Shifter

[Plaything]

[Marion]

Marion was sure she was walking funny. She grew more and more insecure with every step she took. And when she looked up at Brilah, who winked at her from across the field, she darted into the stables.

"Hiding out with the horses I see?" Marion winced, as her friend walked into the stables. "Is it because they remind you of the horse dick Dargon you've been sleeping with?"

"Brilah!" Marion didn't flush easily. But Brilah had a way for saying things in the most crude way possible. "For your information, I've been gathering good intel."

"Mhm." Brilah murmured. "And from the way you were walking, you've been gathering a little bit more."

"So what if I have a little fun too?" Marion scoffed. She hated to admit it but she had almost become addicted to Xander. Like he was a drug she couldn't resist. "I like having him as my plaything."

"You'll get no judgment from me." Brilah laughed.

Marion's shoulders relaxed. This is one of the many reasons she loved Brilah. She saw things for how they were, complicated, messy. And offered no judgment, only undying support and loyalty.

"Lets just try to make sure no one else finds out I'm fucking a Dargon."

"Why not? I'm sure they'd all be jealous."

Marion rolled her eyes. "You know why not."

"Well, good news is, I've got some information that will keep people's attention occupied."

"And the bad news?"

"Bad news is, we are losing ground against the demons."

[Xander]

Xander couldn't recall when, if ever, all five clans had held a meeting. There was nothing in the history books about such a time. The Phons hadn't been present the last time they'd united and battled the demons. They were still reeling from the Vorque's cold blooded murder of the two princesses next in line for the Phons' throne.

But today in one single meeting room were representatives from the Moruga, Dargon, Nezat, Phons, and Vorque clans.

Xander knew it had to be serious if it had come to this.

The Moruga and Dargon clans had been unsuccessful in holding off the demons. They gained more and more ground each day. And we lost more and more soldiers to the horde's never ending bloodlust.

Xander tried to look elsewhere as Marion entered the room, but he couldn't drag his attention away from the way her hips swayed side to side. His mouth went dry at the thought of the way those hips had ridden him last night. He shifted on his feet, trying to keep down his arousal. This was not the time nor the place, but something about her made him lose all reason. He figured there was nothing wrong with giving into his needs, and having a little fun while he was forced to be with the Moruga clan. But if his father ever found out... Xander's gaze landed on his dad seated with the other clan leaders at the head of the room.

Xander never envied his position. In fact, he had hoped that it would not pass down to him. That he would live out his days as a warrior. The politics and intricacies of ruling were demanding. And required a patience Xander did not have. Something his father reminded him of frequently.

The room quieted as the leaders stood from where they sat.

"We thank the Dargon, Nezat, Phons, and Vorque clan leaders for joining us." The Moruga leader spoke, his voice echoing across the room. "We must all unite against our shared enemy, the demon horde if we wish to survive." He nodded to the leaders, and they nodded back in acknowledgement. Xander's stomach churned. The fact that they had gotten together so quickly and come to the agreement that they must unite did not bode well for their standing in the war against the demons. There was something they weren't telling them.

"The demons have grown smarter." The Moruga leader continued. "They are not the enemy we once fought. They now come into battle in formations, with strategy. Something we did not anticipate." Whispers broke out amongst the crowd.

"What do you propose we do?" A woman in the crowd with a strong build, and keen eyes looked at the Moruga leader.

"We stop them at the source." Tyrmouth, the Dargon leader spoke, and the Moruga leader nodded in agreement

"No one knows where the source is." The woman retorted, her voice heavy with frustration.

"Not yet. That's why we have agreed to send our greatest warriors to go find it."

Another round of whispers broke out amongst the crowd. And suddenly Xander felt a pair of eyes land on him. When he met them, the eyes of Tyrmouth, his father, his stomach dropped. He knew the look on his father's face. That it would not be a request, but an order. And that he would have to be the one to locate the source of the demon horde. Or die trying.