Page 27 of Caged By the Orc

"We'll get her back, boss," Grul assures me, his voice gruff but sincere. He claps a meaty hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. "And we'll make that bastard Grokus pay. He won't know what hit him when we're through."

I nod, a low growl rumbling in my chest. "Damn straight we will. Grokus has no idea what he's unleashed. I'll tear this whole damn city apart if that's what it takes to find her."

I clench my fists, my muscles coiled tight with tension. Grokus thinks he can take what's mine? He's about to learn a painful lesson.

"Captain!" Groknak's voice cuts through my thoughts like a blade. He jogs up, slightly out of breath, his massive form heaving with each intake. "Got a lead. Some drunk at the BrokenTusk says Grokus bought a property on the outskirts. Old farmhouse, abandoned for years. Sounds like the perfect hideout for that bastard."

My heart pounds faster, a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. "That's gotta be it. Good work, Groknak," I growl, clapping him on the shoulder. My mind's already racing, plotting our next move.

I turn to face my team, their eyes fixed on me with determination. These orcs have fought by my side on the zyrphix field, their bodies as battered and scarred as mine. But this... this is different. Personal. The air crackles with tension as I meet each of their gazes. They know what Josie means to me.

"Listen up," I growl. The words rumble from deep in my chest, carrying the weight of my rage. "Grokus crossed a line. He took someone important to me. Someone I..." I hesitate, the words unfamiliar and almost sticking in my throat. Emotions I've kept buried for so long threaten to surface. "Someone I care about. This ain't just about gettin' her back. It's about sendin' a message. No one messes with what's ours."

I clench my fists, feeling my nails dig into my palms. The thought of Josie in Grokus's clutches makes my blood boil. I've faced down opponents on the zyrphix field without flinching, but this... this fear for her safety is something entirely new.

Grul steps forward, his scarred face set in determination. His eyes, usually gleaming with mischief before a match, now burn with a fierce loyalty. "We're with you, Sarod. To the end."

The others nod, a chorus of grunts and affirmations rising from the group. Fists pound against chests, a rhythmic sound of solidarity. Their loyalty warms something inside me, a feeling I'm not used to. It's like the rush before a zyrphix match, but deeper, steadier. For a moment, I'm caught off guard by the intensity of it all - their unwavering support, my own tangled emotions. But I push it down, focusing on the task at hand. Josieneeds me, needs us, and by all the gods, we're gonna get her back.

"Josie ain't just some human," I continue, surprising myself with the raw honesty in my voice. "She's... she's part of us now. And we protect our own." The words feel strange on my tongue, but right. I've never been one for sappy speeches, but damn if this situation doesn't call for it.

I see the surprise in their eyes, but also understanding. They've seen the change in me, even if I've been too stubborn to admit it. Shit, I've been too stubborn to admit it to myself. But there's no denying it now. Josie's gotten under my skin in a way no one else ever has.

"We go in hard and fast," I lay out the plan, my voice growing harder as I focus on the task ahead. "No mercy for Grokus or anyone stupid enough to stand with him. That bastard's gonna regret the day he ever laid eyes on her." I clench my fists, imagining the satisfying crunch of bone beneath my knuckles. "But Josie..." My voice softens slightly, betraying the depth of my feelings. "We get her out safe. No matter what. Anyone who so much as bruises her is gonna answer to me personally."

The team nods, their faces set with grim determination. I feel a surge of pride and gratitude for these orcs who stand beside me. Grul and Groknak, my most trusted teammates, flank me on either side, their massive frames radiating lethal intent.

"Let's move," I growl, leading the way forward. With every step, my resolve hardens. Josie's face flashes in my mind - her defiant eyes, her stubborn chin, the way she looks at me when she thinks I'm not watching. The memory of her soft skin under my calloused hands fuels my rage, making my blood boil hotter with each passing moment.

I'm coming for you, Josie. And Grokus better pray to whatever gods he believes in before I get my hands on him. My fists clench and unclench at my sides, itching for the satisfyingcrunch of that bastard's bones. The air around us crackles with tension as we march forward, a small army of vengeance with a singular purpose. Grokus has no idea what kind of fury he's unleashed.

22

JOSIE

Iclench my jaw, refusing to let Grokus see the terror coursing through my veins. His massive form looms over me, tusks gleaming in the dim light of his lair. The stench of sweat and malice hangs heavy in the air, making my stomach churn. I force myself to meet his cruel gaze.

"Sarod's little pet," he sneers, running a calloused finger along my cheek. I jerk away, chains rattling, the cold metal biting into my wrists. "Not so brave now, are you?"

I summon every ounce of defiance I can muster. "Go fuck yourself," I spit, my voice raw but steady.

His backhand comes swift and hard, snapping my head to the side. Pain explodes across my face, stars dancing in my vision. I taste blood, metallic and warm. But I swallow the cry that threatens to escape, biting the inside of my cheek until I'm sure I won't make a sound. I won't give him the satisfaction of hearing me scream. Instead, I slowly turn back to face him, my eyes burning with hatred and determination.

As Grokus paces back and forth, his heavy footsteps echoing in the dank chamber, I strain to catch his muttered words. Revenge, teaching Sarod a lesson - it's all a jumbled mess ofthreats and curses. I've become used to his incoherent rambling at this point.

My heart races as my eyes dart around the room, desperately seeking an escape. There—a small window near the ceiling catches my attention. It's barely big enough for me to squeeze through, but it's something. A glimmer of possibility. If I could just reach it...

But the chains. Gods, the chains. Cold metal bites into my wrists and ankles, the icy touch a constant reminder of my captivity. They anchor me to the wall with brutal efficiency, leaving me helpless and exposed. I test them quietly, wincing as they dig deeper into my flesh. Even if I could somehow break free, Grokus's watchful gaze never strays far. His beady eyes flick back to me every few seconds, filled with a mixture of cruel satisfaction and barely contained rage.

Sarod will come, I tell myself, clinging to the thought like a lifeline. He has to. The memory of his fierce protectiveness at the arena gives me a flicker of hope, warming me from the inside out. I remember the fire in his eyes, the way he stood between me and danger without hesitation. I cling to that image, using it to fuel my determination. I won't give up. I can't. I have to stay strong, stay alert, and be ready for any opportunity. Somehow, someway, I'll find a way out of this. I have to believe that, or I'll go crazy.

I start formulating a plan in my head, my mind racing through possibilities. If I can somehow distract Grokus, maybe loosen these chains... There has to be a weak link, something I can exploit. I scan the room, trying not to be too obvious about it, searching for anything that might give me an edge.

"Don't get any ideas," Grokus growls, his beady eyes narrowing as he notices my wandering gaze. He yanks on the chain with his meaty green hand, jerking me forward so hard Inearly lose my balance. "You're not going anywhere until Sarod comes crawling. And trust me, he will."

I glare up at him, mustering every ounce of defiance I can. "He'll destroy you," I spit out, my voice filled with venom. "You have no idea what you've done, Grokus. When Sarod gets here, you'll wish you'd never laid eyes on me."

Grokus laughs, a cruel sound that sends shivers down my spine. It's a guttural, menacing noise that echoes off the walls, making me feel even smaller. "We'll see about that, little human. We'll see." His yellow eyes gleam with malicious delight, clearly relishing my predicament.