Page 1 of Marked by the Wild Orc (Heat & Ink)

Chapter 1

Krissy

I need a job immediately.

No lie, right now. My checking account is nearly empty. I’m so broke, payday loan places are starting to sound like a godsend, except I don’t even have a check on the way as collateral.

My stomach growls as I walk over to the small kitchen in my studio apartment. The only things that are edible in my cabinets are the loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter I recently purchased from a nearby dollar store.

Tears well up as I grab the bread, peanut butter, and a knife to spread this with—because I instantly think of my grandmother. These utensils belonged to her. The blue Fiestaware plate I set two slices of bread on are part of grandma’s prized dishes.

I sniff, rub the back of my hand against my eyes and carry on with the sandwich making.

Most of my life was spent with my beloved grandmother who passed away thirty days ago after losing a two-year battle against stage four breast cancer that had spread to other parts of her body. The cards were stacked against her and we saw this coming from far away, but this doesn’t make the shock of her passing any less severe. I lost my best friend, as well as the person I was closest to in life.

Grandma battled hard against the disease that would finally take her life, and I was proud to become her full-time caretaker. I don’t regret a single moment of our time together. After all, my paternal grandmother had lovingly stepped in when I was only five years old and raised me when my parents’ addictions got the worst of them, causing them to both die from a drug overdose. Giving Debbie Thompkins back that love and caring she’d originally shown for me when I was small, by being there for her during her last moments, keeping her comfortable and making sure she knew how much she was loved, was a blessing.

But when Grandma passed away last month, I’d thought I didn’t have to worry about where to live because she was leaving her small condo to me. The home we’d lived in together since I was in kindergarten. My plan was to get a new job and then restart coursework at the community college towards an eventual certificate in bookkeeping. I’m reasonably certain Grandma also thought she was leaving her condo to me too, and at the very least I could sell it and have a good-sized inheritance left over. But I believe she was too ashamed of the extent of her mountains of medical debt to keep track. And I wasn’t aware either because she’d been hiding it from the both of us. Eventually, after a lot of detective work in her mail and accounts, I learned the truth of situation. Grandma not only had a huge amount of recent debt but also had an old lien on her condo from back in the day when her own son had ruined her credit. The condo was sold off to pay the creditors.

Therefore, I’m twenty-four, alone, broke and homeless, needing to start all over again.

The good news is that my older, orc half-brother, Kavin, is a generous soul who wants to help. Kavin Irontree recently moved to the outskirts of Spokane, Washington because he got a job there as that city’s first orc firefighter.

How is my half-brother an orc when I’m fully human?

People are always amazed when I tell them. They think we must be the product of a remarriage and he’s my stepbrother, or there was an adoption. Nope, we’re biological half siblings who share the same mother.

I guess our mother got around? She hooked up with Kavin’s father, gave birth to an orc son and then left them both behind without a backward glance. Kavin was raised on a commune, so I didn’t know about him until he was an adult who’d moved out to live amongst humans. He got in touch with his human family, and we’ve been close ever since.

My brother was there for my grandmother’s funeral, and he wants me to come live with him until I can get back on my feet. This is a kind offer, which normally I’d be taking advantage of, but no way am I moving in with him and his crazy girlfriend. I’m happy to live in the same town as them, but not in the same apartment.

Mia is nuts and in fact dangerous. If I look at her the wrong way, she’ll cut me. This is literally what she threatened to do the last time I saw her at Thanksgiving at Grandma’s house. She narrowed her eyes and waved a knife at me when we were alone in the kitchen, snarled and threatened to slice me to bits, then laughed afterwards, “Just joking, don’t take it so seriously.”

Uh huh.

I assume she doesn’t show this side of herself to my brother.

Thankfully I’d saved a little bit of money for a rainy day. And Grandma had a tight-knit group of coworkers and close friends who were kind enough to start a GoFundMe for her funeral expenses. There was some money left over for me to keep Grandma’s ancient car that still works great, with insurance and registration paid for the whole year. I was even able to hide some of her furniture and prized items before they were sold at the estate sale.

On that last day, as I left my childhood home forever, this wonderful group of ladies stood on the driveway, tearing up, waving at me as I pulled away with a U-Haul, towing my tiny car behind. I will never forget their kindness to me in my darkest hours.

That was a scary six-hour drive to do alone, but I made it all the way from Portland, Oregon to my new home in Spokane, Washington. I’d found a studio apartment in a part of town that isn’t the nicest but also not the worst. It took all the money I had left for the deposit and the first three months of rent I had to promise because I had no job or rental history. Luckily my cell phone bill isn’t due again for another month.

Kavin was there and helped me move in and tried to offer me money for living expenses, but I declined. “Krissy, let me help you get started. If you want, we can call it a loan.”

“No. Thank you but I’m really okay.” Kavin and Mia share a bank account and I don’t want her after me for that too.

But, twenty-four hours later, I’m already getting desperate.

I’m now completely out of money. Four dollars and twenty-seven cents are all that’s left in my account. This small amount of food, along with a big box of ramen, is all I have, which will hopefully last me long enough to find a new job and receive my first paycheck. There’s not even enough money to fill up my half-full gas tank.

I need a job, now, and one that doesn’t require driving. After I get enough money from that first job, I can get a second job and work my way up from there. I just need that first job, someplace walkable or accessible with the bus system, to get me going. And across the street is a small strip mall with a few different businesses and a gas station with a mini mart.

I’m on my phone, seeing if any of these places are hiring, when my brother calls.

“Hey Krissy.”

“Hey Kavin,” I grin. My brother’s girlfriend might be crazy as hell but he’s truly a nice guy. He means well. We’ve become close friends and I really do view him as my brother, which is lovely because my whole life I was an only child, with no family other than my grandmother.

“Let me send you some money,” he offers again. “Just so you can get by.”

I shake my head, thinking again of how Mia would most certainly find out and then I’d have her on my doorstep, with a knife. “Nope, I’ll be okay. I’m going to try and get a job at…”

“That’s the other reason why I’m calling. I know a place that has a job opening that would be perfect for you.”

I stand up straight. “Already? Where?”

“You know how that apartment complex you moved into at First and Willow is across the street from a strip mall?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I know the orc who owns a shop at the corner of that strip mall.”

My jaw drops open. I walk over to the window of my second-story apartment and look through the blinds. It’s raining and hazy, but I can still see what he’s talking about. “Really? That place is so close I can walk over there. I’d never even need to use my car.”

“Yeah, I got the idea when I was moving you in, but I didn’t want to say anything until I’d spoken to him and confirmed he’s hiring. Talon’s business is new and he’s been saying he needs to hire someone.”

“Who is Talon?”

“Talon Overtree, the best orc tattoo artist in the Pacific Northwest. Personally, I think he’s the best in the entire world, but that might be because he’s also my best friend.”

I purse my lips. “The sign for the store says it’s called Heat and Ink and now I understand the meaning. Kavin, I don’t have a single tattoo on my body and I’ve never given anyone a tattoo in my life, or even watched anyone being given a tattoo. Why would he want a novice like me working there?”

“He needs someone up front because he’s getting busier than before. Someone to greet customers, accept payments and clean up around there.”

“Ah, okay I can do that.”

“Yes, you can and I’m certain you would like to work there, but you need to know up front that it’s an orc tattoo shop that mainly caters to orcs. Can you work with a bunch of huge orcs stomping around who might have little social skills with humans? You will not be mistreated in any way, but there will be a lot of rough orcs who smile very little.”

I let out a snort. “I can work with anyone right now as long as it’s legal and I don’t have to take off clothes or perform sexual favors to get my pay.”

He chuckles. “I’d never put my own sister at a job that isn’t good for her.”

I reach up and start twirling my hair, shifting on my feet. “Wait, what about how orcs used to…I know modern orcs don’t kidnap women anymore but…I mean, I’m young and single, so I’m a little worried that…”

“Don’t worry,” Kavin offers. “All of the orcs who will traffic the shop, and Talon as well, are modern orcs who follow all modern laws. And I know for a fact that none of the orcs you will work with or any of the orc customers will be interested in you as a bride. No orcs will ever, your entire life, want you as a mate. They will treat you as a friend or a coworker. There will be no sexual harassment of any kind. I promise.”

I blink. “None of them will want me as a mate, ever? I mean I’m not necessarily looking for an orc husband, but I’d like to think that I’m at least like to think that eventually, if I’d worked there for many years, at least one of them I run into might want…”

“No,” he laughs. “No, I’m not saying you aren’t attractive both inside and out. I’m certain human males will be asking you out often. It’s just that orcs don’t date, we only mate with the female who our body recognizes as physically able to carry our son.”

“Oh.” My eyes instantly grow hot as I recognize his meaning. “Orcs get together with someone who can get pregnant. And if that woman can’t get pregnant then…”

“Then our mating instincts don’t kick in.”

“Orcs can scent if a woman they are attracted to is able to get pregnant?”

“Yes, that’s why I’m marrying Mia, because my body recognized her as the female to mate. We have an orc son on the way.”

I let out a squeak of surprise. “You do? Are you saying I’m going to be an aunt?”

“Yes, I’ve scented that she was carrying my son for many months now, but Mia didn’t want us to tell anyone until she was past three months along. I don’t understand, some sort of human rule. But starting today I can tell anyone, and I want to tell you first because you are my sister.”

“Ah, congratulations, Kavin, that’s wonderful. You’re going to be a great dad,” I say with enthusiasm. I love him so much and I really am truly delighted for Kavin and thrilled that I’m going to have a nephew on the way. But less grateful that Mia is forever tied our family.

“I know this is last minute,” he says, “but can you go over there right now for a job interview?”

“Sure. This couldn’t be more perfect. Things are looking up for me. I’m going to be an aunt and there’s a job that sounds right for me and it’s across the street.”

“Talon needs someone to start immediately and he’s…”

I slip into a rain jacket and grab my purse. “No worries. I’m on my way. I’d also prefer to start immediately.”

“Good luck, Krissy.”

“Congratulations again and thanks for everything, Kavin.”

Ten minutes later, I’ve trudged through the heavy rain, crossed the street and I’m in front of that shop I’d seen through the window. Up close its slightly more impressive. It is in fact at the end of the strip mall, next door to a sandwich shop and a nail salon. The good news is that it really is so close that I can simply walk here for all my shifts and even go home during lunch breaks if I want.

How did I get so lucky? I really, really need this job. So I don' t have any experience... A few white lies can fix that. Anyway, how hard can it be? I take out my phone, open Google Docs and add a quick line into my resume.

A sign on the door says it’s closed, but I push at the glass door and find it opens easily. Inside, the entryway is more spacious than I assumed, and I gape at a wall of framed, breathtaking tattoo art as well as other photographs of orcs posing with a variety of tattoos. This is an establishment that mainly caters to orcs, but there are many pictures of humans smiling proudly, displaying their own orc tribal art.

The entry smells fresh and new, as if this shop was recently remodeled. Brand new wood floors with white baseboards are below my rain boots and all the walls appear freshly painted a light gray. An intricately carved wooden bench provides seating in the entry area. Everything looks rustic, or vintage in the best way. On the counter is an older cash register and next to it is a giant notebook with a nice pen on display.

“Hello?” I question. “Is anyone here?”

No response. The only sound is the rain outside.

Business probably does best later in the day and on Friday, Saturday and weekday nights when people are off work. I’m unfortunately a morning person so if I do get this job, I’m going to have to get used to this new schedule.

I keep walking past the counter and find a short hallway lit with a sconce made of black iron. There are several closed doors, but one remains open. Inside is a comfortable chair that leans back and reminds me of a nice dentist chair. Am I being rude, looking around? I’m just so curious because I’ve never been inside of a tattoo shop and I’m pleasantly surprised how much I like the aesthetic.

There are rustic tools and knifes, I assume for the traditional orc tattoos. Small pots are lined up, along with areas to grind and mash their own inks and colors. It looks like a mix of old and new techniques together. Very interesting. There's even something, I assume, to make a flame and an array of black irons with symbols at the tip. These orcs are serious about their markings.

I don't touch anything, but I do also see gadgets that are neatly lined that I vaguely recognize must be for tattoos on humans and everything looks highly sanitary and safe. If I were to get ink on my body, I would trust this place simply from a first glance. No wonder business is good here and this orc, Talon Overtree, needs help.

Then I hear a deep voice.

I step back out into the hallway, trying to find the source.

A single, fully grown black cat sits in the middle of the hallway.

“Oh my gosh. Well, this is a surprise.” A big smile spreads across my face because I adore cats. Soon there's a second cat, and then a third joins the group and all three black cats sit and stare at me.

“Hi kitties.” I stretch out my hand and lead with my fingertips, ready to greet and pet these three darling animals.

All three cats stand their ground, not running away and watch my approach with curiosity.

The first black cat, the biggest of the three, sniffs my fingertips and seems to decide that I'm worthy. I give it a little pet on the head, and then the second, a thinner cat, allows a pet too. The third black cat with tall ears and a long tail hangs back and then darts off into the open door at the end of the hallway.

Oh well, with cats, two out of three accepting me isn’t so bad.

I can still hear the deep voice through the open door and I'm not sure what to do now. Is this Talon Overtree’s office? I don't want to intrude on his business conversation. I'm guessing these are his cats? He must be a nice man if he’s such a cat lover. Right?

Soon my curiosity gets the best of me, and I can't help but feel the need to see what this orc, my brother’s best friend, looks like.

I get close and the third cat comes back out and rubs against my ankle, finally deciding to make first contact. “Hi, baby,” I whisper. All three of them move around me as I peek past the edge of the door.

I’ve got a good view of my new boss and I suck in a breath because he’s a bit terrifying. Ancient feelings of fear kick in, because orcs have always kidnapped human women to fill them with their sons. There are no females in the orc species, so their only way to procreate is with human woman who give birth to orc sons. And in ancient times, orcs didn't always wait for consent, just grabbed and ran. It was bad, but modern orcs do not kidnap.

“They do not kidnap,” I whisper to myself as I clutch the door. My brother is a sweetheart who did not kidnap Mia. They met, and I assume she's in love with him in her own twisted way.

I bite my lip and my eyes scan his entire body.

Talon is huge.

I watch as he speaks on his cell phone. He fills up the entire office chair, which squeaks under his weight. Black horns burst out on either side of his forehead and he has thick black hair with gray at the temples. A thick black beard covers his wide jaw. And a rope necklace, that looks like it was made by hand, with a heavy medallion hangs from around his corded neck and rests on his muscular, green chest. Interesting tattoos weave down both of his arms.

He's too old for me.

My brow furrows. Why am I even thinking about this? It doesn’t matter if he’s too old because, of course, nothing's going to happen between me and this intimidating orc with the tusks that jut up from his lower lip.

Kavin said that none of these orcs would be interested in me because I can’t get pregnant. At first, this is slightly offensive because it means my worth only applies as a babymaker. But on the other hand, this is a good thing because I’m just here to work, not here to pick up a new boyfriend.

I've always had crazy, painful periods and after a lot of very intrusive tests and a procedure that helped to ease the pain, I was told by my gynecologist that I’d never get pregnant. It's sad but true. It’s not like I’ll never be a mother; I just won’t be able to carry my own biological children. Maybe in the future I could do a surrogacy, or I could adopt. Not that any of this matters at the moment, because I can’t have kids right now anyways. I can’t even afford to take care of myself, let alone a child.

I look back down at the cats. Sadly, I couldn’t afford to take care of pets right now either.

These cats are adorable. Grandma was highly allergic to cats, so I’ve never had my own.

The smallest black cat licks itself and the one with the big ears chases an imaginary bug. I pick the biggest one up and he allows it, letting me give him a big hug and kiss on the head. I put him back down gently and pet the other two cats who also want love.

Talon Overtree appears to like cats, and hopefully he’d let me help take care of these cats and get my pet fix, while he pays for all their food, etc. Perfect.

And then I realize he must be talking to my brother because I hear my name.

Talon’s voice turns dark and scary as he snarls, “…and I am not hiring some stupid, useless human girl who’s never been around a tattoo shop in her life.”

Oh jeez.