Sparkbound: A space/fantasy F/F romance (Sparkbound Book One)

by CR Barlow

  Ingrid and Ashley had been on the asteroid for seven days now, showing pictures of Lolita to the workers that they encountered. Nobody knew anything. They were actually quite rude about it. Ingrid was about ready to start using more drastic efforts, but Ashley was quite pleased about all that for some reason.

  They sat in a tavern, Ingrid watching the glum workers shrug off the gloomy facts of their existence to lose themselves in drink, sex and drugs. A couple of men were already passionately kissing in a corner booth, their hands all over each other, and Ingrid felt a surge of jealousy. It had been so long since she last felt safe enough to share her body with another person.

  "So why are you so happy about no news?" she asked Ashley, trying to distract herself.

  "Because there is no news. Everybody denies seeing her and they're rude about it. In my experience, we should have had a couple of false leads by now. Instead we get absolute silence. That means that she's here, and she's either scaring them or paying for their silence." Ashley smiled. "I'll be out of your hair sooner than you know it."

  "I know I should be happy, but—"

  A drunk elf with the face of a troll stumbled over to the table. He leered at Ingrid, showing green, rotten teeth and yellow warts all over his blue-tinged skin.

  "Heyo, pretty girl," he slurred, hand shooting out. His fingers raked through her now-short hair and Ingrid jerked back.

  "Hey." Ashley's voice was like a whip crack. "Leave her alone."

  The elf turned, bloodshot eyes taking in Ashley's uniform. "An Earthy, huh? What's you here for then? To sacrifice our children? Raping our women?"

  Ashley's hands curled. "Get out of here."

  "The pretty girl and I's were talking," the elf snorted. He turned back to Ingrid, tongue darting from his mouth and licking his lips. "What's say you and me start doing some stuff together? Like, I'll give you a couple of crowns and you'll take off your top."

  "Go away," Ingrid raised her hand, the red-purple magic swirling around her hands. "I am not interested."

  The elf put up his hands and backed away, scowling. "Fine, fine. Just trying to do a little bit of business. No harm done." He glanced at Ashley and his smile returned. "Look at that. You're actually a woman! What about you? You wanna earn some extra crown?"

  "Sir, I am warning you to go," Ashley started, her eyes flashing.

  The elf stumbled forward, tongue poking between his lips again, hands grasping. He grabbed the warrior's breast, fingers digging in. Ashley reacted instantly, her fist flying into the elf's face. The force threw him back into a table. It collapsed under his weight and the elves that had been sitting there all jumped up, shouting and cursing.

  One of them lunged towards Ashley. She was on her feet by this point and with a rapid series of punches knocked the attacking elf out. Ingrid jumped to her feet, ready to help, but the rest of the elves backed away. Their eyes widened, and they all bolted from the tavern. Ashley turned a puzzled gaze to Ingrid.

  "That was weird." The Earth Force warrior shook her head. "In my experience drunks usually keep fighting until they're all laid out."

  More elves started leaving the tavern, all hurrying and shooting worried glanced towards the two women. Ingrid frowned, puzzled, until a dozen tall, well-armed elves streamed in through the door. They were all golden-haired, all carrying a combination of swords and guns, and they narrowed in on Ashley instantly.

  "Is there a problem, gentlemen?" Ashley asked calmly as the guard made their way to her.

  "There is," their leader said in a high, girlish voice. "You are charged with disturbing the peace and are under arrest."

  Ingrid's eyes widened and Ashley snorted. "You can't be serious! All I did was defend myself against these—"

  "Your case will be heard by a judge. Unless you want resistance added to your charges, I suggest you come with us." The guard scowled fiercely at her.

  Ashley grimaced and turned to Ingrid. "I'll be back soon. Go back to the ship and wait for me there, okay?"

  Ingrid nodded, twisting her hands as her friend was led away. She had her magic, but this wasn't the type of place she wanted to be by herself.

  It wasn't as dangerous as Venus, per se, but the elves were strange when it came to sexual taboos–in that they had very few. The only thing really forbidden was low-caste elves mating with high-caste elves. Humans and other species weren't part of the system, and were thus fair game to anybody.

  Ingrid dug into the purse, pulling out a few crown and tossing them onto the table. When she turned she found herself face-to-face with a beautiful blonde woman. Ingrid's heart seized as she took in the blue eyes and familiar features.

  "Lolita."

  "Ingrid. It's good to see you. Now that your friend is tied up for a little while," Lolita said with a wide smile, "you and I can finally talk."

  Chapter Four

  Lolita stepped forward, brushing her fingers through Ingrid's hair. "You cut it. I like it better short. It suits you."

  Ingrid slapped the hand away. Her heart hammered in her throat and she looked around wildly for any sign of potential help. There were no guards; the ones that had taken Ashley were long gone. She was alone, facing this murderess. What was she supposed to do now? Both her fists flew up, coated with black fire.

  "Don't come any closer," she warned.

  "Ginny, really?" Lolita tilted her head to one side, looking surprised and amused. "We both know you've never been able to beat me in a magical fight."

  "I'm stronger now."

  "I'm sure you are, but so am I." Lolita's smile faded and her eyes narrowed. "There's something different about you… Ginny, are you taking manticore venom?"

  The shock, horror and dismay in Lolita's voice made Ingrid laugh, but as the other witch was still standing there, completely unthreatening, Ingrid lowered her hands and snuffed out her magic. She studied the woman standing before her.

  Lolita was even more beautiful than she had been the last time they'd talked. She had grown out her hair to its natural blonde, and it hung in loose waves down her back. She wore a corset over a dress that went to her knees, and tight trousers under that. Her breasts looked bigger than ever and Ingrid frowned. Had she had work done, or was she pregnant?

  "Are you working as a prostitute?"

  As soon as the words were out of her mouth she wanted to take them back. Her cheeks flamed and she self-consciously took a step back. Why should I care if she is? And why should I care if I offended her? I'm here to arrest her!

  Lolita only laughed, though, and linked her arm through Ingrid's, pulling her back towards the tavern. "No. I'm a dancer. Don't look at me like that, there isn't a lot of work that a girl can get in a place like this that doesn't involve getting dirty one way or another. Listen, we don't have much time before Ashley sorts out this misunderstanding with the local police force, and I want to talk to you."

  "I'm here to help Ashley arrest you, not have a friendly conversation."

  "I'm not going to let you arrest me. Earth is the last place I'm going."

  Ingrid sighed heavily. "I didn't think you would come quietly."

  "I'll tell you what. You listen to me, and I'll return to your ship with you."

  "Sure you will."

  "I will. Cross my heart."

  Lolita pulled Ingrid into a booth close to where Ashley had gotten into her fight. The two elves she had knocked out were just stirring, apparently left to their own devices to wake up again. The first one, the one with warts all over his face, moaned as he got to his feet. Ingrid eyed him wearily, afraid he would come over and start something again, but Lolita's sigh brought her attention back to her companion.

  "Can I take this as a yes? That you'll listen to me?"

  Ingrid hesitated. "I won't make any promises. I don't know what you have to say that could possibly justify what you did."

  Lolita's eyes widened and her mouth made an 'o' before a flash of pain crossed her face, as though Ingrid had slapped her.

  "Don't look a
t me like that," Ingrid hissed at her, gripping the edge of the table. The black flames began licking her palms again. If it did come to a fight, would she be able to take on the fugitive?

  It made this easier, thinking of her as the fugitive, rather than as Lolita.

  "Ginny—"

  "Three hundred people died. They died because of your little insurgence, because you let your magic go wild. How am I supposed to… to listen to your excuses for that?"

  "It's not—"

  "It is your fault! I've read the investigation reports. I didn't think it was possible. I didn't think that you would be part of something like that. But there were witnesses, people who saw you and—"

  "It wasn't me!"

  "So you're saying that all those witnesses were lying?"

  "Or that somebody was masquerading as me, or they just got it wrong. It wasn't me, Ginny. You have to believe me. That's all I want you to believe, that I'm telling the truth. I had nothing to do with those deaths. I wasn't anywhere near Luna at the time. I swear it."

  Ingrid's eyes narrowed. She so wanted to believe it, but the last time she believed somebody when they swore they were telling her the truth, it turned out to be a lie and she'd had her heart broken.

  Lolita pressed on in her silence. "I lost my sister in the massacre. She lived and worked in that area. You know how much I loved her, I never would have done anything to jeopardize her safety. And for what? Some elf rebellion that never could really be explained unless you believe the propaganda that Harper and his government force down our throats?"

  "Why are you living with elves now, then?"

  "If I had stayed on Earth, I'd have been executed by now. You know that as well as I, they've already decided I am guilty, and a trial would just be a farce, a means for Harper to rally the people to his side."

  Ingrid remained silent. It was true, but that didn't mean Lolita didn't deserve it.

  "The elves were the only place I had a prayer of staying hidden among. They believe I caused the massacre just as much as the people of Earth do, and they defend me. I thought that was all I wanted. To live, free of fear. But the fear is still there, and… and I've gotten very lonely.

  Lolita's hand slid across the table, touching Ingrid's fingertips

  The brunette stared at her incredulously. "Do you expect me to run away with you?"

  Lolita laughed. "I'd like that very much. But no. I expect you to turn me in. Which is why I just slipped a sleeping spell into you."

  Ingrid blinked. Lolita smiled apologetically, and the spell took hold. Everything spun and Ingrid's eyes felt very, very heavy.

  "You expect me to believe…"

  Ingrid's words trailed off as all her limbs began to drag her to the floor and she lost her train of thought.

  Lolita was beside her suddenly, an arm looping around her waist. The other witch hoisted her up and half-dragged, half-carried her. Ingrid couldn't focus on anything that was around her, and so let her head fall to Lolita's shoulder. It felt so familiar and safe…

  What am I doing?

  Her head jerked back up, and she blinked in surprise. They were back in the ship, and Lolita was helping her into the cot. The blonde pulled the blankets up to her chin. A hand stroked the hair from her face, and after a moment, Lolita bent over her and pressed a kiss to her hair.

  "I've missed you, Ginny. Please think about what I said. Don't worry, I'll lock the door as I leave. You'll be safe here."

  "Wait," Ingrid tried to say, but it was lost in her throat as the darkness closed in around her.

  Chapter Five

  There was a bitter taste in her mouth as Ingrid slowly regained consciousness. Her head felt like a hundred tiny orcs had been having a war inside her skull, and she groaned, pressing her hands to her eyes. How had she been so stupid? She knew Lolita could not be trusted, and yet there she had been, trusting her. Letting her enchant her.

  "Morning, sleepy," a dry voice said.

  Ingrid groaned again. Of course Ashley had to be back! Slowly she opened her eyes and turned her head towards her friend. Ashley was leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, a somewhat angry expression on her face, although there was a hint of amusement as well. Ingrid sat up, though that made the orcs start bellowing their war cries, and grimaced.

  "Water?"

  Ashley snatched a canteen out of the cooler and tossed it to Ingrid. Her clumsy fingers couldn't close over it and it fell onto the ground. Leaning over to get it was a mistake. Ingrid clamped her jaws shut and rushed to the reclaimer. She made it just in time to vomit. Ashley took a step back, her nose wrinkling.

  "What happened?" A dark eyebrow arched and the Earth Force warrior folded her arms, narrowing her amber eyes.

  "I don't want to talk about it."

  "You have to. I found this on the door when I came back." Ashley held out a piece of paper. Ingrid struggled to focus. In large, loopy script was written I'm sorry. Lolita.

  Ingrid moaned again.

  "I thought she had killed you. Do you understand that? I thought she'd killed you and it was my fault!" Ashley's voice was getting louder, her fists clenching. "So you damn well better tell me what happened!"

  Ingrid grabbed a canteen, rinsing out her mouth before she swallowed a few mouthfuls. Her back aching and head pounding, she stumbled back to the cot and sank into it. Her face burned and guilt swirled in her stomach. Leave it to Lolita to make a mess out of this. What had she been thinking, leaving a note there for Ashley to find?

  I would have told her everything anyway. Wouldn't I?

  What did Lolita have to gain by leaving that note?

  "Well?" Ashley demanded.

  Ingrid took a deep breath and told her about what happened after she had been taken away by the elf guard. Ashley's expression became more and more incredulous as she talked, ending with eyes as wide as an elf-girl's and her mouth hanging open.

  "She claimed that she wasn't responsible for the massacre," Ingrid finished. "She insisted. That's the reason she wanted to talk to me alone, without you there. So she could tell me that she wasn't responsible."

  "So she's trying to make you sympathetic to her?" Ashley's brow furrowed. "Is that it? She's playing on your compassion to prevent you from helping me arrest her and turn her back over to the Earth Government to face punishment for her crimes?"

  Ingrid grimaced again. "Must be."

  "You don't think so. I can see it plain as plain on your face that you have another theory."

  "I don't want to--"

  "Spill."

  Ingrid glared at her friend. "What does it matter?"

  "If I'm going to trust you to watch my back, I need to know that you're actually going to watch my back, Ing. If you're having doubts about this job, then tell me. I'll give you some money and take you back to one of the moons. Otherwise you're going to end up getting me killed."

  Ashley was always one for bluntness. Ingrid took a deep breath, held it, and let it out. Why was this so hard to say? If had been years and years ago, surely it didn't matter anymore. Right? But even though the orc-war in her head was fast fading, her head still ached. This was something she had never shared with anybody. Not her mother. Not her friends. Edan... well, she had tried to tell him once, but he hadn't wanted to hear and so she had remained silent on the issue.

  "You know I'm bisexual," Ingrid started.

  Ashley rolled her eyes. "I've known since you were five—"

  She froze. Her eyes widened and her breath caught in her chest. Ingrid watched her, waiting. Eventually, Ashley ran a hand over her head, smoothing back her already perfect hair, and laughed softly.

  "Oh. So... you and her were..."

  "Lovers."

  Ashley sat on the cot beside her. "Ing, I'm sorry. If I'd known, I wouldn't have dragged you into this."

  "It's fine. I'm over her."

  "But?"

  "But I don't think Lolita is over me. The way she looked at me, it's the same way she looked at me when we first... She was complete
ly wrong for me. I knew that from the very beginning. It wasn't just because I was mooning over Edan, either. It was... she's everything I'm not. We just make no sense. But..."

  Ashley nodded for her to continue.

  "When I was on Pluto, working as a relief aid worker for the jotunns after they were invaded by the mermaids, Lolita and I were set to work together. We manned this outpost that was miles away from the nearest town. We were there to provide supplies and emergency medical care for travelers. They were long, cold days and ever longer, colder nights. We talked and she listened to me. She never tried to solve my problems, but listened and reassured me that I was worth it."

  Ingrid shook her head. She didn't want to talk about this anymore. But Ashley was still staring at her, expecting her to continue, and she sighed and shrugged.

  "I know that sounds... I don't know how that sounds, but it meant a lot to me. One day she kissed me, and I kissed her back. At that time, I was happy with her and me. Just the two of us. And then Edan came for me, and Lolita begged me not to leave. But I told myself she and I made no sense, and so I left with Edan. I never... well, I regretted the way I left her."

  "But Lolita never stopped loving you," Ashley whispered.

  "No. She didn't."

  Ashley put a hand on her shoulder and sighed. "I'm sorry."

  Ingrid shrugged. "When she returned to Earth, she begged me to take her back. She said she understood that I loved Edan more than her, but she didn't care. She'd even be his lover if it meant that she and I could be together. I thought she was pathetic, and it hurt me to see her like that, but I was always firm. She and I had had our fling. She would just have to live with the memories."

  Ingrid hung her head and was silent for a long, long time. Ashley waited in silence, and Ingrid longed to know what her friend was thinking. Did the warrior think she was weak for still regretting how things had ended, or did she think that Lolita was pathetic too? Or that all this was some sort of manipulation?