“What does that mean?”
“We’ll talk about it when we get to the cabin.”
“Keric—”
“Soon, Anna. I promise.” His voice is gentle but firm. “First, let’s get you somewhere safe.”
The plane touches down with a slight bump. I watch through the window as we taxi to a stop on what looks like a private airstrip in the middle of a forest. There’s a small building that might be a hangar and no other planes in sight.
“Where exactly are we?”
“This is in the middle of one hundred thousand acres of commune land.” He unbuckles and stands, ducking slightly because even this fancy plane has low ceilings for an orc. “Come on. Kelt is waiting. He’s the head of security.”
I’m about to meet more orcs. Lots more orcs. And they all know that I’m a human in witness protection, running from people who want me dead. My hands start to shake.
Keric notices. He always notices. “Anna. Look at me.”
I meet his gaze.
“You’re safe,” he says simply, like it’s a fact. “I know you don’t believe that yet. But you will.”
The cold hitsme the moment we step off the plane. Maine in early spring is similar to Northern California. The air smells like pine and wet earth. I zip my coat, happy that I happen to be dressed correctly for the climate.
A massive orc stands next to an SUV that screams “orc family vehicle.” He’s even bigger than Keric, if that’s possible. Broadershoulders, thicker arms, horns that curve forward like weapons. He looks like he could crush me with one hand.
“Anna,” Keric says, placing a hand on my lower back. “This is Kelt. Head of security.”
Kelt’s dark eyes assess me. Not unkindly, but thoroughly, like he’s cataloging every potential weakness. “Welcome to the commune, Ms. Lee.”
I blink. “You know my real name.”
“Keric filled me in.” His voice is deep, gravelly. “You’re safe here. That’s my job.”
“Thank you.” It comes out quieter than I intended.
Kelt nods and opens the back door of the SUV. “Let’s get you out of the cold.”
I climb in, Keric slides in beside me, and Kelt takes the driver’s seat. The engine starts with a quiet hum and we’re moving, leaving the airstrip behind.
I can’t stop staring out the window. The forest here is different from California, with taller and slimmer trees, different but still beautiful. The road is paved but narrow and winds through the wilderness like something out of a fairy tale. “How big did you say this place was?” I ask.
“One hundred thousand acres,” Keric repeats.
My mind tries to process that and fails. “That’s... a lot of acres.”
Kelt chuckles from the front seat. “Big enough to get lost in. Don’t wander off alone.”
Great. Comforting.
“How many people live here?” I ask.
“About three hundred orcs live in the actual commune,” Kelt says. “Maybe sixty human women. The Brides.”
That word again. “What’s a Bride?”
“Human women mated to orcs,” Keric explains. “That’s what the commune calls them.”
“Oh.” I process this. “And I’m... what exactly?”
