2. Turren

Along with thirty or so other orcs, I crouched on a thick branch high in the canopy, waiting for two women to leave the human fortress. Because my clan lived so far from here, I’d never participated in the Monster Mate Hunt. I was attending this year only because I’d recently traveled with Dakur, the caedos of the Matis Clan. He’d been captured and trapped far out in the desert where my clan made their home, and I’d helped him and his new mate, Nia. He’d invited me to stay with him before the Hunt.

One of the other orcs studied me, his gaze falling on my left arm.

Keeping my face stoic, I tucked it against my side to hide the scars, to keep him from noting it was slighter than my right.

He said nothing, but none of us wanted to make a sound that might call in predators who’d hunt the women.

It wasn’t hard for me to remain silent. I was known for saying very little. When I did speak, I tried to craft my words in a way that gave them meaning.

The canopy rustled overhead, and I peered up, tightening my grip on the blade sheathed at my waist.

I hated it here, hate being perhaps too strong a word. I missed the wide-open spaces surrounding my home, the dry air, the endless sunshine, and the creatures we rode in the sky. There, I could see for many cliks in every direction. I knew how to find food and water. No one found me lacking.

Deep within the forest, I could barely see beyond the length of my arms. It was damp here, and I didn’t understand the sounds creatures and insects made. I didn’t know how to protect myself from whatever might stalk me.

With that in mind, I tapped the hilt of my staff sheathed along my spine. I could pull it in a blink, and with it in my hands, there were few who could defeat me in battle.

“One comes,” the male beside me wearing a Matis Clan pendant whispered, pointing toward the high fortress gate that was creaking open. “It’s said they fight us, that they don’t wish to become our brides, but I’m not sure I believe that. Look at how Alwen adores Zickar, how Nia can’t bear to be out of Dakur’s sight.” He scoffed. “If the fates are kind enough to send me my fated one tonight, she’ll welcome me with wide open arms.” His smile bloomed. “And I’ll adore her for the rest of my days. What do you think?”

“I . . .”

He leaned closer to hear my soft words.

I cleared my throat. “I think I’ll be eternally grateful if the fates treat me kindly tonight.”

While I’d found a new home with my clan, and I had many friends, I was lonely. Would a human woman be able to fill the hole in my heart?

A woman crept through the open gate, a bag clutched in her hand and a stoic expression on her pretty face. Her long silver hair tied high on her head gleamed in the moonlight, the light displaying her lush form.

Light blazed nearby, and a male perched on a tree limb a few trees over from mine groaned. He grinned and looked down at his Azuris pendant that was made up of swirls with spikes to resemble waves. I hadn’t seen the ocean, and I wasn’t sure I ever would. The oases where my clan lived in the summer months contained pools that were big enough for me.

“Go,” a male said, slapping the back of the Azuris clansmale with the blazing pendant. “Your clan fates have chosen her for you. Now, you only need to claim her. She waits for you.”

“She looks more like she’s running away from him,” someone else said with a low laugh, pointing to where the female had entered the woods and was fleeing down a weaving trail into the darkness beyond. “Perhaps she wishes for you to capture her before you announce your intentions?”

With a rueful shake of his head, the chosen male leaped all the way to the ground, landing with a dull thud, and took off after her.

The rest of the orcs waiting in the canopy sighed with envy.

Another woman left the fortress, and the door banged closed. No more women would leave the fortress tonight, and the next hunt would not take place for another year. As part of the treaty between the orcs and the humans, the orcs provided protection from the forest creatures in exchange for two mates.

The Matis Pendant hanging around the neck of the male next to me flamed, and he shot me a grin before jumping to the ground and rushing over to meet her as she entered the woods. She cried out with joy or dismay—I couldn’t tell. He took her hand and disappeared with her into the dense vegetation.

“Another year to wait,” someone said, and the others grumbled, me included. This was a wasted trip. I wouldn’t come to the hunt again.

Then my pendant flared, blazing so brightly, it blinded me for a heartbeat. Everyone turned to look my way.

“Three?” someone said in awe.

Another grunted. “It’s not possible. The treaty states we only get two.”

“Where is she?” another asked, peering around.

I looked too. The fortress gate remained closed. No woman walked through the woods around us, and I didn’t hear any movement other than from the other males.

“Are the fates mistaken?” someone asked.

That wasn’t possible. She was out there somewhere, and I was going to find her.

I sprung from the branch, landing solidly on the crushed leaves coating the ground and lifted my head. Could I scent her?

Yes . . . I caught a light floral essence to the north that called to me like no other. It stabbed through my heart that longed to find my perfect other half.

I burst into a run, determined to claim her in the name of the Ember Clan.