23. Sarod

23

SAROD

T he information we've gathered burns in my mind like a white-hot brand—we've finally pinpointed the exact location of Grokus's hideout. Every second wasted is another moment Josie suffers at that bastard's hands. My blood boils at the thought, and I clench my fists so hard my knuckles crack.

I clench my jaw, listening to my teammates' hushed conversation. Their words only fuel the rage burning inside me.

"Bastard knew what he was doing," Thokk mumbles, shaking his head. His usually booming voice is low, tinged with anger and concern. "This hideout is secluded. It's as if he was planning to do something like this for a while." The thought makes my stomach churn. Has he been trying to fuck with me for a long time? Has he been waiting for this moment?

"Is he crazy?" Zorg asks, the youthful glint in his eyes shimmering with morbid curiosity. His gaze darts between us, searching for answers. "Or maybe he's done this before to other human women?" The suggestion sends a chill down my spine.

I don't care much about humans, but to think he might be preying on them haphazardly is a bit disconcerting. Even for the likes of me.

"I don't know but he's dangerous," Grul pipes in, his gruff voice laced with worry. He crosses his muscular arms, a deep frown etched on his face. "And he's taken Sarod's girl. That's a recipe for disaster." His words hang heavy in the air, and I feel the weight of their stares on me. They're right, and they know it. Grokus has crossed a line, and there's no telling what I might do when I get my hands on him.

"Listen up," I growl, barely containing the rage simmering beneath the surface. The faces of my teammates are grim, their eyes locked on me, reflecting the same determination I feel. "We've got one shot at this. Grokus is expecting us, but he doesn't know we're coming now. The element of surprise is our best weapon."

I lay out a crude map on the table, pointing to key locations with my calloused finger. The parchment crinkles under the pressure as I trace our plan of attack.

"Thokk, you and Grul take the back entrance. I need you two to be silent as death itself. Zorg, you need to watch the front in case he tries to escape there. Keep your wits about you, kid. I'm going in by myself, and I need you all to brace yourselves to catch Grokus if he slips past me. The bastard is a coward, so I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to run. If he does, don't hesitate. Take him down hard and fast."

My calloused finger traces the path we'll take, each movement deliberate and precise. The parchment crinkles softly beneath my touch, a physical representation of our plan coming to life.

"We move fast, we move quiet," I growl. "I don't think Grokus has any allies with him, but if he does, they're as good as dead. Like he is." The words taste like venom on my tongue, but I mean every single one of them. I want to be the one to rip the life out of his body when this is all said and done.

I look each of my teammates in the eye, one by one. Thokk, Grul, Zorg - I see the same fire that burns in my gut reflected in their gazes. There's determination there, as well as a hint of bloodlust. Good. We'll need that.

"Remember," I say, my voice dropping even lower, "Josie's our priority. No matter what happens, we get her out safe." I clench my fist, feeling my nails dig into my palm. "I'll deal with Grokus personally." The promise in those words hangs heavy in the air. Grokus will pay for what he's done, and I'll be the one to collect.

My fists clench at my sides, knuckles white with tension.

"And this isn't just about me or Josie, by the way. It's about showing that piece of shit that he can't mess with one of ours. We're a team, on and off the zyrphix pitch." I pause, letting my words sink in. The air around us feels thick with tension, and I can see the fire in their eyes matching my own. "Grokus needs to learn that his actions have consequences. We protect our own, no matter what."

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. The rage inside me threatens to boil over, but I force it down. I need to be clear-headed for this. My heart pounds in my chest, each beat a reminder of what's at stake.

"We go in fast and hard. No hesitation. Remember your positions and stick to the plan. Any questions?" I growl, scanning their faces. My voice is low, dangerous, barely containing the fury that's been building since I heard what Grokus did.

The silence that follows is charged with anticipation. My team nods, their faces set with determination. Thokk cracks his knuckles, a grim smile playing on his lips. The sound echoes in the quiet, a promise of violence to come. Grul and Zorg exchange a look, a silent communication passing between them. I can see the same fire burning in their eyes that I feel in my gut.

I clench my jaw, tasting the metallic tang of blood where my tusk has nicked my lip. Good. Let it fuel me. Let it remind me of what we're fighting for. Josie's face flashes in my mind, and my resolve hardens even further. We're more than just a zyrphix team. We're family. And family protects its own.

"Good. Let's move out." I turn on my heel, leading the way. The sound of heavy footsteps behind me is reassuring. We're in this together, and Grokus won't know what hit him.

We approach Grokus's hideout, my veins pounding with pure rage. The weight of my feelings for Josie hits me like a punch to the gut. How did this human girl become so important to me? When did she stop being just a thief I was punishing and become... everything?

Images of Josie flash through my mind - her defiant glare when I first caught her stealing my chain, the softness in her eyes when we shared a quiet moment, the fire in her touch when we finally came together. Each memory fuels my determination to get her back. I can almost feel her warmth, smell her scent, and it drives me mad knowing she's in danger.

"Don't worry, Josie," I mutter under my breath, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. My fists clench at my sides, muscles coiled tight with tension. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and the intensity of it scares me as much as it empowers me. Grokus has no idea what he's unleashed by taking her. I'll tear his whole damn hideout apart if that's what it takes to bring her home safe.

The thought of Grokus laying his filthy hands on her makes my blood boil, rage bubbling up inside me like molten lava. I've never felt this protective over anyone before, not even my closest teammates. I realize now that I'd gladly lay down my life for her - a thought that would've seemed ridiculous just weeks ago. Shit, I would've laughed if someone had told me I'd feel this way about a human woman, especially given what happened with Connie.

As we creep closer to the hideout, the air thick with tension, I signal my team to take their positions. Thokk and Grul nod silently, their faces set with grim determination. Even young Zorg, usually so eager for action, moves with careful precision. The familiar rush of adrenaline courses through my veins, but this time it's different. This is about saving the woman I love, and failure isn't an option.

Love. The word echoes in my mind, unfamiliar yet undeniable. I've never let myself be this vulnerable before, never allowed anyone to mean this much to me. But Josie... she's shouldered her way past all my defenses, breaking down walls I didn't even know I had.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. The fear of losing her claws at my insides, a cold, gnawing sensation that threatens to overwhelm me. But I push it down, refusing to let it take control. I can't afford to let it cloud my judgment now. Instead, I let it fuel me, sharpening my focus to a dagger's edge. Every sense feels heightened, every sound and smell amplified in the tense silence.

With a final nod to my team, I move towards the entrance. Every muscle in my body is coiled tight, ready for action. I can almost feel Josie's presence, drawing me in like a beacon in the darkness. It's as if there's an invisible thread connecting us, pulling me towards her with an urgency I've never experienced before.

"Hold on, Josie," I think fiercely, my jaw clenching with determination. "I'm coming for you. And Grokus is going to regret the day he ever laid eyes on you." The thought of him touching her, hurting her, makes me want to destroy everything in my path. I've never wanted to crush someone's skull as badly as I do right now. But I force myself to stay focused, channeling that rage into a cold, calculated fury.

There will be a moment where I have Grokus under me as I snuff his life out. And that will be a glorious moment. But right now, I have to know that Josie is in there and that she's okay. I can almost feel her presence, like a flickering flame in the darkness.

Every fiber of my being screams to charge in, but I know better. I've got to be smart about this. One wrong move, and it could cost Josie her life. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come. Whatever happens, I'm not leaving here without her.