Page 105 of My Monster’s Keeper

Diablos pouts. “Wilder!” He bellows completely unnecessarily. “Those Unseelie creatures are gone.”

“I noticed when I got rid of them,” Wilder says blandly.

“Did they say anything?” Hartley asks. “We found one today who was asked about her.” Hartley jerks his head in my direction.

Stix, Wilder, Frost, and Puppy all go still and alert in a way that makes my blood fizzy.

“They keep asking,” Frost says and tilts his head to the side, cracking his jaw.

“Yes,” Stix growls. “I’m more interested in why you keep coming unannounced to our den.” Stix turns suddenly on Diablos.

Diablos huffs and tries really hard to look offended. “I’m your boss.”

Frost and Wilder snort at the same time.

Hartley looks at me, really studies me. “I wanted to make sure that you were okay.”

“I’m fine.”

He pauses, his frown deepening. “I can see that. Can we talk for a moment?”

I glance back at the guys and then nod. “Sure.”

Hartley leads me into the front of the garden, away from the others. “You’re really okay?”

“Yes.”

“They aren’t hurting you or being rude or anything?”

I laugh. “No. What's the real issue, here, Hartley?”

He looks away, disturbed. “Probably nothing, but I just thought I’d check.”

My former partner folds his arms over his chest and grumbles. His gaze is distant and disturbed.

“You have to tell me now.”

Hartley blinks and gives me a half smile. “Just keep those monsters of yours close to you when you go out.”

I turn, watching him walk away. There’s a seed of disquiet inside me, and the glow around him doesn’t seem quite so bright as it did before.

By the time I get back, Diablos and Hartley are gone. I stay on the porch, enjoying the cold. It’s that temperature where you get goosebumps but don’t start shivering.

Frost sits beside me, his thigh pressed against mine.

I reach out and take hold of his hand, closing our palms together and snuggling up closer to him.

“Are you happy with us?” Frost asks.

“I had Grant, so I wasn’t ever really alone, but I was the one who looked after him. There was pressure to always choose right and be better to get us out. I don’t think I have ever experienced what we’re living with.” My stomach lurches as I look at them. “I think I’m happy. I feel happy.” Quickly, I turn to stare at him. “Are you happy? Is this what you want? To tie your life to a human forever?”

“Yes,” Frost says without question or hesitation. “I would tie us together until forever this very moment.”

My heart races, and I bite my lower lip, fighting a smile. “Me, too.”

Frost kisses my temple. “We don’t need to rush. We have the time.”

“That’s not fun,” I tease. “All right then, Frost. Tell me about your home. What was it like?”