AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I will need the two of you to blend in until I can introduce you to our elders,” she adds.
Dessin rolls his eyes, knowing there was a catch.
“Blend in, how?” I ask.
“The Nightamous Horde is known for three things. First, being descendants of Dark Elves. Second, we love to drink. And last, but most importantly, we love to fuck.”
I stumble over my left foot and nearly take a nosedive into the dirt. Dessin hooks an arm around my waist to steady me.
“Come again?” he says.
“It’s a way of life, as natural as breathing. You must breathe to show people you’re alive, right? Well, when you blend in, I’ll need you two to toss your prude nature to the side and sink into the shadows of what you would consider lewd acts and improper closeness.” Runa stops, facing us now with a casual smile.
“Is that all?” I scoff.
“We’re not doing that,” Dessin states in a clipped tone.
Runa arches a white brow. “You will if you don’t want your travel companion to be swept off and ravaged by another male of thirsty intent.”
Dessin makes a sound that is a feral cross between a snarl and a grunt. Before he can act on his monstrous need to silence her, I stop him with a shaky hand against his chest.
“We don’t have to actually—have intercourse, do we? We just have to….”
“Blend in with those hungry enough to feast on one another? Perform like you’re close to finding a vacant room to come to completion? Yes,” Runa finishes my sentence with a coy grin. “If that’s putting your rapport in jeopardy, I’d be happy to take your place in his arms for the night.” She tilts her chin up at Dessin in a challenge.
I’m going to flick her. A quick snap of my finger to the base of her throat.
“A generous offer,”—I smile sweetly at Runa—“but his performance wouldn’t be convincing with you. I’ll do it.”
Dessin’s head has never turned so fast. He glares down at me, his brow furrowing in question and surprise. Are you sure? casts over his eyes like a shadow dragging its feet.
I shrug. “It’s like a game, right? We’re playing a part.”
The emotions on his face quickly dissolve in the air, a puff of silence. The aftermath of a natural disaster before casualties are counted. “Yes,” he rasps, “exactly like a game.”
Aha! I knew that would do it. Dessin’s magic word. Game.
But there’s a threat wading through the treacherous waters of his mind. A warning like a powerful gust of wind. A message that looks like “some lines cannot be uncrossed.”
~
Runa gives Dessin and me clothes to change into. Shreds of material we would never have worn in the city. A cave Runa stays in when she hunts gives us privacy to change.
I have trouble slipping into the tight straps of black leather and the sheer tights over my legs. I am, at the very least, grateful for the black cloak that will cover half of my face. My breasts are pressed up to my collarbone, half of my stomach is bare and exposed, and the fabric covering my legs is so tight I’m afraid sitting down will cause it to split.
I can’t wait to see what Dessin looks like.
Stepping out into the dim light of the forest, I see him leaning against the cave wall. He’s wearing a sleeveless black tunic and matching trousers.
I grimace at his casual posture. Arms crossed over his chest, brow furrowed as he sifts through his own thoughts.
“How come he doesn’t have to wear a death trap of wire and straps?!” I pluck a stretchy band covering my ribs and snap it, making a slapping sound against my skin.
Dessin’s attention redirects to me.
“That’s all I have,” Ruse offers.
“She’s not wearing that.” Dessin sets his jaw and tightens his shoulders.
