Page 6 of Demon's Prey

"Hey, pig-face!" I spit the words at him. "I've seen afterbirth prettier than you."

The orc grunts, confusion furrowing his brow.

"What that mean, human?"

I smirk, pressing my advantage.

"It means you're fucking ugly. Thank God we're about to be auctioned off to Dark Elves. At least they're easy to look at. If Ihad to spend one more day surrounded by the grotesquerie of Orc culture I think I'd choke on my own vomit."

His face contorts with rage.

"Dark Elves are weak. Orcs are strong!"

"Prove it, coward," I taunt, pressing closer to the bars. "I bet you can't even take on a puny human woman.

With a roar, he fumbles with the keys, yanking the cell door open. I dance back, goading him further.

"Come on, big guy. Show me what you've got."

He shows me what he's got all right. His meaty hand cracks across my face. Pain explodes through my jaw, copper flooding my mouth. But I don't care. The keys jingle at his belt, and as he pulls back for another blow, my fingers close around them.

I stumble back, spitting blood.

"That the best you got?" I laugh through bloody teeth. “I’ve been hit harder by falling leaves in the forest.”

The orc sneers, lifting his hand as if for another blow. Then his exrpession softens ever so slightly.

“You want to end your life, you’ve got plenty of options, human wench. Don’t expect me to do it for you.”

He turns his back on us, then stomps away, muttering curses. I wait, heart pounding, until his footsteps fade.

"Narina!" Mariel hisses. "Are you alright?"

I grin, tasting blood.

"Never better, Mariel."

The stolen keys glint in my palm. Hope surges through me as I fit one into the lock. It turns with a satisfying click.

"Let's go," I whisper, easing the door open.

We slip into the dim hallway. Thankfully, no one is about.

"Which way?" Mariel whispers. "They blindfolded us on the way in."

"I could still kind of see out of mine. We go this way."

I motion for Mariel to follow close behind as we creep down the shadowy corridor. The clamor of the auction hall grows faint, but my pulse still thunders in my ears. Every breath feels like treading on shattered glass.

A door up ahead stands slightly ajar, pale light spilling through the crack. I press my eye to the opening, scanning the room beyond. Rows of dusty crates and shelves laden with strange artifacts greet me. A storage room - and unguarded for the moment.

"In here," I whisper, waving Mariel inside.

We slip through the door, letting it swing shut behind us with a soft click. Mariel leans against the wall, dragging in ragged breaths as I survey our temporary refuge. My gaze snags on a glint of silver tucked between two crates.

I pad over, curiosity piqued. Lifting away a tattered cloth, I reveal an ornate silver choker, a single blood-red gemstone set in the center. It seems to glow with an inner fire, pulsing in hypnotic rhythm. I can't tear my eyes away, entranced.

My fingers move as if by their own will, brushing against the smooth metal. Power thrums beneath my fingertips, ancient and intoxicating. I have to possess it.

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