Page 14 of Bonded By Savages

Five made it through. The mirror turns pure black, snapping shut, and there’s a red, bloody gash on the leader’s arm from where he brushed the edge of the portal.

The leader turns to me. “I saved what I could,” he states, without emotion, the near-death experience not fazing him.

The Coliseum is a half-circle, with three small portcullis entrances, and on the flat side is a massive portcullis gate which yawns open. Triads of Aurelians run through the sands, their black robes flowing.

The servants scream as they approach. “No!” I yell.

“Healers,” comes the deep voice from behind me, as the haughty Aurelian pulls me tighter against his waist. I swallow as I feel somethingmoveunder his robes, but I don’t dare try to struggle to get away, worrying I will excite it more.

A black ship is descending from above. It is the shadow of a Reaver, matte black instead of gleaming platinum. On the front, under the reinforced glass of the cockpit, are the twin half-circles that mark it as a Fanatic Reaver.

The leader presses his hand against his brand. “Thank you, my God,” he rumbles, and Obsidian nods his head.

The Reaver hovers a foot above the ground, the side door hissing open. I don’t have a choice. The Aurelian lifts me up from behind, cradling me like a baby, his biceps bulging like bowling balls as I am marched into the Reaver.

I’m in a long hallway as the doors shut behind me, and the Reaver takes off. I didn’t see anyone in the front seats when it landed, and it must be traveling by autopilot.

“Put me down,” I say, and regret it instantly. Now that I’m safe, the Aurelian looks down with hard eyes.

How stupid was I, to try to order around a Fanatic? My throat is dry. It’s like being lifted by a statue, his muscles as hard as rocks. He has perfect balance, keeping still as the Reaver flies soundlessly upwards.

He’s so much stronger than me. It forces out all thoughts of trying to pull myself from his arms and stand on my own two feet, and after the rush to escape, I don’t trust my limbs to support me.

“You are weak. Starved. You will stand when you are ready,” he states, in a voice that allows for no compromise. I shudder at how commanding he is.

“Okay,” I whisper, my voice weak.

His eyes flare up, and I know instinctively what I need to say.

“Yes, sir,” I say, and he breathes in deeply, his nostrils flaring, The leader of the Aurelians growls, low in his throat, and I look over at him.

His robes aretentedoutwards, by a huge steel rod of his cock. I look away, my cheeks flushing red in fear…

And something else.

Something instinctive. This need I’ve never felt before rushes up and down my body, a frisson down my spine.

No!

I won’t be attracted to a Fanatic. These beasts deserve to be killed. I won’t give them the satisfaction of knowing what they do to me…

But it’s too late. He breathes in, deeply, and his eyes roll back as he tastes my lust. My cheeks flush a deeper red as I remember the rumor I heard about Aurelians.

They cansmellyour lust.

The Aurelian holding me pulls me tighter against his body. I can feel his hard chest muscles and the steady beat of his heart. There’s still the stink of blood and bile on him from the battle, but I can smell something else, this musky, manly scent of Aurelian that should be offensive to my nose.

Should be.

They saved my life. I would have endured decades of servitude, and the moment I couldn’t perform my duties, I’d have been thrown to the Bullfrogs as a snack. Over a year, living in fear of the Toad Lord, and now he’s gone.

The Reaver touches down, and I can’t stop a gasp from leaving my throat. The Aurelian holding me runs his hand through my hair, to calm me, and turns as the doors hiss open.

We’re in the courtyard of a towering estate. Black pillars rise at the entryway, and it’s at least four stories tall—Aurelian stories, designed for the big bulk of the creatures. On the left side is a long lap pool with sparkling waters, and on the right is a lush garden, with newly planted trees still leaning on supports.

The architecture is simple but royal, hard lines leading to a triangular roof. Around me are tall walls, tall enough that not even a Bullfrog could leap over them, but they don’t make me feel protected.

They make me feel trapped.

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