Page 3 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

Chapter Three

Emerson

A few nights later, it's a little past three in the morning when the massive troll at the door nods as I leave the club after my shift.

“Be safe,” he growls in his deep, gravelly tone.

“Thanks,” I say, heading down the set of three stairs at his side.

Venom is open twenty-four hours a day, but it's pretty dead at this time of night.

There's no longer a line wrapping all the way around the building to get in.

It's quiet as I hit the front of the line of businesses near The Monster's Den, and I glance both ways and head for the side street that leads to Meena and Nadia's house.

I'm ready to take a five-minute shower and pour myself into bed.

I'm exhausted. Honestly, I've got no idea how long I can keep this up.

Over the last few weeks, I've made decent tips and put a little back for Alpha Brayden. Nowhere near enough, but it's more than I was scraping together while working at the diner.

My eyes dance across the gravel-lined backstreet as I walk, so I don't miss a step and break my neck.

Goosebumps break out all over my arms as a shiver travels down my spine.

My eyes fly up immediately, searching for danger.

Even though my senses can't pick up anything, it's clear something is going on.

My fight-or-flight instinct is very sure I'm in trouble.

Damn you, Alix!

That asshat. The problem he left me with has apparently caught up to me, again .

Dammit, I knew better than to believe I'd be safe here. I mean, I wanted to, but I figured even the rules of sanctuary wouldn't be enough to stop that jerk.

They always seem to find me, and they'll never stop demanding, which is ridiculous because I don't even owe the debt. Alix wasn't my mate, and we weren't married. I don't owe that alpha dick-weed anything.

He feels differently.

Considering he and his henchman are scarier than I am...well, my only option is to pay.

“Emerson,” the slimy voice calls out from behind me.

I freeze. It's definitely one of Alpha Brayden's men. My gaze darts over my shoulder as I quicken my pace. It's useless.

Huge hands cup my shoulders. I'm lifted and slammed against the nearby wooden fence. A dog barks from inside the yard, but Garrett growls low in warning, making the dog whine.

“You owe our boss money,” the slimy guy at Garrett's side says. The wide smile on his face really pisses me off. I don't know him personally. He's not one of the alpha's men I've dealt with before.

“That you do,” Garrett agrees. “There's also a locating fee. Did you really believe we wouldn't find you, Emmy?” He rips my bag off my shoulder and tosses it to the other guy.

“I asked you a question,” Garrett growls, breathing in deeply where my neck meets my shoulder. He doesn't wait for my reply. “You need to understand the reality of your situation. We'll always find you.”

As his breath fans over the unprotected skin of my throat, I bite my cheek, and tears spring to my eyes when his grip on my shoulders tightens. I'm no match for one of these guys. With two of them, there's no hope at all.

“I got evicted,” I tell them truthfully. My jaw slides from side to side as I try to hold back the sob that wants to rattle out.

I'm just so freaking tired.

Sometimes, I wish more than anything that I'd never gotten mixed up with Alix. My life was so much easier before him, but then I wouldn't have Ember. She's not something I could ever regret, so I take the good with the bad and soldier on.

“She's got just shy of six hundred dollars,” the guy says, tossing my bag at my feet.

“No,” I gasp, struggling against Garrett's hold. “That's more than one night of tips!”

God, I'm such an idiot. I should have emptied my wallet last night, but I was so tired that I didn't even shower. I climbed into bed and passed out hard for the four hours of sleep I got before Ember woke up, ready to start the day.

“Sweetheart,” Garrett says, running his scratchy fingers over my cheek. “You want to be done with us? Then you've got to pay. Only, ya know, a couple hundred more visits like this and you might be free.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, but tears spill out and down my cheeks. I've got so many problems that I don't have a freaking clue how to fix them all.

I have to chip in with Meena and Nadia. No one is that understanding, and even if they are...they don't owe me anything, and it won't last forever. It's also not right to take advantage of the situation just because they're willing to help.

“Take it,” I whisper. “Please, just let me go. I have to get some rest so I can do this all over again tomorrow.”

“Are you really that bad of a fuck?” the shifter I don't recognize asks. “I thought the humans at The Den made straight-up bank for fucking monsters?”

“W-what? I'm a waitress,” I say, frowning.

“Maybe ask your witchy roommate what she does for a living,” Garrett says, chuckling and shaking his head. “Come on.” He nods to his friend, and they meander off the way they came.

I'm still stuck leaning against the coarse wood of the fence, blinking at their backs long after they disappear from sight.

I eventually get myself together, grab my bag, and bolt for home.

The minute I make it inside the house, I check on Ember. She’s knocked out cold with her bum up in the air. Then I aim for Nadia to demand some answers. If there’s an easier way to make money fast, then I don't care what it requires.

I'll do it.

“What are you?” the fae asks, frowning as her nose twitches. “You don't smell human.”

“That's because I'm not.” I give her a smile I hope comes off as sincere. “Old witch blood.”

Aline, the gatekeeper for the position I need, nods her understanding. She types away on her computer. Fae normally avoid technology as far as I know, but I try not to stare.

My eyes dart around the small office. The walls are a soft seafoam green with a dark gray trim that patterns the wall in a fancy design I don't know the name for.

Aline taps her long fingers on the glass desktop and hums. “No actual powers, I take it?”

I shake my head.

No, none that I know of.

If I did, I certainly wouldn't be sitting here asking for a transfer to her department, now would I?

I guess that's unfair.

Nadia is a full-blooded witch and she works here. She loves her job. Maybe I'm being a judgmental jerk.

“Basically a human,” Aline says, her tone suddenly more interested. Her light greenish-gray eyes glitter. “Have you done this kind of work?”

“No, but I know what will be expected of me,” I assure her. My hands are shaking and I'm fidgety. I have to get this job. I can't afford to screw it up with nerves. Waitressing is fine, but this will be a whole different level of income.

“You'll need to fill out the forms.” She shoves a clipboard at me. “You'll make more if you work nights and weekends.”

I grab the clipboard and glance at the papers. “Nights are good. Weekends are fine,” I say, starting to fill in my information. “I already filled this out at Venom...”

“Maybe the first page,” she says, snorting a laugh. “The rest is specialized to The Den.”

“That makes sense,” I say mindlessly as I fill in the boxes. I frown at the form. “I don't know my blood type.”

“We have a tester,” she says distractedly. “Employment is contingent on the screenings. They're listed on page seven. You must pass all of them, no exceptions. You'll have an unpaid practical. If you don't impress your partner, then we don't hire you.”

I swallow thickly. Am I really going to go through with this?

Do I have a choice? No, I don't think so and that's the problem.

“I understand,” I reply. Pulling up page seven, I read through the list—blood test, tox screen, STD panel. “Supernaturals don't catch sexually transmitted infections.”

“No, but we run a clean establishment. Is that going to be a problem?” she asks, picking at the end of her nail.

“No, of course not.” I shut my mouth and go back to filling out the forms.

“I need the last three pages today,” Aline says. “The rest you can take home and fill out between now and when you start. We'll set you up with all the tests. If those come back clean, then you'll do the practical. If that goes well, we'll add you to the schedule.”

“Okay,” I agree. “I need to get on the books as soon as possible.”

Aline glances up from her computer. “Are you in some kind of trouble? We don't need any problems nosing around.”

“No,” I lie. “I have a daughter to support and money is tight.”

Aline eyes me skeptically. Finally, she nods. “It helps that Nadia vouched for you. She's one of my best employees. I'll see what I can do to hurry along the process.”

“Thank you. That would be great,” I say, finishing the last page and handing over the sheets she needs.

“Be honest when filling out your limits.

You need money, so you'll be tempted to agree to things...” She trails off.

“You're pretty enough that you don't have to accept everything listed.

That's all I'm saying. You'll be happier and last longer if you're truthful with yourself and us about what you're okay doing.”

“I get it,” I say, pulling the other papers off the clipboard and shoving them into my bag. “And I appreciate you being real about that. I need to do well so I can succeed here.”

“I'll get you set for the tests tomorrow,” Aline says, standing from her chair.

Fae beauty is second to none. Aline's nearly waist-length hair holds intricate braids that frame her scalp in weaving patterns. They flow into loose waves that tumble around her lithe shoulders as she moves.

I feel frumpy in comparison. If the men who visit The Den are expecting women like Aline, or even Nadia, they'll be very disappointed to be set up with me.

No, stop stressing yourself out. Nadia assured me there are plenty of humans employed by Aline. She said it's somewhat of a delicacy for the supernatural patrons. Something unique and different, outside of what they normally have access to.

“Someone will give you a call to provide the information.” Aline guides me toward the door.

“Thank you again,” I say, giving her a small wave over my shoulder. I step out of the doorway and stumble over a massive foot.

I let out a very unladylike squeal as my face aims for the floor. My arms fly out as I try to catch myself, but large hands cup my hips, righting me before I can land face-first on the carpet.

“Thank you,” I whisper. My cheeks burn with what I'm sure is a blush.

My eyes fly up and up some more.

The man is in humanoid form, but it's clear he isn't human. I immediately recognize him. Dread. The owner from the other night, the one who beat the hell out of the two guys who got into it.

His red eyes glow with an unnatural illumination. I heard a few of the other servers talking after the fight. He's a hellhound. A type of demon shifter.

Dread's black hair is shaggy and long. The dark, scruffy beard matches his persona perfectly. He's dressed only in jeans and a plain white t-shirt that seems stretched to capacity over his broad chest. And he's barefoot in a brothel.

Which is totally bizarre.

“Be more careful,” he growls in a low, gravelly tone that sends a shiver down my spine.

My head nods my agreement without me even trying.

“Yes, of course. I'm so sorry.” I try to take a step back. Those giant paws of his hold me in place.

“Why are you here?” he asks as his eyes meet Aline's over my shoulder. “New employee for The Den?”

“Contingent on the testing,” she agrees.

The hellhound growls. “Get home safely,” he says, raising an eyebrow. “Name?”

“Emerson,” I whisper, awkwardly holding out a hand for him to shake.

“Dread,” he replies. A damn shudder travels down my spine, and his head tilts as he appraises me.

Suddenly feeling very lacking, I pull my hand down. I'm curvy and I know I'm pretty enough, but well, I'm also nothing special. His eyes continue to take me in, and my discomfort only grows.

“Nice to meet you,” I squeak, sidestepping his massive form. “Have a great day. Thanks again and for the other night.”

I shake my head as I haul ass down the hallway. Could I be any more embarrassing? I bet he doesn't even remember me. I dated a freaking shifter, but I'm not used to all the species.

You'd better get on board with them real quick, I remind myself.

I'll do whatever or whoever I need to do to pay off my debt and ensure those psychos don't try to hurt my daughter.