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The others burst instantly into action, fleeing without a thought and leaving behind the rest, who were easy to collect. But she continues to surprise me, remaining still as a statue. It’s as if she thinks I’ll attack when she finally dares to blink.
A small smile curves at the edges of my mouth.
She has never seen a demon before today. That, I have no doubt. And she has never seen one up close, not until this very moment. I expect her mouth to open, and for one of those wretched sounds to escape her, but her lips tighten instead, and that light returns to her eyes.
The gleam of purpose.
Despite her tiny stature and her narrow frame, I now have no doubt she will be a fine acquisition for my King and his experiment. I find myself resolved to collect her, despite all evidence to the contrary. And for myself, I want to feel her soft body writhe against me when I gather her up in my strong arms. I crave to feel her dull teeth in my flesh when she struggles, because I know she will.
She is a fighter, this one.
And she is more than just a wild animal. She is sentient, and maybe, she will come to understand the reason we have laid siege on her home. Maybe she will be a voice to the others, who shriek and wail inconsolably in their chains.
I want to allay her with words of comfort, though it is not our way. She makes me feel something I have only experienced when an Ur’gin mother gives birth, that joy and uncertainty of the little lives springing out of her, already gnashing and full of spirit.
I take another step forward, and her body goes rigid.
In several paces, I’ll be within arm’s reach. That is, if she doesn’t try to flee. She has nowhere to go, with me blocking the only true exit from this ruined place. This will be an easy catch, even though she’s nearly glowing with ambition. All I have to do is pin her down and secure a collar around her slender neck.
I’ll need to be careful, so I don’t snap it, instead.
I put a hand out to her, open and facing up, so she knows I don’t mean any real harm. She looks at it blankly, her gaze flitting back to my face and the sword over my shoulders. She is right to be cautious, but she doesn’t need to be.
I open my mouth to speak, when all at once, she bolts in the opposite direction, scrambling with mad fury through a gap in the wall that I’d missed. Excitement rushes through me as I realize she’s cleverer than I gave her credit for.
9
CORA
I spring into action, refusing to be caught by this monster.
It’s impossible to know what he has planned for me but it must certainly be worse than Gidresu’s lecherous attempts. Nothing with such frigid, calculating eyes could be so sincere, even if he did offer his hand to me.
I don’t buy his act for a second.
"You underestimate me," I mutter, my eyes gleaming as I escape.
There’s a long crack in the drywall that I slip through, trying to buy myself some time. It’s not just for me, that I run, but for Matt and Beth. For Laura, who, if she is still alive, will most certainly return to the house with the children. I need to lead him away from our home, or he might capture them, as well. I’ve already risked my own life, today, and I would gladly risk it again to ensure their future, however bleak it may be.
Just as I squeeze between two broken frames, he’s already crossed the heavy rubble and lunges, his razor sharp claws missing me by a hair’s breadth. My heart is galloping in my chest as I manage to free myself from the mess, rolling out just in time as he brings the wall down with a mighty sweep of his sword.
"Shit," I breathe, but it's the only second I waste. Quickly, I scramble to my feet and burst forward into a run.
I don’t have the luxury to glance behind me any longer, sensing that he’s already in hot pursuit. If I do look back, I’m truly frightened of what I’ll find.
That creature doesn’t call out to me, or order me to stop. Hell, I don’t know if he can speak in a language I understand.
I don’t care.
He is my enemy as much as the dark elves.
When I think I might be taking the lead, swerving through the battle scarred streets, he manages to keep up, maintaining his grip on that massive sword of his. And, though he has every opportunity to cut me down, he doesn’t.
It confuses me but I don’t have time to consider it.
I peel through the streets and break through the tree line, hoping he gets bored of chasing me and goes back to the army of hellish spawn decimating the dark elves’ ranks. I want to enjoy the fact that Gidresu and his minions are being overwhelmed at the moment, but my focus remains on my feet, pedaling hard beneath me.
I know better than to scream.
