Page 109 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

Chapter Ten

Echo

N adia is going to hate me before this day is over.

Live long enough, and you learn not to grow attached to mortals. They age and die pathetically quickly.

Yes, even witches, unless they’re willing to dabble in the type of magic that keeps them youthful and vibrant for many lifetimes.

There’s something pure in Nadia that makes it clear she’s not that type of supernatural. It’s terribly inconvenient how fascinated I am by that.

North Falls isn’t the idealistic sanctuary that Haven is. Everyone has an agenda. After all, supernatural creatures are wired for survival.

I move as slowly as possible to allow for her short legs to keep up. She doesn’t have the benefit of superspeed.

My head tilts as I listen to her grumble under her breath. I can’t decide if it’s annoying or incredibly cute.

My fists clench as we approach the town council building.

Warning her of what’s coming would be a great way to get us both exterminated before Constantine can even swing his pompous gavel.

He’s a demon. He has no need for the ridiculous device, but this town is filled to the brim with insanity.

A demon with a love of old-fashioned wooden gavels is the last thing I’d point out when mentioning the absurdity filling this hellhole.

“Hey.” Nadia makes a grab for my arm.

My eyes fly down to the connection as I roll my shoulders back. “What?”

“Are wyverns shifters?” Her head tilts as she blinks up at me.

“What?” I scoff, yanking my arm away and readjusting my sleeve.

Imogen is likely to remove the little witch’s hand from her body if she sees her touching me.

My maker is not pleased with what’s coming, but she’s a good lackey.

She’ll follow Constantine’s instructions and spend the time silently fuming.

What she won’t do is give the world the luxury of seeing her squirm.

“Are all wyverns shifters? I had a weird interaction with one recently, and I was just wondering.” She shrugs.

I have to fight the urge to take her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her. Is she fucking mad? Doesn’t she understand the shitstorm she walked into?

No, you dick. She doesn’t, since you’ll give vague warnings all day, but you won’t truly tell her anything, because then she would run and you’d have no choice but to chase her.

Fucking hell, I hate this goddamn place. Which is another shady-as-fuck reason that I’m not warning the witch. I’ve got my chance to escape, and I won’t miss it, even if that puts Nadia in the line of fire.

Vampires are not selfless creatures. After several hundred years of being at Imogen’s beck and call, there’s finally an end in sight.

A shiver of unease slides through my system.

In order for us to make it out of this alive, there are a whole lot of things that will need to beautifully fall into place. My luck isn’t that great. If I was human, I’d say I’m not holding my breath, but technically speaking, I don’t need to breathe.

I snort.

“So, you’re just going to continue to look at me like I’m stupid. Okay, good talk.” Nadia rolls her eyes, stomping off toward the door we need to head into.

I might not be a gentleman, but I am her vessel. Using my speed, I zip past her, opening the door before she can blink.

She jolts, registering my current location, but simply raises a hand, flipping me off.

I chuckle.

She moves to enter, and I lean close as she passes. “Yes, to my knowledge, all wyverns are shifters. My apologies, your question threw me off for a moment.”

Her breathing hitches, and I grin in response. It’s a very stupid move.

Imogen Diamonte comes to a halt three feet in front of Nadia. Her face contorts into what I believe is a smile. That look always precedes pain on my part. My entire body goes rigid, despite my efforts to hold back the response.

“It seems like you’ve finally arrived,” Imogen purrs.

It’s nearly impossible to hold back my revulsion. An involuntary shiver runs through my entire body as I focus on keeping my face steady. No one should be able to cause a fight-or-flight reaction with such a simple sentence, but my maker is talented that way.

My shoulders pull back as I paste on a mask of indifference.

After all, it’s the only expression of mine that she can stand to see.