Page 40 of Warrioress

The huntsmen continued to back away but then spread apart, creating two divisions as they opened room for a tall man wearing a fierce, snarling snarl mask. An elite huntsman. He stopped just shy of the net and stared down at them, his silence mocking. Finally he turned away to look slowly over those gathered in wait.

“We have our orders. The elite commander wants to make an example of them as proof that our initiative is feasible. We can turn Ragoru against themselves and each other by stimulating their nervous system, but it requires concentrated doses for prolonged periods of time. This is our first victory!” he shouted, drawing cheers from the men. “A victory granted by the Mother in reward for our diligence in guarding this place, and proving that only when we are gathered at our full strength can we successfully utilize the initiative and strike back at our foes.”

“And what of the woman, sir?” one of the huntsmen queried with an uncertain glance in her direction. “That beast seems protective of her.”

“Then she is corrupted and damaged beyond saving,” the masked elite replied, though she was a little shocked at the mocking note in his voice. Did he know her? He seemed to be enjoying this far too much. “But then again, she was already damaged beyond saving. Isn’t that right, Uma?” he added with a dark chuckle, his hand rising to his face.

His fingers closed along the sides of the mask, and he pulled it free, lowering it to bare his face entirely. His lips were twisted in a sneer, but her eyes widened in recognition. It had been years since she had last seen him, and those years were clearly not born gracefully as once youthful beauty had become tarnished with age, his cheeks sagging and a strange hollowness around his eyes as if his flesh were in the process of sliding free from his frame.

“Drake,” she whispered angrily.

The corner of his mouth hitched in amusement. “Indeed. Ever since you survived, I had always hoped for the moment I might find you again.” He flicked his fingers in a sweeping gesture. “Take them.”

Uma didn’t even see who struck Kam, but she cried out in alarm as his big body sagged and dropped to the side. She clung to him, despite now being exposed, begging him to wake up until a sharp crack that rocked through her and descending darkness swept it all away.

Chapter 29

Vrin winced and growled as he shook his head in an attempt to clear it of the painful haze that swamped his senses. It felt like the time Ekeren had come close to splitting his head. From what he recalled, he was going to feel terrible for the next day or two. At least his cocks weren’t aching, and he was feeling more clearheaded than he had over the last few days. Given how much his head hurt, that was impressive.

“What hit me?” he grumbled.

Kam looked over at him, the corner of his mouth hitching faintly. “An exceptionally tall human with a large bludgeoning weapon.”

“A hammer,” Uma corrected tiredly from a short distance away. “It’s called a hammer.”

He lifted his head to look over at her and immediately grimaced when he saw where they were. It seemed that they were in yet another cell, but this one had three stone walls and one wall fitted with the customary iron bars.

“Hammer,” Kam repeated. “Regardless, an abnormally big human attempted to flatten your head like one of Uma’s hotcakes.” He rubbed his belly and sighed. “I could use a dozen hotcakes right now.”

“I would rather eat whoever hit me,” Vrin grumbled as he sat up the rest of the way.

“Save room for dessert,” Kam replied. “I hear that huntsmen named Drake are particularly tasty this time of the year.”

Vrin stiffened, his hackles rising angrily. “Drake? That male is here?” he demanded as his gaze shot to his brother. “Alive?”

“No, he is dead and currently a pile of rot controlled by a very talented human... what are they called... puppeteer!” Kam grinned tiredly at him, wincing slightly as he lifted a hand to cradle the side of his head. “I forgot that was after you proved your skull is in fact the hardest part of your body. He showed up afterward and talked a lot.”

He... talked?

“What did he talk about?” he growled.

Kam shrugged. “I did not understand most of it. I assume it is just the crazy stuff that huntsmen say to get themselves all worked up into a frenzy. It seemed to work the way some of them cheering. Something about an initiative and a stimulant, and the Mother rewarding them. I cannot really recall. My head was not at peak performance.”

“Kind of hard for it to be when all the blood relocates south,” Uma agreed and chuckled softly as she slowly pushed herself to a standing position and inched closer, at least as far as the chains allowed.

He glanced down at the chains strapped to manacles around his wrists, ankles, and waist. He even felt a larger one looped around his neck. Ludicrously, it brought back memories of flirting with Uma over the very same things. He smiled to himself and peered slyly over at Uma.

“This is not exactly how I imagined being chained,” he commented, surprising another weak laugh from her.

“I will put in a request for a private dungeon next time,” she replied. “If you promise to eat me too.

Vrin grinned, pleased to see her spirit stirring once more. The last thing he wanted was for her to just lie down and give up. As long as she was willing to fight, he had hope.

“Oh, I will eat you,” he growled. “Every tasty bit until you scream.”

“Sadist,” Uma chuckled.

He smirked at her. “I did not say it would be in pain, but you will most definitely scream.”

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