3. Sarod

3

SAROD

I feel the weight of the blonde human on my lap, her perfume cloying in my nostrils. Her fingers trace my chest, leaving a trail of warmth that should excite me, but something's off. My hand instinctively moves to my neck, searching for the familiar weight of my prized chain. The one that means more to me than this tavern full of drunks could ever understand. It's gone.

"What the fuck?" I growl, shoving the woman off me with more force than necessary. She stumbles, her eyes wide with shock, and nearly falls on her ass. Part of me wants to laugh, but the rage building inside drowns out any amusement.

"Baby, what's wrong?" she simpers, reaching for me again with those perfectly manicured nails. As if I give a shit about her right now.

I ignore her, my eyes scanning the tavern like a predator seeking prey. The patrons fall silent, one by one, sensing the shift in mood. Good. They should be afraid. My fists clench at my sides, knuckles cracking, as I stride to the center of the room. Each step feels like thunder in the sudden quiet.

"Who took it?" I roar, my voice echoing off the grimy walls, making a few of the weaker patrons flinch. "Which one of you sorry shits had the balls to steal from me?" I bare my tusks, daring anyone to speak up or try to run. Someone in here is about to have a very bad night.

Silence. Then a flurry of whispers and nervous glances ripple through the tavern like a disease. The stench of fear permeates the air, mixing with the usual reek of cheap ale and sweat. Good. They should be terrified.

"I'll ask one more time," I snarl, grabbing the nearest human by his threadbare collar. His feet dangle off the ground as I lift him effortlessly. "Where's my fucking chain?"

The man's eyes widen in fear, his face paling to a sickly shade. "I-I don't know, sir! I swear on my mother's grave!"

I toss him aside like the worthless sack of shit he is. He crashes into a nearby table, sending mugs clattering to the floor. My gaze sweeps the room, challenging anyone to meet my eyes. These lowlifes think they can fuck with me I'll show them what happens when you cross an orc who's lost everything but his pride.

"Listen up, you miserable sacks of shit," I bellow, my voice resonating through the tavern like a thunderclap. The patrons cower, their eyes darting nervously around the room. "That chain's worth more than your pathetic lives combined. Tell me who took it, or I swear by the gods, I'll tear this place apart brick by fucking brick. And don't think I won't enjoy it."

A scrawny human in the corner raises a trembling hand, his face as pale as death. "I... I saw something, sir," he stammers, voice barely above a whisper.

I'm on him in an instant, my massive green hand engulfing his throat as I lift him off his feet. His legs dangle uselessly in the air, reminding me of a puppet with cut strings. "Spit it out before I lose my patience," I growl, baring my tusks.

"One of the tavern girls," he chokes out, his eyes bulging with fear. "Josie. She ran out just now. Looked like she was in a hurry. Maybe... maybe she knows something?"

I drop the human, watching with satisfaction as he crumples to the floor, gasping for air. Josie. That name rings a bell. The pretty little thing with the dirt-smudged face who's always scurrying around, avoiding eye contact. If she's involved in this, she's about to learn what happens when you cross an orc who's got nothing left to lose.

"Where'd she go?" I demand, my voice a low rumble that sends tremors through the tavern. The stench of fear permeates the air.

The man, still quivering on the floor, points a shaky finger toward the back door. "That way, sir," he stammers, his eyes wide with terror. "Toward the market district. She... she was running like a pack of dark elves were after her."

I crack my knuckles, the sound echoing in the sudden silence. Adrenaline courses through my veins, setting my nerves on fire. The hunt is on, and by the gods, I'll find that little minx if it's the last thing I do.

"You better pray I find her," I growl to the room at large, baring my tusks in a feral grin. The patrons shrink back, some averting their eyes, others frozen in place. "Or I'm coming back for all of you. And trust me, you don't want to see what happens then."

With a final snarl, I turn on my heel and stalk towards the door, my heavy footsteps leaving indents in the worn wooden floor. The cool night air hits my face as I step outside, carrying the scent of desperation and secrets. Josie's out there somewhere, and I intend to uncover whatever she's hiding.

I storm out into the night, the cool air doing nothing to quell the fire in my veins. That human girl has no idea what's coming for her. I'll teach her what happens when you cross an orc.

In no time, I find myself in the bustling market district where vendors hawk their wares and customers move in dense crowds all around me. The air is thick with the stench of unwashed bodies and overripe fruit. I push through whoever dares cross my path, my blood boiling hotter with each step. Humans scatter like frightened animals, sensing the unbridled rage radiating off me. I don't give a shit about their fear. My eyes scan the sea of faces, searching for that little thief who dared to cross me.

Then I see her. That scrawny tavern girl, standing at a vendor's stall, her dirty brown hair hanging limply around her face. My chain glints in her hand as she gestures wildly, no doubt trying to pawn off my precious possession. My vision goes red, a primal growl rumbling in my chest.

"You!" I roar, my voice carrying over the din of the market.

Her head whips around, those big eyes of hers going wide with terror. For a split second, our gazes lock, and I see the realization dawn on her face. She bolts like a startled dae, weaving through the crowd with surprising agility. But I'm faster, my long strides eating up the distance between us. The chase is on, and by all the gods, she won't escape me this time.

She darts down an alley, and I grin, a predatory thrill coursing through my veins. Stupid girl. She's trapped herself like a dae in a hunter's trap. My heavy footfalls echo off the stone walls as I follow, savoring the hunt.

I round the corner, finding her pressed against the wall, chest heaving, those big eyes of hers wide with fear. The alley's so narrow my shoulders nearly touch both sides, blocking any hope of escape. Perfect. The stench of rotting garbage and her fear mingles in the air, feeding my anger.

"Thought you could steal from me, huh?" I snarl, looming over her. My tusks gleam in the dim light as I bare my teeth. "You've got some fucking nerve, human. Did you really think you'd get away with it?" I slam my palm against the wall beside her head, relishing how she flinches. "I oughta crush you right here for even trying."

She tries to look defiant, but I can smell her fear, the acrid scent mingling with the alley's stench. Her pulse races, visible at her throat. "I-I don't know what you're talking about," she stammers, voice quavering despite her attempt at bravado.

I slam my fist into the wall beside her head, relishing her flinch. The impact sends a jolt through my arm, dust and debris showering down. "Don't play dumb," I snarl, baring my tusks. "I saw my chain in your grubby little hands. You think I'm blind as well as stupid?"

Her eyes dart around, looking for an escape. There isn't one. I've made damn sure of that, my bulk blocking any chance of slipping past. She's trapped like a rodan, and we both know it.

"You owe me your life now, girl," I growl, leaning in close enough that my hot breath stirs her hair. My voice drops to a menacing rumble. "Do you understand? Your pathetic existence belongs to me. Every breath you take from this moment on is because I allow it."

She spits in my face, her saliva hot and wet against my cheek. "I'd rather die than owe you anything, orc," she hisses, her eyes blazing with defiance.

I wipe the spit away with the back of my hand, chuckling darkly. The sound rumbles deep in my chest, a promise of retribution. "Oh, you've got fire, little thief. I'll enjoy breaking that spirit of yours." My lips curl into a savage grin, baring my tusks.

Without warning, I grab her wrist, my massive green hand engulfing her delicate arm. I twist sharply, relishing her cry of pain as the chain slips from her grip and clatters to the floor. I snatch it up quickly, then yank her close enough that I can smell the fear beneath her silly little defiance.

"You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into," I growl, my breath hot against her ear. I can feel her trembling against me, her pulse racing beneath my fingers. "But don't worry, girl. You'll learn soon enough."