Caged Vixen: A Dark SciFi Romance

Chapter 1

Sadie

Through the darkness, I watch him. Against the gritty shadows and thick smoke, he glows. His hair catches the light like the clouds of nebulae reflect the shine from nearby stars. I don’t know if I’ve chosen this Reaper for the right reasons, or just my own reasons.

I know his kind killed my best friend, murdered my entire crew. I know they looted everything of value and made me a slave. The thing is, I don’t remember seeing him at all during the raid. I’m sure he’s as violent and deadly as the rest I just… Don’t have any real evidence. Maybe, if I had actually seen him on the Galatia, I wouldn’t feel so infatuated with him.

Him. 

Aryn.

I’ve kept my ears open while I slither around. When I’m not serving the bitch princess miss ‘Strawberry’, then I’m on common duty. Cleaning the bar has got to be the worst of all jobs. Reapers party like there’s no tomorrow and that means blood, alcohol, and broken glass from one end of the place to the other. Sometimes even a few body parts.

I’m crouched in the corner, slowly sweeping up a pile of glass shards. The Reapers don’t really notice if there is dangerous things on the floor—they walk around barefoot but most of them have feet like fucking lizards. I’ve never seen one get cut accidently and when they hurt each other, it’s with considerable force.

The only thing on my mind is how to make him notice me. Reapers love sex, they love power. I’m always careful of coming off as too manipulative, though. A human soldier would see right through me. What if Aryn does, too?

He might kill me. Honestly, I’m getting so tired in my current role it’s not that bad of a consequence. I have to try something. I have to get out of here or die trying.

Dear God, do I want to go home. I’ve never wanted anything so badly. I want my pretty apartment in the spires with its huge bathtub and full room service. I’m used to having slaves of my own. I’ve never cleaned up anyone’s shit my entire life. This is not just degrading… It’s painful.

I might never get a chance as good as this. The bar just emptied out and Aryn’s sitting by himself, working his way through a fine bottle of brandy and a sack of jelly candies. It blows my mind how much these guys like sugar. He sips the brandy, rolling it over his tongue, then chooses an orange snake to twist between his teeth. He’s listening to a little music device and I find this odd. If Reapers want music, they sing. He’s tapping the screen and grinning as he works through the playlists.

I drop my pile of trash into a nearby can and start walking towards him. What I wouldn’t give for a flashy dress and a nice set of high heels! I don’t know what Reapers are into, but it would do wonders for my confidence. I’m wearing a shirt the size of a sack that hangs around me from neck to knee, with no sleeves. I’ve synched it around my waist with a bit of rope. No shoes at all, I have to watch where I step.

My skin feels covered in grime. I don’t know when I last bathed. My long brown hair is twisted, knotted and greasy. I couldn’t feel worse if I’d been dunked in pig shit.

What the fuck do I know, maybe I look like a Reapers wettest dream right now.

I cross the room, looking around furtively. No one is here. There isn’t much light. A few dull globes burn in the corners, but that’s it. The place reeks of alcohol and ash.

He doesn’t look up as I approach. He has the earbuds in and his eyes stay fixed on the screen. I start to wonder what I’ll have to do to get him to look up. Reapers won’t turn down sex… Will they?

My body is all I have to bargain with, and I have to make a deal. I can’t live like this. Maybe if this shit goes awry, it will save me from killing myself. I don’t know.

Don’t think. Just focus on him.

Him. 

Aryn.

I’ve been watching my mark closely. I can’t believe how beautiful he is, especially now that I’m up close. His skin is pale silver, swirls of black patterns over his arms and legs. His eyes are big and grey, shining with silver glints. The long, slender fingers holding the music pod look skilled and sensual. 

I want to know what they feel like.

I have to walk right up to the table and tap it gently to get his attention. I make sure I scurry my gaze away from his, being as servile as I possibly can.

“Can I help you at all,” I say in my sweetest little girl voice.

He blinks slowly. He doesn’t even pull the ear buds from his ears. He just shakes his head and looks at the screen again. I thump the table a bit harder and tug the neck of my shirt down a bit. 

“Anything,” I ask, trying to look keen, but not slutty.

He reaches up carefully and pulls one earbud out. His curious look turns to a glare. 

“You belong to Wick. Just fuck off.” He goes to put the bud back in his ear, but I reach out and grab his hand, slapping it to the table. In his eyes, I see a faint glimmer of amusement.

Maybe I’m playing this all wrong. Maybe he likes sass over sweet. 

“He hasn’t claimed me,” I say, quietly. I keep his gaze and don’t blink. He grins. 

“Oh, really? Some of the pets on this boat think you have a good deal. You’re protected and you don’t even have to do any fucking. Why would a nice lady like you want a dirty Reaper boy like me?”

Dear God, could he get any fucking cuter?

The sarcastic look in his eyes, the keen grin. He’s taking it out of me, and he looks fucking tasty doing it.

I slide my finger along his hand, very gently. 

“I’m bored,” I whisper. “And lonely. Everyone’s having fun but me.”

“So why not seduce Wick,” he asks, perfectly in control, mocking me for all I’m worth. “Why not jump in with him and the juicy strawberry?”

I take a long blink, so I won’t react with unreasonable anger. 

“He has eyes for no other,” I whisper, stroking his hand some more. “And… I like you.”

I meet his gaze, making sure I show the truth there. I do desire him… Fuck knows why. I don’t really care about that anymore, though. I’m old enough to know you can’t make sense of that shit. Your hot, throbbing pussy will always send you charging at the worst kind of guy. At least here, I don’t have much choice, so I might as well give in to it.

He stays perfectly still for a second. Then he carefully takes out his earbud and puts his device neatly on the table. Then finishes his drink in one slow gulp.

He looks up at me. He looks impassive, but his eyes are shimmering with the fires of hell. As if he’s thinking about eating me.

Fuck yes eat me.

He launches himself at me, knocking the table over. I barely have time to gasp as he throws me against the wall. I open my mouth and feel his thick, long tongue stroke at mine. I start to throb as I imagine that tongue all over me… Inside me and teasing me. 

I reach up but he grabs my wrists and slams them against the wall. A gasp bursts out of me as he kisses me even harder and deeper. My nipples burn, teasing against the thin fabric of the shirt as I writhe between him and the wall.

I’ve forgotten everything. I’ve forgotten what I’m supposed to be doing and that I’m stuck on a flying hell hole. 

All I can think about is Aryn and his touch.