Page 2 of Hazel’s Choice (A Monstrous World: Next Gen)

Chapter One

Hazel

B eing hunted by two sentinels and an angel isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. That night in the forest, I attracted the wrong kind of attention.

Angels are nothing if not persistent, and the one who’s hunting me seems more determined than most. The only upside is that while he might know how to track my soul vibration when I’m transformed into my monster, he seems completely unable to sense me when I’m in human form.

That fucking angel and his sentinel lackeys have chased me all over the world for the last few months.

It’s gotten so bad that I have to hurry every time I eat a meal, and as soon as I’m done, I have to immediately siphon away.

Jumping again and again to attempt to leave a false trail.

Even with taking additional steps to stay off their radar, it hasn’t worked completely.

The sanctuary city I grew up in, Haven, became a heavy point of their focus, and my family agreed it was time for me to leave. At least long enough for those feathered jerks to move on to somewhere new.

Black Cove became the perfect sanctuary town for me to settle in.

My old babysitter, Greer, moved here after an incident with her boyfriend.

When she first got to town, she lived in a house that she inherited from her grandmother.

But shortly after arriving, she met her mates, which left Granny Rollins’s house completely unoccupied.

It was a fortuitous turn of events because I needed a place to stay.

Greer might be a few years older than I am, but we’re both adults, and I’d like to think we’ve become friends.

I need at least one friend in Black Cove.

Originally, I hoped my twin would come with me, but after a lifetime of being glued together, it was probably time for us to learn how to stand on our own.

It’s hard, though.

I miss Violet so badly that my soul aches.

Before I came to Black Cove, we had never been apart for more than a day during our entire lives. The physical distance is hard, but the most jarring part is not being able to sense her—at least not to the level I’m used to.

Violet begged our parents for her own room for years.

They gave in once we turned eleven. She was content having her own space.

I, however, was so lonely not being able to listen to her heartbeat as she fell asleep that I used to stare at the wall separating our rooms. I would focus on her soul vibration to reassure me that she was okay.

And this is even worse.

It’s just not worth the risk that something could happen to her or the rest of my family, so it’s a good thing to put some distance between us.

Black Cove isn’t bad. It actually reminds me a lot of Haven, but there are more demons, vampires, and dark fae here than there are back home, meaning I should fit right in.

I even got my first paying job.

Spellbound is a small magic shop just off Main Street in downtown Black Cove. The old witch who owns the place, Lisette, has been ready to retire. She just didn’t have anyone capable of taking over for her.

Granted, I’m not a witch, but I am currently pretending to be one. My mother is a blood witch, but my demonic side won out when it came to my gifts. Which is weird because when I’m in my human form, others always say I smell like a witch.

Perhaps they’re just scenting my magic.

Or maybe the universe gave me a built-in camouflage method to help keep me alive.

I don’t know, but it is lucky.

Lisette knows I’m not actually a witch, or rather, she thinks I’m a demon-witch hybrid. She had the opportunity to see my demon side in action when I had a small run-in with Greer’s mates, but she was willing to at least give me a shot at running the day-to-day operations of the store.

Being a devourer allows me to sense someone’s greatest sins, deepest regrets, and sometimes I’m able to parcel out what they fear coming to fruition. From that, I’m able to fake a damn good tarot reading or premonition.

Basically, between my demon magic and the tiny sliver of gifts that I received from my mother, I’m able to keep the shop afloat until Lisette finds someone to run it permanently.

There are some things that have to wait for her, since I don’t have the ability to craft spells, but it’s not like she never comes in anymore. She just has me to help out so she can take a day off here or there.

Overall, I think I’m adjusting well.

It has to be a difficult experience for any child to leave the nest, but I’m independent by nature.

It’s just been a complicated adjustment because I love my family. Very few things, outside of worrying about my loved ones, actually scare me. But that’s because I’ve learned I’m the thing most beings fear. At least, the ones who’ve met my monster.

Truthfully, though, I consider myself mostly peaceful.

If I were to devour everyone who sins, there would be no one left in the human realm.

Every being cycles through the minor ones on a daily basis.

It takes a truly tainted soul for me to take notice, and it has to be one of the worst before my monster urges me to feed.

Speaking of being hungry, I might need to seek out a meal tonight. It’s been close to a week, and I’m getting a little peckish.

Lisette brought new spellbooks by this morning, but I’m finally getting the chance to get them put away. There’s something about the leather that makes me want to run my fingertips over it. They have such a distinct smell between the bindings and old paper.

I love it.

Maybe it’s the connection to history, but I’m fascinated by ancient things. I technically have no need for spellbooks. Although I could see myself collecting them one day, if for no other reason than to preserve knowledge.

Certain types of witches use grimoires while others don’t. My mother never had much need for them, but she does keep several that were passed down from her grandmother. Though she rarely uses them, I have seen her pull them out to use as reference material.

Maybe it’s their power that draws me to them, or it could be their deep connection to generations past.

The jingling bell above the door catches my attention as I place the maroon book on the shelf. By the time I spin around, the energy changes enough that I jolt.

“I much preferred you all bent over with that luscious arse in the air,” a husky male voice says so close to my ear that I can feel his warm breath on my throat.

Annex.

That sexy incubus likes to pop in when I’m least expecting him. I’ve only been in town for a few weeks, but he comes in every couple of days.

He’s also new in town, and I believe he might be lonely. I can’t think of another reason why he pops in so frequently just to chat.

Annex came to Black Cove to help out at the club my friend Greer’s mates own. He took over fueling the sex club portion of the business so Seiran wouldn’t have to work seven days a week.

Having an incubus invigorate the club with their magic is a sure-fire way to keep the business thriving. I’ve never experienced it, but I’ve read that incubi magic can induce a high similar to very potent human drugs.

Monsters will travel and pay quite a premium to enjoy that kind of debauchery.

Incubi can’t create lust where there was none, but they can exponentially increase desire that’s already there. Which is kinda fitting because Annex is basically sex on a stick.

Actually, I’m pretty sure all incubi are.

It’s a survival mechanism or something to ensure they can always find a willing food source. Their species has a sensual allure that draws in willing partners, but Annex is especially sinful.

His long black hair falls past his chiseled jaw, and his huge, void-like eyes signal he’s a demon. They take up the entire sclera as mine do when I’m in demon form.

Two black horns protrude from his forehead, curving back toward the crown of his skull. He also has a tail and wings, but he must only be partially transformed since I can’t see them now.

Annex’s silvery-bluish-pink skin is so brilliant it almost seems to sparkle as I study him.

Shit.

I’ve been creeping on him for too long, and he definitely noticed.

“What can I help you find?” I plant my hands on his chest and give him a shove backward.

“I’m not here for a spell or crystals.” His words roll together with the lilt of his melodic tone, and a playful grin tips at his lips.

He doesn’t technically have a British accent, but that’s the closest thing I can think of to compare it to in the human realm.

“I wanted to let you know, I’ll be moving in with you. ”

My eyes widen, and I take a minuscule step back, bumping into the bookshelf behind me. “W-What?”

“ Oh yes .” He smiles even more deeply. “I was growing quite disheartened. I’ve been searching for more permanent accommodations with no luck whatsoever. I was even forced to sleep in one of the rooms at the club. Until Reign told me Greer has extra bedrooms in her grandmother’s house…”

My jaw falls.

A dangerous smile crosses his face. “We’re going to be housemates.”

Greer warned me that she might rent out some of the other rooms. I just didn’t realize someone would want to move in this fast.

The house is huge, though.

From what I know about the club Annex works at, he’ll be gone a lot at night. I’ll be away during the day since I work here, meaning our schedules will really only overlap on our days off.

“Don’t look so appalled, baby doll. I’m a fantastic roommate, as you might call it. I never leave dishes in the sink…” He smirks, and the beginning of dimples shows in his cheeks.

My chest rises and falls more rapidly than normal, and I believe that might be because he tricked my brain into thinking about what incubi eat. They don’t sustain themselves on human food or even blood like a vampire would.

Nope.

That’s not what an incubus survives on.

My cheeks burn even hotter as he licks his thick lips. He needs sex and sexual desire to survive, much in the same way I feed off sins and tainted souls.

This is going to be so awkward. More for me than him.

“We should have a conversation at some point to discuss house rules.” I’m a little proud that I get the sentence out without stuttering. Especially with how deep his dimples get when he grins.

Shit.

Incubi can feel when someone desires them, and if I could just cut it off, I would. That demon is so far out of my league that it’s not even funny.

Ugh.

That brings me full circle to being a considerate roommate.

I don’t want to have to hear any of his sexual encounters, but hopefully that’s something he takes care of when he’s at the club.

“I could take you for a coffee, and we could discuss those types of things,” he offers, batting those long eyelashes of his.

I’m technically able to consume human drinks, but they force my body to function like a witch’s would. It’s alarming to feel the need to urinate when that’s not something I normally do.

Does this mean I’m going to have to pretend to eat human food? Like buy groceries to leave in the refrigerator or something?

I’m used to living in a house where several of my family members ate human food, while the majority of us sustained ourselves on other things like blood, sins, or souls.

“If you’re not down for being seen in public with me, you can just say that,” Annex says, drawing me out of my thoughts. “We could hang out in the kitchen at home and hash it out.”

My brow furrows.

Why would he think that I wouldn’t want to be seen with him? I have no qualms about that. I’m just not sure how I’m supposed to successfully masquerade as a witch in front of a roommate. I mostly manage it in public, but at home, it’s another story.

“I’m not embarrassed to be seen with you, if that’s what you’re insinuating.

” My head tilts as I study his handsome face.

The buzz of discomfort that wafts off him makes me even more curious what hurt he’s masking.

“I was just contemplating when we would manage that. Our schedules are opposite, but if we can find time one night after I’m off and before you go into the club, I would be okay with coffee. ”

He laughs, shaking his head. “You’re a tough nut to crack, Hazel.” He disappears from sight, but I can still sense him. “I’ll be seeing you soon.”