Page 28 of Monstrous Lies


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AKUJI

Once back underground, I hurry her to my room, where I feed her and let her settle in. The tiger is gone, but I do not worry, he will be back. He won’t go far, and as long as he doesn’t eat my people, we are okay. When I’m sure she is settled, snoring away, I lock the door and turn to my most trusted commander, Roroak, who waits there.

“Protect this door with your life. I will kill you myself if anyone comes in or out, understood?”

He nods, his eyes flicking to it. Unlike the others, he doesn’t seem to have a problem with my human, and only curiosity fills his eyes. “What are you planning on doing with…her?” he hedges. From anyone else, I would take it as an insult to my leadership, but I know he merely means to ask if he can help or brainstorm with me. It’s been that way since we were children. I was always the reckless one, running around the city, brazen and outspoken and good with people.

He was always gruff, unsure, and preferred to talk with his fists, so we made a good pair.

I also trust him with my life…and now hers.

My Aria.

“I do not know,” I admit, lowering my voice so she doesn’t hear if she wakes. “I cannot explain it, my friend, but I need to protect her. I couldn’t bear it if she were hurt. She isn’t the enemy.”

“The others might not see it like that.” Again, it’s a short, clipped statement.

“I know.” I clap him on the shoulder. “I will make them. She isn’t here to hurt us. Like us, she has been hurt by the humans. That’s why she is here, hiding behind our walls. She’s just trying to survive, like us. She is lost and alone. You remember when we were like that, don’t you?”

He nods and sighs. “You know I will follow you. I always have and always will. If you say she isn’t an enemy, then I believe you. I will not leave my post. No one will touch your human, Reigner.”

My human… Is that what she is?

Why does it feel so right?

I just announced my stance on her. If anyone were to hurt her, they would have to go through me. It will mean a challenge, and I will lose some people I spent years protecting and growing up with, but she’s worth it. My eyes go to the door. I am about to find her friend. It will change everything, and yet I will still do it to make that worry disappear, to see her smile again.

Once in the main chamber, I find most of my people gathered inside. They turn when I enter, obviously speaking of my obsession with the human. “First things first,” I announce, my voice carrying. I need to get this over with before we can continue. “The human is mine—I am claiming her. Anyone who touches her will face my wrath and either death or excommunication. This is my declaration.” It enrages some people, and I narrow my eyes, snarling, “Does anyone have a challenge to that?”

“I do!” a voice rings out, and two others follow.

They are young warriors who are too young to remember the war, to remember my legacy. The others hesitate, knowing who I am and what I have given for my people, wanting to trust me. I will concentrate on that now by ending these challenges. They will trust me again, and once they realise my Aria doesn’t want to hurt them, they will trust her as well. I will not lose my people.

“Then step forward,” I hiss, my voice low and angry.

Three warriors move through the crowd. One has a broken horn, one is skinny, and the other is big, but I’m bigger. I know their names. I remember their parents. They are orphans, all of them. Their parents died in the war, just like my own, or were captured when they were just babes.

I change my stance and bend my knees, lowering my hands as my claws lengthen. “Then come and defeat me if you can.”

They surge forward, and I leap from the throne podium to face them. I spin through their masses, my claws slashing and tail stabbing. One cries out as he falls with a claw mark across his chest, bleeding badly. The skinny one, Wren, hesitates, intelligence shining in his eyes, so I turn to the bigger brute, Yelm. “You traitor,” he snarls at me.

“I know your anger, brother. I hate the humans too, but she is also an orphan. She is like us,” I explain.

“She is a human! We cannot trust any of them, and now you!” he roars and leaps at me. I don’t want to do it, but I see the madness in his eyes. He hates them, the humans, and he will never accept her. He is a threat to her, one I can’t let stand. I slash my claws mid-air, catching him across his belly.

I injure him deeply, but it’s not a killing blow. He collapses to the ground with a whine, his horns turning pale as his blood pools on the floor. “You are wrong.” I crouch and say, “You are jaded. To survive, we must adapt. You cannot do that. You put your needs before our people. You are excommunicated.” I stand and step over him to the skinny man. He nods and moves back, admitting defeat.

Smart.

“She is mine!” I roar it, my claws dripping blood. My words are filled with possession and need. “This is our future!” I yell, pacing as I look at my people. “We adapt, we survive—it is our way. They are not all evil. We can survive this. We will learn about them, about our enemies. She will help us. She will be one of us.”

Some start to agree, stomping and cheering.

“I will lead us to victory, to the better life we all dreamed of! We may be the monsters they call us, but we will not stoop to their level. We will defend our home and those who seek sanctuary here!”

Roars fill the air. “Here, here!”

“We are the monsters of the dark! We are Tribe Nightfang!”

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