Chapter 30

Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan

Rated M for gore violence, language, and sexuality

Enjoy

Marley, 818...

Roksana peeked through the curtains to watch the street below. The Marleyan government was kind enough to confine her to a penthouse suite at one of their grand hotels. They provided clothes and food, and around the clock armed guards at the door. She desperately wished her suite had a balcony. She wishes she could open the windows. To feel the outside air. Some semblance of freedom. She gently touched the glass. It was hot. The sky was clear and the sun was shining. Roksana closed her eyes. Sudden images flashed through her mind. Her sisters' broken and burned bodies. Alaric and the Female Titan fighting on the beach. The hills erupting in flames. Roksana rubbed her forehead. Why can't I stop thinking about...? I have to stay focused...I can't break, now.

The door opened. She moved away from the window as several men entered the sitting room. Mixtures of gray and blue uniforms, and every single soldier held a rifle. At last, a tall man entered. His hands clasped behind his back. "Good afternoon, my lady. I'm Lieutenant Eren Kruger. Have a seat."

Roksana eyed the man auspiciously. Even with half his face shadowed by his officer hat, he was obviously handsome. Which wouldn't have normally intrigued her, but...there was a primal stir within her. Alaric's titan power squirmed within her. She kept her eye on the lieutenant as she made her way to the sofa, sitting on the center cushion. Lieutenant Kruger sat opposite her and set a leather case down on the coffee table. "Apologies for the delay. I will be handling your interrogation."

"Oh, good," she said with a polite smile. "I was beginning to think you forgot about me."

"You'll have to forgive us," he said as he opened the case. "But we are in the middle of a war."

She only nodded. Roksana glanced around the room, counting the number of soldiers. None of them stirred the titan power within her. She ignored their looks of disgust and fear. Lieutenant Kruger summoned an officer forward, and handed him a notepad and pen. The officer situated himself behind the couch, ready to take notes. "Now," Kruger began, "can you tell me what happened the day at the beach? The day of the battle?"

"Battle?" Her smiled faltered. "There was no battle, sir. It was a massacre."

"Is there a difference in your opinion?"

"Of course there is." Roksana leaned back, crossing her legs. "In a battle, two forces fight one another. You deliberately slaughtered hundreds of innocent civilians. Women, children...yes, Captain. There is a difference. One that you should be familiar with given your country's history."

The corner of Kruger's mouth twitched. He rubbed the corner of his mouth as he thought. "And yet...you came out of it alive. How'd that happen?"

Roksana sighed, turning her gaze away in boredom. "You've read Captain Dormer's reports, have you not? Half a dozen soldiers saw what I did on the beach. I'm not sure what else there is to tell."

"Reports are one thing. It's better to get the whole story first-hand. Especially considering the report detailed you summoning a storm during the trip here."

She snorted. Her own attitude surprised her. She had fully intended to maintain a demeanor of nobility and confidence over the leverage she held. But being near this man. That primal stir made her want to study him. To lay him out on a table and see what was within. To peer into the depths of his cold eyes. But why? she wondered. What's so special about this man?

"What else did the report say?" she asked with a smirk.

Kruger was not amused. He reached into the case and pulled out a leather bundle. "Do you know why you're here, Lady Ivera? Instead of an cell amongst our other prisoners?"

"Honestly, I'm surprised I'm not in a cell," she confessed. "I've heard the stories of you Marley PS. Refugees like to talk about the oppressive monsters who replaced the old ones."

"I admire your courage. I really do." He set the leather bundle down, untying it before unrolling it. "And you're right. This is unorthodox. I'm used to interrogating Eldians, not Anscarids. I know how they work. I know how to get them to talk. How to take my time to get the whole truth."

Roksana glanced down at the tools. She leaned forward, inspecting them. She didn't doubt his sincerity. The tools were clean and shiny, reflecting the chandelier light in their silver curves. With a snort, she slouched against the back cushion. "I'm underwhelmed."

"You think I'm bluffing?"

"No. I don't doubt your capabilities, Lieutenant." She flicked her gaze to his, searching his dark gray eyes. "But you clearly know nothing about Anscarids. It takes a lot more than this to make us scream."

A hint of smile appeared on his lips. "It's true that we're more familiar with Eldians, but this war has actually expanded our knowledge of our enemies. Anscarids, for example...your people specializes in stealth warfare. Particularly at night."

"It's smart, isn't it? Attack while your enemy sleeps. Use the cover of night for infiltration missions...?" She unfolded her arms and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her lap. "I'm curious, though. Does the Marley PS participate in military excursions? I thought your specialty was herding Eldians."

"All MPS start out as enlisted men. And my job entails more than just herding."

"Clearly." She tilted her head as she studied him further, eyeing him from head to toe. "Tell me...why did your superiors select you for this job?"

"Luck of the draw."

"And you've been doing this job for how long?"

Kruger frowned. "Let's stay focused. You're here because you stole one of our weapons and you're of political value. I'm here to determine the method you used to capture a titan power. Is there some sort of Anscarid secret? Have you been studying titans in secret?"

Roksana thought over his questions, and her own memories of that day. "When I was standing on that beach, surrounded by the burned bodies of my people, the smell of their charred flesh filling the summer air...I made a choice. A choice to risk everything. You've killed my family, destroyed my home...I've surrendered my freedom, my future, my life..." her voice trailed off as she touched the black mark on her arm.

"And what choice was that?"

"Is there nothing you wouldn't do for your country?" she challenged. "I'm fully aware of my situation, Lieutenant. I understand my comfort is a courtesy. I'm prepared for some pain and terror. Because...contrary to your belief, I'm actually here to negotiate."

"Negotiate?" he echoed. "You're no position to do such a thing. You're deep within enemy territory, and there's nothing stopping us from tearing you apart."

"Oh? You think it'll be that easy to take this titan power back?" She pushed her sleeve farther up her arm to properly display the black mark. "Cut if off, if you will. Kill me, torture me, do whatever that's in your imagination...but it won't work. Not of it will."

"And why's that?"

She reached over and picked out a pair of pliers. The soldiers instantly grew tense, their hands hovering over their rifles. Roksana twirled the pliers in her hand. "You're used to sheep. And you're used to the power you have over them. Like wolves picking off the herd one-by-one."

Lieutenant Kruger seemed unfazed. "So what are you? Sheep or wolf?"

"A crocodile." She held out the pliers. "Ask your questions, Lieutenant. Let's see who bites first."

The interrogations were often long and tiresome. For days, Lieutenant Kruger would visit my room. He'd ask me the same questions over and over and over and over again. Always presenting the tools as a threat. But never actually using them.

I kept my plan fresh in my mind. I would wear them down. I would ensure an end to the pointless war.

But every time Kruger stepped into the room...my plan fell to pieces. I don't know if it was because of Alaric's titan power. It burned within me, spurning me to feel things I'd never quite felt before. I wanted reach within Kruger's mind. It was obvious he held secrets. Dark secrets different from most men. I wanted to know each one intimately.

Roksana paced about the room randomly. She barely registered Kruger's questions. Her mind throbbed from the heat within her core. Her insides ached from the titan power coiled around her middle. A vibration of energy that dared her to act on the instincts it built. It was driving her insane. She could barely eat or sleep. She hadn't even dressed for the day. Still wearing her sleeping gown and velvet robe. Her hair was falling loose from the braid she had done it up in 3 days ago. The officer jotting down notes for the day suddenly stepped into her path. "Lady Ivera, answer the Lieutenant's question."

She narrowed her eyes at the young man. He couldn't have been that much older than her. She peered into his dark brown eyes. His mind was easy. Practically an open book. "I have a question for you, Henrik," she declared. "Have you told the Lieutenant what you like to do with the dead? The ones that don't survive the interrogations?"

Henrik's face paled. He instinctively took a step back, and Roksana took a step towards him. "Have you told anybody what you like to do with the bodies? How beautiful you think they look in the firelight of the incinerator? Covered in sticky, hot blood? Dead eyes and legs wide open-"

"Lady Ivera, that's enough," Kruger snapped. "Henrik, you can go."

Henrik gave Kruger a shaky salute and turned towards the door. He shot Roksana a terrified glare before leaving the room, nearly slamming the door in his escape. She snorted and marched over to bar cart. "Despicable. Is it a requirement to possess a sickness to join the MPS?"

Kruger watched her pour a glass of whiskey. She downed it quickly then poured herself another. "This may be the last time we speak again. At least in this setting."

"Are you tired of me already?" she teased. She sipped the sharp whiskey as she strolled past him. He caught her arm, his hand encompassing her bicep completely. Roksana gazed up at him, surprised by his touch. "I guess not."

"I have been respectful of your status and your political value, but my superiors are getting impatient," he explained. "You've hardly answered my questions. I will be expected to follow through on my promise."

"And you'd like that, wouldn't you?" she asked quietly. "To strap me to a wooden chair and cut off my fingers? Every day you dangle that threat over me, and every day you leave with it. It's kinda hard to believe you'd actually do it."

She wiggled her arm free and continued on to the elegant dining table. She kicked the chair around and plopped down, rubbing her forehead. The throbbing was getting worse. She desperately wanted it to stop. "When we first met, I offered you two ways to handle this," Kruger said. "The polite way has failed...and I won't have to care that you're lady. I will drag you down to the interrogation rooms, and you will answer my questions whether you want to or not."

Roksana smiled despite his seriousness. She raised her glass, looking into the amber liquid. Guess I've got nothing to lose. "Tell me about Siegen. Then...maybe I'll answer your questions."

"What did you say?"

"Siegen," she repeated, taking another sip.

Kruger clenched his fists. He turned to the soldiers. "Wait outside," he ordered. "Now."

The men blinked in surprise, but obeyed. They shuffled out of the suite in single file, and closed the door softly. Lieutenant Kruger turned his gaze back to Roksana. He walked up behind her. "What do you know about Siegen?"

"Nothing much," she admitted. "It's a place that...means a lot to you for some reason. A place of comfort...and pain. You dream about it often."

He grabbed the armrest of the chair and spun it so that she was facing him. Roksana nearly spilled her glass. She looked up at him in confusion, ignoring the anger in his eyes. "Tell me right now. How do you know about Siegen?"

"I told you...you know nothing about Anscarids," she replied, unfazed by his furious glare. "When I look at you, I can see a great many things."

"So you're a witch." He stood up straight. He stepped back and turned away, shaking his head as he took off his hat to rub his face.

"Call me that if it makes it easier for you to understand." Roksana stood up and leaned against the table, holding onto the edge as she crossed her ankles. "You dream of Siegen often. I'm guessing it was your home...? You had a happy childhood. Loving parents. Annoying siblings."

"Shut up," he warned.

"But your dream always ends the same doesn't it?" she continued. "You're surrounded by darkness. A sliver of light...as if you're looking through a crack in a doorway. Your heart races and you beg yourself not to look, but you always do, don't you? And you see-"

"I said shut up."

"-your family...burning alive on the floor of your home."

Kruger whirled around and lunged. He latched onto robe and gown, bundling the fabric in his fists as he pressed her against the table. "I said...shut the fuck up."

Roksana held onto his wrists, searching through his anger as she stared into his eyes. His fists pressing into her neck did not bother her. "Why did your family burn? There's so much rage inside of you. So much guilt. Why?"

"You don't know me," he seethed. "You don't know what I've done.

"Then show me," she whispered. She reached up, tentatively touching his cheek. "Tell me why your heart breaks every time you torture an Eldian. Tell me why their screams haunt you."

Kruger let go and brushed her hand away. But he did not back away as he frowned down at her, shaking his head. "What're you doing?"

"The titan power inside of me...it yearns for a proper host. And maybe it's because of it that I want to know you." She grabbed onto the edge of the table and lifted herself up to sit atop it. Shortening the height difference between them a little. "When you're near, it burns me to peer into your mind. What makes you so special?"

He shook his head. "What? I don't..."

"I know that you've experienced horror. You've dealt out pain and death to hundreds of Eldians. You've dedicated your life to the preservation of Marley, and yet..." she grabbed onto his belt to pull him closer "...you hate them."

Kruger did not resist. She opened her legs, bringing him closer and closer. He glanced down at the lack of space between them. His head felt fuzzy from the mix of emotions. Her intimate words, her exotic beauty...he knew he should recoil. The seduction was obvious, but he found himself paralyzed. Her hand hung on his belt, her fingers curling inside. "Don't be surprised," she said. "I know what you think of me. I know what thoughts have begun to sprout in your mind when you look at me."

He felt a surge of control, and placed his hand on hers. "How do I know you didn't put them there?"

Roksana smiled up at him. She slipped her hand free and pulled her gown up, exposing her thighs. Kruger couldn't help himself. Her skin looked soft and supple. Smooth and unmarred. "My power can be helpful," she said. "You're full of sadness and anger. Rage and guilt. You've held it in for decades...telling no one, trusting no one."

Holding his gaze, she gently grabbed his hand. She massaged him, easing the tension in his fingers. "All those emotions you've kept bottled up. All of them." She guided his hand under her gown, in-between her legs. "Give them to me."

Kruger leaned down, placing his other hand on the table beside her hip. He closed his eyes as she guided his fingers, instructing him in how she wanted to be touched. Roksana pressed her forehead against his as she let him take control. Her body arching towards him as he slid a finger inside of her. "Give them to me," she whispered. "Give it all to me. I can take it."

He stroked more confidently. Reaching deeper into her until he found that spot that made her gasp. "Please, Eren," she begged. "I can take it."

Those four words unleashed his passion. He kissed her suddenly, crashing into her as he withdrew his hand. Roksana wrapped her arms around him, kissing him back with the same feverish eagerness. Kruger blindly undid his belt and pants. He broke away and gently pushed her down to lay on the table. Roksana surrendered control, the throbbing in her head beginning to lessen. Kruger grabbed onto her left thigh, pulling her towards the table's edge. He entered her hurriedly, roughly.

Roksana gasped in a mixture of pain and relief. She arched into him as he sunk himself all the way inside of her. The burning energy that had built in her core moved lower, lower to where they were connected. Kruger wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in hair and neck as he began to thrust in a deep, powerful rhythm. Roksana held onto him for dear life. Each trust radiating pleasure and raw emotions throughout her body. It was overwhelming. Intoxicating.

She stared up at the ceiling, letting everything wash over her. Soon, she could no longer see the intricately painted ceiling tiles. No longer see the ornate chandelier that hovered directly over them. Everything he had kept hidden. The pain. The anger. The fear. The guilt. Every emotion rushed through her like an the waves of the ocean in a storm. Images came into her mind. Memories she had never seen. Only glimpsed. They flashed in front of her eyes at an alarming rate. Burning bodies, people screaming...terror. Pain. Rage. Over and over.

Roksana held him tighter, running her fingers up into his hair. Tears streamed down the side of her face into her hair. Everything began to blur together. Like a film on fast-forward, but every detail was crystal clear to her. Then her body reminded her of the present moment. The familiar build that made her quake with anticipation. She moved her knees up closer to her elbows, allowing him to penetrate deeper. She moaned in his ear, each soft cry of ecstasy driving him to thrust harder and harder.

Then she came. She cried into his shoulder, muffling her release as if to silence the overpowering sensations. His emotions, her own pleasure, his pain...everything was too much. Eren tightened his hold on her as he came, his entire body going rigid save for the soft twitch of hips as he emptied himself into her. He breathed heavily into her neck, relaxing as everything went quiet. Roksana held onto him, gently running her fingers through his hair as her tears silently fell. She wanted to bawl, lament from everything she took. Every terrifying emotion and memory he unleashed on her, but she held firm. I can take it. I can take it.

They remained in each others arms for a long while. The soft ticking of the wall clock filling the silence. Eren moved first. Unraveling his arms to push himself up onto his elbows. He gazed down at Roksana, furring his brows upon seeing her tears. He placed his hand on her cheek, wiping her tears with his thumb. He felt an urge to kiss her once more. But he shook it off, realization waking him up. Eren pulled out of her and stumbled away as he pulled up his pants. Roksana slowly sat up, somehow managing the strength to move. She slipped off the table, ignoring the shaking of her inner thighs as her gown fell back down to cover her legs.

The throbbing in her head was gone as was the intense hunger of the foreign power. She held onto the table to keep herself upright. "Eren..."

"Don't," he warned. He had re-tucked his shirt into his pants, erasing the evidence of their new secret. "That was...it was a mistake. It shouldn't have happened."

Roksana watched him re-adjust his officer jacket. Panic welled up in her chest. She recalled his warning earlier. "I can give the power back," she offered. "The titan power I stole. I can give it back."

Eren paused as he reached for his hat. "What?"

"I'm not an Eldian, so the power is just hibernating within me. But I can give it to an Eldian," she explained. "Any Eldian."

"So? What good is that information now-"

"Because I'll tell you exactly how I did it. Because Anscar was studying titans." She pushed off the desk and walked over to him. "I'll tell you everything...tomorrow."

"No, you'll tell me now," he demanded, stepping closer to her.

She shook her head. "Tomorrow. So long as I get to stay right here. I'll tell you everything you want to know. And only you."

Eren searched her gaze, his frown deepening in confusion. "Why would you...?"

"Because...you gave everything to me. Unleashed everything upon me." She reached up to caress his cheek. She so wished she could wrap herself around him again. "And...I know that you're an Eldian."

He grabbed her wrist and pushed her away. Without a word, he released her and marched over to the door. Roksana watched helplessly as he left. The door closed behind him and she fell to the ground. All strength had left her. She buried her face in her hands. Not out of terror or fear, but utter sorrow. Everything was still fresh in her mind. All of his memories. So many faces. Countless of them he had personally destroyed. She hugged herself and focused on steadying her breathing. I can take it, she told herself. I can take it.

That night...

The Owl.

That alias had stood out to her. Roksana thought over the details of Eren's memories as she laid in bed. She half-expected to be dragged out at any moment as Eren had promised, so she had bathed and changed. Wearing a warmer sleeping gown. She also thought how in over her head she was. How she had taken her situation for granted. I thought I was untouchable.

The sound of the front door opening startled her. Roksana sat up, her heart pounding in her chest. But there was only a pair of footsteps. She followed the sound to the bedroom door. It opened and a figure stepped inside, illuminated only by the moonlight that pierced through the sheer curtains. But she recognized him. "Eren."

He said nothing as he closed the door and walked over to the bed. Roksana crawled over to the side to meet him. She got up on her knees and slid her hands up his chest. "You came," she said in disbelief. "I had thought..."

He silenced her with a kiss. Long and intense, leaving her breathless. "Did you mean it?" he asked. "You'll tell me everything? You'll answer all my questions?"

"Yes," she breathed. "Yes, everything. I promise."

"Good." He kissed her once again.

Roksana moaned into his mouth, relishing in his taste. Just a hint of cigarette smoke. She blindly un-buttoned his jacket. She wanted to feel him properly. Feel his skin against hers. Eren suddenly broke away to shrug off his jacket and take off his tie. As he hurriedly unbuttoned his shirt, Roksana got down on her knees and unbuckled his belt. He gazed down at her in confusion, but didn't stop her. She yanked his pants down enough to free him. Gazing up at him darkly, she took hold of his erection and took him into her mouth.

Eren latched onto the edge of the bed for support, nearly losing strength in his legs from the new pleasure. He instinctively brushed her hair from her face, watching her lick and suck. But when she'd gaze up at him, her violet eyes sparkling...he nearly came undone. He hooked his hand under arm, silently urging her to stop. Roksana complied and stood up, wiping her mouth. Eren grabbed the bottom of her nightgown and lifted it up and over her head. He leaned back, admiring her naked body. She was truly beautiful. Anscarid tattoos etched into her smooth, copper skin.

He picked her up and set her on the edge of the bed. "Open your legs," he ordered. "Wider."

Roksana happily obeyed. Eren kissed her neck as he massaged her breasts. Kneading, teasing her nipples. She continued unbuttoning his shirt for him, her hands shaking from anticipation. Eren trailed kisses down her neck to her chest. Experimentally kissing her right breast. Roksana bit her lower lip as she moaned, feeling her desire growing. Eren suddenly broke away again, feverishly shedding his shirt and the rest of his clothes. He motioned to crawl onto the bed, on top of her once again. But, Roksana easily flipped him onto his back, straddling his waist before he could resist. She leaned down and kissed him. Eren let her have control, running his hands up and down her body.

"I want this," she whispered in his ear. "I want you."

With that, she pushed herself up. She reached down between them and guided him towards her entrance. A moan escaped her lips as she lowered herself onto him. Lower and lower until he was completely inside of her. She pressed against his chest as she began to rock her hips. Eren ran his hands up and down her body, massing her breasts, guiding her hips...he couldn't stop touching her. Watching her writhe as she became lost in the pleasure. Her purple eyes almost looked black in the moonlight. The black mark on her arm seemed to glisten. Same for the one circling her waist.

Eren ran his hands along the spiny curves of the mark around her middle. Roksana guided his left hand to her breast as she increased her pace, rocking faster. She threw her head back, voicing her pleasure loudly. Eren moved his hips to meet hers, increasing the pleasure. In the darkness, the moonlight seemed to accent the curves of her body. Eren found himself mesmerized by her form. The soft curve of her shoulders, the sharpness of her jawline...the way she ran her hands through her hair. The way she let all inhibition go. She was divine. Goddess-like. Almost...inhuman.

End of Chapter 30