Page 35 of Mountain Orc Daddy

“I’m not talking to some fucking orc.”

On instinct, I raise my hand to strike him but stop myself. I can’t torture him in front of Blair’s parents. As much as I’d like to for touching her, I don’t think they’d like seeing it. I return to just asking questions.

“Who are you working with?” Mara chimes in, stepping towards Gideon. But he responds with just a smug grin.

“Who do you work for?” I roar as I get in Gideon’s face. To his credit, he doesn’t flinch and stays silent. “Did you really think you could touchherand survive?”

“Uzul,” Phineas places a hand on my shoulder. "I don’t think he’s going to give us any information.”

“Certainly not to a fucking orc. All you bastards are going to-!”

I look at Remus, he waves his hand and a bit of magic wraps around Gideon’s head as a gag. “True. He’s just some dumb lone wolf that thought he was bigger than he is.”

Gideon glares at me. That seems to have struck a chord. Good, if he won’t tell us anything, I’m glad I can hurt him in more ways than physical.

I look back at the Morgan family. They’re good people. They’ve proven that much so far. But they are too good to be a part of what I have to do next.

“I think you should all go home. Get back to Blair, let her know the plan worked.”

“But,” Jade says. "What about him?” She points at Gideon.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of him. He won’t hurt Blair… or anyone ever again.” Next to me Gideon must realize what I’m saying. He starts struggling against his restraints and screaming into his gag.

From everyone else in the shack, there is a silent nod of understanding. Back in my tribe, we would never be so shy about this, but I understand things are different here. They know it has to happen, he either won’t leave us alone or will just find someone else to hurt, but they’d just prefer not to say it out loud.

All four of them quietly exit the shack while Gideon screams as loudly as he can into his gag. I listen as their footsteps get further away, not taking my eyes off Gideon. Once they get far enough away, Remus’ magic fades and Gideon’s restraints and gag dissipate into thin air.

“Please,” Gideon begs. I’m surprised he hasn’t tried to run. “Have mercy, please.”

“You went after Blair. You surviving this longismercy.”

I grab his head and twist. Gideon’s neck snaps like a twig. Part of me wanted to hurt him more but I just want this all to be over. I just want to get back to Blair.

I exit the shack and begin the long walk back. Hopefully, one day soon, this will all be an annoying memory. Hopefully, Gideon is the only evil we will face.

22

BLAIR

The obsidian scrying mirror on the piano is scaring me. The mirror is showing me images of my family returning without Uzul. Frustrated, I grab a towel and clean the windowsills around the front entrance of my family’s home and wait, distracting myself with work.

Seeing my family in real time does not take long.

Coming up the front path in lead is Jade, then Dad. Behind him is Mom. Remus is ever-alert and in the rear. My tears are already rushing me. I can’t swallow.

Where’s Uzul? Certainly, the pesky scrying mirror is wrong.

I want to move and greet them at the door.

I can’t. I am frozen.

I can see Jade looking up at the house while climbing the drive. She smiles and shakes her head as soon as she sees me watching her through the window.

What does that mean, smiling and shaking her head?

The front door bursts open. Jade enters. I rush forward and hug her. She is still shaking her head from side to side like she is saying no.

“Where’s Uzul?” I ask. I feel like my words and my entire being spill out like a bag of marbles spilled onto a hard floor, everything is going in every direction.

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