13. Kuret

13

Kuret

I am still too far from them, but running at full speed, my hearts pound from more than just the exertion. I only hope that I don't get there too late to help.

It's startling how easy it is to misread a situation. I have never seen a perpetrator actually harming a female, only witnessed their punishment afterward as a lesson to others.

The male has been her protector; he should've settled things peacefully without this brutish use of force. Anyone should be killed for daring to even raise his hands to a female in such a manner.

I don't care if we are completely different species. Even if he comes from an extremely barbaric and uncivilized planet, he should know that forcing a female against her will is a grave offense—a crime equivalent to murder.

Another scream echoes through the forest and I pick up my speed, ignoring the ache in my abdomen.

I cannot understand his language or what she just said, but I know it wasn't a sound of pleasure that she made.

The forest fades into a muffled whisper as my heart pumps loudly in my ears, metal tangs my tongue from biting down, but the pain is lost in a wave of fury. My vision is gray, and the trees are a blur as I wind my way through the thick undergrowth.

All I can think about is how I am going to rip him to pieces when I lay my hands on him. Out here on these lawless lands, I can take all the honor for myself.

The rage is a dull roar in my ears and a taste in my mouth—a taste I will gladly replace with that of this callous being's blood. Once I can reach them.

Another pained scream echoes, The male's harsh yell follows. The rage in my chest flares, and I curse myself for wasting time with my own discomfort and naivety.

As I close in on the male, I move in a half circle to give me the chance to pounce on him from behind. I must be quick and precise if I want to do this cleanly. The rage that's been building finally bursts out, focused into a sharp cry as I lunge forward, grabbing him by his hair to get a firm hold.

When I push him to the ground, his arms flail out in front of his body, but all he makes is a wet, gurgling sound as I tilt his neck slightly to the side for him to see who punishes him.

The sick cracking sound feeds my rage, but not enough. Getting on one knee, I drive the dagger from my boot into his chest, slicing through until the blade disappears into him before dragging it straight across his long torso.

His shocked face. It gives me a grim satisfaction, but it is not enough. Not nearly.

My hand moves faster than my brain as I butcher him, his dirt-colored blood spraying on my face and body. Every blow carves deeper; creatures like him do not deserve any part of them to be looked upon with a single shred of dignity.

I don't realize when my second knee comes down until it makes his head roll off.

Triumphantly, I kneel on his mutilated corpse, his blood soaking me, and I wish I could bring him back to life just to kill him again.

His severed head squishes in my grip as I lift it, driving my bloodied dagger into one of his shocked eyes. A barking cry leaves my lips as I yank the blade out and stab it into the other eye.

I throw the head aside and scream again—a raw cry of victory. I have carried out my mission and protected the human like I said I would.

I look down at the pieces of his bloodied body; every slice for a woman he has taken advantage of—predators like him don't just start hurting those they should protect.

My hearts are thumping loudly, almost like the cheers of my kin back home. There would be a feast in my name; I can almost hear Samke's playful laughter, teasing me how I cannot escape the donor ceremony now that females will flock to me, eager to make a titled protector their donor.

Thinking of females, I recall the reason I came here in the first place. To rescue the human.

I look down to find her dragging herself backward, desperately trying to get away from me. Her face is a ghostly mask of fear, as all the color is washed away from it, her bottom lip quivering and tears falling from her eyes.

I turn swiftly to check if there is something else behind me or if the male has magically risen from the dead, but there is nothing there.

When I take a step closer, her wide, pale eyes grow even wider and she scurries farther away from me, confirming my suspicion.

Confused, I wonder if I misunderstand the entire situation. Was all this consensual? Did I interfere when I shouldn't have? I swear I heard her scream out in pain. While I don't know much about the union between males and females, I know that doesn't sound like one is being attacked. I even saw him hit her a few times, so why look at me like that?

A cold dread settles in my gut; I might have upset a female for a reason unknown to me. I take another step and offer my hand to help her up.

She shrieks and collapses to the ground, her white hair falling over her face.

I reach out a hand to reassure her. "He can't hurt you now."

She grunts, wincing in pain as she tries to speak. "N-no, please."

I stand still and stare at her, unsure of what to do.