Page 13 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

Chapter Eleven

Emerson

“ I heard Laithe was a giant pain in the ass last night,” Nadia says, coming back into the house from the garden.

Ember runs in behind her, covered in mud. I groan. She's a disaster. Nadia laughs, shrugging unapologetically.

Meena comes over from putting her mug of tea in the sink and grabs Ember. “I'll clean her up. I think this conversation is best had away from tiny ears.” She chuckles and heads out with Ember on her hip.

“Thank you so much,” I call after her.

She waves a hand over her head and continues out.

I sigh, burying my face in my hands. “Apparently, I failed the hiring exam,” I grumble. My cheeks burn furiously.

“No,” Nadia says, laughing, “you didn't. They're giving you another shot tonight, meaning Aline saw through Laithe's attempts to get an extra night with you.”

I scoff.

“Don't be dense,” Nadia says around a yawn. “Okay, I haven't been to bed and I'm freaking beat. But I realized I may have forgotten to give you all the details...”

She goes on to explain a little about how her magic works. All spells have a countermeasure or work-around. She explains how the birth control spell could become ineffective if both partners consented. It requires active acknowledgement from everyone involved.

I snort a laugh. “Thank you for telling me, but that will never happen.”

“Okay,” Nadia agrees, shrugging a shoulder. “I felt like I should probably mention it. But I've got a couple of new regulars and, damn, they put me through the wringer. I'm dead on my feet.”

I thank her and aim to find Ember. If Nadia needs rest, then I need to get my kiddo out of the house. She doesn't really have a quiet setting, and the last thing I want to do is bother Nadia and Meena when they've gone out of their way to give us a place to stay.

“That a birdy. He's got wings,” Ember says, pointing at something over my shoulder.

I spin around in a circle, but whatever she's talking about, my human eyes can't catch it.

We continue down the sidewalk toward the small park.

It's not far. It only takes ten minutes to walk there, and if the sidewalk wasn't on a busy street, I'd let Ember walk so she could burn off some of her never-ending energy.

Unfortunately, the last time we made this same trek, she nearly gave me a heart attack when she ran ahead and didn't stop when I called for her.

She's not heavy at first, but by the time the park comes into view, my back is aching. She’s a solid kid. I think it’s a shifter thing. Once we hit the small fence that circles the park, she starts wiggling.

“Just to the playground equipment,” I tell her, putting her back on her feet, and she takes off on wobbly toddler legs. She makes it to the stairs and climbs up.

I take a seat on the nearby picnic table and rest my head on my hand.

My eyelids immediately feel heavy. I know I need to force myself to stand and walk around while she plays.

It's disturbing how exhausted I am. If I sit here any longer, even with the hard wood under my ass, it's entirely possible I will nod off. I push myself up and meander around.

Ember stands at the top of the slide and holds on to the hand indents. She swings herself wildly and I groan. She has no fear.

“No,” I call out to her. “Sit down on your bottom, or we'll be heading back home.”

Ember drops the foot to sit on the slide and comes down fast as hell. I move to catch her, and she hits me with the force of a freight train.

“Oomph,” I groan. “You're getting heavy, little miss. You're growing up way too fast.”

“I am,” she agrees, smacking a kiss on my cheek and wiggling to get down. It's not long before she begs to be pushed on the swing. Which, incidentally, tires me out more than it does her, but I can only imagine how exciting life is as a toddler experiencing everything and having it feel new.

I'm beat after fifteen minutes of pushing her, and I know I need to grab a few groceries. “Do you want to stop by the store on the way back to Meena's?” I ask, lifting her out of the toddler swing.

“Yes!” she squeals. “We can has grapes? I like grapes.”

“I think we can do that,” I agree, hiking her up my hip and heading for the market.

“Hi,” Ember says, waving at something over my shoulder. My blood runs cold, but I don't have that weird itchy feeling I get whenever Alpha Brayden's men are close.

I spin around, but there's no one there.

“I don't see anyone,” I say, turning in a full circle.

“The bird wave at me,” Ember says, resting her head on my shoulder. Her tiny hand runs over my back, and I walk a little faster in my quest to make it to the store.

“You look very nice,” Ryktus says, giving me an awkward smile. “Shall we?”

“Of course,” I agree, glancing back and giving Meena a wave. Nadia is already at The Den for her shift, and Ember passed out after I read her a bedtime story. I had the nearly uncontrollable urge to carry her to my bed and snuggle up with her. These long days are getting to me.

I wish I had the never-ending energy my toddler seems to possess.

“Emerson?” Ryktus asks in a gentle tone. His head tilts to the side as he appraises me.

“Sorry,” I say around a yawn. “I'm all set. Let's do this.”

“Are you unwell?” the gargantuan gargoyle asks, frowning. He doesn't gain any wrinkles like a human would. I barely stifle a chuckle. He's way more expressive than most gargoyles I've interacted with at Venom. “Emerson?”

“Just a bit sleepy,” I confess. “I meant to have a cup of coffee before this little adventure, but I ran out of time getting my daughter to bed.”

Ryktus nods. “Come on, then. I'll do my best to get you home at a reasonable hour.”

“No, that's okay,” I assure him, stepping out onto the porch. “I'm one-hundred-percent ready to work.”

Ryktus snorts. His huge, leathery wings spread wide behind his muscular frame. He's in dark jeans with some type of combat boot on his feet, but he's shirtless, like always.

“I don't drive,” he says, scratching at his jaw. “It's a bit of a walk to where we're headed. I think it would be best if I carry you.”

We head down the porch stairs.

I spin to face him. “You mean, while you fly?”

“Yes.”

When Aline called to say my partner tonight would be picking me up, I had no idea what to expect. It wasn't like I could say no. I'm already on shaky ground with getting the job.

I asked Nadia if she'd ever had clients or dates outside of The Den, but it quickly became clear she hadn't.

She explained she'd had a few who wanted a beautiful woman on their arm at Venom, but she didn't seem concerned in the least. Neither did Meena.

They both trust Aline and the owners of The Monster's Den.

“Do you intend to continue looking at me like I'm stupid?” Ryktus snaps.

I startle, shaking my head. “Shit, sorry.” I walk straight into his outstretched arms. His skin is rough and scratchy. “Should I stand on your feet?”

Ryktus sighs. He slides an arm under my ass and lifts until I'm pinned to his chest with my legs dangling.

“You're unbelievably strong,” I whisper, studying his dark eyes.

“All of my kind are,” he says in an amused tone. “You may wrap your arms around my neck if you'd like. I'd offer to let you circle my back with your legs, but in that dress...”

My face heats. No, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to wrap my legs around his back. This dress is very tight and extremely short.

Ryktus glances around us as my arms twine behind his head, and then he crouches and pushes off. The evening air isn't cold. If anything, it's a bit humid tonight. But the flapping of his large wings dispels the air, and the higher he goes, the more I cuddle myself to his chest.

“Where exactly are we headed?” I ask after a minute or two of silence has passed.

“We're having a late dinner at the Dalton,” Ryktus says, flexing his hand on my rump.

“You're shirtless,” I whisper, like he doesn't already know that. “And I'm in a dress that I think might fit in better at a strip club...”

Or possibly a street corner , now that I really think about it.

“I am,” he says, chuckling. “And you are.” He's entirely too amused by this entire situation.

I huff a breath of frustration. “Won't they turn us away?” I ask, frowning up at him. Despite the fact he's holding me to his chest, he's still way taller than I am.

“They will not,” he assures me.

“Okay,” I whisper, shaking my head.

“Enjoy the flight, little one. Stop stressing and focus on being convincing once we arrive.”

I sigh. My life makes no sense anymore. I remember a time before Alix when my life was truly rather boring and predictable.

Lately, it's anything but routine.

Rather than aiming for the ground-floor entrance, Ryktus circles higher and higher.

Haven isn't the type of city with high-rises, but The Dalton is in an area of uptown with a few other regal-style buildings. I guess you'd call it the downtown area. The fancy part of the city I've never been to.

I tend to stick to the area where Nadia and Meena live. It's close to The Den, and everything I need is within walking distance.

I haven't had a car since I sold mine to pay rent when I gave birth.

I couldn't afford to take more than two months off, and even then, my older sedan barely paid the bills long enough for me to heal after having Ember.

Other than riding through this area when Nadia helped us move to town, I'm completely unfamiliar with it.

“What are you doing?” I ask in a shaky tone as we circle the building.

“Getting us up to our destination,” Ryktus replies in his low, gravel-filled tone.

“You're sure they don't have a policy of no shirt, no shoes, no service?” I ask, still baffled and a little terrified as we climb higher and higher in the night sky.

“They do not.” He chuckles. “Humans are more humorous in this day and age. You have simultaneously more fear and less.”

My modesty goes out the window somewhere around the seventh or eighth floor. I wrap my legs tight, circling Ryktus's thighs, and shimmy my way until I'm firmly wrapped around his middle.

“Thanks for that super random observation.” I'm desperately trying to keep myself from looking down. The novelty of flying wore off once we got high enough that, if he dropped me, I'd most certainly die. No human is surviving a fall from ten-plus stories.

The Gothic looking building is arresting as Ryktus approaches a small, recessed area. I don't even know how to explain it. I crane my neck to the side to fully appreciate the view.

The building continues upward for another few stories, but there's an area Ryktus is approaching at a very rapid pace that seems to be an outdoor restaurant or bar? There are a fair number of people milling about and others at tables.

He lands in a crouch and my feet touch blessed ground. I give him a shaky nod and whisper, “Thanks. That was a solid landing.”

“Come along, little one,” Ryktus says, sounding amused. He grips my hand and pulls me into his strong form. “You'll be meeting my flight tonight. You need to make them believe you truly enjoy my company.”

“This is my hiring exam?” I ask, frowning as I stagger along at his side.

“Apparently so,” he says cryptically as we aim for a round booth in the back corner.

“What the hell does that mean?” I grumble, slapping at his hand on my hip. “I need this job, and since Laithe decided to act a fool—” An oomph whooshes out of me as I'm spun around and pulled into his stomach. I'd say chest , but without him holding me off the ground, I really only reach his pecs.

He bends down, getting very close to my ear.

“We're surrounded by supernatural creatures,” Ryktus growls in a low voice.

“You've already got one problem hot on your heels.

I'd suggest you not anger the ancient vampire by running your mouth needlessly.

I've seen Lai rip out hearts and remove heads from bodies for far less. Do you understand?”

My chest rises and falls as I blink up at him.

Damn. He's absolutely right. Perhaps I got a little too comfortable for my own good.

Just because Nadia and Meena trust them doesn't necessarily mean I can.

I think I need like an entire week of sleep.

I'm running on empty, and it's affecting my ability to make good choices.

Just because Laithe fucked me it obviously doesn't mean he won't fuck with me... Case in point: me needing to complete the hiring practical again, since I obviously offended him by not sticking around after we fucked. Or maybe I am just a shitty lay. I've got no clue.

“I'm sorry,” I say, swallowing thickly. “I assure you I'm exactly where I want to be, and I'll make sure that's conveyed to your...flight, is it?”

“It is,” he agrees, palming my ass. “You're softer than I imagined. Are all humans quite so squishy?”

My jaw falls open, and I laugh. I pat the gargoyle on his hard chest. “I'd highly recommend keeping that sort of question to yourself if you're not paying for the human's company.”

“I'm not paying for your time,” he says, frowning down at me.

“Right.” This entire interaction is stilted and uncomfortable, and I think I'll take the lunatic asshole vampire over the stoic curmudgeon gargoyle. Which is saying a lot.

“Ryktus,” a sultry feminine voice says from behind me.

His eyes immediately meet mine and his face softens. “Looks like the evening is just about to begin, little one.” He pulls me closer with the hand on my rump and turns us to face the newcomer. “Emerson, meet Callista. Calli, this is Emerson.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say, taking in the incredibly beautiful gargoyle female. She's tall but nowhere close to the height of the male gargoyles I've seen. She's wearing a bright red dress that accentuates every curve. Her wings are small and delicate in comparison to Ryktus's wings.

“The pleasure is all mine,” she purrs, extending a lithe hand for me to shake. “You brought a woman to Sunday dinner. How intriguing...”

My head bounces between the two of them. Ryktus is wearing an expression I think might be misery on his face, and Calli seems ridiculously tickled about the entire situation.

I quickly determine I don't care what their relationship is or why she sounds so amused to see me with Ryktus.

I lean into his warm, scratchy skin and mentally steel myself for an uncomfortable night.