Page 13 of Wicked Magik

With a low grunt, I heaved myself up from the ground, feeling the strain in my muscles. Instead of continuing straight as I had been, I veered sharply to the left. The foliage was denser here, with bushes and trees pressing in around me. I reached out, my fingers wrapping around a thick vine, and gave it a firm tug.

It was surprisingly strong, even though it felt soft and velvety between my fingers. With determination, I placed my foot against the rough bark of the tree and began to climb. However, just as I was about to secure my second foothold, an unexpected force yanked me backwards, and I abruptly hurled to the ground.

I gasped, the fog dispersed around me.

Pricks of claws held me down by my arms. My eyes were closed. I didn’t want to see my death. I couldn’t bear to see this monster kill me. I didn’t want this thing to be the last thing I saw before my life ended.

I let out a whine of desperation, my heart thundered wildly in my chest.

Seconds went by, all I felt was the heat of its breath on my face, its warm body hovering atop of mine.

Why isn’t it killing me?

Is it waiting to look into my eyes and then bite off my head?

It’s a trick it has to be.

I kept my eyes closed and waited. My body shook as his hot breath tickled across my face.

It drew nearer, its toughened snout lightly brushing against my cheek. I could feel the warmth of its breath, carrying an unmistakable scent…metallic and coppery, like fresh blood.

The blood of those men…

I’ve smelled blood many times before when I prepared bodies on my table, but not blood this fresh.

I let out a heaving breath, sweat gathered on my forehead from stress.

Then I felt the monster’s long, slick tongue glide up my neck and cheek, leaving a damp trail in its wake. The sensation was unsettling because it didn't make me feel as scared as I should have been. Their tongue was warm, along with their hardened nose while it traced a path against my skin. Their breath wasn’t harsh, but slow and steady.

Were they toying with me?

What type of torture is this?

The monster groaned and I felt the lower part of its body lay on my legs. They nuzzled their skull next to my neck while it madeits warm body comfortable on top of me. The torso rumbled, like a giant cat against me.

I would not open my eyes. I was convinced that was what it wanted.

Yet it waited.

I felt its breath, its nose trailed up and down my neck and it hummed, like in delight, waiting for me to open my eyes and steal my soul straight from my body.

Then it made a move. I felt its arm rub across my body. The thick forearm pushed against my breasts and a strange feeling came across them.

I gasped and squinted my eyes shut.

My nipples did not get hard. It’s my body reacting in fear.

I’ve run out of options. My body is just offering itself to get out of this situation, that’s all!

Their hand trailed up my chest and thank the universe I wore a high top that exposed little of my chest, but when the skin of his paw? Hands? Yes, it was hands that wrapped around my throat. I knew I was a goner.

Palms wide and fingers so long they easily wrapped them around. Their claws clanked together. The grip was tight, but not tight enough to choke the air from me. They at least knew to be gentle.

Great, they are playing with their food!

My hands instinctively went to my neck to pry off their fingers. There was no use, their fingers were leathery, my blunt nails were of no use to even scratch at the surface.

I whimpered until a sob broke free. I was now kneeling in front of the monster. Their body radiated heat and his nose continued to sniff and nuzzle into my neck.