Chapter 11 Quarry Reflections

Kai had woken early that morning despite the indulgences of the night before.

Grey light spilled through the cracked window, painting dusty beams across the inn’s floorboards. His body felt heavy, lingering aches reminding him of Helena’s eager nails digging into his shoulders, her lips tracing paths along his throat. It hadn’t been gentle. But it hadn’t been meaningful either.

His evening with Helena had been passionate, but ultimately, it meant little beyond the physical. There was no deeper connection, no true attraction—just lust, fleeting and carnal. It was an unspoken rule in this world: take pleasure where you could, and move on.

He sat on the edge of the bed for a long moment, elbows resting on his knees, rubbing a hand over his face. A trace of Helena’s perfume still clung to his skin—a sweet, powdery scent that only made him feel emptier.

He’d left before she woke, slipping quietly down the stairs, avoiding conversation. He wanted no whispers, no questions.

He had left payment for Skye, covering not only her meal but an entire month’s stay at the inn. He had little left for himself now, which meant it was time to return to the quarry. There, honest work awaited him—a way to earn his keep while avoiding entanglements. He had no desire for responsibility or commitment.

And yet…

His thoughts drifted to Skye. The young cat-girl was beautiful, though she didn’t seem to realize it. Human or beastfolk, she could command a room effortlessly, drawing eyes without even trying. But she was too young for him, too inexperienced in this world.

Still, he could at least protect her.

He remembered the way her eyes widened when he stepped into the bathwater. The stunned, vulnerable way she’d looked at him—as though she wanted to believe he could be something safe. He’d pretended not to notice, keeping his gaze on the swirling steam.

Don’t make it mean anything. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.

Maybe, in time, he could show her a world that was kinder than the one she had known. That, of course, depended on how much influence he truly had here.

Outside, the dawn air bit cold as he made his way through winding alleys. The city was already alive with the shuffle of merchants setting up stalls, beasts of burden snorting clouds of vapor, and the rattle of wagons over uneven stone. He kept his head down, blending in.

As he entered the quarry, the familiar scent of earth and stone filled his lungs. He paused a moment at the entrance, closing his eyes, letting the raw mineral tang settle over him like an anchor.

He made his way to his favorite spot, where the earth always seemed to yield the most valuable minerals and ore. He had a knack for finding precious stones, as if this dream world bent to his will just enough to grant him small victories.

But he wasn’t a god.

Not unless he was provoked.

The quarry bustled with activity, the air thick with dust. Men and women toiled under the weight of massive rocks, beastfolk mostly, their fur streaked with sweat and grime. Their eyes flicked toward him with a mix of hope and fear.

Walking targets.

Kai gripped the handle of his pickaxe tighter. The world might be a dream, but the agony on these people’s faces was real enough. The guards leaned on spears, bored and cruel, watching for an excuse to swing their whips.

This place smells like blood.

Kai wondered how much time had passed in the real world. A few minutes, maybe? It was hard to tell. Here, in this strange dreamlike realm, it felt as though days—perhaps even months—had gone by. The logic of time bent in ways he couldn’t quite grasp.

His love for neko girls explained Skye’s presence in this world. His indulgence in fleeting physical attractions had likely conjured Helena and the other women he had encountered. If this was truly his domain, then it was a manifestation of his subconscious desires.

But the suffering beastfolk at the quarry? They were of no concern to him.

So why did he feel compelled to intervene as they toiled under the weight of their masters?

A sharp cry broke his thoughts.

He turned sharply to see a young beastwoman with fiery red hair, fox ears flicking back in fear, and a bushy tail trembling behind her. She’d dropped her load of stones, chunks of glinting quartz and darker ore scattering across the quarry floor.

“Stupid girl!” roared a voice.

She scrambled to gather the stones, her fingers trembling so hard that several slipped from her grasp. A hulking overseer towered above her, veins bulging in his neck, whip already uncoiling in his massive hand.

Kai’s gaze swept the crowd. Other beastfolk had scars crossing their backs and shoulders—evidence of past punishments. He felt his jaw tighten.

This bastard.

The overseer bellowed, spit flying. “Worthless animals! Think you’re here to slack off? You drop one more stone and I’ll skin your tail and feed it to you!”

The brute raised his whip high.

Kai moved without thinking.

He crossed the distance in three strides, the handle of his pickaxe gripped like a club. He yanked the overseer’s collar backward with surprising force.

The bigger man staggered, spinning around, eyes wild with shock. Then rage darkened his face.

“What do you think you’re doing, little man?” the overseer sneered, recovering his balance.

Kai met his eyes flatly. “I see you’re hurting the laborers. If you beat them to death, they’re not coming back. How do you plan to replace workers like this?”

The overseer barked a laugh. “Easily. We have the slave traders. Did you really think these beasts were hired like you? You were brought in because you have a knack for finding precious stones. But these creatures? They serve no purpose in life. They should be grateful for this work.”

Kai’s fingers twitched, itching for violence.

“And you think you can push me around?” the overseer continued, puffing his chest. “A runt like you has another thing coming—”

“Whatever.”

Kai stepped past him without another word and crouched beside the fallen beastwoman. She looked up at him with wide amber eyes, a thin scar curving under one eye. Despite the filth on her face, she radiated something fierce—a stubborn light that refused to die.

“Let me help you up,” he said, extending his hand.

She hesitated, staring between him and the overseer, then accepted. Her palm was calloused, strong.

As she rose, Kai felt that familiar tug in his chest again.

Don’t get involved, he told himself. Don’t pick up strays.

But here he was. Again.

“My name is Fera,” the fox-eared woman said, brushing dust off her arms. “I better get back to work. And so should you.”

A gravelly voice cut in from behind.

“Oy, you runt! Get moving, or I’ll be charging her upkeep and replacement to you.”

Kai’s jaw flexed. He glanced at Fera. “What does he mean by replacement?”

She gave a hollow laugh. “Well, the moment you taught me to defy the overseer, my time here was up. I’ll be sent back to the slave traders and forced into something else.”

Kai frowned. “What else is there?”

Fera’s amber gaze dropped. She hesitated, tail flicking uneasily, then met his eyes again.

“The Red District,” she said quietly. “Beastfolk like us—” she corrected herself, voice rough, “—like me—we’re looked down on. But that doesn’t mean we’re not used. Even in the Red District, we have our place.”

Kai’s stomach twisted, bile rising in his throat. “Used how?”

Fera let out a brittle sigh. “We can’t get pregnant by humans. That makes us… safe for barons, lords, and wealthy men. Their wives never find out. Some of us become concubines, hidden away in backrooms, never seen in public.”

Kai felt a cold rage blooming behind his ribs. “So you’re saying…”

Fera nodded, face stony. “Yes. That’s probably where I’m going next.”

She stared at him, her eyes tired but unbroken. “Listen, I appreciate what you did, but right now? I would’ve taken the lash instead.”