Page 12 of Monster's Melody

“What do you mean you’ve never met him?”

I didn’t appreciate the tone of incredulity in Jahrdran’s voice.

“Do you always run away from dudes you’ve never met?”

I scowled.

“Oh, I see.You’re afraid of his snakes.”

Mikaela burst into laughter and Kasi grinned.

“I’m not afraid of his snakes,” I snapped.

“Sure.”Jahrdran nodded in a way that made me think he didn’t believe me at all.

“Damnit, I’m not afraid of his snakes.”

Shadow, who was now somehow a tiny cat tattoo on Kasi’s wrist, leapt free to land on the table in front of me.

“Oh, man,” Mikaela said.“Miki-Leopard is obsessed with Shadow’s ability to lie on top of your skin, Kasi.She’s driving me nuts trying to do it herself.”

Kasi snorted with laughter.“Since she was born in the shadows, it’s possible she may succeed.”

“Don’t encourage her,” Mikaela said.“Every time she shoves against my skin without actually shifting, it’s like the worst itch in the world, and I can’t do anything about it because it’s on the inside of my skin.”

I was listening to their conversation, grateful we’d moved away from talking about Vorzak, but also incredibly aware of Shadow, who was standing on the very edge of the table between me and my plate, her shadows rubbing against my front as she stalked back and forth in front of me.

Back and forth, she marked me, her shadow tail snaking around me as she moved, the soft brush of her shadows a surprising gift that raised my spirits.

“She’s so sweet, Kasi,” I said.

Kasi smiled.“I know.

“So, if you’re not afraid of his snakes, why’d you run away?”Jahrdran abruptly asked.

I widened my eyes at Kasi, hoping she’d rein in her mate, but she just shrugged.

“Why do you care?”I asked.

“I just think it’s a curious reaction.We’re not in the same year, but I’ve still had a few classes with the gorgon and I’ve never seen anyone run away from him before.Even the ones who are terrified of his snakes tend to freeze instead of run.Don’t you know you’re not supposed to run from predators?”

“He rejected her,” Mikaela said abruptly.

“Wait, what?”Kasi looked surprised.

“Mikaela!”I exclaimed.

“What?”

“That doesn’t make sense,” Elliot said.“I thought you said you’d never met the man.”

“I haven’t.”

“So how did he reject you if you haven’t met?”Jahrdran demanded.

“He didn’t reject me.He just didn’t recognize me and then I realized that’s because I was wrong and we’re not mates after all.”

“Wait, what?”Kasi exclaimed again.“But you were so convinced.”