Page 9 of Hunter's Moon

The stale air of the cell filled my lungs. “I went to the bazaar to get his favorite tea. Arin Tal… the tea merchant. He was fine, and I looked away, and then he was dead. And then I saw the assassin - and saw they were part of Obsidian Dawn.”

Tharion leaned forward, his interest piqued. “How did you recognize them?”

The memories I’d tried so hard to bury came rushing back. My hands began to shake uncontrollably. “I know their mark too well. The Obsidian Dawn ran the first space station where I was first indentured. They were terrible - slavers in all but name.” My voice cracked. “Dr. Heylarth saved me from that hell.”

I couldn’t stop the tremors wracking my body. The cell closed in around me, the walls pressing closer. I gasped for air, feeling like I might shatter at any moment.

Suddenly, strong arms encircled me. Tharion pulled me against his chest, his warmth enveloping me. I should have resisted, should have pushed him away. But in that moment, I needed an anchor.

I buried my face in his shoulder, inhaling his scent - something wild and alien, yet oddly comforting. My shaking gradually subsided as he held me, one hand stroking my hair.

“It’s alright,” he murmured, his deep voice rumbling through his chest. “You’re safe now.”

I knew it wasn’t true - we were both prisoners. But for a brief moment, I let myself believe it. When I finally pulled away, I felt steadier.

Tharion’s expression was thoughtful as he released me. “We need a plan,” he said, his tone all business once more. “Our captors took all my weapons and tools. We’ll have to be creative.”

I nodded, wrapping my arms around myself again. “What did you have in mind?”

His eyes glinted in the dim light. “We need to buy some time. The best way to do that...” He trailed off, looking uncomfortable for the first time.

“Is what?” I prompted. “What don’t you want to say?”

“We need to make Grax believe I’m doing what he ordered,” Tharion said, his voice gravelly. “That I’m... hurting you for information.”

My stomach lurched. “What? No, I can’t?—”

“It’s just pretend,” he cut me off, his tone softening slightly. “But we have to give him something. And it needs to look real. He’ll be watching.”

My throat was suddenly dry. “How real?”

Tharion’s jaw clenched. “I’ll have to be rough. Pin you against the wall, snarl at you. Nothing too extreme, but... convincing.”

My heart raced, a confusing mix of fear and something else I didn’t want to examine too closely. I nodded, not trusting my voice.

“Ready?” Tharion asked, his muscles tensing.

Before I could respond, he lunged forward. His large hands gripped my upper arms, slamming me against the cold metal wall. The impact knocked the breath from my lungs.

Tharion leaned in close, his hot breath fanning across my face. His pointed canines gleamed as he snarled, “Tell me what I want to know, human!”

I struggled against him. “I can’t answer you because I don’t know! Please!”

He pinned me in place with his body. The heat of him seeped through my thin clothing, a stark contrast to the chill of the wall at my back.

“Liar,” he growled, his face almost brushing mine.

My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could feel it.

“I swear, I don’t—” I began, but he cut me off with a low, menacing growl.

One of his hands moved to my throat, not squeezing, but a clear threat. “You know something about the Obsidian Dawn. Tell me!”

I whimpered, partly for show, but also because of the confusing sensations flooding through me. Fear, yes, but also... something else. A heat pooling low in my belly, a tingle where our bodies met.

“Stop,” I whispered, my voice breathy. “I’ll tell you everything I know, just... don’t hurt me.”

Tharion’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Could he sense my arousal? The thought both terrified and thrilled me.

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