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************ This is the first of the Filthy Fairytales series of One Shots that will be coming out on Patreon the beginning of every month. ************ SUMMARY: She was my obsession. A beautiful creature I couldn't stop thinking about. And when another mermaid told me how I could be with her, I couldn't resist. Captivated by her hypnotic appeal I had no choice but to see if the myth was true. To see if I truly could have a taste of the forbidden... TEASER: It was the fourth day in a row that I'd come out here to watch her. After having come across her by accident on my dawn walk three sunrises ago. She had come here near a grassy edge of the shore to use the long leaves from the trees above as a rag to shine the scales covering her legs and those molding up her sides and shimmering over her bountiful breasts. Her body is enough for any man to obsess over. He told himself. Staring riveted. Especially as she used the leaves to rub her breasts in a circular motion. The scales climbed around the sides and stretched over the huge breast nearly like a hand covering it. But the creases beneath and aside were visible. And they made me hungry. I wanted to lick all over her. I knew it was wrong because she wasn't human. She's some kind of an animal. But the indented curve of her waist was nearly too small to imagine. Easily grasped by large hands like mine. Then her hips were deliciously swelled as though designed to take in a man. But those scales covered everywhere I wanted to be. Between her legs and deep inside her. I'd stared hungrily at her. Desperately trying to figure out how a man could mate with such a mesmerizing creature but could fathom no way it's possible. Which only made me harder for her. There has to be a way. She turned her back and peered over her shoulder at me as she had the last two days. Letting the water slip down her bare back. Droplets winding over smooth elegant flesh. She has the skin of a princess. Not some manner of fish. I'd never seen a woman so fine of form. With such large breasts and a tiny waist and lush hips but I assumed that since she resided underwater, her body could be shaped different. Still, I wanted her. And she wants me...I think. She was blinking at me through hooded eyes as she used the leaves to wash the curves of her smooth hips, lightly dusted with gold scales. Then she turned and leaned against the bank. Leaving only her tail swishing slowly in the water. Revealing the fin which broke into two pieces seeming entirely contrived of fine winding strands. Like bits of sea moss stitched together. She closed her eyes and sighed. Rubbing the leaves low along her belly and writhing as though she were pleasuring herself. Now. I could catch her now. I shifted where I was crouched. Badly wanting to taste her skin to feel her heat. I wondered, not for the first time, who'd really come here to see who. The first morning I'd stumbled across her bathing she hadn't seemed to notice me, and I'd paused to watch this hypnotic creature in a trancelike state, where I'd seemed unable to move. Staring at her, fascinated. The second morning I'd rushed out here early to await her. Hoping I might see her again. As she'd swam in, her gaze had flitted over the bank until landing on me crouched near a rock. She'd maintained eye contact with me as she swam far enough in that the water became shallow enough, she could turn and lean up out of it. Making that pearlescent skin glitter damply in the morning sunlight. Begging to be touched.

Part of My Filthy Fairytales One Shots. Book 1: STOLEN MERMAID. This is Book 2: WITHIN THE FRAME (Dorian Gray) Book 3: A SINGLE TASTE Book 4: THE CERISE CLOAK Book 5: RED & WRATH Book 6: MY KING Book 7: MY LOVER SUMMARY: I thought it was only a painting. I was captivated. Mesmerized and I had to have it. In turn, he had to have me. I didn't know the beginning would also be the end of me. It was only a painting. TEASER: "What are you?" I whispered. He quirked the corner of his mouth and twitched his fingers in a motion away from me. Making my blanket jerk off me so fast I yelped as it piled at the foot of my bed. Revealing me lying in only my scanty undergarments. I crossed my legs to better conceal myself from his view. Draping my arms across my chest and hooking the opposite elbows. "Immortal." He answered simply. "Is all you need know." He stared down at me from next to my bed, like I was some naïve little animal, eying him. He drew a long breath and the moonlight dumped into the room. Brightening my taupe carpet and making the cream-colored walls seem inexplicably white. Making my skin luminesce. "Who are you?" "Ah, Little Sweet. Now that is the question you should've been asking all along... I am Dorian Gray. And I'm here to fuck you." "I don't..." I was shaking my head. "I don't know-I think...I wasn't..." "You do want me to." He responded as though I was wasting his time with all my blustering. And damn him, he's right. I could already feel my juices flowing in my soft pussy. And my body was begging to feel him. There was such knowledge in those gray eyes that I knew he could satisfy me. Take me to new heights of pleasure. And I was eager to let him stuff inside me. To feel him all over me. "Now, first." He made some small hand gesture that was too fast for me to catch. I heard the creaking of my bed posts and looked at the one nearest me. Seeing the winding bits of wood representing vines untangling from around the large post. It rose like a serpent and stretched over to me. Weaving and bobbing as it seemed to float before snatching one of my wrists. Spinning around it before I could react. I squawked and clawed at it with my other hand. Yanking my arm in a desperate attempt to free it but the wood was unrelenting.

SUMMARY: Hawk had been tormenting me as long as I could remember. I was a young mage and my power was still growing. But they thrust me under his watch in the service to our Warlord. And damn him for enjoying every moment he can torment me. Every time I think my power strong enough to challenge him, he finds new ways to torture me. He's told me that I'm his little prey and he'll be kinder when I succumb to him but I've vowed to never let the overbearing, insufferable cad put a hand on my bare skin. It's a battle of wills and wits. He may be more clever but I'm certainly more stubborn! But one thing I've learned about Hawk, never underestimate his conniving...I should've known better than to challenge him. After all, he's made a name for himself by his skill in Managing Mages. TEASER: It'd been a long day of training. Our Commander, the Warlord was a ruthless task master. Rarely impressed and often cruel in his comments, he left much of the actual mentoring to Hawk. Who's disinclined to teach me anything but sheet play. I grunted to myself. Unlacing my mages robes as my gaze focused on the steaming metal tub before the fire. I couldn't wait to sink in and ease my aching muscles. Hawk was always harder on me than anyone. And every time he was close enough he whispered near my ear. "I'll be inside you soon, Mary Mage..." I'd growl at him and misfire with my staff, misplace potions and lose my spell book. All of which was causing Warlord to lose patience with me. "Deal with her!" Warlord had finally said. Hawk had grinned as he marched over to me while I hurriedly mixed a potion which would cause an explosion when tossed at an enemy. Before I could brace myself he rolled his fist into my hair and yanked. Jerking my head back. He lathed a warm tongue along my neck up my ear. "Keep messing up, Mary Mage and he'll give you to me." "He would not!" I swallowed. Eyeing him in my peripheral. "Why would he reward you for my wayward behaviors?" "He won't. He'll punish you. And I have just the solution...You whining underneath me." "He would not." "He will." Hawk chuckled. Dragging the tip of his nose along the back of my ear. "Very soon." "You're just trying to scare me."

SUMMARY: I wasn't ever going to belong to Bodin. I wasn't his for the taking! Bodin Charters had been my friend since we were kids. Painfully shy and uncomfortable in crowds. I was always the outgoing one. Willing to fight and shout for what I wanted. But Bodin wanted something now. Me. I had told him he'd not have me countless times over the years. I was waiting for a man who wrote me sonnets and climbed walls to sneak into my chambers. Bodin would never do any of that. He didn't have an unpredictable bone in his body... Until he did. My father was ill and had been for a long time. I didn't know Bodin, who'd inherited the Charter's fortune and property, had persuaded my father to make me his ward upon his deathbed. Now my father is gone. And Bodin is stating I can't be his ward because it'd be improper. I must become his wife. I won't. But as his ward, he has law over me. Law where he can make me do things I don't want to do. And he keeps reminding me, he'll have more sway over me as my husband so I best start learning to obey him. The devil I will. Unfortunately, I'm finding Bodin is a far more clever devil then I expected... TEASER: "Then you have to be quiet." He whispered to the back of his hand still lightly covering the bottom half of my mouth. "Now it's going to feel a little different." I gave him a questioning look. "That felt good, didn't it?" I bit my lip under his hand and my eyes fell. "Come now, Belle. Be truthful. You know it did." I met his gaze. Unwilling to admit the truth but not denying it either. "I want to offer you a better taste." I didn't know what that meant but there was an ache building inside me that didn't seem inclined to be denied. I nodded slightly. His hand moving with my chin. He plucked at his breeches a moment and then I felt something pressing against my entrance again. Thicker. And feeling almost softer but harder at the same time. It slid smoothly inside me but my back bent reflexively as everything inside me stretched to fit him. He moaned in pleasure. "You feel good, Belle. I knew you would. You fit me like a glove. Your body perfectly suited to swallow mine." "What?" "I'm inside you, Belle." He explained flatly. "I can feel you." I knew that was bad. I could see both his hands now and knew we were connected at the pelvis. And I understood enough of mating to know that this act was what defiled ladies. This act is the one that makes men have to marry damaged goods. I was now his damaged goods.

SUMMARY: KURIK She didn't know what I was. But I knew what she was. I wanted revenge when I first met her but she changed that. After knowing her I wanted more. I couldn't get enough. She became my obsession. And One Hundred and Seventy Six Years locked away have neither tempered my desire for vengeance or for her. SARASAE I'm a Canastra, one part of a triad. Now it is just my sister and I and the thing locked in my basement. We're all that's left of the family I knew. And the one I'd hoped to have... There's a new threat now and despite all my power and my allies, it's not enough. I need the blood of one of the original creatures to create a spell powerful enough to protect everyone. But first, I have to find him... The sire of their hated breed. TEASER: She lit the Ballroom on fire. Her vibrancy making candlelight on golden pillars shimmer more elegantly. Making the tink of crystal seem finer to his ears. The chaotic murmur of conversations across the room dulled, relieving his senses of the constant strain of hearing everything in a room. She was his focus now. Leaning close to his shoulder she murmured. “You think yourself  so  clever.” Her breath was warm along the side of his chilled neck. Her lips near enough he could almost feel them against his ear when he leaned to hear her. He caught the scent of her skin. Lightly flavored with rose oil. Making her seem all the more tempting… “Because I am.” He remarked flatly. Not letting her see how she was affecting him as he looked over her head impassively. Look where you are. Caged in my arms and you don’t even know where you’ve put yourself…How much danger you’re in.  Grinning unabashedly, he gave a grudging nod. “And if I’d spurned you then and there?” She queried in pure challenge. He glanced down at her and crooked his lips in a wicked half smile. Hooding his blue eyes. “I’d have looked properly put out so everyone would say you were the horrible woman who broke my heart.” They’d have said you were no lady to make such a scene. And be it this ball or the next, I’d have gotten you to dance with me. Scoffing she ran her tongue over her teeth chastisingly before clicking in her cheek. “I think you would have.” Oh, I most certainly would’ve. Giving her a lopsided grin. “Never doubt it.” Tone decisive he persisted. “Wait and see what lengths I’ll go to get you let me call on you in the morning.” Scoffing again she muttered. “Unlikely.” Chin lifting, she turned her face away airily. A show of proving how little threatened she was. Challenging him. Challenge me to bait you, Little Prey. Soon it’ll be you in my trap. Writhing to get away.  He’d smirked.

SUMMARY: Samantha: Jaecar, the fiercest of the Border Guard, has always been kind to me. Indulging me despite what I thought was his lack of sexual interest. That all changed the day he told me he'd have me as his mate. I said no. Spurring Jaecar to go from the sweet boy next door to the hungry wolf with his eye on me. Jaecar: She was mine. She'd always been mine. She just didn't know it yet. I courted her, I was kind to her, all with my end goal in mind. Possessing her. She thinks she can run from me. But I know everywhere she'd go. I know everywhere she'd hide. Because I know everything about Samantha. The Mating Moon is rising. And she will be my mate. Willing or not. TEASER: Panic was setting in and I lurched up to escape him. Twisting my thighs to get away. His hands landed on them. Fingers biting to keep them in place. His hips were between my legs and his pelvis aligned atop mine. Smashing his hard length between us. To keep me in place. "Sam!" He commanded. "This is happening. I can be gentle if you don't resist me." He pushed my thighs further apart and landed over me in a pushup. Making it impossible to close my legs since he already lay between them. I shifted my thighs and bounced my pelvis trying to move him off of me. I don't want to die. Fear roared through me. I imagined him taking me and sinking his teeth into my neck while blood spurted out until I lay limp on the floor. He could kill me. He's so much bigger and stronger than me. He could snap my bones by barely moving in this state. I could see the bits of gray hair pushing through his pores. His eyes were yellow, and canines crept from the line of his upper lip. *** He shook his head like a wounded animal and managed to gather himself enough that the signs of his beast were safely tucked away again. But I was too afraid of the pain to come to appreciate the effort he was exerting. "You're not doing this to me!" I jerked against the ropes. They bit into my skin but wouldn't relent. "Don't make me tie down your legs." He warned. His jaw hardening. I paused. Considering if he'd really do it. But there was a hard glint in his eyes I'd never seen before.  He absolutely will. He slowly lifted my skirt. Looking almost apologetically into my eyes as he straightened the hem across his chest. Fisting two edges before jerking violently and tearing it up the front. It caught at my waist jerking my body up off the floor before dropping me back down. I shrieked at the sudden brutality. "Jaecar, please!" I whimpered.

SUMMARY: Sometimes seduction is not as simple as you might think. I've been running from Jared ever since I escaped CORE. They partnered me with him for years. Now he's shown up to make me disappear. If only that'd been all he'd intended for me... He was a machine. A ruthless trained killer with an expertise in torture and seduction. A dangerous mix, I thought. I'd loved him once but soon realized that he was a sociopath. Incapable of real emotion. Exceptionally skilled in making others suffer. When I'd escaped CORE, I'd escaped him. Or so I'd hoped. But Jared is an expert hunter. An optimal predator. And I've become his favorite prey. TEASER: Pete and I were laughing. Exchanging friendly conversation. When suddenly Pete's eyebrows shot up as he stared at something above and behind me. No. I thought. I'd seen that look on many men's faces. The look of horror and fear that'd appear when they glimpsed the hugely formidable frame and deeply lowered brow of Jared. Especially when he was of a mood to be imposing. I ducked my head and my eyes slid to my right. Seeing a woman and her teenage daughter staring in my direction, with their jaws gaping. Mesmerized by the physique they were examining from top to bottom. On my left were three women staring openly. Their eyes shining as they hungrily licked their lips. Yep. Jared is behind me. Run! Without looking back, I slowly began to stand. Giving a smiling nod to Pete as if to excuse myself. But a large warm hand grabbing the back of my neck and applied pressure to the sides in a precise way that made me dizzy, stopped me in my tracks. Pressure points. "Do excuse me." Jared purred. Talking to Pete. "I'd like to talk to my wife." "You're wife?" Pete asked in shock. An appalled stare landing on me. "Yes," That hand lightly massaged my neck. His fingertips brushing my collarbone in a way that made me shiver. His touch was blatantly possessive. "I am her husband, afterall." "Ex!" I proclaimed. Trying to salvage the situation. Sort of. We weren't together anymore... I hadn't lied to Pete. Merely neglected to mention a few things. "Ex-husband." I cleared my throat. Earning a sharp, blue-eyed look from Jared. "Not hardly." He drawled coldly. Leaning over to whisper near my ear. "Care to join me in the restroom?" I had no choice. He was telling me, he'd take me right out of this restaurant kicking and screaming. And kill anyone who got in his way. I knew well, he was ruthless enough to do it. Someone has to help me. I thought. Looking around the restaurant in panic. Slowly reaching for my clutch in an effort to stall, caused him to catch it in his big hand and set it back on the seat. "You won't need that." He knows my gun is in it. Dammit. He swept his large hand beneath my hair and to my lower back to turn me in a circle and guide me across the room. Making sure that purse stayed well from my reach. Clever bastard is making sure I can't get out of his reach before he gets ahold of me. I was breathing heavily. My eyes pleading for everyone, anyone, to help me. But they all just stared jaw agape. I tensed and prepared to round and run but his grip changed from my lower back to stroking my long hair. "Keep walking, Sweetheart." He murmured. "Almost there..." It was a clear threat. If I tried to bolt, he'd grab my hair and drag me to those restrooms. Or straight out to my car and force me to tell him where I lived. I'd finally found a place he didn't know about. I needed to keep it secret. He pushed open the men's bathroom. Nodding for me to enter. As though he were just holding it for me out of some gentlemanly gallantry. Not even close. he jerked his head in a gesture for the other men to get out. Sending them scurrying and zipping at the same time. I have to get out of here. One look at the ferocity on his face and the muscle ticking in his square jaw was enough. But combined with the icy blue eyes landing on me, and I knew what he intended for me. "Jared, I..." "You, nothing." He snapped acidly. "Who the fuck is that?" He gestured toward the door. "We're over. You know that." I said slowly. Trying not to incite him further but to convey the message. Hoping he'd just leave me alone. "Not a chance." His lip curled in contempt. "You'll pay for that shit." He's still talking about Pete. "Damn right I am." He descended on me and I backed up so fast, one of my high heels broke. I looked down at it considering using it as a weapon. "Don't bother." He shoved me back. Not roughly but certainly enough to send me flying. I tumbled through the swinging metal door of the lone stall. How had he maneuvered me here? I looked at the three walls. Turning a full circle and looking at the back wall then over the top. "You'll never make it." His wide shoulders blocked out the light of the open stall. He'd just finished rolling up the sleeves of his black satin shirt and was now undoing his belt. For a terrifying moment I wondered if he'd hit me with it. "Don't be stupid." He bit out in annoyance. I hated that he always seemed to know what I was thinking. I kicked off my shoes. His eyes flicked down to watch before gesturing to my body. "Good. Now the dress." "Go fuck yourself!" I put one foot on the toilet and launched up to the top of the wall. Catching it with my elbows and hoisting myself up. I'm going to make it. He didn't have time to react. I was too fast. But I felt his grip on my skirt yanking me down of the wall. I shrieked as I tumbled backward. He caught me in his arms in a bridal carry. Yelling as though his touch scathed me I launched from his grip and found myself straddling the toilet as I braced myself in the corner. Determined to not let him get to me. "To your pretty little hole, you mean." His eyes narrowed. "Stop these games, Mida. I'll have you. One way or the other. You can make it easy or rough on yourself. Either way, I'm happy to accommodate."

The dark compilation of tales which take an uncomfortable turn. And others based on ancient lore, come to life. BOOK 1 - The Masquerade BOOK 2 - The Wrong One BOOK 3 - She Belongs to Me BOOK 4 - Nightmare Man

SUMMARY: We all know what she is. Impossible to catch. Every Mating Moon they all hunt for her. Her tiny leather robes leave little to the imagination and we'd all like to feel her to sate our primal need to breed. But damn her ability to spark when threatened. But I've a plan this year. I've watched her every move and now I'm ready to put the plot I've carefully nurtured into effect. Within hours I plan to be sinking into her warm body and sating my insatiable appetite. Afterall, she's not the only one with magic in this pack. That's why they call me Magus. TEASER: She was soon moaning from her own stroking. She came. Opening her mouth on a pleasured moan. That was the finishing moment for me. Her complete surrender of her throat so I could spill my seed deep into her. She glared at me. And I knew she'd spit it out so I only withdrew to rest the head of my cock on her tongue until she swallowed. "Good, little wretch." I stroked her cheek. "Ready for more?" She shook her head adamantly. "Please, My Magus. I'm already sore." "Good!" I smiled pleased. "I want you too sore to walk." I lifted her up and walked her over to the table. Kicking my pants aside as we reached the table, I tossed her facedown over it. Like she'd teased me days ago. I laid along her back. "Feel familiar?"

SUMMARY: This was not the Christmas I was hoping for. I've hardly seen my boyfriend, Alex. Odd things have been happening in my house ever since I saw those tracks coming from the woods. I have the feeling I'm being watched. And I'm getting the sense that someone isn't willing to let me go... TEASER: "Alex!" I cried. He didn't answer me. "How long have you been home?" "I've been here awhile." I snickered. Accidentally snorting. "So, you heard most of that then?" He didn't miss a beat. Walking straight toward the bedroom. I could only catch his handsome profile in the dark. "I missed you, you know?" I whispered conspiratorially. "I missed you too." "You putting me to bed?" He tilted his head grudgingly. "Of a sort." "Weird thing to say." I frowned. "Well, I have dark plans before you sleep." "Oh..." I said sagely. Before sing-songing. "You wanna do me." "All day. Every day." "Horny bastard." "You've no idea." I saw his teeth in the dark and knew he was laughing at me. I batted his chest. "Don't laugh at me dick." "Alright..." He chuckled. "I'll try not to." "Hey," I tried to sound serious. "You spiking my wine?" "Yes." "Ha ha." I laughed. He was so rarely playful I was rather enjoying it. "And for what purpose?" "To bang you, Baby."

SUMMARY: I was forced into an engagement with some withered old fool I'd never meant and didn't want. So I thought myself quite the defiant little Miss when I teased a masked lord at the Ball. But once he'd lured me out to my aunt's Guest House, I found he was very different from the plaything sir that had seemed so charming a short time ago. He was bent on ruining me. My choice was simple. To let him have me and he'd keep it a secret. Or fight him and he'd publicly ruin me. Ensuring my new fiance knew precisely what manner of woman I was. Really no choice at all... TEASER: My hands fell to my sides in shock, and he took advantage of the moment to step forward and jerk the shoulders of my dress down to my elbows. Baring my shoulders and breasts to his hungry view. He took in the sight of my golden-brown skin and dark nipples, born down by the weight of the plump bits of flesh. His hands snatched my waist so fast I nearly leapt from my skin. Causing those large breasts to swing like pendulums. And one to brush the back of his hand. Making him growl in his throat. "Now this...Is more as it should be." He pushed the pile of clothes at my waist down further. Catching the waist of all my undergarments by adjusting his fingers minutely. Clearly an expert at stripping women bare. Slipping my clothes down, revealed the outer width of my ripe hips before it slid down the length of my shapely legs. He leaned down by my feet to make sure the clothes were gathered there. So, everything is visible to his eye. I reflexively crossed my arms over my chest. Hooking my neck on the opposite sides in my palm. Hoping that the shadows of the dim room would hide the curling red hair at the juncture of my sex. He straightened. "Mmmhmm. Look at all that flesh...I'm going to touch you everywhere, Circe. I won't miss an inch." For whatever reason, his words immediately dampened the spot between my plump thighs. Though my mind still worked frantically for an escape. A way out of this situation before he gets his hands on me! "Now, here." He caught my hands before I could move. I hissed an indrawn breath at the sudden contact of his large paws enveloping mine. He led my fingertips to the laces of his shirt. He put my hands over them and began plucking at the laces before his hands fell away and he gave me an expectant look. He wants me to undress him. Swallowing hard, I hesitated. Looking frantically around the Guest House but finding no reprieve. No escape. As if reading my thoughts, his face hardened. "There's no way out now, Little Circe. You're in too deep. And soon it'll be my turn..." Feeling helpless I unlaced his shirt and guided it open to reveal the flat planes of his upper chest. The thick bones of his collar and the deep muscles which grooved behind it. He rolled his shoulders and shrugged out of it. Tossing it a distance away to land over the armrest of the chair. Something he's clearly done before. Here? I suddenly wondered how many innocent young women he'd ruined in my Guest House. In-fact who the devil was he? "Who are you?" I blurted. "Ssh." He put a fingertip to my lips and pressed his toes over mine lightly. As if to keep me in place. "Bit late for that now, isn't it?" "I did ask for it before." I defended. Tugging slightly at my slippers but finding I could no longer move away. "And I said no then. What makes you think I'd change my mind now?" Absolutely nothing. I was very sure that this man was precisely as unrelenting as he seemed to be. What I'd thought at first to be amusing charm, I now realized carried an underlying severity. A single-pointed mission to seduce women like me. He gave me a long probing look as he methodically unbuckled his belt and let it drop. Next, he caught my wrist and rolled my hand into his palm. Molding the inside of his fingers. Then without blinking, without changing expression, he put it against the front of his breeches. Revealing the iron hard rod concealed there. My brown eyes widened to the size of saucers as I shot him a look. He massaged my hand over it, and I felt the flesh beneath the cloth expanding even further. I knew enough of the act from watching the house maids to fear I'd not be able to fit this particular bit of flesh. "I can't." I said urgently. Pleading for him to understand. Staring at me through hooded brown eyes he asked mercilessly, "Why?" "It'll not fit."

SUMMARY: Most nights the red-eyed monster came. Sucking my goats of their blood. And it seemed nothing I tried worked to dissuade it. So, I'd decided to hire a gunman with steady aim which could kill the beast. And save me, my ranch. But I never expected to find him attractive. I'd not found a man appealing in a long time. Not since my husband had left me two years ago. But in these desolate plains, nothing is ever as it seems. Who's the monster and who's the lover can quickly change. TEASER: The beast could see them in the darkness as clearly as if the sun shone high above. See the goats there in the pen. And it was hungry. Its slender stomach already rumbling. Ribs protruding as it starved for more of the animal's fluid. Its spine was ridged, curving upward like a swaying hill. Lurching down and back with each movement as the thing slunk closer to the pen on spindly legs. It walked on all fours with split front feet. Lurching forward it jogged like a dog toward the pen. Leaping the fence to sink its pin pricked teeth into the first goat it could reach. Dragging it to the ground before it could utter a scream. The animal flailed on its side, tossing its legs. While the bigger beast drained it. Until its front legs began jerking spasmically. He wouldn't kill this one. Not tonight. But he needed something to assuage the hunger. *** The next morning, I found one of my younger goats injured. The same neck wounds and its body ravaged from where something much larger had pinned it down to feed on it. It's enough. I went inside and slid, Old Bob's clanging coins off the table. Going to a small drawer tucked in the wall next to the stove I peered at what was inside and verified there was more coins there. Shoving it closed with a click, I stuck Old Bob's coins in the pocket of my dress and went around to saddle Maxine, my mare. Giving her heel, I headed for town. Looking for a gunslinger. With true aim. Who won't be scared of the monster hunting my flock. *** Once there, it didn't take long to find him. I could tell what he was from the moment he got off the train. A shawl draped loosely over his shoulder and a saddle in his hand. His hat was pulled low in the front. Usually, an indicator he was a Wanted Man. But I knew enough about gunslingers, to be sure that most of them were. Usually for killing someone they shouldn't have. Or someone with family that cared... I got into town and lifted the thin hood I kept over my pile of hair, to keep from drawing undue attention. My dress was the simple blue one I wore most days. I'd given it a thorough scrubbing last night, as well as myself and hoped I could present myself with a professional air. I stepped into his path.