Page 44 of Obsessed

"I don't- please-" His enhanced fingers scrabble at my grip. "She ran south, toward the ravine. We couldn't catch her."

I slam him down, pinning him with my knee. "If you're lying..."

"I swear!" He tries to squirm away, but I hold him firmly. "We just wanted the cargo. Didn't mean to hurt anyone."

"Should have thought of that before attacking my mate's station." I increase the pressure until he whimpers. "Give me one reason I shouldn't feed you to the local wildlife."

"Please," he gasps. "I'll leave. Never come back. Just let me go."

"Stop!"

CHAPTER 23

ALICE

From my perch high in the ancient tree, I grip the rough bark and watch Davrik move through the jungle like a predator. The way he stalks the pirates makes my stomach clench - I've never seen him like this.

"Just a little closer," one of the pirates mutters, weapon drawn. He's looking in completely the wrong direction.

Davrik makes a soft clicking sound, drawing the pirate toward a patch of deceptively peaceful-looking flora. My breath catches - I know those leaves, that particular shade of violet.

"What the-" The pirate's scream cuts off as the carnivorous plant's vines whip around him. I squeeze my eyes shut, but can't block out the sounds.

Two more pirates crash through the underbrush, and Davrik makes a sound I taught him. Before long, a tusked snarglthon comes rushing the two of them, chasing them deep into the foliage.

"Run!" one pirate shouts to his companion. They don't make it far.

The fourth pirate stumbles into one of the pits. His cursing echoes up even as Davrik walks away.

"Efficient," I whisper to myself, "but excessive." They're criminals, yes, but this level of violence seems unnecessary. These pirates wanted money, not blood.

Movement catches my eye - their captain sprints for the ship, but Davrik intercepts him. They grapple, and I see the glint of something shiny.

"Getting slow in your old age?" Davrik yells. "Those enhancements can't make up for poor technique."

"Still talking?" The captain retorts. "Thought you were in a hurry."

Davrik beats the lights out of him. There's blood and the sickening sound of cracking bones. My heart pounds - this isn't justice, it's revenge. And Davrik isn't thinking clearly.

I begin my descent, branch by careful branch. The bark scrapes my palms as I climb down as quickly as I dare. I have to stop this before it goes too far.

My feet hit the ground and I sprint toward the ship, hoping I'm not too late to prevent more bloodshed. These men deserve punishment, but not death. And Davrik... Davrik deserves better than to carry that weight.

"No!" I burst through the undergrowth, my boots sliding on the damp soil. "Davrik, stop!"

His fingers tighten around the captain's throat. The pirate's feet dangle, kicking uselessly at air while his face turns a concerning shade of purple.

"He deserves this," Davrik growls, not even looking my way. "He put his hands on what's mine."

"I'm not your property," I snap, though my heart skips. "And this isn't justice - it's murder."

"You don't understand what he's capable of."

"I understand plenty." I step closer, my hands trembling. "I escaped him, didn't I? All by myself, using what you taught me. He's not that scary."

The captain makes a choking sound, his eyes bulging, legs kicking wildly.

"Let him go," I plead. "The others are... taken care of. He's no threat now."

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