Chapter 86: Comfort

Liam picked me up again, this time cradling me in his arms. He marched up three flights of stairs into my new apartment. Anton sat on the couch, watching television.
"Oh, hey, you're back. Everyone's been looking for you," Anton said.
My eyebrows rose so high I thought they were going to fly off my head. I really couldn't believe him right now. I gave him the finger as Liam walked us by.
"What's that for?" Anton asked.
"I can see why you passed on him as a leader," I said as Liam climbed one more set of stairs to my room.
My room was completely unpacked. The cubes were set up and filled. The bed was made. Everything looked clean and spotless. It was so spacious. I guess I really didn't have that much stuff after all.
Liam set me on the bed. "I'll stand guard. I'll just be outside."
I grabbed his jacket and shook my head. I felt like a little kid, but I couldn't help it. "Please. I've never felt so powerless. I'd never felt like a victim before, and I really needed someone I trust with me. Liam, I don't have anyone." I could feel fresh tears trying to burst out again. I really didn't have anyone anymore. Mother was dead. Mila was dead. And everyone else I knew didn't care if I lived or died.
I think Liam let out a sigh. It was hard to tell. It was like trying to watch a rock have feelings. He sat on the bed and crossed his arms. "What do you want me to do?"
I stood up and started rummaging through the cubes looking for clothing. "Just stay here. That's all you have to do. Please. If Mr. Kline comes back, you're the only one that can fight him."
"That didn't work out so well the last time. I shot you."
I turned around to look at him. "Is that why you are so upset?"
I just stared at me.
"You didn't shoot me. I shot me. I pulled the trigger." I lifted my smock to show him my stomach. "And look, I'm fine. Not a scratch."
"What if that happens again?"
"It won't. I figured out how to absorb his magic. He can't control me anymore. I think I might have killed him a little bit."
"A little bit?" I thought I heard a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I think he was dead for a minute, but then he wasn't." I grabbed up my clothes and headed for the bathroom. "Give me just a few minutes. Don't move."
Liam glared at me again.
I disappeared into the bathroom. It was nice to have a hot shower and brush my teeth. I found everything with ease, not that I had much stuff to find. Whoever had organized my stuff had done an excellent job. I was in and out in under ten minutes. I half expected to find the room empty when I returned, but Liam still sat with his arms crossed on the bed.
"You didn't leave," I said.
"Could I have?" He asked. "You ordered me not to go."
"Ordered?" I frowned. "It wasn't an order. It was more of a plea."
He stood. "Then, I need to go. I should be out there with the brothers taking down The Grange Faction."
"And what happens if Mr. Kline puppets his way back in here." The thought of that almost made me vomit right there.
He crossed his arms again as he looked down at me.
"Do you just want revenge for him taking me? Do you want to destroy things and rage because you're angry he took me?"
"Yes. I'm an orc. That's what we do."
I put my hands on my hips. "Are all the orcs out there doing that?"
"Yes. And I want to be out there with them."
"So, if Mr. Kline puppet master's his way in, he'll be able to control all the people left behind."
Liam frowned. "Yes."
"Do you see the problem with this?"
"Yes."
"So, maybe you can take your revenge by protecting me instead of battling against a faction that had nothing to do with taking me."
"Nothing to do with..."
I held up my hand. "Mr. Kline may have taken me and may be part of The Grange Faction, but he was the only one I saw the whole time. I doubt the rest of his faction has any idea what he was doing."
Liam's frown deepened.
I reached a hand out and set it on the crook of his arm. "Please. Please stay. I don't feel safe otherwise."
"I'm here, aren't I?"
"You don't look happy about it."
"I don't know what you want me to do. I'm an orc. We don't handle feelings well."
"That's okay. I don't either." I tugged on his hand and pulled him after me towards the bed. "All you have to do is get comfortable and stay the night with me."
"Is this a proposition?"
"What? No. Not like that. I mean, just like be here, so when I wake up, I feel safe." I patted one side of the bed.
Liam sat down on it. He leaned forward and untied his leather boots. While he did that, I dropped my dirty clothes in a hamper and climbed into the other side. Liam turned and leaned against the headboard. His massive frame took up most of the bed. I flipped the light off then sunk into the covers. They felt so soft and safe. I wiggled around until I was perfectly comfortable with one arm over his huge leather-covered leg. I could feel the cold of his skin through the leather.
"I feel like I should get a reward for this," Liam said.
"Reward?"
"A touch," his voice lilted just a little.
I could help but giggle. I caught it and straightened my face. I knew he couldn't see it in the dark, but I needed to keep myself in check. This was my job as a leader, after all. "Right. Okay."
I pulled a little energy from him. It felt like raw strength with a coppery taste. Liam groaned with pleasure. I could feel his whole body relax. His hand dropped to my head, and he ran his fingers through my hair. It had been a long time since anyone had played with my hair, maybe since I was a kid. But, now, it felt more than just good.
I kept schooled myself. I eased off the pull of energy. I couldn't get too carried away. Orc sex was like a battle, and I was not ready for that. I did like the way he felt, though. He was strong and loyal. I could taste that in his energy.
"Is that all, beloved? Don't I deserve more?"
I sat up and looked at him in the dark. "How does sex work here?"
His face went completely drawn. I laughed.
"No, no. I mean here. When I'm the leader, can I have boyfriends?"
"Of course. You are free to do as you wish."
"What about the brothers? What if I sleep with one of the brothers? Does that cause jealousy or anything?"
"I am sure any of the brothers would love the honor of sleeping with you. I guess I'm doing that right now."
"I mean sex. What if it's more than just the touch? What if it's more than that?"
He frowned. "Would you be able to control it? If you take all their energy, you can kill them. Can you control that during sex?"
I sat back. I never thought of that. Could I? "I've never had sex while I have had this power. Is that a concern?"
"Yes, but Matei took many women to bed. Most of them survived. He had a bad habit of sleep with the brother's old ladies."
I frowned. "I don't want to do that. I don't want to come between anyone." I turned back around and leaned against the headboard. "I just, I get lonely sometimes."
I turned to look at him. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
Liam scoffed. "Orc's do not have girlfriends or old ladies. Sex is a battle."
I leveled a look at him. "And what if the girl orc gets pregnant? What does she do?"
"Well, she goes back to her female orc pack and raises the child. If it is a boy, he joins a male pack when he is of age."
"That all sounds very... unemotional."
He gave me a sideways look. "Orcs are not good with emotions."
"What about me? What do you feel with me? You must feel something."
Liam frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You call me beloved. You said you wanted revenge on Mr. Kline. You must feel something for me."
"I have sworn loyalty to you. I will protect you at all costs."
"But you do feel anything else? No like love or fondness for me?"
"I don't know what that feels like."
I flipped the light on, then spun around and positioned myself on his lap to face him. I looked into his eyes. I guess he was handsome for an orc. He did have a few scars on his cheek and forehead, but most of his blue-grey skin was smooth. His tusked teeth were sharp but white. I set my hands on either side of his face.