Chapter 7

KayT lay in the dim light of Seren's chambers, the warmth of their recent intimacy still clinging to her skin. Her breath had slowed, but her mind was anything but calm. The stakes had just risen higher than she had anticipated. The Heart of Vaylax was no simple treasure—it was a force, an entity of power, that could warp the minds of anyone who tried to wield it. But the Consortium’s ambition to possess such power meant that KayT had no choice but to press forward.

Seren lay beside her, her dark eyes half-lidded, watching KayT with that same ancient, knowing gaze. It wasn’t just desire now; there was something more behind those eyes. A depth of emotion KayT hadn’t quite expected, something tender but guarded, like a warrior who had put their shield down for just a moment too long.

KayT turned onto her side, her fingers tracing lazy circles on Seren’s smooth skin, her voice a seductive murmur. “You’ve seen what the Consortium is capable of. If they get their hands on the Heart, no one—human, alien, or anyone in between—will be safe. We can stop them, Seren. Together.”

Seren’s eyes remained on KayT, her expression thoughtful. “And what makes you think we can succeed where others have failed? The Heart corrupts all who seek it.”

KayT smiled, leaning in closer, her lips grazing the delicate curve of Seren’s ear. “Because we’re not seeking it for power. We’re seeking it to protect others from it. You’ve spent your life trying to help your people, to guide them. This is the same. You and I, we can ensure the Heart doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. We can save not just your people, but all of us.”

Seren’s body tensed slightly under KayT’s touch, her thoughts clearly racing. KayT could feel the weight of millennia pressing down on the shapeshifter’s shoulders—the decisions she had made, the lives she had touched, the burdens she had carried for so long. And yet, here she was, caught between the ancient and the present, caught between duty and desire.

KayT’s hand slid down Seren’s arm, her voice lowering to a sultry whisper. “I know you feel it, Seren. This isn’t just about stopping the Consortium. You and I—we’re connected. We’ve always been. We can do this together, but I need you to trust me. Work with me.”

Seren’s gaze softened, her breath hitching as KayT’s lips brushed against her neck. For a moment, the weight of time seemed to lift from Seren’s shoulders, and KayT could feel the shapeshifter’s walls crumbling. The ancient being had lived through countless lives, but this was different. KayT was different.

Seren let out a soft laugh, her hands sliding up KayT’s back, pulling her closer. “Very well. I will help you. But understand this—once we start down this path, there is no turning back.”

KayT’s lips found Seren’s in a deep, lingering kiss, her body pressing against the shapeshifter’s once more. The deal had been made, but it needed to be sealed the way only they knew how. The kiss grew more urgent, more desperate, as their bodies moved together again, each touch a reaffirmation of their connection, each caress a promise of what was to come.

Seren’s form shifted beneath her once more, her body flowing seamlessly between male and female, human and alien, as they lost themselves in each other again. The shapeshifter’s ability to change form had once been a novelty to KayT, but now it was something more—a physical manifestation of the power Seren held, and the bond they were forming.

Their lovemaking was slow and deliberate this time, filled with an intensity that bordered on reverence. Seren’s body adapted to every one of KayT’s movements, and KayT responded in kind, their connection deepening with every breath, every moan, every shift of Seren’s form.

When they finally lay together again, spent and breathless, Seren rested her head on KayT’s shoulder, her body warm and pliant against hers. For a long moment, they simply lay there in silence, the weight of the decision they had made hanging between them.

Seren broke the silence first, her voice soft but resolute. “There are rumors,” she began, her fingers trailing along KayT’s arm, “that the Heart of Vaylax was hidden on one of the moons —far from the grasp of those who sought to wield its power. It’s an old story, passed down through the ages, but I believe there is truth in it.”

KayT’s heart raced at the mention of the moon. “Do you know where?”

Seren nodded slowly. “The moon of Zenthia. A barren place, forgotten by most. There is an ancient facility there—built by a race long before the Consortium, long before the humans. It was designed to contain things of great power, things that could not be destroyed. If the Heart is there, it will be inside.”

KayT’s mind whirred with possibilities. “And the chip?”

Seren shifted, propping herself up on one elbow, her dark eyes locking onto KayT’s. “The chip holds the coordinates and the access codes needed to enter the facility. Without it, no one can get in. But with it, you can.”

KayT’s pulse quickened. They had a lead. The chip, the moon, the facility—it was all coming together. But as she looked into Seren’s eyes, she saw something more. A vulnerability, a deep connection that went beyond the physical.

Seren’s fingers traced the outline of KayT’s jaw, her voice quiet but filled with meaning. “I’m trusting you, KayT. Not just with the Heart, but with everything.”

KayT held Seren’s gaze, her voice steady. “I won’t let you down.”

Seren leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to KayT’s lips, her form shifting back into that of the raven-haired woman KayT had first seen. There was an intimacy in the gesture, a silent acknowledgment that something had shifted between them. Seren wasn’t just an ally now—she was something more.

When the kiss ended, Seren smiled faintly, though there was a flicker of sadness in her eyes. “Be careful. The Heart has a way of twisting even the best intentions.”

KayT nodded, brushing a lock of hair behind Seren’s ear. “I’ve dealt with worse.”

Seren chuckled softly, her hand resting on KayT’s chest. “We’ll see.”

They lay together for a while longer, the weight of their new mission settling between them. But for now, they allowed themselves a moment of peace, of connection. They had made a pact, sealed with more than just words. And now, the path ahead was clear.

Zenthia. The Heart of Vaylax awaited them there, hidden in an ancient facility, far from the reaches of the Consortium—for now. But KayT knew that time was running out. Vero was already on their trail, and the longer they delayed, the more dangerous things would become.

But with Seren by her side, KayT felt more prepared than ever. Together, they would find the Heart and ensure it didn’t fall into the wrong hands.

The game was about to begin in earnest, and KayT had every intention of winning.

Chapter 8

The surface of Zenthia loomed closer as The Crimson Dagger approached the moon, its barren, rocky landscape casting long shadows beneath the faint light of the distant star. The tension inside the ship was palpable as KayT stood on the bridge, staring out at the desolate surface. Somewhere down there was the ancient facility, the resting place of the Heart of Vaylax, and the key to unimaginable power.

But they weren’t alone.

A red alert flashed across the console, the proximity sensors picking up another ship entering Zenthia’s orbit. KayT’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the familiar silhouette of the vessel. It was sleek and predatory, with a design that screamed danger and sophistication.

It was The Scarlet Serpent, the ship of her former lover—and rival—Zara Vale.

Jyn’s voice cut through the tension, his brow furrowed as he studied the readings on the screen. “We’ve got company. Ship’s on an intercept course. Looks like they’re heading for the same place we are.”

KayT’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. Zara. Of all the people who could have shown up, it had to be her.

Seren stood quietly beside her, her expression calm but her eyes flickering with concern. “That ship… you know it?”

KayT exhaled sharply, her mind racing. “I know it. And I know who’s on board.”

Blackthorn’s voice was sharp as he stepped up to the console. “Who?”

KayT’s jaw tightened. “Zara Vale.”

Blackthorn’s eyes narrowed. “The pirate?”

KayT nodded, her mind flashing back to the last time she had seen Zara. Their relationship had always been complicated—passionate, heated, but always laced with betrayal. Zara was as ambitious as KayT, but far more ruthless. When their paths had diverged, it hadn’t been amicable. And now, it seemed Zara was after the same prize.

Before Blackthorn could respond, the communication console lit up, and a familiar voice crackled through the ship’s speakers.

“KayT,” Zara’s voice purred, a teasing edge to it. “It’s been too long.”

KayT’s heart quickened at the sound of her voice. She moved to the console, her expression hard. “Zara. What are you doing here?”

A low chuckle came through the comms. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m after the Heart of Vaylax, just like you.”

KayT’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not yours, Zara. This isn’t a game.”

“Oh, but it is,” Zara replied, her voice dripping with amusement. “And I’ve got something you need.”

KayT’s grip on the console tightened. “What are you talking about?”

There was a brief pause, and then Zara’s tone became more serious. “I know about the facility on Zenthia, KayT. And I know that your little data chip is only part of the puzzle. You see, these ancient places… they have safeguards. Traps. Mechanisms that require more than just a simple code to get inside.”

KayT glanced at Seren, who was watching the exchange with a thoughtful expression.

“It’s true,” Seren said quietly. “These facilities were designed to be impenetrable to anyone who didn’t have the proper knowledge—or the right items. The chip might get us through the door, but if Zara has another piece of the puzzle, we could be walking into a death trap without it.”

KayT swore under her breath. Of course Zara would have something they needed. She always did have a knack for showing up at the worst possible time.

Zara’s voice broke through her thoughts. “I have the second item, KayT. And trust me, without it, you won’t get very far. You’ll find yourself trapped inside, facing one of the many lovely death mechanisms these ancient builders were so fond of.”

KayT clenched her teeth. “What do you want, Zara?”

Another chuckle. “Oh, I think you already know what I want. The Heart, of course. But I’m willing to make a deal. I have what you need, and you have what I need. We both want the Heart—so why not work together, like old times?”

KayT’s stomach twisted. The last time they had “worked together,” it had ended with betrayal and broken trust. But now, with so much at stake, she didn’t have a choice. If Zara was telling the truth—and Seren seemed to believe she was—then they couldn’t afford to ignore her offer.

Blackthorn, who had been watching the exchange in silence, crossed his arms and spoke in a low, warning tone. “This could be a trap, KayT. Zara Vale isn’t exactly known for playing fair.”

KayT sighed, her eyes flicking between Blackthorn, Jyn, and Seren. “I know. But if she has what we need, we don’t have much of a choice.”

Seren stepped closer, her voice soft but firm. “She’s telling the truth about the facility, KayT. If you go in without the second artifact, the facility’s defenses could activate, and you won’t survive.”

KayT nodded, her decision made. “Fine. I’ll meet with her.”

Blackthorn frowned, his expression hard. “Alone?”

KayT’s lips curled into a smirk, though there was no humor in it. “I know her. If she sees anyone else, she’ll spook. Let me handle this.”

Jyn spoke up, his voice laced with concern. “KayT, are you sure? This is Zara. She’s not exactly trustworthy.”

KayT gave him a reassuring smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll be fine. I can handle Zara.”

Turning back to the console, KayT activated the comms. “Alright, Zara. We’ll meet. Just you and me.”

Zara’s voice came through, smooth and dangerous. “I was hoping you’d say that. I’ll send you the coordinates for the meeting point. Let’s not keep each other waiting.”

The comms went silent, and KayT exhaled slowly, her mind racing with a mix of anticipation and dread.

Seren’s hand found KayT’s, her touch warm and grounding. “Be careful, KayT. Zara is cunning. She’ll be looking for any advantage.”

KayT squeezed her hand, grateful for the comfort. “I know. But if we want the Heart, we need her.”

Blackthorn stepped forward, his gaze hard. “Keep your wits about you. If this goes sideways—”

KayT cut him off with a nod. “I won’t let it.”

She turned to leave the bridge, her mind already preparing for the encounter. Zara was a wild card, but KayT had played this game before. She knew how to handle her.

As she made her way to the shuttle bay, her heart beat a little faster. Zara Vale was as dangerous as she was alluring, and their history only made the stakes higher. But KayT had one advantage—she knew exactly how Zara thought.

And if Zara wanted to play, KayT was ready.

Chapter 9

KayT stood at the rendezvous point, Zenthia’s cold wind cutting through the barren landscape. Her eyes were fixed on The Scarlet Serpent as it touched down. She hated how familiar it all felt—the sleek silhouette of Zara Vale’s ship, the predatory grace of its descent, the anticipation of seeing Zara after so long. The history between them was complicated, tangled in equal parts passion and betrayal. But now, they were rivals once more, with the Heart of Vaylax hanging in the balance.

Zara emerged from the ship with the same confidence she always had—every step deliberate, her presence impossible to ignore. Her scarlet-red hair caught the dim light, her long coat billowing behind her. For a moment, KayT couldn’t help but feel a surge of old emotions: anger, desire, resentment, and something that felt far too much like longing.

“KayT,” Zara purred, a smirk playing on her lips. “You actually came. I wasn’t sure if you had it in you.”

KayT crossed her arms, her voice sharp. “I don’t have time for your games, Zara. You said you have something I need. Let’s get this over with.”

Zara tilted her head, her dark eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh, KayT. Always so direct. You used to enjoy our games.”

KayT’s jaw tightened. “That was a long time ago. Things are different now.”

“Are they?” Zara stepped closer, her smile never faltering. “I don’t think we’re all that different, you and I. We still want the same things, don’t we?”

KayT glared at her, her patience wearing thin. “What do you want, Zara?”

Zara’s eyes flickered with a familiar predatory gleam as she reached into her coat and pulled out a small, ornate box. She held it up, letting the faint light reflect off its surface. “This,” she said slowly, “is the second piece of the puzzle. The key to the facility. Without it, you won’t survive inside.”

KayT’s eyes narrowed. “And you expect me to just hand over the chip in exchange?”

Zara shrugged, her voice casual but laced with danger. “You don’t really have a choice, do you? I have what you need. You can try to go in without it, but you’ll be dead before you get a glimpse of the Heart.”

KayT crossed her arms tighter, the cold wind biting at her skin. “And why should I trust you, Zara? Last time we worked together, you left me high and dry.”

Zara’s smirk faltered, just for a second, before it returned in full force. “Oh, come on, KayT. Don’t tell me you’re still bitter about that. It was just business.”

KayT’s frustration flared. “Business? You nearly got me killed!”

Zara’s eyes gleamed with amusement as she took a slow step forward. “You always were dramatic.”

KayT clenched her fists. “This is exactly why I can’t trust you. You’ll sell me out the moment it benefits you.”

Zara laughed softly, her tone mocking. “And you think you’re any different? Don’t act like you’re some saint, KayT. We both know you’d betray me in a heartbeat if it meant getting what you want.”

The air between them crackled with tension, the old wounds of their past rising to the surface. Neither of them moved, both stubbornly holding their ground.

KayT exhaled sharply, her voice rising. “We could make this simple, Zara. I’ll give you more credits than you could ever dream of if you just hand over the key.”

Zara’s smile faded, her voice growing colder. “It’s not about credits, KayT. You should know that. The Heart of Vaylax is more valuable than anything you could offer me. I’m not just going to give it up for a bag of money.”

KayT’s frustration boiled over. “Then what do you want, Zara? You want me to beg? You want me to grovel at your feet? I’m not doing that. If you want the Heart, then you’ll have to find another way to get it, because I’m not giving up the chip.”

Zara’s eyes darkened, her tone matching KayT’s as she took another step forward. “And you think I’m just going to hand over the key because you asked nicely? I’m not stupid, KayT. I know exactly how this ends—you and I both walk into that facility, and the moment we’re inside, you’ll try to screw me over. Don’t pretend you’re any better than me.”

KayT’s blood boiled, her fists clenching. “I’m nothing like you, Zara.”

Zara laughed bitterly, her voice rising in anger. “Oh, please. You think you’re so different, but you’re not. You’re just as ruthless, just as ambitious. The only difference is I’m not lying to myself about it.”

KayT’s breath came faster, her heart pounding in her chest. They were inches apart now, their voices raised, the argument spiraling out of control.

“We can’t trust each other!” KayT shouted, her frustration boiling over. “You’ll stab me in the back the first chance you get!”

Zara’s eyes blazed with anger, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. “And you think I should trust you? You’ve betrayed me before, KayT. I’m not falling for your lies again!”

The heat between them was unbearable, their words laced with anger and hurt. For a moment, KayT’s mind spun with the intensity of it all—Zara’s presence, her words, the suffocating tension between them.

And then, without thinking, KayT grabbed Zara by the collar of her coat and pulled her close. Zara’s eyes widened in shock for a split second before KayT crushed her lips against Zara’s, silencing her in the only way she knew how.

The kiss was rough, desperate, filled with all the frustration and passion that had been simmering between them for years. Zara responded immediately, her hands tangling in KayT’s hair as she pulled her closer, their bodies pressed together in a heated frenzy.

It wasn’t a kiss of reconciliation; it was a release, an explosion of everything they had been holding back. The anger, the mistrust, the desire—it all poured out in that moment, their lips moving with an intensity that bordered on violence.

It was meant to be a distraction, something to shut Zara up and gain the upper hand. But the moment their lips met, all of KayT’s frustration melted into something else—something raw and uncontrollable. The kiss was fierce, filled with all the passion and anger that had been building between them for years. Zara responded immediately, her hands gripping KayT’s waist, pulling her closer.

KayT pushed Zara back against the rocky outcropping, her hands roaming over Zara’s body with a hunger that surprised even her. Zara’s fingers gripped KayT’s waist, pulling her closer, their kiss deepening as they lost themselves in the heat of the moment.

The world around them disappeared as their kiss deepened, their bodies pressing together with a desperate, hungry intensity. KayT’s mind spun, her body reacting instinctively to Zara’s touch. It wasn’t just desire—it was need, pure and overwhelming. Zara’s lips were soft yet demanding, her hands exploring KayT’s body with a familiarity that sent shivers down her spine.

Clothes were discarded in hurried frantic movements, and soon they were skin against skin, their bodies coming together with a primal urgency. The cold wind was forgotten, the desolate landscape around them fading away as they gave in to the fire that had been burning between them for so long.

Their lovemaking was frenzied, almost desperate, each touch filled with the weight of their history, the intensity of their rivalry. KayT’s hands roamed over Zara’s familiar curves, her breath hitching at every gasp, every moan that escaped Zara’s lips. The tension between them, once suffocating, had transformed into something raw and undeniable.

KayT’s hands roamed over Zara’s body, tracing the familiar curves, her breath hitching at every touch, every gasp from Zara’s lips. Before KayT knew it her head was between Zaras legs and Zaras head was between hers.

With every stroke of her tongue against Zara's clit, KayT felt her climbing closer to the edge. Her own hips bucked wildly, pushing against Zara’s face, seeking release. She could feel herself swelling, her juices flowing freely, coating Zara's fingers and face as she delved deeper into her core.

Meanwhile, Zara was lost in the moment. She gasped with each touch of KayT's tongue, every lick and suck sending waves of pleasure coursing through her body. It wasn’t enough; she needed more, wanted more from this woman who had haunted her dreams for so long.

It was wild and intense, but there was something deeper too—an understanding, a connection that went beyond their rivalry. As they moved together, KayT felt a strange sense of calm settling over her. The anger and frustration that had fueled their argument seemed to dissipate, replaced by something more primal, more honest.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity but was probably just a few minutes, KayT let out a loud moan, her climax wracking her body. Zara could feel the ripples of pleasure radiating through her fingers, each one amplifying the sensation as she continued to pleasure KayT. Zara's own climax following soon after was a violent rush of pleasure that made her gasp and arch against KayT, her nails digging into the soft flesh of her back. Her legs clamped around KayT's head, holding her in place as she rode out the intense wave of sensation, her hips bucking uncontrollably.

When it was over, they lay side by side, naked and breathless, their bodies spent but their minds clearer. The wind swept gently across their skin, cooling the fire that had consumed them moments before. The tension between them had shifted, mellowed by the release of their shared passion.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was their ragged breathing and the distant howling of the wind.

Zara was the first to break the silence, her voice softer now, though still laced with amusement. “Well… that certainly wasn’t what I had planned.”

KayT let out a breathless laugh, her hand resting on Zara’s bare arm. “I had to shut you up somehow.”

Zara turned her head to look at KayT, a slow smile spreading across her lips. “You always did have an unconventional way of negotiating.”

KayT smirked, her fingers tracing lazy circles on Zara’s skin. “Worked, didn’t it?”

Zara chuckled, her gaze softening as she looked up at the sky. “I suppose it did.”

After a long moment of silence, KayT propped herself up on one elbow, turning to face Zara. “So… do we have a deal?”

Zara’s eyes flickered with amusement as she stretched lazily, her hand resting on KayT’s hip. “We need each other to get in. You have the chip, and I have the key. The Consortium can’t get their hands on the Heart. But once we have the heart…” She trailed off, her voice filled with playful danger. “We go back to being enemies. You can’t trust me, and I sure as hell can’t trust you.”

KayT grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Or… joint custody?”

Zara laughed, the sound echoing through the barren landscape. “Please. Can you imagine us trying to share? We’d need lawyers. And they’re even less trustworthy than pirates.”

KayT joined her laughter, the tension between them finally easing. For now, they were on the same side. But once the Heart of Vaylax was in their hands, the real game would begin.

And KayT had every intention of winning.