The bandit den, as a bandit den should, was full of loot: coins, jewellery, and contraband. To Grey, all these trinkets were just that – trinkets. The half-elf, however, being the she-devil she is, was different. She didn't know then to stop. A ring for each of her fingers, wristbands, necklaces and pendants adorned her body. If she found something better she quickly swapped the item.

She was only meant to inventory the loot; they will take only the most valuable items. Grey didn’t take offence at her trying one or two, but this was getting out of hand. He frowned at her greed and vanity. It was almost creepy to see such behaviour; she was part elf yet still behaved like a dwarf ailed by gold sickness.

“You, Enough! We need to get moving.” Grey urged.

The half-elf threw the waistband she was inspecting into a chest and attempted to lift it; it was too heavy for her.

“Hey, I found this.” She offered a health potion.

Grey let out a deep sigh. Normal health potions didn’t work on him and neither did mana potions.

“I know it’s unbranded. But they are safe trust me.” She swallowed a small sip from the vial.

“It’s of no use to me. It won’t work.”

Grey wrapped the loot chest in cloth and picked it up.

“Suit yourself.” The elf pulled a blue vial out of somewhere and chugged it.

“No!” He roared in terror slapping the vial out of her hand.

The container hit the floor and splintered into pieces. “Hey!” She protested.

It was too late, she had already ingested it. Grey wanted to scream in agony, his future dinner was tainted by unclean mana. Yes, her mana had recovered, but now she was quite literally poisonous to him.

“You shouldn't have done it!” He roared. “Where did you get it?”

“This is my first one today. I am only a half-elf so I can take one more with no problem. So what's the big deal?”

Grey knew what she meant. Overuse of mana potions could be toxic to the mage. While humans could safely drink 3, elves could only manage one. Even if she could manage one more her blood was tainted for good two days. The pleasant aroma of desert-like-elf was gone, only a distant memory. Instead, a pungent scent wafted contaminating the air with each breath she let out.

“Where?” Grey hatted to repeat himself He sniffed the air but couldn’t locate the offensive vials if there were more at all.

The stinky elf opened one of the smaller chests beside her. In there stuffed between the straw laid the clay vials presumably filled with mana potion.

“It’s likely what the mages were after, contraband.” She informed him matter-of-factly.

Grey picked up the chest and flung it into the wall out of anger. The vials broke and the potion splattered dyeing the wall neon blue.

“What the fuck!” The elf stared at him as if he was crazy. Well, she knew he was a man-eater already, so even crazier than she thought. “Those were expensive!” Unlike most of the contraband here potions were easy to sell.

Grey knew what he did and in retrospect maybe he should have, but he despised the mana potions above all.

“let’s go before the trouble catches up with us.” He instructed airing the foul stench away from his nostrils.

By the time they were done, it was night already. Grey didn't bother himself with the stolen loot and things like that too much but the woman insisted they stash it at her place. That’s where they were heading now; back to her place.

At night the streets were devoid of people making it easy to move, hence they reached their destination unhindered.

The elf pulled at the door handle.

“Shit, he locked it. I forgot.”

The landlord would lock up the reception at night both for tenant safety and his own.

“Problem?” Grey could brake the flimsy door in no time. “Shall I give it a try?”

The woman eyed him disapprovingly. “No. I rather you not. Give me a second.”

Grey followed the elf around the building.

She knocked on a set of shut wooden blinders. “Sammy! Sammy, it’s me! Let me in, you bastard.”

There was some groaning and the blinders parted. “Fuck off ya cunt! Do you know the time?”

“Come on man, I was on a job! You know how it is!”

“Job this, job that. You know what, I can’t deal with this midnight shit! Your rent just went up.”

“Yes, yes, fine. I’ll pay you extra, I have the money here just let me in.”

There was a muffled moan of a displeased wife. “Okay!” Then Sammy continued in a more tame tone “I mean okay, and you need to be quiet. You will wake up the tenants!” He whisper shouted.

After a while, there was a sound of a shifting metal latch and the door opened.

“Who is this!?” Sammy asked accusingly.

The elf deposited a whole gold coin into his hand and replied curtly “You don’t need to know. And he is coming with me.”

“I didn’t know you prostitute yourself…” He sounded genuinely shocked.

“Shut the hell up, man! Now…” she gave him another coin. “To fix your attitude.”

Sammy looked at the two coins in his hand. He would believe them fake if he didn’t know the weight of real gold. Then the elf’s ringed fingers caught his eye. Ring on each finger, not just that, jewellery all over. He swallowed his saliva nervously.

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

“I have been too familiar with you my lady, I apologise. You and your client are most welcome here, and I guarantee your discretion.” He quickly pocketed the coins afraid she might change her mind.

The two passed the landlord and went upstairs. As he didn't bother bringing the candle it was dark and hard to see her wealthy client, it was a silhouette only. One thing was clear, he wasn’t human and he was huge. Sammy quietly worried about her well-being, after all, there was a limit on how much a woman could accommodate.

“If she ends up dead…” He whispered to himself out loud. Then he shrugged it off, as it is custom he will be compensated generously for the ‘loss’ and the silence. “Maybe that would be favourable.” He mussed it over. Frankly, he was tired of her antics.

The pair was in the room already. It was small, too small for two. To tiny for Grey’s towering figure. Regardless, Grey had no intention of staying here too long because, obviously, this was her den and she must have friends and allies here.

Half-elf lit up the candle illuminating the room. A yellow light bounced off the multiple coins and valuables she was setting on the table all for further appraisal.

“You should get some sleep.” She pointed at her bed nonchalantly.

It was late and he did do a lot of chasing, fighting and carrying today but… But he was feeling too hungry for that. His mana core was empty and his stomach was no better. The apprentice he had eaten felt only like a distant snack. The sustenance he had gotten was all used up on healing his wounds. If only this she-devil hadn’t poisoned her blood with a mana potion.

“I am too hungry for that!” Grey grilled accusingly.

“Well, I have some…” She remembered her wrapped food and what he had done when she had offered it. Also, she remembered what he had done to the apprentice. She was in denial but it clicked in her mind regardless. “I… I don’t know how I might be of use.”

“First you say you will be useful now you say the opposite. A lier! A vixen and a snake, I should have eaten you while I had a chance.”

“Wait, no… Well. Why were you after me in the first place?”

“Because I was hungry.” Grey gave her a vicious smile, he enjoyed seeing the seeds of terror in her eyes.

She tried to hide it, ever since the beginning, but it was hard to control her body language. At first, she thought he was just a muscle man set to wrangle her by one of her enemies. Now it was clear, with no doubt that he was evil and mad; a flesh-eating monster. But then again why does it have to be her? He was fixated on elves, maybe not just elves but…

“… Will something like a mage satisfy your hunger?” She inquired carefully.

“Maybe. You know some?”

“I… I do. If I provided you with an easy target would that set things between us straight?”

“I could just find one myself.” Grey scoffed.

“Yet, I doubt it. They are rare, well not as much as my kind but still. Will, take you a while, and even then a trained mage knows how to fight, you saw it yourself. I could lure an unsuspecting upstart into a false sense of security, into the right place. I could bring them right to you, save you trouble.”

“Ha! You amuse me. Do you think you are a better hunter than me?”

“I am no mon… not hunter, but I know the city, I have connections. I know some mages who would not be missed even if they disappeared. Easy and safe targets.”

“You are lying again, you weasel.” Grey approached the elf and grabbed her by the collar.

“I am not! Well… They are only wannabes, the ones who didn't get accepted into the university. Others are scoundrels and thieves with few parlour tricks. But they are mages still!” She tried desperately.

Maybe she had something. She was a rogue and those liked to sniff around. However, the value of her claims was yet to be seen. Grey let her collar go.

“The mages are not elves, but they will do. Ideally, none stronger than an apprentice.”

“Easy! I already know a few. I could dangle some money and they would eagerly come.”

“I want females, only.”

“Obviously. That won't be an issue. Anything else?”

“Hmm… You better be quick, or else I won’t wait and then eat you instead.”

She gulped. “No need for that. I told you I am worth more alive. And I want to work with you.”

Grey hissed. “You want to use me. Like for killing your enemy Lionheart. That’s what you want so don’t delude me with your bullshit. You rogues are all alike, elf or human.”

She backed up away from him.

“But it’s okay. I can handle you. I am the one who will use you!” He smirked getting right into her face. “You better come up with a plan and a snack for me, and quick. Now I will excuse myself, I am hungry!”

Grey left the room. The action alarmed her, but what could she do to stop him? Why would she even stop him? Actually, having him leave was a relief she so much needed. She didn't think the monster would leave her be at all. She knew a thing or two about obsessive men. And, of course, this would not last for long; he will be back.

Regardless, the respite was very much needed. Aerith collapsed on her knees overtaken by uncontrollable shivers. The tears streamed out of her green eyes and she quietly sobbed. This was the only time she could allow the weakness to show. It was clear the monster enjoyed tormenting her and she did the very best not to give in.

Soon she got a grip over her anxiety and feeling of helplessness and went back to the distraction. The rings and jewels soothed her aching mind, the gold coins in between her fingers calmed her nerves. She tried to look for positives. Lionheart had finally gotten what he deserved and she was rich. The chest was loaded with valuables, enough to live her life in relative comfort. This would be a dream come true, but instead, this was a nightmare. An unlucky encounter and here she was wrangling a murderous sociopathic maniac and fighting for her life.

She spun the golden coin in her fingers. She could flee, but then how far would she even make. The bestial types had a keen sense of smell, and she was sure he would sniff her out like a hound. Anyways, it was best if she tried to work the monster, after all, he had a modicum of intelligence and could be reasoned with, if not then deceived, bribed, misled. She will learn what drives this killer and use it, she will turn this personal nightmare into something else.

…

It took hours, but Grey was back. He killed two birds with one stone: got his late dinner and checked the convictions of the she-devil. If she wanted to run, this was her best chance; lucky for both she didn’t. And the dinner was still squirming in his hold; alive but gagged as all good late-night dinners should.

Grey had left the front door unlocked, nor was it locked in his absence, so sneaking back was of no issue. He found the elf slumped on the table. Her head was near the pile of gold coins she had stacked up into a pyramid. He kicked the table rousing the elf. It would be rude for all involved to miss the show. The pyramid broke and the coins clattered on the floor.

“Ha-ack!” The elf yelped in dismay and confusion. It lasted only seconds, soon she was back to her old fake self. “What's up with the redhead?”

“I am glad you asked. I think you fail to understand something and as they say, actions speak louder than words.”

Grey gave her an ugly smirk shaking the girl in front of the elf like a piece of meat for display. The poor thing struggled all she could, her eyes begged the blonde woman for help and her mouth fought against the gag to achieve that. There were only muffled sounds and sad tears.

“I see… What are you going to do with her?” Aerith asked fully aware of the answer already.

Grey presented her with the most monstrous smile he could muster. Then he lifted the petite girl higher whilst firmly pressing the back of her neck with his fingers. She flailed her legs kicking back in a futile attempt to get back to him. With the other hand, Grey ripped her dress right off her body, and then her undergarments. He wasn’t careful, he didn't need to be. His claws caught her skin making her bleed.

Aerith stared at the unfolding tragedy frozen. There was so much she wanted to say, so much to do…

“Watch how I will dress this animal for dinner! Watch closely and learn your lesson. Be grateful it is not you.” He stared right at her yes.

Then his teeth sunk deep into the redhead's neck. Blood trickled down her body. By some twisted luck, the girl’s hands found a way out of the bindings. Her small fingers clawed at the monster's face aiming for the eyes. But they never reached the target. In a few short moments, the strength drained from her body. Soon after the light of life left her eyes, only the frozen image of pain and fear remained.

The obscenity didn’t stop there. The monster began to devour the body, greedily biting at the flesh, all the while staring at Aerith, making sure she is watching. Chunk after chunk, the flesh went into his mouth. Terrifyingly enough, there was only an occasional drop of blood hitting the floor. The creature ate as if conscious of the mess and soon after there were only bones and a few bits like fingers left. Even the gut and other fluids were consumed.

Disgusting, revolting, abominable. There were no words to describe the sight. Aerith wanted to vomit but nothing came out besides spit from her gags. Unfortunately, her stomach was empty, she would have felt a tad bit better if it wasn’t; the sight was repugnant and she wanted to express the feeling.

“Ah. I am fuller now. So, how about those mages?”