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If stone had voice, Ben imagined it would sound like him.
“Aye, Master Hunter, m’lord,” the humans bobbed and stuttered, scrambling to both cater to and run away from the forbidding monolith.
And given how feared he was, Ben assumed he was a Dark One.
In the end, the humans chose to disappear from the Dark One’s intimidating presence, leaving Ben and the stranger entirely alone.
“I’m not a Pure One,” Ben repeated quietly, not expecting his claim to be believed.
He stared at the imposing threat before him unblinkingly, trying to discern anything of the stranger’s face or expression, but he was hidden under the cowl of his tunic.
“I know,” the monolith said.
“I can smell your human blood.”
Ben started to release a breath of relief, until the Immortal continued:
“You’re still food and flesh to tear apart for my Kind, a tantalizing morsel at that. So, shut up and follow me, or fend for yourself against hungrier wolves.”
Put in those blunt, irresistible terms, how could Ben possibly refuse?
~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~* ~ *~ * ~
Zai didn’t know why he bothered to aid the stranger; it had been instinctive rather than thought through. A gut reaction that had gotten him into as much trouble as he’d gotten out of.
Such as: the fateful day he killed a fellow Hunter and turned against Queen Gaia.
But now that he’d acted, he couldn’t take it back.
At least for the time being, the stranger was his responsibility. Maybe he could set the man straight, give him some blunt advice and send him on his way.
First, however, he’d see about getting them both some much needed repast.
The stranger’s belly had stopped growling and moved on to roaring, as if a lion lived within. And Zai hadn’t bothered to rest in his travels for two consecutive days. He needed the boost of a satisfying meal and hopefully a bed that wasn’t the hard, rocky ground.
He walked around to the entrance of the establishment, not waiting to see if the stranger followed. If he was smart, he would. If he didn’t, that was his choice. And Zai could absolve himself of all responsibility.
He rather wished the stranger was stupid.
But no such luck. Which didn’t surprise him, since luck had never favored him across the whole of his existence.
The stranger followed close on his heels, like an eager pup.
The humans who ran the establishment eyed him warily as he strode in. They narrowed their calculating eyes at the stranger behind him, but didn’t bother him otherwise. It was clear that he was with Zai, and therefore, under Zai’s protection.
Humans never challenged Dark masters. The consequences were swift and bloody.
“This way, m’lord,” a young human male murmured, docilely leading the way to a securely placed back table in a corner of the public house.
If Zai sat with his back against the wall, he’d have an unobstructed view of the entire place, especially the main entrance, side and back exits.
“Food and libation will come out shortly,” the human said, keeping his voice low and eyes averted to the ground to show his subservience.
“Will you require anything else?”
Blood was the first thing most Dark Ones requested. Whether human or, ideally, Pure. A large establishment like this, in the center of the main village at the base of the Dark stronghold, usually kept Pure slaves in their stores. If a Dark One decided to stay for the day, he or she could use them for both blood and sex. No trade required.
In fact, the laws dictated that humans served Dark Ones no matter who they were, that they made sure to provide everything the Dark masters required, within their ability.
