Page 53 of Monster Whisperer

Oh, why not? He hadn’t been demanding, and it seemed to mean a lot to him I get in there with him.

“Sure, I’ll get in the water with you, Tryphon.”

Hades put his hand on my shoulder.

“Better wait on that. Tryphon is trying to start a Kraken mating ritual with you. Tryphon, you know better.”

“Really, Tryphon?”

“What? I have needs.”

“No naked swimming just yet.”

Tryphon was huge, but he managed to get most of his head out of the water. It was enough for me to get the magic on the collar. Tryphon pulled himself out of the pool, and holy shit, did he look good.

Tryphon was soaking wet, but I could tell his long hair was shades of aqua and green. I couldn’t pinpoint the color of his eyes. They kept changing from blue to green to hazel. He was also covered in swirling tattoos that reminded me of water, but his were silver.

“I still want my naked pool swim, my pet.”

“That’s enough nakedness for now,” Hades said. “We have a very important guest coming as soon as I send a text. Get dressed.”

When I turned around, everyone was hanging on the bars of their cells ass naked. I’d done it. I’d freed them from their monster forms, and I got to meet them face to face. They could tell Hades what they needed. I could technically go home if I wanted to.

I didn’t want to. I squared my shoulders. It was time to meet my father.

Chapter 40

River

H

ades didn’t want us to stay in the jail now that we were meeting my father. He led us all back to the castle I woke up in where we all had rooms. I took a long shower, and there were clothes laid out for me when I got out. Once again, Hades had excellent taste. This was some sort of silk gown that showed off my curves.

Pavlina, Kimon, Tryphon, and Demos were waiting outside my door when I got out. Pavlina was dressed head to toe in black leather. Kimon was dressed in buttery soft leather trousers and a loose tunic. Demos looked like some sort of phoenix James Bond in a tailored suit. Tryphon had painted his nails blue and was dressed in some kind of flowing aqua robe.

“We’re your bodyguards now, baby bird,” Kimon said, offering his arm.

I took Kimon and Tryphon’s arm. Pavlina walked in front of us, and Demos took the rear. We were led to this opulent dining room where wine was already poured. A man was sitting next to Hades, and all I had to do was pull out a mirror to know he was my father.

I’d never looked like my blonde-haired, blue-eyed mother. But this man sipping wine with black hair and a long goatee? Yeah, no one could deny we were related. What now? I was rooted to the spot. I’d long given up on meeting this man.

He stood when he saw me and practically ran to me. He grabbed me and pulled me into a hug.

“River! It’s so nice to meet you finally. How you stayed hidden from me so long is a mystery.”

“You never called my mother after?”

“Ah, River. We aren’t allowed to realm travel often. I was there looking into a demon summoning that had gone wrong. I met your mother on business. We used protection. Normally, when demons mix with humans the child ends up human with no powers.”

“So, I’m half demon?”

“My dear, I’m Barbatos, a Duke of Hell. Not only are you half demon, but you’re also demon royalty.”

Say what now?