Hunted By The Dark Elf (Dark Elves of Protheka Book 11) by Celeste King

Author:Celeste King [King, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Protheka Publishing
Published: 2022-10-17T16:00:00+00:00

19

Gwendolyn

I circle the camp, sticking to the shadows and staying far away from any of the orcs still loitering about. Spotting Kidri’s sword doesn’t take long – some buffoon of an orc propped it up outside one of the permanent structures, leaving it unguarded and easy to swipe.

I’ve never been in an orc encampment before, much less a more permanent one like this. It strikes me as being more of a ramshackle village, with cob huts peppered around the central fire of the camp and canvas tents sprinkled between them.

I have no idea where to start looking for Kidri.

I walk the perimeter of the orc village before spotting four orcs that seem to be standing guard in front of a larger cob structure that looks perfect for keeping high-profile prisoners. I scramble up the side of a nearby hut, the thatched roof muffling my steps as I peer down to get a closer look at the orcs guarding the neighboring building.

Two of the guards seem to be doing perimeter walks, walking in widening circles around the building before circling back. Another two are stationed ten to fifteen yards outside the doorway, deep in a conversation I can’t quite make out.

I wait until one of the perimeter guards walks directly beneath where I’m perched on the roof, and then I jump down on him, landing squarely on his shoulders.

The orc doesn’t even have time to shout before I clamp down on his shoulders with my thighs and have Kidri’s blade against his neck. I slit his throat, dropping into a crouch behind him as he topples to the ground.

The second I’m sure the orc won’t be getting back up, I move around the back of the building, slinking through the dark in absolute quiet. If I’ve judged the timing correctly, the second perimeter guard will be rounding this corner any second.

Right on time, the second guard appears, his head turned toward the treeline rather than the threat right in front of him. I take advantage of his lapse, slashing his throat deep and fast. The orc’s hand flies to his throat as if to stop the bleeding as he falls to the ground, but in less than two seconds, his eyes glaze over with death.

I poke my head around the corner, just enough to spy one of the remaining two orc guards shifting on his feet. His back is to me, but he leans toward the other guard as if to say something before meandering my way.

Shit, I think, my throat closing up with fear. He’s probably noticed the perimeter guards haven’t come back from their latest rotation and are coming to look for them.

My mind races as the orc walks toward me, trying to think of a way to spin the situation in my favor. There’s no use in talking to him, considering I’m an escaped prisoner, so my only choice is to try and lure him far enough away to kill him without being found out.

I grab the dead orc’s body under the arms, hauling him away from the building.

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