My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 82: Down The Rabbit Hole

The sounds of an intense battle sounded in the air. Kace curiously glanced towards the direction of the beach just in time to see and hear Yul roar in pain from having his foot half destroyed. The sound sent shivers down Kace's spine as he attempted to imagine what kind of attack could cause such a reaction from the giant.

Deciding it was better not to know he turned his attention back to his comrades who had gained some distance on him while he had been distracted. 'How could they not be curious!' Kace was flabbergasted at their lack of reaction.

To their credit, it was not that they were not curious. It was more like they were just too afraid to even look back. The horrifying racket that Yul had made had given them the impression that he was far closer than he actually was. They had no intention what so ever of jinxing the situation.

"We have to hurry! Knowing Yul, they won't be able to hold him back for too long!" Sophia yelped, betraying the fear that was quickly creeping into her undead heart.

Her silvery hair flowed in the air as if it were alive as she picked up her pace. Kace found himself admiring her beauty. Although her personality left a lot to be desired, in his mind, he could not deny that she was definitely hot.

He could easily imagine being wrapped around her finger if she had not shown her true nature so soon after they had met. That single impression had shattered any chance of him believing in love at first sight. Feeling that something was amiss, Sophia glanced over her shoulder in time for her grey eyes to catch Kace checking out her ass.

Having been caught in the act, Kace simply shrugged his shoulders as though it was no big deal. Sophia made sure that he noticed her scowl before facing the front again. This was more to hide the fact that she had begun to blush slightly. It was no secret that vampires were highly attracted to powerful individuals.

As much as she wanted to deny that Kace had any form of it worth considering, she could not after witnessing his duel with Feliks. In the past, many suitors had approached her mother to seek her hand in marriage. Most of them were simply seeking the political value of being married to their race's princess would grant them.

Others only wanted her for her body, to serve them in any way that they could possibly imagine. For all their scheming and daydreams though Sonja had been prepared. Issuing the challenge to all of them to defeat Feliks in battle. Only then would she consider them worthy.

Although Kace had no idea about it, he had unintentionally passed the test. The only people who were aware of the situation he had put himself in though were Sophia and Feliks. 

'If I ever see my mother again I can't let her find out about it! Otherwise, I'll never hear the end of it! Gods, why couldn't he have just been a werewolf! At least then this wouldn't even be an issue!' Sophia inwardly cursed as she hoped to avoid her fate.

In vampire society, having a werewolf was a bit like owning a guard dog. Its strength would be unquestionable but you would never dirty the bloodline with something like a mongrel. They were only good for servants and nothing else.

Grugda had a wolfish grin upon his face as he watched the exchange. He had a pretty good relationship with the vampiress so it would work in his favour if down the line the two of them got together. 'There's bound. To be other. Contenders down the. Line.' Grugda pondered. He was certain that there would be other female pillars to join them.

When that time came, it would be like fishing in muddied waters if they also took an interest in Kace. Grugda was not too bothered about his own position being compromised. Kace and himself had known each other for a long time now. So he felt secure that he would claim the lead advisor role in the group.

Though in the end, it would be up to Kace to make the final decisions. This was his journey to take. They were merely along for the ride and to do all that they could to ensure his success. Grugda drifted off into deep thoughts. Considering likely scenarios that they would meet and have to overcome along the way.

'No point worrying. Whatever will come. Will come.' he thought as he realised he had a headache brewing.

The sounds of battle further intensified. Making the group even more elated to not be a part of it. None of them held a shred of hope that the heroes would come out victorious.

'I have to remember to grab their shit when we return.' Mr Thomas thought, staying true to his job. Only a serious quartermaster would consider securing loot and provisions in this dire situation. It spoke volumes of his professionalism and profiteering nature.

Kace almost walked into Captain Raven as he suddenly ground to a halt. Looking over his shoulder, he could see the maw of a cave that tunnelled into the earth before them. He had expected it to be set into a cliff or a mountain. Instead, it looked like the entrance to an overgrown rabbit hole.

He felt seriously underwhelmed by what was supposed to be the key to their salvation. 'I wonder if he really tricked us?' Kace's paranoia reemerged in full swing. Leaving him with thoughts of Raven burying them alive or trapping them in some other way to buy himself time to escape. 'Or maybe this isn't the place, and it's just the entrance to a monsters den?'

"We're here," Raven stated simply. "Though the entrance looks larger than the last time."

Kace did not fail to notice the dubious looks that both the crew and their captain was giving the hole. As though they were afraid that something would pop out and bite them in the ass.