Page 60 of Orc's Possession
“Can we leave, Atox?” Her voice shakes, her confidence gone.Her father has spotted her and is heading our way, with two males flanking him.
I pull her from my shoulders and set her down at my side. “Orcs don’t flee.”
“Paloma,” her father calls to her, stopping fifteen feet short of us. Wise, given how the last time we spoke, I broke his wrist.
“I have nothing to say to you.” Paloma pulls on my arm to get me moving. But as I already told her, orcs don’t flee.
“It doesn’t matter.” Councilman Garcia waves a dismissive hand at her, as if she is an insect he’s swatting aside, and looks at me. “I need to speak with the orc.”
“Grak,” Paloma corrects him, with a stern voice as she lifts her chin high. “His title is Grak. Use it, or risk insulting him. And me.”
I flash my tusks, both in support of my female and pride in her. “What do you want, human? Speak quickly. I have other business in Pen’Kesh today.” I have to rememberhisstatus and that he can end our agreement at any time, depriving my warriors the females I’ve promised them.
“We’ve had no more trouble from the vints this last week thanks to your warriors patrolling our border. We are considering hiring you to secure our border with the moxxels as well. As a sign of good faith I am offering you a smaller trade that will benefit you. Two women this time.”
“In exchange for what?”
“Paloma.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
PALOMA
At first I think I misheard. All the people haggling over wares in the market can easily distract a person, especially here at the entrance to the human sector. With one look at Atox and the restrained fury in his face, I realize I didn’t mishear.
My father wants me back.
I step away from my father, closer to Atox, the need for safety paramount. Atox and I have been getting along, learning about each other, the good and the bad. I trust him more than I do my own father, the man who’s offering to give Atox two other women for me. That alone has me reeling.
I will not be the reason a single other woman, let alone two, have their lives, their freedom, ripped from them. I break into a cold sweat every time I think back to that awful day my father gave me to the orcs. I could see no future, no good one that is, beyond the betrayal and fear of that moment. My father’s always been cold to me, but until that day I never thought he outright hated me.
Now, he wants me back.
I’m not sure how to digest this information and one question niggles at my brain, like a worm burrowing into an apple. Why does he want me back?
My instincts say to run far and fast, but not from Atox.Towardhim.
Atox pulls me against his side, his arm securely around me. “You gave her up, Councilman, and now she is mine. I see value in her, even if you never did. Immense value, and I will not trade, sell, or give her to anyone, no matter the offer.”
My heart races at hearing him confirm so decisively, so adamantly, that I do not need to worry about being given away again. For better or worse, he plans on keeping me. Perhaps I can make this work with him.
I lean into his side, circling an arm around his back to show that I am staying with him.
I’m staying with Atox… Huh. When did I make that decision?
“I’ll give you your pick of females. Including the young ones.”
“You sick bastard,” the words pour from my mouth. I don’t know what my father’s up to but inflaming him won’t help matters.
As he steps toward me, he raises his hand to strike me. Atox swings his sword and I cringe, expecting to see my father’s hand drop to the ground with blood spurting everywhere.
My father doesn’t scream in pain or terror, though, as Atox’s sword stops against his wrist, without even breaking the skin. Atox could have easily severed the hand.
Slowly, my father lowers his hand, his eyes glued to Atox. I’ve never seen such reserved focus from my father.
“It’s a fair trade,” my father says. “I’m sure you know by now that Paloma is too headstrong. She’ll cause you trouble at every turn, like she has with me.”
My mouth drops open. “How dare you say that! I did more fortaking care of my sisters and the house than you ever did! And then when Mom got sick, I took care of her, too.”
