Page 4

Islae

Islae slowly backed up and pressed herself against the cold stone wall as the Jorvlen bounty hunters reached for their weapons and advanced toward the Niri healer.

Her heart hammered against her ribs as she watched the orange-scaled Niri face off against the three hunters.

His massive tail whipped across the floor of her clinic, scattering medical supplies, and creating a barrier between her and the attackers.

The second hunter lunged, his blade singing through the air. The Niri didn’t dodge like she expected. Instead, he caught the Jorvlen’s wrist and twisted with calculated precision. The crack of bone echoed through the cramped room, followed by a howl of pain and the clatter of the dropped weapon.

“Stay behind me,” the Niri healer commanded, his golden eyes never leaving the remaining threats.

The lead hunter tried to circle around, but the Niri’s powerful tail swept out in a controlled arc, knocking the Jorvlen’s feet out from under him. No wasted movement, no theatrical displays of strength—just efficient, measured strikes.

“You’re protecting a criminal,” the third hunter spat, brandishing his blade. “She’s been treating patients without proper authorization.”

The Niri’s muscles tensed, his scales gleaming in the dim light. “She’s healing the sick and injured. The only criminals here are you.”

His words sent an unexpected warmth through Islae’s chest. Minutes ago, she’d been ready to chase him out of her clinic, and now he fought for her with a fury that seemed to come from somewhere deep and primal.

The hunters attacked in unison. The Niri healer moved with lethal grace, his strikes exact and devastating.

He wasn’t fighting with the brutal, crushing force she’d seen other Niri warriors use.

This was different, almost surgical in its execution.

Each movement flowed into the next, his healer’s knowledge of anatomy turned into a deadly advantage.

“Why?” Islae whispered to herself. “Why risk yourself for me?”

His tail lashed out again, pinning one hunter against the wall while he grappled with another.

Blood trickled down his scaled shoulder where a blade had found its mark, but he didn’t seem to notice.

His focus remained absolute, his massive form coiled and ready as the remaining hunter circled.

Something about watching him fight was mesmerizing.

This wasn’t the mindless rage of a warrior but the calculated defense of someone who understood exactly how much force to use and where to apply it.

Islae couldn’t tear her eyes away from her unlikely protector. Who was this Niri who fought with such controlled passion? And why did her safety mean so much to him?

The lead hunter’s laugh suddenly echoed through the underground clinic, sharp and mocking. “You’re just a pathetic healer. Not a true Niri warrior.” He twirled his blade in his hand as he stood back up and approached the Niri healer.

Islae’s breath caught in her throat as she watched the Niri healer’s reaction.

The vibrant orange scales along his shoulders bristled, catching the faint light like burning embers.

His towering form tensed, coiled power radiating from every inch of his muscled frame.

The golden eyes that had been calculating and controlled now blazed with a fierce intensity that made her take an instinctive step further back.

“You dare mock the oath of healing?” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper that sent chills down her spine.

The lead hunter opened his mouth for another taunt but never got the chance.

The Niri’s massive tail whipped forward with devastating speed, wrapping around the hunter’s throat in one fluid motion.

The blade clattered to the ground as the hunter’s hands flew to his neck, clawing desperately at the scaled coils crushing his windpipe.

Islae pressed herself harder against the wall, her heart thundering. The Niri’s scaled body rippled with controlled strength as he lifted the hunter off his feet. This wasn’t the methodical defense of before. This was raw power, barely contained.

“I know exactly how much pressure to apply to collapse your trachea,” the Niri healer said, his words precise and clinical.

“How long it takes for oxygen deprivation to cause permanent brain damage. The exact point where your spine will snap.” He tightened his grip on the hunter’s neck slightly, making the hunter wheeze harder.

“Leave this place now. Or I will demonstrate everything I’ve learned about the art of healing… but in reverse.”

The other two hunters backed away slowly.

“Mercy,” the lead hunter choked out. “We’re going.” The Niri healer released the leader. The Jorvlen dropped to his knees, gasping and clutching his throat.

They soon scrambled over each other in their haste to flee, nearly tripping up the crude stone steps that led to the street above.

The sound of their retreat faded, leaving only the rapid beating of Islae’s heart and the soft rasp of the Niri healer’s scales against stone as he slowly uncurled his massive form.

Islae stared at her unlikely defender, seeing him with new eyes.

He wasn’t just powerful. He was lethal in a way that went beyond brute strength.

The precision of his threats, the controlled fury in his eyes…

this was someone who understood exactly how fragile life could be and exactly how to end it.

Her cheeks suddenly burned with embarrassment.

She should have been more careful over the years running this secret underground clinic.

She should have posted lookouts more often to avoid situations like tonight.

Such amateur mistakes could have gotten her killed.

Her hands trembled as she gathered scattered medical supplies from the floor.

As she straightened up, she whirled on the Niri healer, her anger masking her fear. “I didn’t ask for your help, you know.” The words came out sharp and brittle.

His golden eyes studied her, his massive scaled form blocking most of the dim light from the single lamp in the tiny room. The scales along his arms caught the flickering glow as he moved closer, his serpentine lower body sliding smoothly across the stone floor.

“You’re welcome,” he said, his deep voice tinged with dry amusement. He reached down to pick up a fallen roll of bandages, his movements careful despite his imposing size. “I am Nirrn by the way. I work as a healer at the central surrogacy clinic.”

Islae’s spine stiffened. The surrogacy clinic—where humans were treated like breeding stock. But something in his gentle handling of her medical supplies made her pause.

“I saw you in the market,” he continued, passing her the bandages. “The medical bag caught my attention. I apologize for following you, but…” His tail curled thoughtfully. “I needed to know.”

The sincerity in his voice loosened something in her chest. She accepted the bandages, noting how his scaled shoulders relaxed slightly at the gesture.

“I…” She swallowed her pride. “Thank you. For what you did. I’m Islae.” The words felt inadequate after watching him fight for her, but they were all she had.

His golden eyes softened. “You really should not be alone down here.”

“I’m fine,” she said automatically, though her racing heart betrayed her. Those hunters would be back, and next time they’d bring more. She rubbed her arms, trying to ward off the chill that had nothing to do with the underground air.

Nirrn coiled his massive form, bringing himself closer to her eye level. “At least let me help you clean up.” His scaled tail swept gently across the floor, gathering scattered supplies into neat piles.

Islae watched him, struck by the contrast between his lethal power moments ago and his current careful movements. Her fingers brushed against the bandages he’d handed her, remembering the precise way he’d fought—a healer’s knowledge turned almost deadly. Nirrn was a paradox, indeed.

Islae observed as Nirrn’s strong tail coiled around a fallen cabinet, lifting it effortlessly back into place against the wall.

His orange scales gleamed in the lamplight as he moved through her makeshift clinic, somehow managing to make the cramped space seem even smaller with his imposing presence.

“You’ve created quite the setup down here,” he said, arranging medical supplies with surprising delicacy for hands so large. “These organizational systems are impressive.”

“Three years of trial and error.” Islae sorted through a pile of bloodied bandages, separating salvageable ones from those beyond saving. “My father taught me everything I know about medicine. It seemed wrong to let that knowledge go to waste.”

Nirrn’s eyes fixed intently on her face. “And you chose to practice here, in secret?”

“Those who need help the most can’t afford the official clinics.” She shrugged, trying to ignore how his intense gaze made her skin tingle. “I started small—just basic first aid. Word spread. Now I have a network of people who help keep me supplied.”

His scaled tail brushed across the floor, gathering scattered herbs into neat piles. “These medicinal combinations—they’re quite sophisticated.”

“Donations from grateful patients. Everyone contributes what they can.” She gestured to the rows of carefully labeled jars. “Some bring herbs. Others bring clean water or fresh bandages. It’s not much, but—”

“It’s remarkable,” he interrupted, his deep voice firm. “Dangerous and completely illegal, but remarkable nonetheless.” He moved closer, his large form blocking the light. “Though your sterilization methods could use improvement.”

Heat crept up her neck at his proximity. “Oh? And I suppose you have suggestions?”

“Several.” His lips curved into a slight smile as he reached past her to grab a container of antiseptic. “For instance, this solution should be diluted differently for treating open wounds versus cleaning instruments.”

Islae crossed her arms, fighting the urge to step back. “I’m managing just fine.”

“Clearly.” His tail curled around a fallen stool, setting it upright. “That’s why you’re working alone in an underground clinic with inadequate security and questionable sanitation.”

“I don’t recall asking for your opinion on my methods.”

“No?” He raised an eyebrow, continuing to organize supplies with methodical precision. “Then perhaps you’d prefer I left you to handle the next group of hunters alone?”

The memory of his fury during the fight made her pause. She watched him work, noting how his powerful form moved with careful grace through her cramped clinic. Despite his intimidating size, he handled her medical supplies with a healer’s reverence.

“I’ve survived this long on my own,” she said, but the words lacked their usual edge.

His intense eyes met hers. “That doesn’t mean you have to.”