Page 103 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

Chapter Five

Nadia

“ T hanks for walking me home,” I say, but I have no idea why Kash is escorting me home in the first place.

“No problem.” He nods awkwardly. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Kashius without the utmost self-confidence. It’s bizarre. “So, you know, try not to get yourself into any trouble.” He bumps his shoulder against mine.

I squint up at him, trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

I remember Emerson and The Den.

Then Kash... My brain throbs and everything goes hazy. My hands fly to my temples, but the whooshing pain increases in intensity the more I focus on the memories.

“What happened?” I clutch at the back of my head. There’s no blood on my fingers, but I think that’s what’s crusty and dried in my hair.

“You...uh, you don’t remember?” Kash’s forehead wrinkles as he looks down at me. There’s something off about him, but I can’t place it. “You fell into the brick wall when you were...um. Stuff happened and?—”

“Crap, you saw me outside The Den?” That’s not good. No one was supposed to know I was there. Add in the fact I don’t trust Kash as far as I can toss him without using magic, and this is bad.

“It’s between us, little witch.” His dark hair bobs as his head wobbles up and down.

If my brain wasn’t throbbing, then I might have some idea what is so weird, but as it is, I don’t care.

I need to shower today off and then sleep for a few days.

“Right so, keep yourself alive.” Kash spins around and walks away without another word.

What the hell was that about?

I glance back at him and toward the house. I need a good night’s sleep. Everything will make more sense after a twelve-hour nap.

Last night was a cluster of a mess I don’t even want to think about.

Emerson was turned into...something. Nan briefly explained she thinks Emerson might be a vampire, but she’s also pregnant. Which means the birth control spell I gave her epically failed.

My magic, in general, has been acting weird lately, but I have bigger fish to fry.

Something is also extremely off with Kash.

The last time I saw him as a client, I explained I wouldn’t be seeing him again. However, I woke up to the weirdest text from him.

I ignore it initially, but when my phone rings and his number pops up, my mind races. He’s with the council, and he can make Emerson’s new undead existence hell if he wants to.

“What?” I snap, hoping that sleazy fucker will get a clue and leave me the hell alone.

“Little witch, not a morning person?”

“Why are you calling me, Kash?”

“I need a favor.” His voice sounds weird. “Do I happen to have any pets?”

I pull the phone away from my ear and actually frown at it. It’s his number.

“Do you have any pets?” I repeat.

“Yeah, I think I do, and I’m going to be unavailable for the next...while.” He snorts. “I’m not about leaving helpless beings to starve to death.”

“Are you high? Did you get drunk on witch’s brew?”

“Gods, I wish,” he mutters. “Listen, an emergency came up, and you’re the only person I know in town who might save poor Jimmy or little Sally from certain death.”

“I-I...” I don’t even know what to say. I blink at the phone in pure confusion.

“Thanks. Just let yourself in and, you know, re-home them if you can. Got to go.” The phone disconnects, but I’m still completely flabbergasted.

I look from the phone to the ceiling, wondering what the hell that was about. Maybe the warlock has finally gone off the deep end?

It seems like a real possibility.

Pushing myself out of bed with a groan, I aim for the bathroom.

Goose bumps pebble over my skin as I step into the cool air of my room. I’m in the process of drying my hair when my phone rings. It reminds me I need to call and check on Emerson. At the very least, see if there’s anything I can do and let her know I’m here if she needs me.

I’m not expecting to field a call from Octavia. She runs the town council, ensuring all the citizens of Haven are safe under the sanctuary laws. The fact that I greatly respect her vision and execution of protecting every monster in town is the only reason I agree to her request.

Being a fertility witch is such a pain in the ass sometimes. Apparently, I’m taking a trip to help ensure some human woman delivers her half-elf babies without complication and possibly renew their sanctuary ward while I’m in town.

Nan stands across the kitchen in her gauzy, ankle-length dress. She’s in her early seventies, but you can’t tell from looking at her. Her long, straight dark hair shines with health and vitality.

I hope I age half as gracefully as she has.

She blinks, tilting her head, and I grow more uncomfortable.

It would be really convenient if her eyes went white or something when having a vision, because sometimes it’s impossible to tell.

Is she just staring me down because my tits are hanging out?

Or is she having some type of life-altering prophetic vision?

I doubt I want to know. Her glimpses into the future almost always have life-or-death consequences or life-changing repercussions.

“I thought you were leaving?” Nan blinks several times and heads over to make herself a cup of tea.

“I am,” I agree. “I have to stop by The Den and let Aline know I need some time off. She’s going to be pissed.”

“You best get to it,” Nan says, swirling her spoon around with her magic.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t stick around? With everything going on with Emerson? Are you sure you’ll be safe without me?” I texted both Emerson and Dread, my boss, to see if they need anything before I head out of town, but I haven’t received a response.

I’ll only be a few hours away.

If they need something that badly, then I’ll just drive back.

“You’re procrastinating again, my dear.” Nan chuckles a low, throaty sound. “You know I’m capable of looking after myself.”

I nod.

I really do know that. She’s old, and with age comes more control over our power.

That’s true for most witches, but my magic is different.

I’ve spent a lifetime considering it a curse, especially since the paranormal council discovering my gifts would be a nightmare I don’t think I could come back from.

“You love to drag your feet.” Nan laughs. “I imagine that’s why you’re still working at The Den.”

“I love my job.” I jab a finger at her chest. “And I love you. Don’t be a pain in the ass.”

“I love you too,” she assures me, coming closer, so she can pull me in for a hug. “The gods don’t give someone the type of magic you’re blessed with unless there’s a very clear purpose...”

I sigh, giving her a tight squeeze. “Yeah, I know, but you’ve seen how witches with blood magic are treated.”

Pretending to be a fertility witch is the perfect cover. My magic is perfectly capable of making women ovulate or fixing up damaged sperm, but it has much darker possibilities.

Blood magic can heal and give life, but it can also take it to convert into pure energy, which can then be used for anything I’d like. That’s why I’ve spent most of my life pretending it doesn’t exist.

I use small amounts for spells when someone needs something, but I’ve purposely avoided using large amounts of it. After all, the first person who learned what type of magic I have tried to kill me. It didn’t take long to realize it doesn’t really qualify as a gift.

“I think you’ll have a fine trip.” Nan gives my forearms a squeeze before stepping back. “But you need to get moving.”

“I know.” I sigh loudly. “Fine, I’m going to grab my bags, but promise you’ll call if you need me?”

“I do, but I won’t need you. I might give Thornton down the road a call.” She wiggles her eyebrows.

I snort.

Thornton is a warlock. He’s handsome enough, considering he’s in his fifties. I’m pretty sure he’s Nan’s fuck buddy.

“I’ll never be able to mentally will away that image.”

“Don’t make me recount my days of working at The Den,” Nan taunts, moving over to grab her tea.

“On that note...” I give her a final kiss on the cheek and move to head out before she can traumatize me even further.

I complete Aline’s fertility treatment, and we settle at her desk. She isn’t pleased when I inform her that I need an undetermined amount of time off.

“You couldn’t have given me any warning?” she grumbles, swiping long pinkish-blonde hair back from her face. “This place is falling into shambles.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Feeling a little overdramatic today?”

“Do you really want to try me right now? You’re already on my shit list.”

“I’m sorry,” I assure her. “I wouldn’t go if I had any other choice. It’s a favor for Octavia.”

Aline’s light gray eyes narrow as she studies me. I have to force myself not to squirm in my chair. I know she’s hiding from her own baggage.

Kash has always been our paranormal council liaison, but the fact he’s hanging around town more often and popping into The Den more regularly is clearly making her uncomfortable.

I’d never rat her out, but she’s lived in fear for as long as I’ve known her.

Even if he hadn’t gotten all let’s talk about creepy illegal magic , I was still planning to phase him out of my schedule.

It’s not worth making Aline uncomfortable. Although I did briefly worry that he would make a scene about it. At this point, I just don’t care.

“I’ll finish up as soon as I can and get back ASAP.” It’s not like I really want to leave Haven, but luckily, my assignment is close by.

Shit, I have to check on Kash’s pet before I leave. I’m not convinced that cruel asshole has enough compassion to care for a pet. That entire conversation still has me baffled. It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to risk leaving some poor animal stranded, despite my feelings on its owner.

Kash knows that too.

“What do I tell your regulars?” Aline asks, pulling up something on her computer.

“That I’ll be back to work as soon as I’m done in North Falls,” I say with a grimace. I’ve got a handful of regulars who will be disappointed, since my schedule books up so quickly. My regular clients fill my available nights weeks in advance.

Not to mention, Sam. I wish I had some way to contact him. A weird feeling bubbles in my gut when I think of him showing up, only to be turned away because I’m not here.

What happens if he never comes back? My body goes rigid at the thought, but ultimately, I have no choice.

I consider leaving him a note, but honestly, that seems a little too pathetic for my liking. He’s the one who pops in once a week, and I’m always the one waiting for him. He could have given me his number or some way to contact him if he wanted me to have it.

“Tell them I’ll make it up to them when I get back.” I shrug. “I’ll work an extra night or two for a few weeks to accommodate anyone who lost out on a night.”

“You know I’m just giving you a hard time because it’s short notice.” Aline continues studying her computer. “You can quit or take a break at any time. Your clients can pick someone else, wait until you’re back, or they can fuck off.”

I chuckle. She’s come a long way in the time I’ve known her. She’s stronger. It’s good to see her finally growing into her own.

“All right,” she grumbles. “Get out of here, so you can get back.”

“Thank you,” I singsong, pushing myself out of the chair and heading for the door.

I’m not sure why I can’t shake this anxious feeling. I’m usually pretty chill, but driving four hours to an unknown town with unknown monsters is putting me on edge, and I still need to stop by Kash’s house.