Page 104 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

Chapter Six

Nadia

K ash has kept a place in town for as long as I’ve known him. I’ve always assumed the council pays its minions well, because I know he has more than one house in more than one sanctuary city.

The paranormal council rules over the supernatural, keeping our existence from the humans. There is a code of conduct, and it is enforced, but places like Haven have their own sets of rules and expectations.

I really wish I had it in writing that Kash instructed me to do this.

I look shady as hell standing outside the two-bedroom house.

It makes me feel slimy that I used to find him attractive.

Sure, he’s not the best sex I’ve ever had, but it wasn’t the worst, and he’s hot .

Unfortunately, I’ll never be able to see him that way again.

I’m a firm believer that an ugly inside makes the outside unattractive.

My hands glow with white light that quickly changes to smoky gray shadows. The less energy or magic I use, the lighter the color my shadows appear. The lower lock quickly disengages, but when I try the handle, it’s clear the deadbolt is flipped. There’s no keyhole, which is weird.

My stomach churns as I consider that Kash might be home. This might be a setup of some kind or...

God, I actually don’t even know the possibilities.

The lock quickly responds to the call of my magic. This time, when I try the handle, it opens with no resistance.

The house is dark, and it smells exactly like Kash. His spicy scent is heavy in the air. Strangely enough, it was one of the things that drew me to him in the first place. Before his awful personality ruined all his appeal.

“Here, kitty kitty,” I call out, awkwardly sidestepping the coffee table.

“Or come on, pup?” I’ve never actually been inside his place.

It looks exactly like any other older house in Haven.

I only know which one is his because he complained regularly about Tomas, the snow leopard on the right, being a terrible neighbor.

The kitchen is tidy without a dish or piece of silverware left in the sink.

How totally bizarre.

It’s unnatural to be that pristine.

Following the main hallway, I find three closed doors. I’m guessing one leads to the bathroom and the others to bedrooms.

“Okay, this is incredibly weird. I don’t even know why I’m here, but if there’s a hungry pet or something then it’s time for you to come out.” Goose bumps rise on my arms and my eyes fall to stare at my skin.

That feels like a questionable sign, at best. And a very bad sign, at worst.

I shake off the discomfort and try the door on the left. It’s a bathroom. It’s immediately evident that no animals are hiding in there, so I close the door before heading for the door farthest away. I’m a blood witch. I’m capable of protecting myself. Who the hell knows why my system is so on edge?

Light, smoky shadows form around my body as I shove open the door. I call out, making my best attempt at a soothing voice.

The house is deadly silent. I’d hear an animal moving to respond, or I think I would. I steel myself, heading inside the room and walking a circle around the queen-size bed. There are no pets. I don’t even remember seeing a water or food bowl in the kitchen.

Okay, I’m going to check the last room and promptly get out of here. I leave Kash’s bedroom door open, just in case I missed any pets that want saving, and move to the last door.

I am in no way mentally prepared for what I find as the door swings open.

“Oh, that slimy motherfucker,” I hiss as my eyes widen. A greenish-gold nose pushes to the bars of the cell built into Kash’s spare bedroom as serpentine eyes meet mine and my heart stalls. “Oh shit.” I stumble back as smoke spills from the wyvern’s nose.

I’m surprised I don’t piss myself. It doesn’t matter who you are—or what type of magic you have—dragonfire will burn straight through skin and bone.

The wyvern and I have a tentative understanding filled with distrust on both sides.

I’m not one-hundred percent sure he won’t skewer me with his talons or burn me into a kabob. He’s not sure I’m truly here on the up-and-up.

“You’re free to go.” I pull the door to the house closed behind me. I’m seriously impressed he managed to shimmy his way out of it. It looked like it would be impossible, but he figured it out.

The beast sits back on his haunches and blinks. It’s extremely unsettling.

“Why the hell would Kash send me here to see this?” I ask more to myself than anything.

Wyverns are shifters . . . I think.

The creature’s head tilts. It’s kind of alarming, because he looks like he’s trying to determine if he’d like to punish me for Kash’s crimes.

“Hey, asshole,” I snap, jabbing a finger at his snout. “I let you out. Just remember that.”

He bows his head low and huffs a breath before extending his wings and taking flight. It’s incredibly moving, watching his scales glint in the light as he stretches toward freedom.

Kash better be ready, because the next time I see him, I will be inflicting pure pain and suffering.

If my life has a motto lately, it’s probably something along the lines of “Welcome to the shit show.”

I spend the early afternoon making the drive to North Falls. Well, just outside of it. I’m not sure I’m mentally prepared to jump right into the fire, especially after the conversation I’m currently wrapping up with Octavia.

She called again to inform me the North Falls sanctuary ward is in worse shape than she initially mentioned. Oh, I’m sure there is some poor human woman about to give birth to a litter of half-elf babies, but I’m starting to think I was set up.

I never should have helped Nan reinforce the ward in Haven. Not all witches have magic that can create or restore runes and wards. Come to think of it, I should probably be less helpful in general. It would save me a lot of work in the long run.

I follow the instructions Octavia gives over the phone, and we finally disconnect. Since there isn’t a hotel inside the ward, Octavia made arrangements with the North Falls town council to ensure I’ll have a place to stay while I’m working.

I’m not supposed to meet with them until tomorrow, but I purposely arrived a day early. Getting the lay of the land is important when you have no clue what you’re walking into.

The only hotel within a reasonable distance of the early morning meeting leaves a lot to be desired. Then again, beggars can’t be choosers and all that. There are three items left in the vending machine when I check.

This place clearly doesn’t have room service.

I sigh, heading back to my suite to grab my purse and keys.

I drive for what seems like forever in my quest to find sustenance. It’s proof my life is on a steady decline when the only place I find before running out of gas...is a gas station that boasts a full deli.

The phrase jack-of-all-trades, king of none, comes to mind, but the sparsely populated area doesn’t lend itself to being picky.

Yeah, I’m seeing a pattern here.

I warily eye the building before deciding that packaged snacks will have to do. It’s better than nothing, and my stomach is starting to eat itself.

I climb out, clicking the lock on the door, and pump myself up to head in.

I’m meandering toward the building when a giant of a man in only a pair of low-slung dark jeans comes around the corner as I’m approaching the door.

He’s a beast of muscles and tall as hell. His blond hair is long and shaggy. It’s wild around his shoulders as he pauses mid-step.

Yeah, he’s barefoot.

That’s not weird or anything, since he walked out of the freaking woods...

How would a human handle this situation?

A human woman would likely gawk and make sexy eyes at the incredibly handsome mountain of a man. He has broad shoulders with a trim waist. Damn, those jeans hug his ass and thighs like they were made for his climb-worthy frame.

His nostrils flare as he breathes in my scent.

I take a step back at the look on his face. Come on. There’s nothing to see here. Just a not-quite-fertility witch trying to get sugary snacks to keep herself from starving.

A woman and her child approach from their parked vehicle, and the beastly man opens the door for them.

He follows them inside and . . .

Lets the door close violently right in my damn face.

Awesome.

At least it’s better to recognize he got looks rather than personality. Knowing that upfront is helpful.

It’s never a good thing to get your hopes up, only to have them demolished later. Not that I should be getting my hopes up in general. This is a quick job, and then I’ll be heading back to Haven.

The deli actually does smell delicious as I finally make it inside. I follow the scent of freshly baked bread back to the counter.

A smiling older woman greets me when I stop to study the sign.

I disregard the big guy, who is chugging a bottle of water, and instead peruse the options on the board. The plastic of his bottle crinkles as he devours every single drop of liquid. It’s kind of obnoxious, but I’m hungry enough that I ignore him in favor of sustenance.

Placing my order goes smoothly enough.

I wander up and down the aisles, grabbing armfuls of candy, chips, snack cakes, and anything else that looks good. I shove a few bottled drinks in between my elbow and my side and take my ridiculous amount of saturated fat to the counter with exactly zero shame.

I patiently wait my turn by checking out the old decor.

The mom from earlier is counting out quarters, and it makes my heart ache.

Shoving as much shit as I can into my free arm, I grab a twenty from my back pocket and wave it at the man behind the counter.

I try to covertly nod to the woman, but she catches my movement and spins around.

Fuck my life . This day just keeps getting better and better.

“Oh, I’m sorry, is my misfortune holding you up?” the woman hisses.

I take a giant step back, because she looks really pissed that I was trying to be kind.

“Nope, take your time. My food isn’t even done yet.” I give an awkward head bobble while rolling my lips together to keep from saying anything else that might set her off.

“Food’s up,” the older woman in the deli calls out.

“I didn’t plan that,” I say with wide eyes. I mean, come on, I couldn’t have planned that if I tried.

The woman does not seem as impressed as I am by that clutch timing.

“We don’t need your charity,” she says.

I nod my agreement again. “Not charity. I was trying to put some good energy back into the world. That’s all. No harm intended.”

The woman rips the twenty out of my hand and drops it onto the counter. The little girl eyes my armful of snacks, and I feel like a righteous asshole. I nod to the cashier and hand the girl the popcorn on top.

“You’re not allergic or anything, right?”

“Nope.” She grins, grabbing the bag before following her mom out.

I drop my armful of shit on the counter. “I need to pay for that.”

The mountain of a man stands, glaring daggers at me from near the exit. “Add two waters to my tab,” he growls, spinning and pushing out the door.

I again do an awkward little nod at how bizarre this place is. Yeah, I never should have agreed to come here.

I pay for my snacks and run back to grab my sandwich before heading out to my car. I drop everything into the passenger seat and prepare to pump gas.

Turning around to grab the nozzle, I face plant into the beast man’s bare chest.

“Oh shit,” I mumble against his pec. My eyes fly up and up some more before making eye contact.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he growls.

My face must show my confusion because he scoffs.

It’s not like I really want to be here. I have a job to do, and then I’m out.

“You’re literally in my personal space. I’m going to go with you shouldn’t be here.” I try to sidestep him to grab the gas nozzle, but he’s so huge, I have to keep sidestepping until it just becomes a whole ordeal. “Excuse me.”

The dick smirks, shaking his head.

“Your kind never lasts long here,” he says before taking off for the woods.

“Thanks for the friendly advice,” I call out to the jerk’s back as he disappears around the building. “Or the dickheaded warning, depending on how you look at it,” I grumble to myself.

They say no good deed goes unpunished .

I flipping hate that saying.