Round 95

Hera watched Silra work, her admiration for the elf's focus warring with her rising unease over Jeane's escalating frustration. She knew better than most what that kind of lust could do—had seen it firsthand in the worst ways possible. But she also knew that giving into it now would only play straight into their enemy's hands. So instead, she bit her lower lip and forced herself to be patient, to trust in Silra's skills.

The elf didn't disappoint. Her hands moved with practiced ease as she integrated the heavy-duty motor into the Sybian's frame, her brow furrowed in concentration. She barely seemed to notice the growing tension in the room, her entire focus locked onto the machine in front of her. For now, at least, her determination held firm—on the technical challenge before her, not on the insistent needs of their own bodies or the frustrated anger radiating off Jeane.

Hera felt a grudging respect for that kind of control. She'd never had it herself, not when she was trapped in that hellhole and certainly not now with her memories still too fresh to fully process. But maybe Silra could show them all how to break free from their pasts—not through sex or violence, but through sheer willpower and technical skill.

The room fell into an uneasy silence broken only by the sound of tools clinking and the soft hum of machinery coming to life. And for a moment, just one brief moment, Hera let herself hope that they might actually solve this without having to give in to the building's demands. Without having to feed the monster that still haunted her dreams.

But then Jeane spoke up again, her voice dripping with barely contained need, and the fragile peace shattered like glass. Hera's jaw clenched, her patience wearing thin as she watched Silra work. The elf was close—so close—but time was running out. And if they couldn't find a solution soon... well, she didn't even want to think about what might happen then.

All she could do was stand there and watch, her heart pounding with equal parts admiration for Silra's skill and dread over what was to come. Because one way or another, this night wasn't ending until someone got what they wanted—and right now, it looked like that someone might just be the building itself.