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I stare at myself again in the dirty broken mirror, my eyebrow raised. I do look badass, I’ll give them that, but why so much skin? I mean, yes, the warriors are all shirtless, even most of the women. I drew the line at that, and Akuji agreed. Jealousy poured from him, unwilling to have anyone look at me.
Roroak and Akuji came up with something similar, but more suited to a human. They actually found the leather top in the discarded clothes. It laces up the front, the black, crisscrossing straps barely concealing my boobs, which are nearly bursting from it, and it ends just above my navel. The leather creaks with my movements. The sleeves are cut off, so it’s a good thing it’s summer.
The skirt is made of fur. Only the best for me, he said. It’s a deep brown, and it almost has me sweating, wrapping around my waist and hanging diagonally to mid-thigh. Across my hips is a knife holder, a second is around my thigh, and a third is over my back. My hair has been plaited into an elaborate crown with golden jewels and beads placed throughout that catch the light. Four red lines have been painted down my face like war paint. His warrior brand, Akuji explained, which is usually black to stand out against their skin like the tattoos, but he made them red on me to match him.
I roll my eyes. “Okay, so I look the part. Are we ready to go?” I look to Roroak then. “Are you coming?”
“Me and four of our best warriors. It’s a show of force without looking like Akuji is scared.” He clears his throat. “Which he isn’t, but if he went alone, it would look overly confident and stupid. If there are too many, it would make them question his strength.”
“Fucking hell, it’s more confusing than politics,” I mumble as Akuji takes my hand and kisses it.
“Nothing to worry about, my little human. No one will hurt you, and we will sort out your friend.” Akuji looks at us in the mirror and grins widely. “We look good together.”
Looking back, I laugh, unable to help myself. “We do, now let’s get this monster bash on the way.”
TWENTY-FOUR
ARIA
Idon’t know what to expect from a monster meeting, but as we lounge in what used to be a small park, I wonder if I should be worried. Akuji and his warriors seem unbothered, as if basking in the moonlight. Their skin glows, and their eyes are closed. Akuji holds me to his chest as I settle back and wait.
“I thought we didn’t want to be late,” I mutter. “So why are they?”
“They aren’t, they are watching us,” he murmurs without even opening his eyes.
“What?” I try to sit up, but he keeps me against his chest.
“Relax, little human,” Roroak murmurs. “They are just making sure it isn’t a trap. It’s the same thing we did when we approached. Unlike us, they rely on logic rather than instinct. Although they are great fighters, most prefer knowledge over fists. They know that in a fair fight, they wouldn’t stand a chance with us, though maybe Cato would. That asshole is ferocious for a brainy bastard.”
“Cato?” I ask curiously.
Akuji hums under me, vibrating my whole body. “Their leader. He was originally born into our tribe and trained with us, but he preferred brains over brawn. He was never happy with us, so we gave him a choice and he left. He worked his way up the ranks in the other tribe. He’s a good man.”
For Akuji to say that, I know he must be. I can’t imagine the fearsome monster under me respects many.
“He protects those he considers tribe and family above all else, but under it, he is still a monster like us, Aria, so stay close. Do not engage them unless you need to. They will be curious about why we are with a human anyway.”
“What about the third tribe, the one who took the girl last night?” I question.
“We sent word, but they didn’t respond. It’s not surprising. They consider themselves apart from us.” He sighs and opens his eyes. “Stop worrying so much.”
All of a sudden, there’s a thudding noise, and I jerk upright. Leaping from the top of the building and landing on deft, huge feet are bulky red monsters. From the way Akuji spoke, I expected them to be…well, I don’t know, smaller maybe? But they aren’t. They are just as big and scary-looking as Akuji’s tribe, and almost undistinguishable from the warriors around me, bar their scars and weapons. They carry none apart from the one at the front.
He is almost big enough to rival Akuji, and he has blades strapped to his chest, but he’s wearing pants compared to the leather warrior skirt my man wears. His hand is on Talia’s nape, and my heart stops as I meet her eyes. Her own are wide and hopeful, and she pulls away, but he pulls her back as she tries to get to me. I do the same before I’m scooped into Akuji’s arms.
“Patience, warrior,” he whispers.
I settle with a nod, trusting his instincts as I run my eyes over her to check for injuries.
She seems completely unscathed, even clean. Her hair is brushed back, her glasses are perched safely on her nose, her clothes are wrinkle and stain free, and she seems relaxed. When Akuji stands to his full height, she tries to scramble back, and the monster who I’m guessing is Cato pulls her into the shelter of his arms.
That’s when I realise his hand isn’t controlling her.
It’s comforting her.
My breathing stops, and I can’t help but grin. I guess we aren’t so different after all.
“Akuji,” Cato greets, his tone casual, almost eloquent compared to Akuji’s usually growling words. I prefer my monster. This one sounds like a carefully worded politician thinking on everything he will say, while Red just says what he thinks and doesn’t apologize.
