Page 132 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

Constantine staggers as he joins our timeline. “What the fuck happened?” He swipes a hand over his fully demonic face.

“Why haven’t you allowed any of the witches to finish replenishing the ward? Why call them here only to ensure they fail?” Echo asks.

“It’s not the council attacking the witches, you stupid fucking fool,” Constantine snarls, clutching at his chest. “What did you do to me?”

I’ll bet he’s feeling quite strange without the weight of his sins pulling on his soul.

“How did you find out about Nadia’s magic?” Echo asks. It’s clear he’s lined his words with every ounce of his compulsion.

Constantine’s eyes flash. “Fuck you.”

Echo repeats the question, and even though it’s not directed at me, I still have to fight to keep from answering. My head swivels to study him. It’s quite unexpected. I’m generally immune to the influence of most magic, but he just smacked Constantine with ancient levels of compulsion.

“A warlock on the council owes us a few favors,” Constantine finally grinds out.

“Kash?” Nadia pipes in.

Echo repeats her question.

“Yes,” Constantine growls. “You know I’m going to fuck her in front of you before I rip her heart out,” he taunts Echo. “I’ll lick her blood off my claws as I fuck her raw. She’ll be so desperate for me to end her suffering that she’ll beg for death.”

Echo thrusts his clawed hand into Constantine’s chest.

I swipe a hand over them both and move to yank Echo back.

I unfreeze Echo while Constantine’s bloody heart drips on the floor and move to suck out the remnants of the awful demon’s soul.

This is why sin eaters and reapers make the perfect pair.

Without Knight cleansing his sins, it would be dangerous for me to devour him.

Technically, he’s supposed to be recycled, but I don’t feel an ounce of guilt over extinguishing him.

If the universe didn’t want me to have the ability, then I wouldn’t have it.

Sure, most reapers would have to risk death to devour a soul rather than reap it, but that’s the beauty of having Knight at my side.

I continue devouring Constantine. His shell looks like a withered husk by the time I step away.

“Well, that was dramatic,” Garth says, looking at Nadia. “Please remind them I’m on your team.”

Echo zips from the room, likely to clean up.

“It’s done.” I cross to my favorite witch.

“What do you think is going to happen when the town realizes we just offed their council?” she asks.

“Likely, there will be some push back from their loyal followers,” Echo says as he comes back into the room noticeably less bloody than when he left.

“You mean those of us they’ve bullied into complying for the last several hundred years?” Garth scoffs.

“Good point,” Echo mutters.

“I could, uh, get rid of those bodies for you?” Athos suggests.

“No one is making any wishes,” Knight grunts.

“Once I unfreeze time...” I glance at the audience at the back of the room.

“Allow me and Echo to handle them.” Ridge stands, placing Nadia on the mattress. “Garth will notify everyone at The Mirage that they’re now free of their debts.”

“Under the condition they keep their mouths shut about the council’s sudden departure from town.” Garth pushes himself up. “Those assholes are going to be the problem.” He gestures to the group at the back of the room.

Echo nods. “I agree, they’re the ones most loyal to the council. We could just make it a good old-fashioned bloodbath all around.”

“Wraith and I could dispose of them in a much less bloody manner, but I’d caution against wiping out so many monsters at one time.

Five is pushing the limits of keeping things under wraps.

” Knight scratches his jaw. “Even then, someone is eventually going to miss them. I suggest we get the fuck out of town before then.”

“Are you a blood witch?” Athos asks Nadia. She nods as her shadows swirl around her. “That’s perfect. Simply spin an illusion. Make them believe they saw a great show and are leaving completely satisfied by your performance.”

“I don’t know how to do that,” she says, shaking her head.

“I can help with that.”

“If you betray us...” Knight rolls to face Athos. “I don’t think I need to remind you of what will happen.”

“Always with the threats,” Athos mutters. “I’ll merely help her influence their minds. No threats or wishes necessary. Although, you fuckers forgot to feed me, and I am quite peckish.”

Nadia laughs. “I’m sure we can find you something.”

The spell Nadia spins takes less than fifteen minutes. It’s reaching the maximum of what I’m capable of holding while keeping the room in a bubble, but I am extremely full from gorging on so many souls at once.

The showgoers pop into our timeline, and none of them make a scene. It makes it clear her spell is a success. Athos stays partially formed with his bottom half a swirl of smoky shadows. Apparently, he didn’t fuck us over. At least not so far.

Ridge and Echo, along with Garth, carefully corral the guests out before leaving to secure meetings with River, the elven king, and several other leaders that live within the sanctuary ward.

“I’m beat,” Nadia says around a yawn.

“We’ll take you to where you’re staying,” Knight says, wiggling his eyebrows. “Tell me, is there room for the two of us?”

“Three,” Athos adds petulantly.

“Is there a reason you haven’t released him?” Nadia gestures to the djinn in question.

“We have no idea how, and he’s incapable of telling us.” Knight stretches his arms behind him.

Nadia’s eyes stay glued to his bare chest as he flexes, and Knight smirks.

“I think, perhaps, I’m not the only one hungry,” Athos says, chuckling darkly.

“It sucks that they can’t release you. You’re free to explore the house. I’m sure there are servers somewhere. They’re probably still putting away all the food and drinks.” She nods to the doors.

“I am interested in those prospects, but I haven’t been in this realm in...” Athos shrugs. “Many hundreds of years, by my guess. I’d prefer not to be abandoned. Someone worse than the two of you could come across my jar.”

“We’ll not abandon you,” I assure him.

“We won’t,” Nadia agrees. “While we’re waiting for Ridge and Echo to return, I think we’ll explore and try to determine exactly what Constantine was up to. I’d also like to get away from those creepy, shriveled-up bodies. They’re kind of grossing me out.”

“I’ll dispose of their shells,” I offer, bowing my head. I also need to deposit the two souls I reaped into the pit in Hell, but that won’t take longer than a few minutes.

“I’ll raid the pantry for snacks.” Athos laughs, making his way to leave the room.

Knight smirks at Nadia. “I guess that leaves you and me free to explore.”

I frown. That sounds way more enjoyable, but alas, work must be done.