Page 3 of Fresh Flesh

3

Maisie

Lurg’s eyesnarrow to dangerous slits, and he grabs my wrist, pulling my hand away from his chest.

“Watch yourself, human,” he growls.

Then he turns to the other two and gestures with his free hand.

“I find it hard to believe a solitary human could be wandering this area all alone. Go and see if there are any more about.”

“I’m all alone,” I say. “I would tell you if there were others, I promise.”

He considers me for a long time, and I’m not sure if he believes me or not.

Mlarx and Joras shoulder their rifles and head off in opposite directions.

“Be careful,” Joras says, frowning as he stares suspiciously at me.

“I think I can handle a human girl,” Lurg growled. “Be thorough in your search. The humans can be crafty little hiders when they want to be.”

“And we are more crafty hunters by far,” Mlarx says with an eager grin on his face. “If there are more humans out here, we will find them. Is that not right, Joras?”

“You have the right of it, Mlarx. We will not fail in our duty to the Empire.”

The two of them moved off in opposite directions, leaving me to the solitary mercy of Lurg.

“Well, alone at last,” I purr, putting my free hand on his chest.

He growls, and grabs hold of my hair near the scalp. I cry out with surprise and pain, but I don't try to resist him. Lurg stares at me suspiciously, and then drags me off to a nearby copse of trees. He tightens his grip on my hair.

“Halt, little one, and kneel.”

I knelt down carefully, wincing as the movement made his hold on my hair that much more snug. I sank to my knees, and he gave my head a rough shake.

“Do not rise until I tell you otherwise.”

He slings his rifle over his shoulder and reaches into the leather pouch at his side. He undoes the hasp and I see carrots, celery, and other hardy vegetables inside. My stomach growls as he takes one of the carrots out.

Lurg offers the carrot to me. I reach out to take it, but a split second before my fingers touch the orange skin of the vegetable, Lurg snaps at me.

“No. I did not say you could use your hands.”

I arch my brows at him, and he continues to glare hard. I put my hands on top of my thighs, palms facing up so he can see I have no weapons hidden, and then lean forward.

I take a bite off the end of the carrot. The crunchy, sweet flesh is the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I haven’t eaten in days.

I devour the carrot, and then I ask for water. He takes the canteen from his belt and unscrews the lid. He holds it out, and this time I know better than to use my hands. Some of the water spills down my shirt, turning it dark and semi transparent.

His eyes dart down to my nipples, now peeking through the garment. He licks his lips, eyes filled with a hunger that vegetables cannot sate.

“More, please,” I say, gesturing to his belt pouch with my chin.

He takes out another carrot, and I open my mouth and take the orange tuber into my mouth. I suckle on the end, my eyes locked with his own gaze. I make a little soft moan and take several inches inside of my mouth before biting off the end.

Lurg growls and grabs me by the hair, yanking me back to my feet.

“What’s your game?” he demands.

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