Page 6 of My Fated Minotaur Hero

As they leave, I feel a strange mix of emotions. Happiness for my friend, sure, but also that annoying twinge again. What is it? Longing? No, I’ve already got it all. Plus, minotaurs don’t do “longing.” Everyone knows that. Now sasquatches and satyrs, they will “long” all day. And “pine,” and “yearn.” It’s shameful almost. All that useless angst.

Not me though.

I head downstairs to grab another case of that fancy elvish wine. I can't believe how fast it's selling tonight. As I round the corner into the storeroom, I nearly drop the empty case I am carrying.

"What in the nine hells?" I mutter, blinking hard.

There, standing in the middle of my storage room, is a human woman. She's small, but her eyes are huge with what looks like surprise. She's looking at me like she expects me to eat her. Which, fair enough, I suppose.

"Um, hello?" I say, trying for my most disarming smile. "I don't suppose you're lost?” My mind is racing though. “Where do you come from? How did you get in here?"

Another human? What is happening?

At first, she doesn't answer, just keeps staring.

Then, to my utter bewilderment, she starts fumbling through her bag, muttering something about “flash cards”.

"Flash ... cards?" I echo, utterly lost.

"There's no card for minotaur," she whispers, more to herself than me. "Why isn't there a card for minotaur?"

I can't help but chuckle. "What on earth are you doing?" But even as I speak, I realize there is somethingdifferenthappening. There is somethingdifferentabout her. Besides the fact that she is obviously a human.

A very curvaceous, perfectly proportioned human.

She jumps at the sound of my voice, like she'd forgotten I was there. "Oh god, you're real. You're actually real. And you can talk!"

"Last time I checked, yeah," I reply, setting the empty crate down.

Why am I so drawn to her? What is this feeling?

Focus, Kalen.

"Listen, I don't know how you got in here, but we need to get you out before anyone sees you. I can't have ahuman scareon opening night."

Then, as if she didn’t hear a word I said she turns around as if she will just go back to where ever she came from. Except there is no “where ever she came from” Or at least it’s not apparent. It’ just my store room full of cases of beer and wine.

This is starting to seem a whole lot like what my orc friend Thokk described. What in the nine hells exactly is going on?

Even as I say it, though, I feel a strange reluctance. More than reluctance. Thesomethingabout her is more than just different. More than that’s she human. I must protect her. The feeling arises like a fierce command. And I want to know her. To just be near her. And I am starting to feel my body react as well. I can’t take my eyes off her beautiful form. Her soft curves, the swell of her ample breasts ...

You better get your horns straightened out buddy.

Right. I just need to calm her down.

"I'm Kalen," I find myself saying, holding out a hand. "And you are...?"

You’re gonna shake her hand? That’s the best you’ve got!

"Olivia," she squeaks, staring at my hand like it might bite her. "I'm Olivia and I believe I have finally cracked. Truthfully, I was always afraid this day would come. I knew I should have gotten one of those wristbands with an emergency number. Just take me to the hospital. And drugs please. I would like to be knocked out, I think. Lots of drugs.”

This is bad alright.

I must put her at ease. It pains me to even see that furrowed brow.

"Umm, Olivia," I say, lowering my hand, "I can assure you, you're not insane. But um, well yes, there are probably a few things I need to explain ...”

Why do I want to just scoop her up in my arms? What is happening. Her long reddish-brown hair ... I just want to run my hands through it. I want to trace the curve of her hips, feel her flesh pressed to mine.

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