Page 47 of Shadow's Chosen

"You look so lonely over here by yourself, pet," the black-eyed male said sweetly. He had a sly sort of appearance about him, like a fox. He moved close to her, his hand lifting to graze knuckles against her shoulder. "I figured you could use some company."

Elise said nothing, uncertain whether she should. The man clicked his tongue as he brushed a finger along the side of her face, across her cut, making Elise flinch.

"That must've hurt." He dropped his hand. "That scary ass guy do that to you? What an asshole."

Elise was ready to tell him to fuck off when her eyes flickered upward and locked with Nezka's. As the others around him laughed and drank, he wasn't smiling as he stared over at her. Elise shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with this stranger so close, and Nezka looking like he might leap off the table and kill him for touching her.

Elise turned her head, pretending to ignore Nezka's dagger stare. "I'm not supposed to talk to anyone," she said. "He might hurt both of us if we talk. You should just go."

"I'm not afraid of that guy," the fox-like male said, rather stupidly. She could smell that he'd been drinking and was probably too far gone to realize the danger of his words. Even more idiotic, he put an arm around her and nuzzled into her neck, and Elise grimaced, pulling away.

She went to shove him off her when Jona appeared before them.

"Hands off, Nolin, ya prick," Jona said, pulling Elise up. "You wanna get your face turned inside out?" He laughed then turned to Elise. "Come on, sweet-eyes. I'll take care of ya." He took her back over to Krow's table, returning to his seat. "Why don't ya sit?" He patted his thigh. "I'm sure Nez here won't care." He grinned his crooked grin.

Elise looked over at Nezka who watched her as he drank from his cup, his little "lap dog" Sona glaring at her icily as she curled her fingers in Nezka's hair.

"Your little human was bound to have one of my boys come crawling over," Krow said. "They couldn't resist with her just sitting there all alone."

"I'm one of those," Jona admitted, pulling her to him. "Come on, join the fun."

Not expecting Nezka to stop him without coming off possessive, Elise forced herself onto Jona's lap, hating every second he touched her. Hands clenched tight, she tried to relax, but her body only seemed to tense more, as if ready to throw a few punches.

"Boy, she looks really uncomfortable, Jona," one of the men said, laughing. "She looks like she wants to bite your head off."

"He was never good at touching the ladies. They get all grossed out," another said.

Jona growled. "Fuck you, Lon. She's just nervous."

Elise squirmed as his hand grabbed her thigh. Her reflexes were giving in, unable to stop herself from fighting, ready and wanting to hit him. When her elbow clashed with his chest, he let out a sharp bark, throwing her off him.

"You little—" he growled, lifting his hand to hit her, and Elise put up her arm in defense.

"She only answers to me," Nezka said.

Jona dropped his hand. "That so?"

"Yes."

Jona huffed. He looked at Elise, frustrated, then turned back to Nezka. "Not that I don't like a little fight in em'." He shoved Elise over to the other side of the table. "Go on and take her then. Show me how you handle ‘em. "

Elise stood by the table, trying to calm her breath. Nezka didn’t move.

"What? Afraid she'll prove you wrong?" Jona bared his teeth. "Or you just trying to save her skin from my hand? Yours the only one good enough to hit her?"

"No one harms her," Nezka answered in a low voice.

"I don't see why one of mine can't have a little fun with her, Nezka," Krow commented. "Unless you're holding out. She's being wasted, doing nothing but sulking in the dark."

"No one gets her but me," Nezka said in a near growl.

That turned a few heads including Elise's.

"Oh, I see, so youareusing her," Krow said, leaning back.

"I'm just implying that she isn't for use."

Krow seemed skeptical as he took a drink. "Well, that's a pity. Why so defensive of her innocence? Does your mistress demand she remain untouched?"

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