Page 19 of Orc's Pride
It doesn’t seem right, or fair.
Even if for some reason, all of this does end in me having to execute her, I’d much rather take the time to understand why she’s here and what motivated her into trying to infiltrate our base.
If I could understand that, I’m sure the bigger picture would soon reveal itself.“I don’t want to panic anyone,” I shift my eyes to look at all of them, trying to convey my sincerity even if my words don’t. “We can’t assume the worst just because she happened upon the base unarmed.”
“We could interrogate her.” One of them mumbles.
“No.” I snap. “None of you will be touching her.”
There’s an awkward silence that reigns down upon all of us. Not even Gor speaks up to disagree with me. I’m not sure what comes over me. Maybe it’s my own bloodlust rearing its head from earlier or something else deeper, but my sudden feeling of possession over her doesn’t go unnoticed.
By me or by Gor who watches me very carefully.
He’s always been sharp, able to pick apart small details without much context behind them. Even if I don’t know what’s going on with me, I’m sure he has his ideas.
“We can’t be going around hurting any human women that we find. They’ve been doing a service at helping us continue our race. Or have you all forgotten that?”
“Of course we haven’t,” Gor speaks up. “This has nothing to do with that.”
“It has everything to do with it.” I bite back. “There is no evidence,strongevidence, of her being a spy. Being suspicious doesn’t give her an automatic label of being our enemy.”
“It does if she’s found wandering in the woods.” One of the orcs next to Gor mutters.
I step forward. “Do we have a problem?”
“Sir, all I’m saying is—”
I don’t give him a chance to finish his sentence. My hand wraps around his neck to snatch him right off of his feet with the sudden force of my body moving forward. I slam him into the ground, holding him with a knee pressed into his sternums. The move knocks the wind out of him, causing him to choke against my hand.
“Donotquestion me.” I snap. “Do you understand me?”
Gor and the other two back away from us immediately, giving us room.
The orc under me nods rapidly. With that, I let go of his neck and lift myself off of him. He struggles to roll over, gasping for breath as his chest finally starts to allow him to drag in a few ragged breaths.
Without another word, I step around him and head back to my tent. I’m sure Gor will find me later to scold me, but I don’t care. If need be, I’ll show him his place too.
My authority is hardly ever questioned so outrightly, and when it is, it thoroughly pisses me off.
Pulling back the flap to my tent, I notice that my bed is no longer occupied. My eyes quickly snap around the space,searching for Dana. I find her at the far corner of my tent, curled up on a blanket that’s been laid on the floor.
My lip quirks up. What is she doing sleeping down there like that?
Letting go of the flap, I move over to her quietly. It takes noticeably effort to scoop her up without waking her, but I manage to do so and carefully bring her back over to my bed. She sinks into it the moment I set her down and bring a blanket up over her shoulders.
I do have to admit, she is rather beautiful.
Even if I can’t help but want to distrust her.
What should I do with her now that she’s here?
She sighs softly in her sleep. My hand twitches at my sight as I fight the impulse to run my fingers over her delicate cheekbones.
Before I let myself fall over the edge intothatcompulsion, I need to find out what she’s hiding.
And quick.
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