Page 60 of Monsterland Mayhem

“Yes. My face is too easily recognizable without the disguise. And if someone sees me, they’ll know Krolic is still alive. Hence, I masquerade as the illustrious Mad Hatter.”

It’s the name everyone knows me as here, the one I’ve gone by for centuries.

Crazeis reserved for the mate-circle.

And now, Ailsa.

Her brow furrows as she reaches out to touch my cheek, almost as though she doesn’t think I’m real. I don’t move. I barely even breathe. Because my chosen mate is exploring me.

“Your skin is so soft,” she whispers.

I don’t bother pointing out that it’s because I shave every day. The paint wouldn’t pair well with facial hair, making me a little jealous of Catum’s and Krolic’s trimmed beards. Perhaps when this is all done, I’ll grow one, too.

Or maybe not, since Ailsa seems to like my smooth jaw.

“It’s nice to see you,” she goes on. “The real you, I mean.”

I smile. “It’s nice to see you, too, Ailsa,” I murmur, my gaze dancing down to her breasts again. “Allof you.”

She frowns and follows my gaze, resulting in yet another gasp as she grabs the sheets to cover herself.

My smile disappears. “I was rather enjoying that view, Ailsa.”

She closes her eyes and pinches her arm.Hard. “Wake up, Ailsa. Wake up. Wake up.Wake up!”

I arch a brow when she peeks out at the room. “Still here, darling,” I drawl.

She yelps and scoots up to press her back to the headboard, the sheets going with her. “Yesterday really happened. I’m in Monsterland.”

“Indeed you are,” I murmur, slowly lifting myself up to mimic her position near the pillows. “You were hoping this has all been a dream?”

She doesn’t answer me at first, her gaze flitting around the room and going to the wall of windows decorating one side. The curtains are drawn, hiding the view of the clouds. Probably a good thing, given her current reaction.

“No,” she says, drawing my attention back to her mouth. “No, I… I wasn’t hoping that at all. I just assumed it wasn’t real.”

“Definitely real, gorgeous.” I reach out to tuck a strand of long hair behind her ear. “Sorry if that disappoints you.”

Her gaze finally returns to me, her blue eyes flickering with a myriad of emotions. “Disappointment is the furthest thing from what I’m feeling right now. Shock. Confusion. I’m definitely overwhelmed. More confusion.” Her lashes flutter as she starts searching the room again. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“Well, right now, we’re sitting in bed. Next on the agenda is food. Then maybe I’ll give you a tour of?—”

An explosion at the front door has me leaping off the mattress, my bare feet hitting the ground in an instant. I whistle, calling the remainders of my card deck to my hand, and dash into the living area.

Orange slime covers the floor, the stench of rotting citrus clouding the air.Fucking orcs.

Caws echo in the hallway, the sounds crawling along my skin.

Those don’t belong to orcs.

Those belong to something far more deadly.

Jabberwaries.

Deadly fucking birdlike creatures with sharp beaks, large wingspans, and venomous spit.

I dart back into the bedroom and slam the door behind me, then cover it with explosive cards. That won’t hold for long, but it’ll have to do.

“Clothes,” I tell Ailsa and gesture wildly toward the bathroom. “In the closet.Now.”