ALTerior Motives

Loreli was sure she heard a door open. That was her first clue of her return to awareness. Her hands were frozen or numb. She wasn’t sure. Her teeth were chattering. She felt something brush her face. She forced her eyes open, the process seemed to take forever, still shivering, her muscles slow to respond.

Once her vision focused she was sick for an entirely different reason. Jaylen’s face blurred above her. His expression self-satisfied and smug as he stroked her cheek. She noticed the bandage wrapped around his midsection through the light shirt he wore; found herself wishing she’d stabbed him harder. It took a few moments of willing her muscles to respond, but she was finally able to turn her head and bury it in the pillow. Jaylen grabbed a fistful of her hair and forced her to look at him.

“That’s not a very warm welcome.” he chided.

Loreli managed to smile sweetly, “Then untie me and we’ll try again.”

Jaylen shook his head, “No, no, I don’t think so. I’m rather fond of you like this.”

“Sick fuck.” Loreli muttered under her breath. She shivered again, “Why… is it so cold…?”

“The fever will pass. The lethargy will not.”

“The poison…” She licked her lips, “You… you can’t keep dosing me, you’ll kill me… that seems… counterproductive.”

Jaylen shook his head, “You forget who you’re talking to.”

Loreli sighed inwardly. Poisons were one of Jaylen’s more advanced talents. This worried her greatly. “What’s in it to make it act so quickly?” She asked.

Jaylen shook his head again, “Oh no. I’m not giving up that little piece of information.”

“It’s not like I can get a hold of anything to counter-act it. I’m just curious.” She knew she wasn’t fooling him. She didn’t care, talking kept him distracted from other ventures.

“We’re not playing anymore, Lore. You lost.” He said. “Might be a good time to accept defeat and come back to SI:7. You’re mine either way.” he shrugged. “One will just be… more comfortable for you.”

To almost anyone else he would have sounded like he was gloating but Loreli caught the nervous edge in his voice. He sounded like he wasn’t entirely sure of the situation. She started cross referencing her conversation with Aiya.

Shaw wouldn’t sanction her abduction, not this late in the game. There was nothing to be gained from it. It wasn’t like they could ransom her to anyone of interest. Jaylen knew that Loreli had found out about his laundering money from Seven. He hadn’t seemed terribly surprised when Loreli had brought it up. He must have gotten the information out of Miriam. Loreli was just thankful she hadn’t passed the information to Jeb. Jaylen had killed Miriam. If he just wanted to keep Loreli quiet he could have done the same to her. He wanted to keep her alive and she didn’t have to guess why. So he was apprehensive solely because she was alive and Shaw didn’t know? That wasn’t like Jaylen.

Loreli eyed him, “Shaw doesn’t know I’m alive, does he?” she watched his expression change, “You’re defying his order to kill me.” She managed a week laugh. “I think I’d be flattered, if I weren’t, ya know, a hostage!”

“Shut up.” He said. Yet, his attention wasn’t on her, she’d gotten him thinking and there was something else. Jaylen was… afraid? She couldn’t tell if he was angry or confused about his actions. She knew it wouldn’t last. “Look, Jaylen, he won’t buy it forever. He’ll see right through you. Leave SI:7, I’ll… I’ll stay with you… willingly.”

She didn’t expect to win his trust that easily, but on the slim chance he was distracted just enough she’d try.

Did anyone know she was alive? She was sure Zha’ane at the very least would continue looking, even if all evidence suggested she was dead. Zha’ane may not even know she was missing, yet. He and Channi could still be in Darnassus and for who knows how long. Aely. Aely wouldn’t give up and if Zha’ane didn’t return before too long she’d make sure to get word to him. She didn’t even know where she was. How was anyone else supposed to find her? Jaylen wouldn’t leave an easily followed trail.

“Shut up!” He barked.

“You can’t fool him!”

“Shut UP, Lore!”

“He may already know…”

“SHUT UP, LORE!”

“HE’LL DEMAND PROOF!” She snapped.

“I’LL GIVE IT TO HIM!” Jaylen had a knife in his hand, holding it to her ear. Loreli went deathly still; this had not been part of the plan.

“You wouldn’t do that…” she breathed.

“Oh, wouldn’t I?” He asked. His voice dropped to match her volume. He moved the knife away from her ear, finding the older wound he’d left on her other thigh. He slid the blade along it, reopening the gash. Loreli winced, biting down on her lower lip to stifle a cry of pain. She tasted blood.

“He’ll know…” She gasped, “Whatever ‘proof’ you give him, he’ll know…”

He snarled at her, “Enough talking.” He covered her mouth with his hand, “There’s no need for you to talk.” He said, trailing hungry kisses along her cheek to her neck.

She closed her eyes and willed the darkness to return.

***

Jaylen startled her awake with a slap to the face. Loreli blinked in confusion and pain, trying to fight off the disorientation.

“Who’s Zha’ane?” Jaylen demanded.

Loreli blinked a few more times before her expression turned incredulous. “What are you raving about?”

“Zha’ane. Who is he?”

Loreli fought back the small shimmer of hope. She had no idea how long it’d been. Could Zha’ane really be close?

“Leave me alone.” She muttered, trying to turn away from him.

Jaylen leaned over her, speaking close to her ear, stroking her hair, “That’s alright, honey. You and I both know I’ll find him. I’ll be sure to give him your regards before I kill him.”

“No!” Loreli cried, in anguish.

Miriam crumpled to the floor in a lifeless heap. Jaylen had been executing people like this for years; Loreli entertained no notions of saving Miriam. She needed to focus on her own survival. Judging from the way Jaylen was looking at her, she needed to do it soon.

Loreli cut loose her tangled dagger, heedless of fabric or flesh in the way. She saw the opening and rushed him. He tossed the knife he’d used to kill Miriam aside. Drawing sword and dagger, he was quick enough to deflect her slash. He circled her, making a show of watching her move. He could tell she was worn or playing at it well. Even if she was, he knew her too well to relax around those blades. He needed to chip away at her more, turn the game to his advantage. He watched her struggle to reign in her temper so she could focus. This too, he could use against her, if he did it just right.

Loreli narrowed her eyes at him. She didn’t like watching his mind work. She knew physically they could go round and round for hours and never gain any ground on either side. The stakes of the game were higher now as both sides knew the other’s hand. The trick would be the order in which the cards were played. Much of that would be dictated by who made the first move.

Silently and with no change of expression, Jaylen closed the distance. Loreli held her defensive position, turning his blows, watching for an opening around the extra range his longer weapon afforded. Lack of sleep from the last couple of weeks was finally catching up to her. She knew Jaylen saw it. That was fine, she could play that up.

Loreli pressed back, her lower center of gravity bringing her in at an angle slightly underneath his. Jaylen wasn’t fooled, deflecting easily, pressing back in a flurry of blows. He locked her daggers, stepping in close.

“You’re tired.” He stated.

“You’re playing.” She snarled.

He shrugged, “I’ve always enjoyed watching you fight. Admired the way you…” he paused, glancing down the plunging neckline of her dress, “…move.”

Loreli didn’t have to follow his eyes to know where he was looking, “I think you’re watching the wrong curves!” She snapped. With that, she twisted to her left and drove her knee to the inside of his. It buckled under the blow as his body was drawn towards the floor. She twisted back the other way and brought her elbow straight up behind her making solid contact with his chin. Playing with her or not, he was seeing stars. Steel rang as blades slid free and Loreli immediately went for his throat.

Sensing the release of the weapons, Jaylen was already pulling back in a defensive maneuver. He managed to deflect her attack and throw his weight into the backwards fall. It was only enough to keep her dagger from splitting his throat. Instead it grazed the skin and blood welled from the cut. He hit a table placed in the center of the room, harder than he expected and almost reacted too slowly when Loreli refused to give away her upper-hand and moved to attack him while he was prone. He let her get just close enough before bringing his leg up and landing a kick to her stomach that knocked the breath from her.

Loreli staggered back, drawing in a long ragged breath. Jaylen was getting to his feet. Wiping away the blood at his neck, he looked at his hand and then returned his gaze to her. Loreli could not recall ever having seen Jaylen truly angry, irritated perhaps, but not angry. He went into battle with a deadly, efficient calm she had always envied. What she saw now made her pause, if only a moment and wonder just how out-matched she really was. Yet, could she turn this to her advantage?

“What’s going to happen when Shaw finds out about your little money making scheme?” Loreli asked, setting her stance to take another advance.

“Seeing as he’s not going to find out, I’m not terribly worried about it.” He growled.

Loreli made a quick indicative nod in his direction, “Shame about your shirt. Blood stains and white never did go well together. Guess we’ll just have to dye the whole thing red to match.”

“That sounds an awful lot like a threat. Do you hate me that much?”

Loreli barked a laugh, “Oh, you have no idea.” She went on the attack.

Back and forth they went, trading blows, trading wounds. Jaylen took to using whatever he could get his hands on to slow her down. She spun away and he grabbed the end of her skirt, dragging her back to him. He got a slash in on her arm before she cut the excess fabric away and put distance between them again. He gave chase and took two wounds to before he was able to gain the upper-hand again.

She was getting in too many shots, holding the offensive too long before he was able to take control of the situation back. He was going to tire before she did. He needed to do something, let her get close. He saw his opportunity as she advanced and took it.

Jaylen watched her dagger arc towards him, steeled himself and purposely feinted a hair too late. He didn’t have to fake the colorful swearing that erupted as the blade buried in his side. It was an extremely risky move but he was out of tricks. He dropped to the floor and struggled to focus as she stalked towards him. He’d have to do this fast. Loreli was kneeling at his side now, ready to slit his throat, much the same way he’d done Miriam.

“Wait!” He gasped, hiding a smile as Loreli’s hand stilled.

“Why?” She snarled the question.

“I… just want you to know… before you kill me.” ,Just wait a few seconds more, honey. “That… I loved you.”

Fury contorted her face, outrage at his audacity. “Nice try, asshole.” But she’d hesitated too long. He grabbed her wrist in a grip so tight, she could feel the bones grinding together. His other hand planted a blade in her side, the same spot she’d wounded him, adding irony to the injury. She tried to finish him off, but his grip on her wrist wouldn’t slacken.

Suddenly Loreli felt dizzy, tired, the edges of her vision began to turn dark. She realized too late, his blade had been poisoned and she had no antidote. The poison took only seconds to claim her consciousness and she slumped forward.

Jaylen spared a moment to stroke her hair, “I always warned you to quit being such a sucker, sweetheart.”