Chapter 29: Framework 7

Yolani walked alongside Elania through the central city district, the early morning air heavy with anticipation and unease. Distant sparks and the hum of welding caught Elania’s attention, and she pointed towards the source.

“Looks like they’re installing something along the island’s edge,” Elania mused. “Defenses, maybe? Or weapons?”

Yolani squinted, trying to make out the details in the dim light of dawn. “Could be. With the talk of war, it wouldn’t surprise me if they’re bolstering the city’s fortifications.”

They continued their journey towards the City Works building. As they approached, Yolani noticed there was an unusual level of activity. People hurried in and out, their faces etched with purpose and urgency.

“Is it always this busy?” Elania asked, eyeing the commotion.

Yolani shook her head. “No, it’s usually quieter. Something must be going on.”

At the entrance, a group of Silver Soldiers stood guard. Yolani presented her badge, and the soldiers checked it and let them pass.

“Ember must have increased security,” Yolani murmured as they entered the building.

The interior buzzed with energy, artificers and workers scurrying about like ants in a disturbed nest.

Elania’s gaze darted around the room, taking in the controlled chaos. “What do you think they’re working on?”

Yolani shrugged. “Almost certainly related to what we saw outside.”

As they navigated the halls, Yolani couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was happening. Glancing at Elania, she wondered if her partner sensed it, too.

“Let’s find Ember,” Yolani said.

Elania nodded.

The air hummed with the whir of machinery and the clank of metal on metal as they weaved through the artificers and workers in the expansive warehouse. Sparks flew from nearby workstations, casting flickering shadows across the walls.

As they approached the artifice workshops at the back, Yolani spotted Soren, his broad shoulders hunched over a workbench. She cleared her throat. “Hey, Soren. Is Ember around?”

Soren glanced up, his gaze flicking briefly to Elania before settling on Yolani. “She’s in her office.” He jerked his head towards a door at the far end of the workshop.

Yolani nodded her thanks and headed for the office, Elania trailing behind her.

As they entered, Elania pulled the door behind them shut with a soft click. The office was a stark contrast to the utilitarian workshop outside.

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Plush red carpets covered the floor, and golden accents glinted in the warm light. Behind a massive desk, Ember sat sorting through a stack of papers, a slender pipe dangling from her left hand. She looked up as they entered, a smile spreading across her face.

“Yolani, Elania. Please, have a seat.” Ember gestured to the chairs in front of her desk.

Yolani felt the tension radiating off Elania as they sat down.

Her partner took a deep breath, then fixed Ember with a steady gaze. “We need to talk about something.”

Ember raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair. “Oh?”

“You need to stop coming on to Yolani.” Elania’s said.

Yolani felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, but a warmth bloomed in her chest at Elania’s protectiveness. She sat up straighter, meeting Ember’s gaze.

Ember took a long drag from her pipe, then exhaled a plume of smoke. She gave Elania a casual, sly look. “Is that so?”

Yolani’s heart pounded in her chest as she waited for Ember’s response. The air in the office seemed to thicken with more than Ember’s expelled smoke.

Ember rose from her chair, a predatory smile playing across her lips. The demi-divine sauntered around the desk, her eyes locked on Yolani. “Does the rabbit ask the cat to protect her?”

Yolani tensed, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. She forced herself to meet Ember’s gaze. “I asked you to stop, Ember.”

Elania stood and stepped between them. “Back off,” she growled, her eyes flashing with anger. “What you’ve been doing makes Yolani uncomfortable.”

Yolani nodded, a lump forming in her throat.

She stayed behind Elania, a mixture of relief and shame washing over her. She should have been able to stand up for herself, to tell Ember to stop without needing Elania to intervene.

Ember’s eyes glittered with amusement. “The cat is very protective of her bauble,” she purred. “But there’s no need. We could share.”

Yolani’s stomach lurched as the implication of Ember’s words sank in.

Elania’s voice was a low snarl. “Yolani isn’t an item to play with.”

Yolani watched, her heart pounding, as Ember tilted her head and stared at Elania.

A coy smile played across Ember’s lips as she reached out and cupped Elania’s cheek.

"Maybe the issue is that you want attention too, Elania," Ember purred. "There's no problem if that's what you want. I like both of you. You're beautiful, especially when together."

Yolani's jaw dropped as shock etched across Elania's face. Before either of them could react, Ember leaned in and captured Elania's lips in a searing kiss.

Elania struggled, trying to shove Ember away, but the demi-divine's hands slipped behind her back, holding her.

In a flash of crimson and gold, their wings burst forth.

Elania's wings beat against Ember's, trying to push the other woman away, but the red wings held fast, pinning Elania's in place. A second later Elania wrenched her lips free, gasping for air. "Bitch!"

Ember threw her head back and laughed. "You taste like cinnamon!”

Elania's hand shot out, aiming for Ember's face, but the demi-divine was too quick.

She caught Elania's wrist and spun her around, pulling her into a twisted dance. The two demi-divines stumbled around the office, their wings flaring and tangling as they moved.

Yolani's heart caught in her throat as Ember led the dance, her movements fluid and graceful despite Elania's struggles. Ember had complete control.

Elania thrashed, nearly breaking free, only to trip onto the ground. Ember followed with a triumphant smirk as she straddled Elania's waist.

Elania kicked and squirmed, her wings beating uselessly against the floor. Ember leaned in, her lips hovering just above Elania's, ready to claim another kiss.

Yolani's feet moved before her mind could catch up.

She stepped forward, reaching for the four-barrel pistol at her hip.

The click of the hammer echoed through the room, freezing the scene.

"Get off her." Yolani's voice was steady, belying the tremor in her chest.

Ember glanced up, a sly smile playing across her lips. "So the rabbit has—"

Yolani's finger tightened on the trigger, the barrel of the gun pressed against Ember's temple.

"Now."

Ember's eyes widened, surprise flashing across her face.

Instead of getting up, the woman opened her mouth to speak.

Yolani didn’t give her the chance.

Bang.