Page 78 of Monster's Melody

Sorry.

Too.

I didn’t even need to translate on those occasions because it was pretty apparent The Hissies were trying to make amends.

Vorzak would usually yell at them for apologizing, adamantly proclaim they werenot sorry, then storm out of the room, dragging The Hissies with him.

That was the worst part of being a gorgon, he’d told me once.

Never having a single moment’s privacy from The Hissies.

“Imagine if you had to listen to them all the time, too,” I’d said and he’d gotten an arrested look on his face, like he’d never considered the potential benefits of not being able to communicate with his snakes.

Toward the end of our summer break, when we were beginning to make plans to return to Blackthorn Academy for our final year, Mikaela and Elliot showed up for a surprise visit.

After leaving Mikaela behind to hang out with Yukiko, Ember and me, Elliot dragged Vorzak off on a camping trip.

“We’ll be back in three days,” Vorzak promised after dragging me into his arms for a heated kiss.

“What are they up to?”I asked Mikaela the minute they were gone.

“I don’t have a single clue.Elliot wouldn’t tell me anything.”

I scowled.“They’re definitely up to something.”

“I could send Ash to follow them,” Ember offered.“She’s an excellent spy.”

Over the past two months, I’d fallen even more in love with Ember’s spirit companion.

Of course, I had to pretend I didn’t even notice her whenever Vorzak and The Hissies were around, for owls were now on the list of animals I wasn’t allowed to play with, along with cats and other snakes.

Actually, now that I thought about it, Vorzak being gone for three days meant that I could cuddle Ash as often as I wanted without worrying about being caught.

I wouldn’t even feel guilty about it!

“That’s okay,” I said to Ember.“I appreciate the offer though.Can I hold Ash?”

Yukiko burst into laughter.“They’re not even two minutes down the road.Maybe you should wait until we’re sure they haven’t forgotten anything.”

“It would serve them right for not giving me any clues about what they’re up to,” I said.

“Agreed,” Mikaela grumbled.“There shouldn’t be any secrets between mates.”

“Even if it’s not their secret to share?”Ember asked.

“Or if it’s a secret because it’s a surprise?”Yukiko asked.

“Even then.”Mikaela scowled.

“Don’t listen to her,” I said.“Surprises are awesome.”I gave Yukiko my most penetrating stare.“Is that what they’re up to?Plotting a surprise?”

“I know nothing,” Yukiko proclaimed.

She continued that stance the entire weekend until Vorzak and Elliot finally returned.

Elliot immediately swept Mikaela into his arms, announced he’d see us all at the docks in two days’ time and swept out again.

Vorzak caught my hand in his and pulled me toward the stairs.“We’ll be down later,” he called to his sister, then we were running up the stairs to our room.