One can only stay satiated for so long. The hunger was twisting and turning the stomach. It was empty and void of sustenance.

A peculiar smell reached the nostrils. The smell of food. Not just any food a rare delicacy. Grey turned his head towards it and inhaled the air savouring every bit of fragrance. There was that sweet hint of magic. He followed the trail of it, weaving past the people in the street and towards his quarry.

It was an Elf! No, that would be too unlikely; improbable. A mongrel then, a half-breed. Those were shunned by both humans and elves.

A lucky find really. Consuming the elf would not only fill up his stomach but his mana core too. Topping up on the sweet-sweet mana would mean that he could afford to cast a spell or two. How long has it been? – too long.

Grey followed a half-elf keeping his distance. Her features were typical of her race. Tall and slender in build. She wore tight leathers accentuating her feminine features but her face was hidden behind the rogue-like cowl. Her yellow hair were long enough to peek out of her disguise, the disguise which clearly was worn to hide her elven ears. This, of course, worked on a common man, but Grey could smell that aroma of a she-elf.

Suddenly his prey turned her head towards him, their eyes met briefly. And then she launched into a sprint.

How? How did she know she was in danger?

Sure Grey stood out of the crowd like a sore thumb but that was no reason to react as such. But then again, it was common knowledge that elves possessed sharp senses. She must have detected his animosity.

She was too delicious to give up, he was too hungry, so he ran chasing after her.

The half-elf was a quick runner and a smart one. Her movements were nimble and elegant, even at full speed, she passed the people without disturbing them. Grey, unfortunately, didn't share the same nimbleness. Oh, he was just as quick as her but his bulk and tight crowds left little space to work with.

He showed people out of his way. No one was able to break his charge. None! Reckless, yes, but he didn’t care. The shouts of anger were ignored and soon became only distant whispers.

His lunch was making a quick glance back at him. Their speed was evenly matched. So she dashed into one of the narrow alleys. Aside from the main streets the rest of the city was very much maze-like. Likely built so on purpose.

She was out of his sight, but the chase was not over. What he couldn’t see, he could smell. So he ran following his nose navigating treacherous alleys as if he knew them like the wrinkles on his palm.

The sprint became the battle of endurance. And despite his hunger, he had plenty of it. What he had, even more, was willpower. He simply could not let such a rare snack go, that would be a sin in itself.

Motivated by his hunger he began to close the distance. Her scent became stronger and soon the slender she-runner was back in his sight.

The half-elf turned sharply to face him doing a full 180°. The momentum was still propelling her backwards making her slide.

Grey knew what this meant, so he too stopped in his tracks bracing for what was to come.

The rebellious woman stretched her arms out and pressed her wrists together. Between her palms, a ball of fire formed. The fireball didn't linger there for long it flew straight towards Grey.

His body was still moving when the magic projectile hit him right into his face and exploded into bright sparks.

The elf smiled in victory, but that smile didn’t even last a second.

Grey stood there, his face plate singed, but he was otherwise unhurt. His body was quite resistant to magic so all he needed to do to weather such an attack was to close his eyes.

The she-devil was already hurriedly casting another one of those, but Grey couldn’t allow her to finish. He needed her blood saturated with mana, how else would he restore his core. He lunged at her like a starved beast. The fireball hit his chest burning his protective scales. The attack was too weak to break past his natural defence. He body-slammed the half-elf sending her into the air and then back to the ground; painfully.

The woman was sturdier than she looked, she was able to weather the blow and remained conscious. Regardless it was over for her.

Grey was already on top of her, her arms pressed down with his knees, his mouth ready to rip her throat out and savour the empowered blood of the mage-cum-rogue.

“Wait! Wait, no need for violence. let's talk this out!” She begged.

Grey gave her a predatory grin. He loved when his food was begging. He will listen and revel in her misery savouring every word, and then eat her regardless.

“I have the coin! I can pay double what I owe. Come on be reasonable.”

“Why do you think this is about the money?” Grey sneered at her.

“It’s always about the money, is it not.”

She wasn’t begging, she was trying to haggle with him. How boring.

Grey let out the best animalistic roar he could muster sending his saliva splashing on her face.

“I will rip your throat and eat you!”

“No! Please, no!” she finally began to beg properly. “I will give you everything I have. I will make you rich!”

“I care not for money, I am here for blood!” He roared again.

The colour from her face has finally drained.

“Please don’t kill me! There must be something I can give you. If not I can steal it. Just name the damn thing!”

“Do not haggle with me, she-elf!”

Grey ripped her cowl off exposing her face and neck. The ears that should have been there, were not. They were cut short to mimic those of a human. Her eyes were full of terror and her lower lip trembled from fear.

“You know?! Then you must know I am worth more alive.”

Gery laughed in amusement. “Oh, no, you are worthless to me alive.”

“Please!” She begged him to see reason.

“Enough. Now, I will eat you.”

Grey opened his mouth wide. He had to be quick here. The ruckus they had made must have set some proverbial alarms. He didn't want to deal with witnesses.

“Wait!” She urged. “I can lead you to other elves. If that’s what you want.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Grey had his teeth already pressed on her throat, but he was able to stop in time.

“Speak.”

“I can show there the other half-elves are. If you spare me.”

“Tell me where they are and I might.” He loosened the grip ever so slightly curious.

“My ex-boss has one as a sex slave. Keeps her in his dungeon.” She spat out as if in a hurry.

“Is that so… she is there and then you are here right in my grasp. Why bother.” Grey snaked his clawed finger down her neck.

“There are others…”

“Where?”

“If I tell you everything you might decide to just kill me. Let me live and I will hand one at a time.”

“Tss…” Grey clicked. “Don’t even think of running I have your scent.” He warned releasing her out of his bind.

The half-elf dusted her clothes and picked up her now tattered cowl.

“My ex-boss Lionheart…” she paused and gave Grey a peculiar look. “His place is always guarded. What I am saying is that if you want that elf it won’t be easy.”

“I figured. So?”

“So I will give you a hand. I can walk you straight past the guards and right to the man.”

Grey gave her a judging look. He was still deliberating about eating her right here and now. The human conversation was not his forte after all.

“I mean it. Lionheart and I have a bit of history, it's not pleasant but believe me. He will let us in.”

“How do I know that I am not walking into some sort of a trap?”

“Eh?” She yelped. “I guess you don’t… Well, there is another half-elf, at the university, but he is a capable caster and the place is well-guarded. But you already know of him, no?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Hmm… So you aren’t local. Never mind that. Believe me, then I say this, the slave girl is the easiest to get.”

“Fine then.” Grey had made his choice to play along already. Push come to shove he will just slug her and eat his lunch.

The two began walking. The half-elf right in front of Grey under his watchful gaze.

“So. Sir? Why do you need elves? Who is your employer?”

“Wouldn't you like to know? Let’s find this Lionheart, I am hungry.” He gave her an ‘encouraging’ push.

“I am just worrying about who sent you after me. What did I do this time? You know, so I can wisen up a bit. Getting killed is no bueno. Or are you just after elves in general?” She questioned.

The food was talking too much, she clearly was nervous and on edge. Grey didn't reply.

“Amm, we need to go to my place first.”

He nodded and wrapped his hand around her shoulder making the woman flinch.

“I mean no funny business. I won't run or shout for help. That would be meaningless… I would just get myself killed. So, I guess I should tell you my plan?”

Grey didn’t reply, instead, he pushed her to lead the way.

“My ex-boss, I owe him a lot of money. It is a bit overdue. The thing is, I have it, I just didn't want to pay him. So what I am thinking is we go with all my savings and try to apologise. You will play as my bodyguard. Inside there will be only two lackeys, four max. Looking at you that will be no problem, no?”

“And this elf, the slave, where is she?”

“Either in his bedroom or his dungeon. The thing is you will have to kill Lionheart if you want his slave. He is no pushover, he’s a man like no other. You think you can do it?”

Grey grabbed the she-elf by the neck bringing her small head right next to his muzzle full of sharp teeth. “What do you think?” the half-elf only yelped in alarm “This Lionheart, if I end him will there be trouble?”

“He’s a beastkin, in other words – non-human. The guards won’t care if that’s what you mean.”

“To your place then, hurry up.”

The woman hurried her place and continued yapping about this or that. Grey didn't care. He never was averse to killing, actually, it played a key role. However, the unwritten rule was: don’t kill a human - it’s their city.

Eventually, they were there at her den. A room above a tavern, how typical of a rogue. Her lodgings were small and reeked of elf smell, only hers, which was a good sign meaning there won’t be any unexpected interlopers.

The half-elf pried a board under her bed. The small compartment was stuffed with coins, jewellery and even a few precious gems. A small fortune it was. Meaning she owed this Lionheart a substantial sum. This gave Grey bad tingles on his back, this was never a good sign.

“You owe him too much! Will he even let me in?”

“He wants his money, of course, he will. And I will tell that I will bring him just as much again if he remains civil. He’s a greedy bastard after all. Also, having you there will be more believable.”

“You didn't steal that money from him did you?”

There was a pause and at that moment the woman seemed flustered, but It was only a fleeting moment.

“No!” She paused again. “Not quite. The money is stolen from his, hmm… clients.”

Grey slapped the woman on the back of her head. No one would be happy to get paid in money which was stolen from them. This was very rogue of this lesser elf.

“Auch! It will work believe me. At least he will open the doors for us.”

“Hurry up then, it’s almost sundown already. I grow tired and even more hungry.”

“I have some food, here.” She grabbed a wrapped parcel from atop a table.

Grey slapped it right off her hand and onto the floor. He wasn’t going to eat that shit. That stinking grub was made for humans. Unpalatable!

“Ah! Sorry. We can get something else in the tavern.”

Grey glared at her. “We go to your ex. Now!”

It looked like she wanted to say something but didn't.

As they left towards the bandit's den she remained subdued for quite a while, seemingly deep in thought. Grey considered it a wise choice on her part, he was tired of her blabbing.

It was quite far, Grey was beginning to suspect she was leading him on a fool’s errand. Just right on time, before he could smash her brains out, she pointed at a shabby building. All buildings were quite shabby in this part of town but this one was even more dilapidated. It stood out in a bad way.

“This is it.”

The entrance was a big armoured door with a hatch. It was funny how the door was sturdier than the crumbling walls. If he wanted he could punch the wall out and get around it.

“Let me deal with this. Just like I explained.” She whispered.

The half-elf has had gone over the plan several times; Grey only pretended to listen. Anyway, he knew the damn plan; HIS plan.

She knocked on the door. Nothing. She knocked again but louder, even kicked the metal frame a few times.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing!” The voice shouted out and the hatch opened. ”You!”

“I got the money!” She dangled the bag full of valuables making it jingle. “All of it plus interest.”

The doors opened and an imposing beastkin stepped out. His appearance was wolf-like. The wolf was about to grab the woman but she-elf nimbly stepped out of his reach.

The wolf finally noticed Grey and backed off a few steps with a curse. “Fuck!”

“My bodyguard.” She told him smugly. “I’m not stupid. Now, are you taking us to Lionheart or not?”

“I don’t know. He’s kind of busy.” The wolf backed all the way and almost behind the door again. Ready to slam it.

“What?! You get to tell him that you told no to his money, then! I meant it when I told you that I brought all of It. Look, it’s not pebbles and rocks.” She opened the pouch showing the coins and jewels.

The wolf audibly swallowed his saliva and then looked at Grey again.

“I don’t know, this feels dodgy.”

“You’re just a glorified doorman, Fang! Let me in so I can speak with the real man or I will vanish again. Good luck finding me then!”

“Okay, Okay!” he opened the door fully. “Wait here, I will ask for him.” He eyed Grey again and then ran off deeper into the building.

The sound was muffled but Grey could hear the wolf and his boss.

“What? I told you not to disturb us.”

“Emergency, boss!”

“What!?”

“… is here and got all the money.”

“Then bring the money and the bitch here, you dimwit!”

“But the bodyguard…”

“Now!”

The wolf came back running. “Follow me.”

The half-elf however had her own idea. She pushed the door-boy behind her and walked triumphantly towards where the boss of the den was at.

Grey followed at the rear smelling the air. The lair was saturated with dog-like musk. It was impossible to tell how many of them frequented this place. Four would be no trouble, but a whole pack might be a challenge, and quite not worth the elf-lunch. It was a gamble he already had taken.

The half-elf was first to enter then the wolf.

“You bitch! I finally have you!” His tone was gloating in a disgusting glee.

Lionheart, presumingly. Grey hasn’t yet seen him but already disliked the man. Then Grey entered into the room as well.

“What a…?!” Lionheart stuttered in indignation staring at the Grey.

“Boss, a bodyguard!” the door-boy barked apologetically.

Grey looked at the form of this Lionheart. The beastkin was a lion variant. Big bulging muscles, proud yellow lion mane, numerous scars on arms and chest. A lion in its prime.

“Weak!” Grey spat. He opened with hostility, no need to play the she-elf games no more.

Sure Lionheart was twice the size of a regular human, but Grey was twice the size of Lionheart.

“Ah, am…” The lion was flustered for a moment, then he turned to his business partner.

Yeah, there were others in the room. One more wolfkin and two humans. The wolfkin was of no importance, feeble like that door-boy. The humans, however, they were mages. Grey was positive about it, he could smell it. Also, their attire gave them away as such. The two wore robes. Grey wasn’t versed in the city's dress code just yet, but he gathered that one was a master and the other an apprentice.

“Be quick.” The human answered nonchalantly sparing Grey only a glance.

The half-elf stepped forwards, undoubtedly being proactive and proceeding with her plan. She was about to start babbling again but was cut off by Grey.

Grey didn't care about her plan. “The slave where is she?” He grabbed the coin pouch and tossed it towards Lionheart.

It slammed on the ground bursting open. The lion eyed the coins and jewels flabbergasted.

“The elf?!” Grey roared.

“The what?” Lionheart spoke dumbly.

And at that point, Grey have had enough, he was hangry.