Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

I slam my fist on the ancient oak table, silencing the bickering council members instantly. "Enough! While you squabble like harpies over a carcass, our borders remain vulnerable! This is ridiculous! We need to strengthen our defenses now, not sit around debating like a bunch of pixies at a tea party!"

The assembled monsters—a motley crew of mythical beings that would give any human nightmares for weeks—fall silent. Good. Maybe now we can get somewhere.

"If nothing else the recent incursion over in Monitor Township should be a warning to us all!"

"Thokk," Elowen, our resident elven witch, sighs. Her wrinkled ancient face is a mask of exasperation. "We've been over this. The protective wards are holding strong. We are in no danger of suffering the same problems as Monstertown. Besides, rumor has it that was due to an epic screw up by their spell-caster Tabitha."

"That may be so." I cut her off with a wave of my hand. "But still we put too much faith in such things. Spells, charms, it's all smoke and mirrors. We need real security. Walls! Guards! Maybe a moat.

My best friend Kalen, a minotaur built like a brick shithouse, snorts. "A moat? Around the entire village, really?"

I glare at him. "You got a better idea, beef breath?"

"If you want a wall, you're building it," he retorts. "The spells have never failed us. One little blip over in Monitor and everyone freaks out. Still, I can't argue with your point. We can't risk human discovery. One Instagram post and we're done for."

"Insta-what?" Elowen inquires.

"Oh, you remember, that picture thing. It can spread an image of us in seconds to the whole human world."

"No one would believe it anyhow," Koda, a hulking sasquatch, booms.

I wince. Even talking about human technology makes my head hurt. Although I will admit, television has its place.

I clear my throat, trying to regain the group's attention. "Obviously this warrants further discussion. Point is, we need to take this threat seriously. Humans are crafty, always poking their noses where they don't belong. We must be vigilant.'"

"But would it be so bad to mix with humans? My cousin in Monitor says—" Koda begins in his booming voice before being cut off by Nox.

"Your cousin must be delusional!" Nox's reddish skin turns an even brighter shade of crimson. "They are playing with fire. Mark my words!"

"Watch what you say about my kin!" Koda snarls.

"Ah relax, you big ape. I'm just saying time will tell if they are foolish or wise. I bet on the latter," he spits back as he makes as if to polish one of his horns.

"I must agree. Monstertown," I spit the name out like it's poison, "is a joke. They are indeed playing with fire. We will not follow their example."

As the council erupts into another round of arguing, my mind wanders.

Where is that damned cat? Othrix has been missing for days now. Not that I care, of course. He's just a cat. A small, furry, incredibly soft... No. I'm an orc warrior. Othrix is an efficient means of pest control, nothing more.

"Thokk?" Elowen's raspy voice snaps me back to attention. "Regardless, I will strengthen the wards on the perimeter."

"Definitely," I reply.

"I hope your defensive spells work better than your mate summoning ones do," Koda growls.

Gasps and a few muffled laughs instantly break out as the assembled group goes quiet. Elowen's face turns a rather impressive shade of scarlet at the comment and I wince.

"Very funny." Elowen's arms cross defensively. "I was just trying to help. And I don't think it's fair to say it didn't work just yet..."

Deciding it's a good time to make my exit, I stand abruptly, nearly knocking over my chair. "If that's all, I have important... uh, warrior things to attend to."

Before anyone can object, I stride out of the council chamber, my heavy boots echoing on the stone floor. Elowen's ceremony was little more than a distraction as far as I'm concerned. I'm in no real need of a mate after all. I have my duty as protector.

And I have Othrix. Wherever he is.

Regardless, her efforts clearly didn't work. The town is still, as it always has been, virtually barren of potential mates.

Outside, the sky is just starting to darken. Our little village—hidden from human eyes both by magic as well as their lack of belief—sprawls before me, a hodgepodge of ancient architecture interspersed amongst the trees, pathways and ponds. The settlement extends up the sides of the nearby mountains and down into some of the neighboring valleys. Here, right alongside them, we have been hidden from prying human eyes for centuries.

My feet carry me to Murk's Magical Menagerie, the local pet shop. The bell jingles as I enter, and the owner, Murk, a portly dwarf with a beard that could house several families of birds, looks up from his ledger.

"Ah, Thokk! Here for more treats for the little furball? These just came in," he says as he holds up a small pouch. "Herb-infused salmon bites. Othrix's favorite, if I recall."

"Fine." I toss a gold coin on the counter. And then, fearing Murk might view me as a softie for buying cat treats, I add, "But only because his hunting skills suffer on an all-mouse diet."

As Murk bags up the treats, my eyes fall on a plush cat bed in the corner. It looks ridiculously soft."

"An excellent choice!" Murk beams. "Othrix will love it."

"It's not—I mean, he doesn't need—" I sputter, feeling my face grow hot. "Just wrap it up, dwarf."

Surely these will entice him to return. Before the mice take over my pantry, I mean.

Leaving the shop, treats and bed in hand, I nearly collide with Finn the Satyr and Koda, still making their way from the town meeting.

"Well, well," Koda smirks, eyeing my purchases. "What do you have there."

I bare my teeth in what I hope is a menacing snarl. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"Is that a little cat bed?" Finn tries to hide a grin.

"Of course not. Othrix, slayer of tiny beasts, has no need for a bed. He lays wherever he has made his last kill." I glower defiantly.

"Um-hmm." Koda smirks, apparently unconvinced.

"What sort of Orc do you think I am?"

"Clearly one who cares for his little kitty..." Finn quips.

"Watch it, goat legs, lest I snap you like a twig."

Koda, imposing in his own right, steps between us. "Easy, fellas. We're all friends here." He turns to me, his furry face creased with concern. "Any luck finding the little critter?

I feel my shoulders slump. "Not yet. But he'll turn up. He always does."

"Oh, I see, I didn't realize." Finn's expression turns contrite, his earlier teasing forgotten. "I'm sure he's fine. That cat's tougher than half the warriors in this town. Present company excluded, of course. Still, ‘goat legs' is a low blow."

We all share a laugh as we make our way to the Bullhorn, our local tavern. As we enter, Kalen's booming laugh cuts through the din. The minotaur is behind the bar regaling a group of patrons with what's surely an exaggerated tale of his youth. He catches my eye and winks gesturing us toward a long, open table.

After only a few minutes, he saunters over balancing a tray of drinks with surprising grace for such a large creature.

"Gentlemen," he grins, charm practically radiating off him, "your usual poisons."

Kalen distributes the drinks with a flourish, then leans on the table, his brown eyes twinkling mischievously. "So, Koda," Kalen nudges the sasquatch with a muscular arm, "I hear you called Elowen out on her spell work. Bold move, my friend."

Koda rubs his forehead with the back of one furry paw. "Ah, I guess I should have kept my mouth shut, but I couldn't help myself."

"Hey you called it like you saw it," I say. "She shouldn't have gotten your hopes up like that."

" Her getting our hopes up?" Nox interjects, Koda's the one who kept saying what amazing mate summoning skills Tabitha has over in Monstertown."

"I was just repeating what my cousin said. He thinks Tabitha's the real deal..." the sasquatch retorts.

"Enough about Monstertown!" I bellow.

"Sorry," Nox responds matter of factly, "but like or it not we have the same problem."

"What problem? We can all go to Europe for a tour of all the old towns. I hear the ladies in Europe are quite... adventurous. Who knows who we could meet?" Finn shrugs, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Maybe it's time for a little cross-continent expedition, eh?"

"Look, it was nice of Elowen to at least try her hand at a summoning spell, but come on, you can't tell me you really still believe in all that shit. Nope. I am thinking of going the mail order troll route. Proven method," says Kalen before picking up a few empty bottles and heading back to the bar.

"I still can't believe it didn't work," Koda muses. "You guys just don't have any faith."

"Faith?" Nox barks a laugh. Best you get over it. No harm done. It's like Finn said, maybe we plan a little trip to Europe to find are fated mates.

"Oh boy now we're on to fated mates?" I grunt.

"What, you never wonder about that?" Koda retorts. "About fate? What if there really is someone out there for each of us?"

I snort into my drink. "Right, because some cosmic force is just waiting to pair me up with my perfect match. Give me a break."

"Yeah, and could you imagine it being a human? Like over in Mon..."

"Don't say it!" I interrupt him. "And no thanks!"

Before either of us can say more, a gravelly voice pipes up from behind us. "One way or another Fate finds a way, young ones. Don't doubt it!"

I roll my eyes as I turn to see the old troll. "With all due respect, Gornak, I think I'll stick to what I can control. Like border patrols and defense strategies. And planning my trip to the old country."

His eyes twinkle mischievously. "I guess we'll just have to see what fate has in store for you."

With that I glance at my bag of cat supplies and decide it's time to head out. "Maybe another time. I've got... things to do."

Kalen nods, a knowing look in his eyes. "Alright. You want some help searching for that beast of yours?"

"No, thanks brother. I'm just gonna do a quick sweep on my way home."

"Understood. And don't worry, he'll turn up."

I say my farewells and step out into the night, glad to put uncomfortable thoughts of mates aside.

Truth is, I have begun to think I will always be alone.

It is fitting though. I am a warrior.

Now, to the task at hand. Where is that damn cat?

I decide on a meandering path home that carries me along the outskirts of town, near the old clock tower. Just as I am passing, I catch what I think is a flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye. Did I imagine it?

"Othrix?" I call, hope rising in my chest. I step off the path, push open the creaky door of the clocktower, and peer into the gloom. I don't see anything. I look over my shoulder to be sure I am alone before softly cooing, "Here, kitty kitty. Daddy's got treats."

Suddenly, a gust of wind nearly knocks me off my feet. What the—? A blinding flash erupts from a small room off to the side, and I instinctively reach for my weapon.

Although the light fades quickly I am temporarily blinded. As my night vision returns, my jaw drops. I barely have time to react as a human woman practically falls into me. Her hands are stretched in front of her as if to brace herself, and as they make contact with the firm muscles of my abdomen, I feel a sizzle shoot straight to my toes. She gasps as her surprised face flies up. Our eyes meet, and the world stands still.

For a moment, we just stare at each other, frozen in shock. That sizzle, what can only be called an electric shock, intensifies. It pulses through me right to my core. The magnetic pull I feel toward this small creature is indescribable—a mix of protective instinct and fierce desire unlike anything I have ever experienced.

I am intrigued, intoxicated, and frankly deeply puzzled.

She's soft and fragile. Attractive, I suppose. For a human. Nothing like the sturdy orc women I'm used to. Her features are subtle, not as strong as those of orc women. Nevertheless, they have an allure all their own. A delicate beauty. Yes, I never thought I'd say this about a human, but I find her beautiful.

But his pull I feel. It threatens to overwhelm me. Something stirs behind my rib cage. I want nothing more than to protect her. Care for her. Keep her safe. And that's not the only place I feel a stirring. I glance down to confirm it. Sure enough, my cock is growing hard just from her mere presence. What is this small, fragile creature doing to me?

Still, I am a warrior to my very marrow, and I reach for my club, ready to do what needs to be done.

What? What is it I think I'm going to do? Club her? Of course not. I can't. I won't. What is happening to me?

As the reality of this situation hits me and I am forced to admit that internally I seem to be warring between duty and desire, another sensation is added to the mix. Panic.

A human? Here? How in the nine hells did she get past our town defenses? And after I just finished with a rant about this very thing at tonight's meeting.

My mind races. What am I supposed to do with her?

My warrior side insists I should kill her on sight. That would be the sensible thing to do.

Yet I can't imagine raising a hand to this captivating creature. I have a strong urge to pull her to me. To wrap her protectively in my strong arms. Like with Othrix. No! Not at all like that, I quickly amend.

What is happening?

Why is she affecting me this way? I again stare down at my swollen manhood.

This is not good.

If they find out she is here, the town will lose their minds.