cot's material.
Removing his talons, Kaetus took both hands and spread her legs further, allowing his body to settle between them. She could feel his hardness pressing against her widened opening. Her body easily welcoming him in. She bucked her hips upwards naturally which caused him to slide in deeper. Groaning, Kaetus pressed in harder and began to buck his hips back, taking control over the motion once again. Holding her hands firmly down, Kaetus slammed her hips repeatedly. Breaking free from his grasp, she reached out and pulled his hips closer, bucking up against him. Kaetus moaned in pleasure from her competition as his shaft was becoming soaked with her juices.
Feeling him touching her spot, Ryder's eyes became wide and she desperately clawed once more at the rough material underneath her naked form that was used as bedding. "Fuck…fuck!" She felt her body spasming through the ecstasy until she felt his own orgasm matching hers. Kaetus leaned down and bit on her shoulder tightly to stifle in his moans. His sharp teeth biting into her skin. Feeling this, Torvi hissed loudly in pain as a burning sensation went through her body. Moments later, the turian released his jaw and his mouth lifted up revealing the puncture wounds with tiny droplets of blood dripping down from break.
He looked astonished at Ryder from their session, panting heavy. "That was…"
Leaning up, she captured his mouth once more, kissing him deeply. "Incredible," She finished the sentence. She nuzzled his forehead with hers as she felt her body trembling. Her body soaked with sweat and juices.
Glancing over at his omni, Kaetus quickly jumped off her. "Shit. I'm late getting back." He hurriedly searched for his armor. He noticed that Torvi was not moving. "Get dressed. The guard is outside waiting to get back in."
"You could stay…" Torvi cooed as she stood up and kissed his neck gently. "A private room on my ship?"
Kaetus gently touched her face with his hand. "You know I can't do that." He quickly removed his hand and continued to get dressed.
"Because of Sloane…" Torvi sighed in defeat as she grabbed her belongings, making a face at her torn jacket. She wondered if it would be silly to ask if there were any baths on the port.
"Because of a lot of things," He corrected her firmly. He stood there and waited for her to get dressed. He moved around her and grabbed the soaked bedding and tossed it down the trash chute in the room. Seeing her jacket, he snatched it and chucked it down there as well.
"Same old bullshit," Torvi grumbled as she felt used again. Literally.
Kaetus picked up on her comment and kissed her again gently. "I'll do what I can to help you out. I still owe you."
"What was this then?" Torvi playfully asked as she finished getting dressed.
"This…" He grinned as he paused. "This is on me. I was wrong about you, Ryder." He ushered her out first. Just as he expected, the krogan guard was casually leaning against the structure's wall, waiting for his clearance to enter. Peebee was nowhere to be seen.
The krogan stood back up when he noticed their exit. "I tossed your cot bedding away. Bloody from your prisoners. Try to keep it clean in there, will you?" Torvi tossed his way.
"Pfft," The guard shrugged as he walked inside.
Kaetus chuckled as he left her side, "Nice one."
The two parted ways. The turian back to Sloane's and Ryder was making a quick beeline to the Tempest, trying to avoid all eye contact. Just as she turned the corner to summon the gate to enter the path for her ship, she noticed a blue male angaran standing off to the side. He seemed to be studying a data pad, but his gaze caught hers. When her eyes locked on with his, he quickly diverted his attention and scrambled to regain his focus. He looked like the same angaran near the holding cell before her meeting with Kaetus. Coincidence or was paranoia seeking in?
