Chapter 18

Ahush of agreement spreads through the hall. I look up, searching Thorn's face. What is he going to do to me? His features are impassive, though his eyes glow with something mysterious.

"You're more honored than your peers, human," he says after a beat. He leans back in his chair. "I am Thorn, son of Snargr. I'm the reigning king of the Bearclaw Clan. Do you have a name?"

He wouldn't want to know my name if he wanted to kill me, right? Unless that's part of their judgment?

"Violet Green," I reply, standing taller than I feel. Shooting a glance over my shoulder at the guard, I add, "And no, I'm not green; I'm aware. That's just my family name."

Gorbag scoffs behind me. More orcs chuckle under their breaths. I almost want to tell them I'm glad they find me amusing.

Thorn stares at me in silence for another beat. My frayed nerves are about to snap.

"So, are you going to kill me or not?" The question hangs in the air. "I hate the anticipation."

"The human has a point," Ursha agrees, but from her snarky smile, I know she's hoping for my death.

Thorn's brows knit together in confusion. "Why would I want to kill you?" he asks me.

What? That's a… weird question. "Well. Because... I'm an outsider?"

"And you take me for a savage."

The irony doesn't escape me. "No, of course not. It's just that... Everyone said… Maybe you're angry because I kept the baby from you yesterday?"

He leans back in his chair. "You couldn't know I was the king."

My shoulders drop. I didn't even notice how tense they were. "I thought you were going to slit my throat or something."

"No. We don't slit throats." He narrows his eyes at me as if my words were nonsense. "We behead."

Amazing. "So," I start, tucking my hands into my coat pockets, "you don't intend on killing me?"

Thorn rolls his eyes as he releases a deep sigh. This must be the first sign he's losing his temper. "No, if you stop with the torrent of questions." He points at the food in front of him as he looks at Drundak. "Did she eat something?"

"No."

"Then grab some goblin finger, human, and follow me," Thorn barks, rising from his chair.

Drundak picks up a bowl and hands it to me, pointing at a nearby platter with what looks like eggs and long stripes of something black.

I'm all for trying new foods, but this? I recoil at the sight of the grisly dish. I've always considered myself brave with food, but...

"Goblin fingers?" I squeak, and my stomach roils.

I knew I didn't fit… but it's getting obvious now.