Audrey listened to Morgath’s footsteps fade down the street. The door had barely closed behind him before she started moving, her nervous energy finally finding an outlet. She’d been obsessed with this orc for far too long, assembling fragments of information like a puzzle with missing pieces, and now she was alone in his house with the chance to learn everything she could.
The living room was dominated by a massive stone fireplace that took up most of one wall. The furniture was exactly what she expected from orcs – heavy wooden pieces built to last, sturdy enough to hold their enormous weight, but not particularly comfortable looking. A thick couch sat facing the fireplace, flanked by two armchairs that could’ve doubled as thrones. Shelves lined one wall, crammed with books whose spines were covered in the harsh, angular script of the orc language. A low coffee table sat in front of the couch, and a plush rug covered the wooden floor.
What caught her attention were the candles. They were everywhere – on the mantelpiece, on the coffee table, in wall sconces, their flames burning bright. She knew they were enchanted, charmed to burn endlessly without starting an accidental fire or melting down to nothing. The warm light cast dancing shadows across the room and made the space feel almost cozy despite its utilitarian furniture.
The mantelpiece held a collection of crystals and stones, each one different in size and color. Some were raw and jagged, others polished smooth. She approached them and reached out to touch one, a deep purple crystal that caught the candlelight, but pulled her hand back at the last second. She had no idea what they were for, so it was probably safe to keep her hands to herself.
She moved into the kitchen next and found it spacious but completely empty. Inside the cupboards, the shelves were bare. No food, no dishes, no pots or pans, nothing at all. It was as if no one had ever used this room for its intended purpose. She opened drawer after drawer and found them all empty except for dust. The orcs clearly didn’t cook or eat in their homes, which made sense given the communal feast she’d just sat through.
Her bedroom was next. She pushed open the door and found her duffel bag sitting on the bed. She unzipped it and checked the contents, her fingers moving quickly through the layers of clothing. The knives were still wrapped in the shirt at the bottom, the handgun still tucked into the folded jeans, and the radio was exactly as she’d packed it.
She zipped the bag back up and left it where it was, turning her attention to Morgath’s bedroom. The door was closed but not locked. It swung open when she pressed the handle.
His room was larger than hers, dominated by an enormous bed, specially built to accommodate his size. The blankets were dark and heavy, and the pillows huge.
A dresser stood against one wall, and she went through it methodically, pulling open each drawer and rifling through the contents.
Clothes. Nothing but clothes. Tunics, pants, all in dark colors and all enormous. She pushed them aside, checking for hidden compartments or anything unusual, but found nothing. Her frustration mounted as she closed the last drawer and turned to survey the rest of the room.
That was when she spotted the chest.
It sat against the far wall, secured with a thick iron lock. She crossed to it and knelt, examining the lock. It didn’t take her long to conclude she’d never be able to pick it. Whatever was inside, Morgath wanted it protected. She’d have to find the key somehow, which meant she’d have to be patient and observant.
Audrey stood up and left his room, closing the door carefully behind her.
The stairs to the second floor creaked under her weight as she climbed them. The upstairs hallway was dark except for the faint glow of moonlight coming through the windows. She found two more bedrooms and two bathrooms, all neat and clean, but completely unused. No furniture, no personal items, nothing to indicate anyone had ever spent time up here.
She made her way back downstairs and went into her own bedroom, closing and locking the door. She needed to check in with the Tusk Hunters while Morgath was still gone. She locked herself in the bathroom for extra security, then pulled out her phone.
Owen was the one who answered.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “I’m here, everything is okay.”
“What’s it like?”
“The town is an old logging community in a valley. There are about a hundred orcs, most of them male grunts. They’re all armed to the teeth at all times.” She paused and took a breath. “I looked around the table at dinner but didn’t see him.”
“You sure?”
“I’d recognize him if I saw him,” she said firmly. “But there were too many orcs, and I was distracted. Tomorrow, I’ll walk around town and try to meet everyone properly. Maybe I just missed him tonight.”
“Stay safe,” Owen said, and she could hear the concern in his voice. “Are you worried about tonight?”
She knew what he was asking.
“Morgath won’t touch me. He told me he never wanted a bride and it’s all for show.”
Owen let out a breath of relief.
“That’s good. That’s really good.”
“Yeah,” Audrey said, but even she could hear how unconvinced she sounded. She shook her head and pushed the thought away. “I have to go. I just heard him come back.”
She ended the call and slipped the phone into her pocket, then unlocked the bathroom door and stepped out into her bedroom. She could hear Morgath moving around in the living room, and she took a deep breath before opening her bedroom door and walking out to face him.
He was pulling off his massive boots by the front door.
