Chapter 2

In the corner, furthest away from us, was a small trembling figure.

I used the glamour at first but seeing her cowering even more I just dropped it. It seemed Tamor was right, and her vision was cleared a bit because she only slightly whimpered. Guess she saw some creepy fairies.

I shut the door in Jade’s face and sat on the floor almost 5 meters away. The girl braced herself with slender, shaking hands, as if ready to be beaten. But her eyes never left mine. Brave of her. 

I smiled wide enough for my long fangs to show, testing her limits. She froze, her ears fuming from thinking of a way to escape being my dinner. Only a hopeless cry left her mouth.

Interesting. 

She was skin and bones. Dry blood and filth covering most of her. The smell of her fear was intoxicating, along with the stench of excrements, sweat, and blood. Her long honey-blonde hair was all tangled, I was expecting some bugs or mice to come out any time.

“Uh- I can’t even think like this.” getting up, I ignored her fear and squatted just in front of the small bundle of dirt. “You stink awfully. Now, you’ll stand and come with me to the bathroom.” her terrified look didn’t stop me, "If you don’t obey and clean yourself, I’ll do it for you. Just remember that I'm not in the slightest as nice as I look. Got it?”

Nodding frantically, she tried to stand up. But maybe of malnutrition or out of fear, the girl couldn’t make a single step.

“Gah, seriously? I just took a bath” Groaning in annoyance I lifted her like a baby. I could feel her every vertebra, every rib.

“Gods, when you ate the last time?” 

Pushing the door aside with my leg I ordered Jade to open the bathroom. The sight of him created a piercing scream. Shutting the door behind us, I put her down, she immediately hid under the sink.

“Stop it already, you’re safe here. Didn’t you get it yet?”

Soon the bath was ready. I yanked her up and explained what was where.

“You have an hour before I come back. I’ll bring you some clothes.”

Exiting the bathroom, I bumped into a hard chest. Lifting my gaze to his 2 meters high, I saw a very worried Jade. His blueish-gray hair disheveled, dark green eyes wide open, furry ears stiff on top of his head, and the long tail waiving nervously.

“Can’t you be gentler with her?” his tensed tone surprised me.

And all of that because of the girl?

“What is it to you?”

Jade grumbled something to himself moving back and forth, leaving all of a sudden in a hurry, cursing at something.

“And what was that?” I asked more to myself. To see him this unsettled was to say at least odd.

Shaking the thought, I minded my business. If detailed: I ordered the girl’s room to be cleaned, found her a comfy, white dress, and ate a huge plate of incredibly delicious roasted meat with vegetables.

Founding myself in front of the bathroom, I knocked lightly before coming in. She wrapped her body in a large towel, but I could see the cuts and bruises on her legs.

I was in awe of how this fragile frame of hers could resist such a treatment. Underneath the fabric must be worse.

“Drop the towel, I want to look if everything is healing.”

She was reluctant to follow my request but did as told when I extended a hand.

Fucking bastards.

“How’re you still alive, girl?”

Her body was a rainbow of fading and newer bruises. Yellow, green, blue, purple, black. There were teeth and claws marks. Wounds from whipping. I could see where shackles dug into her arms and legs. Her neck was a mess of once constantly bleeding flesh.

“Did they rape you?”

I felt so relieved when she denied it. But I was expecting it. She’s still a virgin for sure, only this detail could stop them. Her blood and price on the slave market were higher this way.

“We’ll get rid of the marks, I promise. Here, get dressed. There is food waiting for you.”

After a few minutes, I tucked the girl into a clean, warm bed, handing her the food afterward. It consisted of simple porridge with fruits and tea.

“Eat.”

Making myself comfortable in a chair I watched her every move until she put the tray aside.

“Good. Now, tell me, what is your name?”

“Jo- Jocelyn.” she stuttered after some time, though I almost missed the sound.

“What do you see around, Jocelyn?” it was obvious that my question surprised her. Her brown eyes widened even more whilst she tried to find a hidden meaning. “I’m indeed asking about surroundings, describe.”

“Mm- n- not much, the-the fog is- is too thick.” her voice merely a whisper.

“Okay, how do I look like?”

“Y-your teeth-” she couldn’t finish the thought out of fear. Motioning that the fangs were longer. “And- and your ears are long. Black hair. Mm-.” 

“Hm- enough, take this.” I gave her the small bottle. “Two drops in each eye, before you go to sleep, don’t open them until morning. You know- here- blindfold yourself with this towel.”

She took them hesitantly.

“It’ll be better for you to obey,” I warned when she seemed unwilling to do so. “Now rest, I’ll come tomorrow.”

Leaving her room with a sigh, I bumped again into the same chest.

“You know, you may break my cuteness with this rock-hard shield of yours,” I whined, rubbing my nose.

“Why didn’t you talk to her?”

“Aw- bad dog! It’s not polite to eavesdrop.” I scolded him with a slap on the forehead. 

“Stop it Sky!” He growled, clearly not in the mood. 

Whatever. I’m too tired.

“I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”

*

*Bang-Bang-Bang*

“Fuck off, whoever you are!” I yelled from under the warm covers of my amazing bed to the fucking bitch banging at my door!

“Get up Sky!”

Hearing his steps closer to my bed:

“Don’t you dare t-”

*Boom*

Argh, that hurt!

“I hate you more often these days, Jade!” I screamed, rubbing my hip where it met the floor after this idiot grabbed me by the leg and dragged me down from my comfy baby.

“The girl is awake. Go talk.”

“It’s Jocelyn. And she can wait another couple of hours! It’s still light outside!”

Yup. I’m not an early one. Prefer to sleep until the stars are bright into the sky.

“You’re already up.”

“No. Actually, I’m still down thanks to you.”

“Stop whining and dress.” Yanking me up he sighed annoyed. 

“What’s your problem, Jade? It’s just a human. I get you care, but this is too much already! How many times did I save your ass? Or you mine? We’re best friends man. Mind your behavior.” I reproached. 

 That seemed to get through him. His eyes held pangs of conscience. Then he started to move around, back and forth talking something unintelligible. 

I put my palms onto his cheeks and held him to look me straight in the eyes.

“Calm down. And start again.”

He actually whined before:

“It’s as if I feel her.” He breathed.

My confused look must’ve been obvious. 

“From the moment I saw her, I- I can feel it-, her pain and fear and despair-” 

He looked so lost and confused. It hurt to see him this way.

“Okay, let's talk about this through breakfast and then we’ll talk to Jocelyn.”

He agreed and went to the kitchen.

*

Gods, these sandwiches with roasted meat were the best. Sipping from my coffee, I offered him an idea:

“I’m not the best in species features, but still. You’re half-werewolf, what if hypothetically she’s your mate?”

He froze in utter shock. I waved my hand before his nose to get a reaction.

The next second he almost flipped the table over, jumping to his feet and dashing out. Guess I knew the destination.