Relic of the Future: Chapter 25, Chapter 26

The corridor branched out into a wide, oval room, probably a living area of some sort. Roman caught the light from a TV illuminating a couch with a figure sat at it. Standing tall, Roman picked up his cane and adopted a swagger. It was important to make a good impression, especially for the first impression. With his men fanning out behind him and the mark unaware, Roman opened his mouth to speak.

"What's this?" a woman asked from behind.

Cursing, Roman spun, weapon at the ready. There wasn't meant to be a wife here – and she sure as hell didn't look it. Wild, black hair, bright red eyes, pale skin and a cruel smile. The woman was dressed in black and red with bare feet for some reason. She held a bottle of beer in each hand, like she'd just come back from the kitchen. Despite that, and being unarmed, and being in front of seven armed men, she looked… not calm. No. She was intrigued. Amused.

[...]

"Look, I think you've got the wrong end of things here. I'm the one who says what to do, and you're the one who stays seated. You and your high-class wh*re."

The woman, who had up until that point been smiling, suddenly froze, the bottle not three inches from her lips. Her eyes slid to Roman, and he was suddenly startled by just how red they were. Red like blood. The woman spoke. Dangerously.

"What did you just call me?"

—Relic of the Future: Chapter 25




It was hard to say if Roman realised his mistake or not. One or two of the goons shivered as Raven's gaze trailed over them, but Roman stood confidently with his cane in hand and a smirk on his face. In time, he'd become one of the most dangerous figures in Vale.

Jaune had a sinking feeling Roman didn't have much time…

"Wh*re," Raven said. "Wh*re. Hm. I've never been called that before. Monster. Thief. Evil. Killer." She paused, letting the sentiment spread. "Those I've been called, but never a wh*re." Her eyes slid to Jaune's. "How much would you pay for a night with me?"

"I'm not sure I could afford it."

"Even with your millions?"

"Even then."

Raven smiled. "Good answer." The bottle came up to her perfect lips once more and she drank slowly of it, placing the glass down with a gentle clink. Raven then rolled her head, cracked her shoulders and-

Moved.

It was so sudden few saw it. Her bare feet arched up suddenly, bending her body double backwards as she rolled over the back of the sofa, hand snatching something as she did. There was a sound like smashing glass, bare feet padding on tile, and then suddenly Roman was staggering back with six sharp tips of a broken bottle prodding into the flesh of his neck and chin.

They would have gone deeper – possibly to the back of his throat and through – but for Jaune's hand, wrapped around Raven's wrist and halting her. Roman, wide-eyed and suddenly aware of just how much he'd fucked up, looked from the bottle to Raven to Jaune.

—Relic of the Future: Chapter 26