The Monster Within
3: [in the garden,
we wait with bated breath]
part I
Blake's dark features were stippled by the light filtering through the tree tops as they sat outside Jitters Coffee Shop. Nursing an Americano he squinted at Clarke through his sunglasses.
"How do you feel about Saturday?" He asked and she shrugged.
"Might get us a better view of the grounds. I think it's a good idea."
He nodded, then whipped out a sheet of paper and laid it out in front of her.
"This is what I've got so far. Plenty of places to stash a body."
Clarke looked at the hand drawn map, noting the discrepancies from Raven's version on their tablets.
"We've got to find a way to break out of the club house." She said and Blake made a face.
"Finn is an idiot. I can probably pull it off. Put him in a sleeper hold and make a break for it."
Surprised, Clarke stared at him.
"...Finn?"
"Yeah, he makes me call him by his first name, like we're pals or something. I fucking hate it." The wall fell as Blake lit a cigarette, the stress of the mission wearing him down.
"What's he like?" Clarke leaned forward.
"Well, I get to walk around and shit if that's what you're asking." Blake replied and Clarke's knees stung with the memory of the carpet. She tried not to think about it as he continued. "He's one of those stupid hippies, thinks you can "talk" to terrorists. Wouldn't last a minute in the real world. His father runs a huge solar panel company. Another classic case of Daddy's Money."
"...not everyone's cut out for the military Blake." She gave him a small smile and he sucked his teeth.
"I know, I know. But I busted my ass so that kid could sit in his stupid castle and play games with people."
Clarke nodded, glad to be back on these terms.
"Well my collar says "Princess" on it, so there's that." Clarke replied dryly and Blake laughed. A barking sound she'd missed more than she thought she had.
"Fitting." He lit another smoke, still grinning. "I'm guessing she's hot. Looked like you got hit by a Mack truck yesterday."
Clarke choked on her latte, then reached out to smack his shades off his head.
"Shut up." She went for casual but her voice came out strangled, and the memory of Lexa's slim perfect fingers around her throat made her bite down on her own lip.
"Hey, as long as you keep your head in the game I don't care what you do. You're good right?" He looked at her with the intense gaze he usually reserved for suspects and she hardened up.
"I'm golden."
When they got back to the house Clarke hopped in the shower, letting the steam carry her away. Unfortunately it took her right to Lexa, and proved useless all together as she sat down to watch tv. Her body started throbbing instantly, and the figures on the screen melted away as her work was promptly undone. Saturday couldn't come fast enough.
-/-/-/-/-/-/
"Hey, how's your connection over there?"
The Chief's face materialized on Clarke's laptop as they reported to headquarters.
"We're clear, sir." Blake replied.
"Good. I got your report Agent Bellamy, you guys are all set."
"Thank you, sir."
"Now that you're in I can give you a few more details. You guys are looking for an unidentified subject that doesn't fit the classic profile. All the victims suffered from severe, heavy, blunt force trauma. Evidence of sexual trauma. Two males, two females, unconnected so far. We're still trying to identify a weapon, but keep an eye out for anyone that works with concrete or does masonry."
"Roger that sir. We're identifying possible transport routes the killer could've used to dump the bodies." Clarke spoke up.
"Good. We'll keep communication limited for now, but don't fall off the grid entirely, understood?"
"Yes sir." The agents replied in tandem and Chief Harris gave them "the nod".
"Good luck." The screen went black, then the computer restarted and Clarke and Blake both fell back into the couch.
"You know what we have to do on this overnight right?" Blake said as he turned on the tv, wilting in her general direction.
"...sneak around, hide behind some shit, follow some people..." She replied.
"You got it." He pointed a finger gun at her and she grabbed his hand, bending said fingers back until he capitulated.
"Ahh! Okay! Jeez! I have an idea."
She let him go and he blew on his hand, waving it back and forth.
"We'll both sneak out when our "sponsors" fall asleep, we'll link up, and if we get caught we just admit to creeping out for a quickie."
"Now that's a good idea." Clarke replied appreciatively, but her stomach started doing flip flops.
"So...are you in or...?" Maneuvering his lips around a joint, he quirked a brow at her.
"I just can't guarantee I'll be...able to move freely."
"Ohh." His vocal chords made the sound as his mouth took on the shape and a train of perfect smoke rings rolled out from his lips. Mesmerized, Clarke watched them expand and contract in a ghostly fashion.
"Just, you know, convince her otherwise." He smirked once the smoke dissipated, his eyes glittering. Clarke took a hit then hid her face in the couch. The scent of leather swamped her, and her cheeks got even hotter.
"What's the matter Agent Griffin?"
"Shut your face Bellamy." Clarke peeled herself off the couch cushion, only to fall onto her side and curl up by Blake. He reached out to rub her back, chuckling as he puffed away.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but I can see why someone would want to dominate you." Blake declared, only half-joking, and Clarke closed her eyes.
"Just saying..." He said softly. Clarke pretended to be asleep, and Blake left it at that.
-/-/-/-/-/-/
Clarke wasn't sure what to pack for their overnight stay, so she settled for just a change of clothes and her toothbrush. Blake did the same, tossing her a spare cell battery as he zipped up his bag.
"Keep in touch. It won't be easy, but we've gotta at least attempt to set up a rendezvous point."
"Got it." Clarke turned her phone to vibrate and stood up. "Is your weapon secured?" She asked, patting the bulge in her bag where her handgun rested.
"We're good to go."
The drive was unnaturally quiet, the usually teeming roads abandoned.
"Don't let your guard down, even for a second." A vein in Blake's neck pulsed in time with his words as he pulled into the Sign of the Lion. The front parking lot was full, and they followed the signs until they drove into an underground garage. It wasn't anywhere on the map, and Clarke and Blake exchanged glances as they exited the car.
Taking their time getting back to the surface they scoped out the other vehicles, most of them luxury affairs. Instinctively, they split up, taking opposite paths through the garage until they both arrived at the exit together.
The loud chirping of birds greeted them when they hit the open air, heat and humidity closing in on the uphill climb to the entrance. Clarke's tank top clung to her and Blake looked away, his face flushed.
When they got there the door was locked, and Sam walked over to open it by hand. The lobby was full of people milling around, and Clarke took the opportunity to observe their body language. The electricity in the air was palpable, and the agents looked to Sam as she ushered them in.
"You two are both participants today so you can head on up to your sponsors chambers." She said, letting them past the desk. Clarke dismissed the questions that popped into her head, going straight for Lexa's office.
Her sponsor was waiting for her, looking stunning in a pair of beige slacks and a white shirt. Lexa leaned in to kiss her before the door had even fully shut, and the moment it did Clarke yanked her own shirt over her head.
"What...are we doing?" She asked between kisses. Lexa sighed, running her hands over Clarke's ribcage. Clarke trembled, her will power immediately disappearing.
"You're to compete today." Lexa answered, unbuttoning Clarke's denim shorts.
Clarke rested her hands on Lexa's shoulders, kissing her brazenly for a moment until Lexa pushed her away.
With a playful smile Lexa finished undressing her, then pressed her mouth to Clarke's pulse, her body thrilling as it pounded against her lips.
"Stay." Lexa walked away from her, picking up a sliver of an outfit from the desk. She helped Clarke into the white lace mini-dress, then kneeled down to kiss her exposed skin as she took her time fastening the tiny pearl buttons that went straight up to the neck. There was just enough space left for Lexa to clip her collar on, and she did so with a glint in her eye.
"I know you'll do well." She said firmly, holding Clarke's face. Clarke nodded in her grasp, then yelped as Lexa's grip tightened.
Lexa searched her eyes, releasing her when she didn't find any weakness.
"Are you ready?" Lexa asked and her probate leaned into her.
"...almost..." Clarke nipped at Lexa's lower lip, then sucked the pain away. She'd quickly become addicted to the taste of Lexa's mouth, to the curve of her lips and the tremor of her tongue...
"Enough." Lexa ended it gently, replacing a stray tendril of blonde hair. She affixed Clarke's leash, then ordered her to her knees.
"Come. Keep your head held high." Lexa instructed. Blocking out everything but the smooth, tan calves of her master and the floor beneath her Clarke followed obediently.
Lexa walked quickly and confidently through the space, snapping Clarke's leash as the agent slowed down to eyeball the other slaves in their various predicaments.
Clarke managed to keep up, but it was hard to maintain her focus amidst the throng of half naked or more bodies.
Every master was clean and polished, every slave cut and hungry.
It didn't seem real to her, this realm of pomp and brutality. In a way it reminded her of work. She went from bleeding on a basement floor to dressing up for an agency ball all the time. Her head was spinning as Lexa stopped at the filigreed gates of a very old lift. Clarke sat patiently, and Lexa looked pleased while they waited for the elevator to come up.
"Well, well, well, Ms. Woods. Looks like you can train one after all." An unreasonably tall man with a large jaw and greasy, dark curls popped out of nowhere, smirking at Lexa.
"Your opinion is irrelevant Kane." Lexa replied smoothly, but Clarke felt her muscles tense up.
"Somehow I don't think Rowan would feel the same way." His whisper was just loud enough for Clarke to hear, and she filed the information away for later use. Behind the man she called Kane a petite girl with hazel eyes trembled slightly, though she held her chin up high and proud. Her attitude was defiant, but Clarke could make out several bruises circling her neck.
Lexa's face took on a wild edge at his remark, looking eerily similar to Blake for a moment.
"No one cares, what you think." Her voice went low, and dangerous, and Clarke pressed into her even closer, ready to defend her if need be. It was completely irrational, and she knew that, but here in this environment reason was not the rule.
The gates opened and they took their leave, with Kane waving them off. As the doors closed again Lexa tugged Clarke's leash upward and she stood, only to be brought against a wall. Lexa kissed her the whole way down, her violent energy seeping into Clarke while their tongues mingled. When the bell went off Clarke dropped to her knees without Lexa having to say it, and her master give her a playful spank, then trailed her hand across her back.
"Come."
She led Clarke into a great room that seemed to disappear right into the landscape, the walls having been replaced by huge panes of glass. Beyond the glass white chairs and ribbons were set up. HD TV's blinked from stone walls, and puffs of smoke smudged the view of people and their pets.
Lexa brought Clarke forward and the doors split apart, a wall of sound coming at them fast. Turning to Clarke, Lexa brought her slave to her feet once more, and the grass tickled her bare soles.
Clarke wiggled her toes, looking down at them, and as Lexa slid a hand under her chin to lift her face back up there was a smile on it.
Lexa held her breath. They were surrounded by full-fledged club members, but Clarke was rushing through her system faster than she could deal with.
Clarke looked concerned as Lexa's fingertips sank into her jaw line, but she didn't feel any fear.
Exhaling, Lexa let go only to grab her leash. She focused on the feel of it in her hand as she led Clarke to the dining area, and then on staring too hard at the mountains of fruit and pastries balanced on the massive table. Anything to take her mind off her slave.
Lexa doled out nods and hand shakes to the rest of the club members, acutely aware of the strain in her voice. When they dispersed she took a seat, sighing as Clarke heeled beside her.
The otherworldly scents gathered around the table didn't bother Lexa's nose for once as she leaned forward to free a coffee cake from its perilous position atop a tier. Breaking it open she offered a piece to Clarke, who turned red.
"You'll need your strength." Lexa teased her in a low voice, and though Clarke's grumbling stomach couldn't refuse, her expression was huffy. Lexa bit down on a grin, flipping the medal on Clarke's collar rightside up as the agent accepted her gift of food.
"Was that a…smile? Should I get help?" A young man took the seat next to them and Lexa's humor vanished. Clarke tried to hide her surprise, finding herself inches from her partner. Blake wore only a navy blue speedo and his usual irritated expression as he sat cross legged by his sponsors feet.
Finn was stocky, with long red hair that fell to his shoulders, but he had a baby face; sitting there in jeans, a short-sleeved flannel, and boots.
"Are you done?" Lexa replied, reducing a blueberry muffin to crumbs in her grasp.
"Emergency services are available you know, just in case you start to feel...unwell." Finn pointed out and Clarke looked up at Lexa, who stared straight ahead without saying anything.
"Hi, I'm Finn." He leaned around Lexa and stuck his hand out. Clarke didn't take it and he slowly withdrew under a withering glare from Lexa.
"This isn't the Hunger Games Lex, loosen up." He implored her, but Lexa didn't budge. "Okay, you two can stay here and be as serious as you want to." Undeterred, Finn thumped the table with a fist, then jumped to his feet. Blake followed his example, only not nearly as enthusiastically.
"Just don't forget to have fun!" Flashing a cheeky grin he departed and Clarke looked up at her master.
Lexa held her gaze, wondering how she'd gotten herself in this position.
Trailing a fingertip across her probates cheek she let the feeling spread through her body. No drug she had yet found affected her, and alcohol was fleeting in her superhuman veins, but here she was, flirting with serious addiction.
Clarke took her wrist, guiding Lexa's wandering finger into her mouth and sucking on it. Lexa let her for a moment, slipping another digit between Clarke's lips. Though Clarke needed it, punishment was the last thing on Lexa's mind.
"Behave." She ordered half-heartedly, taking her hand away and giving Clarke a light smack with it.
"Yes, Lexa." Clarke replied, her eyes contrite, a half smile gracing her features, and Lexa felt a pang of pain.
Turning back to the table she found the offerings blurry and undefined, but reached for them anyway. Glasses of champagne disappeared, and it was just enough to take the edge off.
She kept her distance while the members sat there, smoking and chatting. She hadn't been thinking of Clarke's safety, and she had to. The memory of Rowan flashed through her mind, and Lexa retreated even further.
While the party wound down Clarke remained in position, casually observing.
A severe woman sat at the head of the table, speaking to no one, and flanked by two others. Guards, from what she could tell. They weren't typical muscle though. The man was lean, and of average height, while the woman was tall and rail thin. Both were exotic looking, stunningly beautiful really, and Clarke wondered what protective service they could possibly offer.
It was just as binding as her restraints, not being able to talk to anyone. But she was going to have to find a way around it if she wanted to complete this investigation. The thought of being done gave her pause, and as someone got up to speak, Clarke was grateful to turn her attention elsewhere.
"Good morning, everyone!" The man greeted them, clinking a glass. He was short, with impish features and a strangely protruding forehead. Clarke stared as he continued.
"Thank you all for finding the time to make it to this, the 2nd event of the annual Bird in Hand Tourney." There was a break filled with whoops and applause and Clarke regarded Lexa, glad to see she was finally starting to get some color back into her face.
"We've got two newcomers to the event so if you could all join me in welcoming Lexa and Finn to the competition..."
Another round of applause came and Clarke relaxed as Lexa smiled.
"We're all excited to see how you two fare." The members seemed to share the man's sentiment, and suddenly all eyes were on Lexa and Finn. Clarke kept her head down, hoping to remain unnoticed.
"With that being said, most of you know what's next. You'll have 30 minutes to get your pawns to the starting area. Once the match is over we will meet in the common area to name the winner and hand out the prize. Good luck to you all!"
The members rose, everyone except the woman in the front, and their pets followed suit.
Lexa took Clarke's leash, wrapping the length of it around her hand. Lexa pulled down hard and Clarke dropped her head, her heart rate picking up.
Lexa kissed the top of her head briefly, then yanked her across the yard. Clarke didn't dare lift her eyes from the ground, but she did count her steps until the grass shifted into stone.
They arrived at the paddock, and free from the prying eyes of most of the club members Lexa kissed her deeply.
Removing the leash entirely she kissed her slave's throat, lingering in the tender spot where Clarke's neck met her jaw.
When she'd had her fill she sat Clarke down on one of the wooden benches, stroking her face for a moment.
"...what're we doing?" Clarke asked again and Lexa smacked her gently with just a few fingers instead of an open palm.
"Preparing." Lexa replied, her eyes dancing under a sun that climbed higher and higher in the cloudless sky.
"Stay." She ordered, kissing Clarke again before disappearing into a shed. With the free moment Clarke looked around, taking in the sight of a few other members as they worked on their own slaves. She spotted Blake at the far end of the paddock. Finn stood next to him, leaning against the fence.
Clarke tried to read their lips, but Lexa reappeared in her field of vision.
"...your husband looks very strong." Lexa commented, rolling her sleeves up.
"He's not." Clarke replied easily and Lexa's mouth twitched.
"We'll see."
Pouring out a palmful of oil from a bottle, Lexa rubbed her hands together, then started working it into Clarke's exposed skin.
"This'll make you harder to catch." She said as she stroked Clarke's arms, going up and under the sleeve to the shoulder.
"Isn't that against the rules?" Clarke asked. Her nature couldn't be distracted from, not even by Lexa's skillful touch.
"There are no rules." She replied, turning to Clarke's legs. As Lexa worked Clarke started to get anxious. Lexa noticed her eyes glaze over, and reached out to pinch her chest, watching her nipples come to life beneath the sheer fabric.
"Lexa!" Startled, Clarke jumped. Lexa grinned, stepping back to wipe her hands clean on a towel.
"Trust your instincts. You'll be fine." She took Clarke's face in her hands, tilting her head back slightly so she could look into her eyes.
"And pay attention." Lexa added before she bent to steal a final kiss.
This time when Clarke stood up a blindfold was applied, sending her into nothingness. Someone lifted her off the ground, and then she was carried to the days' game site.
Clarke heard voices as she was set upright a few minutes later, her feet hitting soft earth. She gasped when her blindfold was removed, staring at a wall of roses and thorns. On either side of her other slaves flexed, some of them in running positions.
In front of them the rose bushes were cut sharply, forming artful layers of squares and rectangles that stretched on into the horizon.
"Ready!" A hypnotic voice blared from the loudspeakers, stretching the word out as far as it would go.
Clarke's heart pounded, her blood pumping hard…
-/-/-/-/-/-/
tbc
thank you for reading