Page 16 of My Fated Orc Hero

"Very well," the suspected elf nods after a tense moment. "We trust your judgment, Thokk. But be careful. As you well know, humans are tricky creatures."

“Undoubtably,” Thokk replies as the elders nod and turn around, apparently satisfied the situation is under control.

As the elders move away, I find myself a little annoyed with them.

“Tricky creatures, huh? They’re lucky you have me on a leash.

Thokk just levels me with a look.

"Come," he growls, tugging gently on the belt. “That was too close," he mutters, leading me away quickly.

"We need to get you out of sight. It's not safe for you out here."

As we walk, my mind races with everything I've seen. The murals, the elders, not to mention the leash!

Not cool.

I stumble to keep up with him though, my mind wanders. Under different circumstances though... A part of me feelsa thrill at the odd sensations this strange arrangement is activating.

Zoe ... stop it.

I'm so lost in thought that I barely notice when we arrive at a cozy-looking cottage on the outskirts of town...

Thokk shuttles me inside and after seeming to scan the surroundings for moment, he closes the heavy oaken door behind us.

The interior is an incredible mix of what I can only think of as “old world charm, and, maybe, “new age sensibility.” Across from a massive stone hearth there is an equally massive flat screen television mounted.

He guides me to a pile of furs and I gratefully sit down. As he reaches for the collar, I tense instinctively, though by now it is clear he is more protective of me than anything. His touch is once again surprisingly gentle as he removes it, his fingers lingering on my neck as he briefly rubs at what I can only assume are marks the homemade contraption has left.

I can't help but shiver at his touch, surprised by the tenderness from such a formidable creature. "Thanks," I murmur, meeting his gaze. For a moment, neither of us moves.

My skin tingles where his fingers were. “That felt nice,” I add, tentatively, surprising myself with the admission.

Thokk looks surprised, and I clarify before he can speak.

“The little massage...or that is, not the collar,” I stammer.

“Ah yes. Um ... again, I am sorry, but the collar was necessary ...” he quickly replies.

The charge between us has not dissipated though. God, I wish he would maybe rub my neck a little more. But of course, that is ridiculous. This whole thing is ridiculous. In the back of my mind, I am still considering the black mold possibility, though I know at this point that all of this is indeed very real.

Right, speaking of very real... I recall the tense encounter with the elders again.

"So," I say, breaking the silence, "when you said you'd 'do what must be done,' what exactly does that entail?"

Thokk looks up. "It means I just wanted them to go away.”

“And that’s because you aren’t going to kill me or anything, right?”

This time I see even more conflict in his eyes than I have yet.

“No, of course not. What I mean is that, yes, that is what they might expect, but I could not. I will not. No, you are ...”

“What?” I ask sitting up on my heels.

I feel a warmth overcoming me, surprised once again by the hint of vulnerability in his voice.

He grunts, avoiding my gaze. "Nothing. It just wouldn't be right. You're not a threat. I will take you to the border with your world ...”

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