“Have they come this close before?” I cross my arms with a dagger in both hands. The goblins are not approaching, which is a cause for concern. By the look of them, they should have us beat number wise, so why are they hesitating? Unless they are stalling. I run my tongue over the top of my teeth as my shadows spread out into the forest.

  I estimate there are at least thirty or more of them waiting to make a move, but something keeps them from approaching. Unease coils around me like a slippery serpent. Some kind of fencing would do this vilge well. We are too open to attacks with this current setup.

  Thankfully, the forest is not on a hill, so the goblins do not have that advantage, but their sheer numbers are worrisome. There are only about twelve males in this vilge, including Katsuro and I.

  “No,” Bazur replies, his voice dull. “No, they have not. They tend to steer clear of the vilge. The only trouble we have encountered is scuffles over hunting, and that was only when food began to dwindle. Perhaps it is because of the great feast st night that has brought them to our door.”

  “I’d say kill em’ and be done with it,” Katsuro says, with Chloe by his side. Her eyes are strange. They ck their normal vibrant brown.

  “What is wrong with your mate?” I ask. “Has she been put under?” Does Megan need to take a look at her? Perhaps she has been cursed in some way.

  “Huh? Chloe isn’t my mate,” he splutters. “And what are you talking about? She’s always gotten like this when she hunts.” He waves a hand in her face, and she jerks back. The color returns to her eyes.

  That does not appear to be a normal human trait. Later, after this has been dealt with, I will speak with Megan about this matter. Humans are strange creatures, but they are not that strange. Though, Katsuro is not concerned.

  “I am in agreement with Katsuro; however, it would not hurt to speak some words with them.”

  “Ya wanna talk to them? Since when?”

  “Since my mate suggested we try solving our problems diplomatically first.” I flex my fingers along the handle of my daggers. The fastest course of action would be to take out those that oppose us, but... I cannot fault others for being hungry. “Perhaps they wish to know the disease is gone and does not affect this area.” I take a step, seeing as how Bazur and Katsuro are waiting for me to give the okay. They trail behind me, followed by the other males of the vilge.

  Truthfully, we are in no position to fight. Not with the sorry state of their weapons and not with how weak they are. Last night may have provided them with substance once more, but it will take more than a night’s ration to get them back in shape.

  Traps. Should we get through this, we will lie traps as soon as the goblins leave. Why did I not think of that st night? Ah, right, I was thinking with my cocks again.

  “Going soft, fox.”

  “Perhaps,” I admit. “But wiping them completely out would mean creating orphans if they have any.” With the vilge’s low numbers, it is possible that the goblins are suffering a simir dilemma.

  Bazur hums. “That is a good point. No need to continue to breed this animosity between us. There is a good chance they will not wish to join arms or surrender. But there is a chance they wish to start anew.” He pounds his fist over his chest and stalks forward. His shoulders are stiff.

  “If you approach expecting a problem, there will be one,” I remind him. Bazur jerks his head and loosens his shoulders.

  “Maybe you should be the one to talk to them,” Chloe whispers.

  “What happened to getting the high ground?” I ask, changing the subject to something more preferable than me taking on a leadership role in this vilge. The fewer individuals coming to me with their problems, the better.

  “Wasn’t any time to. Too many of them to make any kind of move.” Katsuro huffs. “Need a scouter or something.”

  I set my lips into a firm, disapproving line. We should have had traps set up. Should have thought about the other creatures still left behind that would seek food. “Should you need backup, my shadows will assist. Lest you want us all to approach with you.”

  “No,” Bazur replies, shaking his head. “You have done a great deal for us already. I should be the one to do this. Can’t be throwing all my responsibilities onto you.” He fshes a smile and then turns his attention back to the goblins. They stare back with glowing red eyes. It’s unnerving to see that many eyes staring back. Is this the rest of their vilge, or did they leave other capable fighters behind?

  I tighten my fingers on the hilt of my daggers and bite back a sigh. Being on the front line is not my specialty. I do best with traps and lying low in the shadows. Unfortunately, it appears I will have to adapt my fighting strategies.

  “Goblins,” Bazur bellows. “Why have you come here?”

  The goblins mumble amongst each other. One steps out. Their leader. His armor is of gold and the trinkets hanging from his ears must be battle wins. “You will give your food to us. All of it.”

  “We are willing to share some of it,” Bazur replies. “If we continue this way, fighting one another for food, then the disease will take root once more. Is that what you wish?”

  The goblin spits on the ground. “That is what I think.”

  Well, at least I can tell Megan we attempted to talk things over. That should appease her.

  “You would rather die with your pride and leave orphans in your wake than to share the resources that have been blessed by the gods?” Bazur shakes his head. “I pity those that follow you.” He unsheathes his sword, and the quality of it takes me by surprise.

  Damascus steel. Did not expect to come across such a thing in this vilge. Perhaps it was passed down to him. I keep my face bnk as I regard the goblins. They murmur amongst themselves, but the bloodlust rolls off them in waves. Even when presented with an option that will result in no casualties, they are still too dimwitted to take it.

  The leader raises his gloved hand and shouts. “Kill all! This is ours!”

  “Chloe, run back to the others,” Katsuro says. “It’s not safe.”

  It was never safe for her to be on the frontline, but I keep my thoughts to myself for now, and instead focus on the shadows flickering near the goblins’ feet. There are too many of them, but it will be enough to stall them.

  I click my tongue along the roof of my mouth. Bazur raises his sword and shouts. The other males charge after him. Katsuro takes a step and then stops. He grips his whip but waits for me. That cold gze shutters over Chloe’s face once more.

  It is unsettling. Not quite a bloodlust, but something close to it. Did something occur when she and Megan were taken? Or is this her normal?

  “Wait,” I say, after a moment. The goblins are fast approaching. My shadows flicker, stretching. Instead of grabbing them individually, I will create a ditch. “You will know when to attack.”

  “Uh huh. They’re getting kinda close.” Despite his grumbles, he stays put. The trust he has in me is.... heartwarming. “How about now?”

  “No.”

  Almost.

  I tighten my grip on my daggers. The smell of their grime could knock a lesser male on his ass. Chloe notches an arrow.

  Now.

  Screams fill the area. The goblins fall over in their haste to break free of the shadows pooling around their feet and pulling them into the abyss. Bazur goes after the goblins’ leader. I remain back, focusing my energy on keeping them trapped while the others pluck them off. On my right, Chloe shoots off more arrows, hitting the goblins in the head and some in the chest. Katsuro takes off, keeping a distance from the shadows, and cracks his whip. It wraps around a goblin’s neck and snaps it.

  Quick and retively painless. A mercy they do not deserve.

  A bead of sweat drips down my brow. While not physically draining, pushing this much energy on a wide scale is taxing. My shadows grow and grow until the remaining goblins are nearly consumed. The other males keep a distance while using the length of their swords and spears to their advantage.

  “ENOUGH!” the goblin leader bellows. His arms shake under the pressure of Bazur’s strength. “We agree to your—”

  Crack.

  I whip my head around to stare at Chloe. She reaches for more arrows, but the quiver is empty.

  Those eyes. I do not care for them. Killing the goblin leader is one thing... alright, I do not care that he is dead regardless if he was attempting to call for peace or if it were a ploy to lower our defenses. What I do care about is how rapid this change is. Will she always go into this trance when danger is near?

  “The danger has passed,” I say, keeping watch of her from the corner of my eye. The few goblins left thrash about, wasting their energy on a useless endeavor. When the st head rolls and the weapons are put away, only then I do let out a breath.

  Never again.

  I slide my daggers back into their rightful pce and thread my fingers through my hair. Too taxing. Forcing that much energy into the shadows is far too taxing. My skills are better suited for small numbers and sneak attacks.

  “I’m out of arrows,” Chloe says as the light returns to her eyes.

  Despite Katsuro’s words, I do not believe this change is normal. Humans do not go into a blood lust. There is something wrong with Chloe, and Katsuro is not taking this seriously. Why he is not concerned about his mate? I do not know, but we cannot—I cannot allow her near my mate if she gets like this. What if this is the work of that mage or something else? There are too many unknowns. I do not trust it.

  “So now what? Is it over? Did we get rid of all of them? Are we going after the others? Cause there are others, right?” Chloe lowers her bow and watches Katsuro, though her words are directed at me. “There has to be others. I mean, that went by way too fast, like I’m not crazy.”

  She is right that battle is over for two quickly, but perhaps that is why the goblins were so desperate. Perhaps the hunger has overtaken their senses.

  “We will set out traps. Something we should have done yesterday, but well, I was not thinking about goblin attacks yesterday.” I lift one shoulder and shrug. “It is possible that there are more, and it is possible that there are no more. I cannot speak for certain, as I know as much as you. But if I had to wager, then I would say that there are no more because they brought their leader with them and all of his golden and glory.”

  Katsuro heads back over to us and scratches the back of his head. “I say we take a couple of males out and look to see if we can’t find the vilge. See if there are any more. Lie low and go from there.”

  Smiling, I cp my hands. “Wow, I did not expect that level of intelligence from you.”

  Katsuro twists his lips back and snarls. “Yeah, yeah. I can be smart sometimes. Not a complete idiot.,” he huffs, crossing his arms.

  “I’m going with you,” Chloe says. “I just need some more arrows before we head out, just in case.”

  “Why not just pluck them from the dead bodies over there? You went through that many?”

  “Didn’t have that many to begin with. Can you show me how to make some more?”

  I keep my mouth shut while they converse. If she goes with Katsuro, that will give me time to bring up my concerns with Megan. It is possible I fret over nothing. Bazur approaches with the goblin leader’s body over his shoulder.

  “Friends,” he greets. “I will send someone to the capital to sell off this gold and whatever else is of value. Take whomever you wish to spy on the vilge,” he adds.

  “Tch. Chloe and I are good enough.” He straightens his shoulders and puffs out his chest. “Don’t need anyone else.”

  Bazur raises a brow.

  “Leave them—”

  Smoke.

  My heart stops. The smoke is coming from the south.

  Megan!

  AutumnBanks

  Thanks for reading! Have a great week!