Page 101 of Devour
Maybe if Astella were here, I could consider relaxing enough to enjoy it.
But wouldn’t that make me wrong, to enjoy something that comes at the cost of so many lives?
Or perhaps simply foolish because, at any time, I could be cast out and fed on by those warriors. How could anyone ever truly be safe in a place like this? It’s only a façade.
We play pretend, until it’s our turn to suffer.
I try to empty my mind of the anxiety because it helps no one to dwell on dark thoughts. I now have an idea of the layout offortress, but is it really as impossible as my Drak made it seem? Or is he just trying to dissuade me from trying again?
I shake my head from those thoughts. I need more information. There has to be a way to escape this place. Maybe now is my chance to find enough information to come up with a new plan.
I disrobe as the other girls do, leaving my clothes in a pile on the ground, and wade into the water completely nude. Anxiety still clings to every inch of my skin, but I work to hide it as well as I am able.
“Tell us, Lina, what is your Drak like?” Julian says, rubbing her swollen belly.
My lips part. I hadn’t been expecting that question.
“She’s shy,” Annabella croons. She is the youngest of the group, to my eye. With short brunette hair and green eyes.
“Oh, yes. Modesty is common among the village girls.” Jullian grins. “But don’t worry, we share everything here. Sometimes, even our Drak.”
The girls giggle as one. This time, I fail to hide my horror, which only causes them to laugh even harder.
“Well, lets tell her about ours first, that way she can feel more comfortable when it’s her turn!” Cordy says. She is the largest of the three. Thick bosom and large brown eyes covered in thick lashes.
“Good idea,” Jullian sing-songs. “I’ll start. My Drak is… kind of old, actually. But he does love to use his tongue.”
I cough.
“Believe me, it’s divine. Best thing I’ve ever experienced.”
I cover my mouth with my hand, and the girls giggle again. I am tempted to ask her exactly what he does with his tongue… but I worry that will give me away. I’ve been with men before. Twice, actually. But neither time did it include such recreational activities.
“My Drak is so eager,” Annabella says. “He takes me from behind each night. Sometimes, too hard if I’m honest. But well, it’s the price you pay for this.” She lifts her hand in the water, as if that were payment enough for using her body this way.
If we don’t please these violent men, between their killing and stealing, we too will be killed.
“Are you all right, dear? It’s really not all that bad.” Cordy touches my arm, and I blink her into focus. I hadn’t realized how lost in thought I’d become.
“Tell us what’s wrong? Did he hurt you?”
“No,” I blurt out. I shake my head. “No, he’s been… surprisingly kind. And gentle.” Well, not always. But not rough in the way they’d think.
“That’s wonderful,” Cordy says. “We don’t know much about Haze. He was always so… aloof. Off on his own. He wasn’t even a full warrior, did you know that? Before you he was only a healer.”
My brow pinches. “What do you mean?”
“Well, he was part of the scouting missions in Ivar’s pack, but he refused to lead or even take part in battle. He trained, instead, in healing.”
“You mean—he didn’t kill?”
“Well, there is no way to be a Drak without some blood. They don’t allow Drak to enter the choosing if they haven’t been initiated yet.”
The girls quiet for a moment. What does it mean to be initiated?
“I don’t fully understand how it all works, really.” Julian tilts her head. “But Haze was a bit of a rebel.”
Cordy nods eagerly. “He never fully participated in the battles, even though he was chosen by the most badass of all the drakai—my Drak is a chatter box.” She grins. “That’s why I knowso much. He prefers to cuddle more than fuck. And talks my ear off all day when he’s home. It’s nice, though.” She shrugs.
