MUTTER ARRIVED IN THE city just before dawn. He’d made great time in the water, but he had to find somewhere to hide until he removed the chain. He shuffled through the maze of alleyways. He passed a few stray Guards and Servants but the ones out at this time weren’t dangerous. These were the younger ones, the weaker ones, the ones who couldn’t fight for the good food at dusk, but instead picked at the leavings. He was in the middle of the city now, a perfect place to hide. The faint smell of meat drew him to the dumpster behind a grocery store. He hid in the shadows and sniffed. There was still some food in the bin, rotten fruit and vegetables. The meat was long gone but they’d toss more. Until then, the fruits and vegetables would have to do.

He glanced around. The area was empty. He moved as quickly as he could to the dumpster, jumping inside and following his nose to the food. He filled his pockets and then hopped out, hobbling into the alley and hiding behind a stack of boxes.

The food was not good, but it stopped the rumble in his stomach. The sunlight had arrived and with it the city came to life. He’d have to wait to find something to remove the chain. He’d search around noon when the city settled down for lunch. He had to have the restraint gone by dusk or risk being attacked. He rested his head against the brick wall and dozed.

A slamming door woke him. A small, female House Servant carried bags from the grocer and tossed them into the dumpster. He inhaled, catching the scent from the bags. Cleaning supplies, no food. She paused, her light green eyes scanning the alley. He held his breath, afraid to make the slightest sound. The boxes blocked him from view, but Servants had excellent hearing. Her nostrils quivered and her ears tipped toward him. There was nothing he could do to cover his scent and he’d never reach her before she escaped into the store. All he could do was wait. After a few minutes, she turned and went back inside. A stray Guard around here shouldn’t be anything she hadn’t encountered before and yet, the alley was quiet. There would be food here every night. Someone should have set up camp like he had. His nerves hummed. Chain or no chain, it was time to go.

He moved up and down the alleyways, searching through the piles of debris for something that he could use to remove the restraint but there was nothing. It was late afternoon when he found himself back at the grocer’s. There were no new scents of Almightys or Guards. She hadn’t called the authorities about a stray. He stared at the chain. The Voice had said to use his hands to break them. Of course, the Voice wasn’t in his right mind or his right body. Still, he sat down, clasping the chain near his ankles and pulled. Nothing. He was not changing. The Voice had been wrong. He leaned his head against the wall. That left him with only one option.

He made his way toward Sovee’s home. It was risky. Sovee belonged to Vickers and could report him, but the older Guard might help him, if the price were right.

He went around the back of the house and tapped at the door. “Sovee, you there? It’s me, Mutter.” The door opened. Sovee was a big Guard almost as big as him.

Sovee smiled, the scar across his face pulling his one eye almost shut. “I figured you’d be dead by now.”

The older Guard stepped back and Mutter slipped inside.

“Someone bought me. Can you believe it?”

“And you repaid them by running?” Sovee stared at Mutter’s feet.

“It wasn’t a good place.”

“We do as we’re told.” Sovee was a perfect Almighty’s Guard, never questioning only obeying. “I tried to teach you that, but”—he shook his head—“you must have been on your own too long.”

“Can you help me or not?” He didn’t need a lecture.

Sovee nodded and Mutter followed him farther into the house. He’d been here many times over the years. Sovee, who was retired from the ring, trained Vickers’ fighters. The old Guard opened a closet and pulled out a pair of bolt cutters.

“Where’d you get those?” Guards were not allowed to have dangerous tools.

Sovee’s hard, brown eyes glared at him.

“Sorry. None of my business.” As long as the chain was gone, he didn’t care what the old Guard did.

Sovee grunted in agreement and with one quick cut the chain was separated. It took a little more work to remove it from Mutter’s ankles but soon he was free.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Thanks.” He headed toward the door.

“Be at the carriage docks tonight when the moon is high.”

He should have known he wouldn’t get away without paying. “I need money. Do I at least get a cut?”

“I just gave you three.” Sovee chuckled at his joke.

He wanted to punch the other Guard in the face, but instead said, “I’m hungry. I need to eat before the fight.”

“Then you better hurry. The dumpsters will be picked clean soon, if they aren’t already.”

Typical. Sovee was no one’s friend. He opened the door. The sky was dark. He strode down the alleyways, no longer concerned about the others who lurked in his path. He was big and scarred; there weren’t many who would pick a fight with him now that the chain was gone.

When he arrived at the grocer’s, the dumpster was empty. There was still a little rotten fruit, but he needed meat. There were lights on in some of the neighboring stores, but the grocer’s was dark and quiet. He crept to the building and tried the back door. It was locked. If he broke in, he’d have to find another place to eat tomorrow, but he couldn’t fight without food. He glanced around. The alley was empty. He grabbed the handle, shoving his shoulder against the door. It groaned a bit at the pressure and then popped open. He slipped inside and followed his nose to the meat.

There were rows of packages, red, bloody and delicious in the refrigerated section. His mouth watered. He grabbed a handful and turned to leave. A pair of pale green eyes stared at him through the darkness. It was the Servant from earlier. He’d assumed that she’d left with the grocer. He should have been more careful. There was no way he was going back to the shelter especially under these circumstances. The authorities killed thieves right away.

“I don’t want any trouble,” he said.

“Then you shouldn’t have broken into my home.” She glided through the shadows.

He kept her in sight as he made his way toward the door. He could kill her with a snap of his wrist, but he’d have to catch her first and that might take time which he didn’t have. Plus, she wouldn’t go quietly and that would bring help from one of the neighboring stores.

“Put it back and I won’t report you.”

“I can’t do that.” He needed this food more than the grocer.

“Then you’ll be dead at the shelter tomorrow.”

“They’ll have to find me first.”

“Oh, they’ll catch you.” She moved out of the shadows, closer to him but still out of reach. “You do not exactly blend in.” She was even smaller up close. “Put the meat back and leave.” Her voice was firm.

He sniffed. “Why aren’t you afraid of me?”

“Why would I be?”

This was a first. All females feared him. Even before his scars he had not been an attractive Guard, his features blunt and hard.

“Just because you’re ugly doesn’t make you mean or fast and you’ll have to be quick to catch me.”

She raced forward. Her claws connected with his arm and sliced through his shirt. He lunged for her, ignoring the pain. He didn’t expect to catch her, just scare her away from the door, but his hand locked on her wrist. He spun her around, pulling her flush against him, the packages falling to the floor. He wrapped his other hand around her throat. It would be a simple task to snap her neck, barely a movement, but he hesitated. Her bones, tiny beneath his touch, reminded him of the little Guard. She struggled in his grasp. He blocked every move she made, keeping her close. Her body was firm, yet soft. After a few moments she stilled, her eyes meeting his and holding.

“Now, what?” she asked.

“I don’t know.” It was obvious that he wasn’t going to kill her or he’d have done it by now.

“You can’t have the meat. I’ll get in trouble.”

“You protect this place?” It was a job usually given to Guards or maybe a Guard and Servant, but never a Servant so young and small.

“Yes.” The word was almost a hiss. “I’m deadly.”

He grinned. “I’m sorry. You’re just so little.”

“Let me go and I’ll show you.” She bared her teeth.

He couldn’t refuse the dare. He dropped his arms and she attacked. The first slash, across his cheek, caught him by surprise. He’d been sure that she’d run. The second one he blocked, clasping her hand in his and spinning her around, her back tight against his front.

“How did you do that?” She turned her head, trying to see his face. “Guards are not that fast. Ever.”

He lowered his lip to her ear. “I am.” He’d never been attracted to a Servant, disliked all he’d ever met, before her. She had spirit and it had been a long time since he’d been with a female. Eat then mate. Those desires coursed through his blood, demanding he obey.

A bell sounded. She stiffened in his arms. He covered her mouth with his hand to quiet her scream, but she remained silent.

“I forgot my house keys,” yelled the grocer. “Help me find them.”

“Please leave,” she whispered against his palm.

He let her go and hurried out the door. He slipped into the alley, lingering in the shadows. The lights came on in the store and there were voices and movement but nothing to hint that she’d told the Almighty about him. His stomach clenched. He still needed food. Maybe, he could find some on the way to the docks. The lights at the grocery store went out. The back door opened.

She stepped outside, carrying a small bag. She stopped at the dumpster. “Guard,” she whispered. “I know you’re here. I can smell you.” She stuffed the bag under the dumpster. “For you.” She went back inside.

He waited a few moments and then darted behind the garbage can and reached underneath. It was a small chunk of meat, barely a bite, but his hand trembled as he put it in his mouth. No one had shown him kindness since his mother. He went back to his spot in the alley. His stomach rumbled more insistently now that it had tasted what it desired. He leaned against the wall, watching the building and waiting for the time to leave.