Perfect Misfits by Lawna Mackie

him,” he ordered the snow troop.
    Inside the dark hut, he sauntered to the back wall and pulled up a stump. He slammed the decaying pointed ear on the rock countertop. A large one-eyed troll blinked and stood staring at him from behind the rock. A forked tongue darted out to lick the piece of flesh.
    “Don’t just stand there, you fucked-up monster. Bring me a drink.”
    The inebriated state would help dull his senses for what was about to come. He’d drink his fill before he visited Vicasha.
    Behind the beast, an orange liquid trickled down the side of the rock wall and into a basin. He could already feel the sensation of the warm mixture sliding down his throat. The beast snatched the ear away and shoved it under the granite counter.
    A glass appeared from a previously concealed compartment in the counter and began filling from the bottom up. He wrapped his hands around the tumbler and brought it to his lips. With eyes closed, he drank the contents down in one long, deep swallow. Satisfied for the moment, he returned the glass to its original spot and watched it fill again.
    After the fourth round, the glass sank back into the rock, signaling he would need to cough up more body parts if he wished to consume any more. He pushed himself up and off the stump, catching himself when he stumbled a step backward. The desired effect took hold of his senses.
    Outside, the bright light annoyed the hell out of him. He stared to the far end of the village motioning for the sneer to follow, and staggered down the path, feeling numb all over.
    A staircase wound high up into the trees. He’d reached his destination. To his immediate left was the pit. Bubbles rose to the surface with a gurgle and disappeared.
    “Put the body in there,” Fedor commanded, pointing to the pit.
    With a grunt, the sneer pulled the body to the edge, undid the chain with his teeth, and then shoved the rotting corpse into the marsh.
    In mere moments, the hissing began, followed by the yellow moss and weeds turning black and slithering with giant leeches. The sneer stepped backward, running into him. In his drunken state, Fedor fell to the ground.
    “Get off me, you idiot!” he bellowed.
    The snow trooper launched himself up and out his reach. Fedor stood on wobbling legs, looking at the body sinking within the putrid churning water, alive with engorged leeches. He turned his glare back to the sneer and ordered him to wait for his return.
    One step at a time, he climbed the stairway until he came to the doorway in the large tree trunk. It opened on its own accord. Somewhat dreading his entrance, he made the step and crossed the threshold. There would be no turning back.
    His eyes adjusted to the light in the room caused by the fire in the middle of the home.
    “It’s about time you decided to visit,” Vicasha’s voice purred from above.
    Long, sleek legs descended yet another staircase from within the dwelling on the opposite side of the fire. He licked his lips. His cock hardened at the sight of her. It was always this way.
    Vicasha’s long, red nails snaked their way down the rails of the staircase, and the fire illuminated her sexy body.
    “Come on, Fedor, you must be hot…remove your fur,” she coaxed.
    Unable to speak, he untied the leather bindings and let the garment fall to the floor.
    She made her way toward him, and passed him by. Her calculated movements drove him crazy with desire, but the desire disappeared just as quickly as it had come.
    “Fuck, Vicasha! Why is it always like this?” he swore.
    She bent over and opened a small door, pulling out a large bowl and setting it on the table beside her.
    She turned to face him. “What’s wrong with the way it is?” she asked with an annoyed tone.
    He rubbed his sweaty palms down his thighs. “Never mind. It was a dumb question.”
    Vicasha wandered around the fire to stand beside him, and raked her nails up and down his arm.
    “Would you rather live like those we rule? Don’t be