Page 31 of Demon Monster's Little Human

Something sharp coils in my heart.

I stand.

The motion draws attention.

Rhogar’s head snaps to me, confusion flickering through his rage. “Dain,” he sneers. “Step aside. Unless you suddenly have a weakness for filth.”

I don’t speak.

I step forward, putting myself between them.

Rhogar’s expression shifts from confusion to understanding. Then to something worse.

The gathered gargoyles stiffen.

Someone mutters under their breath. Another growls low, rumbling, waiting.

Rhogar exhales a slow, dark chuckle. “I see.” His molten eye gleams in the firelight, his lips curling into something cruel. “You were always good at tearing things apart, weren’t you? I hear from the others.” He tilts his head. “But now you defend her?”

Liora stares at me, silent, her breathing sharp, uneven.

I do not look at her.

I look at him.

“Step away,” I warn. My voice is quiet, deadly.

Rhogar laughs.

“Do you hear that?” he calls to the others, arms spreading wide. “The Stone Tyrant has found himself a pet.”

A ripple of dark amusement spreads through the gathered warriors. Some look entertained. Others look furious.

One of them moves.

A smaller gargoyle, fast, eager, too young to be careful. He lunges, claws reaching for Liora’s throat.

I strike before he touches her.

My claws tear through his chest, my body moving before my mind, instinct outweighing hesitation. Bone cracks beneath my grip, his blood hot against my skin.

He makes a choked sound, eyes wide in shock, in betrayal.

I do not let go.

I rip him apart.

The body drops, the stench of blood heavy in the cold night air.

The silence that follows is thick.

Liora trembles behind me.

Rhogar’s smirk is gone. His tail lashes once, slow, calculating.

“You’ve made your choice,” he murmurs.

I already know what comes next.

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