Round 42

The alley air was cool against their skin, the brick walls casting long shadows that seemed to swallow what little light remained from the streetlamps nearby. Distant bar sounds filtered through—the laughter mixed with music a stark contrast to their current predicament.

Silra leaned against the wall, her teal eyes scanning the perimeter with practiced ease. "This setup is fucked," she muttered, more to herself than Jeane. The abandoned church loomed overhead like a disapproving parent, its dark windows staring down at them. Julia's breath came heavy and eager, hands roaming with that desperate need that made Silra's teeth ache. But Clarice was still there, watching from her window with an intensity that prickled the back of her neck. A slow burn seduction would take weeks of prep and a private room—not a backstreet quickie.

Jeane felt her heart race at the sound of approaching footsteps—too late for finesse or subtlety now. She grabbed Silra's arm, pulling her toward Clarice's house with a command in her voice. "Aria, with me!" The pounding on the door echoed through the night air as Jeane demanded entry. Inside, lights flickered briefly before the door swung open. Clarice stood there in a robe, her eyes wide with surprise and curiosity as she looked from Jeane to Silra and back again.

The thrill of potential discovery only added spice to their little... but right now, they needed to avoid getting caught halfway through like this. Unless Silra had some kind of plan? Because otherwise, they were wasting time and risking everything for nothing.