Page 80 of Rebirth

“Shit,” I hear Soh’fee mutter as she takes a step back and into my camouflaged frame.

At the male’s back, two more adult hyu’mans come through the bushes, pausing as their eyes land on Soh’fee. All corroded. Corrupted with the same filth that has warred within me for revolutions.

“Three of them,” Soh’fee whispers, her gaze darting to the little shelter. To her weapon there. But it is too far, and her weapon is useless. If they charged now, she would not get there in time.

“I am at your back,” I lean in, keeping my voice low. Her scent envelops me, thick with the sweetness left behind by her arousal and laced with her fear. My gaze flies back to the corrupted hyu’mans.

In this short time, Soh’fee has become the most important thing to me in this universe. If they dare to move, I will split them in two before they even take a step in her direction.

Maybe she senses my craving to end them, for she reaches back, pressing into me as she tilts her chin up and smiles at the hyu’mans. Two males. One female. All look back at her with blackened eyes that no longer see her for what she is. The only thing ruling their mind will be hunger and thirst.

For my Soh’fee.

“It’s okay.” I don’t know if she says it for my or their benefit, but she smiles again.

They have said nothing. Not even moved, and my senses war. Something is not right here.

“They’re not doing anything,” Soh’fee whispers.

“Are you guys okay? Didn’t think I’d meet anyone out here.” She brightens her smile and lifts her voice. Over the silence of this forest, her voice carries and the corrupted hyu’mans tilt their heads almost in unison.

I can almost hear her swallow hard.

Right. This will not do. I should cut them down before—

Movement shifts behind the group of hyu’mans and I freeze, wrapping an arm around Soh’fee to keep her with me. There is something else there, and as it reveals itself, it is my turn to tilt my head.

A small hyu’man.

The moment the child reveals itself, I can tell Soh’fee startles. Her body jerks immediately as she twists to take herself from my grasp, but I hold on to her fast, my lips curling as I stare at the little hyu’man.

Something is wrong with it.

And why did I not scent it?

“He’rox,” Soh’fee hisses under her breath, and with much willpower, I let her go.

She moves toward the group semi-cautiously, almost as if forgetting the three fully grown hyu’mans before her, her entire focus on the child.

“Hey there, princess,” she smiles at the little hyu’man. “I’m Soh’fee.” Her gaze darts to the adults the child hides behind, before placing her focus back on the small thing.

It is skinny and dirty, its hair tangled and knotted. Wide eyes stare back at Soh’fee from behind the leg of the massive male and Soh’fee stops a few lengths away.

“Come here, princess.” Soh’fee smiles but the child doesn’t respond. Eyes that have seen too much terror stare back at Soh’fee, unblinking.

Soh’fee gulps, glancing in my direction, but I do not reveal myself. Not until she needs me. And I can see it in her gaze. That silent pleading for me to wait.

Patience is not a trait I have. Especially not concerning her.

“Is that your dad?” she asks the child.

For the first time in the whole interaction, the child shakes its head almost hesitantly.

Soh’fee smiles, eyes warm.

I want to reach for her and pull her back against me where she will be safe. To take all of this away and return to the moment we shared before. For the world to fade away and it all to be well. Just me and her. Here. No one else.

Yet, I can’t deny that her inner purpose is one I share.

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