Page 41 of Orc's Pretend Mate

“I’m not curious,” Vapas replies. “I’m determined.”

She tilts her head, studying him for a moment. Then she nods toward a door at the back of the saravam. “If you’re serious, follow me. But leave the human.”

My heart skips a beat, and I open my mouth to protest, but Vapas speaks first.

“She comes with me,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The woman’s eyes flash with something—annoyance, maybe, or respect.

“Suit yourself,” she says, turning and striding toward the door.

Vapas stands, offering me a hand. I take it, my palm clammy against his, and together we follow her into the unknown.

25

PHOEBE

We’re led down a tight hall that only allows us to walk single file. The hairs on the back of my neck are on end. I’m so nervous that when something crashes behind us, I jump and yelp. Vapas turns instantly, both hands balled into fists, his eyes searching for a threat.

It’s both comforting and disconcerting because if he’s reacting that fast and that way, then he too is nervous and suspects a trap.

“The kitchen, it’s nothing,” the maid we’re following says gruffly.

“Heh,” Vapas grunts and we resume following.

She opens a door and we’re led into a room that is hot and stifling. The is air thick and humid. Shadows move within the dim light cast by a single flickering lamp. The small space feels like a trap, especially realizing that there are four Urr’ki figures seated around a rough-hewn table, who I can only make out as a dim shadows.

Vapas steps forward, his presence commanding, but I sense his unease and the tension in his shoulders. He nods respectfully, speaking in Zmaj so I can understand. He keeps his voicelow and calm. The figures shift, murmuring among themselves before one, with a voice like gravel, addresses him directly.

The words are harsh, clipped, and fast. My heart pounds as I struggle to keep up with the flow of the conversation. They're asking about the resistance. This doesn’t make sense because I thought they were the resistance.

They ask what he knows, who sent him, and why he’s here. Vapas answers smoothly, but I catch the slight edge of frustration in his tone. He’s deflecting and not answering them, but it quickly becomes clear he doesn’t have the information they’re after.

I clutch my hands tightly in front of me, the instinct to speak rising in my throat, but I don’t. Vapas told me to stay silent, and I won’t risk ruining whatever fragile trust he’s trying to build. Despite the hairs on my neck standing on end and every bit of this not making sense.

The questions grow sharper and the tone more accusing. One figure stands abruptly and there is a shift in the air as everything changes. Another chair scrapes against the floor and before I can react, chaos erupts.

The first blow comes so fast I barely see it before hearing the loud smack and crunch as a fist connects with Vapas. He staggers but recovers fast, his arm snapping up and blocking a second strike.

“Run!” he roars, his voice echoing in the tight space.

I hesitate, frozen as he fends off the attackers. Four against one. It’s not a fight; it’s an ambush. He’s strong, his movements fluid and deadly, but they’re coordinated and outnumber him.

“Phoebe, go!” he yells again, and this time I stumble towards the door, fumbling for the handle.

As my hand clamps onto the cool metal and it turns a hand clamps around my throat like iron and yanks me back. I gasp, clawing at the grip, my vision blurring as I’m dragged toward the center of the room.

“Stop!” one of them snarls. “Or she dies.”

My captor lifts me off my feet by the throat. I kick and struggle to no avail. Vapas freezes mid-strike, breathing heavily, his fists still raised. He turns slowly and his eyes lock on mine. The regret in his expression slices like a blade.

“Don’t hurt her,” he says, his voice raw and desperate.

The grip on my neck tightens briefly and the room fades but then it loosens just enough to allow me to breathe. The one holding me snarls something in Urr’ki. Another of our attackers flashes a cruel smile. I don’t need a translation to understand.

“They’re going to turn us in,” I choke out, my voice hoarse.

Vapas doesn’t deny it. His gaze hardens, his fists lowering slowly as if surrendering is the only option.

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