Page 11 of Hazel’s Choice (A Monstrous World: Next Gen)

Chapter Ten

Hazel

“ A nd that would be why everyone thinks angels are dicks,” Reign mutters. He’s another of Greer’s mates. “Kill three monsters and leave us to explain the fallout to the paranormal council.”

I grimace.

If I had killed them, I would have done the same thing. It would be convenient if the body would disappear after I devoured someone’s soul, but that’s just not how the universe works.

Tonight went to shit so fast, but I got so lucky.

If Zephyr had noticed my eyes or been more focused on me, he would have realized the creature he sensed is actually me. My face started to transform into my monster when he stabbed the troll, and I’m not sure how I’m supposed to hold back the urge to feed.

I’m starving on a level I’ve never experienced. Holding time drained the last tiny bit of my reserves, but if I ran off to feed in this weakened state, I’m afraid Zephyr would find me before I could escape.

“I need to reset that woman’s memories of what happened here and put a call into Bart,” Novak says, sighing heavily. “Dealing with the paranormal council is always a pain in the ass. Any idea how long it will take her shifter friend to resurrect?”

My eyes widen.

Why would he ask me something like that in front of Annex?

Vampires have the ability to mindfuck their victims and weaker supernatural creatures. If he can get that siren I rescued to forget I had any part in this, that would be ideal. It would also be nice if he wouldn’t out my involvement in front of Annex.

I’m starting to trust the incubus, but it’s been drilled into my head since birth that no one should ever find out the specifics of what I am.

I messed that up a little when Greer went missing, but even then, I never specifically told her mates what I am. They just kinda guessed. Or maybe Greer told them.

I don’t know, but I didn’t tell them what I am.

“Hazel seems very overwhelmed. Why don’t you get her out of here?” Reign suggests. “I’m sure the shifter will reanimate by the time Bart arrives, and if you’re still here when the paranormal council liaison starts his investigation, you’ll be trapped until he’s satisfied.”

“Should we stay close in case they have any questions for Hazel?” Annex asks.

Novak says, “I doubt Hazel wants to be tangled up in any of this?—”

Reign cuts him off by saying, “That might not be a bad plan.”

I’m not sure if he’s trying to help cover for me or what. He’s a mimic, which is half dark fae and half nightmare demon. I’ve never met one of his species before, but my father told me they’re extremely powerful.

Is it possible he’s able to sense my hunger? Either way, it doesn’t matter. I need to get the hell out of here.

“Can we go?” I ask Annex. “Please. It smells like death.”

I could siphon away easily enough, but I’m afraid even using that small amount of power would make the gnawing urge to feed worse. If my monster snaps, Zephyr would be on me in two seconds flat.

“Yeah, of course.” Annex nods, glancing at Reign and Novak. “Call me if you need us.”

We land somewhere close by.

While the room is unfamiliar, the music of the club is loud and unmistakable. It’s dark, but lights flash against the wall in random patterns, similar to how the club lit up when Greer and I were in Chaos.

My jaw falls as I realize the room smells exactly like Annex. “Did you bring me to Rut?”

His hand tightens on my ass, and he shrugs.

“It’s the private room I keep here in the club, but yes.

I thought it might be better if we stayed close in case the council agent ends up needing your statement.

” A chagrined smile crosses his face. “You handled siphoning pretty well earlier, but I didn’t want to risk traveling too far.

The longer the journey, the more likely someone is to get sick. ”

I wiggle my legs, and Annex frowns but places me on my feet. He keeps his hands on my hips, almost like he’s ensuring I won’t topple over.

His skin glows in the ambient lighting, and if I weren’t so entranced by him, I would check out what’s happening on the wall behind me. For the room to be filled with this much light, there has to be a wall of windows or a balcony that looks down into the club.

I’ve seen a similar setup in Novak’s office, except his looks out over Chaos, while this room must look out over the free-for-all below in Rut.

How he could ever rest here with this much noise is beyond me, but I am grateful he got me out of that alleyway as quickly as possible.

“Tell me they didn’t hurt you,” Annex says, bringing his clawed hand to my cheek. “I’ll never forgive myself if something awful happened to you when I wasn’t around to stop it.”

My head shakes, and I pull my hand up to cradle his. “I’m fine. I was never in any real danger.”

His jaw clenches. “Because that angel came to your rescue.” The angry grit to his tone would make me take a step back if I didn’t understand where he’s coming from.

I have mixed feelings about Zephyr coming to my rescue. Angels have never been anything but a thorn in my side. They’re self-righteous dicks who always think they’re right.

He does the same job I do.

And that makes a terrible realization click.

If I could sense how corrupted his friend was… That means he could too.

And he just allowed Levi to continue to torment women?

Why?

Because they were friends?

The thought makes me sick to my stomach, and I pull my free hand to rub against the ache.

“I was going to handle those men myself,” I admit. “I was never in any real danger because I would have killed them if he didn’t intercede.”

Annex’s head tilts, and his eyebrows rise. “I think you should fill me in on what happened from the moment I left you with Greer.” His leathery, claw-tipped wings stretch wide, and my nostrils flare with how potent his scent is.

He’s in full monster form, complete with his tail and double set of horns. It makes him even taller and more imposing than he is when he’s in humanoid form.

Is that why he smells so much more powerful?

“Come have a seat with me, and tell me what happened,” he murmurs, wrapping his tail around my lower back.

My monster is sure he’s powered up since I saw him in the house before we left for the club.

A terrible thought crosses my mind, and I struggle against his hold, spinning away from him as my monster fights for control. He smells delicious and full of sins, but if he sees my eyes, he’ll know I’m a demon.

“Did you buy me a dress and invite me out tonight only to leave me with Greer so you could go have sex with someone?” I choke out, pulling my hand to my mouth.

Even if he did, I’m not sure I have the right to be upset about it. We’re friends, not dating.

I wouldn’t have a reason to be upset if he had an orgy with every monster in Rut.

But it would bother me.

So I guess that makes me a hypocrite.

No, I think abandoning the friend you invited out to go have sex with someone is shitty.

It’s not the kind of thing a good friend would do.

My monster is even more furious than I am. It could be because I’m starving, and Zephyr stole my meal. It could be that my monstrous side feels protective of Annex. I’m not sure, but I’m in big trouble.

My sin eater side slams me out of the driver’s seat before I can brace to try to hold it back.