Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
VROG
I am loath to admit to such a thing, but I believe I am out of my depth at the moment.
I have never been one for talking… about anything.
I am more of a kill first, ask questions later being (except I have never asked any questions before, I have just murdered all that irked me), but if my mate wants to talk, then talk I will.
“Perhaps I should start at the beginning?”
Her derisive snort makes me grin.
“Ah, that was rather redundant of me, was it not? I will make this as concise as possible. You know that my vessel, Murgul, and his brothers were captives of the frackin’ Aynar, yes?”
At her decisive nod, I continue.
“Well, when Murgul was born, the Aynar were no longer attempting to hide what they were doing to the Rukuhks on Viri 9. That is why his physical body is so much different from his older siblings. His genome was meddled with the most, and as a result of that genetic tampering, I was ‘born’ so to speak, but did not gain any level of sentience until Murgul was captured later by the Velgriddix. I will not give you any details of what transpired during that time, as it is not fit for your ears, but just know that I exist because of his suffering.”
Gwendolyn’s hands pause for a tic in her cleaning of the small creature in the sink, contemplating what I have just relayed to her. “So… what exactly are you, and why does Murgul’s body look like it does right now?”
What a clever female my precious one is.
“I am what is called ‘WarWrath’, it is regarded as either a blessing or an affliction, but most often both. The knowledge I possess is via genetic memories from the DNA the Aynar spliced into Murgul, not anything we have learned firsthand. On Atraxia, the WarWrath is something the gods bestow upon warriors they believe are worthy of bearing such a burden, because it takes a special being to be able to cope with a second consciousness residing within one’s mind.
As for the physical changes, my presence in the forefront of Murgul’s mind alters his body,”
Pausing for a tic, I wait for her to absorb everything I have explained.
When she eventually nods her understanding and gestures at me to keep going, I start talking again.
“In essence, I am the larger, fiercer, less scrupulous version of Murgul. I do not tire. I do not worry about pesky things like morals. I will kill, maim, pillage, and destroy anything that threatens Murgul, and most importantly, you. Murgul is not the only one who covets you, little Starshine. I am just as much mated to you as Murgul is. That fool and I have been battling over whether I should have any access to you since you ran into him and started the mate bond. Unfortunately for Murgul, he lost focus on the Korgon ship, and now here we are.”
Ogling her, I let my eyes linger over her delicious form from head to toe and back again.
Tasting the air, I investigate how she is processing what I have just divulged.
To my surprise, she does not scent of fear.
A little apprehension, perhaps, but the acrid scent of terror is not present.
An evil grin creeps across my face at my discovery.
Falling silent, I watch as she finishes cleaning up the theroquine before wrapping it in a cloth and turning to leave the cleansing room.
Twisted creature that I am, I refuse to move out of the way, smirking as she slips past me so that her soft form is forced to brush against the length of my body.
Once she is through the door, I silently follow her into the main room, watching as she makes a nest on the floor next to her side of the sleeping platform for the theroquine.
She pulls a cushion off the divan and pads it with soft cloths.
Prowling over, I hand her the plate of meat, preening internally when she does not hesitate to take it from me.
“You like our gift?”
Pausing for a tic, she fusses with the nest and settles the theroquine within its comforting confines before grudgingly replying. “I’ve never had a pet before, but I’ve always wanted one. You said it was a female?”
This time, I do not keep my elation to myself.
“Yes, it is a female theroquine. I told the fool that you would adore what we brought you!”
GWENDOLYN
Hiding my smile, I gaze down at the newly clean beasty as she gently takes tiny pieces of meat from my hand, being careful not to cut me with her razor-sharp teeth.
Since it’s been established that the little creature is a she, I need to name her.
Pondering what to call something that looks like a velociraptor had a freaky love child with an appaloosa horse, I also contemplate the unhinged being lurking behind me.
It’s clear that Vrog has no notion of social interaction, and considering what he told me in the bathroom, he doesn’t care to.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Murgul wanted to protect me from the insane asylum escapee that is Vrog. That realization doesn’t make me any less pissed off at him for omitting information for the second time in the last two days, but I understand why he did it.
Suddenly, I have a thought and can’t help but voice it out loud. “Are you the reason Murgul isn’t experiencing any negative side effects from us not sealing the bond?”
“What a clever female. Why, yes, I am the reason, though Murgul is not aware of it. If his body weakens, I weaken. Which is something unacceptable to me, so I have been using my ragefyre to burn the sickness from his body before it can fully manifest.”
Vrog’s gloating is almost… cute. He really is the polar opposite of Murgul in every way.
Where Murgul is humble, Vrog is boastful.
Looking down at myself, I grimace when I realize my clothes are filthy from carrying my little beasty.
Standing, I almost bump into Vrog since he crept closer when I was distracted with my… puppy.
“I’m filthy and need to take a shower. Are you going to be here when I get done, or is Murgul?”
“The fool has had ample time with you. It is my turn now.”
Vrog’s scheming tone and innuendo in his words bring me to a halt in front of the bathroom. Nerves flutter low in my belly.
“Are you going to hurt me?”
“Never… not unless you ask me to.”
Ignoring Vrog’s suggestive tone, I nod at him before closing the bathroom door behind me.