16
Once my family left I was left sitting there, Kandomere at my side, his good hand in mine.
"I never got to thank you, for saving my life." he said lowly looking at me with soft eyes. I met his eyes and huffed some.
"I wasn't even thinking. I saw you, I knew what would happen if I didn't at least try something." I said looking down some and pressing his hand into my cheek and his fingers gently massaged my face. "Could this have been the Blackclaw?"
"My instinct tells me it is. No orcs were shot during the attack. Only humans and me."
"And sirens." I added looking up at him and he sighed and nodded. I looked down some. "But this shooter, didn't have the features of an orc. I mean a human has no need to hide its species… Kandomere, what if it was an elf?" Kandomere tensed and looked away.
"No. it couldn't be. Elves have no earthly reasons to just up and attack people in the city." he said. I winced at him thinking now was not the time to have elf pride.
"It could be though." I said firmly. Kandomere looked down as if thinking and he looked up and nodded as if something caught his attention.
"No you're right it could be." he said leaning over me some. "Have you heard of Inferni?" I shook my head.
"What is that?" I asked.
"A group of rogue elves who serve the dark lord. It's only rumors but maybe they are involved." he said and I shook my head.
"Rogue elves? What use would they have with orcs, they'd be beneath them in every form, not even worth working together in a terrorist attack." I explained and he nodded now pacing around.
"Darling, I must go. I have much work to do on this." he said facing me. I nodded.
"Go. I can get home on my home on my own." I said and he looked at me as if I was crazy before shaking his head.
"You're going to be escorted home. Someone tried to shoot you too." he said and my eyes flexed some.
"Yes someone did try and shoot me… they shot everyone else spot on even you, but they missed me." I said and Kandomere's eyes darkened some at my words. What did this mean.
"I don't like this. I want you to pack a few things and come to my house. You are staying with me until this is solved." he said. I shook my head.
"In your district where the killers may have come from o-or the Inferni? I am better off with my family." I said and he shook his head moving over and gripping my shoulders lightly.
"No that will be the first place they will look. We won't endanger your family. My home has security. I can also work from home if needed. Anyone who tries to get to you will have to come through me first." he said and I ran my fingers through my hair feeling overwhelmed.
"This is so much." I whispered feeling stressed and he nodded.
"I know and I'm sorry, but right now that's our option." he said. I slowly moved from the bed feeling my body recovering.
"My roommate is a cop." I said and he scoffed.
"The orc?" he asked mockingly. I frowned.
"You can't watch me and do your job efficiently. He can protect me, he and his partner." I said and he placed his good hand on his hip and shook his head.
"I will not put my trust in an orc." he spat. I tensed.
"Don't say it like that." I stated.
"Say what?" he snapped.
"Orc. Like it is a derogatory thing. He is my friend. I have orc friends, Kandomere. I will fit in more with them and everyone else than everyone in your world. You don't get to judge him or them." I stated and he sighed heavily and placed his hand over his eyes.
"Okay. Okay, I'm sorry." he said. There was a firm knock on the door and in came Monte.
"Monte." I said with relief and he came over to me placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Good lord are you okay?" he asked and I nodded.
"Yes." I replied.
"Anything?" he asked and Monte nodded nodded.
"Yeah we got footage of the shooter. You're gonna want to see this. We need you boss." he said and Kandomere looked down at me and sighed.
"I don't trust one… cop to just protect you let alone his human partner if the shooter is indeed inferni or another of the nine species." he said and I nodded before looking down thinking there was someone else I could go to.
"I know where I can go to hide and be safe." I said and Kandomere looked me over.
"Where?" he asked.
Normal POV
Serafin raised his gun over his knee and watched the mess unfold before him. His ears were heavily guarded with earplugs created within the coven to withstand the siren's shriek. He quietly smirked with amusement as he watched the siren run and jump atop of the elf cop to shield him. The building he even stood on was shaken by the massive voice. His work was done. He removed his earplugs after the siren was dead and listened as the sirens came from all around. He heard heals clanking on the ground and looked over at Leilah who was removing her earplugs as well.
"Everything is in motion. The orcs fighting against the humans fighting against the elves fighting against the sirens and others. Once the chaos starts, they will be too distracted to protect the siren of a thousand voices." she said almost melodically and Serafin just looked back at the people who were screaming and crying. His eyes shifted some and looked down with mild disgust. Leilah nodded. "Only you can finish this. Once we have the siren, you will put a child inside her, that child will be the vessel for the dark lord to take form in. With the blood of a siren and elf, his powers will be heightened tenfold. Once the child is born we will have no use for the girl". She looked down into the crowd with little interest before turning and sauntering off. Serafin gave the crowd one more glance before turning and following his coven mate in silence.
O's POV
Kandomere left with a huff as he sped walked down the hall. I tensed knowing how mad he was and I looked up at Monte.
"You think that'll be a good idea? Hiding yourself in orc communities?" he asked. I shook my head.
"Until this blows over yes. I want my roommate and family to be safe. I only have that option. The orc gangs will kill anyone who messes with their own." I said and Monte winced some.
"But you're not one of them." he said.
"It's my only option. I need to know if someone is after me or trying to start a war with the city." I said. Monte sighed some.
"After everything that's just happened, a war has already begun. He may not be talking right now, but please text him with whatever you decide. We need him at his best." he said touching my shoulder again before leaving and taking with him the soldiers. A nurse came and gave me some hospital pants and a shirt. She checked me over and gave me the option to leave if I wanted. I figured someone in need could use this room. I called Nick and got no answer. He was most likely in the city helping anyway he can with the injured. I moved from the room and over to the elevator. Once the doors open I was met with crying and shouting once more. I saw more blood everywhere. Bodies were being covered with blankets and families were crying hard over the dead. Who could have done this? Why would they do something like this to innocent people? I felt I had an obligation to find out. I was standing outside now on the sidewalk still in my hospital gown and I just swallowed some and looked up at the bright sun.
Strange how the day and environment never truly change when something horrible happens to people. I looked around seeing fire trucks and police cars and more ambulances driving down town. A few seconds later news vans were following. I started walking some feeling off and just down right tired. The streets were empty and some people were running all over the place doing things I didn't know. A black escalade passed me and suddenly swerved on the curb. The doors opened and I watched four orcs leave the car. The orc driving moved past all of them and jogged up to me. Fogteeth clothes, bandanas and rings. I just stopped as Dorghu's form began to be clear from my mind and I looked up at him a she stopped in front of me. He looked at me in shock as he looked me up and down and I just stared up at not knowing what else to really do. My lips parted slowly and I closed my eyes some.
"I need your help." I said weakly and his eyes met mine before he immediately swooped me off the ground.
"Let's get her back to the crib." he said and I just leaned in to him and rested as I was carried back to the car.