Page 51 of Monster's Melody

“Alone,” I said, recognizing the gleam in his eyes.

His snakes all hissed at that statement and he grinned.“For once, I agree with The Hissies.”

Sleep.

Together.

Vorzak.

Jazzy.

Hissies.

I burst out laughing.

Vorzak raised an eyebrow.

“They called me Jazzy.”I giggled.“Well, come on then.”

The five of them immediately swarmed between us and I dropped a kiss on each head one-by-one.“Have you named them?”I couldn’t believe I hadn’t asked that question yet.

“Of course not.They’re just The Hissies.”

“Well, I think they need names.Not that The Hissies isn’t an absolutely adorable nickname, but they each have their own personality, you know, so I’m going to give it some thought.”

Vorzak chuckled.“You do that.”

I was contemplating famous groups of five as Vorzak maneuvered us toward the stairs.We were halfway up our third flight when I realized he was probably still hoping to join me for my nap.

I stopped when we hit the fourth floor landing.“You can head to your room and I’ll meet up with you for dinner.”We were in the same year, so we each had a room on the fourth floor.“If you come with me, neither one of us will get any sleep.”

“I’ll walk you to your door,” he insisted.

I rolled my eyes, but didn’t argue.

When we reached my room, he wasn’t keen on leaving me until he saw that Kasi and Mikaela were both there.

I wasn’t sure whether he agreed to leave because their presence meant no shenanigans or if he simply trusted Kasi to go after me should the shadows grab me again.Probably a little bit of both.

Before leaving, he hauled me into his arms and kissed me.

Heat swept through me as The Hissies slithered all around me, squeezing and nipping inallthe right places.

By the time they walked out the door, The Hissies dancing and waving goodbye as they went, I was a melting, needy mess.

The minute the door closed behind them, Mikaela grabbed my hand and dragged me over to my bed.“Sit, sit,” she insisted as she settled across from me on Kasi’s bed, both of them facing me, clearly ready to begin their interrogation.“Tell useverything.”

I stared at her, then Kasi.“What are you talking about?Everything what?”

“Don’t even try to act all innocent,” Mikaela exclaimed.“His snakes were all over you.Not that they haven’t been before, but they werereallyall over you.”Her eyes widened.“Pleasetell me they go to sleep when you two are getting busy.”

I grinned.“Now what would be the fun of that?”

Kasi laughed.

“You are kidding me!They’re all over you even duringsex?”Mikaela whispered that last word, utter shock on her face.

I had a split second to worry this might be too much for her, but then she grinned.