Kaylee came out and walked over. “Yes, Ryzen?” It sounded slightly more questioning this time but still had the same effect of a moment ago.

I said nothing and walked over to the supplies grabbing the flame shaman’s staff. The tip was still glowing red, viewing it with my mage sight I could see the fire mota from the air being slowly drawn into a reddish black stone on top.

“See the top of this, that’s called volcanic rock, it forms in intense heat and -”

She interrupted me excitedly “I’ve heard of that! They say when mother Gia’s anger is great enough mountains will suddenly explode and fire flows like a river!”

My gaze slid down to her still torn skirt.

“Your passion flows like a river too as I recall..” I told her trailing off.

Her cheeks reddened a moment, and I heard a short barking sound that could only be a laugh emanate from the line of captives sitting cross-legged and bound behind me.

I looked back to see an openly leering Kobold, his eyes trying to split the skirt further.

“Enjoy getting your hands on her would you?” I said to him.

He seemed hesitant at first but nodded.

"Good!” I said, “I was just about to ask for a volunteer to lend a hand.”

Kaylee backed up slightly, clearly terrified of what was about to happen.

I took the staff in my off-hand and a short sword in my left.

As I walked over to him I continued my instruction. “When coral forms in water or volcanic rock forms in a river of fire. It traps already concentrated mana inside. When it finally cools or the coral leaves the water. The mana exits and it leaves holes perfectly situated to achieve balance for that specific mana. When you then fill it with that mana again later it achieves stability effortlessly.”

I reached the kobold. He looked behind him eagerly as a skeleton took both wrists and brought his hands up behind his back near my blade. I smiled at him as he watched me gently saw the leather straps free.

I could feel my heart beating faster as I saw the look of desperation in Kaylee’s eyes, terrified but with nowhere to run she tried to listen.

Tried to pretend everything was normal.

“Bone behaves similarly for life mana. Necrotic mana is a little different though. As a corruption, the bonds are only close to the same. Bone is still ideal for making undead constructs but not effortless.” I finished.

After the strap came free, the skeleton holding the kobolds wrists put his foot into his back and yanked hard, pulling his arms straight back and holding them tight.

I looked back into Kaylee’s eyes, basking in the fear I found. Then my blade came up and down in front of me, severing his hands cleanly. The almost overwhelming relief that hit her as she watched was as intoxicating for me to see as it was for her to feel.

He, on the other hand, howled like the wounded animal he was and brought his now freed arms back around. He took in the bloody stumps and watched in shock as each heartbeat sent jets of ichor streaming out of severed arteries.

“Whoops, forgot about the bleeding, just needed a hand or two, not the rest of you,” I told him.

The skeleton behind him wrapped his arms around the kobold’s neck and held him sitting as he struggled until the loss of blood made him weak.

I struck out quickly with the tip of the staff and pressed it into a bleeding stump. The pain woke him from his state of near passing out and he struggled once more. I looked over to see Kaylee smiling, pleased now that she knew she wasn’t going to be made to fuck a lizard.

After a brief but pointless fight, his weakness took him again and the staff flashed forwards, clotting the second wound with fire. His howl was hoarse now, but he was nearly beyond struggling.

The skeleton released him and I pushed him lightly onto his back before straddling his chest.

“Come here Kaylee,” I said, pointing to the spot beside me.

She walked over and I could sense a little excitement in her eyes. I discarded the sword and handed her the staff.

I put one arm around her waist and pulled her close.

I made sure he was watching as my spare hand slid up her leg and pulled the skirt open slightly, exposing her-

I did a double take for a moment looking up in surprise.

I noticed now her nipples poking out and the scent of arousal hit my nose. The dampness between her legs left no doubt, Kaylee was more than excited the little freak. I grinned before going back to the panicked kobold.

His eyes darted in every direction.

“How rude,” I told Kaylee, “got her all warmed up,”

the tip of my finger traced the wetness of her panties for emphasis,

“and now he’s distracted. Typical.”

Both my hands released her allowing me to push up on his chin first then back onto his forehead. This drove his skull into the sand, holding it in place.

“Burn the image into his eyes, Kaylee.”

He closed his eyes, but she simply scorched through the lid and into the squishy softness below. His eyeball boiled and steam rose up from the socket.

She switched to the second one. This time I yanked his head forward, forcing the staff deeper as I screamed at him.

“You dare covet what is mine you filthy fucking reptile! Take a good look! It‘ll be the last thing you ever see!” I looked around as I spoke the last bit, ensuring every prisoner had heard me.

“You understand me you fucking sand lizards?!” I asked.

I saw every prisoner look down in fear.

“I SAID DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME YOU FUCKING SAND LIZARDS!”

I chorus of what I could only assume was assent followed.

I stood up and together Kaylee and I gazed down into the now hollow sockets of the sobbing Kobold.

My hand rose to her cheek and pulled gently, guiding her to look at me.

Feelings raged inside me as I looked at her.

She was beautiful.

“I will never share you with any man,” I whispered.

She smiled and the sincerity I saw there felt painful.

She wasn’t supposed to be sincere, wasn‘t allowed to be, I didn’t deserve sincerity. And anyway I didn’t want it. Sincerity was for the weak.

“Don’t get all giddy,” I said as I turned away “I’ve just never been good at sharing my toys.”

“Yes Ryzen,” she said, and I felt her fingertips brush against the top of my hand as she moved to stand beside me.

It felt...

I growled.

It felt like a feeling that needed to be drowned, and like all weaknesses, drowned in blood.

I clasped her hand pulling her with me towards the nearest intact prisoner. Yes, pulled her, directed her, that was why I did it.

The lie warred with the truth and the truth nearly caused me to pull away. Then I felt her hand squeeze mine, and that was all it took, the lie won. My brain rationalized If I let her go she might try to run away from the next part. I seethed inside but didn’t let go.