Page 50 of Land of Monsters

Or maybe he didn’t.

“Opie…” I snarled.

“What? She smells good. Though, the smell of monkey cum is sure strong around here, isn’t it?”

“Uncuff her now.” I spoke slowly, barely keeping it together.

“Or is that hippo cum?”

“Rhino,” I seethed between my lips.

“So close.” He snapped his fingers.

Chirp!

“It’s called research,” he exclaimed.

Voices came from the passage above, the sounds of people moving toward us. Dzsinn bolted to the shadows near the exit Z and his men left from, his gaze meeting mine as both of us realized the way we got in was no longer an option for our own exit.

“Bazdmeg,” I cursed. “Hurry!”

Opie worked her cuffs. Every second tapped against my shoulder blades, my feet shifting as the voices grew louder and clearer. They would see us soon, but even if we hid, they would see the dead crocodile here.

“Alllmooost…” Opie bit down on his tongue.

Grabbing the body of the crocodile, I heaved him up on the cot next to Raven, his blood oozing out of his thick neck, the bed squeaking under his weight.

“Got one!” Opie darted to the other cuff, my heart slamming in my chest as I dropped his head next to her and covered him with the sheet, hoping they’d think it was a girl and give us a little time.

The click of boots on the metal platform above blasted through my head.

“Opie.”

Clank. The manacles hit the ground.

“This way.” Dzsinn motioned to the tunnel Z’s men took.

I lifted Raven and cradled her to my chest as Opie leaped onto my shoulder. Turning, I sprinted toward Dzsinn, hearing men’s voices reach the bridge area overhead. I didn’t dare look over at Celeste or the other two, feeling the stabbing guilt of leaving them here, knowing I couldn’t get them out. Not now.

Sparing no time to glance back, we took off down the passage, not knowing what was ahead of us. All I knew was I had her in my fucking arms again, and if I was going to die, I would go out protecting her.

?

We tried to trek quietly over the gravelly ground, the tunnel a steady climb, with only a few firebulbs guiding our way. Raven stirred in my arms, her lashes fluttering, trying to claw out of the cage they forced her mind and magic into. Her powerswere there but had been significantly depleted from the goblin poison.

I hitched her higher in my arms, my nose nuzzling into her hair, needing to touch her, appreciate she was alive.

“See?” Opie hung on to my tied-back hair. “Like dark chocolate with smoky caramelized bacon.”

“Bacon?” A snort tickled the back of my throat.

“Or maybe it’s crocodile sperm.”

My molars slammed together, grinding at the understanding that if I wasn’t here, he would have raped her. Been inside her. Touched something against her will, hurt her… and experienced something I hadn’t.

A rumble drummed in my chest, my dick twitching with the overwhelming need to claim and protect her at the same time.

Mine.

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