Whispering Death

Chapter 2

Drina repeated the name in her thoughts. Hestar, what a beautiful name. They silently stared at one another while Hestar leaned closer. Her lips were full and lush, begging Drina to taste them. All she could hear was the pounding of her heartbeat and the soft stir of Ocian beside her. Ocian!

With a gasp, Drina turned from Hestar to check if she was still asleep. Thankfully, Ocian readjusted and continued her peaceful slumber. Drina let her breath out in a slow, steady stream. It wasn't a secret to Ocian that she liked women. She feared more about the impact her energy would have on her than being caught. Kissing Hestar might push the limit and break the bottle of energy she had suppressed. Ocian was a reminder to control herself.

Hestar dropped her head with a quiet laugh. Embarrassed, Drina dropped her head against the wall. With a small hum, Hestar propped herself on the ledge and crossed her arms under her chest. It took everything in Drina not to ogle the presented cleavage exposed for her pleasure. Even with Ocian beside her, Hestar wasn't about to give up. Instead, she leaned close to her ear.

"There's a common room on the other side of the hostel. Want to accompany me there? It will be mostly empty, and no one will interrupt us."

This offer was too tempting. Drina knew the moment they were alone that there wouldn't be an exchange of words. She didn't need foresight to predict that outcome. Rolling the idea around, she debated the choices; if she left to the common room, there was no protecting Ocian but staying here would wake her. Either option would wreak havoc on her control.

Biting at her bottom lip, Drina looked at the empty bunk across hers. Maybe they could still spend more time together without leaving. No one was sleeping there anyways, and Drina wouldn't be either after this exchange.

The image of Cygnus floated in the back of her mind. There was no such thing as coincidence, and all the signs were there. Something about this woman compelled Drina. One look at Hestar's charming smile lured her in. The temptress lowered her eyes to Drina's lips and lingered there, waiting for a reply. Oh, Hells, Drina thought.

"How about the bottom bunk, and we see from there?"

With a cheerful bounce, Hestar grinned triumphantly and hopped down from the ledge. Drina carefully moved Ocian from her side to slip away, then carefully climbed to the floor. Without the comfort of the bunks ledges, there was nothing to bar distance between them. It made Drina anxious. What next? She had no experience since she always kept her distance from any stranger. There was no luxury of falling in love while on the run.

Hestar was a few inches from her and didn't take long to act. She took Drina's hand in hers and gently pulled her to the other bunk. Sitting down, Drina glanced at her bunk to reassure herself. If Ocian woke, she wasn't far.

With a hard swallow, Drina gave Hestar her full attention. What do they do now? Should they continue where they left off or talk? It was painfully obvious how awful she was at socializing, never mind flirting or hooking up with someone. What could she talk about that wouldn't give her origins away? Fidgeting with her fan, it dawned on her that she was still holding it. Maybe she could show off a little bit to ease her nervousness.

"Would you... Care to have your fortune read?"

Hestar blinked, her expression with genuine surprise. "You mean like palm readings and tarot cards?"

With a smirk, Drina took Hestar's hand in hers to guide a finger across the slips of the fan. Starting from the end, she dragged her finger along the folds of the accordion.

"Stop your finger on the slip that feels right. If you don't feel it the first time, try again until you do. The first opening is your past. second, your present, and third's your future."