Page 136 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

“My goals include providing assistance to ensure my jar remains undamaged, as well as unclaimed by someone worse than those two.” Athos nods to the demons. “Then I plan to tackle the giant block of gouda I found. It pairs beautifully with the dirt-like crackers.” He beams. “I love human food.”

My eyelids flutter as I barely hold back the snarky response that sits heavy on my tongue. I’m supposed to be cleaning up my act and ensuring I’m worthy of my beloved.

Instead, I settle for, “I wouldn’t know, as I don’t consume human food. However, we appreciate your assistance.”

“Dude, are you feeling all right?” Knight pops up right in front of me. I barely hold back the jolt as he manifests from nothing to solid. “Did they body snatch you? Blink once for no or repeatedly if you need help.”

I snort, shaking my head. It’s been a lot of years since anyone questioned my well-being, and it makes me strangely warm inside, even if I am the butt of his joke.

“He’s fine,” Wraith says. “Let’s do this while Ridge still has Nadia distracted. She won’t be happy if we have to murder this group of monsters, meaning we should be quick, so she never finds out.”

Knight snorts.

We funnel out the door and down the steps.

“Oh, just so you know, they can’t see us,” Knight says in barely more than a whisper. “Let’s see how they behave when they don’t know Daddy’s watching.”

“Wait, which one of us gets to be Daddy?” Wraith whisper hisses. His head tilts under the hood of his robe.

I swipe a hand over my face to hold my composure. Now would be a terrible time to laugh at something the gathering audience can’t see.

Knight chuckles softly. “We can both be Daddy.”

“I’ll be the drunk uncle.” Athos materializes in a cloud of blue smoke. “And by the way, they can see me.”

I take the stone steps down toward the circular driveway. Athos was correct. There’s a gathering of fifteen to twenty supernatural creatures. I recognize nearly all the faces.

Garth steps forward with Scarlett at his side. The nymph bounces on her toes when she spots me. We’ve often butted heads, considering she’s the self-appointed union of one for The Mirage employees.

“Where is she?” She jabs a finger at me. Her red painted nail trembles slightly. Considering the sun won’t rise for at least an hour or two, a human wouldn’t be able to pick up the tell from several feet away. But my eyesight is excellent.

“Who?” I ask distractedly. Ridge is supposed to be helping Nadia clean up, but based on the heavy pulse of arousal that smacks into me through the bond, it’s very clear they’re more focused on getting dirty.

“Nadia is fine.” Garth pulls Scarlett close to his side with a hand on her hip. That’s a weird combination, and I’m fucking flabbergasted it took me so long to realize why he’s her best client.

“If that’s true, then we want to see it for ourselves,” Shelby says. Ahh, the stuck-up female sentinel is here. “I want to see with my own two eyes that she’s okay.”

Carina, a female witch, stands at her side. She and Shelby run the shop. They’ve been here several years. I had forgotten about their connection to my witch.

“Take the sentinel.” Knight shrugs. “Tell them one person to verify she’s fine. It’ll also give us the opportunity to scan the crowd and gauge their true intentions while they don’t realize they’re being watched.”

“Come along.” I step back, extending a hand for Shelby to head up the steps. “Just her. I’m not bringing the lot of you in with no idea of your intentions.”

“That’s hurtful,” Garth mutters. “I totally had your back earlier.”

I scoff. He did less than nothing during the incident.

“Are you really surprised? Echo has always been a dick,” Scarlett adds. “He’ll continue to be a dick for the rest of eternity.”

I exhale heavily, raising my eyebrows at the suddenly sheepish sentinel.

“Or until someone removes his head,” Scarlett whispers. Garth swats her ass and she squeaks.

“It’s now or never,” I clarify for Shelby.

“I’ll go.” Carina straightens her shoulders.

God, what do they think I’m going to do? Murder them as soon as they make it out of the line of sight? That’s ridiculous. It would infuriate my beloved.

“I’ve got this.” Shelby strides forward, and I physically can’t keep from rolling my eyes. So damn dramatic and completely unnecessary.

Wraith’s head faces me at an unnatural angle, and he gives a nod as I follow the condescending Daughter of Heaven up the stairs.

We make it into the mansion, and I can pick out Nadia’s begging moans from the foyer. It doesn’t take long to make our way to the second floor. They’re in a guest bathroom off the main hall. I shove the door open and steam billows out.

The frosted glass shower doesn’t obscure nearly enough for Shelby to be confused about what’s happening.

“Fuck, yes,” Ridge growls, slapping into Nadia from behind. “Such a good girl, taking your alpha’s cock. I’m going to fill up your pussy. Breed you full of my pups.”

Shelby staggers back, letting out a heavy breath. I smirk, giving her a condescending-as-fuck look in return.

Nadia moans. “Ohmigod, Ridge!”

Shelby huffs, grabbing the door handle and yanking it closed. “I can’t believe she fell for your bullshit and helped you take out Imogen.”

My jaw rolls from side to side as my fury reaches dangerous levels. My monstrous side is officially done with everyone in this godforsaken town.

Wraith manifests in front of me as I hiss at Shelby. “You’ve seen she’s fine, and it’s time for you to go.” He nods toward the stairs. “And, in the future, I would avoid verbally attacking Nadia’s chosen mate.”

Shelby’s mouth falls open, but Wraith puts up an arm, blocking her from me before gently guiding her out.

I stretch back against the wall to wait for Ridge and Nadia to finish.

“I guess there’s probably something I should admit,” Shelby says as they make it to the front door.

My head falls back as it shakes. Of fucking course, there’s more.