Page 138 of Sohut's Protection

Not at all like the coarse, bubbly-filled skin she was looking at.

She stifled a yelp as she was suddenly pulled forward and against the toad-man’s chest.

But it didn’t feel like she was embracing a Tasqal.

This body she was pressed against felt familiar.

It felt like…Sohut.

Her mind could not comprehend.

“Raxu, Cleo. I thought I lost you.”

A sob caught in her throat.

“Sohut? How?”

“No time,” he said, even as he patted her head gently. “We have to go.”

Swallowing hard, she nodded as he allowed her to ease off him.

It was like a grater to her senses, looking into the huge black eyes and knowing that behind those eyes, the man she loved was looking back at her.

Sohut was moving, his hand grasping hers as he pulled her behind him gently but with urgency.

“Walk behind me, closely. Keep your head down.”

Nodding, she did as she was told.

“How do you suppose we’re going to get out of here?” she whispered as they headed toward the door.

“I don’t phekking know, to be honest. Luck.”

“Luck?” Not that she’d expected more. Luck meant there was a chance.

Sohut turned and the strange face she was seeing split into a smile.

“Don’t do that,” Cleo groaned.

Sohut chuckled.

“I am one lucky phekker,” he said before they reached the door, where he paused.

“Let’s do this,” he breathed, glancing behind him to ensure she was ready before they stepped out.

32

She didn’t know what she expected but it wasn’t this.

There were beings, so many beings, all mixed in with the Tasqals.

And they were…

Cleo swallowed the bile that rose in her throat, keeping her head down as she hoped no one could see the horror on her face.

They were raping them.

And the females she’d been put in the terrarium with, she could only hope Lee-yunna had found a way to escape too. She couldn’t see her, although, she couldn’t lift her head to search the room.

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