Hopeless Romantic

Evan stopped the car at the edge of a forest. He took a deep breath, relieved it would soon be done. After far too much haggling, Lady Bogale had agreed - with far too many admonishments. The old huntress had just wanted to make herself bigger.

He looked at the slave he had bought free. Child-small and fragile beauty, it followed his example and got out.

When Evan took off the iron ring around its neck, it smiled for the first time. Those long, needle- sharp teeth ripped out Evan's throat easily, and the elf finally ran free again.